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"This data agrees with the results of other chronic use studies performed in the 1970s in Jamaica,
Costa Rica and Greece that found no significant
attributable health problems in cannabis smokers. However, this study is
the first of its kind to examine chronic cannabis usage in medical patients
using a consistent source of medicine of known potency," said Dr. Ethan
Russo, who headed the study.
Russo did observe "mild changes in pulmonary function" in three of the
four patients, but noted these changes weren't significant nor was there any
evidence of malignancy. He speculated that the changes could be at least
partially due to the weak potency of government-grown marijuana and its
large content of fibrous material.
No other tests, including MRI brain scans, chest X-rays,
neuropsychological tests, immunological assays, and EEGs showed any
significant adverse side-effects attributable to marijuana.
In addition, the study affirmed pot's therapeutic value for a variety of
symptoms. The results demonstrate clinical effectiveness in these patients
in treating glaucoma, chronic musculoskeletal pain, spasm and nausea, and
spasticity of multiple sclerosis, the study's authors wrote. They maintain
that all four patients are stable with respect to their chronic conditions,
and are taking many fewer standard pharmaceuticals than before they began
using medical cannabis.
This study is believed to be the first to examine the overall health
status of medical marijuana patients in the IND program. That program began
distributing medical pot to patients in 1976, but was closed to new
applicants in 1992. Seven surviving patients remain in the program, though
their health status is monitored by their individual physicians. Neither
the FDA nor NIDA has previously published any follow-up studies on this
group of patients.
The study was funded in part by grants from MAPS (The Multidisciplinary
Association for Psychedelic Studies), philanthropists John Gilmore and
Preston Parish, and the Zimmer Family Foundation.
For more information, please contact either Allen St. Pierre or Paul
Armentano of The NORML Foundation at (202) 483-8751. Dr. Ethan Russo may be
contacted at (406) 327-3372 or via e-mail at: Erusso@blackfoot.net. A full
report of the study will appear in the January 2002 issue of The Journal of
Cannabis Therapeutics, published by Haworth Press.
Source:
NORML Foundation
1001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Ste. 710
Washington, DC 20036
202-483-8751 (p)
202-483-0057 (f)
www.norml.org
foundation@norml.org
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