Abuse (NIDA), and is utilized under the supervision of a study physician.

The aim of this study is to examine the overall health status of 4 of

the 7 surviving patients in the program. This project provides the first opportunity

to scrutinize the long-term effects of cannabis on patients who

have used a known dosage of a standardized, heat-sterilized quality-controlled

supply of low-grade marijuana for 11 to 27 years.

Results demonstrate clinical effectiveness in these patients in treating

glaucoma, chronic musculoskeletal pain, spasm and nausea, and spasticity

of multiple sclerosis. All 4 patients are stable with respect to their

chronic conditions, and are taking many fewer standard pharmaceuticals

than previously.

Mild changes in pulmonary function were observed in 2 patients,

while no functionally significant attributable sequelae were noted in any

other physiological system examined in the study, which included: MRI

scans of the brain, pulmonary function tests, chest X-ray, neuropsychological

tests, hormone and immunological assays, electroencephalography,

P300 testing, history, and neurological clinical examination.

These results would support the provision of clinical cannabis to a

greater number of patients in need. We believe that cannabis can be a

safe and effective medicine with various suggested improvements in the

existing Compassionate IND program

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