Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) consistently cite marijuana as beneficial for treating symptoms of the disease, according to survey data published in the April issue of the journal Multiple Sclerosis.
More than 2,500 volunteers responded to the anonymous, Internet-based survey, which asked people with MS their opinion on how various extrinsic factors affected their condition. “Common factors reported as beneficial were cannabis, cold baths, meditation and dietary factors,” authors concluded.
A previous 2002 British survey of Multiple Sclerosis patients found that 43 percent of respondents used marijuana therapeutically. Among current users, nearly three quarters said marijuana alleviated their spasms, and more than half said it relieved their pain.
In addition, a 1997 survey of MS patients published in the Journal of European Neurology found that 97 percent of respondents reported marijuana improved their symptoms, including spasticity, chronic pain and tremor.
Most recently, a 2003 survey conducted by the University of Calgary reported, “Subjective improvements in symptom experience were reported by the majority of people with MS who currently use cannabis.”
For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500.