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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Cannabis can help cancer patients
Nicole Martin The Telegraph
Friday 06 Jul 2001 CHEMICALS in cannabis are more effective than conventional drugs at alleviating sickness in patients undergoing cancer treatments, according to research. Scientists found that the drug's active chemicals, known as cannabinoids, helped prevent nausea and vomiting in people having chemotherapy. But they warned that the substance caused potentially serious side effects, including depression and hallucinations, even when taken over a limited period. The study, published today, was based on a review of 30 trials of more than 1,300 patients. Three different cannabinoids were taken in tablet form or by injection. Martin Tramer, who led the team at Hopitaux Universitaires, in Geneva, found that the cannabis chemicals were better than traditional anti-sickness drugs. However, there was no difference in patients receiving very low or very high levels of chemotherapy. He also reported that most patients preferred taking cannabinoids despite experiencing side effects. Writing in the British Medical Journal, Dr Tramer said: "The cannabinoids reviewed here were slightly superior to conventional antiemetics [drugs to treat nausea] after chemotherapy, and patients preferred them. However, potentially serious adverse effects, are likely to limit their widespread use." Large scale trials involving up to 2,000 patients are underway and should be complete by 2003. The tests are being carried out by GW Pharmaceuticals, a British company licensed to grow 40,000 cannabis plants in a greenhouse at a secret location in the south of England.
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