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Abstract #3595 Published in IGR 4-2
Chronic cannabis use in the Compassionate Investigational New Drug program: an examination of benefits and adverse effects of legal clinical cannabis
Russo E; Mathre ML; Byrne A; Velin R; Bach PJ; Sanchez Ramos J; Kirlin KAJournal of Cannabis Therapeutics 2002; 2: 3-57
The Missoula Chronic Clinical Cannabis Use Study was proposed to investigate the therapeutic benefits and adverse effects of prolonged use of 'medical marijuana' in a cohort of seriously ill patients. Use of cannabis was approved through the Compassionate Investigational New Drug (IND) program of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cannabis is obtained from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and is utilized under the supervision of a study physician. The aim of this study is to examine the overall health status of four of the seven surviving patients in the program. This project provides the first opportunity to scrutinize the long-term effects of cannabis on patients who have used a known dosage of a standardized, heat-sterilized quality-controlled supply of low-grade marijuana for 11-27 years. The results demonstrate clinical effectiveness in these patients in treating glaucoma, chronic musculoskeletal pain, spasm and nausea, and spasticity of multiple sclerosis. All four patients are stable with respect to their chronic conditions, and are taking many fewer standard pharmaceuticals than previously. Mild changes in pulmonary function were observed in two patients, while no functionally significant attributable sequelae were noted in any other physiological system examined in the study, which included: MRI scans of the brain, pulmonary function tests, chest X-ray, neuropsychological tests, hormone and immunological assays, electroencephalography, P300 testing, history, and neurological clinical examination. These results would support the provision of clinical cannabis to a greater number of patients in need. The authors believe that cannabis can be a safe and effective medicine with various suggested improvements in the existing Compassionate IND program.
Dr. E. Russo, University of Montana, 900 North Orange Street, Missoula, MT 59802, USA. erusso@blackfoot.net
Classification:
11.14 Investigational drugs; pharmacological experiments (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)