The results of a series of randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials assessing the efficacy of inhaled marijuana consistently show that cannabis holds therapeutic value comparable to conventional medications, according to the findings of a 24-page report issued earlier today to the California state legislature by the California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR).
Four of the five placebo-controlled trials demonstrated that marijuana significantly alleviated neuropathy, a difficult to treat type of pain resulting from nerve damage.
“There is good evidence now that cannabinoids (the active compounds in the marijuana plant) may be either an adjunct or a first-line treatment for … neuropathy,” said Dr. Igor Grant, Director of the CMCR, at a news conference at the state Capitol. He added that the efficacy of smoked marijuana was “very consistent,” and that its pain-relieving effects were “comparable to the better existing treatments” presently available by prescription.
A fifth study showed that smoked cannabis reduced the spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis. A separate study conducted by the CMCR established that the vaporization of cannabis – a process that heats the substance to a temperature where active cannabinoid vapors form, but below the point of combustion – is a “safe and effective” delivery mode for patients who desire the rapid onset of action associated with inhalation while avoiding the respiratory risks of smoking.
Two additional clinical trials remain ongoing.
The CMCR program was founded in 2000 following an $8.7 million appropriation from the California state legislature. The studies are some of the first placebo-controlled clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of inhaled cannabis as a medicine to take place in over two decades.
Placebo-controlled clinical crossover trials are considered to be the ‘gold standard’ method for assessing the efficacy of drugs under the US FDA-approval process.
“These scientists created an unparalleled program of systematic research, focused on science-based answers rather than political or social beliefs,” said former California Senator John Vasconcellos, who sponsored the legislation in 1999 to launch the CMCR. Vasconcellos called the studies’ design “state of art,” and suggested that the CMCR’s findings “ought to settle the issue” of whether or not medical marijuana is a safe and effective medical treatment for patients.
“This (report) confirms all of the anecdotal evidence – how lives have been saved and pain has been eased,” said California Democrat Senator Mark Leno at the press conference. “Now we have the science to prove it.”
Full text of the CMCR’s report to the California legislature is available at online at: http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu/CMCR_REPORT_FEB17.pdf.
clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap.
This is absolutely incredible news. A huge step in favor of medical marijuana and one more nail in the prohibition coffin.
Sorry for this NORML ………..THIS IS F**KIN AWESOME not to mention there again science is proving that this is a safe preventable or cure for almost anything .You guys rock with all the info i check this shit every day an still hav yet to make a donation sorry for that too
Absolutely great news!!! How much evidence is needed until these idiot politicians realize that marijuana is great for medical patients in need of relief???
“These scientists created an unparalleled program of systematic research, focused on science-based answers rather than political or social beliefs”
And therein lies the key to undoing the horrors of prohibition.
It’s about time someone points out publicly that the “inhaling smoke” argument does not hold for vaporizing.
I understand inhaling cannabis smoke has not been linked to cancers or lung disease, but I’ve talked to doctors who abide by the blanket policy that inhaling any combusted substance is bad by default — and to them I’ve always argued vaporizing.
I hope this gets traction.
Great news but sadly I’m wondering how this will be covered by our media? Oh well, great news!
This is wonderful news. Now we just need a good ‘gold standard’ test on the effects of high grade hemp oil on cancer!
This is great news! This goes against what Kerlikowske said about SMOKED marijuana, and now he’s trapped in a corner. I don’t think the feds can keep cannabis listed as a schedule 1 drug much longer without people becoming more and more pissed. Change is finally coming. But how did the California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research conduct these studies without being stopped? Regardless… awesome news. It’s about time.
Someone tell them to do a “gold standard” study on cancer treatment.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&ref=mf&gid=286239318164
I just don’t see any reason why, study after study, that so many states are still waiting for it to be fully legalized and regulated. Everyone needs to realize that while smoke itself may not be the best way to use marijuana, it still has health benefits.
2010- FULL LEGALIZATION NEEDS TO HAPPEN!
2010- GOVERNMENT LIES NEED TO END!
