Sequoiacrone
June 29th, 2008, 01:01 PM
IACM Bulletin 6-08-08 Shengen Agreement, Brain research, Rimonabant
--------------------------------------------------------
IACM-Bulletin of 8 June 2008
--------------------------------------------------------
* Europe: Lawyer claims Ireland is in breach of the Schengen
Agreement over cannabis use by MS patient
* Science: Long-term heavy use of cannabis may cause two
important brain regions to shrink
* UK: Medical use of Rimonabant linked to 5 deaths in Great
Britain
1.
Europe: Lawyer claims Ireland is in breach of the Schengen
Agreement over cannabis use by MS patient
A Dutch lawyer has claimed the Irish Government is in breach of
its commitments to the Schengen Agreement by not allowing a
multiple sclerosis patient into the country in possession of
cannabis he requires for medicinal purposes. Noel McCullagh is
involved in a legal battle to allow him to return to Ireland from
the Netherlands in possession of his prescribed cannabis. Mr
McCullagh said he has been unable to see his parents for two
years because he would be arrested if found in possession of the
drug by Irish officials.
His lawyer, Jasper Pauw, said that under Schengen, an
agreement designed to abolish physical borders between
European countries, Mr McCullagh should be allowed to bring
the cannabis into Ireland. He said that Ireland signed Article 75
of the Schengen Agreement. "This says when people use a
medicine in a certain Schengen country and the medicine is legal
in that country, people can travel freely inside the Schengen zone
and bring that medicine as long as they have a certificate," he
said. A spokeswoman of the Irish Department of Health said,
"Any person entering the country with medicinal cannabis could
be charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act with unauthorised
possession." The case is currently undergoing an evaluation by
the Department of Justice.
More at:
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0531/1212156 (http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0531/1212156)
446070.html#
(Source: The Irish Times of 31 May 2008)
2.
Science: Long-term heavy use of cannabis may cause two
important brain regions to shrink
According to research by an Australian group heavy long-term
cannabis use may cause two brain regions (hippocampus and
amygdala), which are rich in cannabinoid receptors to shrink.
The scientists compared brain scans of 15 cannabis users (mean
age: 39.8 years), who had used at least 5 cannabis cigarettes
daily for at least 10 years (average: 19.7 years) with 16 non-
users (mean age: 36.4 years). In the cannabis group the volume
of the hippocampus was on average 12 per cent and the volume
of the amygdala on average 7 per cent smaller. The
hippocampus plays an important role in memory and emotion,
while the amygdala plays a critical role in fear and aggression.
The cannabis users were also more likely to exhibit mild signs of
psychotic disorders.
The article received much media coverage. Critics pointed out
that this research was conducted with only a few participants,
and that the vast majority of cannabis users do not have such
heavy consumption rates. Earlier research by scientists of
Havard University in Boston, USA, published in 2005, did not
find any differences in the average volume of the hippocampus in
22 long-term heavy cannabis users compared to 26 non-users.
The researchers of the new study acknowledged that their
investigation did not prove it was the cannabis and not some
other factor that caused the brain differences. But lead
researcher Dr. Murat Yucel said the findings certainly suggested
cannabis was the cause.
More at:
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN02271474 (http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN02271474)
(Sources: Reuters of 2 June 2008; Yücel M, Solowij N,
Respondek C, Whittle S, Fornito A, Pantelis C, Lubman DI.
Regional Brain Abnormalities Associated With Long-term
Heavy Cannabis Use. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008;65(6):694-
701.)
3.
UK: Regulatory agency reports that the medical use of
Rimonabant was linked to 5 deaths in Great Britain
Rimonabant has been linked to five deaths and 2123 adverse
drug reactions (in 720 reports to the agency) in Britain since its
launch two years ago, according to a report of British regulatory
authorities for medicines (Medicines and Healthcare Products
Regulatory Agency). Rimonabant is a cannabinoid receptor
blocker of the company Sanofi-Aventis, which is available in the
UK and other European countries under the brand name
Acomplia for the reduction of weight. The drug was once seen
as a multibillion-dollar seller for the French company but its
future has been unclear since a panel of the U.S. regulatory
agency for medicines (FDA) rejected it a year ago, amid fears it
may cause suicidal thoughts.
According to the figures there was one case of suicide and two
suicide attempts. The other four deaths related to two cases of
fatal heart attack, one sudden death and one case of infectious
disease. Adverse drug reactions included 48 cases of suicidal
thoughts and 149 cases of depression. Sanofi-Aventis pointed
out that the deaths were seen in a population group that already
had associated cardiovascular risk factors, in addition to obesity.
More at:
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssHealthcareNews/idUSL0386 (http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssHealthcareNews/idUSL0386)
413220080603
(Sources: Reuters of 3 June 2008, Deutsches Aerzteblatt of 4
June 2008)
4.
News in brief
***USA: California
According to an article of the New York Times the state of
California earns about 100 million US Dollars (about 64 million
Euros) in state sale taxes from the 2 billion US Dollars (about
1,3 billion Euros) revenues by the estimated 500 medical
cannabis dispensaries. More at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/31/technology/31online.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/31/technology/31online.html)
(Source: New York Times of 31 May 2008)
***Science: Potency of cannabis
Researchers of the Australian National Drug and Alcohol
Research Centre reviewed the available international literature of
patterns of THC content in cannabis. They note that "cannabis
samples tested in the United States, the Netherlands, United
Kingdom and Italy have shown increases in potency over the
last 10 years. Some countries have not shown significant
increases in potency, while other countries have not monitored
potency over time." They concluded that "claims made in the
public domain about a 20- or 30-fold increase in cannabis
potency (...) are not supported currently by the evidence."
(Source: McLaren J, et al. Addiction 2008 May 20. [Electronic
publication ahead of print])
***Science: Inflammation of the bowel
Animal research in mice shows that substances that increase the
concentration of endocannabinoids reduce inflammation of the
bowel. (Source: Storr MA, et al. J Mol Med 2008 May 21.
[Electronic publication ahead of print])
***Science: THC effects
Dutch researchers administered increasing doses of THC (2, 4,
6 and 8 mg) at intervals of 90 minutes with a vaporizer to healthy
subjects. While heart rate showed a sharp increase and rapid
decline after each THC administration, different subjective
parameters (alertness, psychological effects) did not return to
baseline between doses. (Source: Zuurman L, et al. J
Psychopharmacol 2008 May 30. [Electronic publication ahead
of print])
***Science: Cannabis withdrawal
Australian researchers conducted a pilot study with 20
participants to investigate the effects of lithium carbonate against
symptoms of cannabis withdrawal. Two participants withdrew
due to adverse effects. 12 participants completed the 7-day
treatment program and 5 reported continuous abstinence after a
mean follow-up of 107 days. Researchers recommend the
conduction of a placebo controlled trial. (Source: Winstock AR,
et al. J Psychopharmacol. 2008 May 30. [Electronic publication
ahead of print])
***Science: Eye pupil size
While moderate THC doses usually do not significantly change
the size of the eye pupil, research from Morocco showed that
pupil size may be influenced. Pupil diameter variations before
and after smoking of cannabis were measured in 34 eyes of 17
volunteers in a dark closed room. Results revealed a significant
increase in pupil size by cannabis use. (Source: Merzouki A, et
al. J Forensic Leg Med 2008;15(5):335-8.)
***Science: Use by adolescents
Research with 549 French adolescents with an average age of
15.5 years showed that the use of cannabis was not significantly
influenced by the attitudes of their parents towards the use of
cannabis but by the former or current use of the drug by their
fathers. Researchers concluded that "the absence of influence of
parental attitudes toward use suggests that parental disapproval
of use is not effective in preventing use, whereas the example of
father's use or non-use influences adolescent use." (Source:
Chabrol H, et al. Encephale 2008;34(1):8-16.)
***Science: Later development
According to a longitudinal study conducted in New Zealand
cannabis use at ages 14-21 was associated with a lower
educatinal level and lower income by age 25, higher
unemployment and lower levels of life satisfaction. Researchers
concluded that "the results of the present study suggest that
increasing cannabis use in late adolescence and early adulthood
is associated with a range of adverse outcomes in later life."
(Source: Fergusson DM & Boden JM. Addiction
2008;103(6):969-76.)
5.
ONE YEAR AGO:
- Science: THC improves appetite and reverses weight loss in
AIDS patients
- Science: Ointment with THC reduces allergic skin reaction in
mice
TWO YEARS AGO:
- Science: THC reduces pain due to fibromyalgia in pilot study
- Science: Cannabidiol inhibits tumour growth in leukaemia and
breast cancer in animal studies
(More at the IACM-Bulletin archives: http://www.cannabis (http://www.cannabis/)-
med.org/)
International Association for Cannabis as Medicine (IACM)
Am Mildenweg 6
D-59602 Ruethen
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)2952-9708571
Fax: +49 (0)2952-902651
Email: info@cannabis-med.org (info@cannabis-med.org)
http://www.cannabis-med.org (http://www.cannabis-med.org/)
If you want to be deleted from or added to the IACM-Bulletin
mailing list or if you want to change your e-mail address please
visit
www.cannabis-med.org/english/subscribe.htm (http://www.cannabis-med.org/english/subscribe.htm). You may choose
between different languages (English, German, French, Dutch,
Italian and Spanish).
The articles of the IACM-Bulletin can be printed, translated and
distributed freely for any non-commercial purposes, provided
the original work is properly cited. The source of the IACM-
Bulletin is "IACM, www.cannabis-med.org (http://www.cannabis-med.org/)".
