Marijuana extracts administered under the tongue dramatically reduce chronic pain in patients with multiple sclerosis and spinal injuries, according to preliminary findings from a recent clinical trial on marijuana and pain management.
“We’ve had some patients say: ‘This is brilliant; it stopped my pain in its tracks,'” said lead researcher Dr. William Notcutt of James Paget Hospital in eastern United Kingdom. “Several patients experienced a dramatic improvement in the pain they were experiencing.” Notcutt said he hoped to publish final conclusions of the trial next year.
Of the 23 patients participating in the study, 20 experienced significant benefits, including pain relief and sleep enhancement. Patients self-administered marijuana extracts via a sublingual spray. The extracts used in the study were taken from medical marijuana plants specially grown by GW Pharmaceuticals, a London company licensed to cultivate and test medical marijuana in clinical trials.
Results of a previous UK trial of 75 patients conducted this year found that marijuana extracts greatly reduced pain, muscle spasms and bladder dysfunction in patients with MS. Similar studies are scheduled to begin in Canada later this year.
“I hope it will not be long before this new medicine can be used much more widely,” Norcott said.
“Evidence indicates that marijuana and its derivatives are suitable for patients suffering from various types of chronic pain, especially those unresponsive to traditional analgesics,” NORML Foundation Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said. “In addition, cannabis may offer fewer negative side-effects than opioids – which can be highly addictive – and NSAIDS, which can induce stomach ulcers, bleeding, and kidney failure.”
This Friday, the American Academy of Pain Management will host a daylong seminar on the role of cannabis and pain management at its 12th Annual Clinical Meeting in Arlington, Virginia.
For more information, please contact either Allen St. Pierre or Paul Armentano of The NORML Foundation at (202) 483-8751.
