CANNABIS TRIAL LAUNCHED IN PATIENTS WITH MS

The world's biggest clinical trial of the cannabis plant got under way
this week at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth; the trial is looking at the
control of pain and tremors in multiple sclerosis. Twenty patients
were given their first doses of capsules containing cannabis oil,
tetrahydrocannabinol, or placebo. After three months, if all goes to
plan, the trial will be slowly extended across the country, eventually
taking in 660 participants in 40 centres.

The cannabis in multiple sclerosis study is sponsored by the Medical
Research Council and approved by the government, which has arranged
for the drug to be imported from Switzerland. A parallel study will
examine the effect of the drug on lower urinary tract symptoms.

Patients will undergo up to five weeks of titration, followed by two
months at a steady dose. "We're looking for a dose that can help
relieve symptoms with minimal side effects," said research registrar
Dr Patrick Fox. "We find that few patients want to be stoned or high
when they have to take the drug all the time."