With today’s release of The Uncovery, the American Civil Liberties unlon has put its devastating findings on racial injustice and marijuana possession arrests into the hands of web users. In partnership with Interbrand, the ACLU has developed a simple, elegant online advocacy tool, a one-stop shop where users sellect their own facts, convert them into customized graphic messages, share them on social media, and send them to legislators – all in sixty seconds or less.
“The push for marijuana reform in this country, state by state, has never been stronger. The Uncovery provides a fast and thorough way for anyone in any state to find local facts about racial injustice in marijuana possession arrests and bring them into the debate,” said Ezekiel Edwards, director of the ACLU’s Criminal Law Reform Project and lead author of The War on Marijuana in Black and White. “This is critical to effecting real and lasting change in marijuana laws.”
The Uncovery, built from the explosive data from the War on Marijuana report, allows users to see the racial breakdown of arrests for marijuana possession in their own states. In Pennsylvania, for instance, a Black person is 5.19 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white person. Nationwide, that figure is 3.73.
More than half of all drug arrests in 2010 were for marijuana. Edwards continued, “With The Uncovery, statistics about marijuana possession arrests become powerful statements. An arrest can bring life-changing consequences for the individual, like loss of employment, loss of student financial aid, and worse. No one should have to bear those burdens for possession of a drug we know to be less harmful than alcohol.”
In addition to racial disparities in arrests, The Uncovery offers users dollar figures for government spending on marijuana. For example, the U.S. spent an estimated total of $3.61 billion in 2010 on the enforcement of marijuana laws. The Uncovery breaks this figure down by state, giving users another crucial argument for marijuana reform.
Interbrand, a global branding consultancy, partnered with the ACLU to provide an innovative, engaging platform for the data from The War on Marijuana in Black and White.
(Natural News) A recent study published in International Journal of Oncology revealed that cannabinoids, the active chemical in cannabis, can destroy leukemia cells either alone or in combination with other cancer treatments. The scientific community has long-established that cannabinoids may show potential in cancer treatment, with certain varieties known to promote cell death, curb cell growth, and inhibit tumor-inducing blood vessel development. In order to evaluate the compound’s efficacy against leukemia, a team of researchers at the St George’s, University of London studied cancer cells in a laboratory and tested various combinations of cannabinoids and chemotherapy drugs such as cytarabine and vincristine.
The study revealed that the cannabiniod varieties cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) eliminated leukemia cells when used alone. The research team also found that combining the two cannabiniod variants resulted in increased treatment potency. In addition, the study revealed that adding cannabinoids following an initial dose of chemotherapy lead to better overall outcomes against the blood cancer. This means that a similar effect can be achieved by using lower chemotherapy doses, the researchers said. Lower doses of chemotherapy may equate to lower risk of treatment-related side-effects in patients, the experts added.
According to the research team, combining chemotherapy with cannabinoid treatment fared better than either chemotherapy alone or cannabidiol/THC combination. However, the experts noted that greater treatment potency was observed only when cannabinoid treatment was added after the initial chemotherapy, but not the other way around.
“We have shown for the first time that the order in which cannabinoids and chemotherapy are used is crucial in determining the overall effectiveness of this treatment. These extracts are highly concentrated and purified, so smoking marijuana will not have a similar effect. But cannabinoids are a very exciting prospect in oncology, and studies such as ours serve to establish the best ways that they should be used to maximise a therapeutic effect,” lead researcher Dr. Wai Liu said in ScienceDaily.com.
The current findings were reflective of a 2013 study, also carried out by Dr. Liu, which demonstrated the compound’s potential in combating leukemia. As part or research, the oncologist tested six cannabinoid variants, either independently or in conjunction with each other, against leukemia cells. The researcher found that the compounds spurred significant declines in cancer cell viability and simultaneously inhibited all phases of the cell cycle.
“There’s quite a lot of cancers that should respond quite nicely to these cannabis agents. If you talk about a drug company that spent billions of pounds trying to develop these new drugs that target these pathways, cannabis does exactly the same thing – or certain elements of cannabis compounds do exactly the same thing – so you have something that is naturally produced which impacts the same pathways that these fantastic drugs that cost billions also work on. By using these drugs in combination with each other we can actually get an enhanced effect, and what that means is that we can – after doing some further studies – take this into the clinic and hopefully get the medication that can be used in patients in the next 12 to 18 months,” study author Wai Liu said in USNews.com.
