Medical marijuana news, June 2015

New CNN Weed 3 documentary on medical marijuana

Doctor Sanjay Gupta, responsible for the medical and scientific subjects on american TV channel CNN, published on May 2015 the third episode of his documentary series WEED, which tells a bit more about the beneficial properties of medicinal cannabis.

On this occasion, Dr. Gupta discusses the therapeutical use of marijuana in cases of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). He visits patients such as veteran Sean Kierman or housewife Amelia Taylor, for whom the treatment with marijuana is much more effective than any other treatment previously prescribed. Dr. Gupta also asks researchers Rick Doblin and Sue Sisley about the scientifical study that they are starting on this subject.

Here you have the full documentary:

On this third episode of the series, Dr. Gupta also studies the role of cannabinoids against Alzheimer, specifically by protecting neurons against degeneration while eliminating the beta-amyloid proteins responsible for this disease.

On June 2015, doctors from the Bellvitge Hospital in Barcelona published a study whose results showed that, even in very low doses, cannabinoids do help decreasing the progression of Alzheimer's disease in mice. (Source: El País)

We must remind that, today, we don't have any efficient treatment to combat this disease, which affects more than 850.000 people in France, with 225.000 new cases every year. Another reason why studies on cannabinoids should be performed as soon as possible so these patients can be treated.

Sativex still not available in France due to its high price

Although it was announced for June 2013, Sativex' entry to the market has been delayed in France, where thousands of multiple sclerosis patients are willing to use it.

Unfortunately, these patients will have to wait a bit more, since the Economic and Health Committee postponed its entry into the market after not finding an agreement with Almirall laboratories, the company in charge of the distribution of this product in France.

Christophe Van de Putte, general director of the laboratory, explains: "The proposal was decreasing the price of this product by 20% with respect to the European market. But Sativex needs special storing conditions, since this drug must be stored in refrigeration chambers. This means high expenses for the company. And the Committee's offer is not feasible for me, I can't even cover operating expenses! I can't sell and be losing money!"

So Almirall threatens not to sell Sativex in France unless Health Minister intervenes on its behalf. (Source: France Info)

In Belgium, Health Minister Maggie De Block has just authorised the distribution of Sativex, especially to combat multiple sclerosis. (Source: Le Soir)

We must remind you that growing your own cannabis plants with 1:1 THC-CBD ratio allows you to take profit from the same cannabinoids found in Sativex, but at much more affordable prices.

Morgan Freeman, user of medical marijuana

Famous american actor Morgan Freeman called for marijuana legalisation during an interview for The Daily Beast on last May. Since his car accident in 2008, he uses cannabis daily to take profit from its therapeutical properties.

He states that "Marijuana has many useful effects. I have fibromyalgia pain in my arm and the only thing that offers any relief is marijuana. They?re talking about kids who have grand mal seizures, and they?ve discovered that marijuana eases that down to where these children can have a life. That right there, to me, says, "Legalize it across the board!" (Source: The Daily Beast)

Agenda of the 4th Conference on medical marijuana in France

On the previous edition of the Conference, held in October 2014, many internationally renowned specialists met in France, such as professor Raphael Mechoulam - who isolated the THC molecule back in 1964 - or Dr. Manuel Guzmán, who is currently working on the use of cannabionids to combat cancer.

This year's edition has been organised by the UFCM Association , and will be held on the 16th of October 2015 at the College of Medicine of Strasbourg. Among the speakers we find:

• Professor Lumir Hanus (Israel), who will speak on the endocannabinoid system and its role in medicine.
• Dr. María Caffarel (UK), who will discuss the subject of using cannabinoids against cancer .
• Dr. Paolo Poli (Italy), who will present his conclusions on the 18-month treatment performed on 300 patients to relieve their pains with medical marijuana.

We encourage you to tell any doctor you know about this conference so they can access reliable studies on the beneficial properties of cannabis. Congratulations to the organisers!

