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Pain relief that's against the law Dr Miriam Stoppard The Mirror Thursday 23 Sep 2010 That’s the finding of a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, where people suffering from chronic nerve-related pain – often after traffic accidents or surgery – took low doses of cannabis. They benefited from pain relief, reduced anxiety and better sleep without getting high. More research is needed to confirm the benefits and ensure long-term safety but I've long suspected this to be the case. Years ago I had a friend who was in agony from multiple sclerosis and found no relief from medication. In desperation, she tried cannabis and found it was the only thing that alleviated her muscle spasms, dizziness and bladder symptoms. Cannabinoids are now available on prescription for conditions such as MS. However, they're taken by mouth and don't have the same effect as inhaling vapours – with smoking, the drug enters into bloodstream in seconds, bringing almost instant relief. If proved to be safe, this could bring hope to the two in 100 people who suffer nerve pain, either from neurological conditions like MS or injury. This sort of pain is notoriously difficult to treat. But don't get me wrong – taking cannabis recreationally is neither safe nor good for you. There are now very high-potency forms, which have been linked with increased risk of mental illnesses, especially if a person starts young or has a family history. Plus the more traditional cannabis resin sold as hash is usually cut with other potentially harmful substances. And using it purely to get high can lead to heavy use and dependence. However, if the drug were to be licensed and prescribed, the dose, strength and quality would be strictly controlled. As with any prescription drug, it would only be prescribed for suitable patients – people who suffer from chronic pain that isn't relieved by other medication and who have no personal or family history of mental illness. And rather than being mixed with tobacco, as is often the case, it would probably be administered through a vaporiser. It's a sad state of affairs when people are forced to break the law to get pain relief. Hopefully, that may not always be the case. http://www.mirror.co.uk/advice/miriam/2010/09/23/pain-relief-that-s-against-the-law-115875-22580796/
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