Pubdate: Thu, 13 Mar 2003
Source: Age, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2003 The Age Company Ltd
Contact:  http://www.theage.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5

POT PAIN RELIEF QUESTIONED

Claims that cannabis relieves pain have been contradicted by new research. 
UK anaesthetist Dilip Kapur told delegates at an Australian and New Zealand 
pain conference that despite repeated claims that cannabis had medicinal 
qualities, its use in chronic pain management was questionable.

The unpublished data released by Dr Kapur shows synthetic cannabinoid 
nabilone (derived from the cannabis plant) did not reduce chronic pain in 
people suffering from a variety of conditions, including nerve damage.

His comments at the conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, were based on 
preliminary results from a 14-week trial of 60 people, many of whom had 
experienced chronic pain for up to five years.

It appeared only patients (26) with spinal cord tumours experienced slight 
pain relief from the cannabinoids, he said.

"First appearances (of the results) are disappointing," he said. "The 
effect on chronic pain is limited. There does seem to be an area of 
difference in people with spinal cord tumours."

Dr Kapur said 96 people were originally involved in the trial, but 36 had 
pulled out because of the side effects of the cannabinoids, including 
hallucination.

The research contradicts claims that cannabis is a wonder drug.

Pro-cannabis groups from around the world say the drug has medicinal 
benefits. Various websites say cannabis reduces chronic pain caused by an 
array of injuries.

It is also said to reduce muscle pain in multiple sclerosis sufferers, 
reduce vomiting in AIDS and cancer patients, and relieve pain in glaucoma 
patients. ALC's website said cannabinoids provided "non-addictive pain 
control".

Cannabis advocate Michael Britnell said most of the evidence used on the 
website was anecdotal.

"We have interviewed thousands of people," he said. "There is overwhelming 
evidence that it is of benefit to people with long-term chronic pain ... it 
is more than pain relief, it is a sense of wellbeing.

"You might still have the pain but you might be able to deal with it. It is 
not like morphine where the pain goes away."

Mr Britnell questioned how cannabis could be scientifically ruled out for 
pain relief when there were more than 100 different strains.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens