Cannabis Study House - NORML Weekly News in Audio 2006.3.30

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6650

Weekly News in Audio

March 30, 2006

Chris Goldstein
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Cincinnati City Council Passes "Emergency" Recriminalization Ordinance

Cannabis Relieves MS-Associated Incontinence

Synthetic THC Reduces Nighttime Agitation In Dementia Patients

Fourth National Clinical Conference On Cannabis Therapeutics To Take Place Next Week

Cincinnati, OH:
Cincinnati City Council Passes "Emergency" Recriminalization Ordinance

The Cincinnati City Council voted 6-2 yesterday in favor of an "emergency ordinance" recriminalizing minor marijuana possession offenses within city limits. The new law takes effect immediately.

Under the ordinance, sponsored by Council Member Cecil Thomas, minor marijuana possession is re-classified as a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Offenders charged under the "emergency ordinance" will be subject to arrest, a $250 fine and up to 30 days in jail. Repeat offenders will face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

By contrast, Ohio state law defines possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana as a minor misdemeanor offense, punishable by a $100 citation and no arrest or jail time.

Council Member Thomas, a former police officer, argued that the ordinance was "necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety and general welfare." However, federal data indicates that marijuana use is no greater, and in many cases, is less prevalent in Cincinnati than in surrounding regions of the state.

During public hearings on the measure, dozens of citizens spoke out against the bill and not one person spoke in favor of it. In a last minute compromise, Council Members did agree to add a "sunset provision" to the ordinance meaning the law would expire after a year unless renewed by the Council.

"For more than three decades, Ohio's state decriminalization law has served as an example for the rest of the nation," NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said. "It's unfortunate that this unwarranted effort by members of the Cincinnati City Council has overturned this longstanding protection for its citizens."

Plymouth, United Kingdom:
Cannabis Relieves MS-Associated Incontinence

Cannabinoids and cannabis extracts significantly reduce incontinence in patients with multiple sclerosis, according to clinical trial data published this month in The International Urogynecology Journal.

Six hundred and thirty patients participated in the randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Volunteers were randomly administered cannabis extracts, oral THC, or placebo. Investigators assessed patients' progress via subjects' incontinence diaries.

Subjects administered cannabis extracts reported a 38 percent reduction in incontinence episodes from baseline to the end of treatment. Patients administered oral THC reported a 33 percent reduction. "The findings are suggestive of a clinical effect of cannabis on incontinence episodes in patients with MS," investigators concluded.

A previous clinical trial published last year in the Journal of Urology found that the administration of natural cannabis extracts relieved urinary dysfunction in patients with advanced Multiple Sclerosis. "Urinary urgency, the number and volume of incontinence episodes, frequency and nocturia (excessive urination at night) all decreased significantly" in patients following eight weeks of treatment, the study found.

Previous trials on patients with MS and spinal cord injury have also noted similar results.

Berlin, Germany:
Synthetic THC Reduces Nighttime Agitation In Dementia Patients

Oral synthetic THC (dronabinol) reduces nocturnal motor activity in patients suffering from severe dementia and Alzheimer's disease, according to clinical trial data published this month in the journal Psychopharmacology.

Twelve patients with severe dementia participated in the open-label pilot study. Treatment with 2.5 mg of synthetic THC daily for two weeks led to a significant reduction in nighttime activity and agitation. No side effects were observed.

Dronabinol is a FDA-approved Schedule III drug that may be prescribed for the treatment of cachexia (weight loss) in patients with AIDS and for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conventional antiemetic treatments.

Previous trials investigating the use of synthetic THC on patients suffering from dementia have shown it to reduce agitation, decrease negative feelings, and stimulate weight gain in Alzheimer's patients.

Aside from providing potential symptomatic relief, emerging evidence also indicates that cannabinoids may play a role in slowing the progression of certain neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (a.k.a. Lou Gehrig's Disease).

Santa Barbara, CA:
Fourth National Clinical Conference On Cannabis Therapeutics To Take Place Next Week

Patients Out of Time and Santa Barbara City College will hold the Fourth National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics next week, April 6-8, in Santa Barbara, California.

Speakers at the Conference include talk show host and medical marijuana patient Montel Williams, Joan Dangerfield (widow of Rodney Dangerfield), NORML Advisory Board Member Mitch Earleywine, Melanie Dreher, Dean of the University of Iowa School of Nursing, and other clinicians and health professionals from around the world.

This year's conference is accredited by the University of California San Francisco's Office of Continuing Medical Education.

Conference agenda and registration information is available online at: http://www.medicalcannabis.com/

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