News in brief

***Science: Medical use in the Netherlands
A survey on the medical use of cannabis conducted before the
distribution of medical cannabis by  the Dutch Health Ministry
was published in the journal Neurology. 300 questionnaires
were distributed by Maripharm, a firm that delivered cannabis to
pharmacies. 107 patients completed and returned the
questionnaire. Mean duration  of cannabis use was 5.4 months.
The main reported diagnosis for which the cannabis was
prescribed were neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis
and spinal cord injury and cancer. In 18.4 per cent no positive
effects of cannabis were reported. A good or excellent effect
was noted by 64.1 per cent. (Source: Gorter RW,  et al.
Neurology 2005;64(5):917-9)

***Science: Liver cirrhosis
According to new research the cannabinoid receptor CB2 plays
an antifibrogenic role in the liver and cannabinoids may help to
block the development of liver fibrosis. CB2 receptors were
found in liver cells of patients with active cirrhosis, but were
absent in normal human liver. Activation of CB2 receptors
caused potent antifibrogenic effects, namely, growth inhibition of
liver fibrogenic cells and apoptosis. Authors note that their
research "highlights the antifibrogenic role of CB2 receptors
during chronic liver injury." (Source: Julien B, et al.
Gastroenterology 2005;128(3):742-55)

***Science: Prostate cancer
Researchers of the University of Wisconsin found that CB1 and
CB2 receptors are present in higher concentration in cancer cells
of the prostate than in normal prostate cells. Treatment with a
cannabinoid (WIN55,212-2) resulted in a dose-dependent
inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis in cancer
cells. Researchers also noted further anti-cancer effects in the
cells. They note that cannabinoids "could be developed as novel
therapeutic agents for the treatment of prostate cancer." (Source:
Sarfaraz S, et al. Cancer Res 2005;65(5):1635-41)

***Science: Bladder inflammation
According to a press release by Indevus Pharmaceuticals their
synthetic cannabinoid IP 751, better known as CT3 or ajulemic
acid, was effective in an animal model of interstitial cystitis. It
significantly reduced the bladder over-activity associated with
the disease, without affecting the normal voiding mechanism of
the bladder. IP 751 was tested in a highly-standardized animal
model of bladder inflammation and over-activity performed by
Dr. Michael Chancellor, Professor at the University of
Pittsburgh. "Currently, patients with interstitial cystitis have very
few treatment options," he said. (Source: Press release of
Indevus Pharmaceuticals of 7 March 2005)

***Germany: Patent for production of dronabinol
THC Pharm, a pharmaceutical company in Frankfurt, which
produces and delivers dronabinol (THC) to pharmacies since
1998, received a patent for the production of semi-synthetic
dronabinol. The patented method allows the production of THC
from fibre hemp with high purity. "In contrast to the required
purity of 95 per cent we are now able to produce 99 per cent
pure dronabinol, a significant plus in safety for doctors,
pharmacists and patients," said Christian Steup, head of the
firm's laboratory. (Source: ots of 10 March 2005)

***UN: 2004 Report of the INCB
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) of the UN
made some remarks on the medical use of cannabis in its annual
report. "Since the end of the 1990s, scientific research on the
therapeutic usefulness of cannabis or cannabis extracts is in
progress in several countries, including Canada, Germany, the
Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United
States. (.) Results of such research regarding the potential
therapeutic usefulness of cannabis or cannabis extracts remain
limited. The Board therefore wishes to voice concern about the
medical use of cannabis in Canada and the Netherlands and in
some jurisdictions of the United States, in the absence of
conclusive results on the effectiveness of such use. The Board
confirms that it welcomes sound scientific research in this
respect, as stated in previous reports (.)." (Source: Report of
the INCB of 3 March 2005)

***Germany: Acquittal valid
On 3 March the prosecutor in a criminal procedure against a
MS patient who used cannabis against ataxia accepted the ruling
of the court of Mannheim. On 19 January the court of
Mannheim acquitted a multiple sclerosis patient who was
accused of illegal possession of cannabis. 600 grams of cannabis
had been found at the home of the 41 year old defendant. The
prosecutor accepted the treatment with cannabis in this case as
necessary. However, he decided to appeal since he regarded
the amount of cannabis to be to high. Now he changed his mind
making the acquittal valid and Michael Fischer one of the few
German medical cannabis users, who achieved an acquittal in
court. (Source: Personal communication)