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| Pot Proponent Just Says No |
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Posted by CN Staff on February 11, 2004 at 12:57:34 PT By Fast Company Source: Fast Company 
Medical marijuana's elder statesman is not convinced that the therapeutic benefits of cannabis can be separated from the psychoactive effects -- or that cannabis should be "pharmaceuticalized."You might think that the eminence grise of the medical-marijuana movement would enthusiastically support an effort by the British biotech GW Pharmaceuticals to produce and market medicines derived from Cannabis sativa . But in the Aboveground Marijuana Economy, there's no such thing as a safe assumption. Lester Grinspoon is a grandfather, an emeritus professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and the author of two seminal books on the therapeutic benefits of pot: Marihuana Reconsidered and Marihuana: The Forbidden Medicine (co-authored with James B. Bakalar). In an interview in his office in a Boston suburb, Grinspoon declared that the efficacy of cannabis as a medicine is beyond question, citing its versatility in treating a whole host of illnesses and symptoms, from glaucoma to arthritis pain to Krohn's disease to migraine headaches. "Not a single death has ever been attributed to a marijuana overdose," he says. "Marijuana is one of the least toxic drugs known to humankind." Grinspoon was opposed to marijuana use until the early 1970s, when his 10-year old son was diagnosed with acute lymphatic leukemia. In his book, The Forbidden Medicine , he movingly describes how the drug relieved the violent nausea his son experienced from chemotherapy "during the remaining year of his life." Since then, he has interviewed hundreds of patients who say they have been helped by marijuana. Nevertheless, Grinspoon is critical of GW's plan to market Sativex, a cannabis-laced oral spray that shows promise in relieving the pain and muscle rigidity that accompanies multiple sclerosis. It's a curious stance, given that GW has reported to the House of Lords' committee on science and technology that in recent trials, the vast majority of Sativex users indicated "significant alleviation" of at least one symptom, including pain, spasticity, and bladder problems; in some cases, the improvements were "sufficient to transform lives." Grinspoon has two problems with Sativex, which he laid out in an email that was widely circulated amongst medical-marijuana activists: "GW Pharmaceuticals," he wrote, "sold this product to the Home Office on the assertion that it will provide all of the medical benefits of cannabis without imposing on the patient the 'two dangerous' effects -- those of smoking and getting high...Although cannabis has been smoked widely in this country for four decades now, there are no reported cases of cancer or emphysema which can be attributed to marijuana...Those who are, in today's antismoking climate, concerned about any toxic effects on the pulmonary system can now use a vaporizer, a device which frees the cannabinoid molecules from the plant material without the necessity of burning it and thereby producing smoke. "As for the psychoactive effects," Grinspoon continued, "I am not convinced that the therapeutic benefits of cannabis can be separated from the psychoactive effects, nor am I persuaded that that is always a desirable goal. For example, many patients with multiple sclerosis who use marijuana speak of mood elevation as well as the relief of muscle spasm and other symptoms. If cannabis contributes to their feeling better, should patients be deprived of this effect?" Geoffrey Guy, GW's founder and chairman, vigorously disputes that last point. "Only about 10% of the people who come into our trials have tried illegal cannabis to ease their symptoms -- they show no pent-up desire to get stoned. They just want to ease their pain or spasticity. MS is a condition that dominates your life. And if you get a large chunk of your life back by taking this medicine, the last thing you want to do is throw it away again by getting intoxicated." But Grinspoon has a bigger beef with GW, which is that Sativex will contribute to what he calls the "pharmaceuticalization" of cannabis. According to his reasoning, GW is giving the British government -- and in the future, other governments as well -- a way to say that they are making medical marijuana available to patients, while at the same time enabling regulators to continue banning it for recreational use. Grinspoon's bottom line: Sativex will rob pro-pot activists of a potent wedge issue -- sympathy for sick people who want legal access to medical marijuana -- and thereby perpetuate the overall prohibition on marijuana. "GW's marketing pitch for Sativex will be that it doesn't require smoking, it doesn't get you high, and it's completely legal," predicts Grinspoon. "Without a continued prohibition on marijuana, the pharmaceutical industry just won't invest in this area, because they know they can't compete with the plant, which is every bit as safe and effective -- and a whole lot cheaper -- than a cannabis-based pharmaceutical product. The plant's only drawback is that it's illegal. Ultimately, the commercial success of any cannabinoid product will depend on how vigorously the prohibition against marijuana is enforced." What, then, does Grinspoon propose? He argues that cannabis "should be removed from the medical and criminal control systems. It should be made legal for adult use and taxed, just like alcohol." Geoffrey Guy, GW's founder and chairman, concedes that Sativex might, in fact, enable the British government to separate medical marijuana from the debate over decriminalizing the drug for