cannabisnews.com: Cannabis Spray Could Get Canada Launch Cannabis Spray Could Get Canada Launch Posted by CN Staff on May 11, 2004 at 07:29:05 PT By Mike Verdin Source: Times Online Canadian patients may beat Britons to access to Sativex, the cannabis-based painkiller developed by GW Pharmaceuticals, after the company asked the country's healthcare regulator for approval.Dr Geoffrey Guy, the GW Pharmaceuticals chairman, said it was "technically possible" that Canada could be the first country to approve Sativex despite an application have been placed with UK regulators a year ago. "The Canadian assessment system is shorter," Dr Guy told Times Online. "In Canada assessment takes about nine months. In the UK, 18 months is not unusual."The comments follow a warning by the company that it had been overoptimistic in its timetable for Sativex in the UK."Whilst the directors of GW have not altered their expectations that approval of Sativex will be granted, it is now clear that the regulatory process will continue past the end of the second quarter," GW said two weeks ago in a statement which sent shares in the pharmaceuticals giant down 25 per cent.The application to Health Canada for approval follows five years of talks with the medicines and healthcare regulator. Canada, a market GW estimates at about two-thirds the size of the UK's, has proved particularly open to the prospect of cannabis-based treatments after a landmark case which confirmed the right to use the drug for medicinal purposes. Subsequent legal action obliged cannabis treatments to be made available on prescription.While Canadian authorities have, in a trial programme, contracted Prairie Plant Systems to grow cannabis in a disused mine in Manitoba, the project has met with mixed success.GW Pharmaceuticals, which grows more than 40,000 marijuana plants a year at a secret location in the English countryside, believes that Canadian approval for Sativex would ease the way for consent in other Commonwealth countries, Dr Guy said. UK endorsement for the painkiller, which is administered by spraying into the mouth, would herald agreement in other European states.GW Pharmaceuticals shares stood 3.5p higher at 135p in afternoon trade. Source: Times Online (UK)Author: Mike VerdinPublished: May 11, 2004Copyright: 2004 Times Newspapers Ltd.Contact: debate thetimes.co.uk Website: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/ Related Articles & Web Site:GW Pharmaceuticalshttp://www.gwpharm.com/Canada: GW and Bayer Announce Agreement http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17741.shtmlDoor Opens for Medical Cannabis http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17714.shtmlGW Hits High as Bayer Snaps Up Cannabis Drug http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16348.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #31 posted by Virgil on May 11, 2004 at 19:23:53 PT I insist I do not exist. I insist that I do not exist. My words are only fiction.This will be my opening line come Sunday. It is a line I have held for several years. You know I have had lines I saved for a long time. You know my favorite line I have held for 10 years. I have written enough for many books, but this is line I would like to document and claim as an original thought.I have decided on writing a book when I felt if I were stuck in bed. So ten years ago, I used to save what I thought what were my favorite lines for a book. Now ten, years ago I wondered why nobody on television ever put water in a ketchup bottle to get the last bit out. What is strange is until this day I have never seen anyone put water in the ketchup and swirl it to get the last bit of ketchup. Poor people do it all the time and then if you recycle you might as well use that ketchup. It is really strange to me. My favorite original expression is "It takes a thirsty horse to drink." I cracked myself up with that one and have always wondered when someone would steal it from me.We have a country that is thirsty for a new direction. You can talk to someone and they will not hear until their time. It takes a thirsty horse to drink Need I say more. I said it before I read it. It is my contribution to literature. I will try to gather my words instead of scaterring. I insist I do not exist. My words are only fiction. I think their are advantages to being fictional. I could be rich. I could be even more handsome. Bullshit should not be considered profanity. It is something to call.Well, I would not want to cause a division over Bullshit and retreat to my fiction. You can't sue me, because I amy be a liar, but I swear I do not exist. [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by FoM on May 11, 2004 at 18:25:47 PT Help Virgil, I can't type 1000 words. I am a one, two, three sentence kinda person! [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by Virgil on May 11, 2004 at 18:18:08 PT The Words Against Prohibiton deline is Sunday. There have been complainsts on the short notice of the "A Thousand Words Against Prohibition Contest." People seem to think I stacked the Contest so I would win the valuable prize. The Contest entries should be posted on the first entry of Sunday and be recorded before the clock turns on Cnews.Didn't Budda start out with the opening words "Life is pain?" I have till Sunday to figure it out. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by Virgil on May 11, 2004 at 16:40:43 PT A Thousand Words Against Prohibition- Draft one I would like not to be bound by facts and everything I say should be separated from reality. You see I do not exist. I am but fiction bus somehow my words exist. I would not believe a thing I say, even though I am not here, because I do not exist so I cannot be bound by reality or facts. I am a liar and I can promise you I do not exist.There are three words important to wording when you are against prohibition. The main word is prohibition and in particular Cannabis prohibition. I will use CP for Cannabis Prohibition so as not to drive up the the word count. The second word is corruption. This means a corrupt system that has overtaken the government and gamed the system entirely. Now the corruption robs from the treasury of the country and our children. It is corruption that most allows the horrors of prohibition go on. The third word is pain and that is most relevant when a little pain multiplied by 7 billion people is still a lot of suffering for humanity.There is such thing as a Cannabis Perspective to things. I am but a Cannabis Perspective as it illustrates the horrors of the so-called Drug Wars. I am a soldier for Free Cannabis For Everyone and our war is the War Against Prohibition. The Cannabis Perspective says that cannabis is a miracle plant. There will be no discussion. It has been settled. The issue is not cannabis. Cannabis use needs to double as fast as possible. The issue is CP. It is cannabis that can most help us with herbal remedy. The demon that must die is CP. The prohibitionist at the top of the prohibitionist world benefit most from the addictive and pleasurable experiences they have outlawed in a rise to the real reigns of government. The corruption of the entire country, with complicity by a controlled media, will grow on people’s misery.Repetition is the secret to learning. So let’s review the main points. Prohibition and corruption are two of the three key words in warring on prohibition with words. Prohibition should be mentioned often. When people talk/demonize cannabis, give them a broadside and give your stump speech on prohibition/CP. The prohibitionist have fought a War for Prohibition even thought they cannot call it that. They hate the term and it melts the demonization of laughing grass like water on the Wicked Witch of the West. The corruption of all things is revealed with a Cannabis Perspective and most people are just upside down on most things. If you believe people should be arrested for growing and consuming cannabis, you are completely upside down.Now the third word most useful in Wording Against Prohibition is the word “pain.” We all have pain and our suffering. It might come with stress or hard work or you could be one of 50 million Americans. If one in six Americans suffer from chronic pain wouldn’t you think that a billion people worldwide suffer with chronic pain in the world. We have a billion people in chronic pain. No one can avoid pain. Wasn’t the first teaching of the Buddha that “Life is suffering?” That was 507 words. I will have to take a break. The Canadian story is nothing but good news. There really are sick people that can benefit from the GW products. What GW needs is competition? There is only one solution and that is legalization. The big picture is that the Pharmacia want to criminalize vitamins and food extracts so they can harvest profits. It is strange to see ADM brags of a future where we grow our medicine. Get your words together. Start your draft. Copy and paste if you have to but get your thousand words. Break time. Entries due today and should be 1000 words long. 646 words. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by FoM on May 11, 2004 at 13:54:34 PT EJ One More Thing When I was prescribed and took narcotic pain pills I was very scatter brained. I bounced all over the place. I would lose interest in what I was doing and want to try something different. I couldn't think deeply about any topic. I don't think I am scatter brained anymore. Hey we are good anti drug people when you think about it. They should hire us. At least we tell it like it is. I'm kidding about the hiring though. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by FoM on May 11, 2004 at 13:18:51 PT Marc Maybe in time we will have medical coverage like you do in Canada. I could afford a Doctors visit but I always think a Doctor will find something wrong and want to give me some PILLS! I really mind drugs. I avoid them at all costs. How did people live qualitiy lives before PILLS? People died from epidemics and that shortened the life span of former generations but barring an epidemic like the Plague I believe people don't need drugs for everything under the sun. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by Marc Paquette on May 11, 2004 at 13:12:06 PT: Dear FoM I had Hep B too in 1980 and I was hospitalized for 45 days..yellow like a lemon, burnt-orange pee, white you know what. Poor you, the Bush administration is killing you faster by neglecting your health needs. I think you should apply as medical refugee in Canada. No doctor in 10 years?? I can't even imagine that such a situation would be tolerated in Canada. Here, doctor, specialist visits and ALL tests are covered with our government health insurance. The only problem is that you have to wait in line. Doctor visits are not too bad as it takes about 2 weeks, but a specialist can take from 2 months and up to 18 months! It's the same for sophisticated tests like an MRI or Catscan..you have to wait in line for a very long time. Alot of people have time to die until it's their turn. These are the facts for poor people on disability pensions. Those that are rich and sick also have the alternative private clinics at their own expenses or they can go in US for their tests. These people have better chances for survival. It's a sad reality, and as for me, we're ALL equals.Peace,Marc http://www.medpot.net/forums [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by FoM on May 11, 2004 at 13:04:33 PT EJ I Agree The most fun I ever had doing drugs were back in the 70s. Needless to say the diet pills were out of this world and the acid was good too. You had fun on drugs back then. Now the drugs seem to not have the fun part anymore just the addictive part. Addiction and no fun that's a real bummer. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by E_Johnson on May 11, 2004 at 12:59:06 PT FoM I agree about those pills Vicodin and all I had dental surgery recently and I turned down a prescription for Vicodin because I took it once before for another dental surgery and it made me too stupid to do anything but watch TV and not even intelligent TV at that.Pot a person can work on. Those narcotic pills -- no way.I don't know what people see in that stuff. I can't stand not being able to think. I guess I'm a thinkaholic.Maybe that's a problem, too. Who knows. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by FoM on May 11, 2004 at 12:54:59 PT Marc I really can't tolerate any drugs anymore either. I'm not sure if I have HepC or not but my husband does. I had HepB and that was bad and I was hospitalized during that time. I dropped down to 89 pounds. I now weigh about 108 and I could easily gain weight if I didn't watch how much I eat. We don't have insurance so I haven't been to a Doctor since 94. I figure if I get cancer or something bad I'll just die and that will be that. I don't worry about it. I'm happy I've been around as long as I have. Some people don't live long at all so I count my blessings. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Marc Paquette on May 11, 2004 at 12:38:46 PT: For sure FoM Well, at least you are still lucky that your liver will tolerate a pain killer. Me, only a Tylenol or Aspirin will give me horrible liver pain and I will end by puking them. Any type of pill can't methabolize in my liver anymore. Glory to our good old cannabis herb..eh?Peace my friend!Marc http://www.medpot.net/forums [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on May 11, 2004 at 12:23:29 PT Marc I know that damage occurs from prescription drugs. They about killed me. I recovered and haven't taken any drugs since 1994. I have taken Bufferin when I feel I need some for a headache but that's about all. I did take a narcotic pain killer when I had dental surgery for a few days and I had a heck of a time trying to do news and not make mistakes. I don't like prescription or man made drugs. I'm with you on that one for sure. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Marc Paquette on May 11, 2004 at 12:16:31 PT: Hey FoM The plants you mentioned are also illegal to grow here. Only the non-narcotic varieties of poppies can be legally growned though. We can't legally grow magic mushrooms anymore, but we can still legally grow the peyote cactus :o)..all other medicinal herbs are pretty well legal to grow..anyone for Morning Glory seeds? LOL..not me!Yes, natural medicines are popular more than ever in Canada..for sure. After they damaged their stomach, liver or intestines, and if they don't want to take cannabis for pain relief, the natural food stores are the best alternatives. But even some of these natural medications can also have nasty side-effects..but not as deadly and addictive as pharmaceuticals.Listen my friend, the pharmaceutical industry (in cooperation with governments) hooked billions of people with their synthetic morphine and cocaine based medications everywhere in the world since over 70 years..since they made cannabis illegal. ALL past generations since then were borned hooked on their junk! Quite a scam that has already lasted for too long! Many died prematurely because of them. They should be made accountable for these crimes they have done against society. Peace,Marc http://www.medpot.net/forums [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by OverwhelmSam on May 11, 2004 at 12:09:09 PT Marc I don't know for sure about the time the inhaler will take affect if inhaled similiar to the asthma patients use their inhalers. My thinking is that the THC would absorb directly into the bloodstrem similiar to the way smoked marijuana does. Who know, it might be healthier than smoked marijuana.In any case, I see the prescription and use of this inhaler as clear proof of the efficacy of medical marijuana. Should change a few opinions about our favorite drug. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by FoM on May 11, 2004 at 11:49:23 PT How is Natural Medicine Viewed in Canada? We don't have many restrictions so far on medicinal plants in the USA. The Poppy, Cannabis and Ephedra are the only ones I can think of. I don't think a Coca plant can grow in the US but I'm not sure. How are natural medicines viewed in Canada? [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Marc Paquette on May 11, 2004 at 11:24:21 PT: Cannabis will never be legal if phamrs. take over! Dear RasAric..Comment #13The poppy plant and opium never became legal because it got under pharmaceutical and government control. It was replaced with synthetic and less efficient medication in pain control, and much more lethal products such as morphine and morphine derivatives like Oxycontin pills and Fentanyl patches..which can be pretty deadly. The same will happen with marijuana if we encourage and give reason to the pharmaceutical companies.And what about people that their liver, stomach or intestines can't tolerate pills anymore. Per example; synthetic THC such as Nabilone, Dronabinol and Cesamet are very badly methabolized in the liver (only 5% of it) and it's also dangerous for a liver. Do you think someone with chronic hepatitis C that has an intolerant liver to all medications could tolerate that? Extra severe pain to the liver isn't a desirable situation. WE MUSN'T ENCOURAGE pharmaceuticals at ALL costs..or history will repeat itself and they will take control with the government, abuse on prices and mess it ALL up! Peace,Marc http://www.medpot.net/forums [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by CorvallisEric on May 11, 2004 at 11:07:17 PT Elsewhere in Canada I really like this guy's astonishment when his fellow cops didn't go for his anti-decrim resolution. Some chopped-up quotes:WHAT ARE these guys smoking? That's what one member of York Region's Police Services Board was left wondering after Ontario's Police Services Boards voted down his motion opposing the decriminalization of the possession of marijuana at a conference in Hamilton Saturday. ... "I was stunned," said David Barrow ... "These aren't hip young guys, or kids of the '70s. ... "We're the old boys," ... "I was standing there with my mouth open." ... Only three people even bothered to speak on the issue before the overwhelming vote against it by dozens of delegates. ... Barrow said a representative from Welland came up to him after the vote and said he fundamentally disagreed with personal use of the weed being illegal.http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/News/2004/05/11/454683.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by kaptinemo on May 11, 2004 at 11:06:16 PT: Turgor It's the force that allows a tree root beneath a concrete sidewalk slab to rise up and displace that heavy chunk of masonry. It starts off slow, steady, bit by bit...and eventually wins. That's us, friends. That's what we have...a kind of moral turgor. We've been at this for years, we've lost good people along the way, but - *we...keep...on...going*.Yes, there is a danger that the Canuck government will *try* to use Big Pharma as a dodge to get around allowing personal cannabis production. But the fact will remain that *poor people cannot afford* high-priced, plastic-wrapped nostrums...and they will continue to grow their own for their specific needs. This makes the confrontation between the people and The State inevitable. This matter WILL be settled. And not to The State's satisfaction.Governments seldom learn by historical or contemporary examples; they just *have* to do things the hard way. It's usually a painful lesson. It looks like the Canadian government is about to experience this uncomfortable historical process. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by RasAric on May 11, 2004 at 10:25:14 PT Oh Goody...A SPRAY!!!!!! That is the answer...right along with marinol. As long as it is synthesized into a spray or a pill and not in a "crude plant form", as DOCTOR Andrea Barfwell puts it, then it must be O.K... [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on May 11, 2004 at 10:17:18 PT Marc Dear Marc let me say something to you. We won't quit until Cannabis is free for everyone like Virgil says. We've come this far and we won't turn back now. Cannabis is needed by too many people to think we won't succeed. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Marc Paquette on May 11, 2004 at 10:07:05 PT: Are you sure if's faster in the lungs? Hi OverwhelmSam;Oh, I'm sure that Health "Hell" Canada won't give us the chance to try it unless they make us sign some papers for giving up our exemption and also our right to grow. They will probably have an other 25-30 page form to get access to the spray also and they will make us sign more forms that will stipulate that we're not allowed to smoke marijuana anymore..more doctors and specialist to see, and these forms can get pretty costly (at our own expense)to get filed and signed. The waiting period to see the specialist can be between 2-12 months. It will be about the same scenario as the PPS crap-schwagg pot. These people that signed for that are not allowed to grow anymore and they are not allowed to buy ANY marijuana from other sources, but the government source.Peace,Marc http://www.medpot.net/forums [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on May 11, 2004 at 09:59:12 PT Another Point Now this is hard to say but I will. When a person is dying most times they have pain. I watched as morphine drops in my son's mouth didn't settle his pain down even though he was almost comatose. He couldn't have taken a pill or smoked any cannabis but the spray would have been something we could have used to give him a little comfort. Maybe it's because I've been down that road that I look at this in a very broad way. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by OverwhelmSam on May 11, 2004 at 09:47:21 PT Marc That's if the inhaler is used as prescribed, sprayed under the tounge. But inhalers can be inhaled directly into the lungs too. I can't wait to try one myself. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Marc Paquette on May 11, 2004 at 09:44:35 PT: Hi FoM :o) Hey bud :o)Thanks for your reply. You and I and ALL medical cannabis smokers knows the importance of giving us the choice to use the plant as we want for our own relief..but does Health "Hell" Canada understand this? I don't think so. These people side with Bush, Walters and the DEA...do you think they are on the side of the legal use of a raw plant that almost anyone can grow, when they make so much money with the pharmaceuticals?Peace,Marc http://www.medpot.net/forums [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on May 11, 2004 at 09:28:08 PT Questions? We appreciate Dr. Russo here on CNews. We know his dedication but we also are aware of the need to stop the hassles in Canada about the use of the plant itself. I don't know how this will effect the efforts of the medical marijuana community in Canada. If Sativex was available here in the states it would help with drug testing issues and help people who are severely debilitated and can't eat or smoke cannabis. The new drug Sativex just can't be the only way to receive the benefits of the plant. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by puff_tuff on May 11, 2004 at 09:01:18 PT Bayer HealthCare Press Release Bayer HealthCare Press ReleaseGW submits New Drug Submission for Sativex(R), Cannabis-Based Medicine, to Health Canada http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2004/11/c1539.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Ganda on May 11, 2004 at 08:50:50 PT well in that case.... it seems a total waste of time this Sativex. I'd heard somewhere a while back that it was pretty useless.When it comes out and no doubt people will complain that it's not very effective, it should raise further debate on the case to legalise cannabis for medical users. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Marc Paquette on May 11, 2004 at 08:41:42 PT: Reply to comment #2 Ganda Hi Ganda;Well, I heard throught what I read about Sativex, that it takes up to 8 minutes until it goes through your bloodstream and you get the full benificial effects.That's not fast enough for people with MS, fibromyalgia ans chronic pain. When you have unexpected muscle spasms, or sharp pains, you need fast relief..something like 30 seconds is just perfect. This can only be acheived with the smoked or vaporized form of marijuana. Nothing compares to the good old natural herb! Oh..and I forgot the most important..there is a strain for every pain :o)Peace,Marc http://www.medpot.net/forums [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on May 11, 2004 at 08:21:31 PT Press Release from Bloomberg GW Pharmaceuticals Asks Canadian Regulators to Approve Sativex May 11, 2004 (Bloomberg) -- GW Pharmaceuticals Plc, a U.K. company developing cannabis-based drugs, said it asked Canadian regulators to approve its pain-killing spray Sativex. Sativex would be marketed in Canada by Bayer AG, Germany's second-biggest drug and chemical maker, the company said in a Regulatory News Service release. Sativex is the unprofitable company's product closest to the market. GW Pharmaceuticals is waiting for U.K. regulators to approve the drug. Last month, the company said it expected a third delay to U.K. regulatory approval and will give an update on the expected timeline in June. GW Pharmaceuticals has asked regulators to approve Sativex for use against pain in multiple sclerosis patients, and also to treat neuropathic pain, which is caused by a diseased or damaged nervous system. Copyright: 2004 Bloomberg L.P. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Ganda on May 11, 2004 at 08:04:06 PT It depends on a few factors.... who will be in power when Sativex gets the green light? will Sativex be effective enough? will the bill for decriminalisation of cannabis be started again?Some don't want to smoke cannabis and if it works for those people, then good luck to them.Legalising a drug with cannabis in it will help stop some of the anti-pot propaganja.Wonder what the US government think of Sativex. Maybe they will aprove of it before Canada :). [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Marc Paquette on May 11, 2004 at 07:38:43 PT: THERE GOES OUR MEDICAL MARIJUANA EXEMPTIONS! Hi my Friends;I heard that this spray's delivery in the system was much slower to feel it's effects, not as fast as the smoked or vaporized form of marijuana, and I wouldn't be surprized if Health "Hell" Canada accepts it as medication in Canada and they will cancel ALL medical marijuana exemptions. It has to be expected. In my case, I need a fast mode of delivery such as the smoke form because of severe muscle spasms and also because my liver is in bad state and it doesn't tolerate any medication since winter 1996. Question of the day;"What will happen to marijuana exemptions and Exemptees if they approve this Sativex sublingual spray?"Peace,Marc http://www.medpot.net/forums [ Post Comment ] Post Comment