Cannabis Study House - NORML Weekly News in Audio 2008.8.13

Weekly News in Audio

August 13, 2008

"Radical" Russ Belville
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Inhaled Cannabis Halts HIV Pain, Study Says Clinical Trial Results Undermine Feds' 'Flat Earth' Position That Pot Lacks Medical Efficacy

Schizophrenics Report Subjective Relief From Cannabis, Study Says

World's Largest Annual Pot 'Protestival' To Take Place This Weekend

San Diego, CA:
Inhaled Cannabis Halts HIV Pain, Study Says Clinical Trial Results Undermine Feds' 'Flat Earth' Position That Pot Lacks Medical Efficacy

Inhaled cannabis significantly reduces HIV-associated neuropathy compared to placebo, according to clinical trial data published online on the website of the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

Investigators at the University of California at San Diego, in conjunction with the University of California Center for Medical Cannabis Research, assessed the efficacy of inhaled cannabis in 28 HIV patients with neuropathic (nerve-related) pain not adequately controlled by other pain-relievers. Researchers reported that the proportion of subjects achieving a pain reduction of 30 percent or more was greater for those smoking cannabis than among those smoking the placebo.

“Smoked cannabis … (1-8% THC) significantly reduced neuropathic pain intensity in HIV-associated DPSN (distal sensory polyneuropathy) compared to placebo, when added to stable concomitant analgesics,” authors concluded. “Mood disturbance, physical disability, and quality of life all improved significantly during study treatment. … Our findings suggest that cannabinoid therapy may be an effective option for pain relief in patients with medically intractable pain due to HIV-associated DSPN.”

The study is the third clinical trial conducted by CMCR investigators to determine that inhaled cannabis significantly reduces chronic neuropathy, a condition that is typically unresponsive to both opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.

Commenting on the study, NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: “It is becoming increasingly apparent why the US government has tried to stonewall clinical research on the therapeutic effects of inhaled cannabis. Each new trial the Feds approve provides additional evidence undermining the government's 'flat Earth' position that cannabis is without medical value.”

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director.
Full text of the study, “Smoked medicinal cannabis for neuropathic pain in HIV: a randomized, crossover clinical trial,” will appear in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

Adelaide, Australia:
Schizophrenics Report Subjective Relief From Cannabis, Study Says

Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia report obtaining subjective relief from cannabis to control various symptoms associated with the disease, according to survey data published in the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing.

An investigator at Flinders University in South Australia interviewed 30 patients aged between 18 and 65 who had a DSM-IV comorbid diagnosis of schizophrenia and cannabis 'abuse.' The investigator reported that over half of the respondents reported using cannabis to control schizophrenic symptoms. Of those interviewed, 25 patients reported that smoking cannabis reduced their anxiety; 21 patients said that marijuana helped them to forget childhood trauma; and 12 stated that cannabis "enhanc[ed] their spiritual awareness."

Ten respondents reported that cannabis "makes the voices louder and clearer;" eight patients said that pot "enhanced their cognitive processes;" and five stated that it "increased their physical or mental energy." Finally, eight patients said that the legalization of cannabis would "improve their mental state" because it would reduce the anxiety and paranoia associated with using an illegal drug.

Commenting on the study, NORML Advisory Board Member Dr. Mitch Earleywine, author of the book "Understanding Marijuana: A New Look at the Scientific Evidence," said that these patients' testimonials lend credibility to the theory that a large part of the association between marijuana and schizophrenia may be explained by self-medication.

"It's not that cannabis use is causing schizophrenia," he said. "It's that patients notice the initial symptoms of schizophrenia and turn to marijuana for relief."

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director.
Full text of the study, "The effects of cannabis abuse on the symptoms of schizophrenia: Patient perspectives," appears in the August issue of the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing.

Seattle, WA:
World's Largest Annual Pot 'Protestival' To Take Place This Weekend

Event organizers are expecting nearly 150,000 attendees at this weekend's 17th annual Seattle Hempfest taking place this Saturday and Sunday at Myrtle Edwards Park in downtown Seattle. More than 70 speakers and 60 bands will participate on five stages during the two-day event, which is now recognized as the largest marijuana law reform gathering in the world.

Speakers at this year's event include NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre, NORML Founder Keith Stroup, patient advocates Madeline Martinez and Angel Raich, authors Jack Herer and Ed Rosenthal, and PBS travel host and NORML Advisory Board Member Rick Steves.

The theme of this year's weekend festival is: "Industrial Hemp, and What It Can Do for America."

A complete schedule of this year's Seattle Hempfest speakers and events at: http://hempfest.org/drupal/.

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