However, the health expert cautioned that the compounds may not work on all types of cancer. According to Dr. Liu, it is currently unclear whether smoking marijuana will produce similar benefits in patients. He also noted that he will not recommend smoking marijuana to treat leukemia as it remains uncertain how various chemicals interacts inside a patient’s body. (Related: Cannabis oils found to naturally treat certain types of cancer)
Sources include:
Infowars.com
The institute recently updated its ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page about marijuana to include various studies revealing how cannabis “may inhibit tumor growth by causing cell death, blocking cell growth, and blocking the development of blood vessels needed by tumors to grow” while also protecting normal, healthy cells.
“A laboratory study of cannabidiol (CBD) in estrogen receptor positive and estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells showed that it caused cancer cell death while having little effect on normal breast cells,” the NCI stated. “Studies in mouse models of metastatic breast cancer showed that cannabinoids may lessen the growth, number, and spread of tumors.”
Here’s the NCI’s full list:
- Studies in mice and rats have shown that cannabinoids may inhibit tumor growth by causing cell death, blocking cell growth, and blocking the development of blood vessels needed by tumors to grow. Laboratory and animal studies have shown that cannabinoids may be able to kill cancer cells while protecting normal cells.
- A study in mice showed that cannabinoids may protect against inflammation of the colon and may have potential in reducing the risk of colon cancer, and possibly in its treatment.
- A laboratory study of delta-9-THC in hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) cells showed that it damaged or killed the cancer cells. The same study of delta-9-THC in mouse models of liver cancer showed that it had antitumor effects. Delta-9-THC has been shown to cause these effects by acting on molecules that may also be found in non-small cell lung cancer cells and breast cancer cells.
- A laboratory study of cannabidiol (CBD) in estrogen receptor positive and estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells showed that it caused cancer cell death while having little effect on normal breast cells. Studies in mouse models of metastatic breast cancer showed that cannabinoids may lessen the growth, number, and spread of tumors.
- A laboratory study of cannabidiol (CBD) in human glioma cells showed that when given along withchemotherapy, CBD may make chemotherapy more effective and increase cancer cell death without harming normal cells. Studies in mouse models of cancer showed that CBD together with delta-9-THC may make chemotherapy such as temozolomide more effective.
Additionally, the National Institute on Drug Abuse also referenced similar, recent studies which revealed “marijuana can kill certain cancer cells and reduce the size of others.”
“Evidence from one animal study suggests that extracts from whole-plant marijuana can shrink one of the most serious types of brain tumors,” the NIDA said in April. “Research in mice showed that these extracts, when used with radiation, increased the cancer-killing effects of the radiation.”
But you’re still going to jail if you get caught using it as medication in most states.
“The worst part is that even marijuana without THC is still illegal, despite having zero ‘high’ effects,” health expert Anthony Gucciardi wrote. “A quick search within the PubMed National Library of Medicine database for ‘marijuana’ turns up a host of studies, highlighting every aspect imaginable regarding the plant in its many forms.”
Despite all these numerous, proven benefits of marijuana, the federal government wants it to remain illegal while the FDA approves expensive prescription drugs with more side effects and far less research.
“The truth? Marijuana is backed by more clinical research than most pharmaceutical drugs,” Gucciardi added.
The National Cancer Institute’s page for Cannabis and Cannabinoids now lists several preclinical trials and studies in which the compounds have shown beneficial medical applications. While these merits come as no surprise for many, the real shocker here is Marijuana still being listed as a Schedule I substance in the eyes of the DEA.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the United State’s primary agency in which cancer research and training is conducted. They are part of a larger umbrella of governmental agencies that comprise the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The NCI is largely responsible for the running the National Cancer Program, providing cancer-related information to the public, as well as developing programs and recommendations for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer.
Now listed on the the NCI’s Cannabis and Cannabinoids page, which is assumed to be the United State’s official position regarding Marijuana’s potential application in treating cancer, are the following facts:
- Studies in mice and rats have shown that cannabinoids may inhibit tumor growth by causing cell death, blocking cell growth, and blocking the development of blood vessels needed by tumors to grow. Laboratory and animal studies have shown that cannabinoids may be able to kill cancer cells while protecting normal cells.
- A study in mice showed that cannabinoids may protect against inflammation of thecolon and may have potential in reducing the risk of colon cancer, and possibly in its treatment.
- A laboratory study of delta-9-THC in hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) cells showed that it damaged or killed the cancer cells. The same study of delta-9-THC inmouse models of liver cancer showed that it had antitumor effects. Delta-9-THC has been shown to cause these effects by acting on molecules that may also be found innon-small cell lung cancer cells and breast cancer cells.
- A laboratory study of cannabidiol (CBD) in estrogen receptor positive and estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells showed that it caused cancer cell death while having little effect on normal breast cells. Studies in mouse models of metastaticbreast cancer showed that cannabinoids may lessen the growth, number, and spread of tumors.
