NORML- Spain allows use of Sativex

[firefox]

From http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6724

November 9, 2005 - Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona, Spain: Spanish health officials have approved the importation and use of Sativex, an oral spray consisting of natural cannabis extracts, for select patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS), neuropathic pain, and other conditions.

Produced by the British biotechnology firm GW Pharmaceuticals and marketed by Bayer, Sativex is a whole plant medicinal cannabis extract containing precise doses of the cannabinoids THC and cannabidiol (CBD), as well as naturally existing terpenoids (oils) and flavonoids (antioxidants). In clinical trials, Sativex has been demonstrated to alleviate numerous MS-associated symptoms compared to placebo, including pain, muscle spasms, and bladder incontinence. The drug is available by prescription in Canada and is pending regulatory approval in the United Kingdom.

Six hundred patients, including those suffering from MS, chronic pain, cancer, and the AIDS wasting syndrome, will be provided Sativex under the Spanish Ministry of Health's compassionate access program. The government's limited approval of the drug marks the first time Europeans will have legal access to Sativex outside of a clinical trial.

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at [phone].

[Village Idiot]

1. This is a bit of a mixed blessing.

It's good for cannabis to be pharmaceutically recognized for MS, Arthritis, Asthma, chronic pain and other ailments.

Still -
"Ain't nothing like the REAL THING, Baby."

[firefox]

2. We have the pharmaceuticalization of cannabis before us.

There is a lot of money to be made by the pill companies with cannabis medicines. In Canada one bottle of Sativex is $125 Canadian with 7% GMT and Alison Myrden, one of the first to use Sativex for MS, says it last only a day and a half. Steve Tuck is the subject of this DU thread- http://tinyurl.com/8mtmo - and he says his manmade THC in Marinol cost $13,000 a month and does not work as good as cannabis. Mexican swag is not the same thing as medicinal grade cannabis, AKA clinical cannabis.

Free Cannabis would do wonders in reducing the habit and harms of alcohol. Dr. Mikuriya wrote an interesting study on treating alcoholics with cannabis- http://mikuriya.com/cw_alcsub.pdf

That is another flaw in drug warrior logic. They always claim legalization will increase use. Well, let's hope so and let's get those alcoholics some help. Hopefully many are using cannabis now and benefiting from neurological protection of those brain cells and reducing the consumption of the poison alcohol.

Let's get that cannabis use up. Free Cannabis For Everyone.

[Dark]

3. Just LEGALIZE weed and be done with it. n/t