Subj: UK: Cannabis trials 'encouraging' 



Source: BBC Online



Date: 16th Nov, 1999





Cannabis trials 'encouraging'



Cannabis is thought to relieve the symptoms of a range of conditions 

The first ever UK trials of the medicinal impact of cannabis

have shown that the drug is unlikely to cause patients any

harm. 



And scientists have found that the therapeutic effects can be

gained without any need to "get high". 



GW Pharmaceuticals is growing thousands of cannabis

plants under a special Home Office licence with the ultimate

aim of developing prescription medicines based on extracts

of the drug. 



Anecdotal evidence suggests that compounds extracted

from the drug could benefit sufferers of multiple sclerosis,

spinal cord injury, arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome as

well as a number of other problems. 



The initial trials involved testing the impact of cannabis on six

healthy volunteers. Much larger trials on ill patients are planned. 



Dr Geoffrey Guy, the company chairman, said: "All the

subjects came through very well, and we were very pleased

with the study. 



"Now we have a much better idea of what our starting point

should be." 



The results of the trial, conducted at an anonymous clinical

pharmacology unit, will not be made public until they are

disclosed in a scientific journal. 



Many could be helped 





But GW Pharmaceuticals has revealed that volunteers were

given cannabis extracts either from an inhaler or via liquid

under the tongue. 



The main aim was to assess how well the treatments were

tolerated and obtain an initial idea of the optimum dosage. 



Heart rate, temperature and respiration were monitored and

blood samples taken for analysis. 



In addition each volunteer went through a battery of

psychological tests. 



Dr Guy said: "We have been able to define and follow

through the psychoactive effects. 



"None of the effects is disturbing, or would be classed in a

clinical trial as serious." 



He said patients did not need to "get high" to gain a

therapeutic benefit. 



If approved by the regulatory authorities, the second phase

trials will begin next year. 



They will involve up to 300 patients with MS, spinal cord

injury, and phantom limb pain. 



By the end of the final phase three trials a total of around

2,000 patients will have taken part. The main studies should

be completed in 2002. 



GW Pharmaceutical's cannabis plants are housed in a

highly secure and environmentally controlled glasshouse at

a secret location in the home counties. 



The company hopes to produce cannabis treatments

mainly to relieve pain and dysfunction caused by nerve

damage.