- A laboratory study of cannabidiol (CBD) in human glioma cells showed that when given along with chemotherapy, CBD may make chemotherapy more effective and increase cancer cell death without harming normal cells. Studies in mouse models of cancer showed that CBD together with delta-9-THC may make chemotherapy such astemozolomide more effective.
The page also discusses several other potential medical applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids such as pain relief, appetite stimulation, as well as it being an effective treatment for nausea, anxiety, and depression.
The page concludes by stating the FDA has not approved Cannabis or any Cannabinoids for the treatment of cancer, but that two Cannabinoids (dronabinal and nabilone) are currently approved for the treatment of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting.
The NCI’s page on Cannabinoids and Cannabis as a treatment for cancer gives the impression that the currently schedule I substance, Marijuana, holds tremendous potential for medical applications.
“CANNABINOIDS MAY BE ABLE TO KILL CANCER CELLS WHILE PROTECTING NORMAL CELLS”
A marijuana chemical known as cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) helps fractures heal faster and even make the bones stronger than they were before, according to a study conducted by researchers from Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University and published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
CBD has no psychotropic effects.
“We found that CBD alone makes bones stronger during healing, enhancing the maturation of the collagenous matrix, which provides the basis for new mineralization of bone tissue,” researcher Yankel Gabet said. “After being treated with CBD, the healed bone will be harder to break in the future.”
The researchers inflicted mild femoral fractures on rats, then injected some of them with CBD, and others with CBD plus tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the ingredient that causes the marijuana high). They then evaluated the healing of the rats, comparing them with rats who had not received any marijuana chemicals.
The researchers found that rats injected with CBD had the same effect whether or not it was accompanied by THC.
“We found CBD alone to be sufficiently effective in enhancing fracture healing,” Gabet said.
“Other studies have also shown CBD to be a safe agent, which leads us to believe we should continue this line of study in clinical trials to assess its usefulness in improving human fracture healing.”
The study supported the same team’s prior findings that the body contains receptors that respond to cannabinoid compounds, and that these receptors are not confined to the brain.
“We only respond to cannabis because we are built with intrinsic compounds and receptors that can also be activated by compounds in the cannabis plant,” Gabet said.
The prior study found that the skeleton contains cannabinoid receptors that stimulate bone formation and inhibit bone loss. The new study seems to confirm these findings.
The study is part of a growing body of research into the medical benefits of marijuana compounds, including CBD. The findings may lead to new research into ways that marijuana could be used to treat osteoporosis or other bone diseases.
“The clinical potential of cannabinoid-related compounds is simply undeniable at this point,” Gabet said.
“While there is still a lot of work to be done to develop appropriate therapies, it is clear that it is possible to detach a clinical therapy objective from the psychoactivity of cannabis. CBD, the principal agent in our study, is primarily anti-inflammatory and has no psychoactivity.”
The list of benefits to medical marijuana continues to grow. It is currently used primarily for chronic pain, to reduce side effects of chemotherapy and to improve appetite in AIDS patients. It has also shown promise in regulating blood sugar and slowing the progression of HIV. It is also being researched as a treatment for multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
Studies have shown that CBD suppresses seizures, stops the mestastasis of many aggressive cancers and may even kill leukemia cells.
A 2013 study in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology found that CBD was just as effective as a popular antipsychotic drug in the treatment of schizophrenia and paranoia, but without the dangerous side effects. Other studies have confirmed the effectiveness of CBD as a safe antipsychotic.
Although marijuana remains technically illegal under U.S. federal law, it is legal to use CBD for research or for limited medical functions in 17 U.S. states. The medical use of marijuana itself is legal in 23 other states.
The federal government still classifies marijuana as having “no currently accepted medical use.” Yet even this may be starting to change. The FDA recently approved CBD extracts as an experimental treatment for Dravet syndrome, a rare form of childhood epilepsy. Preliminary clinical trials are now going forward.
Sources:
http://www.scienceworldreport.com
http://www.business-standard.com
Recent research out of Australia took mice that were bred to mimic symptoms of Alzheimers and who were given CBD from cannabis, the non-psychoactive cannabinoid caused a drastic improvement in memory within the mice tested. Although more studies are still going to be needed to get further results, early results are showing signs in memory improvement and physical results will be tested next. [1]
“Cannabinoids are the first and only class of drugs that have ever been effective,” said Gary Wenk, a professor of neuroscience, immunology and medical genetics at Ohio State University.