This should put a big thorn in the prohibitionists sides! Guess its time to get back on track with using one of the oldest medical plants in the world! Time to push the politics out of the herb.
nice to finally see research in the US making cannabis sound good for a change!!
thanks!
Thank you to all researchers involved. Now, does law or lawsuit force the DEA to reschedule? Wiki says a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance …(B) The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. This is in the US, and currently HAS accepted medical use in treatment (thanks to CMCR). A mandatory rescheduling is in order.
woot! Who would have thought? lolllll.
The government will claim that the cannabis was not from an authorized source, theirs.
The study is redundent since they would never release their supplies to prove MJ as anything less than deadly poison and if they had, the quality is so poor as to give negative results anyway.
[Paul Armentano responds: The marijuana supply used in the studies was from NIDA.]
We’ve always had the scientific evidence. Congress just hasn’t actually done anything useful with it.
Wow, such great news. We need more “real science” around cannabis. I don’t think this is enough to get the Government to consider re-classifying cannabis off Schedule 1 status however.
We could conduct all the science experiments in the world many times over for the rest of our lives. Prohibitionists will continue to fight us and the truth. This doesn’t change the way the game is played.
this is good news are the prohibitionist going to keep lie us.
So is this going to make it to any mainstream news stations? Or will it go unheard?
[Paul Armentano responds: There is an extensive Associated Press wire story on this linked in my report. Google news lists separate stories from 380+ national news outlets. This story is being picked up widely in mainstream news outlts.]
“[Paul Armentano responds: The marijuana supply used in the studies was from NIDA.]”
Okay, now I am impressed. If you can get positive results from low potency brown bud….wow!
I have wonder how CCMCR managed to get NIDA approval though since they’re stated policy is not to permit their supply to be used for research to explore any possible benefits cannabis may have.
Absolutely awesome news.
[Paul Armentano responds: CMCR received NIDA approval because it had the backing and funding of the state of California. Even then, on average, federal approval took about 18 months for each separate study. Most private or university investigators do not have the time or the funding to do likewise.]
its all like a snowball rolling down hill,its getting bigger and better,its slowly turning in our favor as long as we all keep pushing
Paul Armentano, what would you say to this: “Thank you to all researchers involved. Now, does law or lawsuit force the DEA to reschedule? Wiki says a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance …(B) The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. This is in the US, and currently HAS accepted medical use in treatment (thanks to CMCR). A mandatory rescheduling is in order.” Which was said earlier by “Victory”? I’d just like to know if this is true or not, and what you think this means for the future of medical cannabis in this country.
Thanks!
[Paul Armentano responds: I posed a question to the CMCR researchers at the new conference that went something like this: “Given that the CMCR trial design is the gold standard design used by private manufacturers who seek to go before the FDA for review to bring a new drug to market, and given that there is no legal private producer of marijuana that could ever go before the FDA, would the CMCR consider submitting their body of work to the FDA for their review?” Igor Grant said that my question was a valid one and while the CMCR had never previously considered such an option that it was worthy of discussion. Regarding rescheduling only Congress can reschedule and/or DEA/HHS. A rescheduling petition was filed several years ago and has sat before DEA for many years now unanswered.]
I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to all the medical researchers that contributed to this study. Thank you. I smoke Marijuana for Neuropathic pain, from a vehicle accident back in 2006, at which I was not at fault. I have burning/tingling sensations chronically on my left foot and leg. I am off all prescription medication and have been since 2008. I now only smoke Marijuana. Unfortunately, I live in the State of Georgia that doesn’t have medical marijuana available as of yet. It is incredibly frustrating to reside in a backwards conservative state. However, change is gradually coming.
Standing Ovation,, keep up the good work guys, lets keep the fight to end this strong n blaze proudly!
It sounds great to me but the Sac Bee is saying that this report means ..
“Getting high not needed for pot to relieve pain, new UC study shows”
According to many people posting comments, they seem to think this means they should take THC out of the medical marijuana.
