cannabisnews.com: Study to Probe Role of Medicinal Pot





Study to Probe Role of Medicinal Pot
Posted by CN Staff on October 10, 2002 at 10:07:15 PT
By Prithi Yelaja, Medical Reporter 
Source: Toronto Star 
St. Michael's Hospital is leading the first Canadian study to probe the possible benefits of medicinal marijuana. The results of the pilot study, funded by Health Canada, are expected to form the basis for a larger, multi-centre trial next year.The study will test the safety and efficacy of smoked marijuana on appetite stimulation, pain, nausea, mood and cognitive function, said lead investigator Dr. Kevin Gough, medical director of the HIV program at St. Mike's.
"There's been a lot of controversy and debate around the potential role of smoked cannabis in the treatment of medical illness. There's a lot of speculation and anecdotal data and it's time to collect some good scientific data to answer this question."The study will involve 32 HIV/AIDS patients who will smoke various doses of pot for eight weeks. Patients will be allowed to smoke as much marijuana as they need to help their symptoms, and they will be expected to record the effect it had on them. At certain times, patients will also get a placebo to determine if they can tell if they're using an active drug or not. Patients will be recruited from Toronto HIV/AIDS clinics, agencies and referring physicians. The marijuana is being supplied by the U.S. National Institute of Drug Abuse, the only supplier in North America of research-grade cannabis, grown under controlled conditions to contain measurable amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Gough said.THC is the component of cannabis known to cause the "high" that people experience.Results of the pilot study are expected next year, and may also benefit patients suffering from other chronic illnesses, such as cancer or multiple sclerosis, said Gough.Ottawa has flip-flopped on the issue of providing medicinal marijuana to people with chronic illness. Last year, former health minister Allan Rock promised cannabis would be available for medical use.The current minister, Anne McLellan, said she's uncomfortable endorsing medical marijuana without knowing all the benefits or side effects.Also, because of the federal government's long-standing campaign against tobacco smoking, McLellan said she sees some contradiction in a decision to let ill patients smoke marijuana on a compassionate basis. Note: HIV/AIDS patients will test benefits in first Canadian trial.Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)Author: Prithi Yelaja, Medical Reporter Published: October 10, 2002Copyright: 2002 The Toronto Star Contact: lettertoed thestar.com Website: http://www.thestar.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmFirst Clinical Pot Trial To Use U.S. Stashhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14411.shtmlSt. Mike's Study Probes Role of Medical Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14404.shtmlCanada's First Marijuana Study to Begin http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14393.shtml 
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