Creation of the International Medical Cannabis Patient Coalition

In March 2015 a group of activists from around the globe joined to call for a completely legal and safe access to marijuana across the world. You have further information on this group and its declaration on its website. (Source: IMCPC website)

7 new cannabinoids discovered in the USA

Researchers from the government of the United States (Ole Miss, Mississippi) have recently discovered 7 new cannabinoids, what raises the number of identified cannabinoids in marijuana from 104 to 111 different molecules.

Scientists used 9kg of dried buds to discover traces of these new cannabinoids. These cannabinoids were extracted by using different solvents and techniques, weighing from 10 to 150 mg. (Source: Journal of Natural Products)

Donation campaign to study the use of cannabinoids against cancer

Jeff Ditchfield, co-author of the Medical Cannabis Guidebook, is seeking to raise 35.000? to support an independent study on the use of cannabinoids to combat cancer, a study designed by Professors Guillermo Velasco, Cristina Sánchez, Manuel Guzmán and Jeff Ditchfield himself.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2hkdrd_cannabis-contre-cancer-thc-cbd-et-tmz-pr-manuel-guzman-2014-stfr_people

He is collaborating with several experts on the subject, people such as Professor Manuel Guzmán from the Complutense University of Madrid.

Click here to support and share this research on cannabinoids against cancer!

First medical marijuana harvest in Chile!

At the beginning of April 2015, with joy and happiness, the first medical cannabis crop was harvested in Chile. More than 400 marijuana plants - many of them being more than 2 meters in height - were harvested and presented to journalists before being processed into cannabis oil to treat 200 cancer patients. These patients will be clinically examined to check the results of the treatment.

Rodolfo Carter, mayor of La Florida, the city where this crop was located, states that "if we can relieve the pains of a single patient, then we'll be able to change the life of many people".

This first crop was performed as an initiative of Daya Foundation, which fights for the therapeutical use of cannabis. Its President, Ana María Gazmuri, claims that "marijuana has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-emetic properties, besides being useful to treat sleep and eating disorders. We notice an improvement of living conditions of these patients, what is actually what we want to demonstrate with this study". (Source: El Comercio)

NIDA institute recognises the therapeutic benefits of marijuana

The government agency NIDA (National Institute of Drug Abuse) was one of the main supporters of cannabis prohibition during years, spending millions of dollars so this plant was forbidden across the world. It would be similar to french agency MILDECA - previously known as MILDT - which usually has an alarmist attitude towards marijuana, far away from reality.

In April 2015, NIDA published on its website a 4-page document recognising the beneficial properties of cannabis. We can imagine this publication was refused by many NIDA members, since it was quickly removed from the servers. You can find a copy of the document here.

The fact that a renowned prohibitionist agency is now claiming the positive effects of cannabis is yet further proof of the progress of the medical marijuana revolution.

First company selling medical marijuana in Quebec

A company has recently been licensed to sell medical marijuana with prescription to adults in the french-speaking province of Quebec, Canada.

Sebastien Saint-Louis, general director of Hydropothecary, is pleased: "It's great. We are going to start selling by early July". Since 2014, this young employer has grown legally 100kg of marijuana, but he had to store it until he got the license. Now, he is planning to produce 3.000kg of cannabis every year to meet the demands of 7.500 patients until 2017, at 15$ per gram. People only need to register on their website and place an order, which will be delivered at home. The company will verify the prescription's authenticity by calling the doctor who made it. (Source: Ici Radio Canada)

To make things easier, Hydropothecary will only sell 4 strains, each of them suited for specific needs and depending on the moment of the day. They are called "Good Morning", "Midday", "After Dinner" and "Bedtime".

Also in Canada, the Supreme Court has just authorised the use of medical marijuana edibles (cookies, cakes...) and oils and extracts . Indeed, until today its use was only authorised for being smoked or vaped. (Source: Ici Radio Canada)