Calif. research shows pot can ease muscle spasms

[Kadie]

Calif. research shows pot can ease muscle spasms
By LISA LEFF, Associated Press Writer

Wednesday, February 17, 2010


(02-17) 15:56 PST Sacramento, Calif. (AP) --

The first U.S. clinical trials in more than two decades on the medical benefits of marijuana confirm pot is effective in reducing muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis and pain caused by certain neurological injuries or illnesses, according to a report issued Wednesday.

Igor Grant, a psychiatrist who directs the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at the University of California, San Diego, said five studies funded by the state involved volunteers who were randomly given real marijuana or placebos to determine if the herb provided relief not seen from traditional medicines.

"There is good evidence now that cannabinoids may be either an adjunct or a first-line treatment," Grant said at a news conference where he presented the findings.

The California Legislature established the research center in 2000 to examine whether the therapeutic claims of medical marijuana advocates could withstand scientific scrutiny. In 1996, state voters became the first in the nation to pass a law approving pot use for medical purposes.

Thirteen other states have followed suit, but California is the only one so far to sponsor medical marijuana research. After 10 years and nearly $9 million, the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research is preparing to wrap up its work next year.

Along with the studies on muscle spasms and pain associated with spinal cord injuries and AIDS, the center also has funded research on how marijuana effects sleep and driving, limb pain due to diabetes, and whether inhaling vaporized cannabis is as effective as smoking it.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/02/17/national/a135904S14.DTL&tsp=1#ixzz0fqJ0sdqP

[Emit]

1. One of my best friends has the Primary Progressive form of MS and is rough shape

deteriorating rapidly with lots of spasms. Pot is the only thing that helps her.

[Webster Green]

2. Cue the pigs from the DEA to claim it has no medicinal benefit..

As they steal medicine from patients. :mad:

[Uncle Joe]

3. Kicked and recommended for waking the hell up.

Thanks for the thread, Kadie.:thumbsup:

[bigtree]

4. know that already

. . . good to see 'they're' catching on.

[tridim]

5. Impossible, the feds say it "has no medicinal value"

And that's the law of the land.

Let's change it.

[midnight]

6. Glad to be your fifth recommend.

[dave29]

7. Been trying to explain this to everyone who will listen

it is the only thing that alleviates the pain associated with the nerve damage I have which is causing severe tinnitus and hyperacusis. There are medications that "help" but pot runs circles around them.

And it works better than any anti-depressant I have tried, with far fewer side effects.

[tridim]

10. Yep, I use it mainly for stress relief and sleep.

There are plenty of sleep drugs out there, and nothing works like a puff or two before bed. It gives me 8 hours of QUALITY sleep, every time.

No way I'm taking a pharmaceutical for normal human stress, Cannabis works perfectly.

[K8-EEE]

8. but...but..then people will become ADDICTED to not having spasms!

Oh the humanity! It will just be the STEPPING STONE to not having glaucoma!

:sarcasm:

[medeak]

9. recommended for Parkinsons in UK n/t