cannabisnews.com: Health: Cannabis Trials 'Encouraging' Health: Cannabis Trials 'Encouraging' Posted by FoM on November 16, 1999 at 10:54:28 PT MJ relieves the symptoms of a range of conditions Source: BBC The first ever UK trials of the medicinal impact of cannabis have shown that the drug is unlikely to cause patients any harm. And scientists have found that the therapeutic effects can be gained without any need to "get high". GW Pharmaceuticals is growing thousands of cannabis plants under a special Home Office licence with the ultimate aim of developing prescription medicines based on extracts of the drug. Anecdotal evidence suggests that compounds extracted from the drug could benefit sufferers of multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome as well as a number of other problems. The initial trials involved testing the impact of cannabis on six healthy volunteers. Much larger trials on ill patients are planned. Dr Geoffrey Guy, the company chairman, said: "All the subjects came through very well, and we were very pleased with the study. "Now we have a much better idea of what our starting point should be." The results of the trial, conducted at an anonymous clinical pharmacology unit, will not be made public until they are disclosed in a scientific journal. Many Could Be Helped: But GW Pharmaceuticals has revealed that volunteers were given cannabis extracts either from an inhaler or via liquid under the tongue. The main aim was to assess how well the treatments were tolerated and obtain an initial idea of the optimum dosage. Heart rate, temperature and respiration were monitored and blood samples taken for analysis. In addition each volunteer went through a battery of psychological tests. Dr Guy said: "We have been able to define and follow through the psychoactive effects. "None of the effects is disturbing, or would be classed in a clinical trial as serious." He said patients did not need to "get high" to gain a therapeutic benefit. If approved by the regulatory authorities, the second phase trials will begin next year. They will involve up to 300 patients with MS, spinal cord injury, and phantom limb pain. By the end of the final phase three trials a total of around 2,000 patients will have taken part. The main studies should be completed in 2002. GW Pharmaceutical's cannabis plants are housed in a highly secure and environmentally controlled glasshouse at a secret location in the home counties. The company hopes to produce cannabis treatments mainly to relieve pain and dysfunction caused by nerve damage.Tuesday, November 16, 1999 Published at 15:53 GMT Related Articles:Medicinal Cannabis Grower Acquitted - 7/22/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread2157.shtmlCannabis Therapy Man Escapes Jail - 7/9/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread1974.shtmlBMA Rejects Legalisation of Cannabis - 7/7/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread1935.shtmlSupport for Medicinal Use of Cannabis - 3/19/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread892.shtmlCannabis Grown for Medical Tests - 1/11/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread222.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by FoM on February 04, 2002 at 15:39:23 PT Hello Richard Here are a few current articles and web sites. I hope these can help you some way. UK Medicinal Cannabis Project http://www.medicinal-cannabis.org/ Cannabis & Pain Management http://freedomtoexhale.com/drr.htm Cannabis Medicine Trial Expanded http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11776.shtml British Company To Test Cannabis for Cancer Pain http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11774.shtml Cannabinoids in Pain Management http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11430.shtml Cannabis a Medical Miracle - It's Official http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11254.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Richard Katkowski on February 04, 2002 at 14:31:36 PT: Cannabis and MS trials I work with MS sufferers and would like any information on cannibis trials so as to keep my friends at work more informed. Many thanks #Richard [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: