Pot, Chronic Pain Relief: New Study Says Marijuana Can Help

By: Aina Hunter
Topics: News ,; Research

(istockphoto)

(CBS) Light up, medical marijuana enthusiasts. Canadian researchers say that those who suffer from chronic pain may find relief by smoking pot three times a day. They may also sleep better.

PICTURES: CHOCOLATE WEED

In a three-month study which followed 23 patients, researchers tested three strengths of marijuana and a placebo to test the effects of the drug on those with chronic pain who had not responded well to traditional medications.

They found that those who smoked the strongest cannabis - that with the highest levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, often called THC - experienced the greatest benefit.

Nevertheless, although there was a clear reduction in pain, it was very modest.

These findings are only suggestive, lead researcher Mark Ware of McGill University in Montreal and his colleagues wrote, and need to be confirmed in larger long-term safety and efficacy studies.

The primary side effects of the strongest dose of THC were "headache, dry eyes, burning sensation in areas of neuropathic pain, dizziness, numbness and cough."

The researchers said there was no reduction in mood or quality of life from the treatment.

Read the full study.

18 Photos

Chocolate Weed: Medical Marijuana for Non-Smokers?

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by ReformCannabis September 14, 2010 7:38 AM EDT: All I see is comment after comment speaking truth about cannabis, then I see two comments that are against cannabis but because of lies they them selves think are true. Then they write those lies in a post and another person thinks their lies are truth and they go and write it on a post and so on and so on. The fact is from day one of cannabis prohibition in 1937 we as Americans have been lied to and nothing two comments are going to do to change that fact. The issue here is, what reading or research have they done prior to writing these comments, NONE. You want to say cannabis is harmful, yet before 1937 about every medicine used in the USA had cannabis in it, in fact there were 28 medicines that had US patten for them, 28, and in one day they all were made illegal? Now we use chemical compounds that have tons of side effects, thats so much better isnt it? The point is until you yourself have gone and researched the issue of cannabis yourself, shut your mouth! By spewing the lies you have been told, you prove one thing to everyone, you cant think for yourself. If anything thats the biggest fear the government has about cannabis, that those who use it seem to open their minds to many new things and can reason better about them. To a controlling government that is the worst thing that can happen.

As for cartels, Prohibition has created the cartels just like prohibition of alcohol created Al Capone in the 20s-30s. When they ended prohibition the first time Al and his buddies were gone soon after! Same is true for cartels, they will lose 70% of their income and that means they will lose 70% of their workers and supporters, gee wont it be easier to fight them once that happens? In fact if the US were to allow growing of cannabis we wouldnt want Mexican weed, no way. Prohibition is the problem it creates criminals where none were before and creates violence where none was before, sounds like we should have ended this mass a long time ago. The fact is discrimination of minorities was the main reason and profit and greed were a close second. Dupont, big timber and Anslinger used it to pull the wool over the American public and it worked, I dont think he could even imagine that 73 yrs later we would still be fighting his failed policy. Well knowing him, I think he would be proud of that fact that so many police and DEA and Feds still have a job, as gardeners out pulling weeds around this nation and world.

As for medical, Im sick and tired of people telling me that after 25yrs of pain, 8 surgeries and every drug known to science and mankind, that cannabis doesnt help me, because if it wasnt for cannabis in my life I wouldnt be here and that alone is enough for everyone to go jump off something because it works and with less harmful side effects than any man made drug I have ever used! I dont go to the police to get an x-ray or to get medicine, so why are they allowed to tell me what my doctor and me feel is best for my health? What medical degree do cops have anyhow, if they did why would they be a cop, they wouldnt! So dont tell me anything, Ill look it up for myself and when you all have failing livers because of the poisons you take in pill form dont come crying to me about it, because I will be enjoying my life and my cannabis too!; Reply to this comment


by jsknow September 2, 2010 9:47 AM EDT: Why do every one of these articles about marijuana, easily prove, just by the number of comments for and against legalizing that the public has had it with marijuana prohibition and yet, "We The People" are ignored and jailed needlessly?

What happened to government ?of the people, by the people and for the people?? It?s time to speak up and make sure those that represent you in government, at every level, are doing what you want them to do, if not you need to fire them at the ballot box and elect someone that actually represents YOU.

RON PAUL IN 2012 OR SOONER! If you don?t know who he is watch him on youtube? He?s the guy the bought and paid for biased media and corporate owned politicians are trying to poison your mind against. That alone should be telling you that RON PAUL is the right man for the Oval Office! His voting record in Congress over many years proves he votes according to the Constitution EVERY TIME and represents the people not the banksters and crooked big corporations.

Google: RON PAUL
Check out his policy on drug laws (and everything else)! He?s a medical Dr.! Listen to him and support him so he?ll run in 2012? or you?ll end up with more of the same from Washington! Don?t let the media tell you who to vote for!

The Constitutional right to freedom of religion, free speech, a free press, to keep and bear arms, to be secure in your person, house, papers and effects against unreasonable search and seizure, to life, liberty and property, to be protected from having your property taken by the government without due process of law and without just compensation, to confront the witnesses against you, to be protected from excessive bail, excessive fines, cruel and unusual punishment, to vote and others have been unjustly denied to millions of Americans in the name of the drug war.

The fact is, the drug war and drug prohibition are ILLEGAL. When alcohol was prohibited, that required an amendment to the Constitution to be legal. There has been NO AMENDMENT AUTHORIZING FEDERAL DRUG PROHIBITION.; Reply to this comment


by dnamj September 1, 2010 7:46 PM EDT: This should come as absolutely no surprise to anybody with intact critical thinking skills. The only surprise is that we as a people still put up with being jailed for Marijuana.; Reply to this comment


by LLLou09 September 1, 2010 12:57 PM EDT: This study is another ***** in the Wall of Prohibition of Cannabis.Fourteen states say that Cannabis IS medicine, and yet the feds refuse to reschedule Cannabis out of schedule 1.

Here is a quick easy test.Make a list of ALL of the recreational drugs, from Alcohol to Zoloff (or some other prescription drug starting with Z?) under each list ALL of the negative health effects for that particular drug, THEN cover up the drug names and ask ANYONE to choose which one is safest.... So why are we fighting a war against Cannabis ?; Reply to this comment


by ranger2930 September 1, 2010 9:39 AM EDT: The silliness continues, "reefer" to J Edgar Hoovers letter to Nixon informing the President that the government can "incriminate and incarcerate his political opponents for their drug use." This pot thing has been political from the beginning in Texas in the 30's. The point of making it illegal then was to keep immigrant farm workers selling it to US nationals and taking money out of the US. Look at the silliness now. As soon as the US can legalize pot the sooner we can reap the tax revenue. We can save tons of money on surveillance, interdiction, prosecution, and incarceration. People are going to smoke it anyway, including alot of cops.; Reply to this comment


by abolishionista September 1, 2010 6:17 AM EDT: What a terrible waste of money, police efforts, & imprisonment cannabis prohibition has been. Cannabis extracts of 40% potency were successfully used in 50% of all American medicines to treat over 100 illnesses prior to it being banned by falsified congressional testimony in 1937. American pharmaceutical companies knew that cannabis was safely used for medicine & recreation in America since 1609. They did nothing to protest it's prohibition solely because cannabis was an inexpensive medicine. Deadly & addictive synthetic pharmaceuticals were far more profitable & they could be patented. Cannabis prohibition has been a farce & hoax from beginning to end. Not one cannabis user has ever died from overdose. 3,000 Americans die annually from Aspirin overdose. Yet, Aspirin is available OTC for anyone who wants to buy it & no one's talking about making it a prescription drug. The deaths & liver damage from NSAID's are shocking, too. Cannabis must be regulated & the only way to do this is via legalization. But, a lot of Mom & Pop's are getting by in this poor economy by growing this fairly benign plant. So, I'm kind of up in the air about legalization due to poverty, at this time.; Reply to this comment


by jsknow September 1, 2010 1:10 AM EDT: If you doubt marijuana is good medicine Google: Granny Storm Crow's list. It's more like a library than a list!

I've read that there are known medical uses dating back about 7000 years and not a single recordrd death from the ingredients in marijuana.

If you're concerned about marijuana and driving, consider that over 100 billion dollars worth of marijuana is consumed every year in the USA alone and we have not seen an epidemic of accidents from marijuana use like we have from alcohol use. Most research concludes that because marijuana users are aware they are mildly impaired they slow down and are more cautious. I read one study that said marijuana users were actually safer drivers than drivers under the influence of nothing at all. Marijuana does NOT cause aggressive or dangerous behavior. Alcohol often causes aggressive and dangerous behavior, yet even most alcohol users refrain from drunk driving.

Google: marijuana driving study
There is NO quality study that proves a dramatic danger from marijuana impaired drivers! The reason is that marijuana does not make people dangerous, they tend to be cautious!

Learn the truth about marijuana and why it became illegal, it had nothing to do with this very useful plant being a threat to users or society.
Google: ?WHY IS MARIJUANA ILLEGAL, Pete Guither? and ?MARIJUANA AND HEMP THE UNTOLD STORY, Thomas J. Bouril?, or click the links to those articles on the webpage below:
Internet Explorer web browser: http://jsknow.angelfire.com/home
With All Other Browsers: http://jsknow.angelfire.com/index.html; Reply to this comment


by gravitydefied August 31, 2010 5:09 PM EDT: it really blows my mind that as a society we are still so backwards when it comes to this topic. Marijuana has been around since the beginning of time as we know it. ancient cultures saw it as a miracle plant and in some the tree of life. there has never been a recorded death (as far as pure intoxication or overdose goes). it has PROVEN medical qualities, yet its still classified as a schedule 1 drug....meaning it has no medical qualities..hmmm....kinda contradicting huh? doctors have been secretly recommending marijuana to pain sufferers for years. why is it that the supposed brightest people in this country..the ones running it..cannot see that this plant is more deserving to be legal than most over the counter drugs, alcohol, and tobacco? it all comes down to $$$$$$$$$$$. not only would legalizing marijuana take down the drug cartels, but it would also threaten the pharmaceutical companies (whom the govt. works closely with)...the govt. is afraid of marijuana. they don't want people to smoke the mystical herb because people who do tend to think outside the box and for themselves. that's the last thing they want.; Reply to this comment


