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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Cannabis is 'miracle' for sufferers of MS Victoria Owen This Is Oxfordshire Friday 09 Nov 2001 A massive cannabis trial has proved so successful that doctors believe the drug could be available for Multiple Sclerosis patients within two years. Dr Philip Robson and his Oxford University team are halfway through the study of 80 people who suffer from the neurological condition. Each patient has cannabis administered to them in spray form under their tongue and the researchers have already witnessed signs that the class B drug is working. The £12m study is the main part of a project which also involves mini-trials across the country. Senior research fellow Dr Robson said: "The majority of people are obtaining at least some clinical benefit, but I would emphasise that the pilot studies are not designed to give us the scientific results that the longer study will." "The preliminary results of the big trial are very encouraging, but we need to await the end results. We should be ready to present our findings by the end of next year." Dr Robson said the drug could be licensed for MS within 12 months. He said: "Before that, we will start studies into cannabis and other medical conditions, like inflammatory diseases. "But if everything goes smoothly we would expect to be able to create a product which can be prescribed by early 2004." The trials started in May and some patients already report that cannabis is having a marked effect on their lives. Wheelchair-bound Jo Clayton-Jones, 58, of Newbury Street, Wantage, was diagnosed with MS 14 years ago. She only had slight movement, suffered constant and severe spasms and was completely reliant on carers and her husband Roger, the chaplain of St Mary's School, Wantage. But now Mrs Clayton-Jones says her life has been turned around. She said: "In a sense, it was a real miracle. With a condition like MS the prognosis is that you move further down the hill until you drop off the end. There's no hope. "Cannabis has given me hope. It's made life easier. I had severe spasms before, and if your body is permanently tense all day long it is exhausting. "Now the spasms have reduced and I'm less tired. "I had never taken cannabis before. For me, the results are excellent." Tyrone Castle, 43, of Blakes Avenue, Witney, was diagnosed with MS 22 years ago and also praises the drug. He said: "It helps reduce the spasms I get, which prevented me from getting to sleep. Within two weeks of going on the trials I was able to sit in my wheelchair and not worry about my legs going into spasm all the time. "My whole outlook on life now is different. I have three children, 17, 13 and 11, and they all say how well I now look." The trials are being funded by G W Pharmaceuticals, based in Salisbury, Wiltshire. The only UK drugs company licensed to grow cannabis, it currently cultivates 40,000 plants.
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