NORML Weekly Press Release
1001 Connecticut Ave., NW
Ste. 710
Washington, DC 20036
202-483-8751 (p)
202-483-0057 (f)
www.norml.org
foundation@norml.org
March 2, 2000
Study Indicates THC May Eradicate Brain Tumors
Madrid, Spain: Scientists at Complutense University and Autonoma
University have discovered that compounds acting at cannabinoid receptrs
eradicate brain tumors (gliomas) in one third of rats treated, and
prolong the survival of another third.
The experiments led by Manuel Guzman suggest that cannabinoids kill
glioma cells by inducing a programmed cell death (apoptosis) by a second
messenger protein called ceramide and an intracellular signaling cascade.
Guzman said about the experiment published in the March issue of Nature
Medicine, that they tested tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at very low doses
and at a stage when the rats ere already starting to die. He predicts
that the THC would be more effective if given earlier.
Guzman said he hopes to start studies in humans in about a year. "We
observed a very remarkable growth inhibiting effect," he said.
"It's very exciting if it makes a dent in the treatment of glioma," said
Harvard Professor Lester Grinspoon, MD. "If there is truly some promise
to it, that would really be quite phenomenal. However, we have to be very
cautious before we jump to any conclusions on how t effects humans."
For more information, please contact Lester Grinspoon, MD, at
(617)277-3621.
Illinois Senate Approves Industrial Hemp Study;
Bill Now In House Despite Attacks From Federal Drug Czar
Springfield, IL: The Illinois State Senate approved legislation last
Thursday that will authorize the University of Illinois and Southern
Illinois University to plant and study industrial hemp.
Senate Bill 1397 passed by a vote of 49-9. The bill, now in the Illinois
House of Representatives (Huse Bill 3559), is currently in the Rules
Committee.
The bill requires the two universities to, "[O]btain all federal and
state permits needed to legally grow industrial hemp for fiber or seed
production before importing any non-sterilized industrial hemp seeds
capable of germination into the state." The universities will then report
their findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by Jan. 1,
2002.
Earlier this week, drug czar Barry McCaffrey attacked the legislation
claiming it "may be a stalking horse for the legalization of marijuana."
One of the House Bill's co-sponsors, Rep. Judy Erwin (D-Chicago), fired
back at McCaffrey's flawed reasoning.
"No one is suggesting the legalization of marijuana," Erwin said. "It
really obfuscates the purpose of this argument, which is to improve a
seriously failing farm economy."
Last December, Hawaii was the first state to legally plant industrial
hemp. Earlier in the year North Dakota and Minnesota also approved
legislation to allow for the cultivation of industrial hemp. Since then,
other states, such as California, have approved legislation to explore
the possibilities of growing industrial hemp.
For more information, please contact Rep. Judy Erwin at (217) 782-8404
or Rep. I. Ronald Lawfer (co-sponsor) (R-Stockton) at (217)782-8186.
Industrial Hemp Bill Introduced In Maryland House Of Delegates
Annapolis, MD: A bill has been introduced in the Maryland House of
Delegates that would establish a four-ear pilot program to study the
growth and market potential of industrial hemp.
If approved, House Bill 1250, sponsored by Del. Ronald Guns (D-District
36) and Del. Dan Morhaim (D-District 11) would take effect on July 1,
2000. The legislation requires that the state's secretary of agriculture
administer the pilot program in consultation with state and federal
agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, which would have
to approve any cultivation plots as it has done in Hawaii. According to
the legislation, only state property may be used to cultivate industrial
hemp during the duration of the study.
"We are seeing an increasing number of states considering industrial
hemp study legislation this year, which will hopefully lead to a greater
understanding among legislators of hemp's utility," said Scott Colvin,
NORML Publications Director.
For more information, please contact Scott Colvin, NORML Publications
Director at (202) 483-5500. HB 1250 can be viewed at
http://mlis.state.md.us/20rs/billfile/hb1250.htm.
Judge Orders Narcotics Officers To Replace Patient's Marijuana
Santa Rosa, CA: A Superior Court Judge in Sonoma County ordered
narcotics officers to return 1 1/4 pounds of marijuana to a patient who
twice survived breaking his neck, and suffers from chronic pain.
This is the first time in Sonoma County that a judge has ruled that
marijuana be returned to a patient. On Oct. 1, 1998, Scott Teeter's home
was raided despite his status as a medical marijuana paient. Fifty
marijuana plants and a quantity of marijuana were seized.
Teeter was cited for misdemeanor possession of more than an ounce of
marijuana, but those charges were dropped in July of 1999. Last week
Judge Gayle Guynup ruled that the narcotics officers must reimburse his
marijuana loss.
For more information, please contact Dale Gieringer, State Coordinator
for California NORML at (415) 563-5858.
-End-
Las Vegas NORML
P.O. Box 34473
Las Vegas, NV 89133
Ph: (702) 380-7869
www.lvnorml.com
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