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Bulletin .

A newsletter about cannabis and cannabinoids as medicine

2009
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    IACM-Bulletin of December 20, 2009

    🌐 USA — President Obama signed a law that lifts the ban on the medical use of cannabis in Washington D.C.

    On 16 December President Barack Obama signed a bill into law that was past on 13 December by the U.S. Senate that clears the way for the government of the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) to allow the medical use of cannabis. In 1998, voters of the District overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure that would allow for the possession, use, cultivation and distribution of cannabis if recommended by a physician for serious illnesses.

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    IACM-Bulletin of December 6, 2009

    🌐 Israel — The government wants to implement new regulations for the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes

    The Health Committee of the parliament (Knesset) instructed the Health Ministry on 24 November to complete within four months its proposals for regulating the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Already by now patients suffering from severe pain and other serious conditions can apply for a license to obtain a free supply of cannabis to relieve their pain. It is intended to supervise the production, quality and marketing of the product and prevent the drug from reaching the illegal market.

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    IACM-Bulletin of November 22, 2009

    🏷️ IACM — New type of article gives background information on new important research results

    A new type of article ("Article of the Month") usually published once a month and selected by the newly formed Editorial Board will become the heart of the IACM online journal Cannabinoids. These articles will briefly report on an important publication in another journal with relevance to the medical use of substances (cannabis, cannabinoids, etc) that influence the endocannabinoid system. Articles of the Month are usually written by a member of the Editorial Board, but may also be composed by invited authors. As the IACM-Bulletin they will be published in five languages.

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    IACM-Bulletin of November 8, 2009

    🌐 USA — Maine becomes the fifth state to allow cannabis dispensaries

    Voters approved a referendum making Maine the fifth state to allow cannabis dispensaries, but advocates of the medical use of cannabis say it won't become like California, where hundreds of cannabis shops have opened. California, Colorado, New Mexico and Rhode Island allow for places where patients can legally buy cannabis. Maine voters gave their approval to the measure on 3 November with 59 per cent in favour.

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    IACM-Bulletin of October 25, 2009

    🌐 USA — The federal government will no longer prosecute patients who use cannabis for medicinal purposes in states where it is legal

    People who use cannabis for medical purposes and those who distribute it to them should not face federal prosecution, provided they act according to state law, the Justice Department said on 19 October in a directive with far-reaching political and legal implications. In a memorandum to federal prosecutors in the states that allow the use of medical cannabis, the department said that it was committed to the "efficient and rational use" of its resources and that prosecuting patients and distributors who are in "clear and unambiguous compliance" with state laws did not meet that standard.

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    IACM-Bulletin of October 11, 2009

    🏷️ IACM — General Meeting changes name to International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines

    At its General Meeting on 2 October the IACM changed its name and the statutes, and elected Ethan Russo from the USA as the new chairman. New members of the IACM Board of Directors are Manuel Guzman from the University of Madrid, Spain, and Arno Hazekamp from the Dutch Association for

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    IACM-Bulletin of September 27, 2009

    🏷️ Science — External therapy with cannabinoids effective in reducing pain in patients with herpes zoster

    Researchers at the Clinic for Skin Diseases at the University of Muenster, Germany, investigated the efficacy of an external treatment of chronic pain caused by herpes zoster with a cannabinoid that activates cannabinoid receptors. In an open-label trial, 8 patients with facial neuralgia in herpes zoster received a cream containing the endocannabinoid palmitoylethanolamine. The course of symptoms was scored with a visual analogue scale.

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    IACM-Bulletin of September 13, 2009

    🌐 Holland — Government wants to ban foreigners from coffee shops

    The Dutch government wants to maintain its tolerant policy towards cannabis and keep so-called coffee shops where cannabis is sold open, but they should no longer be tourist attractions, Dutch ministers wrote in a letter that was leaked to the press on 8 September. The ministers of justice, home affairs and health wrote that reducing the number of coffee shops and keeping foreigners out should make it easier to reduce crime and other nuisances the coffee shops are now causing.

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    IACM-Bulletin of August 30, 2009

    🏷️ Science — Cannabis use has other effects on lung function than tobacco use

    According to a long-term epidemiological study conducted in New Zealand smoking of cannabis has other effects on the lungs than tobacco smoking. Researchers compared the associations between use of these substances and lung function in a group of 1037 adults at the age of 32. Their cannabis and tobacco use were requested at ages 18, 21, 26, and 32 years. The scientists summarized that "cannabis use was associated with higher lung volumes suggesting ... increased large-airways resistance, but there was little evidence for airflow obstruction or impairment of gas transfer."

