ORGANIZATION NEWS:

1.  OPN Annual Meeting Set for October 4

2.  George McMahon and Chris Largen to Speak at Patient Forum October 2

3.  Ohio Medical Marijuana Act Continues Progress

4.  OPN in the News

5.  The Cheryl Miller Project in Washington D.C. Was a Success

6.  15-Minute Mission

STATE NEWS:

7.  Most States Reforming Drug Laws, Group Says

NATIONAL NEWS:

8.  Marijuana Smoking Doesn't Kill

9.  Medical Marijuana Slowly Gains Ground

10. Medical Marijuana Voter Guide Updated

11. Detroit Drug Policy Conference October 3 - 4

12. Federal Judge Rejects Santa Cruz Medical Marijuana Lawsuit

13. Alaska Appeals Court Legalizes Simple Marijuana Possession

14. Taking Away More of Our Rights

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

15. First Tokers of Health Canada Cannabis Call it Disgusting

16. Dutch Approve Cannabis as Prescription Drug

The following items are included in every OPNews:

* OPNews Disclaimer

* You Are Invited to OPN Meetings

* How to Get Your Information in OPNews

* How to be Removed from the OPNews List

* How To Contact Your State Representative And Senator

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1. OPN ANNUAL MEETING SET FOR OCTOBER 4

You and a guest are invited to OPN’s annual meeting and picnic, which will be held this Saturday, October 4 in Lodi.

Our meeting will start at 4:00 p.m. and dinner will be at 6:30.  Overnight camping is available!

During our meeting we will elect the OPN Board of Directors, learn about OPN activities over the last year, share our ideas and suggestions for the future, and socialize with other patients and activists.

Please bring your ideas and a covered dish.  Soft drinks and dinner settings will be provided.

For directions and to RSVP, please contact K.R. "Doc" Miller, OPN Membership Coordinator, at krmiller@ohiopatient.net .

NOTE:  Nominations for board members are still being accepted.  If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else for the OPN Board, contact info@ohiopatient.net .

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2. GEORGE MCMAHON AND CHRIS LARGEN TO SPEAK AT PATIENT FORUM OCTOBER 2

By Rob Ryan

Ohio Patient Network is pleased to have George McMahon and Chris Largen as this month’s on-line Patient Forum guests.  Join us Thursday, October 2. The PalTalk room will open at 7:30 p.m. EDT, and the forum starts at 8:00 p.m.

George McMahon is the 5th legal medical marijuana patient. Since March of 1990, he has been receiving 300 pre-rolled medical marijuana joints from the United States government.  George has been on a national tour since 1997, speaking of his experience as a recipient of medical marijuana before universities, state legislatures, European parliaments, and TV news shows, such as CNN.  You can find more about George McMahon at http://www.trvnet.net/~mmcmahon/mystory.htm .

Christopher Largen is an internationally published writer and dedicated political reformer whose articles have appeared in The Village Voice, High Times, Whole Life Times, Cannabis Culture, Having A Baby Today, and The Nashville Scene, among many other publications.  He is the co-author with George on the book Prescription Pot: A Leading Advocate's Heroic Battle to Legalize Medical Marijuana. 

The U.S. Government has been quietly distributing marijuana for over 20 years, but federal authorities are targeting state-authorized marijuana clinics, seizing plants and patient records, and prosecuting patients and growers in ten states that have legalized medical marijuana. Now the Bush administration seeks U.S. Supreme Court authorization to revoke licenses of doctors recommending cannabis to patients. The court may decide to hear the case as early as October. If the court rules in favor of the federal government, U.S. doctors will essentially have a "gag-order" imposed on them, even while medical marijuana is grown by the feds.

Please join us for this unique opportunity to discuss the use of marijuana with one of the few people in the United States for whom it is legal to use Marijuana.  See http://www.ohiopatient.net/Events.htm for PalTalk instructions and more information.

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3. OHIO MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT CONTINUES PROGRESS

By Deirdre Zoretic

I know that a lot of people are concerned about the status of the Ohio Medical Marijuana Act since the article that was printed in "The Other Paper", a suburban Columbus-area newspaper.  (You can read the articles and letters to the editor at http://www.mapinc.org/source/Other+Paper )

I have actually received more phone calls about that subject than any other to date.  The OMMA is doing fine, and so is the sponsor.

