CANNABIS TRIALS GO AHEAD

HUNDREDS of thousands of patients suffering from arthritis, cancer,
multiple sclerosis and back pain could be helped by cannabis, chemists
claim.

Now they hope to wear down the "prejudice" of Premier Tony Blair and Home
Secretary Jack Straw by proving its effectiveness in clinical trials.

Dr Geoffrey Guy, chairman of GW Pharmaceuticals, announcing the launch of
the licensed trials yesterday, said the numbers of people who could have
their suffering relieved was "mind-boggling." Leading campaigners who
favour the liberalisation of the law see the trials as the first step on
the road to legalisation.

Two thousand patients will take part in the trials over the next two or
three years. They will spray the cannabis under the tongue from where it
will be absorbed quickly into the system.

"We hope to demonstrate to the authorities the safety and efficacy of the
medicine," said Dr Guy. "There are patients who will benefit from these
medicines but who would not think of taking cannabis if they had to break
the law."

It is estimated that 10,000 people suffering acute pain and distress take
cannabis illegally. One of them is 52-year-old Elizabeth Ivol. She and
8,000 other MS sufferers regularly use cannabis in defiance of the law. She
risked jail three years ago when she was caught growing marijuana at her
home in the Orkneys but escaped with an admonishment.

Since then she has continued to use the drug and to supply it to other
sufferers. She said yesterday: "There is a huge network of people who are
using cannabis and helping each other get the drug. One of the favourite
ways of taking it is in melted chocolate. It controls my pain which is
otherwise unbearable. One thing that happens to me is that my eyesight
goes. I only need to smoke cannabis and my vision is restored."

There are 85,000 people suffering from multiple sclerosis and 45,000 with
spinal cord injury - two conditions being targeted in the trials. It is
possible cannabis as a prescription medicine could be available from 2003.

Labour MP Paul Flynn, who has a Bill to legalise medicinal cannabis coming
before the Commons, said: "I'm sure the trials will be successful. Cannabis
was even used by the Egyptians who built the pyramids."