Alzheimer’s, a neurological disease causing people to forget skills, familiar faces or even simple things they did that day, is becoming a larger issue in our world as the food that surrounds us and our environment often contains heavy metals. Currently affecting over 5 million in America and with rates of about 1 in 9 who may experience it in their lifetime, many believe that as the baby boomers continue to age, numbers will sky rocket. [2]
Currently, many of the highly prescribed drugs for Alzheimer’s act to boost levels of acetylcholine, however, time and time again these drugs have been proven to be ineffective and come with negative side effects. As research continues to develop, more is learned about Alzheimer’s which opens the door for new treatment methods. Recent research points to chronic inflammation as the cause of Alzheimer’s. As plaque builds up, neuron-signalling is blocked which triggers cell death through arterial inflammation. Since CBD has been tested and shown to be a potent anti-inflammatory, utilizing CBD as a treatment against Alzheimer’s made sense. CBD has also been shown to promote the growth of new brain cells.
While the verdict is still yet to be out on whether or not these strains are genetically modified, from speaking directly with doctors in the field working with cannabis treatments, my feeling is we should be exploring untouched strains that are not to be manipulated and that ideally aren’t government. These strains were actually bred before researchers started studying CBD in a formal, scientific manner.
Another interesting option for Alzheimer’s patients is coconut oil. Many who have been testing the efficacy of coconut oil on Alzheimer’s have been seeing very good results in symptom management and depletion. Although no clinical trials have been done yet, the research of Dr. Mary Newport has sparked a huge interest in the topic and thus far is the source of continued testing and inevitable clinical trials.
1. http://www.smh.com.au/national/cannabis-may-help-reverse-dementia-study-20130...
2. http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet
A marijuana chemical known as cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) helps fractures heal faster and even make the bones stronger than they were before, according to a study conducted by researchers from Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University and published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
CBD has no psychotropic effects.
“We found that CBD alone makes bones stronger during healing, enhancing the maturation of the collagenous matrix, which provides the basis for new mineralization of bone tissue,” researcher Yankel Gabet said. “After being treated with CBD, the healed bone will be harder to break in the future.”
The researchers inflicted mild femoral fractures on rats, then injected some of them with CBD, and others with CBD plus tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the ingredient that causes the marijuana high). They then evaluated the healing of the rats, comparing them with rats who had not received any marijuana chemicals.
The researchers found that rats injected with CBD had the same effect whether or not it was accompanied by THC.
“We found CBD alone to be sufficiently effective in enhancing fracture healing,” Gabet said.
“Other studies have also shown CBD to be a safe agent, which leads us to believe we should continue this line of study in clinical trials to assess its usefulness in improving human fracture healing.”
The study supported the same team’s prior findings that the body contains receptors that respond to cannabinoid compounds, and that these receptors are not confined to the brain.
“We only respond to cannabis because we are built with intrinsic compounds and receptors that can also be activated by compounds in the cannabis plant,” Gabet said.
The prior study found that the skeleton contains cannabinoid receptors that stimulate bone formation and inhibit bone loss. The new study seems to confirm these findings.
The study is part of a growing body of research into the medical benefits of marijuana compounds, including CBD. The findings may lead to new research into ways that marijuana could be used to treat osteoporosis or other bone diseases.
“The clinical potential of cannabinoid-related compounds is simply undeniable at this point,” Gabet said.
“While there is still a lot of work to be done to develop appropriate therapies, it is clear that it is possible to detach a clinical therapy objective from the psychoactivity of cannabis. CBD, the principal agent in our study, is primarily anti-inflammatory and has no psychoactivity.”
The list of benefits to medical marijuana continues to grow. It is currently used primarily for chronic pain, to reduce side effects of chemotherapy and to improve appetite in AIDS patients. It has also shown promise in regulating blood sugar and slowing the progression of HIV. It is also being researched as a treatment for multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
Studies have shown that CBD suppresses seizures, stops the mestastasis of many aggressive cancers and may even kill leukemia cells.
A 2013 study in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology found that CBD was just as effective as a popular antipsychotic drug in the treatment of schizophrenia and paranoia, but without the dangerous side effects. Other studies have confirmed the effectiveness of CBD as a safe antipsychotic.
Although marijuana remains technically illegal under U.S. federal law, it is legal to use CBD for research or for limited medical functions in 17 U.S. states. The medical use of marijuana itself is legal in 23 other states.
The federal government still classifies marijuana as having “no currently accepted medical use.” Yet even this may be starting to change. The FDA recently approved CBD extracts as an experimental treatment for Dravet syndrome, a rare form of childhood epilepsy. Preliminary clinical trials are now going forward.
Sources:
http://www.scienceworldreport.com
http://www.business-standard.com
This article originally appeared on Natural News.
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