To make this bill flow through the legislature as quickly and easily as possible, we have been speaking with Representatives around the state about their specific concerns regarding medical marijuana and the OMMA.  We may at some point in time rewrite parts and resubmit it to the Legislative Service Commission. 

This is where the confusion ensued.  Speaking about this possibility with the reporter, Aaron Marshall, the sponsor began surmising a list of possibilities.  This was a moment of brainstorming.  Representative Carano mentioned a pill possibility, and the reporter seized this idea.  A natural pill presents some of the same problems as Marinol.  Those with stomach problems can hardly take a medicine orally.

The Representative stated that the pill idea was never more than a momentary brainstorm, except for the presence of a reporter.  This, like many other ideas, will not live to see the light of day.

We continue to work with all of our state legislators to educate them in the needs of our patients in this state.  Our concerns are being heard in Columbus through the continued efforts by all of you through your phone calls, letters, and emails.  I thank everyone who called and/or wrote to make us aware of the contents of this article.

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4. OPN IN THE NEWS

OPN members were quoted in two articles published this month in Columbus’ The Other Paper.  In response to the September 4 article, “Will Lawmakers Swallow A Medical-Marijuana Pill?”, OPN Vice President Jim White sent a letter to the editor that was published September 16.  The same day, The Other Paper ran the article “A Bitter Pill to Swallow.”  Both articles and some great letters are archived at http://www.mapinc.org/source/Other+Paper .

In addition, OPN members Joe Zoretic and Jim White also had their LTEs published September 14 in the Cleveland Plain Dealer (see http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1386/a02.html and http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1386/a03.html ).  These letters supported Dick Feagler’s column titled “Feds swat pot to keep vice market cornered.”

OPN President John Precup’s participation in the Cheryl Miller Memorial was mentioned in the September 23 NORML news http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5753 and the September 26 Drug War Chronicle http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/304/cheryldc.shtml.

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5. THE CHERYL MILLER PROJECT IN WASHINGTON D.C. WAS A SUCCESS

By John Precup

On September 22 and 23, medical marijuana patients from around the country gathered in our nation’s capitol to honor the memory of Cheryl Miller. Cheryl was a Multiple Sclerosis patient who devoted the last years of her life fighting for legal access to medical marijuana.

The project started with the group visiting the national MS society Monday afternoon.  I got a chance to tell my story and told them about the thousands of other patients who couldn't make it there. I asked them to support legal access to cannabis for medical purposes.

Every one in the group (about 20) told their stories and asked “why is the society so quiet about medical marijuana?” especially since there is so much research into its benefits for MS patients.

We patients need to keep the pressure on the MS society. Contacting your local chapter is one way to tell them we want our medicine. You can find your local chapter at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/mycommunity/index.asp .  A letter to the national office http://www.nmss.org/ is also a good idea.

That evening a candlelight vigil was held on the steps of the Supreme Court. In spite of the wind and rain, it was a solemn and touching ceremony. Jim Miller reflected on the life and efforts of his wife Cheryl. He pointed out that “Cheryl was our teacher.” Her courage and determination is a constant source of motivation.  A few folks were able to fight back tears and tell their own story of Cheryl.

We then went to the office of National NORML. There was a reception with food, drink, and good company. Thanks to Keith Stroup and all the NORML volunteers for their tireless work in making the event happen.

Tuesday started with a strategy meeting before the press conference. We were then all shuttled to the Rayburn building at the Capitol.

Members of the media, patients, caregivers, doctors and citizens attended the press conference for Representative Barney Frank’s bill, H.R. 2233 – The States Rights to Medical Marijuana Act.

Rep. Frank explained that his bill would move cannabis from federal schedule 1 to schedule 2. It would allow doctors to prescribe it, and let states decide how to deal with administering it. Currently his bill has 38 co-sponsors.

Co-sponsor, Rep. Sam Farr, followed up Rep. Frank’s comments with news of his own bill. Rep. Farr is sponsoring HR 1717-The Truth in Trials Act, a bill that would allow a person facing prosecution for any marijuana related offense to have the right to introduce evidence demonstrating that their activities were performed in compliance with state law regarding the medical use of cannabis. This bill also has 38 co-sponsors.

The room was turned over to a host of supporting stories from patients and medical professionals. The entire news conference lasted about 1 hour.  In the afternoon, several patients made legislative visits asking for support of these bills.

You can help continue Cheryl’s brave work by contacting your Congressperson and asking them to support HR 2233-The States Rights to Medical Marijuana Act and HR 1717-The Truth in Trials Act. Every patient in this country stands to benefit from these bills.

NOTE:  You can view the Photo Album at http://www.cheryldcmemorial.org/92303_lobby.htm and see http://www.mapinc.org/people/Cheryl+Miller for media coverage of the events.

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6. 15-MINUTE MISSION

By Deirdre Zoretic

Hi everyone, sorry about the break over the summer with the articles.  The House and Senate are out for the summer, and it is my time to make connections.  Now, it is September, the start of a fresh school year, the old leaves are going to be shed soon, along with the hair and skins of my seven family pets (spring and fall are the real fur coat seasons, just ask my furniture!).

With the start of the school year, and trying to get the kids back into the old routines, I was thinking about how the opposition always tries to drag our kids into the middle of everything.

There are some subjects that don’t really involve our kids, like which pain relievers we decide to use.  As a counter-attack, tell me how choosing marijuana makes you a BETTER parent.  Like, not throwing up at soccer practice because the medication makes you so nauseous.  Just send your notes to:  Dzoretic@ohiopatient.net and please put Our Kids in the subject line.

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7. MOST STATES REFORMING DRUG LAWS, GROUP SAYS

Source: Columbus Dispatch http://www.dispatch.com/  September 17, 2003.  View the entire article at http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1460/a07.html

By Alan Johnson

From medical marijuana to treatment in lieu of jail time, voters and lawmakers revised more than 150 drug laws in 46 states in the past seven years.

Ohio, with one minor exception, was not part of "reforms" cited by the Drug Policy Alliance in a national report released yesterday in Washington.

The alliance said drug-law changes are part of "an emerging 'harm reduction' consciousness among the public and legislatures: the awareness that not just drug abuse, but also misguided drug policies, can cause grave harms to individuals and society."

The alliance, backed by financier-philanthropist George Soros, endorsed and helped finance Issue 1 in Ohio last year, a constitutional amendment which called for drug treatment in lieu of incarceration. Ohio voters defeated Issue 1 by a 2-to-1 margin, one of the few setbacks for the organization.

Gov. Bob Taft played a crucial role in defeating the amendment, raising money and campaigning against it.

[snip]

NOTE:  You can read the DPA’s State of the States Report at http://www.drugpolicy.org/statebystate/sosreport/

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8. MARIJUANA SMOKING DOESN'T KILL

Illegal Herb Not Harmless, but Data Show No Link to Death

Source:  WebMD Medical News http://my.webmd.com/content/article/74/89068.htm Sept. 18, 2003

By Daniel DeNoon

Marijuana smoking isn't harmless, but at least it won't kill you. It's been feared that marijuana smoke, like tobacco smoke, causes cancer and heart disease. The evidence argues otherwise, writes Stephen Sidney, MD, associate director for research for Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, Calif., in the Sept 20 issue of The Lancet.

"Although the use of [marijuana] is not harmless, the current knowledge base does not support the assertion that it has any notable adverse public health impact in relation to mortality," Sidney concludes.

Sidney points to two large studies. The first is from California. A large HMO looked at 65,177 men and women age 15-49. Over 10 years, marijuana users died no sooner than nonusers.

The second study looked at 45,450 Swedish army conscripts. They were 18-20 years old when asked about marijuana use. Fifteen years later, the marijuana users were just as likely to remain alive as nonusers.

And since marijuana smoking can't kill outright -- there's no such thing as a fatal marijuana overdose -- short-term use isn't deadly.

[snip]

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9. MEDICAL MARIJUANA SLOWLY GAINS GROUND

Source: WebMD Health http://my.webmd.com/content/article/73/81986.htm September 06, 2003

By Daniel DeNoon

A sea of change in science is slowly turning the tide of the medical marijuana debate. For hundreds of years, marijuana has been used to treat a wide variety of illnesses. But the herb has been illegal throughout the modern era of scientific medical research. Patients swear the drug works to relieve pain, prevent seizures, and counteract the nausea-inducing effects of cancer chemotherapy. But by today's standards, there's no definitive proof that this is so.

Why not? Nearly all U.S.-funded marijuana research has looked for harmful effects from using marijuana as a recreational drug. Meanwhile, there's been little money -- and huge regulatory hurdles -- for studies of marijuana's benefits. That's now changing despite the fact that marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I drug -- a dangerous compound with no medical uses.

Why now? Evidence is beginning to break down the wall of emotion preventing medical marijuana research.

It was never clear exactly how marijuana -- which scientists call cannabis -- exerted its euphoria-inducing effects on the brain. Then, in the 1980s, a series of breakthrough studies showed that the body actually makes its own cannabis-like compounds -- cannabinoids.

Why are they there? That question led to the discovery that the body has an entire system based on cannabinoid signals. The signals seem to calm down overexcited nerve cells, says Igor Grant, MD, professor of psychiatry and director of the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) at the University of California, San Diego.

"It may be the cannabinoid systems -- this is a crude example -- but I think of them as our internal shock absorbers," Grant tells WebMD. "They are circuits that prevent overexcitability, kind of dampers. If that's correct, there are going to be a number of medical applications. For example, I wouldn't be surprised if there were applications for epilepsy and other types of seizures."

Grant isn't the only scientist excited by these possibilities.

In 1997, a National Institutes of Health expert panel concluded that more needs to be known about possible marijuana benefits. In 1999, the Institute of Medicine agreed. It pointed to several areas crying out for clinical marijuana research, notes CMCR co-director Andrew Mattison, PhD.

"There are cannabinoid receptor systems in the brain areas that regulate motion -- and, in retrospect, we know that people with multiple sclerosis and difficulty with spasticity sometimes use medicinal cannabis. That is one of the Institute of Medicine indications for clinical trials," Mattison tells WebMD.

"There is a cannabinoid receptor for pain, another site that modulates appetite -- there's going to be a wealth of basic science research that will hopefully have clinical and practical applications to many different medical indications."

[snip]

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10. MEDICAL MARIJUANA VOTER GUIDE UPDATED

Dean Moves Up; Clark Is a Mystery

Source:  Marijuana Policy Project September 24, 2003 press release http://www.mpp.org/releases/nr092403gsmm.html

(Manchester, NH)  Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana (GSMM) announced on Tuesday that it is raising Democratic presidential candidate and former Vermont Governor Howard Dean's grade to a "C" in the group's voter guide, based on his recent positive statements about medical marijuana.

Newly announced candidate and retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark -- already the front-runner in some polls -- is the race's mystery man. With no record or public statements on medical marijuana, Clark gets an "Incomplete."

Dean's grade was previously the lowest of any Democratic presidential candidates. Now U.S. Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL) are tied for the lowest, each rating a "D-" for supporting the continued arrest of seriously ill patients.

Dean told GSMM members at a campaign stop in Berlin last Friday that he would impose a moratorium on Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raids on seriously ill medical marijuana patients while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would study the drug, saying, "Will I do what [Attorney General] Ashcroft is doing? No, absolutely not." The call for a moratorium is new for Dean, who has previously said he would order the FDA to study medical uses of marijuana.

GSMM also raised U.S. Sen. John Kerry's (D-MA) grade from a "C" to a "B" after he said at a campaign stop on September 20 that he would stop DEA raids on medical marijuana patients and providers in states with medical marijuana laws. Kerry's grade remains higher than Dean's because Kerry pledged a permanent end to the raids while Dean pledged only a moratorium. "In addition, Governor Dean killed medical marijuana legislation when he was governor of Vermont, and we have to take that into account," said GSMM Campaign Coordinator Aaron Houston.

Four of the 10 major Democratic presidential candidates have now pledged to end the arrests of patients in states with medical marijuana laws: Kerry, Dean, former U.S. House leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO), and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH). 

GSMM's complete candidate guide is available at http://www.GraniteStaters.com.

[snip]

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11. DETROIT DRUG POLICY CONFERENCE OCTOBER 3 - 4

Source:  Drug Policy Forum of Michigan press release, September 9, 2003

On Friday, Oct. 3 and Saturday, Oct. 4, 2003, the Drug Policy Forum of Michigan (DPFMI) and Wayne Statue University's Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) are hosting a free conference entitled, And Justice for All? Communities of Color and the War on Drugs. You can go to our website at http://www.dpfmi.org and register online for this conference.  Registration will help us with a head count for lunch on Saturday, Oct. 4th.

