Pubdate: Wed, 10 Jul 2013
Source: Herald, The (Everett, WA)
Copyright: 2013 The Daily Herald Co.
Contact:  http://www.heraldnet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/190
Author: Ken Heiret
Note: Ken Heiret lives in Bothell.

Cancer Research

TIME TO RETHINK CANNABIS AND ITS POTENTIAL

I'm dismayed when I read letters to the editor of this paper and 
others about what a horrible path we have taken by legalizing 
cannabis. I'm sure that if the writers had done some research on the 
medical benefits of the compounds found in the plant they might 
reconsider their position.

There are numerous government and private websites dedicated to the 
results of cannabis research and I think we can generally say that 
the cannabis plant has benefits that far outweigh its negatives.

A couple paragraphs pulled from cancer. gov 
(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/healthprofessional/page4):

Cannabinoids are a group of 21-carbon containing terpenophenolic 
compounds produced uniquely by cannabis sativa and cannabis indica 
species.[1,2] These plantderived compounds may be referred to as 
phytocannabinoids. Although delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the 
primary psychoactive ingredient, other known compounds with biologic 
activity are cannabinol, cannabidiol (CBD), cannabichromene, 
cannabigerol, tetrahydrocannabivarin, and delta-8-THC. CBD, in 
particular, is thought to have significant analgesic and 
anti-inflammatory activity without the psychoactive effect (high) of 
delta-9-THC.

Cannabinoids may cause anti-tumor effects by various mechanisms, 
including induction of cell death, inhibition of cell growth, and 
inhibition of tumor angiogenesis invasion and metastasis.[9-12] One 
review summarizes the molecular mechanisms of action of cannabinoids 
as anti-tumor agents.[13] Cannabinoids appear to kill tumor cells but 
do not affect their non-transformed counterparts and may even protect 
them from cell death. These compounds have been shown to induce 
apoptosis in glioma cells in culture and induce regression of glioma 
tumors in mice and rats. Cannabinoids protect normal glial cells of 
astroglial and oli-godendroglial lineages from apoptosis mediated by 
the CB1 receptor.[14]

Pretty heavy reading and I don't blame you if you skipped the rest of 
it after the first 40-letter word, but I want to make sure you see 
this part - one review summarizes the molecular mechanisms of action 
of cannabinoids as anti-tumor agents. Cannabinoids appear to kill 
tumor cells but do not affect their non-transformed counterparts and 
may even protect them from cell death.

Wow, can you imagine what it means if this research pans out? Could 
there be a cancer cure in our time? It's been predicted before 
(http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/03/15/war-on-cancer/) but nothing 
with this much promise has come around in a while and apparently has 
a novel way of working that protects unaffected cells. These 
compounds are produced uniquely by cannabis sativa and cannabis indica species.

There is no doubt that we must restrict access to cannabis from 
minors. A young mind, still in its formative years, needs to be sharp 
and focused, and one that is high all the time will not mature 
properly. This is already true of alcohol and I would expect a 
similar usage rate among underaged kids. Alcohol and cannabis are 
supplied to kids from a variety of sources today, sometimes from 
their own parents. This is an ongoing problem with cannabis and 
alcohol so nothing really changes there. We need to find more 
effective ways to deal with drug and alcohol use in kids. We can 
start with actual information for why they shouldn't use it, like it 
damages their brains and keeps them from maturing. At least cannabis 
is not poisonous like alcohol is, so you don't have to worry about 
your kids having an overdose and dying. The manner in which cannabis 
and alcohol are portrayed to kids do matter and we need to be 
truthful about the effects of each.

I think it's clear that this is not a "black or white," "yes or no" 
question. It's much more complicated and we have to figure out what 
we have here and how to use it and keep it from being misused.

It has, and will have medical, economic, political and judicial 
impact worldwide for as long as all of us have been alive and will do 
so for a long time to come so we need to get it all figured out 
without trampling on anyone's rights or locking anyone out of the 
various advances and opportunities that are ahead.

I predict that the cannabis plant will provide a significant 
contribution to medical science and cancer research in particular in 
the 21st century and beyond if only we can get people to stop 
believing 50-year-old propaganda and do a little research of their 
own to open their minds to the potential it has.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom