General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Weed is woo too [View all]RainDog
(28,784 posts)And it's true that the NIDA is very stingy with approval for studies because of its scheduling as a class I, with no medical value.
But as a palliative treatment for side effects of chemotherapy, cannabis was so effective, based upon user surveys from doctors, it was synthesized and that's why Marinol exists. Unfortunately, Marinol, from patient reports, is much stronger because it's just THC. And further research has indicated a synergistic effect from two diff. cannabinoids, not just THC.
The AMA has recommended that cannabis be removed as a schedule I substance so that more research can occur, again, based upon physicians' views of existing research and patient reports. But they have to couch their words so that they don't offend the DEA, etc., as you see in this link: http://www.amednews.com/article/20091123/profession/311239968/7/
But cannabis is already legally prescribed as a drug for epilepsy and MS, and other conditions, depending upon the country. Sativex is made from cannabis plants, not a synthetic, and delivered as a spray. GW Pharmaceutical, in GB, grows and processes all the plants used for Sativex at this time.
Cannabis is legal as medicine in the UK (on June 21, 2010, making it the first cannabis-based prescription medicine in the world) Approved to treat spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis in Spain, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland, Finland, Israel, Norway, and Poland.
There has only been one human study for cancer (gliomas) and that was only allowed when tradition treatments were no longer recommended. Animal studies have shown good results and have shown the way that cannabis creates apoptosis of various cancer cells.
These are current or upcoming studies:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=%28smoked+OR+inhaled+OR+vaporized%29+AND+%28cannabis+OR+marijuana%29
Early Studies Indicate Cannabis May Shrink Tumor Cells (Studies: 1974-2010)
The link is to 5 studies that indicate cannabinoids shrink cancer cells (various cancers)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/117030
CBD cannabinoid prevents neuropathic pain from breast cancer chemo
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21737705
This is an important overview from four researchers/doctors:
Evidence is accumulating that cannabinoids may be useful medicine for certain indications. Control of nausea and vomiting and the promotion of weight gain in chronic inanition are already licensed uses of oral THC (dronabinol capsules). Recent research indicates that cannabis may also be effective in the treatment of painful peripheral neuropathy and muscle spasticity from conditions such as multiple sclerosis . Other indications have been proposed, but adequate clinical trials have not been conducted. As these therapeutic potentials are confirmed, it will be useful if marijuana and its constituents can be prescribed, dispensed, and regulated in a manner similar to other medications that have psychotropic effects and some abuse potential. Given that we do not know precisely which cannabinoids or in which combinations achieve the best results, larger and more representative clinical trials of the plant product are warranted.
Based on evidence currently available the Schedule I classification is not tenable; it is not accurate that cannabis has no medical value, or that information on safety is lacking. It is true cannabis has some abuse potential, but its profile more closely resembles drugs in Schedule III (where codeine and dronabinol are listed). The continuing conflict between scientific evidence and political ideology will hopefully be reconciled in a judicious manner . In the meantime, the decision to recommend this treatment in jurisdictions where use of medical marijuana is already permitted needs to be based on a careful assessment
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3358713/?tool=pubmed
Based upon the patient response that was broadcast to the world via CNN, FDA Approves Investigational Trials Assessing Cannabidiol for Pediatric Epilepsy (Cannabis, as Sativex, is already legal in many countries, as noted above, for epilepsy in adults.)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/11701420
Marijuana Causes Remission in Crohn's Disease
http://www.democraticunderground.com/11701420
Uruguay, who just legalized, is in talks with Canada and research labs to supply cannabis for medical purposes. Canada would not be doing this if the govt. thought there was no medical value in the cannabis plant, not just a synthetic.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/medicinal-marijuana-labs-eye-uruguay-law-21435613
I don't think cannabis as medicine quite fits the definition of woo.