Med bio 1

Eighteen subjects with Glaucoma smoked marijuana in a double blind
placebo controlled experiment. After smoking marijuana intraocular
pressure, IOP, fell by 20-30%. Effectiveness of marijuana in controlling
glaucoma. "Effect of Marihuana on Intraocular and Blood Pressure in
Glaucoma," John Merritt, M.D., et al, Ophthalmology, Vol. 87, No. 3,
March 1980, pp. 222-228


"Ulcerative Colitis and Marijuana," (letter) John Barron, MD, et al,
Annals of Internal Medicine, March 1990, Vol. 112, No. 6, p. 471. This
case suggests that marijuana may help control ulcerative colitis.

Further study may find alternative ways to treat nausea and vomiting, to
relieve diarrhea without constipation and to learn more about GI motility
and sensations about nausea. "Psychoactive Cannabinoids Reduce
Gastrointestinal Propulsion and Motility in Rodents," Jennifer Shook, and
Thomas Burks, The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics,
Vol. 249, No. 2, 1989, pp. 444-449.

. Fifty-six patients who had no improvement with standard anti-emetic
agents from the nausea caused by chemotherapy were treated and 78%
demonstrated a positive response to marijuana. This preliminary trial
suggests the usefulness of marijuana as an antiemetic agent. "Inhalation
Marijuana as an Antiemetic for Cancer Chemotherapy," Vincent Vinciguerra,
MD, et al, New York State Medical Journal, 1988: 88: pp. 525-527

An exhaustive study by the person who first isolated THC in 1964, covers
the full gamut of research on the chemical and pharmacological properties
of the various cannabinoid drugs found in Cannabis. It also gives some very
interesting medical uses of Cannabis down through history. The paper covers
the mode of action of the various cannabinoids as analgesic agent,
neurological uses for seizure and movement disorders, glaucoma,
anti-nausea, and as an anti-asthmatic. Shows how various drug companies
have tried to separate the cannabimimetic (psychoactive) from the
therapeutic effect. "Towards Cannabinoid Drugs," Rafael Mechoulam, and J.J.
Feigenbaum, Progress in Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 24, 1987, pp. 159-207.

Smoking Marijuana improved airways conductance in asthmatic subjects by up
to 45%. "Acute Effects of Smoked Marijuana and Oral THC on Specific
Airways Conductance in Asthmatic Subjects," Donald P. Tashkin, et al,
American Revue of Respiratory Disease, Vol. 109, 1974, pp. 420-428.

. The chronic motor handicaps of a 30 year old multiple sclerosis patient
acutely improved while he smoked a marijuana cigarette. This effect was
quantitatively assessed by means of clinical rating, electromyographic
investigation of the leg flexor reflexes and electro- magnetic recording of
the hand action tremor. It is concluded that cannabinoids may have
powerful beneficial effects on both spasticity and ataxia."Effects of
Cannabinoids on Spasticity and Ataxia in Multiple Sclerosis," H.M. Meinck,
et al, Journal of Neurology, 1989: 236: pp. 120-122

. Nine multiple sclerosis patients were given THC, (5 or 10 mg.) or
placebo. Relative to placebo, 10 mg. of the drug significantly reduced
spasticity as quantified by clinical and electromyographic measurements,
and side effects were negligible. (The researchers tried to procure legal
government marijuana for this study but the government refused this
request. The patients who'd previously used marijuana claimed it worked
better!!!) "Treatment of Human Spasticity with Tetrahydrocannabinol," D.J.
Petro, C. Ellenberger, Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 1981, 21: pp.
413-416

. The perceived decrease in pain and spasticity from smoking marijuana,
indicates that further studies would be worthwhile."The Perceived Effects
of Marijuana on Spinal Chord Injured Males," Dunn and Davis, Paraplegia,
1974, Vol. 12, p. 175


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