IACM Bulletin 1/17/2010 Brain Cancer cells, NJ MMJ Law, gateway theory debunked

[Sequoiacrone]

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IACM-Bulletin of 17 January 2010
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* IACM: In commemoration of Dr. Ester Fride
* USA: New Jersey becomes the 14th state to legalize the
medical use of cannabis
* Science: Cannabidiol enhances the anti-cancer effects of THC
on human brain cancer cells

1.

IACM: In commemoration of Dr. Ester Fride

It is with great sadness that the IACM informs their readers that
Ester Fride, the Israeli scientist who showed that a newborn
mammal cannot suckle and survive without a functional
endocannabinoid system, died on New Year's Day at the age of
56. The cause was lung cancer, diagnosed in July, 2008. Dr.
Fride, a professor at the College of Judea and Samaria in Ariel,
was the first awardee of the IACM Award for Basic Research in
2005.

In a very personal letter the chairman of the IACM, Ethan Russo,
wrote: "It is perhaps the greatest compliment that one can make
to a friend that has left us too early, that although we are grief-
stricken with their loss, the more pervasive feeling is one of
enrichment that we were lucky enough to walk with her in shared
experiences and thereby be enriched in our own lives."

In the future the IACM Award on Basic Research will be called
"Ester Fride Award".

2.

USA: New Jersey becomes the 14th state to legalize the medical
use of cannabis

On 11 January the New Jersey Legislature approved a bill that
would make the state the 14th in the USA, but one of the few on
the East Coast, to legalize the use of cannabis to help patients
with chronic illnesses. The measure, which would allow patients
diagnosed with severe illnesses like cancer, AIDS, and multiple
sclerosis to have access to cannabis grown and distributed
through state-monitored dispensaries, was passed by the General
Assembly by 48-14 and the State Senate by 25-13.

Governor Jon S. Corzine has said he would sign it into law.
Supporters said that within nine months, patients with a
prescription for cannabis from their doctors should be able to
obtain it at one of six dispensaries. New Jersey's law is regarded
as one of the most restrictive medical cannabis laws in the USA
because it would permit doctors to prescribe it for only a set list of
serious, chronic illnesses. The law would also forbid patients from
growing their own cannabis and from using it in public, and it
would regulate the drug under the strict conditions used to track
the distribution of medically prescribed opiates. Patients would be
limited to two ounces (57 grams) of cannabis per month.

More at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/ny...rijuana.html?e
mc=eta1

(Source: New York Times of 11 January 2010)

3.

Science: Cannabidiol enhances the anti-cancer effects of THC on
human brain cancer cells

According to research at the California Pacific Medical Center
Research Institute in San Francisco cannabidiol (CBD) increased
the inhibitory effects of dronabinol (THC) on human brain cancer
cell proliferation and survival. The two natural cannabinoids were
tested on two glioblastoma cells lines. THC and CBD acted
synergistically to inhibit cell proliferation. The treatment of
glioblastoma cells with both compounds led to significant
modulations of the cell cycle, induction of reactive oxygen species
(free radicals) and apoptosis (programmed cell death).

There were specific changes that were not observed with either
compound individually, indicating that the signal transduction
pathways affected by the combination treatment were unique.
Researcher concluded that these "results suggest that the addition
of cannabidiol to delta-9-THC may improve the overall
effectiveness of delta-9-THC in the treatment of glioblastoma in
cancer patients."

(Source: Marcu JP, Christian RT, Lau D, Zielinski AJ, Horowitz
MP, Lee J, Pakdel A, Allison J, Limbad C, Moore DH, Yount GL,
Desprez PY, McAllister SD.Cannabidiol enhances the inhibitory
effects of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol on human glioblastoma cell
proliferation and survival. Mol Cancer Ther 2010;9(1):180-9.)

4.

News in brief

***USA: California
A proposal to legalize and tax cannabis in California was
approved by an important committee of the Assembly on 12
January, but it is not expected to get further consideration by the
Legislature until next year. Backers hailed the committee's action
as historic because it represented the first approval of a proposal
to legalize cannabis by a legislative institution in the USA since
nearly 100 years. The legislation would allow those who are at
least 21 years old to possess up to an ounce (28.5 grams) of
cannabis for recreational use. (Source: Los Angeles Times of 12
January 2010)

***The Netherlands: Coffee shops
A plan to transform cannabis-vending coffee shops near the
borders into private clubs from January 1 has been postponed
indefinitely for further study, a Dutch official said on 4 January.
"We need to finalise our preparations before we can put the
project into operation," Petro Hermans, a project officer for the
city of Maastricht, told the media. The mayors of Maastricht and
seven other municipalities in the Limburg province announced last
May that about 30 coffee shops within their borders would
become private members' clubs from this year. (Source: AFP of 4
January 2010)


***Science: Gateway theory
A large international working group analysed data from the World
Health Organization on surveys carried out in 17 countries on
different continents. The data did not support the gateway theory
according to which the use of certain drugs (cannabis, tobacco,
etc.) leads to the use of harder drugs, which "implies that
successful efforts to prevent use of specific 'gateway' drugs may
not in themselves lead to major reductions in the use of later
drugs." (Source: Degenhardt L, et al. Drug Alcohol Depend, 2010
Jan 7. [Electronic publication ahead of print])

***Science: Sleep
According to research at the University of Mexico acute and
subchronic administration of the endocannabinoids anandamide or
oleamide increases a sleep phase called REM sleep (REM =
Rapid Eye Movement) in rats. This effect was mediated by CB1
receptors. Vividly recalled dreams mostly occur during REM
sleep. (Source: Herrera-Solís A, et al. Pharmacol Biochem
Behav, 2010 Jan 6. [Electronic publication ahead of print])

***Science: Immune system
According to research at the University of Gdansk, Poland, the
natural cannabinoid cannabidiol influences the immune system in
rats. Repeated treatment reduced the number of T cells and B
cells and enhanced non-specific antiviral and antitumour immune
response related to natural killer cells (NK cells) and natural killer
T cells (NKT cells). (Source: Ignatowska-Jankowska B, et al. J
Physiol Pharmacol 2009;60 Suppl 3:99-103.)

***Science: Diabetes
According to research at the University of Turin, Italy, a CB1
receptor antagonist (AM251) ameliorates the loss of proteins by
the kidneys in diabetic mice. Scientists demonstrated that CB1
receptors are increased in certain cells of the kidneys in
experimental type 1 diabetes. (Source: Barutta F, et al. Diabetes,
2010 Jan 12. [Electronic publication ahead of print])

***Science: Male fertility
Research at the University of Calabria, Italy, with human sperm
suggests that the blockade of the CB1 receptor by the CB1
receptor antagonist rimonabant improves sperm motility and
viability and induces the acquisition of fertilizing ability in sperm.
(Source: Aquila S, et al. Br J Pharmacol, 2010 Jan 8. [Electronic
publication ahead of print])

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