Long term use of Medical Cannabis by Federal Legal Patients, Part 1

U.S. government-grown medical marijuana is sent to several patients remaining on the Investigational New Drugs program. In 2002, Elvy Musikka, George McMahon and Irvin Rosenfeld spoke to the Cannabis Therapeutics Conference in Portland, Oregon about their health and experience of 20 years using Medical Cannabis. Hosted by Mary Lynn Mathre, Patients Out of Time.

Long term use of Medical Cannabis by Federal Legal Patients, Part 2 ( Missoula Chronic Use Study )

Even as the federal government calls for more research into medical marijuana, it has refused to study it's own patients, who receive monthly shipments of Cannabis though the I.N.D. Patients Out of Time, hosts of the conference, knew this opportunity for good science shouldn't be missed, so it enlisted the help of doctors and researchers to perform physical and psychological tests on four of the legal patients.  Beginning with a history of medical marijuana, Ethan Russo, MD presents results of comprehensive physical examinations of patients receiving U.S. Government-grown medical marijuana over a 20 year period, examines N.I.D.A. Cannabis and offers recommendations in the interest of patients.

Cannabis Use with AIDS Patients, Donald Abrams, MD

After a brief history of marijuana as medicine, Dr. Abrams cites traditional Chinese medicine's preference of a whole natural herb to extracts, postulating several reasons that whole Cannabis is superior to Marinol (synthetic THC). In the early 1990's, Dr. Abrams asked the DEA to import Cannabis from Holland for trials with AIDS patients - denied. Again, for U.S. government-grown marijuana from Mississippi - denied. Then, in 1997, Dr. Abrams submitted a grant request to the National Institute on Drug Abuse for a study on potential toxicity of medical marijuana - this "safety" study was approved and began in 1998. 

Medical Cannabis Providers in California - Valerie Corral & WAMM

Co-Founder of the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM) in Santa Cruz, CA, Valerie Corral speaks to the Second Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics in Portland, OR, May,2002.

WAMM, a collective of patients and caregivers, was formed in 1993, especially to enable patients the means to grow their own medicine, with wheel chair accessible paths through the Cannabis garden. An epileptic herself, Valerie and her husband Mike developed strains of medical marijuana over a 27 year period and WAMM conducts research on the efficacy of these strains for different medical conditions, with a peer reviewed study in 2001. WAMM conducts a "Hospice Caring Project" - meetings and volunteer efforts that are "transformative" to both patient and caregiver. Also, Valerie tells of political efforts WAMM has conducted in implementation of Prop. 215.

State Medical Marijuana Programs 2002 - California, Colorado & Hawaii

Moderated by Donald Topping, PhD, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii: 1: Michael Aldrich, PhD, Director of C.H.A.M.P. (Californians Helping Alleviate Medical Problems) describes problems in implementing and amending Proposition 215, which made medical marijuana legal in California in 1996. 2: Gail Kelsey, BS, registry administrator for Colorado's medical marijuana program (Amendment 20, backed by Coloradans for Medical Rights, was ratified by the voters in Nov.2000), says progress is slow since the law was implemented in June, 2001. 3: Pamela Lichty, BA, MPF, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, describes problems implementing Hawaii's Medical Marijuana law, signed by Gov. Cayetano in June of 2000.

Cannabinoids & Movement Disorders, Juan Sanchez - Ramos, PhD, MD

An expert in movement disorders like Parkinson's and Huntington's, Dr. Juan Sanchez-Ramos brings research on the cannabinoid system in brains of rats and humans to the 2002 Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics in Portland, OR. Presenting animated graphics on the distribution of cannabinoid receptor CB-1 in the Basal Ganglia, he then describes effects of cannabinoids on normal and abnormal movement. Dr. Sanchez-Ramos explores the re-discovery of cannabinoids as a treatment for movement disorders and their potential as neuroprotective agents, pointing out that N.I.H. holds a patent on neuroprotective uses of cannabinoids.

Medical Cannabis in Canada - Chronic Pain Trial by Mark Ware, MD

Beginning with a history of medical marijuana in Canada, Dr. Mark Ware, associate medical director at McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, discusses methods of using Cannabis - concluding that pipes and vaporizers are superior to "joints". Dr. Ware then outlines his pilot study of chronic neuropathic pain, calling for more research on benefits and risks of medical marijuana to satisfy medical profession's need for objective science - meeting the "challenges of applying modern scientific methodology to a sacred herb".

Medical Cannabis Providers in Oregon - Eugene Compassion Club

Todd Dalotto, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Eugene Compassion Club (a Patient Service Organization operating under the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act) discusses challenges of getting medical marijuana to patients while staying within legal limits of OMMA. Todd also discusses most common medical conditions among Oregon's medical marijuana patients; reports of reductions of harmful prescription drugs and their side effects; and the success of medical marijuana in helping narcotic addicts to beat their addictions - calling marijuana a "gateway out of addiction". Note: Todd Dalotto is also the author of "The Hemp Cookbook" and Founder of Hungry Bear Hemp Foods.

