POT PAIN RELIEF QUESTIONED

Claims that cannabis relieves pain have been contradicted by new research.
UK anaesthetist Dilip Kapur told delegates at an Australian and New Zealand
pain conference that despite repeated claims that cannabis had medicinal
qualities, its use in chronic pain management was questionable.

The unpublished data released by Dr Kapur shows synthetic cannabinoid
nabilone (derived from the cannabis plant) did not reduce chronic pain in
people suffering from a variety of conditions, including nerve damage.

His comments at the conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, were based on
preliminary results from a 14-week trial of 60 people, many of whom had
experienced chronic pain for up to five years.

It appeared only patients (26) with spinal cord tumours experienced slight
pain relief from the cannabinoids, he said.

"First appearances (of the results) are disappointing," he said. "The
effect on chronic pain is limited. There does seem to be an area of
difference in people with spinal cord tumours."

Dr Kapur said 96 people were originally involved in the trial, but 36 had
pulled out because of the side effects of the cannabinoids, including
hallucination.

The research contradicts claims that cannabis is a wonder drug.

Pro-cannabis groups from around the world say the drug has medicinal
benefits. Various websites say cannabis reduces chronic pain caused by an
array of injuries.

It is also said to reduce muscle pain in multiple sclerosis sufferers,
reduce vomiting in AIDS and cancer patients, and relieve pain in glaucoma
patients. ALC's website said cannabinoids provided "non-addictive pain
control".

Cannabis advocate Michael Britnell said most of the evidence used on the
website was anecdotal.

"We have interviewed thousands of people," he said. "There is overwhelming
evidence that it is of benefit to people with long-term chronic pain ... it
is more than pain relief, it is a sense of wellbeing.

"You might still have the pain but you might be able to deal with it. It is
not like morphine where the pain goes away."

Mr Britnell questioned how cannabis could be scientifically ruled out for
pain relief when there were more than 100 different strains.