by cburke18 August 31, 2010 4:31 PM EDT: "New Study"?! We've had studies saying this for years. There is nothing new about these studies.; Reply to this comment

by Conservative_1976 August 31, 2010 3:13 PM EDT

"These findings are only suggestive, lead researcher Mark Ware of McGill University in Montreal and his colleagues wrote, and need to be confirmed in larger long-term safety and efficacy studies."

We have the safety data: a couple of thousand years of recorded history with no deaths attributed to marijuana, while every year hundreds of people die from aspirin overdose and thousands from prescription pain medications. It seems to me that the we already know the most important safety and efficacy information: marijuana doesnt' kill anybody, and people who use it find that it helps them... Doesn't that kind of sum it up?

Regiser. Vote. Change things. Share the links.

All the anti-legalization arguments boil down to "it's better to put people in jail than to let ordinary Americans grow a little marijuana in their own back yards."

The key to success: Register to vote. You've got to register well in advance of election day; it only takes five minutes (even if you have to download a form and take it downtown, it's well worth the effort). All of these links use the usual h t t p : / / w w w prefix:

California:
sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm or to vote by mail
sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_m.htm

Vermont
vermont-elections.org/elections1/registertovote.html

South Dakota:
sdsos.gov/electionsvoteregistration/registrationvoting.shtm

Arizona:
Voter info:
azsos.gov/election/VoterInformation.htm
Register: azsos.gov/election/voterregistration.htm

Michigan: michigan.gov/documents/MIVoterRegistration_97046_7.pdf

Oregon: oregonvotes.org/votreg/vreg.htm

Others: Google your state name and ?voter registration.?
College students: You can usually register as a citizen of either your hometown or your college residence town. Share the voter registration info through your student newspaper, twitter, etc.

Everybody: Most states allow early voting and/or vote-by-mail, so once your registered, go ahead and request a ballot (at the voter info site for your state). Save a trip to the polls and get it done while you're thinking about it.

5 minutes. Change the world. Share the links.

Reply to this comment


by tij12345 August 31, 2010 3:50 PM EDT: PROPAGANDA: We have the safety data: a couple of thousand years of recorded history with no deaths attributed to marijuana, ... marijuana doesnt' kill anybody

Marijuana intoxication can KILL!

Second look at fatal accident brings charges
http://www.wwmt.com/articles/kalamazoo-1380896-accident-look.html
"In February Ronald Valkema Jr. lost control on an icy road in Oshtemo Township and collided with another car. His passenger, Ashley Roberts, died....he found out that Valkema had smoked marijuana before getting in the car....Valkema has pleaded no contest to operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death."

**********
Man pleads guilty in auto death
http://www.thereporteronline.com/articles/2010/06/24/news/doc4c238dc9a0dc0772793898.txt
"A Bucks County man has admitted to driving recklessly, under suspension and with traces of marijuana in his bloodstream when he caused a two-vehicle crash in Montgomery Township that claimed the life of the other driver."

**********
Man Driving Under Influence of Marijuana Causes 13 Accidents
"ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA ? A 24-year-old man driving under the influence of marijuana caused at least 13 collisions Thursday afternoon. The man from Temecula was driving a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder just before 3 p.m. Thursday north onBear Valley Parkway near Royal Crest Drive. According to Escondido Police Sergeant Don Shumate, at least seven accidents were reported in that area and the man did not stop at any of them.
When confronted by officers, the man said he had recently smoked marijuana. He showed them his medical marijuana card to justify the behavior. The man then hit a police officer in the face while resisting arrest."
http://www.sandiegopersonalinjuryblog.com/2010/03/27/man-driving-under-influence-of-marijuana-causes-13-accidents/

**********

Driver charged with manslaughter in cyclist's death
http://www.adn.com/2009/12/14/1055766/driver-charged-with-manslaughter.html
Now Rabe, 26, faces charges of manslaughter and driving under the influence in connection with the crash.
Prosecutors say Rabe had marijuana in her system that morning.


by adarsh86 August 31, 2010 5:56 PM EDT: I believe the post was referring to marijuana overdoses not car accidents. Alcohol causes more car accidents/deaths than any other drug and it is legal. Just because marijuana may be legal does not mean there will be more accidents. People are driving under the influence of marijuana right now but I haven't seen an epidemic of accidents/deaths. BTW, marijuana stays in the system for a month so those examples you cited does not mean the driver was under the influence at the time of the accident. If you think marijuana is dangerous, why would you not want to control/regulate it?