cannabisnews.com: Nevada Conference Examines Medical Marijuana Nevada Conference Examines Medical Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on September 28, 2002 at 21:19:24 PT By Martin Griffith, Associated Press Source: Associated Press Marijuana holds promising therapeutic value for a broad range of health patients, but further study is needed to determine what types of sufferers it can benefit, a conference of pain management experts was told Saturday.At a symposium held in conjunction with the American Academy of Pain Management's annual meeting, scientists discussed their latest research and the obstacles they face trying to develop marijuana for medicinal uses. Dr. Mark Ware of Montreal's McGill University said a pilot study is under way in Canada to determine marijuana's effectiveness in reducing pain for a broad range of patients, including those with cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis and arthritis."I think the question is: How many patients could be using it that aren't using it?"said Ware, who heads the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids."It's clearly been effective for some people, and we're trying to find out how useful it would be for others."It might not be good for everybody. Much more needs to be done to determine who can benefit from it,"Ware said.Dr. Ethan Russo, a Missoula, Mont., neurologist and researcher with faculty appointments at the universities of Montana and Washington, accused the federal governmment of hampering marijuana research in the United States.He said he won Federal Drug Administration approval for a study on marijuana's effect on migraine treatment, but the National Institute on Drug Abuse wouldn't supply the marijuana."We're way behind other countries in this area and it's because of politics,"said Russo, editor of the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics."There's been a stigma attached to marijuana in the United States over the last 65 years."It's clear that in the area of pain management a lot of treatments are lacking in efficacy, and marijuana has great promise. With government cooperation, we can do much more marijuana research in the U.S.,"Russo said.Since California became the first state to approve medical marijuana in 1996, six other states have followed suit. But federal law prohibits the sale of marijuana for medical uses.Despite the law, the federal government has approved 11 marijuana studies now under way in California, said J. Hampton Atkinson of the University of California's Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research.The studies will examine the effects of marijuana on a broad range of patients, including those with multiple schlerosis and nerve pain, he said, adding final action on four other other proposed studies is pending.Dr. William Notcutt of Great Britain's Norwich University said his studies to date have shown marijuana can benefit multiple sclerosis and chronic-pain patients with intractable symptoms.Elvy Musikka, 63, of Orangevale, Calif., a glaucoma patient who has used marijuana for 26 years, criticized the federal government for restricting access to medical marijuana."It has worked miraculously for me from the start,"she said."It's the oldest medicine known to humanity, and I don't believe more research is needed on it. We know marijuana works but we're stalling for political reasons."Complete Title: Nevada Conference Examines Medical Marijuana Research, PoliticsThe Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics: http://www.cannabis-med.org/science/jcant.htmSource: Associated Press Author: Martin Griffith, Associated PressPublished: September 28, 2002 Copyright: 2002 Associated Press Related Articles & Web Sites:Hemp for Headacheshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/hh.pdf Cannabinoids in Pain Managementhttp://freedomtoexhale.com/drr.htmChronic Cannabis Use http://freedomtoexhale.com/ccu.pdfHandbook of Psychotropic Herbshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/ermd.htmSymposium on Cannabinoids in Pain Management http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14269.shtmlMarijuana Praised Despite Legal Issueshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13056.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #9 posted by FoM on September 29, 2002 at 17:30:34 PT Welcome Back Dr. Russo Thanks for all you do. You are really appreciated. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Ethan Russo MD on September 29, 2002 at 17:21:20 PT: Reno I am glad that this was printed, although it would have been great if the reporter had been able to attend the earlier sessions. We had a great deal more to report beyond my conversation with him about NIDA thwarting my FDA-approved research project. I want to look forward and not back, hoping that opportunities are better in the future. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on September 29, 2002 at 17:07:40 PT Dr Ganj You're right. We can't afford to lose. I sure hope Question 9 passes. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Dr Ganj on September 29, 2002 at 16:10:15 PT Elvy Musikka Notice how the article mentions Elvy's marijuana use and efficacy, but doesn't mention our own U.S. government SUPPLIES her with a canister every month that contains 300 marijuana cigarettes. I know this because Elvy gave me an empty canister as a present. I am RIGHT NOW holding it, and it says on the label: "Bascom Palmer Eye Institute- Elvy Musikka- Use 1 cigarette every 2 Hours"! Now folks, this is medical marijuana from our own government given to its people! So when I hear Ashcroft, and Hutchinson claiming marijuana has no medical benefit, I know they are total and complete liars. It is our duty to change these laws against cannabis use. For all you in Nevada, I urge you to vote YES on Question 9 this November! It seems we can vote ourselves out of this madness. I hope we win, because we can not afford to lose. See you all at the voting booths!Dr. Ganj http://safeaccessnow.org [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on September 29, 2002 at 15:55:44 PT News Brief from KRNV -TV Reno, Nevada Marijuana Discussed at Medical Conference September 29, 2002 Marijuana holds promising therapeutic value for a broad range of health patients, but further study is needed to determine what types of sufferers it can benefit. That was the word from researchers at a conference of pain management experts this weekend at the Reno Hilton.At a symposium held in conjunction with the American Academy of Pain Management's annual meeting, scientists discussed their latest research and the obstacles they face trying to develop marijuana for medicinal uses.Doctor Mark Ware of Montreal's McGill University says a pilot study is under way in Canada to determine marijuana's effectiveness in reducing pain for a broad range of patients, including those with cancer, H-I-V, multiple sclerosis and arthritis.Doctor Ethan Russo, a Missoula, Montana, neurologist and researcher with faculty appointments at the Universities of Montana and Washington, accused the federal governmment of hampering marijuana research in the United States.Since California became the first state to approve medical marijuana in 1996, six other states have followed suit, including Nevada. But federal law prohibits the sale of marijuana for medical uses. And, Nevadans will vote on a proposal to make possesion of up to 3-ounces of marijuana legal as long as it is kept inside a private home. The Bush adminstration strongly opposes the measure. However, surveys indicate the vote in November may be very close. http://www.krnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=953651&nav=8faOBVhk [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by michael segesta on September 29, 2002 at 01:55:50 PT: sorry to miss it, ethan.... I wanted to go but some local obligations precluded it. However, I am confused:), to wit:But, if as Asa says as per below in his NYT LTE, and it's the FDA not approving -- and not his innocent DEA -- why does the A.P. report:"Dr. Ethan Russo, a Missoula, Mont., neurologist and researcher with faculty appointments at the universities of Montana and Washington, accused the federal government of hampering marijuana research in the United States...He said he won Federal Drug Administration approval for a study on marijuana's effect on migraine treatment, but the National Institute on Drug Abuse wouldn't supply the marijuana"? (See http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread14282.shtml).So, wait Asa, is it the FDA that made this paternalistic determination for all of us, or have they approved other studies like like Dr. Russo's that NIDA and/or DEA have frustrated?He's a ba**ard, that Asa!Mike SegestaSubject: A letter in NY Times "From" Asa HutchinsonTo the Editor:Christopher Krohn, the mayor of Santa Cruz, Calif., asks how he ended up in a tug of war with the Drug Enforcement Administration over his support for medical marijuana (Op-Ed, Sept. 21). But his tug of war is not with the D.E.A. but with the scientific community. Neither the scientific community nor the Food and Drug Administration has concluded that smoking marijuana is medicine.The D.E.A. supports the study of marijuana for safe medicinal purposes. It was because of studies approved by the agency that the drug Marinol was developed. Marinol is medical marijuana. It is an F.D.A.-approved prescription drug based on the active ingredient of marijuana, THC.The D.E.A. has authorized further studies of smoked marijuana as medicine. But until science concludes that smoking marijuana has a true medical value, the agency is mandated by law to stop trafficking of this drug.ASA HUTCHINSON Director Drug Enforcement AdministrationWashington, Sept. 24, 2002 > > > http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/28/opinion/L28DRUG.html?ex=1034253418&ei=1&en [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by knox42897 on September 29, 2002 at 01:17:07 PT: Symposium Hello Everyone, I attended the symposium. It was very impressive and left no doubt that cannabis is a medicine. It was a pleasure to meet doctor russo and hear him speak. Also vikie corral gave a seminar. This event was first class. Its a shame there wasn't more media. I was disappointed that there wasn't one doctor licensed in nevada in attendance. If you know of a doctor licensed in nevada who is participating in the medical marijuana program please email me. Pierre [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on September 28, 2002 at 23:08:17 PT Drexl It sure is a refreshing article. Dr. Russo works so hard and is dedicated and I appreciate how much he has shared here with us all. I have a picture of him. Here it is. It is from Cannabis Culture. http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/er.jpg [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Drexl on September 28, 2002 at 22:48:21 PT AP? A possitive article? What gives,,,,,,,,, [ Post Comment ] Post Comment