DTN – Century of Lies: 10/24/10 – Matt Elrod
Matt Elrod of DrugSense.org, based in British Columbia shares insights on US and Canadian drug policy with focus on racial disparity in the drug war
Posts Mentioning RSS Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts
-
Deb
-
Richard Lake
Could Legalizing Marijuana in California Help Cure Breast
Newshawk: Medical Marijuana http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/node/54
Pubdate: Tue, 26 Oct 2010
Source: AlterNet (US Web)
Author: Mary Jane BordenFor 70 years, we’ve been taught that marijuana has no accepted
medical use and that its high potential for abuse demands absolute
prohibition. Medical research has been nearly impossible since
obtaining the substance for legitimate studies is restricted by the
federal government.But for a moment, forget the anti-drug ads of stoned teenagers
passing the bong and click instead on the National Library of
Medicine’s website, “Pubmed.gov.” Look under “breast cancer and
cannabinoid” and you will find studies in scientific journals like
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment that should warrant immediate
action: “Our data demonstrate the efficacy of CBD in pre-clinical
models of breast cancer. The results have the potential to lead to
the development of novel non-toxic compounds for the treatment of
breast cancer metastasis…”A study in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics says, “These results
indicate that CB1 and CB2 receptors could be used to develop novel
therapeutic strategies against breast cancer growth and metastasis.”
And this from the journal Molecular Cancer: “these results provide a
strong preclinical evidence for the use of cannabinoid-based
therapies for the management of ErbB2-positive breast cancer.” What’s
more, this basic research also extols the safety of potential
cannabinoid therapies.The science behind these studies finds that the human body contains
its own internal system interrelated with molecules in the cannabis
plant–AKA marijuana. A neurological signaling structure called the
endocannabinoid system is now known to govern numerous bodily
processes like appetite, pain, and even the birth of new brain cells.
Cannabinoid receptors, called CB1 and CB2, are located in various
cell membranes and activated by the body’s own cannabinoid molecules
(endocannabinoids), as well as those unique to the cannabis plant
(THC, CBD) and synthetically-derived cannabinoids like MarinolRegistered .And now, the latest research is proving that cannabinoids, as part of
this bodily system, play a mitigating role in breast cancer.Breast cancer is a frightening diagnosis that will confront about 1
in 8 American women this year. Some 40,000 will die from it. An
unusual lump in a breast can grow through four increasingly incurable
stages and sometimes into other tissue. Therapies involve invasive
surgery, heavy radiation, and toxic chemotherapy. Current anti-cancer
drugs may kill cancer cells, but they also destroy non-cancerous
tissue and damage heart muscle. Intractable nausea and vomiting
comprise just one side effect. The disease may be worse than the cure
but the cure can also kill.But suppose some scientist has just come out of the jungle with an
unknown plant that holds this much promise. It would be featured in
the nightly news and on the front page of every newspaper. Well, we
now have before us scientific clues that seem to point toward a
revolution in breast cancer treatment, yet the government still
manages to bury this amazing discovery.Why? Politics. The “Devil Weed” has always been a favorite target for
tough-on-crime politicians. Over the decades, they have assembled a
labyrinth of governmental agencies with multi-billion dollar budgets
that enforce marijuana laws, ignore the science, thwart clinical
research–and constantly reinforce anti-pot stereotypes.[continues] http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10.n870.a09.html
-
Richard Lake
CN BC: Edu: A Passion for Social Justice
Newshawk: Congratulations Philippe http://drugsense.org/pages/phil
Pubdate: Mon, 14 Jun 2010
Source: Ring, The (U of Victoria, CN BC Edu)
Copyright: 2010 The Ring
Contact: ucom@uvic.ca
Website: http://ring.uvic.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2134
Photo: Lucas with statue of Sir John A. MacDonald at Victoria City
Hall. http://www.mapinc.org/images/lucas.jpg
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Philippe+LucasA PASSION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Victoria City Councillor and Vancouver Island Compassion Society
founder Philippe Lucas has had his share of life experiences. Lucas
was exposed to hepatitis C through the tainted blood supply at age
12, but the condition was only diagnosed in 1995, the same year that
his father committed suicide. “Sometimes life makes choices for us,
and with the benefit of a little longevity we can see that even the
most adverse event or situation can lead to some positive outcomes,”
says Lucas, whose personal experiences with medical cannabis led him
to conduct a number of research projects on this topic over the last 15 years.Graduating with a Master of Arts in Studies in Policy and Practice-an
interdisciplinary graduate program in the Faculty of Human and Social
Development aimed at those involved in social activism, human
services and community work-has provided an opportunity to “deepen
the theoretical underpinnings that form the base of progressive
reform efforts, particularly in the area of drug policy,” says Lucas.Recipient of the 2007 UVic Blue and Gold award for community
contributions, Lucas has worked towards raising awareness on social
issues such as homelessness, drug policy reform and food security.
Currently a research affiliate and board member with the Centre for
Addictions Research of BC at UVic, Lucas says, “I have a passion for
work and research around progressive social change towards the
legitimization of a patient-centered, community-based approach to
medical cannabis.”