I’m just sayin’.
http://www.sacbee.com/latest/story/2544345.html?plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:cd0460c1-b21c-41f6-9467-1cb7423e793f
Cannabiniods obviously have medical benifits, otherwise the U.S.Patent office would have not issued 998 patents for THC and the other healing cannabinoids! How is the DEA going to debate this one!
You can’t allow medical marijuana! Then all those dang-dong flower wearing hippies will start smoking and then it’s just a matter of time before we live in a socialist, old people-killing, gay marrying, crack smoking shell of the good old U-S of A! Hooooooooey! Whoopy-hoo gelp gelp whiskey bottle outhouse gelp gelp git ‘er done!!!!!!1
Sincerely,
Middle America
yes…awesome information….now, we must anticipate how THEY will twist an turn this information until it will fit THEIR story of bad…bad cannabis…..THEY continue to beat the dead horse in spite of factual information such as this. we must find a way to take away their beating sticks…..the truth can be found by asking the people like us who know the truth…come on all those who seek the truth…ask us…..the ones who actually have used it for all of our adult life……and, have had a good, balanced, healthy life….
I’m thrilled with the strides medical marijuana is making. But, is anybody else worried that once MMJ becomes totally mainstream, conservative lawmakers are going to push back by trying to equalize the penalties for possession with those for other prescription drugs? Could we see felony charges for possessing any amount of pot without a prescription???
thank god someone finally comers out with info about marijuana tht doesnt say tht it is a drug and is bad for u…. hopefully soon this stupid useless war on pot will end
Since NIDA supplied the cannabis cigarettes how are we to know what strain was used? That does make a difference in results, does it not?
Now maybe the drug czar will admit that Marijuana has medical benefits. Now we can get medical cannabis in all states.
do you seriously think that “they” haven’t known this all along? it’s always been about the control and money, nothing else. complete legalization means you can grow your own medicine for pennies. a medicine that has the very same cannabinoids contained in the human body. God had a plan, and men stole it, for their own agenda’s.
very very nice…too bad Obama,Harper and The Police wont use that info…Norml is certainly not going to shut down its web site tomorrow…
Well?
Does that mean that cannabis will be removed from Schedule I?
What Schedule should it be in for cannabis also to be legalized for recreational use?
This just shows us what we already. It’s too bad it doesn’t matter because here in America the Feds have control not the people.
This just shows us what we already know. It’s too bad it doesn’t matter because here in America the Feds have control not the people.
I just cant wait for the excuse that there gona come up with for this. I bet its gona be exceptionally retarded
It’s pretty funny how some countries schedule the drug as Class A and some B and some C (Britian rescheduled it to B from C if I remember)…
It’s the same damn plant. If one country sees a substance as medicinal or non-harmful, where is the consistency? It’s the same herb/flowering plant no matter where.
It makes the US federal government: look ignorant, appear without common sense and credibility. And hopefully to the brainwashed portion of the countr(ies), show it’s just propagandic lies they have propogated & that the body cares only enough about the people it CONTROLS to pass for legitimate.
Show them how it’s done California.
But I wonder what will happen when the majority of the state votes it in. I’m going to expect a non-justified nullification by the government.
This is to the DRUG CZAR MR.K= AAAAH INHALE-AAAAAAHHH EXHALE. When you get paid by our tax dollars you will lie about anything just to make a living. The propaganda machine is going down the tubes and our Berlin Wall on MARIJUANA PROHIBITION is crumbling to dust. The DEA (DEAD END ATROCITIES) is like the TALIBAN enforcers of law and do not care about what happens to the people as long the laws are enforced and people are being punished with no type of morality or justice. In the U.S. it’s a POLICE STATE and the NEW WORLD ORDER with BIG BROTHER technology taking over. Oh where, oh where has our Constitution has gone?
SACRAMENTO, CA – Medical pot can ease pain and relax muscle spasms, according to a researcher who briefed legislators at the State Capitol on Wednesday.
Dr. Igor Grant told lawmakers at a press conference that medicinal marijuana has benefits proven in ten years of research.
The work at UC San Diego’s Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research cost almost $9 million, a drop in the bucket compared to research to bring most drugs to the marketplace.
“They were able to determine in all of their studies, that without exception, pain was relieved and in the case of MS, that spasms were significantly reduced,” said State Senator Mark Leno – (D) San Francisco, a medical pot supporter.
The Center has run out of research money and the state’s budget crisis means new funding is unlikely, according to Leno, who wants to see the federal government finance more study.
“There is enormous possibility here. Studies to determine if this can benefit those who suffer from glaucoma, from different cancers,” Leno said.
Those who’ve used medical pot for years said the results have come as no surprise. Conway Hudson of Citrus Heights said he began using medical pot after a drunk driving accident left him partially paralyzed and in a wheelchair.
“I can get around. I’m not stiff. I move. I’m not threatened to fall out my chair as much,” Hudson said.
A Sacramento teacher who came to a local medicinal pot clinic to make a purchase said he began using marijuana after a car accident six years ago.
Asked to be known only as James, he said the medical pot he buys has helped him use fewer painkillers. “(It has) …increased my mobility, increased my will to get up, be productive,” he said.
A bipartisan bill to fund medical marijuana research was passed in 1999, three years after California voters passed Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, allowing those with special certificates to use medical marijuana.
Now they can no longer claim that there are no clinical studies supporting medical marijuana. Will this be enough to get cannabis removed from schedule 1?
Will this stop the Drug Czar from repeating his lie about smoked marijuana not being medicine?
Since all the marijuana was furnished by NIDA and was government grown marijuana,what would these same test results have been using the more exotic strains?
Date: February 17, 2010
UC Studies Show Marijuana Has Therapeutic Value, Reports to Legislature
First results in United States in 20 years from clinical trials of smoked cannabis
Researchers from the University of California’s Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) have found “reasonable evidence that cannabis is a promising treatment” for some specific, pain-related medical conditions. Their findings, presented today to the California legislature and public, are included in a report available on the CMCR web site at http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu.
“We focused on illnesses where current medical treatment does not provide adequate relief or coverage of symptoms,” explained CMCR director, Igor Grant, MD, Executive Vice-Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the UCSD School of Medicine. “These findings provide a strong, science-based context in which policy makers and the public can begin discussing the place of cannabis in medical care.”
Researchers have completed five scientific clinical trials, with more in progress. These studies showed that cannabis can be helpful in easing pain in selected syndromes caused by injury or diseases of the nervous system and possibly for painful muscle spasms due to multiple sclerosis.
“These scientists created an unparalleled program of systematic research, focused on science-based answers rather than political or social beliefs,” said Senator John Vasconcellos, original author of The Medical Marijuana Research Act of 1999 (SB847) which led to the creation of the CMCR.
Study results have been published in high-impact medical journals, garnering national and international attention which prompted leading experts to come together and foster scientific dialog on the possible uses of cannabis as a therapeutic agent. More study will be necessary to figure out the mechanisms of action and the full therapeutic potential of cannabinoid compounds, according to the UC researchers.
About The Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research:
The CMCR was created in 2000 (through the passage of SB847) to conduct clinical and pre-clinical trials of cannabinoids, including smoked marijuana, to provide evidence, one way or the other, to answer the question “Does marijuana have therapeutic value?” The program’s purpose is to oversee objective, high-quality, medical research that would enhance understanding of the efficacy and adverse effects of marijuana as a pharmacological agent. The project was never to be construed as encouraging or sanctioning the social or recreational use of marijuana. http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu
# # #
Media Contact: Kim Edwards, 619-543-6163
To all those that say vaporizing is safer than regular smoking, perhaps that is true, but smoking cannabis is still safe. It is NOT linked to respiratory problems or lung cancer, as proven by Dr. Donald Tashkin. The smoke from cannabis is special, and is not dangerous like other smoke because of the cannabinoids present in it. This is scientific fact.
We all knew this was the case but now we can PROVE it completely!! Awesome!!
whoa wait a minute… NIDA approved this?!
shouldn’t THAT be bigger news than yet another study proving that this plant is a medicine? I thought they “were focusing on the negative aspects of cannabis”
FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
The only reason it’s not legal is because people are scared. Legalization will revolutionize American, probably international society entirely. There will be a lot of new jobs, and a lot of lost jobs. Cash flows will change dramatically; opinions will change dramatically. We’re alive at a great point in history right now; starting with California, the USA is finally gathering the balls to push this over the edge. I don’t smoke much anymore, but let’s GOOOO NORML!
