Medical Marijuana

A new study published in the journal Cell Immunology has found that activation of the body’s cannabinoid receptors - something done naturally by cannabis and cannabinoids – has neuroinflammatory capabilities.

 

According to the study; “Here we showed that Gp1a, a highly selective CB2 [cannabinoid receptor 2] agonist, with a four log higher affinity for CB2 than CB1, reduced clinical scores and facilitated recovery in EAE [experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a disease of the central nervous system] in conjunction with long term reduction in demyelination and axonal loss.”

 

The study continues; “This is the first report on the in vivo CB2-mediated Gp1a inhibition of Th17/Th1 differentiation. We also confirmed the Gp1a-induced inhibition of Th17/Th1 differentiation in vitro, both in non-polarizing and polarizing conditions. The CB2-induced inhibition of Th17 differentiation is highly relevant in view of recent studies emphasizing the importance of pathogenic self-reactive Th17 cells in EAE/MS.

 

Researchers conclude that “the combined effect on Th17 differentiation and immune cell accumulation into the CNS, emphasize the relevance of CB2 selective ligands as potential therapeutic agents in neuroinflammation.”

 

Source: http://www.theweedblog.com

A new clinical study published in the journal Pharmacology and by the National Institute of Health has found that cannabis is effective in treating Chrohn’s disease, which is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

 

According to researchers at the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology at the Medical University of Graz in Austria; “In ancient medicine, cannabis has been widely used to cure disturbances and inflammation of the bowel. A recent clinical study now shows that the medicinal plant Cannabis sativa has lived up to expectations and proved to be highly efficient in cases of inflammatory bowel diseases.”

 

They continue; “In a prospective placebo-controlled study, it has been shown what has been largely anticipated from anecdotal reports, i.e. that cannabis produces significant clinical benefits in patients with Crohn’s disease. The mechanisms involved are not yet clear but most likely include peripheral actions on cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2, and may also include central actions.

 

Source: http://www.theweedblog.com

Medical marijuana legislation has advanced in New Jersey that would expand the state’s medical marijuana program, despite a vow from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie that he would veto the bill. The New Jersey Assembly passed the bill 50-23. According to the bill, the legislation “Permits qualifying patients to possess and use medical marijuana legally obtained from another jurisdiction; extends State medical marijuana laws to qualifying out-of-State patients; expands ability of parents to serve as primary caregiver to minor children.”

 

The medical marijuana bill still has to be sent to the New Jersey Senate, and if passed, would be sent to Governor Chris Christie’s desk. He may veto it, but he is going to look like a heartless, un-compassionate A hole if he does. Governor Christie can throw around all the rhetoric he wants, but at the end of the day, he will be slapping suffering patients in the face. No child should have to suffer so that a politician can cling to failed policies.

 

The New Jersey medical marijuana program is the worst operating in the nation. There are only three dispensaries for the entire state, very few people qualify for the program, and there is not enough medicine to go around to the patients that do qualify. There are no home gardens allowed. I get so many e-mails from patients in New Jersey complaining about medicine access problems. It breaks my heart that I can’t help them.

 

“We don’t want to watch our child die because the department of health and Christie are blocking the program,” a parent who helped draft the bill said. “If they want to play politics with people’s health, let them as it will come back to haunt them. But in the meantime, don’t block our ability to get the life saving medicine my child needs from another source.”

An intriguing new study being published in next month’s issue of the journal Critical Care Medicine, and published online early by the National Institute of Health, has found that cannabinoid-based medicine administered through IV may provide a method of helping an individual resuscitate from cardiac arrest.

 

According to researchers, who examined rate models of cardiac arrest, “Blood temperatures decreased from 37°C to 33°C in 4 hours in animals in WIN55, 212-2 [cannabinoid receptor agonist] hypothermia group.. There was a significant improvement in myocardial function in the animals treated with WIN55, 212-2 hypothermia beginning at 1 hour after start of infusion.”

 

They continue; “WIN55, 212-2 hypothermia group was associated with significantly improved neurologic deficit scores and survival time when compared with placebo control group and WIN55, 212-2 with normal body temperature group.”

 

They conclude that; “In a rat model of cardiac arrest, better postresuscitation myocardial function, neurological deficit scores, and longer duration of survival were observed by the pharmacologically induced hypothermia with WIN55, 212-2. The improved outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation following administration of WIN55, 212-2 appeared to be the results from its temperature reduction effects.”

 

Source: http://www.theweedblog.com

A new study published in the journal PLoS One as well as the National Institute of Health has found that cannabis may serve as a treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a cancer of lymph tissue (found in the spleen, liver, bone marrow and other areas).

 

For the study, researchers at Goethe-University, Leipzig University and Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg ”examined the distribution of CB1  [cannabinoid receptor 1] protein in primary cases of HL (Hodgkin lymphoma). Using lymphoma derived cell lines, the role of CB1 signaling on cell survival was investigated.”

 

After conducting the study, researchers concluded that; “The present study identifies CB1 as a feature of HL, which might serve as a potential selective target in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma.”

 

Given that cannabis serves as a direct and natural agonist to our body’s cannabinoid receptors, cannabis may provide an ideal treatment for the cancer, which is responsible for hundreds of deaths each year according to the American Cancer Society.

 

Source: http://www.theweedblog.com

A new study published in this month’s issue of the journal Epilepsy Behavior has found that many parents with epileptic children are turning to cannabis-based medicines to treat their seizures, and in a large majority of instances, it’s successful in doing so.

 

“Severe childhood epilepsies are characterized by frequent seizures, neurodevelopmental delays, and impaired quality of life. In these treatment-resistant epilepsies, families often seek alternative treatments”, begins the study’s abstract. “This survey explored the use of cannabidiol-enriched cannabis in children with treatment-resistant epilepsy.”

 

For the study, researchers at the Department of Neurology at Stanford University examined 19 parents who have epileptic children, and who use cannabis-based medicines (such as tinctures and oils) to treat their child’s seizures. The average number of antiepileptic drugs tried before using cannabis was 12.

 

Researchers found that; “Sixteen (84%) of the 19 parents reported a reduction in their child’s seizure frequency while taking cannabidiol-enriched cannabis. Of these, two (11%) reported complete seizure freedom, eight (42%) reported a greater than 80% reduction in seizure frequency, and six (32%) reported a 25-60% seizure reduction.”

 

In addition, they found that; “Other beneficial effects included increased alertness, better mood, and improved sleep.” The only reported side effects were “drowsiness and fatigue”.

 

With this data, researchers conclude that “parents are using cannabidiol-enriched cannabis as a treatment for their children with treatment-resistant epilepsy”.

 

Recently the U.S. Federal Drug Administration gave approval to several studies intending to test the effectiveness of cannabis-based medicines on the treat of epilepsy in children.

 

Read more: http://www.theweedblog.com