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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom