In our Medical Marijuana News you will find the latest news on the topic of cannabis in medicine.
In the July / August issue we have news on the treatment of epilepsy in children - there is a new study on cannabis in cancer from Israel - new research shows that cannabinoids may help with sickle cell anomaly - a short film preview of Bud Buddies: Project Storm - and some more....
Study demonstrates treatment satisfaction and benefits of different strains
In June, a Dutch study was published that investigated the efficacy of medical cannabis and the subjective effects of different marijuana strains. Special attention was paid to the THC and CBD content of the individual strains and the thus different effects. A group of 102 patients receiving medical cannabis flowers, such as Bedrocan from the pharmacy, was interviewed.
Study participants had an average age of 53 years and 76% of them had been using cannabis for more than one year. Most study participants used marijuana for chronic pain (53%) and multiple sclerosis (23%). 86% of study participants reported satisfactory therapeutic effects with (almost) every use. However, the effects of the different strains differed in terms of an appetite stimulating effect, anxiety, and fear. The results of the study show that the participating patients have a satisfactory therapeutic benefit from the use of cannabis, especially pain patients. However, there are subjectively different effects with different strains, which are caused by different cannabinoid compositions. Therefore, in the future, the effects of different cannabinoids should be researched in more detail and individually suitable strains should be used, rather than just relying on 4, 5 standard strains.
( Source: J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2014 Jun;34(3):344-9. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000000129. )
Israeli study proves success in the treatment of cancer patients
Another study from Israel, published in June in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, looks at the benefits of cannabis in cancer patients. It involved 68 patients who had a permit to purchase cannabis for medical purposes. The participants in the study had an average age of 60 and mostly suffered from metastatic cancers. 70% of them stated that there was significant pain relief and improvement in general condition from the use of marijuana. 60% also noticed an increase in appetite and 50% of the participants improved nausea caused by chemotherapy. The noted side effects of cannabis were mild and resulted mainly in fatigue.
( Source: http://www.jpsmjournal.com/article/S0885-3924%2814%2900312-1/abstract )
CBD in children with epilepsy
Initial results of clinical trials with GW Pharmaceuticals' Epidiolex for the treatment of severe 
epileptic disorders are very promising. The company, which grows cannabis under license at a secret location in London and develops so-called cannabinoid drugs from it, is currently testing its new drug on 27 U.S. children and adolescents (average age 10.5 years) suffering from Dravet syndrome, a treatment-resistant epilepsy. They were given Epidiolex twice daily as a strawberry syrup. The drug contains CBD but no psychoactive THC. After 12 weeks of therapy, the seizure symptoms decreased by more than 50%, and 33% of the patients were even completely symptom-free. Phase II and III trials are now planned for the second half of the year, and if there are no delays, Epidiolex should be ready for approval in Europe and the US in 2016.
The association Realm of Caring confirms the success of CBD in the treatment of epilepsy in children. Out of 200 children treated by the association, 78% showed a significant decrease in seizures, and 25% of the children treated were even completely seizure free. Real of Caring treats with a CBD extract from the Charlotte's Web strain, which has a CBD:THC ratio of 28:1.
Marijuana could relieve pain from sickle cell anomaly
Sickle cell anomaly is a genetic disorder caused by a change in hemoglobin, the protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood, 
is caused. The blood cells have a sickle shape instead of a healthy round shape. The blood cells cause blood stasis, resulting in pain and organ damage. Morphines are usually used to treat the pain, but scientists and patients believe there are better treatment options. In addition to the risk of addiction, opiates are often not effective. In addition, serious side effects, such as depression, often occur and it is difficult to dose them properly.
Scientists at the University of Minnesota have now found in mice that cannabinoids give very good results in treatment. However, in order to begin the next phase of the $9.5 million study, the researchers will have to move to California because of the law. There, at the moment, begins clinical trials with 35 patients receiving cannabis in the vaporizer. Donald Simone, one of the study leaders, says marijuana could be a solution for patients with sickle cell anomaly because it has a great analgesic (pain-relieving) effect without serious side effects like morphine.
( Source: http://www.mndaily.com/news/campus/2014/06/10/medical-marijuana-could-treat-pain-caused-sickle-cell-disease )
Bud Buddies: Project Storm - A film about the treatment of cancer with cannabis
The film follows the work of the medical organization Bud Buddies as well as the lives of 4 adults and two parents who asked the organization to help them fight cancer with cannabis oil.
The film shows the unique work of the Bud Buddies, an organization that after providing cannabis to sick people for 15 years and dedicated to the treatment of cancer for 4 years. For this, the members researched underground for 4 years, had numerous court cases and several convictions for providing cannabis to people seeking help. The filmmakers not only show the daily work, but through the patients Brian, Reka, Tim, Jackie and the children involved, they want to bring the information about cannabis for cancer directly to society. It shows the lives and improvements achieved through the use of marijuana, as well as the problems with absurd laws and conventions.
And besides all that, it answers the question that concerns us all: can cannabis stop or destroy cancer?
( Source: http://projectstormthefilm.com/ )
Cannabis cultivation allowed by court under conditions for pain patients
Self-cultivation for patients now also legally possible in Germany?
On June 22, the Administrative Court of Cologne announced the verdict on the self-cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes. 5 pain patients, who have a permit to purchase cannabis from the pharmacy to use it for medical purposes, sued the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), which refuses them a self-cultivation. The patients cannot bear the enormous costs for the flowers from the pharmacy, the health insurance companies do not cover this.
The court ruled in 3 cases that the rejected applications had to be decided again. In its reasoning for the ruling, the court pointed out that in these 3 cases the conditions for self-cultivation were met, "in particular, in the case of cultivation in the apartments, access by third parties to the plants and products could be ruled out with sufficient certainty. The exact modalities of the cultivation could be determined by conditions."
It remains to be seen how this will be implemented in practice and when the first patients will be able to start growing their own plants. In any case, this ruling is a step in the right direction and strengthens patients' interests vis-à-vis the authorities.
(Source: http://www.vg-koeln.nrw.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/14_140722/index.php )
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