Pubdate: Sat, 30 Apr 2005
Source: Naples Daily News (FL)
Copyright: 2005 Naples Daily News.
Contact:  http://www.naplesnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/284
Author: Rob Kampia
Note: Rob Kampia is executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project.
Alert: Marijuana Medicine Approved http://www.mapinc.org/alert/0307.html
Cited: GW Pharmaceuticals http://www.gwpharm.com/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Sativex (Sativex)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA WORKS IN CANADA

WASHINGTON -- On April 19, Canada delivered what should be the final
blow to the U.S. government's irrational prohibition of the medical
use of marijuana. It approved the prescription sale of a natural
marijuana extract -- for all practical purposes, liquid marijuana --
to treat pain and other symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Sativex, produced by GW Pharmaceuticals, in Britain, brings the
medical-marijuana debate full circle. Although the technology has
advanced in 70 years, this product is a direct descendant of the
marijuana extracts and tinctures that were a standard part of the
medical armamentarium until the late 1930s -- universally recognized
as safe and effective for certain conditions.

These products were taken away from patients and doctors as a result
of the prohibition of marijuana that began in 1937 -- despite public
opposition by the American Medical Association.

In short, the Canadian government has just certified that virtually
everything our government has been telling us about marijuana is
wrong. In defiance of a large and growing pile of scientific studies,
our government still asserts that marijuana has no medical value.

White House drug czar John Walters even compared medical marijuana to
"medicinal crack." Such statements were always scientifically
ridiculous, as has been noted by a wide range of authorities,
including the American Public Health Association, the American Nurses
Association and the state medical societies of New York, California
and Rhode Island -- to name just a few.

Now, GW Pharmaceuticals' research has definitively put such nonsense
to rest. Make no mistake: Sativex is liquid marijuana. It is nothing
like Marinol, the synthetic THC pill sold in the United States and
sometimes falsely touted as an adequate substitute for marijuana.

Sativex is a whole-plant extract, containing the rich variety of
naturally occurring compounds, called cannabinoids, that are unique to
marijuana. It also contains trace elements of other compounds in the
plant, which scientists believe contribute to its therapeutic value.

On its Web site, GW Pharmaceuticals explains, "We believe very
strongly that many of the advantages of using the whole plant come
from the inclusion of other components of cannabis (marijuana)," not
just THC. "In the cannabis plant, it appears that some of the
components added together give better effect. Some components seem to
work to counteract some of the side effects of others, and the whole
plant is generally well tolerated by humans."

Sativex is to marijuana as a cup of coffee is to coffee beans. If
Sativex is safe and effective, marijuana is safe and effective. And
Sativex is safe and effective. Studies have shown significant effects
against pain and other symptoms of both multiple sclerosis and other
debilitating conditions. Over 600 patient-years of research have
established a remarkable record of safety.

Sativex should certainly be approved in the United States, but the
process may take years -- if it is allowed to happen at all.

Sadly, our government's reflexive hostility to the medical use of
marijuana shows no sign of abating. But an even larger question is:
Now that we know beyond doubt that marijuana is a safe, effective
medicine, how long will our government continue to arrest patients who
use it?

And even if Sativex is approved here someday, it won't be the answer
for every patient now benefiting from medical marijuana. For one
thing, it has been clearly shown that different strains of marijuana
- -- with different blends of cannabinoids -- work better for some
conditions than for others. Sativex comes in just one formula, so it
won't be right for everyone. And it will be expensive.

Will we force patients to buy a pricey pharmaceutical version of a
plant that they could grow themselves, for pennies? When our health-
care system is drowning in rising costs, that's insane. We could end
up with a policy every bit as silly as telling coffee drinkers that
they can buy a cappuccino, but they'll be arrested if caught in
possession of coffee beans.

The lesson of Sativex is simple. Our government was wrong: Marijuana
is medicine. And patients and doctors should be able to use it in
whatever form works best for their particular situation.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake