Short News November 9th 3002

News in brief

***Canada: Cannabis use in HIV Almost one in three HIV patients in Ontario is using cannabis for medical reasons, according to a study presented at the 2003 Ontario HIV Treatment Network research conference. Of all HIV-positive Ontarians, 29% use marijuana medically – almost double the 14% rate found in a British Columbia study published in 2001. The main goals were to gain weight or increase appetite, aid sleep, and alleviate nausea and vomiting. Significantly more women than men (45% versus 5%) used the drug for pain management. (Source: Medical Post of 25 November 2003)

***Science: Study with cancer patients Under the guidance of Dr. Abrams of the University of California in San Francisco researchers have started a small clinical study on the effects of cannabis in 16 patients with cancer pain. The patients will be asked to smoke three marijuana cigarettes a day in a standardized manner: Inhale for five seconds, hold it for ten, then exhale and repeat the cycle every 45 seconds. (Source: KSL Television of 5 December 2003)

***Science: Inflammation Liver damage was caused in mice by a chemical. A new synthetic cannabinoid (PRS-211,092) that has no psychotropic effects decreased the liver damage. This cannabinoid effect was accompanied by an inhibition of several pro-inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-2, interferon-gamma, and tumour necrosis factor alpha. Scientists conclude that "this cannabinoid derivative is an immunomodulator that could be developed as a potential drug for hepatitis as well as for other short- or long- term inflammatory diseases." (Source: Lavon I, et al. Mol Pharmacol 2003;64(6):1334-41)

*** Science: Hemps seeds In a Chinese study extracts from hemp seed (Fructus cannabis) were effective in improving learning and memory in mice with chemical drug-induced memory dysfunction. The extract increased calcineurin activity, which was regarded to be the cause for this effect. (Source: Luo J, et al. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2003;24(11):1137-42)

***USA: New York The AIDS Advisory Council voted 8-2 with one abstention to support a bill that would allow patients to use marijuana if prescribed by a doctor. Ironically, most of the council's members were appointed by Governor George Pataki, who opposes the medical use of cannabis. The unpaid AIDS Advisory Council advises the state AIDS Institute. (Source: Times Union of 24 November 2003)

***UK: GW Pharmaceuticals GW Pharmaceuticals, which is developing a cannabis spray, may not gain approval to launch its drug this year. At briefings with analysts, GW has been saying it expects approval soon, while its broker, Collins Stewart, has warned its clients that a decision could take until next autumn. (Source: Independent of 28 November 2003)

*Industrial-Hemp has no psychoactive properties following definition of the European Economic Community (EEC); THC content is less than 0.3%. In general, low THC-seed varieties without psychoactive properties are those that have a THC content of less than 1%. (See also No-THC Hemp-seed.) THC= Delta-9 TetraHydroCannabinol.