Cannabis-based painkiller available in Canada

[IanHarrop 43]

This is interesting....
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http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/06/20/canada.cannabis.ap/

Cannabis-based painkiller available in Canada
Multiple sclerosis patients eligible for prescription

Tuesday, June 21, 2005; Posted: 4:05 a.m. EDT (08:05 GMT)

TORONTO, Ontario (AP) -- A cannabis-based painkiller for multiple sclerosis patients went on sale Monday in Canada, the first country to approve the spray derived from the marijuana plant.

Sativex can now be obtained by prescription through Canadian pharmacies, Bayer HealthCare announced Monday. Bayer markets the drug in Canada for British drug company GW Pharmaceuticals, which developed the drug.

Health Canada, the federal agency that oversees medical care for Canadians, announced in April it had approved Sativex, made from components derived from the cannabis plant that have been shown to ease pain.

Medical professionals welcomed the availability.

"Effective pain control and management are extremely important in a disease like MS," said Dr. Allan Gordon, a neurologist and director of the Wasser Pain Management Center at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. "The availability of Sativex addresses the great demand for an effective treatment option in the field of neuropathic pain in MS."

Many people with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, treat their pain by smoking marijuana. But the dose is hard to regulate and the drug is difficult to obtain legally.

About 2.5 million are believed to have MS worldwide, of which about 50,000 are Canadian, according to the U.S. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. About half of MS patients say they suffer from chronic pain, the society said.

Sativex is administered through a spray pump under the tongue or on the inside of the cheek.

In 2001, Canada became the first country to adopt a system regulating the medicinal use of marijuana for people suffering from terminal illnesses and chronic conditions.

In the United States, the federal government has classified marijuana as a drug that is as dangerous as heroin, although 10 states have passed laws that allow its use under medical supervision.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy

[Alias 0]

....but according to some on this board, there is no medical evidence that marijuana can be used effectivly to reduce or relieve symptoms of medical illnesses.....

......seems not everyone agrees...including pharm companies

I wish the US shared the same attitude towards this

Carpe Diem

[Ron 10]

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....but according to some on this board, there is no medical evidence that marijuana can be used effectivly to reduce or relieve symptoms of medical illnesses.....

......seems not everyone agrees...including pharm companies

Well the attitude I have is this:

Are there no other products that do the same thing?

I have no problem with legal testing, but I would like some evidence that it is the *best*, or only solution.

If the testing proves that it is the best or only option...Then I am all for cannabis derived medicines being used.

But not just lighting up a joint as long as it is illegal.

The biggest problem that the Pro-pot folks have is that they want it to be legal to light up. Right now it is illegal.

If they pitched for medicines based from cannabis, not people smoking joints they would be much better off.

Also, if you want to make it legal as a recreation drug...OK, but be honest why and not hide behind "Medical reasons".

To be honest I think pot is better than alcohol as a recreational drug goes. People don't get stoned and beat their wife.

I think some good can come from research...Hell they found medicines from the secreations of Frogs....I am sure cannabis has some good uses as well.

But the two camps need to seperate.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[Alias 0]

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Well the attitude I have is this:

Are there no other products that do the same thing

Many including Marinal- A pharmaceutical product, Marinol, is widely available through prescription. It comes in the form of a pill and is also being studied by researchers for suitability via other delivery methods, such as an inhaler or patch. The active ingredient of Marinol is synthetic THC, which has been found to relieve the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy for cancer patients and to assist with loss of appetite with AIDS patients.

But, why not allow a cheaper alternitive vs being held hostage by Pharm companies and health plans when you can grow this your garden for medical use?

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I have no problem with legal testing, but I would like some evidence that it is the *best*, or only solution.

people will react differently to different drugs - so finding the "best" or "only" solution for the mass's might not be fair for all individuals

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The biggest problem that the Pro-pot folks have is that they want it to be legal to light up. Right now it is illegal.

Why is it illegal for medical use? Because the govt see's no evidence that it could be helpful? - but -

Therapeutic Aspects. 1975. Marijuana and Health, Fifth Annual Report to the U.S. Congress, Nat'l Institute on Drug Abuse, 117; Grinspoon, Lester and Bakalar, James, Marihuana as Medicine," The Journal of the American Medical Association, vol. 273, No. 23 1875-1876.

says -

The 1975 report of the federal government began its discussion of medical marijuana by stating Cannabis is one of the most ancient healing drugs." The report further noted: One should not, however, summarily dismiss the possibility of therapeutic usefulness simply because the plant is the subject of current sociopolitical controversy."

Seems they have seen evidence but didn't want to hear it

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If they pitched for medicines based from cannabis, not people smoking joints they would be much better off.

Agreed, but the grass roots efforts are being mainly driven by the Pro Pot side which includes all uses.

btw - I've never smoked it - yet
Dabbled with a brownie or two, but no smoke

My position is based on the many family/friends that I have personally seen benifet from the drug - mainly nausea, where other prescription were not as effective and in kemo patience - where the appetite
came back, without side effects.

I agree the camps need to separate - maybe it should be on the govt's side though

Medical vs Recreational

There certainly are cases where people are using marijuana now, that never used before....but why worry about them -I guess our worries should be towards the avg Joe/Jane trying to light up

Carpe Diem

[Ron 10]

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But, why not allow a cheaper alternitive vs being held hostage by Pharm companies and health plans when you can grow this your garden for medical use?

Because it is illegal to grow it in your garden. What is preventing you from growing it for fun or profit?

What is preventing me from growing it to help with my shoulder and back pain?

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people will react differently to different drugs - so finding the "best" or "only" solution for the mass's might not be fair for all individuals

Use the majority then...Show me how Pot is better than Marinol for the majority of people.

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Why is it illegal for medical use?

Ask your Congressman. Hell, ask him why its illegal for fun...I don't know that either.

But the fact is it IS illegal right now. You have two camps.

One wants Pot legal for medical reasons...OK great I'm all for it. However, it is illegal to roll your own pain-aid, or take a hit of pain relief from a bong. The drug you mentioned is a perfect example...It is a THC based drug...It is also legal if perscribed.

The second wants pot legal to be able blaze one for fun. Ok, great...I'm all for that also. I could give not a shit if you want to smoke yourself crazy. I'd rather you be stoned than drunk anyday. However, I don't want to hear crying later about cancer and for pot producers to be sued like cigarette companies are now.

OK so we have two camps. One can be delt with by other drugs, or use non high producing THC based pain relievers. The other just wants to imitate Cheech and Chong.

Either is fine with me...Just go about it legally, and dont be Cheech trying to get it legal for "Medical reasons" when the only medical reason you have is "stress relief".

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Agreed, but the grass roots efforts are being mainly driven by the Pro Pot side which includes all uses.

Anyone else find that funny?

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My position is based on the many family/friends that I have personally seen benifet from the drug - mainly nausea, where other prescription were not as effective and in kemo patience - where the appetite
came back, without side effects

Like you said not all drugs will help all people, so legalizaton of an illegal drug to help a few that might be helped by other means is not the best answer.

This is the weakness in the pro-medical pot side. There are plenty of drugs, and not one fixes all the problems in everyone....So why focus on Pot? Your economic reason was pretty good, but you lost it when you sided with recreational users. And the medical benefits can be gotten from other drugs to include THC based drugs that don't get people high.

Trust me...In the scheme of things Pot is a pretty harmless drug in my eyes. You don't get violent unless it is on a bag of twinkies, studies have shown that you will not OD on it, and it seems to not be physically addictive.

But as long as the Pro medical pot folks side with Cheech and Chong, they don't have a shot. Also the fact that synthetic THC can, and is being used. The medical reasons go up in smoke as well.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[jumpergirl 0]

My mom has MS. She was diagnosed in 1999 but has had the symptoms since at least 1995. They had no idea until they went back and looked at her medical records with MS in mind. I sent her a link to this article and asked her what she thought about it. Her reply is below.

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Well, I think that the use of medical marijuana should be legalized. I believe that if it will ease the chronic pain that many people have that is associated with MS and many other diseases then it should be allowed under the strict guidance of a physician. I believe that if some of those pricks up in Washington had to go through some of the pain and suffering that some of the patients do that they would be more than willing to allow the legalization of marijuana in any form to ease their pain and make their life a little more bearable. Thank God that I am not in that much pain at this time.

I have no idea if my mom would use medicinal marijuana to help ease her pain and discomfort. I would like to think she would, only because I don't want to think of her in pain. I have never smoked pot and have no intention to ever do it. I have no problem with those who do. I do hope it is legalized so people like my mom can have comfort in their illness.

