Cannabis drug 'fights pain without high'

BBC On Line ^ | Wednesday, 21 August, 2002 | Unsigned

[aculeus]

Scientists have developed a cannabis-based medicine which relieves chronic pain without any of the "high" normally associated with the drug.

They believe the discovery could pave the way for cannabis-based medication to become available by prescription within two years.

Much of the controversy surrounding the medicinal use of cannabis has centred on fears that it would be used solely for its mood-altering effects.

However, scientists at the University of Massachusetts in the United States say their discovery should help authorities to overcome these fears.

Dr Sumner Burstein and colleagues say early trials of the medication in animals and healthy patients have been promising.

The medication, called ajulemic acid or CT3, has been manufactured in laboratories.

It maximises the medicinal effects of tertrahydrocannabinol - the key ingredient of cannabis - without any of the mind-altering effects.

'More effective'

In animal tests, this compound was found to be between 10 to 50 times more effective at reducing pain than tetrahydrocannabinol.

Those tests showed that ajulemic acid was very effective at preventing the joint damage associated with arthritis and relieving the muscle stiffness associated with multiple sclerosis.

The compound was tested last year in 15 healthy volunteers in France. That study reported no side effects or mood changes in those participants.

A further trial on 21 patients with chronic severe pain is currently underway in Germany.

Dr Bernstein said the results of each study had been promising.

"The indications so far are that it is safe and effective," he said.

Dr Bernstein added that the compound could replace a wide variety of current medicines used to fight pain.

"We believe that [the compound] will replace aspirin and similar drugs in most applications primarily because of a lack of toxic side effects."

Dr Bernstein acknowledged that some patients may wish to experience the mood-altering effects of cannabis by taking this compound.

But speaking at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston, he added: "The medical community wants efficacy without this effect."

A spokeswoman for the UK's Medicinal Cannabis Research Foundation said: "We believe it would be premature to comment on the merits of ajulemic acid before more rigorous testing in patients has been carried out, but look forward to seeing the results after further study."

[tacticalogic]

Of course, that has Butalbital in it, so no washing it down with a shot of whiskey...

That would be counterproductive, for me anyway. Seems different people have different "triggers". Mine are heavily nitrated meat and alcohol.

[Neckbone]

We shouldn't start-up everything that is bad for us

Especially when your nanny state tells you it's bad for you! Your messianic attraction to Gray Davis alone identifies your views! You are no conservative!

[headsonpikes]

I award you points for sheer doggedness.

Many of your opinion set have cut and run in the face of overwhelming facts about the so-called WOD--the foundation of lies, the record of corruption, the legacy of injustice, and the undermining of Constitutional protections.

But not CA Guy, a veritable pitbull of misguided tenacity!

To be honest, I admire your steadfastness; I just don't think the state institutions you support deserve that loyalty.

[A CA Guy]

Yes from sources where pot was grown in the ground rich in Mercury as was reported throughout the national news a year ago.
Hawaiian pot was an example (due to volcanic ground) if I remember correctly.

But the ISSURE is the benefit of the pain reliever for legitimate medical purposes. I am for it, especially if the getting high issue could be addressed. That would mean those medicated legally could drive as well legally if they had to. Great advance in medicine!

[Dakmar]

There is no specified right to possess nor smoke pot

Are you willing to give up every right you currently enjoy that's not specifically enumerated?

[Senator Pardek]

There is no specified right to possess nor smoke pot, and no specified right to referenda. So much for the pot-smoking crowd being Constitutional nuts. They're just the regular variety.....

Agreed - and a member of Congress has no right banning pot in a bill because it's up to the states to decide.

[A CA Guy]

My only attraction to Davis is with my foot to kick his rump out of state. He is the worst Gov. CA ever had and his judgement has cost us billions in future debt and taxes for pewrhaps a decade to come.

Davis stinks to high heaven.
Thanks for asking!

[gdani]

Yes from sources where pot was grown in the ground rich in Mercury as was reported throughout the national news a year ago

Provide one link to back your previous claims

[Dakmar]

I agree with your suggestion that few if any potheads and Libertarian political friends would accept it without the high.

They've found a new pain-killer, that's good. I take aspirin once in a while, and I guarantee you I don't get high off it. You guys are not even making sense.

[KineticKitty]

Your right, I didn't think of it that way. Well it would be nice if they could find some way to inject it then.

[tacticalogic]

Yes from sources where pot was grown in the ground rich in Mercury as was reported throughout the national news a year ago. Hawaiian pot was an example (due to volcanic ground) if I remember correctly.

And you've never been able to come up with any supporting documentation, or explain why nothing else that's grown in Hawii's volcanic soil is contaminated with mercury, if I remember correctly.

[A CA Guy]

Because some bad things may have slipped through the cracks in the past, we shouldn't open a floodgate to future availability to bad things in the future as an excuse.

[Dakmar]

That's right, we wouldn't want kids to be able to go into a store and buy pot as easily as they can now buy booze.

Careful, make them think too much and their little heads will explode. Messy.

[WindMinstrel]

Ah, ok then. Thanks for restating it. I disagree with you, because it's not the government's job to police what's good or bad for you. Furthermore, cannabis isn't particularly bad for you. I know that won't keep you from calling us all liberdopians, but I guess you'll be known by your fruit.

[Dakmar]

OUTLAW STUFF BAD IS GOOD!

[A CA Guy]

Cough up the $$$$$$ being it's over a year old and I am sure you can find them. They charge for the stories over a year old.
I did tell you this before.

Does pot have a issue with memory loss???

[A CA Guy]

MAKE ALL BAD AVAILABLE BECAUSE D SAYS SO! NOW!!!!!!!!

[ravinson]

"Much of the controversy surrounding the medicinal use of cannabis has centred on fears that it would be used solely for its mood-altering effects."

Why that would cause fear, no one can explain.

Sure, it's easy to explain: smoking no marijuana causes severe paranoia.

[A CA Guy]

Good day, it is never good to waste much time with illegal drug advocates (WARRIORS)!

Enjoy your day.

Isn't it nice you can use pot and be sober in the future?
GREAT NEWS!!!

[Lysander]

We really need a department to prevent vice, and preserve virtue. Don't you agree?

Sounds like something a Nixon would create to suppress all those anti Vietnam hippies. He could hire Ashcroft or some other idiot who couldn't beat a dead man in an election but was a loyal party hack.