World News 07-11-2003 Cannabis Should Be Prescribed who: Mike O`Donovan of the MS Society what: Says cannabis capsules should be prescribed to multiple sclerosis sufferers follwing biggest ever drug trial when: Yesterday snippet: "Results from the world`s largest study into the medical effects of cannabis have shown that the drug can reduce pain and improve the lives of people with multiple sclerosis," says The Independent. "Scientists concluded that patients for whom other treatments have failed should be given tablets made from cannabis derivatives." "A three-year study involving more than 600 patients revealed no reduction in muscle stiffness as measured by health professionals," says The Guardian, "yet most of those with the progressive nervous disorder felt cannabis had improved some of their symptoms." "These included `spasticity` - painful spasms and stiffness of the muscles, which make moving very difficult, as well as tremor and bladder problems," explains the BBC. But Mike O`Donovan of the MS Society says the findings are sufficiently compelling that sufferers should have treatment prescribed on the NHS. "The research team, led by Dr John Zajicek, consultant neurologist at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, focused on 33 neurology and rehabilitation centres across the UK," reports The Evening Standard`s website, thisislondon.com. "Many sufferers have found that cannabis provides relief from MS symptoms and have broken the law in using cannabis, a class B drug," says The Telegraph`s medical editor Celia Hall. "It is due to be downgraded to class C." [... more]

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