Sequoiacrone
August 1st, 2008, 01:21 PM
Differential effects of medical marijuana
based on strain and route of administration:
A three-year observational study by Valerie Leveroni Corral
Of The Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana
309 Cedar Street #39
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
A collective of patients and caregivers, creating community, building hope, dissolving barriers, providing support and free medical marijuana since 1993
www.wamm.org (http://www.wamm.org/)
Return Back To Main Medical Page (http://www.onlinepot.org/medicalreports.htm)
Abstract
Cannabis displays substantial effectiveness to affect a variety of medical symptoms. Seventy-seven patients took part in a study in California to assess the efficacy of organically grown Cannabis sativa and indica strains in treatment of various medical conditions via smoking or ingestion. HIV/AIDS was the most frequent condition reported, at 51%. Standardized rating forms provided 1892 records that were statistically analyzed. Results demonstrated that in the case of nausea and spasm, changes in symptom expression are definitely affected by method of cannabis administration. However, while Cannabis indica strains increased energy and appetite, it is useful to note that in treating nausea in HIV/AIDS and orthopedic diagnosis groups, Cannabis sativa and C. indica strains proved equivalent.
Keywords: cannabis, medical marijuana, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, AIDS, HIV
Introduction
Marijuana, whether Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica, produces its medical and other effects by virtue of the concentration and balance of various active ingredients, especially the cannabinoids, which are unique to marijuana, but including also a wide range of terpenoids and flavonoids (McPartland and Mediavilla 2001; McPartland and Pruitt 1999). Terpenoids are cannabis constituents that provide the characteristic strong odor of marijuana and hashish. Flavonoids are any of the flavone derivatives. The concentration and relative proportions of these ingredients depend on the plant's genetic structure and applied hybridization techniques, and as such, allow for a substantially varied outcome.
Little is known about how differences in constituent profiles translate into differences in therapeutic effectiveness. A range of differentiable effects has been ascribed to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol is the primary psychoactive component of marijuana) and CBD (cannabidiol, a compound related to THC) when administered in purified form (Iversen 2000). Studies are lacking on the differential clinical effects produced when varying "menus" of constituents are taken together.
Another factor bearing on the effects and the effectiveness of marijuana is the route of administration. Orally administered marijuana is absorbed more slowly than when delivered systemically (e.g., smoking, vaporizers). Moreover, the liver metabolizes orally ingested marijuana. This produces a potent and long-acting cannabinoid (11-hydroxy-THC), which induces varied reactions in medical marijuana patients and is not often well tolerated (Grotenhermen 2001). However, once more, there is little information available concerning the differential clinical effects of oral vs. smoked forms of marijuana.
A major obstacle to obtaining data concerning differential clinical effects produced by varying strains of cannabis and by different routes of administration is, of course, the common illegality of medical marijuana use. Almost equally troublesome, however, is the widespread view that medical knowledge can be gained only through randomized controlled trials. It is becoming increasingly accepted that valid causal inferences can be, and frequently are drawn quite regularly in medicine without such studies. As such, observational studies are quite capable of generating useful information, provided due care is taken to keep careful track of the process. In this case, careful and consistent documentation would be required concerning: 1) which forms of marijuana are being taken, by what route, and: 2) what outcome is experienced by patients.
The passage of Proposition 215 in California in 1996 legalized medical marijuana under state law, thus clearing some legal obstacles to research. Prior to the passage of Proposition 215, two or more cannabis buyers’ clubs and our collective comprised of patients and caregivers were in operation. Several provider associations have been operating since that time despite harassment of some by law enforcement agencies.
Valerie Leveroni Corral founded the Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana, WAMM in 1993. WAMM is a collective of patients and caregivers attempting to create community, build hope, dissolve barriers, and provide support and medical marijuana at no cost to patient members who possess a signed and verified recommendation from a physician licensed to practice medicine in California. A genetically monitored, organic, communal garden is tended by WAMM client/ participants under the direction of Mike Corral and Valerie A. Leveroni Corral.
A primary function in this community based educational system is the creation of a database of information regarding the treatment of different symptoms with distinct cannabis varieties. This is achieved through daily effectiveness surveys and statistical analysis. Our present collection of data also includes measures of effectiveness of cannabis on other autoimmune illnesses, such as systemic lupus erythematosis, as well the many other disorders, including muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, quadriplegia, paraplegia, Parkinson's disease, glaucoma, arthritis, fibromyalgia, depression and migraine. However, AIDS and HIV-related conditions are the most frequently represented among our clientele.
Conclusions
There were observed changes in pain, energy, nausea, appetite, and awareness variables from the use of the test article.
