Doctors Endorse Cannabis

BMA Calls for Cannabis Products to be Legalised

Doctors attending the organisation's annual conference in Edinburgh voted overwhelmingly in favour of the motion, after hearing that hundreds of patients were breaking the law to obtain beneficial effects from cannabis.

Research has suggested that cannabinoid chemicals may be useful in treating a variety of conditions, including cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, asthma and eating disorders.

"This is humane, this is based on sound science, this is politically acceptable now," said Dr Steve Hajioff of St Batholomew's Hospital in London. "The sick and dying should be able to turn to their doctor for help, not to their drug dealer."

Not all doctors supported the motion. There were warnings about the harmful effects of cannabis, which was said to be capable of inducing psychosis and paranoia, as well as affecting heart rhythms and rendering users apathetic and lacking in vigilance. Cannabis joints had three times the level of tar contained in cigarettes and five times higher carbon monoxide levels.

Cannabis treatment would probably be administered in the form of pills or injections, or as an inhaled spray. Professor Jack Howell, chairman of the BMA's board of science and education, said: "I would be astonished if it were by smoking, because we're talking about a pure substance, and there are better ways of administering it."

At present, only two cannabis derivatives can be used legally in Britain, to stem the nausea caused by cancer treatments. One of them has to be imported from the USA, and both can only be used in hospital.

Coverage of the Edinburgh conference can be found at the British Medical Association's web site.

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