Medical Cannabis Providers in Canada - BC Compassion Club Society

Hillary Black, Founder and Co-Director of BCCCS in Vancouver, British Columbia, impresses conference attendees with the innovative programs that have made the BC Compassion Club respected by patients and government officials alike. By integrating natural health care in its wellness center with medical marijuana, BCCCS promotes a "holistic approach to healing and living". Core values of BCCCS: Compassion; Diversity; Empowerment; Natural Health Care; & Alternative Solutions.

Medical Cannabis Strains - Geoffrey Guy, MD (GW Pharmaceuticals, U.K)

First discussing CB1 and CB@ receptors; the modulatory effect on dopamine, GABA and glutamate; and cross-talk with other receptors, Dr. Guy then examines Phyto-Cannabinoids (plant based) THC, CBD and others, with GW's success in producing whole extracts from 3 tonnes/year of dried marijuana and years of genetic breeding to feature both high THC and high CBD strains. Extracts from these strains are then blended for efficacy and synergistic moderation of side-effects. Dr. Guy then reports on Phase 2 trials, with good results including an "excellent safety profile" and emerging Cannabinoid-Ratio-Specific therapeutic themes.

Medical Cannabis in Hawaii, by William Wenner, MD

After educating himself about Medical Marijuana, Dr. Wenner, a surgeon with a background in addiction treatment, now legally recommends Cannabis to over 200 patients in Hawaii, involving chronic, severe pain; neuropathy; spinal cord injury; fibromyalgia and others.

Medical Cannabis for Pain in Oregon, with Stuart Rosenblum, MD

Presenting a clinical case study, "Medical Marijuana in Pain Management", Dr. Rosenblum, Director of a pain clinic, describes pilot study focusing on mood, pain and memory, working within Oregon's medical marijuana law.

Cannabis for MS & Spinal Cord Injury, Richard Musty, PhD

Professor Richard Musty, Psychology, University of Vermont, presents studies confirming that Medical Cannabis (marijuana) reduces symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis and spinal cord injuries.

Cannabinoids in Neonatal Development & Pain, Ester Fride, PhD, MSc

At 2002 Cannabis Therapeutics Conference, Professor Ester Fride, College of Judea and Samaria, explains role of endocannabinoids; the "entourage effect" in the brain and their regulation of neonatal growth, feeding and presence in Mother's Milk; her work with  Raphael Mechoulam in Cannabinoids in pain management, with reductions in central and peripheral pain and synergistic effect with opioids for analgesia.

Anandamides & Glaucoma, David Pate, PhD, MSc

Dr. Pate demonstrates that Anandamide, the "Bliss Molecule" naturally occuring in the body, has potential as an isolated compound to lower inter-ocular pressures.Also, Anandamide has neuronal protection properties: NMDA hyper-excitability blockade; Microcirculatory stimulation; Apoptosis suppression; Free-Radical scavenging; & TNF - alpha inhibition.

Ajulemic Acid (CT-3), a Synthetic Cannabinoid, Summer Burstein, PhD

Dr. Burstein, Univ.of Mass Medical School, considers CT-3, a non-pychoactive synthetic cannabinoid, could be treatment for MS, glaucoma, emesis and appetite control, also comparing it to morphine. Dr. Burstein concludes that "CT-3 shows potent analgesis and anti-inflammatory activity in animal models, with no adverse effects - even at dosages many times therapeutic levels".

Hemp Oil & Foods, with Augustine & Wirtshafter

Dietician Mary Beth Augustine,R.D. compares nutritional characteristics of Cannabis Hemp seed oil, rich in EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids) necessary to a healthy diet, with other healthy plant oils. Then Don Wirtshafter, founder of the Ohio Hempery and co-author of the first Hempseed Cookbook, tells benefits to the economy and environment from hemp agriculture. Don then hands out hemp food samples to the audience at the 2002 Cannabis Therapeutics Conference in Portland, OR.

Medical Cannabis Historical Review, with David Bearman, MD

Dr. Bearman, of Goleta, CA, begins with ancient medicinal herbals in China and India, citing many uses for ganja (marijuana); then to Middle Ages, early America and extensive use of Cannabis in 18th century medicines; implementation of laws that restricted Cannabis as medicine; the "Reefer Madness" aspect and testimony at 1937 Marijuana Tax Act hearings; the inclusion of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act of 1970; findings of the Shaffer Commission in 1972; and the removal of Cannabis from the Investigational New Drugs program in 1991.

Transdermal Cannabinoid Patches, with Audra Stinchcomb, PhD

Associate Professor at University of KY, College of Pharmacy, Dr. Stinchcomb describes research funded by the American Cancer Society for alternative dosage systems, specifically in appetite stimulation and chronic pain relief, with controlled release reducing side effects of Cannabinoid treatment.

Cannabis Hemp Pests and Diseases, with Robert Clarke, BS 

International Hemp Association member and Director of Pharmtex Consultants, Robert Clarke has studied Cannabis  in U.S. and Amsterdam, The Netherlands, working with Hortapharm to develop reproducible strains for Medical Cannabis developers, like GW Pharmaceuticals. Co-author of  Rational Biological Control of Hemp Diseases and Pests, Clarke presents slide show of insect pests and natural solutions.