Presentations for the Third National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics, held in Charlottesville, VA - May 21-22 , 2004. Links are to full length, on-line videos. Order as appears on DVD set.

2004 - Disc # 1

Welcome to 2004 Cannabis Therapeutics Conference, by Al Byrne -
Co-founder and Secretary/ Treasurer of Patients Out of Time, Al recounts it's history and mission, from first news conference with seven Federal legal patients to current efforts to reschedule marijuana. A retired naval officer, Al examines the political dynamics of the current prohibition on medical Cannabis.

Cannabinoid System in Neuroprotection, Raphael Mechoulam, PhD -
Professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Dr. Mechoulam gives a brief history of Medical Cannabis, then describes the role of Cannabinoids as anti-inflammatory for arthritis, as neuroprotectant for brain injury and as a possible treatment for PTSD. Dr. Mechoulam first isolated THC in 1964.

Holistic Biochemistry of Cannabinoids, by Robert Melamede, PhD -

Dr. Melamede, Associate Professor and Biology Chairman, Biology Department, University of Colorado, explains how the Endocannabinoid System functions as a "Global Homeostatic Regulator", balancing several organ systems. He theorizes that, "Free Radicals are the Friction of Life. Endocannabinoids are the Oil of Life."

Movement Disorders and Cannabis, with Dr. Sanchez-Ramos, PhD, MD -
"The effects of Cannabinoids on movement are profound!", states Juan Sanchez-Ramos, Professor of Neurology, Helen Ellis Endowed Chair. Director of Movement Disorders, University of South Florida. Addressing Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, Dr. Ramos finds Cannabinoids have potential to slow onset and progression of neurodegenerative conditions  

2004 - Disc # 2

Cannabis Use in Hospice, with Valerie Corral -
Co-founder of WAMM (Wo/men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana) in Santa Cruz, CA, Valerie Corral tells of the amazing help that Cannabis brings to the terminally ill, with spiritual benefits from a mindful approach to life and death in hospice.

AIDS and Pain: An HHS Study, by Donald Abrams, MD -
Donald Abrams, Professor of Clinical Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, describes methodology of double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine if smoked marijuana is an effective analgesic for HIV patients with neuropathic pain. Dr. Abrams also explains how State of California sponsorship of Medical Marijuana resulted in the University of CA Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research.

Cannabis - Challenge to Unlearn the Lies, M.L.Mathre, RN, MSN -
Author of "Cannabis in Medical Practice" and an addiction specialist, Mary Lynn Mathre brings a nurse's perspective to the medical marijuana issue at 2004 Cannabis Therapeutics Conference. Declaring that enough research has been done on Cannabis as medicine to warrant immediate access for patients, Mary Lynn shares the poignant story of Barbara and Kenny Jenks, AIDS victims who were arrested and convicted for medical marijuana.

1988 Marijuana Rescheduling Case before DEA, with Arnold Trebach, PhD, JD -

Arnold Trebach, Professor Emeritus, American University, recalls the petition brought before Drug Enforcement Administration Administrative Law Judge Francis L. Young. Although the DEA did not abide by his recommendation to reschedule Cannabis, Judge Young's findings on the safety and efficacy of medical marijuana are still relevant today.

Marijuana Rescheduling Petitions - a report by Jon Gettman, PhD -

Jon Gettman, Senior Fellow, George Mason University, examines reasons that Cannabis is still on Schedule One of the Controlled Substances Act, after thirty years of rescheduling petitions and scientific reviews before the DEA and HHS. More on this effort at www.drugscience.org

 2004 - Disc # 3

Therapeutic Cannabis in the Netherlands, Willem Scholten, PharmD, MPA -
Since 2003, The Netherlands has been distributing Medical Cannabis through pharmacies by prescription. From the Office of Medicinal Cannabis (Ministry of Health), Willem Scholten explains how this came about and discusses production, standardization, Cannabinoid assays and quality control.

Transdermal Cannabinoids, with Audra Stinchcomb, PhD -
Assistant Professor at College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Audra Stinchcomb discusses Transdermal (patch) and Intranasal delivery of Cannabinoids, focusing on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of co-administration. This research is partially funded by the American Cancer Society.

Medical Ethics and Cannabis Prohibition, by Richard Bonnie, JD -
Professor Richard J. Bonnie, University of Virginia Law School; Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, addresses the 2004 Cannabis Therapeutics Conference on medical ethics and public policy, postulating "What is the right thing to do?" for physicians and officials.

Cannabis Use and Pregnancy, with Melanie Dreher, RN, PhD -
Drawing on over thirty years of Cannabis research in rural Jamaica, Professor Melanie Dreher, College of Nursing, Univ. of Iowa, observes cultural contexts of marijuana use in peri-natal and neo-natal studies, including use of "Ganja Tea".

Cannabis & Risk of Dependence, by Billy Martin, PhD -
Chair of Department of Pharmacology and Toxicity, Health Science Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Billy Martin finds a relationship between different drug dependences, with the Endo-Cannabinoid system playing a role as a dopamine regulator.

2004 - Disc # 4

Multiple Sclerosis and Medical Cannabis, with Jim Miller -
Husband of MS patient Cheryl Miller, Jim tells their story of love, suffering and activism, from first learning of marijuana's efficacy to pressuring members of Congress. After Cheryl's passing, Jim and other MS patients formed the Multiple Sclerosis Patients Union - www.mspu.org

Multiple Sclerosis & Medical Cannabis, Denis Petro, MD -
Dr. Petro, Consulting Neurologist and drug researcher, looks at history of medical marijuana use in Multiple Sclerosis and spasticity, recent trials using Cannabinoids and Cannabis extracts to treat MS and prospects for approval in the U.S.

Oromuscosal Cannabis-based Medicine, Geoffrey Guy, MD -
"From Plant to Prescription Medicine" - Introduced by Don Wirtshafter, Geoffrey Guy, Founder and Executive Chairman, GW Pharmaceuticals, UK, explains why extracts of Phyto-Cannabinoids THC & CBD need to represent the natural balance of the Cannabis plant. Describing Cannabinoid action as a "Super-Modulator", Dr. Guy discusses clinical trials involving Multiple Sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury and neuropathic pain.

Interaction between Opiates and Cannabinoids, by Sandra Welch, PhD -
Sandra Welch, Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, examines the analgesic effects of combining Cannabinoids and Opiates. A synergistic effect was found that required must less opiate drugs to be used for acute and chronic pain.

Psychological & Physical Health of Long-Term Cannabis Users, Richard Musty, PhD -
Professor of Psychology at University of Vermont, Richard Musty, PhD examines research on light and heavy marijuana users, from cancer questions to cognitive tests.

2004 - Disc # 5

Pediatrics and Medicinal Cannabis, with Ethan Russo, MD -
Dr. Ethan Russo presents worldwide history of medical marijuana used for childhood diseases: including colic, seizures, pertussis, diarrhea, parasites, wasting syndrome, asthma, tetanus and others. Founding editor of the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, Dr. Russo also addresses recent science on anti-cancer agents in Cannabis, ADHD and epilepsy.