WE JUST WANT TO GET HIGH WHO CARES!!!
I may be cynical, but I don’t think this will impress any politician. They have known as much. Many expensive studies have been conducted in the past, many of them recommending legalization. It’s about money. Many profit from incarceration, and certainly the powerful drug companies stand to lose business to medical marijuana.Then there is the ever present family values crowd – and they don’t exactly care about statistics or science, just gut feelings. The amount of evidence for medical marijuana was simply overwhelming in my state (Minnesota) and the the governor vetoed the bill under pressure from mostly law enforcement lobbying groups.
Regardless, I’m grateful for an organization like NORML for getting this information out there. I’ll donate again soon. We need to keep the movement rolling. I’m in pain, and I’m sick of risking my freedom in this hick state.
Dont mean to swear, but seeing an article like this makes my FUCKIN day. Holy shit its about time people see that marijuana isn’t deadly. I mean really, how many people die in car accidents related to alcohol okay??? We never see it from kids smoking weed and then driving, and if there is one, they were on other things, like hallucinogens or unprescripted pills. WOOHOO
Web MD already has an article up on this study. They devote way too much space for the corporate stooge, Joel Hay. He uses the same old argument – more research is needed. Whatever – what plant has been studied more? He also pushes marinol – weed light. That stuff doesn’t work. I’ve had it. It’s big business trying to patent marijuana. He purposely ignores the part about vaporizing being safe.
zipity do da!
Hold your applause folks…You know as well as I do , Even if cannabis was proven to extend your life and have NO bad side effects,proven to be not dangerous at all, that our government,DEA,FBI,and all forms of religious nut wouldnt let this pass into the relm of legalization. The government needs their slaves for their private prisons, law enforcment and DEA need their property forfiture and seizure(not to mention the will lose jobs),the religious nuts need someone to flog and blame all sins on. We (pro-cannabis folks) are the redheaded stepchildern of society and these above groups must have someone to kick around.
There are days I feel nothing will ever change the enslavements in this country or world that the mega rich and powers have over everyone of us til there is a total economic melt down and full on revolution. As scary as that may be , whats worse than realizing you are nothing but slaves to those powers.
All doom and gloom aside I hope this study DOES make some difference. Ill bet the house on the opposition trashing this report.
Kasado Says:
February 18th, 2010 at 5:05 am
The government will claim that the cannabis was not from an authorized source, theirs.
The study is redundent since they would never release their supplies to prove MJ as anything less than deadly poison and if they had, the quality is so poor as to give negative results anyway.
[Paul Armentano responds: The marijuana supply used in the studies was from NIDA.]
WOW ! guess I should have read the rest of the posts firsts! Thanks for that info Paul Armentano !
I so very shocked that the NIDA would do that.
I can’t even express how happy I am right now. Now we have more evidence to prove to people that Marijuana is a safe, and effective drug.
Let’s just hope that these studies fall into the right hands, and that it will be covered in the media to some extent. Regardless, this is still solid evidence that will be very helpful to potential legalization in the entire country (medical, and hopefully recreational too).
This is best thing that has happened in this movement lately. I imagine a world where you can go to a clinic and be prescribed the exact extract of cannabis from a hybrid strain the works extremely well for what ails you. Research of this kind will help pave the way for many more extremely important findings. We have yet to discover the full potential of this wonderful plant. Many thanks to the researchers and to our friends at norml for this “great day” making news.
I treat MJ as preventative medicine.
I am waiting for America to find out just how effective marijuana is for the multitude of medical applications that have not been put through testing yet. Before prohibition,there were over 150 medicines sold across the counter,with cannabis in them and I believe that we will see that again. Already sent copies of study to all legislators and bureaucrats to be sure they had access to the science,,,,especially Kerli.
The science is too incredible.
Could all the idiots stop posting here, it doesn’t help the cause.
While I am sure that government will take notice, I think they will see it as yet another threat to keeping the current laws in place. I applaud the study but I know the battle is far from over. Look at the reaction to the AMA endorsement last year, they chose to simply ignore it and remain quiet. What we will see is another government study that refutes the findings. Sorry if I sound negative, it’s just that my faith in law enforcement is at an all time low.
This is best news Ive heard all day! I want to print out a copy or two of this study and hand it out to a few people I know….maybe leave it on the coffee table for folks to read or maybe just sitting in a starbucks or hair salon.
Get the word out!
I’ve been looking around and there ia absolutly no mention of this on ANY news channel or newspaper.We need to get this news out there people, SPREAD THE WORD! I AM.
Before you guys decide, know that there are pros and cons of legalizing it…
http://www.politics3.com/ViewArticleGallery.aspx?AID=331
I use marijuana daily, but one thing I invite everyone to think about is why do you want marijuana regulated? Why do you want the government to handle OUR buds? I say drop all criminal charges for cultivation and possession, but why do you want the government, who we all can agree on that we cannot trust.. to handle our marijuana? mull that over for a bit
[Paul Armentano responds: NORML is very clear that any state/federal/local regulations re: cannabis should not impede personal, non-taxed, cultivation — just as non-commercial cultivation of tomatoes, or the non-commercial production of beer, is untaxed and unregulated now. Of course, the commercial production, distribution, and sale of these and other products is regulated so it is unrealistic to think that somehow cannabis would be treated differently.]
1. “Overall, investigators determined that marijuana’s most significant health risk was its association and reinforcement with tobacco smoking.” (a) In Europe and elsewhere cannabis is “traditionally” mixed together with tobackgo in a hot-burning “spliff” which destroys a high percentage of the THC, but meanwhile the niccotine enslaves the unwary victims, who were often following the suggestion of a dubious mentor.
(b) In the US since the 90’s, “WRAP” stars with tobackgo-names like “Tupac” and “Cool” mentioned “blunts” in their songs, i.e. WRAPping cannabis in a cigar skin, while many youngsters didn’t know a cigar skin contains niccotine.
(c) If every youngster is “toke-literate” i.e. knows how to use a longtube one-hitter (25-mg. serving size), hot-burning overdose half-gram joints and spliffs, and tobackgo mixing, will disappear.
2. 47 Kander: good point about vaporizers being safer, meanwhile a safer smoking method also exists, can be made for pennies out of materials found in your neighborhood, see wikiHow.com.: “How to Make Smoke Pipes out of Everyday Objects” and related articles on sifting herb before use and how to make a screen to use in the crater.
3. 62 Tomg: “MJ as preventative medicine”– good, but even better: MJ is a NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT which “prevents” illnesses by inspiring your body to learn how to fight them off. A medicine does something to you, but “Ask not what riefer will do to (for) you, but what you can do with it.” Example: tobackgo is a medicine which temporarily heals the illnesses caused by the previous $igarette. With MJ you are out to beat “illness” (actually ignorance– see Mrs. Eddy) and beat it for good.
good know if the over paid and under worked people in the goverment would just legalize pot, so everyone who wants to smoke it can. the country would be better off. butt no, why?
Ah! This surely is good news for a friday!
Though I always knew that marijuana was safe, and I think the US govt knew since the early 70’s.
Oh, and we shouldn’t be relying on the media to publish this. We should publish it ourselves
This really has nothing to do with the article, but I really like my vaporizer. That’s all. Have a great day
How long will it take for the pharmaceutical companies to realize that they are bypassing a vast market,while trying to protect their already in place chemical poisons they sell now. As easy as it is too grow,most people will still pay for any substance already packaged and ready to go.
They could be developing salves and elixirs
made from organic,high quality marijuana and be marketing them across the counter,much as it was in 1937,before all this insanity started.
Maybe the profit margin would be a little lower than for their chemical compounds,but the low number of liability insurance claims would make them even more profits,in the long run. And most of the research on marijuana has already been done,so lower costs on R&D
would figure in.
