Iacm-Bulletin Of 9 May 2010

[peanutbutter]

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IACM-Bulletin of 9 May 2010

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* Science: Nabilone reduces spasticity in patients with spinal cord

injury in small clinical study

* Science: Cannabidiol reduces the appetite-enhancing effects of

THC in cannabis users

* Germany: Expert committee on narcotics recommends re-

classification of cannabis for medicinal purposes in the federal

narcotics law

* Belgium: The first Cannabis Social Club of Belgium brought in

house the first harvest of cannabis

 

1.

 

Science: Nabilone reduces spasticity in patients with spinal cord

injury in small clinical study

 

At the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, the effects of

nabilone were investigated in 12 subjects with spinal cord injury

(SCI) and spasticity. Nabilone exhibits a similar spectrum of

action as the natural cannabinoid dronabinol (THC). In a double

blind, placebo-controlled crossover study participants received

either nabilone or placebo during the first 4-week period. After 2-

week washout period they were crossed over to the other

medication. Patients started with 0.5 mg nabilone once a day with

the option to increase to 0.5 mg twice a day.

 

One subject dropped out during the placebo phase, and 11

subjects completed the study. In comparison with placebo,

nabilone caused a significant decrease of spasticity measured by

the Ashworth Scale in the most involved muscle, as well as a

significant decrease in the total Ashworth score. There was no

significant difference in other measures. Side effects were mild

and tolerable. Authors concluded that "nabilone may be beneficial

to reduce spasticity in people with SCI. We recommend a larger

trial with a more prolonged treatment period and an option to

slowly increase the dosage further."

 

(Source: Pooyania S, Ethans K, Szturm T, Casey A, Perry D. A

randomized, double-blinded, crossover pilot study assessing the

effect of nabilone on spasticity in persons with spinal cord injury.

Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2010;91(5):703-7.)

 

2.

 

Science: Cannabidiol reduces the appetite-enhancing effects of

THC in cannabis users

 

According to a study with 94 cannabis users at the University

College London, UK, the effects of the drug vary according to the

ratio of cannabidiol (CBD) and THC. Participants were tested 7

days apart, once while non-intoxicated and once while acutely

under the influence of their own chosen smoked cannabis on the

appetitive and reinforcing effects of the drug. A sample of

cannabis was collected from each user and analysed for levels of

cannabinoids. On the basis of CBD : THC ratios in the cannabis,

individuals with a comparatively high and a low ratio were directly

compared.

 

When under the influence of cannabis, smokers of cannabis with

a comparatively high CBD content showed reduced liking for drug

and food stimuli compared with smokers of cannabis with a low

CBD : THC ratio. Those smoking higher CBD : THC strains also

showed lower self-rated liking of cannabis stimuli on both test

days. Researchers concluded that their "findings suggest that

CBD has potential as a treatment for cannabis dependence."

 

(Source: Morgan CJ, Freeman TP, Schafer GL, Curran HV.

Cannabidiol Attenuates the Appetitive Effects of Delta(9)-

Tetrahydrocannabinol in Humans Smoking Their Chosen

Cannabis. Neuropsychopharmacology 2010 Apr 28. [in press])

 

3.

 

Germany: Expert committee on narcotics recommends re-

classification of cannabis for medicinal purposes in the federal

narcotics law

 

At its meeting on 3 May the German expert committee for

narcotics recommended to the government the reclassification of

"Cannabis (marijuana, plants and parts of plants belonging to the

species cannabis)" from Annex I to Annex II of the narcotics law,

as long as they "are intended for the production of preparations

for medicinal purposes." The committee also recommended to add

the following item to Annex III of the narcotics law: "Cannabis

extract (extract obtained from plants and parts of plants belonging

to the species cannabis)" and only "in preparations approved as

medicines."

 

Annex I of the German narcotic law includes substances that

cannot be prescribed and are not marketable, such as heroin,

cocaine, LSD and cannabis. The re-classification of cannabis

intended for the manufacturing of preparations for medicinal

purposes into Annex II makes these substances marketable,

which means, that pharmacies can handle them without a special

permission. So far, pharmacies that want to deliver cannabis

imported from the Netherlands to patients with a permission for

the medical use of cannabis must apply for a permit. The inclusion

of cannabis extract in Annex III of the narcotics law refers to the

expected approval of Sativex, a cannabis extract of the British

company GW Pharmaceuticals. In general, the federal

government follows the recommendations of this expert

committee.

 

(Source: News of the Federal Association of the Pharmaceutical

Industry of 4 May 2010)

 

4.

