World's biggest MS trial shows benefits of cannabis

[DoYouEverWonder]

The Independent

07 November 2003

Results from the world's largest study into the medical effects of cannabis have shown that the drug can reduce pain and improve the lives of people with multiple sclerosis.

Scientists concluded that patients for whom other treatments have failed should be given tablets made from cannabis derivatives.

The three-year study, published in the medical journal The Lancet today, is the first clinical appraisal of whether cannabis-derived drugs can help treat MS.

Mike O'Donovan, chief executive of the Multiple Sclerosis Society said: "These improvements to quality of life can make a significant difference to people with MS. On the evidence now available, the MS Society believes those who might benefit should be able to have treatment prescribed on the NHS."




One more reason why marijuana and hemp should be legalized. It is criminal to withhold an effective and safe drug that is proving to be so beneficial.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Oh, Marijuana!

Is there anything you can't do? :smoke:

[arcos]

3. No, there isn't!

It's a wonderful herb!

[DBoon]

2. I thought MS was Microsoft

and was wondering how cannabis could possibly aid the anti-trust effort....

[caledesi]

4. Thank you DYEW. Unfortunately, I am in the process of being

diagnosed. Not fun. Scary. My legs are numb from the knees down. Equibrium is all off. Ataxia (feel like when I walk, my legs aren't coordinated). Am walking w/ a cane. My first brain MRI showed demyelination (you know the sheath that insulates the nerves). Just like a cable, if the rubber that insulated a cable wears away, the connection is bad. This is the best analogy I can give concerning MS.

I used to play tennis ALL the time. That is in the past now. It's a very trying time for me, but surprisingly my spirits are pretty good (well, the Zoloft helps...LOL!). Seriously, I really work very hard on taking "one day at a time."

I am lucky bec we have an MS Center here in Tampa and these 4 neurologists are MS neurologists and that's ALL they deal w/. I feel that I am going to the "best."

As of 6 months ago, my life has become very limited and it is so weird. I am a hyper-person...used to be "always on the go" not anymore.

Don't cry for me Argentina. Things could be worse.

[MoonAndSun]

5. My thoughts and prayers go out to you, caledesi.....

:hug:

[caledesi]

8. Thank you M&S. Appreciate it. nt

[Junkdrawer]

6. My wife (the one with the word origin books) was diagnosed 3 yrs ago...

She's on Copaxone now. Avonex was too toxic. My friend (and potential new boss) is associated with several drug researchers and thinks low-dose FK 506 would be better, but doctors are reluctant to use the drug because it requires too much monitoring.

[Virgil]

7. My sister has MS

It is a terrible disease and it shows how the federal government could care less about the people and could not care more about the pill company profits.

This is big news and it is the topic of the last three stories up at http://www.cannabisnews.com/ There was also a big announcement today that GW Pharmacueticals will expand its distribution of Sativex with Bayer into Canada. The clinical trials were overwhelmingly positive for these cannabis extracts that will become available in the UK as early as next month. That article appears here- http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread17741.shtml

The government policy is cruel and mean-spirited to say the least. What is bad is that as early as 1974 after Nixon had declared the 1971 War on Cancer, the government buried any reporting of its findings except a blurb in the Washington Post and kept it buried. Richard Cowan has a good piece on this and a good overview in this weeks entry at MarijuanaNews.com- http://www.marijuananews.com/news.php3?sid=717

But the big story is how the government ignores its own guidelines to keep marijuana and its individual cannabinoids as Schedule 1 Narcotics. Even if it were only lowered to a Schedule 2 the states would be able to have laws that are respected. The States Rights issue being beaten by a federal right under the Commerce Clause needs to be answered by the courts also. Why is it taking so long when everyone is asking the question? The government is eaten up by corruption and it is the corporate masters that are served and the public good be damned.

You can do a Google Search for "Scedule One Lie" and most of those would be me as p4me or Virgil at CannabisNews.com. It is a complete lie, knowingly made with full knowledge of the facts. That is why I am not suprised by the lies concerning Iraq or anything else. Lies mean nothing to the Nazis and they have no problem ignoring science or the 80% of Americans that support MMJ as well as their own guidelines in the schedule of narcotics.

[caledesi]

9. Because there is no cure...I have to wait, bec no doctor wants

to start the Avonex/Copazine thing. That's okay w/ me, but I am very afraid of injecting Interferon-type drug. The side effects are horrendous.

[demgrrrll]

10. My husband has had MS for 10 years, still works 48-50 hours per week

He uses Copaxone, the Swank diet, supplements, pilates, yoga
Everything seems to work together for him he just got back from his pilates class, he is doing well I think but the fatigue is a big problem because he would like to do more, he was always on the go. But working 48-50 hours a week is great and the insurance is helpful that is for sure.