As soon as they remove marijuana from schedule 1,because it is a medicine,it removes control of the studies from NIDA and the DEA. It is only a matter of time before someone does the clinical testing to prove that marijuana is not only a safe and effective medicine,but a safe and effective recreational alternative “intoxicant” also.
And when America finally gets the chance to try a marijuana only Saturday nite,and they get completely
wasted and wake up Sunday morning,with no “hangover”,
roiling stomach,headache or puking their guts out,
most Americans will change their intoxicant of choice from alcohol too marijuana. Even the ones that don’t change over will understand that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol,without any fancy tests or years of study to figure it out.
That would make a good “ad”. Show a drunk and a head awakening the morning after in a side by side video,including some of their actions getting wasted.
The sad thing is, is that a year from now this study and all the talk surrounding it will be forgotten and it will lose its significance to our movement. I know this because why wouldn’t it? It’s certainly not the first study or the last of its kind. We’ll just continue to move in circles.
Please read.
http://www.slate.com/id/2245188/?GT1=38001
God is watching and He is pleased (added by Mobile using Mippin)
“…how lives have been saved and pain has been eased,”.
That just about says it all. Good for the CMCR!
Yet again a bunch of people taking a study out of context. This study does not prove anything on everything. This was a specific test with specific results. They did not identify the affects of this test on people’s real lives nor did they show whether it affected or impaired the ability for these people to continue working and to have real life relationships with real people in real situations. GET A CLUE people. Do not take this study out of context. There have been NUMEROUS other studies (double-blind, placebo) showing weed has more carcinogens than smoke, long-term and short-term constant weed intake severely impairs judgment and cognitive abilities. In a nutshell, pot makes you stupid. READ EVERYTHING not just what you want to read.
[Paul Armentano responds: The studies in question used the gold standard trial design that the FDA uses to determine a drug’s safety and efficacy. Inhaled marijuana met this standard. Please do share your supposed ‘double blind’ studies regarding the supposed adverse health outcomes you speak of. You will discover that such trials use population-base control trial design, not double blind placebo control, and that your suppositions regarding the results are incorrect as well.]
A girl who lived above a pot smoker (who just moved in) who had medical marijuana license. The apartments are not insulated. She had a severe reaction to the smoke, ended up in the hospital because the smoke was coming up through the floor boards. Yes they found it was because of the pot. Tell me that marijuana is good for you? It’s good for reducing pain and helping nervous reactions. The affects of the residual content of pot is the problem. Not the THC itself. If they made THC in a pill, I’d be all for it.
[Paul Armentano responds: Synthetic THC is available in a pill by prescription and has been since 1986. The pill is known as dronabinol. However, numerous cannabinoids besides THC have been identified to hold therapeutic properties; see:
http://www.cell.com/trends/pharmacological-sciences/abstract/S0165-6147(09)00128-X
Non-psychotropic plant cannabinoids: new therapeutic opportunities from an ancient herb
Here we provide an overview of the recent pharmacological advances, novel mechanisms of action, and potential therapeutic applications of such non-psychotropic plant-derived cannabinoids. Special emphasis is given to cannabidiol, the possible applications of which have recently emerged in inflammation, diabetes, cancer, affective and neurodegenerative diseases.]
Paul,
This study states that it is looking into the affects of smoking and driving.. that’s the only mention of real life situations that this study seems to point out. I DO NOT dispute some of the analgesic and benefits it provides. My mom used it during cancer therapy. I’ve friends who smoke it all the time. They are not driven to do anything but that. The one friend who quit, went back to college and got his degree. I see real life situations here. Though it wold be cool to have it legalized in pill form, the smoke can and does get into multidwelling homes. What about the little girl the woman mentioned? Pill form, fine. BUT most people want the smoke version. That is where I draw the line in how it affects others. AND, NONE of the study here identifies how marijauna really affects people’s abilities at work. How they interact with others. And, the affects are residual. Most of the myth debunking compares it to alcohol. Stop it. It’s like saying its ok to be an alcoholic because it isn’t as bad as heroine. That is an addicts argument and makes your argument mute. Stick with the facts. Further, long term heavy usage, which I’m guessing a lot of the people who are stoked about this study are, there are numerous studies that the cognitive residual affect on short term memory for long term usage is affected. Even many of the cannibis websites say its true. They say “true but misleading because the affects is only under teh influence.” well, if you’re a long term smoker, you’re always under the influence. I can have one hit off a joint and be good for hours. Yes, I do it now and then and only when i don’t have anything pressing to do the Monday after the weekend.
