REEFER RESEARCH

[Ferre]

REEFER RESEARCH

 

The Vancouver Island Compassion Club Is Doing More Med-Pot Research

Than Anyone Else in North America.

 

Philippe Lucas, founder of the Vancouver Island Compassion

Society, is working on some exciting research into the effects of

medicinal cannabis.

 

In an exclusive interview with Cannabis Culture, Lucas explained that

most studies into medical cannabis have been limited to research in

test-tubes and on animals. Lucas is working with medical cannabis

clubs across Canada to find out more about the effects of marijuana,

specifically looking to find how different strains of cannabis affect

various ailments.

"It has long been known that certain strains are more effective in

alleviating certain symptoms," explained Lucas. "A general rule of

thumb is that Indicas, because of their more narcotic effect, are

typically better at alleviating generalized pain than Sativas, which

appear to be more effective in treating dystonic movement disorders

such as MS or epilepsy."

 

These different medical effects are due to the varying cannabinoid

profiles of different strains. "Studies have shown that CBD is an

effective anti-convulsant and anti-spasmatic," explained Lucas.

"Therefore it has been suggested that true Sativas may typically be

higher in CBD than their Indica cousins."

 

The specific medical effects of a cannabis strain depend on more than

just whether it is an Indica or Sativa. "There are numerous strains

that appear particularly effective at treating certain symptoms,"

explained Lucas. "The White family, such as White Widow and White

Rhino, are generally considered to be very good pain killers."

 

Cannabis Questionnaire

 

Lucas approached Dr Mark Ware from McGill University's Pain Center to

help him in his research. Dr Ware is a member of the Canadian

Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids in Human

Therapeutics, and is one of the world's foremost cannabis researchers.

He is currently awaiting a shipment of cannabis from the US

government, to begin one of two clinical cannabis studies approved and

funded by Health Canada.

 

Lucas approached Ware to get some help in developing a questionnaire

which could be circulated among the clients of Canada's current

med-pot compassion clubs. "By surveying the employees of these unique

organizations," explained Lucas, "we hope to see if there is any

strain/symptom consistency within the membership of Canadian clubs."

 

Lucas explained that this is only the first stage in what will be a

much more thorough investigation. "Should our analysis suggest that

there is a positive correlation between certain medical conditions and

certain cannabis varietals, this may posit a more specific

investigation into the cannabinoid profile of these strains, as well

as more specific clinical research into why one varietal might be more

effective than another in treating specific symptoms."

 

Lucas' survey has gone through preliminary approval with the McGill

Board of Ethics, and should be underway this spring.

 

Hepatitis Research

 

Lucas is also working other intriguing lines of research. He's begun

working with Dr Diana Sylvestre of the University of California, San

Francisco, to study how cannabis might increase the success of

Interferon treatment for hepatitis-C in intravenous drug users. In a

2002 study, Dr Sylvestre discovered that her study subjects who were

smoking pot had a much higher treatment success rate than the non-users.

 

When Lucas heard of Sylvestre's research, he forwarded the results to

Dr Ethan Russo, a neurobiologist who is editor of the Journal of

Cannabis Therapeutics.

 

"Dr Russo suggested that the results may be the attributable to an

immunological response," explained Lucas. "If we could prove that

cannabis actually had a positive impact on the immune system , we

could further defend and justify its medicinal use."

 

Lucas is now working with Dr Sylvestre and the BC Compassion Club

Society (BCCCS), to design an appropriate study. Together, VICS and

the BCCCS provide medicine to about 500 patients with hepatitis-C.

Lucas anticipates this study being concluded by the Spring.

"If the results of our study show that cannabis has a positive impact

on hep-c treatment outcomes, it would not only seriously change the

nature of hep-c treatment protocols, but also completely alter the US

perception of cannabis as a drug of abuse with no medical value,"

claimed Lucas. "In other words, our hope is that this research may

result in a change of our understanding of this medicinal herb, as

well as in the laws currently prohibiting its use."

 

The VICS plans to start up more studies over the next year, including

double-blind studies to test specific strains against various symptoms.

 

"It is our goal to use our unique knowledge base and membership to

oversee more medicinal cannabis research than any other government or

private institution in North America," says Lucas.

"This information will not be the property of federal government or

pharmaceutical interests; it will be made public so that we can all

benefit from a further understanding of cannabis and its incredible

medicinal properties."