More MS news articles for Dec 2001

Marijuana trials get a federal green light

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/po/20011227/co/marijuana_trials_get_a_federal_green_light_1.html

Thursday December 27 07:14 PM EST
By Tom Musbach, Gay.com / PlanetOut.com Network

SUMMARY: Reversing a prohibition that lasted nearly two decades, officials from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration have approved three studies of marijuana's therapeutic potential.

Reversing a prohibition that lasted nearly two decades, officials from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration have approved three studies of marijuana's therapeutic potential.

The three studies will examine the affects of marijuana on nerve pain associated with HIV (news - web sites) infection, muscle spasticity on patients with multiple sclerosis and on general motor skills. The research will take place at the Universities of California at San Diego and San Francisco, and recruitment for participants will begin in early 2002.

According to the National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws, there are eight other studies waiting for similar approval.

"If these studies show that marijuana is effective for even some patients, they will add to the already long list of reasons why the federal government needs to end its war on medical marijuana," said Bruce Mirken, a spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project.

"But patients with AIDS (news - web sites), multiple sclerosis and other serious illnesses who need marijuana now shouldn't be forced to suffer while the long-delayed research finally gets underway," he added.