 

Belgium: The first Cannabis Social Club of Belgium brought in

house the first harvest of cannabis

 

According to a press release by "Trekt Uw Plant", a Belgian

Cannabis Social Club, the group brought their first harvest of their

collective cannabis plantation in house on 10 April. After almost 4

years of work the association could present the first legally grown

cannabis plants in Belgium to its members. Since 2005, a

ministerial guideline is applied in Belgium according to which the

possession of a maximum of 3 grams of cannabis and 1 female

plant is not persecuted. The cannabis can not be confiscated

without the consent of the owner.

 

During the past years Trekt Uw Plant has tested this guideline. At

two occasions in 2006 and 2008, a collective cannabis plantation

was presented in public. Both times, the plantation was

confiscated and the board members of the association were

arrested and persecuted. Both times, the association was

convicted by the local judge, the first time because of cannabis

possession, the second time because of "incitement to drug use".

And both times the association appealed against this decision and

finally was acquitted, on 26 June 2008 and on 25 February 2010.

From this acquittal, Trekt Uw Plants draws the conclusion that its

method fits completely within the intention of the Belgian

lawmakers.

 

More at:

http://www.encod.org/info/TREKT-UW-PLANT-BRINGS-FIRST.html

 

(Source: Press release of Trekt Uw Plant of 26 April 2010)

 

5.

 

News in brief

 

***Science: Schizophrenia

A study at the Edmundston Regional Hospital in New Brunswick,

Canada, with 8 men suffering from schizophrenia asked for their

reasons for current or past cannabis use. The findings indicate

"that cannabis is used as a means of satisfying the schizophrenia-

related need for relaxation, sense of self-worth, and distraction."

(Source: Francoeur N, et al. Can J Nurs Res 2010;42(1):132-49.)

 

***Science: Cancer of the bile duct

According to cell experiments at the Rangsit University in

Patumthani, Thailand, THC exhibits cancer-inhibiting effects in

cancer cells of the bile duct. This natural cannabinoid inhibited

proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis. It

reduced tumour cell survival. The cells were taken from patients

with this cancer and possessed cannabinoid receptors. (Source:

Leelawat S, et al. Cancer Invest 2010;28(4):357-63.)

 

***Science: Sleep apnoea

In a study at the University of Leipzig, Germany, with 20 patients

suffering from sleep apnoea and 57 healthy control subjects serum

concentrations of the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA), 2-

arachidonyl-glycerol (2-AG) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA)were

determined. In patients with sleep apnoea OEA serum

concentrations were doubled compared to controls. Researchers

concluded that high OEA concentrations "could be interpreted as

a neuroprotective mechanism against chronic oxidative stressors

and a mechanism to promote wakefulness in patients with

nocturnal sleep deprivation and daytime hypersomnolence."

(Source: Jumpertz R, et al. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2010

Apr 28. [in press])

 

***Science: Diabetes

Italian researchers investigated the level of several

endocannabinoids (anandamide, 2-AG, OEA and PEA) in the

subcutaneous fat of subjects with both obesity and type 2

diabetes. As compared to healthy normal weight persons the

levels of anandamide, OEA and PEA levels were significantly

elevated (2-4.4-fold) and 2-AG levels were 2.3-fold reduced.

(Source: Annuzzi G, et al. Lipids Health Dis 2010;9(1):43.)

 

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[phaquetoo]

Thanks P.B awsome post!

[peanutbutter]

Thanks P.B awsome post!

thanks

 

I love the stuff about anti-munchie cannabinoid effects.

 

But I think the diamond in this one is the report from the Italian researchers:

***Science: Diabetes

Italian researchers investigated the level of several endocannabinoids (anandamide, 2-AG, OEA and PEA) in the

subcutaneous fat of subjects with both obesity and type 2 diabetes. As compared to healthy normal weight persons the

levels of anandamide, OEA and PEA levels were significantly elevated (2-4.4-fold) and 2-AG levels were 2.3-fold reduced.

(Source: Annuzzi G, et al. Lipids Health Dis 2010;9(1):43.)

 

Now those are natural cannabinoids found inside the body. My question would be which receptors do those endocannabinoids interact with and which plant cannabinoids interact with those same receptors.

 

That might tell us which cannabinoid profile to look for in a strain for diabetes.

[phaquetoo]

Im gladd we have people like you taking up the cause for real medicinal purposes! I dont even have a clue as to all the chemicals and such invovled, Im gladd you do! I have used weed all of my life, and just recently have i been truly experimenting with my own disabilitys and realizing the pos effects of mm for my daily needs, Im realy glad to be off of all other meds and medicating naturaly!

Thanks P.B!

[BDR]

That's some promising stuff for the millions affected by diabetes..Good find. Thanks