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------
IACM-Bulletin of 8 June 2008
--------------------------------------------------------
* Europe: Lawyer claims Ireland is in breach of the Schengen
Agreement over cannabis use by MS patient
* Science: Long-term heavy use of cannabis may cause two
important brain regions to shrink
* UK: Medical use of Rimonabant linked to 5 deaths in Great
Britain
1.
Europe: Lawyer claims Ireland is in breach of the Schengen
Agreement over cannabis use by MS patient
A Dutch lawyer has claimed the Irish Government is in breach of
its commitments to the Schengen Agreement by not allowing a
multiple sclerosis patient into the country in possession of
cannabis he requires for medicinal purposes. Noel McCullagh is
involved in a legal battle to allow him to return to Ireland from
the Netherlands in possession of his prescribed cannabis. Mr
McCullagh said he has been unable to see his parents for two
years because he would be arrested if found in possession of the
drug by Irish officials.
His lawyer, Jasper Pauw, said that under Schengen, an
agreement designed to abolish physical borders between
European countries, Mr McCullagh should be allowed to bring
the cannabis into Ireland. He said that Ireland signed Article 75
of the Schengen Agreement. "This says when people use a
medicine in a certain Schengen country and the medicine is legal
in that country, people can travel freely inside the Schengen zone
and bring that medicine as long as they have a certificate," he
said. A spokeswoman of the Irish Department of Health said,
"Any person entering the country with medicinal cannabis could
be charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act with unauthorised
possession." The case is currently undergoing an evaluation by
the Department of Justice.
More at:
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0531/1212156 (http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0531/1212156)
446070.html#
(Source: The Irish Times of 31 May 2008)
2.
Science: Long-term heavy use of cannabis may cause two
important brain regions to shrink
According to research by an Australian group heavy long-term
cannabis use may cause two brain regions (hippocampus and
amygdala), which are rich in cannabinoid receptors to shrink.
The scientists compared brain scans of 15 cannabis users (mean
age: 39.8 years), who had used at least 5 cannabis cigarettes
daily for at least 10 years (average: 19.7 years) with 16 non-
users (mean age: 36.4 years). In the cannabis group the volume
of the hippocampus was on average 12 per cent and the volume
of the amygdala on average 7 per cent smaller. The
hippocampus plays an important role in memory and emotion,
while the amygdala plays a critical role in fear and aggression.
The cannabis users were also more likely to exhibit mild signs of
psychotic disorders.
The article received much media coverage. Critics pointed out
that this research was conducted with only a few participants,
and that the vast majority of cannabis users do not have such
heavy consumption rates. Earlier research by scientists of
Havard University in Boston, USA, published in 2005, did not
find any differences in the average volume of the hippocampus in
22 long-term heavy cannabis users compared to 26 non-users.
The researchers of the new study acknowledged that their
investigation did not prove it was the cannabis and not some
other factor that caused the brain differences. But lead
researcher Dr. Murat Yucel said the findings certainly suggested
cannabis was the cause.
More at:
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN02271474 (http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN02271474)
(Sources: Reuters of 2 June 2008; Yücel M, Solowij N,
Respondek C, Whittle S, Fornito A, Pantelis C, Lubman DI.
Regional Brain Abnormalities Associated With Long-term
Heavy Cannabis Use. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2008;65(6):694-
701.)
3.
UK: Regulatory agency reports that the medical use of
Rimonabant was linked to 5 deaths in Great Britain
Rimonabant has been linked to five deaths and 2123 adverse
drug reactions (in 720 reports to the agency) in Britain since its
launch two years ago, according to a report of British regulatory
authorities for medicines (Medicines and Healthcare Products
Regulatory Agency). Rimonabant is a cannabinoid receptor
blocker of the company Sanofi-Aventis, which is available in the
UK and other European countries under the brand name
Acomplia for the reduction of weight. The drug was once seen
as a multibillion-dollar seller for the French company but its
future has been unclear since a panel of the U.S. regulatory
agency for medicines (FDA) rejected it a year ago, amid fears it
may cause suicidal thoughts.
According to the figures there was one case of suicide and two
suicide attempts. The other four deaths related to two cases of
fatal heart attack, one sudden death and one case of infectious
disease. Adverse drug reactions included 48 cases of suicidal
thoughts and 149 cases of depression. Sanofi-Aventis pointed
out that the deaths were seen in a population group that already
had associated cardiovascular risk factors, in addition to obesity.
More at:
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssHealthcareNews/idUSL0386 (http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssHealthcareNews/idUSL0386)
413220080603
(Sources: Reuters of 3 June 2008, Deutsches Aerzteblatt of 4
June 2008)
4.
