It's Official: Cannabis Can Reduce Pain

[Pinch]

The journal Neurology on Feb. 13 published an article by UCSF's Donald I. Abrams, MD, and colleagues establishing that smoked cannabis relieves neuropathic pain (an intense tingling or burning sensation usually occurring in the feet). Abrams et al conducted a study at San Francisco General Hospital with 50 patients whose neuropathy was HIV-related. (Neuropathic pain can also result from diabetes, trauma, and other causes.) Another type of pain was induced by applying capsaicin to a patch of each patient's skin.

The study participants were randomly divided into two groups -one that smoked cannabis (3.5% THC, provided by the National Institute on Drub Abuse), and one that smoked placebo joints from which the cannabinoids had been extracted (also from NIDA). Patients smoked three times a day for five days. Those getting the real thing reported a 34 percent reduction in pain whereas the placebo smokers reported a 17 percent reduction. Capsaicin-induced inflammation was reduced, too. "These results provide evidence that there is a measurable medical benefit to smoking cannabis for these patients," says Abrams.

Prospective randomized placebo-controlled trials are considered the "gold standard" in clinical research, and Neurology is a prestigious journal. You may be wondering, given this study, how the Prohibitionists can deny that marijuana has a recognized medical use. Here's how: "Very promising result but it's just one study... More research is needed." And more research is on the way.

It didn't take long for Abrams et al's study to get cited. On Feb. 18 Philip A. Denney, MD, wrote the following in support of a Workers' Comp claim by a retired law enforcement officer:

"I am writing at Patient A.'s request regarding payment for the use of medicinal cannabis to treat his occupational injuries... Patient A. is a 55-year-old retired/disabled peace officer who sustained serious injuries in a work-related motor-vehicle accident in 1998. As a result he suffers chronic pain in the neck and lower back with radiation into the left upper and right lower extremities. The pain, particularly in the right lower extremity, is reported to be sharp and 'electrical' in nature, consistent with neuropathic pain. My physical findings are consistent with those reported by Dr. P. in his supplemental Qualified Medical Examiner evaluation.

More
http://counterpunch.org/gardner03032007.htm

Source: Counterpunch
Author: Fred Gardner (former Public Info Officer for SF District Attor.)
Contact: fred@plebesite.com
Copyright: 2007 Counterpunch
Website: Fred Gardner: It's Official! Cannabis Can Reduce Pain

[J842P]

This is very good.