Legal cannabis steps closer in UK
By CNN's Liz George
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CNN's Liz George reports a prescription form of cannabis could be available in England for Multiple Sclerosis sufferers as early as next year (November 8)
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LONDON, England -- Cannabis could be available on prescription in Britain for multiple sclerosis sufferers as early as next year.
In the UK, cultivating cannabis plants is illegal. But the drug can be used for medical research, and a pharmaceutical firm has successfully completed clinical trials with the drug.
That means that cannabis could soon be on the market in Britain.
The drug is being grown in a top secret location by GW Pharmaceuticals -- which has been researching the medical application of cannabis since 1998 -- with the blessing of the authorities.
The firm has now successfully completed clinical tests for its multiple sclerosis product -- the next step is to submit the results to the regulator with a view to getting a licence for a cannabis-based drug by the end of next year.
"When you look at it cannabis has a much longer history as a medicine than as a recreational drug," says Dr. Philip Robson, medical director of GW Pharmaceuticals.
"It has been a pariah drug for 20, 30 to 40 years or longer but I think that now is the time for it to be seen as a serious potential medicine with significant benefits to offer."
Anecdotal evidence suggests that more than 10 percent of multiple sclerosis sufferers use cannabis illegally to help alleviate their symptoms of pain, muscle spasm and shaking. And normally it is smoked.
GW Pharmaceuticals is developing three means of administering the drug. The first is by spraying it in the mouth, another is by taking a pill and the third is by vapouriser -- rather like an asthma inhaler.
Richard Payne is one of the patients who took part in the clinical trials. He was diagnosed with MS in 1985.
And although there is no cure for the disease which attacks the central nervous system, he found his quality of life was dramatically improved.
"My sleeping patterns were very disrupted through spasms and twitching and bladder problems. They were the main areas which I was concerned about which were causing problems.
"Having taken cannabis it has helped those areas -- so now I have found a level that suits me. My bladder problems are much better and my quality of life much better."
But there is still a way to go before the drug will be available for prescription in the UK. And it is not a cure-all.
"It does need to be treated with caution," says Marianne Miles, director of the MS Society.
"But as well as a cure it is important that we look at drugs that will affect the quality of life of people with MS.
"For someone who has pain or spasticity if that can be relieved then many people say they can live with their MS as a disease -- if they can get rid of some of the symptoms that go with the condition."
GW Pharmaceuticals has increased production at its fortified greenhouses to 60 tonnes a year.
That is a sign that the company is confident it will be selling the drug in the UK in the near future. And once it has won approval from British regulators it will start the process in Europe and the United States.