News in brief
***USA: California
According to an article of the New York Times the state of
California earns about 100 million US Dollars (about 64 million
Euros) in state sale taxes from the 2 billion US Dollars (about
1,3 billion Euros) revenues by the estimated 500 medical
cannabis dispensaries. More at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/31/technology/31online.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/31/technology/31online.html)
(Source: New York Times of 31 May 2008)
***Science: Potency of cannabis
Researchers of the Australian National Drug and Alcohol
Research Centre reviewed the available international literature of
patterns of THC content in cannabis. They note that "cannabis
samples tested in the United States, the Netherlands, United
Kingdom and Italy have shown increases in potency over the
last 10 years. Some countries have not shown significant
increases in potency, while other countries have not monitored
potency over time." They concluded that "claims made in the
public domain about a 20- or 30-fold increase in cannabis
potency (...) are not supported currently by the evidence."
(Source: McLaren J, et al. Addiction 2008 May 20. [Electronic
publication ahead of print])
***Science: Inflammation of the bowel
Animal research in mice shows that substances that increase the
concentration of endocannabinoids reduce inflammation of the
bowel. (Source: Storr MA, et al. J Mol Med 2008 May 21.
[Electronic publication ahead of print])
***Science: THC effects
Dutch researchers administered increasing doses of THC (2, 4,
6 and 8 mg) at intervals of 90 minutes with a vaporizer to healthy
subjects. While heart rate showed a sharp increase and rapid
decline after each THC administration, different subjective
parameters (alertness, psychological effects) did not return to
baseline between doses. (Source: Zuurman L, et al. J
Psychopharmacol 2008 May 30. [Electronic publication ahead
of print])
***Science: Cannabis withdrawal
Australian researchers conducted a pilot study with 20
participants to investigate the effects of lithium carbonate against
symptoms of cannabis withdrawal. Two participants withdrew
due to adverse effects. 12 participants completed the 7-day
treatment program and 5 reported continuous abstinence after a
mean follow-up of 107 days. Researchers recommend the
conduction of a placebo controlled trial. (Source: Winstock AR,
et al. J Psychopharmacol. 2008 May 30. [Electronic publication
ahead of print])
***Science: Eye pupil size
While moderate THC doses usually do not significantly change
the size of the eye pupil, research from Morocco showed that
pupil size may be influenced. Pupil diameter variations before
and after smoking of cannabis were measured in 34 eyes of 17
volunteers in a dark closed room. Results revealed a significant
increase in pupil size by cannabis use. (Source: Merzouki A, et
al. J Forensic Leg Med 2008;15(5):335-8.)
***Science: Use by adolescents
Research with 549 French adolescents with an average age of
15.5 years showed that the use of cannabis was not significantly
influenced by the attitudes of their parents towards the use of
cannabis but by the former or current use of the drug by their
fathers. Researchers concluded that "the absence of influence of
parental attitudes toward use suggests that parental disapproval
of use is not effective in preventing use, whereas the example of
father's use or non-use influences adolescent use." (Source:
Chabrol H, et al. Encephale 2008;34(1):8-16.)
***Science: Later development
According to a longitudinal study conducted in New Zealand
cannabis use at ages 14-21 was associated with a lower
educatinal level and lower income by age 25, higher
unemployment and lower levels of life satisfaction. Researchers
concluded that "the results of the present study suggest that
increasing cannabis use in late adolescence and early adulthood
is associated with a range of adverse outcomes in later life."
(Source: Fergusson DM & Boden JM. Addiction
2008;103(6):969-76.)
5.
ONE YEAR AGO:
- Science: THC improves appetite and reverses weight loss in
AIDS patients
- Science: Ointment with THC reduces allergic skin reaction in
mice
TWO YEARS AGO:
- Science: THC reduces pain due to fibromyalgia in pilot study
- Science: Cannabidiol inhibits tumour growth in leukaemia and
breast cancer in animal studies
(More at the IACM-Bulletin archives: http://www.cannabis (http://www.cannabis/)-
med.org/)
International Association for Cannabis as Medicine (IACM)
Am Mildenweg 6
D-59602 Ruethen
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)2952-9708571
Fax: +49 (0)2952-902651
Email: info@cannabis-med.org (info@cannabis-med.org)
http://www.cannabis-med.org (http://www.cannabis-med.org/)
If you want to be deleted from or added to the IACM-Bulletin
mailing list or if you want to change your e-mail address please
visit
www.cannabis-med.org/english/subscribe.htm (http://www.cannabis-med.org/english/subscribe.htm). You may choose
between different languages (English, German, French, Dutch,
Italian and Spanish).
The articles of the IACM-Bulletin can be printed, translated and
distributed freely for any non-commercial purposes, provided
the original work is properly cited. The source of the IACM-
Bulletin is "IACM, www.cannabis-med.org (http://www.cannabis-med.org/)".
__________________