Smoking marijuana cuts spasticity and pain that's resistant to conventional therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS), although with some cognitive effects, a small clinical trial affirmed.
Spasticity scores on the modified Ashworth scale dropped by an average 2.74-points more with smoked cannabis than with placebo (P<0.001), Jody Corey-Bloom, MD, PhD, of the University of California San Diego, and colleagues found.
A difference of 2 or more points is considered clinically meaningful on the 30-point Ashworth scale summing mobility of elbows, hips, and knees, they reported online in CMAJ.
The smoked cannabis findings support the largely anecdotal evidence from the many MS patients that say smoking it relieves spasticity, the researchers noted. Read more »
The multiple sclerosis patient in New Jersey who was sentenced to five years in prison for growing marijuana plants and has been incarcerated since March may be released today while he appeals his case.
A state appellate court ruled yesterday that John Wilson, who says he used marijuana to treat his condition, should be released on bail.
Multiple sclerosis patient Sarah Martin believes cannabis is the best way to liberate herself from the daily pain she endures.
She says just half a teaspoon in a hot drink will keep her pain-free and spasm-free for about three hours. She also uses a vaporizer to ingest the drug.
But by obtaining the much sought after relief which enables her to walk a little more easily once her muscles have "freed up", she becomes a criminal.
She chooses not to take any regular - and legal - medication, maintaining it would give her side effects such as high blood pressure, ulcers and even the risk of heart failure and psychosis.
A New Jersey man with multiple sclerosis was allowed to mention his medical condition only once after he took the stand Wednesday to defend himself against marijuana charges.
John Wilson, 37, told jurors he had grown marijuana plants behind his Franklin Township rental property and took the drug for personal use. After lawyers talked privately with the judge, Wilson was allowed to make brief mention of his medical condition.
Wilson testified that he told officers who arrived at his home Aug. 18, 2008 -- after a police helicopter spotted marijuana plants in his backyard -- that "I was not a drug dealer, and I was using the marijuana to treat my MS."
The push for legalized medical marijuana use in Arizona has gone from corporate to personal, now that the Arizona Medical Marijuana Policy Project has designated a Tucson woman suffering from multiple sclerosis to head its 2010 ballot initiative committee.
The committee’s Nov. 23 filing with the Secretary of State’s Office named Diane Manchester as the committee’s official chairman. She replaced Joe Uhas, a director of the Phoenix-based office of advertising consultant Riester.
Manchester, a former civilian employee of the Phoenix Police Department who has since retired on disability, said regular marijuana use helps her cope with physical pain associated with multiple sclerosis and her prescribed medications. She also said it allows her to maintain her appetite and mental acuity.
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Smoking marijuana cuts spasticity and pain that's resistant to conventional therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS), although with some cognitive effects, a small clinical trial affirmed.
By. Mike Meno, MPP
By. BBC News
By Samantha Henry, Associated Press
By Christian Palmer, Arizona Capital Times
