Short News November 9th 3002

Short News Briefs:

***Science: Antitumour effects of CBD Recently, several cannabinoids have been shown to possess antitumour properties. This new research shows that the non- psychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) also exerts antitumour effects in human glioma cells. Gliomas are very aggressive brain tumours. The addition of CBD to the glioma cells in a culture medium decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis (programmed cell death). CBD administered to mice significantly inhibited the growth of subcutaneously implanted human glioma cells. (Source: Massi P, et al. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2003 [Electronic publication ahead of print])

***UK: Cannabis inhaler The former commercial arm of the United Kingdom Energy Authority has developed a cannabis inhaler. AEA Technology developed this system of cannabis delivery in expectation the legalisation of the drug for medicinal purposes. The company has filed a patent for an aerosol which would vaporise cannabis, allowing it to be inhaled. (Source: The Sunday Herald of 9 November 2003)

***Canada: Home insurance Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) confirmed it received a claim for medical cannabis stolen from the house of a Regina resident. The claim may be the first of its kind. "If you have home insurance and it's a medical supply, there would be coverage," said insurance spokesman Earl Cameron. (Source: Ottawa Citizen of 18 November 2003)

***USA: Detroit Detroit voters will consider a proposal in August 2004 to legalize use of marijuana for medical purposes. 7,779 of the signatures submitted by the Detroit Coalition for Compassionate Care were validated, more than required. In 2001, the group gathered more than enough valid signatures, but the Detroit law department challenged the petition and kept the measure off the ballot. "The law department has raised no objections this time," coalition founder Tim Beck said. (Source: Associated Press of 21 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.