That's all I have to say about that.

[freethefly 6]

Use the majority then...Show me how Pot is better than Marinol for the majority of people



The proof is there. I am proof. Marinol is very unpredictable. Its effect is not immediate and can come on at a time that is not desired. Smoking is immediate and is very controlled. I have not smoked anything in a few months and cannot get marinol any more. Since the last time that I smoked I have lost 15 pounds. Down from 163 to 148. If this is not proof, what is proof. Humans have used cannabis since before written history and have done well by it. It is those who only enjoy making money off of the sick and dying that wants to shove fucking pills down your throat. Tell me Ron have you ever had to eat more than 25 pills a day. I have and it left me unable to do anything but lay in bed wishing that I would just die and be down with it all. Marijuana, at one time, was recreational for me. Never did I think that it would be a godsend that would help me function in a normal fashion but it did. I did not become a junkie from it. It did not drive me insane. I went to work each and every day. My weight was above 180. I felt great and functioned like someone who was not sick. Since not being able to get marijuana or marinol (or any meds for my illness) these days I spend very little time at the dz and more time in bed. My weight is (at last Dr. appointment, I do not have a scale) 148. I am extremely tired and cannot take being in the heat for very long. My body feels like it was hit by a freight train and I am depressed to the point that at times I think of suicide. This means nothing to the law and order types who wish to lock up the sick and dying. The true issue is that the federals do not like to be proven wrong and they have been proven wrong over and over again. They also protect the profits for the pharmacutical companies. Never mind that tax dollars and contributions pay for the majority of research. It is a crime to want to be well in this country, if you are poor. But then, Ron, from how I take it, you know very little about AIDS or any other terminal illness. The proof is there, just ask the millions of people world wide who have benefited from cannabis. Please do not take this as a slam on your opinion as I do not know whatever it is you do know about AIDS, MS, Cancer or any other illness. I do agree that the medicannabis groups should seperate from the recreational use groups to give the movement credential. As long as the uninformed relate all cannabis use with Cheech and Chong the movement for cheap yet effective medicine will be a long uphill battle.

"...And once you're gone, you can't come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black."
Neil Young

[Ron 10]

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Marinol is very unpredictable. Its effect is not immediate and can come on at a time that is not desired. Smoking is immediate and is very controlled

With the fact that grown pot can have a wide range of strength, I doubt that a joint is more controled both in strength and time than a pill.

I could be wrong, but that "evidence" seems shaky.

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I have not smoked anything in a few months and cannot get marinol any more. Since the last time that I smoked I have lost 15 pounds. Down from 163 to 148. If this is not proof, what is proof.

It is proof that you need somehting, but if you can't get Marinol anymore how do you know ONLY Pot will help you? If you can't get any other drugs anymore, how do you know that NOTHING else will help you?

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Humans have used cannabis since before written history and have done well by it.

Humans have also used poppies for years, but that does not make it healthy. Planters in Central America used to chew on leaves of cocaine...That is not health either. In Somalia they chew on khat...that does not mean it is healthy.

I have said before I am OK with legal testing of THC, Hell, I said Im OK with trying to make it legal for recreational use....But its not legal yet, and don't confuse the two since it makes the medical side look bad.

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But then, Ron, from how I take it, you know very little about AIDS or any other terminal illness.

I know about AIDS, I don't have it, but I have friends that have died from it. Also, my Father has Cancer...So I know about terminal disease, my best friends wife died from breast cancer.

Just because I don't have it, does not mean I don't know about it.

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I do agree that the medicannabis groups should seperate from the recreational use groups to give the movement credential. As long as the uninformed relate all cannabis use with Cheech and Chong the movement for cheap yet effective medicine will be a long uphill battle.

Like I said, I support research. Hell if you want to toke for fun I don't care since I think it is safer than alcohol.

People think I am anti Medical since I supported the SCOUS on the current rulling by not letting a State over ride a Federal law....Pot had nothing to do with that ruling, or why I supported it. It was a State trying to over rule a Federal Law, and I don't think States should have that right.

Im sorry you have problems. Really. I wish that cannabis research could be done faster. But the Cheech and Chongs out there hurt your cause more than I do.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334