“In the meantime, we urge the courts to deal sympathetically with people with MS who are charged with cannabis use when seeking relief from their symptoms,” Group Says
London, United Kingdom: The British Multiple Sclerosis Society has urged the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) to make a “quick decision” regarding the legalization of cannabis-based drugs for patients with MS and other ailments. NICE is currently evaluating the safety and efficacy of synthetic THC (marketed in the United States as Marinol) as well as a variety of sublingual marijuana extracts developed by the GW Pharmaceutical company. NICE is a regulatory agency that advises the National Health Service (NHS) on new medical treatments and issues guidelines to doctors.
“We are aware that some people with MS are already benefiting from the use of cannabis, but by being forced to engage in illegal activity are experiencing great distress and fear,” the MS Society stated in a formal submission to NICE. “Offering cannabinoid-based treatment via the NHS will provide a much valued opportunity to use the drug in a safe and trusted environment.”
According to a 2002 survey of British MS patients, 43 percent said they used cannabis therapeutically to alleviate symptoms of the disease. Most recently, a study published in the journal Clinical Rehabilitation reported that marijuana extracts alleviated pain and other neurogenic symptoms in patients suffering from MS and spinal cord injury who were unresponsive to standard therapy.
Britain’s Medicines Control Agency (MCA) is currently reviewing clinical trail data from GW Pharmaceuticals on the efficacy of cannabis extracts on MS related pain, spasticity and bladder control. The MCA is expected to make a decision regarding the regulation of cannabis extracts later this year.
“In the meantime, we urge the courts to deal sympathetically with people with MS who are charged with cannabis use when seeking relief from their symptoms,” the MS Society advised.
For more information, please contact either Allen St. Pierre or Paul Armentano of the NORML Foundation at (202) 483-8751. A copy of the MS Society’s submission to NICE is available online at:
http://www.mssociety.org.uk/