recreational use. But he believes that in the long run, the chance that marijuana might one day be decriminalized will help more than hurt him. "The British government's policy in this area has been to maintain recreational cannabis as an illegal activity but to give aid to a program that could bring forward a legitimate, cannabis-based medicine," he said when I interviewed him in southeastern England. "We have basically been the animators of the medicinal part of that policy. Frankly, if our program disappeared tomorrow, the government wouldn't have a policy. "The debate over legalizing the recreational use of marijuana is best dealt with by politicians and the plebiscite, not by businessmen and clinicians," he continued. "But to the extent that societal views of cannabis become more tolerant, it reduces some of the hurdles and enables us to position our medicines in the context of normal medical practice, without all the baggage of a debate that's mainly fueled by a range of fictitious propositions." Concludes Guy: "The more acceptable the drug becomes, the bigger our markets become -- we'll be able to treat a much, much wider range of patients." On that last point, Grinspoon and Guy might agree. Regardless of the delivery system -- spray, pill, or vaporizer -- cannabis is slowly (some will say insidiously) making its way back into the medical mainstream. As it does so, says Grinspoon, "people will learn that it's harmfulness has been greatly exaggerated and its usefulness underestimated -- and the pressure will increase for drastic change in the way we as a society deal with this drug." This Web Exclusive is offered as a supplement to Fast Company's February 2004 article "The Cannabis Conundrum." Source: Fast Company (NY) Related Articles & Web Sites: GW Pharmaceuticals Marijuana The Forbidden Medicine Dr. Dope's Connection - Fast Company Pipe Dream? - Fast Company The Cannabis Conundrum - Fast Company Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #16 posted by charmed quark on February 12, 2004 at 16:45:29 PT |
| I actually agree with the GW Pharm statements that many medical users don't like the psychoactive effect. I have to use THC every day to control my migraines. While I might find it fun to get high once or twice a week, everyday is just a pain. Luckily, I don't have to use much and I have adapted to whatever high I get. The high is way overblown. This side effect is a lot weaker than that of many of the migraine pharmaceuticals that I took in the past. I don't see where GWPharm gets away with saying their drug won't get you high, implying hat "ordinary" cannabis will. Sativex is cannabis in spray form. It'll get you no more and no less high than cannabis. I don't think pharmaceutical cannabis will hurt the decrim/legalization movement in England. They aren't crazy like we are in the USA. England is well on its way to a Dutch-like solution. In the USA, I don't think we will legalize anytime soon. We are crazy about cannabinoids. Try getting a prescription for Marinol. Sativex will be worst. I hate to say it, but I would welcome Sativex so that I would have a legal whole cannabis product to use. I can't wait a lifetime to treat my disease. Maybe I would feel different if I lived in one of the medical marijuana states. But even in those states, I don't think you could use it and hold a federal job. -Pete [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #15 posted by afterburner on February 12, 2004 at 10:09:12 PT:
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| Cannabis given for the health and healing of the nations, to meet the Divine, to improve one's path, to build a better society. ego transcendence and/or ego destruction?, that is the question. Medical Freedom Amendment for 2004, people and states get on board, then the federal consensus! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #14 posted by SystemGoneDown on February 12, 2004 at 08:53:13 PT |
| "people will learn that it's harmfulness has been greatly exaggerated and its usefulness underestimated -- and the pressure will increase for drastic change in the way we as a society deal with this drug." I quoted that a long time ago on this website. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #13 posted by BigDawg on February 12, 2004 at 08:18:29 PT |
| If it weren't for Dr. Russo being involved with the GWPharms company... I would be REALLY concerned. And to be honest, considering it isn't HIS company... I still worry some. GWP will bring to light the fact that cannabis HAS medical value... which is a good thing. But once a company can profit from PHARMACEUTICAL cannabis extracts... I worry that they will have profits in mind as they lobby to keep the plant itself prohibited. If nothing else... this should help change the SOL.... but reclassifying to schedule 2 will STILL not be where it belongs... and will still send people to jail over a relatively benign plant. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #12 posted by Nuevo Mexican on February 11, 2004 at 21:09:53 PT |