Here is the complete article:
http://www.onlinepot.org/medical/differenteffectssofmedicalmarijuana.htm
based on strain and route of administration:
A three-year observational study by Valerie Leveroni Corral
Of The Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana
309 Cedar Street #39
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
A collective of patients and caregivers, creating community, building hope, dissolving barriers, providing support and free medical marijuana since 1993
www.wamm.org (http://www.wamm.org/)
Return Back To Main Medical Page (http://www.onlinepot.org/medicalreports.htm)
Abstract
Cannabis displays substantial effectiveness to affect a variety of medical symptoms. Seventy-seven patients took part in a study in California to assess the efficacy of organically grown Cannabis sativa and indica strains in treatment of various medical conditions via smoking or ingestion. HIV/AIDS was the most frequent condition reported, at 51%. Standardized rating forms provided 1892 records that were statistically analyzed. Results demonstrated that in the case of nausea and spasm, changes in symptom expression are definitely affected by method of cannabis administration. However, while Cannabis indica strains increased energy and appetite, it is useful to note that in treating nausea in HIV/AIDS and orthopedic diagnosis groups, Cannabis sativa and C. indica strains proved equivalent.
Keywords: cannabis, medical marijuana, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, AIDS, HIV
Introduction
Marijuana, whether Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica, produces its medical and other effects by virtue of the concentration and balance of various active ingredients, especially the cannabinoids, which are unique to marijuana, but including also a wide range of terpenoids and flavonoids (McPartland and Mediavilla 2001; McPartland and Pruitt 1999). Terpenoids are cannabis constituents that provide the characteristic strong odor of marijuana and hashish. Flavonoids are any of the flavone derivatives. The concentration and relative proportions of these ingredients depend on the plant's genetic structure and applied hybridization techniques, and as such, allow for a substantially varied outcome.
Little is known about how differences in constituent profiles translate into differences in therapeutic effectiveness. A range of differentiable effects has been ascribed to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol is the primary psychoactive component of marijuana) and CBD (cannabidiol, a compound related to THC) when administered in purified form (Iversen 2000). Studies are lacking on the differential clinical effects produced when varying "menus" of constituents are taken together.
Another factor bearing on the effects and the effectiveness of marijuana is the route of administration. Orally administered marijuana is absorbed more slowly than when delivered systemically (e.g., smoking, vaporizers). Moreover, the liver metabolizes orally ingested marijuana. This produces a potent and long-acting cannabinoid (11-hydroxy-THC), which induces varied reactions in medical marijuana patients and is not often well tolerated (Grotenhermen 2001). However, once more, there is little information available concerning the differential clinical effects of oral vs. smoked forms of marijuana.
A major obstacle to obtaining data concerning differential clinical effects produced by varying strains of cannabis and by different routes of administration is, of course, the common illegality of medical marijuana use. Almost equally troublesome, however, is the widespread view that medical knowledge can be gained only through randomized controlled trials. It is becoming increasingly accepted that valid causal inferences can be, and frequently are drawn quite regularly in medicine without such studies. As such, observational studies are quite capable of generating useful information, provided due care is taken to keep careful track of the process. In this case, careful and consistent documentation would be required concerning: 1) which forms of marijuana are being taken, by what route, and: 2) what outcome is experienced by patients.
The passage of Proposition 215 in California in 1996 legalized medical marijuana under state law, thus clearing some legal obstacles to research. Prior to the passage of Proposition 215, two or more cannabis buyers’ clubs and our collective comprised of patients and caregivers were in operation. Several provider associations have been operating since that time despite harassment of some by law enforcement agencies.
Valerie Leveroni Corral founded the Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana, WAMM in 1993. WAMM is a collective of patients and caregivers attempting to create community, build hope, dissolve barriers, and provide support and medical marijuana at no cost to patient members who possess a signed and verified recommendation from a physician licensed to practice medicine in California. A genetically monitored, organic, communal garden is tended by WAMM client/ participants under the direction of Mike Corral and Valerie A. Leveroni Corral.
A primary function in this community based educational system is the creation of a database of information regarding the treatment of different symptoms with distinct cannabis varieties. This is achieved through daily effectiveness surveys and statistical analysis. Our present collection of data also includes measures of effectiveness of cannabis on other autoimmune illnesses, such as systemic lupus erythematosis, as well the many other disorders, including muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, quadriplegia, paraplegia, Parkinson's disease, glaucoma, arthritis, fibromyalgia, depression and migraine. However, AIDS and HIV-related conditions are the most frequently represented among our clientele.
Conclusions
There were observed changes in pain, energy, nausea, appetite, and awareness variables from the use of the test article.
Here is the complete article:
http://www.onlinepot.org/medical/differenteffectssofmedicalmarijuana.htm