Bowel study backs cannabis drugs

[theHandpuppet]

I have a friend who, for years, has suffered from Crohn's disease and was excited to read that new treatments could be developed from this discovery.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4728605.stm

Last Updated: Sunday, 31 July 2005, 23:04 GMT 00:04 UK

Bowel study backs cannabis drugs

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease may benefit from cannabis-based drugs, UK scientists believe. The Bath University team found people with the gut disorder had an abundant number of a type of cannabinoid receptors in their body.

They believe this is part of the body's attempt to dampen down the inflammation and that giving a drug that binds to these receptors could boost this.

More...

It looks as if this discovery is promising in the treatment of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

[acmavm]

1. And because it's a cannabis based therapy it won't ever see the light

of day here in the land of the screaming hypocrites.

[theHandpuppet]

2. I'll admit that had occurred to me, too

But certainly, with scientists discovering more and more unique, therapeutic properties of cannabis drugs, at some point public pressure will demand our ridiculous laws be changed. I don't myself indulge (tried it in college but it turned out I'm wayyy allergic!), but if I needed it you'd better believe I'd be at the front of the line. In the meanwhile, we still need to be working to change the existing laws, which IMHO are funded by pharmaceutical companies. If people need this natural substance now then WHY THE HELL can't they have it? I can see no explanation other than the big drug companies don't want you to have any treatment you can grow in your own backyard.

When I think of how my friend has suffered for years with Crohn's, the thought she might be denied a cannabis-based treatment makes my blood boil.