cannabisnews.com: New Medical Uses Found for Marijuana





New Medical Uses Found for Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on September 17, 2008 at 05:13:58 PT
By Camille Roane
Source: Daily Free Press
Massachusetts -- The mounting uses of medicinal marijuana got higher after researchers found compounds in marijuana can combat certain strands of bacteria. Despite these findings, many government organizations still prohibit the use of marijuana in research.A recent study by Italian and U.K. scientists, which will be published in the Sept. Journal of Natural Products shows that cannabinoids, compounds found in marijuana, could be a potential answer to drug resistant strains of bacteria.
Researchers isolated five cannabinoids and tested them for their effectiveness against the bacteria present in drug resistant staph infections, like methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aurera, the bacteria responsible for difficult to treat staph infections. All five cannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids proved successful against the bacteria, according to the study.Center for Disease Control spokeswoman Christine Pearson said there are no numbers detailing how many MRSA infections occur in the U.S., but 12 million people visit their doctors for skin infections every year. "The most recent study said that 85 percent of MRSA outbreaks are at hospitals or other health facilities," said Pearson. Pearson said she could not comment on the CDC's stance on marijuana research or the European study that found cannabinoids to be successful at fighting MRSA. However, David Rosenbloom, director of Join Together, a Boston University School of Public Health program devoted to "responsible" drug and alcohol policy, said he was not surprised by the effectiveness of cannabinoids on MRSA because a number of beneficial medicines come from plants.Rosenbloom said the politics of marijuana use are interfering with the growth of substantial research. "Neither the pro or con forces want reliable resources because they're both convinced that their side is right," Rosenbloom said. Marijuana Policy Project spokesman Bruce Mirken said it is even difficult for researchers to get permission to use marijuana in their research."Unfortunately, in the U.S. medicinal marijuana has become a political problem," Mirken said. "The federal government is deeply invested in demonizing marijuana and seems to be only paying lip service to any scientists that want to do serious research."The University of Mississippi is currently the only university in the U.S. allowed to grow marijuana for research. Any scientists who want to do research with marijuana must apply to the DEA for approval, Mirken said. University of Massachusetts-Amherst researcher and professor Lyle Craker applied to the Drug Enforcement Agency to grow marijuana for medicinal purposes in in 2001 and was denied permission in 2004. Craker said it was difficult to do real research about potential medicinal benefits of marijuana because the government is committed to telling the public that marijuana is bad. "In my opinion, we need to explore every avenue we have to protect our health and cure illness," Craker said.Source: Daily Free Press (Boston U, MA Edu)Author: Camille RoanePublished: September 17, 2008Copyright: 2008 Back Bay Publishing, Inc.Contact: letters dailyfreepress.comWebsite: http://www.dailyfreepress.com/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #11 posted by TGordon on September 18, 2008 at 23:59:59 PT
comment #9
Even though all of the "reasons" people give for the government ban on the responsible use of cannabis are just down-right stupid, I think that the so called "fact" that cannabis is more potent than it was in years past ranks up near the top.
As many if not all of you who frequent this site know: If the potency of cannabis being so high is such a problem then why does the government have patents on products that contain 100% THC?
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Comment #10 posted by Paint with light on September 17, 2008 at 23:24:37 PT
People in pain
I have a good friend who has degenerative disc disease. I have suggested to him several times that cannabis might be of benefit, but he won't try it because it is illegal.He doesn't judge my use of it but is afraid of what he would lose if caught.If cannabis was treated equal with alcohol by the law he might find some relief. 
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Comment #9 posted by OverwhelmSam on September 17, 2008 at 11:21:57 PT
In Case You Missed It
Hey Guys, Check out this articla on VP Presidential Candidate Palin:http://reason.com/news/show/128824.html"It's Palin's job to teach her children that certain pleasures are reserved for grownups. The government should not continue to arrest adults who are harming no one simply because her children are easily confused."
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Comment #8 posted by runruff on September 17, 2008 at 10:56:16 PT
Kool! 
We are going and look forward to seeing you all.
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Comment #7 posted by museman on September 17, 2008 at 10:42:33 PT
runruff -OT
The boys are playing at the Hope Mountain Barter Fair on friday afternoon -starting at four. It is their I.V. debut.I will be there as well. Maybe a little acoustic around the fire (if there is one) later on.And I forgot to give you DVD copies of 'Let My People Grow.'
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Comment #6 posted by museman on September 17, 2008 at 10:37:58 PT
article from narconon
This little line says it all;"*Source: ONDCP"
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on September 17, 2008 at 10:33:42 PT
Is America Blind To Marijuana?
September 17, 2008Video From Narconon: http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=61932&cat=10
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Comment #4 posted by runruff on September 17, 2008 at 10:06:44 PT
Tobalcohol
Let's make a concoction and market it. I know it would amount to sure death but at least it will be legal.
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Comment #3 posted by museman on September 17, 2008 at 09:08:24 PT
I just realized
That there is a 'gateway drug'. Actually two of them;Alcohol and tobacco.
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Comment #2 posted by museman on September 17, 2008 at 08:44:11 PT
safer, and heals
I was a tobacco smoker for 33 years. For 29 of those years I also smoked pot.6 months after quitting tobacco, my lungs were examined, and my doctor was amazed. They were 'pink and healthy.'Gee, I wonder why?I have degenerative spinal disease, given to me courtesy of the USN in one of their bio experiments in the early 70's, and aggravated by tobacco use (also 'suggested' to me in boot camp.) Though, like many other things I am convinced of, I can not prove a thing (convenient for them that they can claim 'no record' of their experimentations on me and others) but I am convinced that if I had not been smoking cannabis, the destruction of my spine would have been more swift and debilitating (which I believe was their plan.)Cannabis is such a wonderful plant, all by itself it nearly replaces the entire pharma culture and questionable drugs that come out of it.Cannabis is truly 'The Herb Reknown.' The Tree of Life.
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Comment #1 posted by OverwhelmSam on September 17, 2008 at 06:23:10 PT
Marijuana Safer than Cigarettes!
Trying to kick the habit? Instead of lighting up a cigarette full of cancer, bronchitis, emphasema, heart disease causing chemicals, light up a bowl of cannabis. Approximately 500,000 people die every year in America from nicotine abuse related diseases. Marijuana, approximately zero. (Unless you count criminal cops who kill innocent cannabis users.)
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