Let me be clear, I am not ANTI weed. I’m anti people taking studies out of context and applying it everywhere that they see fit. Take this study for what it is. There are way too many people who get those licenses and use it not for any other reason but to party with their friends. I know because I partied with one.
As for citing sources, really? you want me to put all those links in here? Well, google “marijuana scientific studies” make sure you put in the results to return only the last couple years. You’ll find many. Use critical thinking skills here. If the study is on people who are no longer smoking pot, that is a study that is pointless. The ones that matter are the ones that are done on those currently smoking pot as that is the only true indicator of how it will affect long term users. I repeat, I’m all for pill form, what you do to your body is your business. Smoke form, it is not ok with me and probably not to the mom who’s little girl ended up in the hospital. Get a air filter that filters out .01 microns if you’re going to smoke pot in an apartment/condo. Be considerate is all I’m asking here.
And, thank you for not filtering out comments like this. It’s always impressive when I see that someone is willing to include both sides.
[Paul Armentano responds: Each of the studies cited by the CMCR (it’s not “a study” as you incorrectly claim, but 11 separate studies — at least seven of which each used the randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled crossover design) assessed inhaled marijuana as a medicine using the same trial design the FDA uses to approve drugs for safety and efficacy. Smoked marijuana passed this standard. I am not taking anything out of context here. Your other anecdotal issues are beyond the purview of the legal standard our society uses to determine the legality of medicines. They may be legitimate concerns, but they are not relevant to the question of whether marijuana meets the legally accepted regulatory standard of safety and efficacy. As for your supposed litany of placebo controlled double blind studies you claim to have affirming your concerns re; adverse effects, well, I’m still waiting.]
Its great news yes… i hope one day the government will see passed its greed and legalize marijuana, but the fact still remains that government makes more money from the ban then it ever would if it was legal. Goddamn it i hate this country.
I am always for more accurate studies on marijuana, however its not science that is holding back marijuana’s legality. Its dirty rotten politics and greed- studies are great for revealing it cannot alone be just the rhetoric prohibitionist have have spouting holds reform back.
The majority of cannabis research around the world is funded by the US FED- its not scientific evidence we need, its tracing politicians to their source of money.
For example Lamar Smith the man who so vocally said he will never allow this to pass the committe he heads which will allow this to be passed on to be voted on- took money in this cycle from:
(according to http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=2010&type=C&cid=N00001811&newMem=N&recs=100)
$20,000 : National Beer Wholesalers Assn.
$15,000 : Schering-Plough Corp (merged with MERCK)
$11,000 : Altria Group (formerly Philip Morris)
$10,500 : Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
$8,000 : Eli Lilly & Co (prozac + cancer drugs)
$8,000 : Amgen Inc ( drugs for dealing/w chemo )
$7,000 : National Community Pharmacists Assn
$5,000 : GlaxoSmithKline
$5,000 : Constellation Brands (Beer&Wine (B&W))
$4,800 : Republic National Distributing (B&W).
Now you see why he said he will not even consider letting this pass (before he heard any info)
I am a “prohibitionist.” I absolutely cannot stand pot… and yes, I was a teen smoker. However, I have a brother with diabetes and a LOT of pain from a car accident, and a husband with extended nerve damage. I guess I am against the “medical marijuana” of today. Either FULLY legalize it and treat it like alcohol, or make it medical and treat it like medicine (i.e. prescription amounts, insurance PAYS for it, etc.) This in between stuff is annoying for every side. While small steps are being made for those who need it, those who abuse it are given the greatest benefit of the current system. Bravo to real research.