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    IACM-Bulletin of August 16, 2009

    🏷️ IACM — Survey on the modes of delivery of cannabis and cannabinoids

    The IACM has initiated a survey on the advantages and disadvantages of different modes of delivery of cannabis-based drugs and substances. The questionnaire is available in several languages on the website. Anyone who uses cannabis or other cannabinoids for medicinal purposes and has experience with two or more of the following substances or modes of delivery is invited to participate:

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    IACM-Bulletin of August 2, 2009

    🏷️ Science — Risk of head and neck cancer reduced in cannabis users in large epidemiological study

    A working group of scientists of several universities of the USA (universities of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Louisiana, and Minnesota) investigated the effects of cannabis use on the development of a certain head and neck cancer (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma). Information of cannabis use by 434 patients was compared with data of 547 healthy subjects. After adjusting for potential other risk factors (including tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking), cannabis use was associated with a statistically significant decrease of this cancer. The risk was decreased by 48 per cent.

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    IACM-Bulletin of July 19, 2009

    🏷️ Science — Clinical phase III study with the cannabis extract Cannador successful in multiple sclerosis

    A clinical study with the standardized cannabis extract Cannador was recently completed in 279 patients with multiple sclerosis suffering from muscle stiffness under the guidance of Dr John Zajicek, professor at the Peninsula Medical School, Plymouth/UK. The study met its primary objective to show superiority of Cannador over placebo in the treatment of muscle stiffness. The cannabis extract was also superior to placebo with regard to secondary efficacy parameters such as pain, muscle spasms, quality of sleep, and questionnaires on severity of spasticity and overall disability due to multiple sclerosis.

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    IACM-Bulletin of July 5, 2009

    🌐 Israel — Significant increase in the number of patients who are allowed to use cannabis for medicinal purposes

    About 700 patients are currently allowed to use cannabis for medicinal purposes and it is expected that the number surpasses 1,000 at the end of this year. The first patients received cannabis in 1999 after the Health Ministry legalized the use of the drug by severely ill patients. "I issue 40 new prescriptions every month, with an average prescription calling for 100 grams per patient per month," says Dr. Yehuda Baruch, the head of the psychiatric hospital Abarbanel in Bat Yam. Baruch is the only physician appointed by the Health Ministry to issue approvals for cannabis. The Health Ministry committee that decided to permit the medicinal use of cannabis in 1999 stipulated that the drug be given only to patients with extreme symptoms.

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    IACM-Bulletin of June 21, 2009

    🌐 USA — Rhode Island legalizes the sale of cannabis for medicinal purposes

    Rhode Island has become the third state of the USA to permit cannabis sales to chronically ill patients with an approval for the medicinal use of the drug. On 16 June lawmakers voted to override a veto from governor Donald L. Carcieri. The new law allows up to three non-profit stores in the state to sell cannabis to patients registered with the state Department of Health.

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    IACM-Bulletin of June 7, 2009

    🏷️ IACM — Registration for the IACM Conference in October

    Please register for the IACM 5th Conference on Cannabinoids in Medicine on 2-3 October in Cologne in time and make your reservation for overnight stays at the hotel. This years conference will mainly focus on controversial issues and unsolved problems in cannabinoid research, such as cannabis and psychiatric diseases, cannabinoids and cancer, cannabinoid-like agents, directions of research into the therapeutic manipulation of the endocannabinoid system, etc.

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    IACM-Bulletin of May 24, 2009

    🌐 Europe/UK — GW Pharmaceuticals files for approval of Sativex for multiple sclerosis

    The cannabis extract Sativex from the British company GW Pharmaceuticals has been filed for approval for the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis in Europe, paving the way for its potential approval at the end of 2009 or early in 2010. Since the pivotal trial was designed largely by the British regulators there is relatively low risk of a rejection. The spray contains equal amounts of two natural cannabinoids, CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (dronabinol). Following numerous delays, the submission to regulators in Britain and Spain is a landmark for the British company.

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    IACM-Bulletin of May 10, 2009

    🏷️ Science — According to a survey AIDS patients perceive cannabis as at least as effective as prescribed medications

    Research of an international group of scientists found out, that persons living with HIV/AIDS rate the medicinal use of cannabis as more effective than other medications in the treatment of several of six common symptoms: anxiety, depression, fatigue, diarrhoea, nausea, and peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain). For this study 775 patients from the USA, Africa, and Puerto Rico were interviewed. The use of cannabis was compared to prescribed and over-the-counter medications (OTC).

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    IACM-Bulletin of April 26, 2009

    🌐 Canada — Supreme Court ends the government's monopoly on the growing of cannabis for medicinal purposes

    Canadians who are legally permitted to use cannabis for medicinal purposes will be allowed in the future to choose cannabis from other suppliers than the government after the Supreme Court on 23 April refused to hear an appeal of a ruling that put an end to the federal government monopoly. A three-judge panel, without giving reasons, rejected the Justice Department's application to challenge a Federal Court of Appeal decision that gave licensed producers the right to grow cannabis for more than one patient.

