MEDICAL COMPANY GROWING CANNABIS

A secret cannabis farm has been established with the support of the
Government to investigate the medicinal uses of the illegal drug. Thousands
of cannabis plants are being grown in large glasshouses, with humidity,
light and temperature controls, at an undisclosed location in south-east
England.

The 10 million pound project is being carried out behind tall fences, amid
tight security.

GW Pharmaceuticals, the first company licensed by the Government to
cultivate and possess large quanities of cannabis, has been advised on
security by the Home Office and Special Branch.

Dr Geoffrey Guy, who founded the company, hopes his research will lead to
the production of a cannabis inhaler that would offer pain relief from
multiple sclerosis, nerve damage and spinal injuries. Any pharmaceutical
product emerging from the project would only be available on prescription.

Dr Guy, 43, said: "There is a considerable body of evidence to suggest that
cannabis may have a number of medicinal uses."

These include the relief of pain in a number of conditions, an appetite
stimulent for AIDS sufferers and preventing nausea for chemotherapy
patients.

"But there have been very few systematic reseach programmes or controlled
clinical trial," he said.

"This is the first step towards being able to produce pharmaceutical grade
materials which can be used in clinical tests to establish the facts."

Dr Guy said he expected the Home Office would amend the Misuse of Drugs Act
if he developed a suitable product.