| Anyone noticed the truth is revealing itself to humanity regarding our abuse and denial of the miracle plants' holy, spiritual, profound and pleasurable healing effects? The division between what is false and what is real is becoming more apparent to all it seems, as reflected in the writings of some great journalists of late. This trend should continue through the election, the day we face the illusion, or peirce it. To follow up on mayans 911 posting, off topic but it does relate to the 'moment' we're in, with the fall of bush and all, this is a story that needs to be read by all, before we place any scintilla of trust in our Gov, be it lead by a Dem or Repub. Stewardess ID'd Hijackers Early, Transcripts Show by Gail Sheehy Amy Sweeney’s account alerted the airline that something extraordinary was occurring. She told Mr. Woodward she didn’t believe the pilots were flying the plane any longer. She couldn’t contact the cockpit. Sweeney may have ventured forward to business class, because she relayed the alarming news to Betty Ong, who was sitting in the rear jump-seat. In professional lingo, she said: "Our No. 1 has been stabbed," referring to a violent attack on the plane’s purser, "also No. 5," another flight attendant. She also reported that the passenger in 9B had had his throat slit by the hijacker sitting behind him and appeared to be dead. Betty Ong relayed this information to Nydia Gonzalez, a reservations manager in North Carolina, who simultaneously held another phone to her ear with an open line to American Airlines official Craig Marquis at the company’s Dallas headquarters. The fact that the hijackers initiated their takeover by killing a passenger and stabbing two crew members had to be the first tip-off that this was anything but a standard hijacking. "I don’t recall any flight crew or passenger being harmed during a hijacking in the course of my career," said Peg Ogonowski, a senior flight attendant who has flown with American for 28 years. http://www.observer.com/pages/frontpage1.asp [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #11 posted by ekim on February 11, 2004 at 20:32:50 PT |
| C=Span 2 has Congress grilling Greenspan. I have been watching for a few hours and have seen many Congressman and Woman so upset as how there people back home are loosing jobs at a alarming rates. Greenspan is talking such jubberish will anyone come forward and tell me what the hell his is saying. Poor guy since all the power is in Congress and not ol Alan. Would I like to see just one of those Congress people ask the bigger question. Why are we the USA not allowing our people the use of the Miracle Plant. {Cannabis}Because only the Congress can help the people. It is a joke to see the people being represented by such a group of hypocrites. They say they are upset for the lose of jobs outsourced to other countries but not one of them offers to change the laws on Cannabis to allow us to compete, and improvise new jobs and products. Where are the Ethanol people showing how many gals will generate how much money and how it will dove tale with the hydrogen fuel cell industry. The Paper people where are they The Health Food people Again please Hemp Industry Association please set up your display boards and the hundreds of items before the Debate in LA on the 22 of Feb. Make the issue of Hemp Industry in the USA as being a central issue in the next election. As jobs are a central issue now in every state. I am looking forward to see the upcoming events in the Hemp Industry as all is posted is last years events. Please make LA on Feb 22 one of your first this year. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #10 posted by FoM on February 11, 2004 at 20:00:34 PT |
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I'm Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Southern California and author of 'Understanding Marijuana' (Oxford University Press, 2002). The following survey is designed to assess correlates of cannabis use, so we need users and non users. Please help science and get a chance at a $500, $250 or $100 prize by completing the following survey. It takes 20-30 minutes and does ask about your personal habits, but all answers are completely confidential. After the prizes are awarded the answers will be completely anonymous. Users and non-users will participate, so filling it out is no evidence of any specific behavior. Feel free to pass this link to your friends and acquaintances! Here is a link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?A=19861449E3270 Thanks, Mitch Earleywine, Ph.D. Professor, University of Southern California NORML Advisory Board [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #9 posted by mayan on February 11, 2004 at 18:22:50 PT |
| God gave us EVERY green plant. He didn't give us SOME green plants. He didn't give the government green plants. The plant works best as a plant. All of the compounds together make it what it is. Nothing short of that will suffice. The way out is the way in... 9/11 panel: No White House subpoena: http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=53&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 Family Steering Committee Regarding the Failure of the Commission to Subpoena the White House: http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=54&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 Arrests at Ground Zero: http://www.septembereleventh.org/newsarchive/2004-02-08-arrests.php Ellen Mariani's RICO Suit against Bush: http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/MarianiAC.html [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by FoM on February 11, 2004 at 15:33:51 PT |
| I believe the whole plant is what we all want here on CNews. I couldn't afford any prescription drugs if I needed them without financial difficulty. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by schmeff on February 11, 2004 at 15:30:19 PT |
| The Miracle Plant was given to US. It doesn't belong to governments, so governments have no authority to 'give' it to pharmaceutical companys. I think it's fabulous and wonderful that GW Pharma is managing to debunk the "voodoo" medicine propaganda and that sick people may now have an alternative option for treatment, but in the long run, financial success for GW requires continued prohibition. We will hear a lot of pharmaceutical spin about measured doses and product purity, but in spite of what industry scientists will tell us, it's not really rocket science: the herb is so non-toxic that the concept of an "overdose" having any serious effects are nil. As for purity, I'm not particularly concerned about the purity of the brocolli buds I choose from the produce section, and I don't think the purity of the cannabis buds should be any different. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #6 posted by Rev Jonathan Adler on February 11, 2004 at 15:15:18 PT:
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| Lester Is Right Again! This is a man who can't be fooled. One of my role models in real life. I am prvileged to have met and shared herb with him. The lack of involvement in the medical cannabis marketplace that we in the USA have now is sad and incomprehensible. GW goes on with cultivation and research development while I still am engaged in legislation at our Capitol to distribute Marijuana Legally! HB2669 and SB3139 are awaiting a hearing. Help by contacting Dennis Arakaki (Chair-Health Committe) (808) 586-6050 and request a fair hearing on this bill.Colleen Hanabusa in the Senate holds the senate companion. Her # is (808) 586-7793
Help us now! Lester Grinspoon, please support our bills in Hawaii with e-mails to all legislators here soon. Thanks. Call your friend Dean Ed cadman at the Medical School here and ask him to get on board too. I can be reached at (808)
982-7640 Thanks to Dr. Ethan Russo also for his overt support. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by goneposthole on February 11, 2004 at 13:57:42 PT |
| I have smoked cannabis for 33 and1/2 years now. Had I been drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco all of those years like I have smoked cannabis,
I would be an incoherent, babbling idiot worse than I am now. Hats off to Dr. Grinspoon. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on February 11, 2004 at 13:57:14 PT |
| In today's Chicago Sun-Times, p53: "Nothing Criminal In Healing Herbs" Should patients suffering from severe ailments - AIDS, cancer, glaucoma - have access to medical marijuana which, often alone among available medicines, can alleviate their suffering? Or should they be liable to arrest and prosecution like any other drug user? Few issues cut so wide a gulf between the federal government and the states. The feds are anti-pot, period. Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington have passed laws exempting the very ill, often terminally ill, from facing jail. Now Illinois may join them. A medical marijuana bill introduced into the General Assembly would exempt patients who have a doctor's prescription from prosecution. It deserves full debate and then swift passage. Use of medical marijuana is only controversial to the feds - responsible medical organizations such as the American Acadmy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of HIV Medicine, the New England Journal of Medicine and the American Nurses Association support it, as do countless doctors. "It is pointless and cruel," said one Chicago physician, "to threaten the sick with arrest and jail simply for trying to feel better." The suffering of thousands of sick Illinois citizens demand that we cast off punitive and wrong-headed notions about marijuana and pass this bill without delay. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=- If you live in Illinois and agree with the Sun-Times, why not let your state representative know? It takes about two minutes if you click here: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=5047396&type=ST Also, the Drug Czar is going to Sacramento today, and it doesn't look like the welcome wagon is going to greet him: http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/0211-02.htm [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by Virgil on February 11, 2004 at 13:55:15 PT |
| I meant to say in Comment3, it is important to see what THC-free extracts would do and not what THC extracts would do. Both are important, but what THC-free extracts can do is killer to the prohibitionist past. It will poison the present and bring us to a new cannabis age. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by Virgil on February 11, 2004 at 13:31:21 PT |
| to the cause of prohibition. This is the closing chapter of demonization. Demonization from this point on will only receive ridicule in the populus. These three article from Fast Company today are a cluster bomb on the prohibitionist camp. Fast Company has proven itself to be the leading supplier of truth that will bring us change this year. Whoever tops this might topple prohibition itself. It will have to happen as the tipping point has arrived. This is not some abstract argument that relies on words only for its conclusion. It is the #1 choice for recreational escape outside of poisoning with alcohol. The proof that the government position is just a house of cards/lies is in the soup. Some things might be good for you and bad for you, but cannabis is good and only good. What awaits us is what the THC extracts will do. If it cures a headache or prevents them, are they going to insist on prohibiting the safest cure for the common headache? The jig has long been up. Now we will see politicians fall as they throw what little credibility they have away in justifying the continuation of a war on cannabist. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #1 posted by Dankhank on February 11, 2004 at 13:18:01 PT:
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| I believe Dr Grinspoon has summed it up nicely, and have been concerned about the same thing for a while. Sativex could be the first nail in the coffin of Recreational Use. Hope not ... [ Post Comment ] |
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