Pubdate: Mon, 27 Jun 2005
Source: Evening Standard (London, UK)
Copyright: 2005 Associated Newspapers Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/914
Author:  James Rossiter, Evening Standard
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?323 (GW Pharmaceuticals)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

WILLIAM RANSOM SEEKS CANNABIS BOOST

NATURAL healthcare company William Ransom is working on producing a 
cannabis-extract for migraine and rheumatoid arthritis.

The AIM-listed firm is better known for over-the-counter products, ranging 
from aloe vera-based toothpastes and Radian B muscle rub to Manuca honey, 
but a move into producing marijuana resins would not be a first for the firm.

Hitchin-based Ransom used to produce extracts of the infamous weed more 
than 30 years ago, its chief executive Tim Dye told the Evening Standard, 
until changes to the law prohibited its prescription as a medicine in 1973.

Now a =801.3m (UKP 862,000) grant from the EU to a consortium spearheaded 
by Ransom has triggered a two-year project to examine if there is a viable 
market for use in medical therapies.

Earlier this month, GW Pharmaceuticals lost an appeal with UK regulators to 
allow it to market its cannabis-derived painkiller Sativex for multiple 
sclerosis sufferers.

Dye said he is working closely with the University of London School of 
Pharmacy on his project. A further five Continental academic institutions 
and two small research firms are involved.

He is also taking advice from former chairman Michael Ransom, a by the 
appointment as a director-of former Olympic swimming champion David Wilkie. 
Ransom bought his food supplements business a year ago.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom