CANNABIS CAN KILL PAIN, SAY EXPERTS

CANNABIS can kill pain, scientists confirmed last night.

They discovered that the drug acts on a circuit of the brain stem in a
similar way to morphine.

The results of the research -- published today in Nature magazine -- will
delight campaigners who want cannabis legalised for medical use.

Last night the Home Office signalled that the Government would amend drug
laws if the results are confirmed and the Medicines Control Agency issues
marketing authorisation.

Scientists at the University of California, found that cannabis acts in a
similar way to morphine in producing pain-relieving analgesia in a part of
the brain stem called the rostral ventromedial medulla.

Marijuana and its active constituent, D-9-THC, have been touted as
potential pain-relieving drugs, but until now there has been no conclusive
demonstration of this.

The House of Lords is due to report in November on cannabis and the Royal
Pharmaceutical Society is working on guidelines for research into the drug.

The British Medical Association wants the drug medically legalised.

A spokeswoman for the Home Office said: "If the benefits of cannabis-based
medicine are demonstrated scientifically and the marketing authorisation
was issued by the Medicines Control Agency, the Government would be looking
to propose amendments to the misuse of drugs legislation."

Checked-by: Richard Lake