Marijuana May Help Multiple Sclerosis Patients?

[green1706]

Don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I have a friend with MS and need to know... Researchers note that doses of cannabis (marijuana) have been shown to reduce the muscle spasms experienced by many people who have multiple sclerosis. The use of medical marijuana continues to be a struggle in the United States. Although it has been shown to be very effective in treating various diseases and illnesses, including chronic pain, nausea, glaucoma, seizure disorders, PTSD, cancer, diabetes, and others, many people risk arrest when they use marijuana for medicinal purposes. In October 2009, President Obama stated that his administration will not seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers if they conform to state laws.
Although research indicates that cannabinoids offer benefits for multiple sclerosis patients because they can reduce inflammation and they have quelled spasms in animal studies, some officials, including regulators and researchers, have been concerned about the intoxicating side effects of THC. The authors of the recent paper, however, note that the combination of THC and CBD can limit psychotropic effects. They also note that the multiple sclerosis patients in the studies they evaluated generally well tolerated the side effects of the combined marijuana extracts.
Does anyone know more details?
PS: An amazing invention I have seen is the so called berkelbike, a revolutionary, award winning tricycle which can be propelled by both your arms and legs. The BerkelBike makes cycling possible despite MS, Polio, Spinal Cord Injury or Stroke.

[JaneC]

You seem to know quite a lot about it already but would probably get a better response if you posted on one of the many MS forums. The MS Society also have a section about cannabis on their website

[Amy.x]

Hello,
My dad has MS and his doctor suggested marijuana as a possible treatment. He hasn't been taking it yet as he is on another drug trial for the time being. Like JaneC said, the MS society is the best place to go they are really helpful.

[smudger]

My brother takes it for palandromic rheumatoid arthritis. Swears by it for the pain if he has run out of morphine. Its a tradegy he could be arrested for it!

[greenleaf]

Sativex is a cannabis spray for MS suffers in the UK,
it is produced by G W pharm who hold the only UK Goverment licence to produce medical cannabis~the critera is MS whether or not a GP will prescribe is shall we say