The Benefits of Cannabis

[Herb Fellow]

I am a person with multiple sclerosis and have been prescribed Sativex, the prescription only medication that contains cannabinoid extracts. Sativex is currently only available on a 'named patient basis' under licence from the Home Office. The product is made in the UK, but has to be re-imported, at cost, from Canada, where it has been fully approved.

Sativex can be prescribed where other treatments have failed to provide relief adequately from neuropathic pain and spasticity. Some other treatments produce intolerable side-effects, and can also be harmful if taken at high doses for long periods of time.

I am very grateful to have been prescribed Sativex as it has reduced my pain and spasticity, and so has improved my quality of life without the harsh and potentially harmful side-effects I experienced with other medications which were not as effective anyway. It also helps me by enhancing my appetite and promoting sleep.

The manufacturers of Sativex are awaiting the results of phase three trials on pain and spasticity which will hopefully lead to full MHRA approval later this year.

GW Pharmaceuticals also report further research into the medical benefits of cannabinoids:

"Recent results in several models of diabetes show desirable effects on plasma insulin, leptin and adiponectin levels, hormones of particular relevance to the development and treatment of diabetes, especially in obese individuals. In addition, we have seen a reduction in total cholesterol with an increase in the proportion of HDL (good) cholesterol."

"In April 2005 GW received regulatory approval for Sativex® in Canada for symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain in Multiple Sclerosis. In August 2007, Health Canada approved Sativex® as adjunctive analgesic treatment in patients with advanced cancer who experience moderate to severe pain during the highest tolerated dose of strong opioid therapy for persistent background pain. Both approvals were secured under the Notice of Compliance with Conditions (NOC/c) policy. Sativex
is currently undergoing late stage clinical development in Europe and the United States."

Nabilone, which contains a cannabinoid, has been available on prescription in this country for quite some time, for successfully treating nausea and vomiting caused by cytotoxic chemotherapy which is unresponsive to other anti-emetics.

I am very lucky. Not everyone with MS or other conditions that would benefit have access to Sativex, so have to run the risk of prosecution because they have to obtain their cannabinoids 'on the street'.

I know of a great many people worldwide for whom cannabis provides the relief that other medications do not, and by growing their own plants for their own personal use, or having to buy from a 'dealer', are technically criminals.

I look forward to hearing that Sativex and other cannabinoid products will soon be fully licenced in the UK and other countries and therefore made available to a lot more people so they can hopefully enjoy life a little better.

Source: The Shetland News
Copyright: 2008, The Shetland News
Contact: Karen Angus, karen.angus@btinternet.com
Website: The benefits of cannabis

[Boss]

I just don't know if this is a good thing, or a bad thing.

[Frog]

Bad,
they'll get to Work legally before we will.
They suck money from poor folks who could be growin' their own medicine.