Our keynote speaker will be Deborah Peterson Small with the Drug Policy Alliance. Other speakers include US Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Rev. Ed Sanders (recent gubernatorial candidate in Tennessee), Jedonna Young of FAMM, Cliff Thornton of Efficacy, Karen Reitan, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Detroit City Councilwoman JoAnn Watson as well as many others.

The war on drugs is the longest running war in the history of the U.S. is waged primarily in the nation's inner cities. DPFMI and Wayne State SSDP are seeking to advance discourse to explore and facilitate necessary change for the betterment of our community. SSDP and DPFMI are committed to providing education on harms caused by the war on drugs, working to involve youth in the political process, and promoting an open, honest, and rational discussion of alternative solutions to our nation's drug problems.

For more information, visit http://www.dpfmi.org/conf.htm.

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12. FEDERAL JUDGE REJECTS SANTA CRUZ MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWSUIT

Source: Drug War Chronicle, Issue #301 -- September 5, 2003 http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/301/full.shtml#wamm

US District Judge Jeremy Fogel in San Jose, California, dismissed a lawsuit against the federal government filed by the city and county of Santa Cruz and a raided medical marijuana dispensary, Wo/Men's Access to Medical Marijuana (http://www.wamm.org) on August 27. But Fogel also expressed sympathy for the plaintiffs and left them an opening to re-file the suit.

WAMM was raided by the DEA last September and 167 plants were seized, but WAMM operators Mike and Valerie Corral have never been charged with a crime. Shortly thereafter, the city of Santa Cruz made national headlines by allowing the distribution of medical marijuana to take place at city hall.

While other lawsuits attempting to block further federal raids have been filed, the suit jointly filed by WAMM and the city and county governments marked the first time a local or state government had joined such an action. In dismissing the suit, Fogel wrote that he is "acutely mindful of the suffering" of medical marijuana patients "and of the evidence that medicinal marijuana has helped to alleviate that suffering. As it commented at oral argument, the Court finds the declarations of the Patient-Plaintiffs deeply moving."

But despite his sympathies and the express will of California voters, "the legislative and executive branches of the federal government have a different view, and in a federal system, that view is controlling unless the federal government is acting in excess of its constitutional powers." Plaintiffs had not made such a showing, Fogel ruled, but left open a new hearing if they could make such a showing.

WAMM and Santa Cruz will appeal the decision, said Dan Abrahamson, legal affairs director of the Drug Policy Alliance and co-counsel in the case. "Sadly, the court's decision runs against justice, compassion and humanity, and will cause more people to suffer needlessly," he told a post-hearing press conference. "While we are clearly disappointed, we plan to appeal this decision and fully expect a more favorable outcome in the next court."

And the DEA? "For us," San Francisco DEA spokesman Richard Meyer told reporters, "it's going to be business as usual."

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13. ALASKA APPEALS COURT LEGALIZES SIMPLE MARIJUANA POSSESSION

Law Enforcement Dazed and Confused, Suffering Denial

Source:  Drug War Chronicle #303, September 19, 2003 http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/301/alaska.shtml

"Alaska citizens have the right to possess less than four ounces of marijuana in their home for personal use." -- Alaska Court of Appeals, Noy v. State, August 29, 2003

The Alaska Court of Appeals ruled August 29 that Alaska residents may possess up to four ounces of marijuana in their own homes without any criminal or civil penalty. The ruling, which cites a 1975 Alaska Supreme Court finding that the Alaska constitution's privacy provisions protect the personal possession and use of marijuana in the home, once again makes Alaska the only state in the country with legal marijuana in the home. (After the 1975 Ravin v. Alaska decision, the Alaska legislature eventually removed criminal penalties for possession of less than four ounces, but a 1990 voter initiative cheerlead by then drug czar William Bennett recriminalized simple pot possession. It has taken until now for the appeals courts to rule on a case that challenged the constitutionality of the 1990 vote.)

While sources in the Alaska Attorney General's office told DRCNet the state would appeal the ruling, as of last Friday the Court of Appeals' decision is the law of the land. But Alaska law enforcement, starting with the attorney general's office, doesn't seem to get it. Law enforcement spokesmen asked by DRCNet how they were reacting to the decision responded with a mixture of confusion and determination to keep on arresting domestic pot smokers and possessors.

[snip]

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14. TAKING AWAY MORE OF OUR RIGHTS

New "Drugs and Terrorism" Bill Must Be Stopped

Source:  Drug Policy Alliance action alert, September 16, 2003

Senators are drafting a "drugs and terrorism" bill that could treat many non-violent drug offenders as terrorists and strip away civil liberties from every American. Unless you tell your Senators "No way!" it could be introduced soon.

Fax your Senators at: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=500644&l=5288

It was bad enough that the government used tax payer dollars to produce ads calling marijuana users terrorists. Now things are more serious and the government is trying to create new laws  to boost their 'drug war' in the name of fighting terrorism.

'Vital Interdiction of Criminal Terrorist Organizations (VICTORY) Act of 2003' could turn out  to be more devastating for us (the ones these laws should protect) than the PATRIOT Act.

[snip]

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15. FIRST TOKERS OF HEALTH CANADA CANNABIS CALL IT DISGUSTING, WANT MONEY BACK

Source: Canadian Press (wire) September 15, 2003.  View the entire article at: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1390/a04.html

By Dean Beeby

OTTAWA (CP) - Some of the first patients to smoke Health Canada's government-approved marijuana say it's "disgusting" and want their money back...

Ten patients have registered with Health Canada to buy dope directly from the government to alleviate their medical symptoms. Another 39 applications are pending.

The department was compelled to begin direct distribution in July, following an Ontario court order this year that said needy patients should not be forced to get their cannabis on the streets or from authorized growers, who themselves obtain seeds or cuttings illegally.

The marijuana is being grown for Health Canada deep underground in a vacant mine section in Flin Flon, Man., by Prairie Plant Systems on a $5.75-million contract. The department originally intended that the product go first to accredited researchers to demonstrate whether or not cannabis is medically effective.

Health Minister Anne McLellan has said she opposes the direct distribution of government cannabis to patients and that the program will end if the department wins its appeal of the Ontario court decision.

The government dope also came under fire Monday from Canadians for Safe Access, a patients' rights group that is pressing for supplies of safe, effective marijuana.

Laboratory tests indicate the Health Canada product has only about three per cent THC - not the 10.2 per cent advertised - and contains contaminants such as lead and arsenic, said spokesman Philippe Lucas of Victoria.

[snip]

NOTES: 

*See exclusive, never-published high-resolution pictures of the Health Canada and VICS cannabis as well as the cannabinoid test results at: http://safeaccess.ca/research/HCvsVICSpics.htm

*See the Canadians for Safe Access press release “Health Canada Cannabis Exposed!” at http://safeaccess.ca/pr/csapr7.htm

*For the latest news about medical marijuana in Canada, see http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm

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16. DUTCH APPROVE CANNABIS AS PRESCRIPTION DRUG

Source: Reuters (wire) September 1, 2003

By Paul Gallagher

(Amsterdam)  The Netherlands Monday became the world's first country to make cannabis available as a prescription drug in pharmacies to treat cancer, HIV and multiple sclerosis patients, the Health Ministry said.

The Netherlands is making the drug widely available to chronically ill patients amid pressure on countries like Britain, Canada, Australia and the United States to relax restrictions on its supply as a medicine.

Dutch doctors will be allowed to prescribe it to treat chronic pain, nausea and loss of appetite in cancer and HIV patients, to alleviate MS sufferers' spasm pains and reduce physical or verbal tics in people suffering Tourette's syndrome.

[snip]

NOTE:  See also “Dutch Cannabis Initiative Stirs Interest in Europe” at http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1329/a03.html

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17. MS SOCIETY DEMANDS UK REGULATORS MAKE "QUICK DECISION" REGARDING USE OF MARIJUANA FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Source:  NORML News August 28, 2003 http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5735

(London, UK) The British Multiple Sclerosis Society has urged the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) to make a "quick decision" regarding the legalization of cannabis-based drugs for patients with MS and other ailments. NICE is currently evaluating the safety and efficacy of synthetic THC (marketed in the United States as Marinol) as well as a variety of sublingual marijuana extracts developed by the GW Pharmaceutical company. NICE is a regulatory agency that advises the National Health Service (NHS) on new medical treatments and issues guidelines to doctors.

"We are aware that some people with MS are already benefiting from the use of cannabis, but by being forced to engage in illegal activity are experiencing great distress and fear," the MS Society stated in a formal submission to NICE. "Offering cannabinoid-based treatment via the NHS will provide a much valued opportunity to use the drug in a safe and trusted environment."

According to a 2002 survey of British MS patients, 43 percent said they used cannabis therapeutically to alleviate symptoms of the disease. Most recently, a study published in the journal Clinical Rehabilitation reported that marijuana extracts alleviated pain and other neurogenic symptoms in patients suffering from MS and spinal cord injury who were unresponsive to standard therapy.

Britain's Medicines Control Agency (MCA) is currently reviewing clinical trail data from GW Pharmaceuticals on the efficacy of cannabis extracts on MS related pain, spasticity and bladder control. The MCA is expected to make a decision regarding the regulation of cannabis extracts later this year.

"In the meantime, we urge the courts to deal sympathetically with people with MS who are charged with cannabis use when seeking relief from their symptoms," the MS Society advised...

A copy of the MS Society's submission to NICE is available online at: http://www.mssociety.org.uk/

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The following items are included in every OPNews:

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OPNews DISCLAIMER

OPNews, a publication of Ohio Patient Network (OPN), provides medical cannabis news that affects Ohio patients, caregivers, and health professionals.

All articles are intended for educational purposes and do not reflect an official position, either positive or negative, by the OPN or its Board of Directors.

Ohio Patient Network does not endorse any candidates running for office. The reports of campaign-related activities are for educational purposes only.

For more information, contact Jean Taddie, Editor (editor@ohiopatient.net).

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YOU ARE INVITED TO OPN MEETINGS

The OPN Board of Directors invites you to participate in OPN patient forums, which are held at 7:30 p.m. (eastern time) the first Thursday of each month.  You are also welcome to attend the weekly OPN business meetings. 

These electronic voice/text meetings are held at the OPN chatroom in PalTalk (http://www.paltalk.com/).  To receive further information, including instructions for the PalTalk meeting room, check out http://www.ohiopatient.net/Paltalk instructions.htm or send e-mail to info@ohiopatient.net.

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HELP THE OPN SUPPORT PATIENTS

The Ohio Patient Network's goal is to provide a voice for Ohio's medicinal cannabis patients and create an environment where this vital medicine becomes an accepted and legitimate therapy. To do this, we need your help.

We'd like you to personally become involved in OPN by donating your time.  Please check out our various committees and activities at http://www.ohiopatient.net/Get_involved.htm. Respond with your interest to our Membership Coordinator, Doc Miller, at KRMiller@OhioPatient.net.

If you'd prefer, you can also support medicinal cannabis and what we are doing by contributing monetarily to OPN. Please note that the Ohio Patient Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in the State of Ohio.  Donations to OPN are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.

Please visit our donations page at http://www.ohiopatient.net/Donate.htm to make a contribution using your credit card. Please note that these donations will be processed through Paypal.

If you would prefer to donate by check or money order, please make them payable to the "Ohio Patient Network" and mail to P.O. Box 26353, Columbus, OH 43216.

Thank you for supporting the Ohio Patient Network.

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HOW TO GET YOUR INFORMATION IN OPNews

OPNews is published monthly. To have your information considered for publication, submit your story to editor@ohiopatient.net.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND ATTACHMENTS. Please do not boldface or italicize text. Include a contact name with a phone number and/or e-mail address with submissions.

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HOW TO BE REMOVED FROM THE OPNews LIST

You may sign off this list at any time by using the webform at www.ohiopatient.net.

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HOW TO CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR 

Find your Representative in the Ohio House at http://www.house.state.oh.us/jsps/Representatives.jsp

Find your Ohio Senator at http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/

Write to your officials care of their district office, or send your letter to their Columbus office at:

The Honorable (name)

Ohio House of Representatives

77 South High Street

Columbus, Ohio 43266-0603

-or-

The Honorable (name)

Ohio Senate Building

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Telephone calls and emails are also persuasive, especially when the constituent contacts the district office.