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."