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    IACM-Bulletin of April 12, 2009

    🏷️ Science — THC induces autophagy in human brain cancer cells

    Spanish researchers were able to demonstrate that the cannabis compound THC (dronabinol) induces death of human brain cancer cells through stimulation of autophagy. They also showed that autophagy happens before apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, in dronabinol-induced cancer cell death and that this cell reaction was necessary for the anti-tumour action of cannabinoids in animals. "Our findings support that safe, therapeutically efficacious doses of THC may be reached in cancer patients," Guillermo Velasco of Complutense University in Madrid and colleagues reported in their article for a scientific journal.

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    IACM-Bulletin of March 29, 2009

    🌐 Germany — Facilitation in the application process for the medical use of cannabis

    On 19 March Sabine Baetzing, Drug Commissioner of the federal government, Dr Harald Terpe, speaker on drug politics of the Green Party in the Bundestag, and members of staff of the Federal Institute for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Products of the Health Ministry discussed several aspects of the current application process for obtaining approval for exemption for the medical use of cannabis. There was agreement that the currently used term "medical expert opinion," that patients have to provide as a prerequisite for an exemption could be misunderstood. Rather, it requires a statement ("epicrisis") of the treating physician, by which the necessity of a treatment with cannabis is substantiated. This statement may not cover more than one typewritten page.

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    IACM-Bulletin of March 15, 2009

    🏷️ Science 🌐 UK — Cannabis extract Sativex effective in reducing spasticity in MS patients in phase III clinical trial; GW Pharmaceuticals will submit a regulatory application in some European countries

    According to a press release of the British company GW Pharmaceuticals a phase III clinical study with their cannabis extract in patients with spasticity due to multiple sclerosis was successful. This study was requested by the UK regulator in order to gain approval in this indication and following these results, the company will fill a regulatory submission in the second quarter of this year. In this phase III study 573 patients initially received Sativex for 4 weeks in a single blind manner (Phase A). Then patients who responded to a treatment with Sativex (241 patients) continued to receive Sativex or switched to placebo for a further 12 weeks in a double-blinded manner (Phase B). During the second period, patients were not permitted to change their dose.

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    IACM-Bulletin of March 1, 2009

    🏷️ Science — Nabilone effective in the treatment of nightmares in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder

    According to an article by a psychiatrist of the Health Services of the Canadian army in Ottawa the synthetic cannabinoid nabilone was effective in the treatment of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Nabilone causes similar effects as the natural cannabinoid dronabinol (THC). Charts of 47 patients diagnosed with PTSD and having continuing nightmares in spite of conventional antidepressants and sedatives were reviewed after adjunctive treatment with nabilone was initiated. These patients had been referred to a psychiatric specialist clinic between 2004 and 2006.

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    IACM-Bulletin of February 15, 2009

    🌐 Germany — First patients to receive cannabis from the pharmacy

    On 7. February the first patient has received cannabis herb as a medicine from a pharmacy. The Head of the Federal Office for Opium Affairs at the Federal Institute for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Products of the the Federal Health Ministry in Bonn, Dr. Winfried Kleinert, stated that to date seven patients have received such a permission and are now receiving their first deliveries of cannabis from the Netherlands where it is available in pharmacies. Another 27 patients received an exemption for the use of cannabis extract that is produced from the Dutch cannabis.

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    IACM-Bulletin of February 1, 2009

    🏷️ Science — New synthetic cannabinoid tested in phase I clinical study

    A new cannabinoid receptor agonist (CRA13) developed by the pharmaceutical company Novartis was tested for safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics in a phase I clinical study with 69 healthy subjects. CRA13, as THC, binds both to CB1 and CB2 receptors. Participants were divided into seven groups of nine subjects, each one to receive one dose of increasing doses of the cannabinoid (1 to 80 mg) or placebo orally in fasted condition in the morning without later breakfast. To investigate the effect of food 6 additional subjects received 40 mg of CRA13 in fasted condition and two weeks later again after a high-fat and high-caloric breakfast.

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    IACM-Bulletin of January 18, 2009

    🏷️ IACM — Call for papers for the IACM Conference in October 2009

    CALL FOR PAPERS: The program committee would like to invite you to present your research at the IACM 5th Conference on Cannabinoids in Medicine in Cologne, Germany, on 2-3 October. You may submit your abstract electronically until 15 April 2009 for oral presentations and until 15 June 2009 for poster presentations to info@cannabis-med.org. If your abstract is accepted you will have free access to the meeting. Speakers may ask the IACM for a subsidy of their travel expenses.

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    IACM-Bulletin of January 4, 2009

    🏷️ Science — Cannabis use not associated with increased risk for Kaposi's sarcoma in people with HIV

    According to an analysis of data from the US Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) between 1984 and 2002 the use of cannabis was not associated with an increased risk for the development of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Among the 1335 white men with HIV, who were also infected with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (HHV-8), 401 KS cases were identified. The effects of several drugs were examined. There was no association between the development of Kaposi's sarcoma and cannabis use. Researches concluded that "these findings do not support a biological association between use of these substances and KS development in HIV- and HHV-8-coinfected homosexual men."

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