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Study backs medicinal benefits of cannabis

Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 2000 | 4:42 PM ET

CBC News

New scientific evidence suggests that cannabis derivatives can control some symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, according to British scientists.

Lorna Layward of the MS Society of Great Britain and colleagues studied mice suffering from chronic allergic encephalomyelitis (CREAE) — an animal copy for MS. They discovered that compounds that mimic cannabis improved CREAE symptoms.

Layward says this backs reports that say cannabis can alleviate spasticity and tremor.

The study is published in the science journal Nature.

MS sufferers have been calling for a cannabis medicine for years. Many have resorted to illegal means to obtain the drug.

Layward says clinical trials into the medical benefits of cannabis for MS sufferers will be underway soon.

Researchers want to stay away from the cannabis plant. Layward says it's up to drug companies to develop compounds that copied it, but avoided the side-effects experienced by cannabis smokers.

MS is an auto-immune disease. The body's immune system destroys a sheath that protects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It affects about one million people worldwide. There is no cure.

This story is now closed to commenting.

External Links

MS Society of Great Britain
Nature

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