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I am pro
Last updated on: 2/2/2009 4:00:00 PM PST
Medical Marijuana Home Page >
Diseases / Conditions >
Arthritis >
Is marijuana an effective treatment for the symptoms of arthritis?
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General Reference (not clearly pro or con)
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MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine's online Medical Encyclopedia, stated as of May 15, 2006:
"Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints, which results in pain, swelling, and limited movement.
Osteoarthritis is a common type of arthritis characterized by a gradual loss of cartilage from the joints. Although osteoarthritis can affect almost any joint, it most often affects the hands, knees, hips, and spine. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, some loss of joint motion, and changes in the shape of affected joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability"
May 15, 2006 -
MedlinePlus 
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PRO (yes)
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Rheumatology reported in a Jan. 2006 article titled "Preliminary Assessment of The Efficacy, Tolerability and Safety of A Cannabis-based Medicine (Sativex) in The Treatment of Pain Caused By Rheumatoid Arthritis," by D.R. Blake et al.:
"In comparison with placebo, the CBM [cannabis-based medicine] produced statistically significant improvements in pain on movement, pain at rest, quality of sleep....
In the first ever controlled trial of a CBM in RA [rheumatoid arthritis], a significant analgesic effect was observed and disease activity was significantly suppressed following Sativex treatment."
Jan. 2006 -
Rheumatology 

The
Journal of Neuroimmunology, in their Sep. 2005 article titled "Cannabinoids and the Immune System: Potential For The Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases?" by J. Ludovic and Takashi Yamamura, stated:
"Studies from chronic cannabis smokers have provided much of the evidence for immunomodulatory [modifying or regulating the immune system] effects of cannabis in humans...
Cannabinoids can modulate both the function and secretion of cytokines [regulatory proteins] from immune cells.
Therefore, cannabinoids may be considered for treatment of inflammatory disease."
Sep. 2005 -
Journal of Neuroimmunology 

Ethan Russo, MD, Senior Medical Advisor at the Cannabinoid Research Institute, stated in a 2005 Americans for Safe Access brochure titled "Arthritis and Medical Marijuana":
Tod Mikuriya, MD, a psychiatrist and medical coordinator, stated in the 2002 article titled "Medicinal Uses of Cannabis," published on his website:
J. Michael Walker, PhD, Professor of Psychology and the Linda and Jack Gill Chair of Neuroscience at the University of Indiana, in the Dec. 2000 issue of
Arthritis Today, stated:
"The spinal cord is loaded with cannabinoid receptors. These cannabinoid compounds [from marijuana] apparently reduce swelling from inflammation [a major symptom of arthritis]. But more than that, they kill the pain from inflammation specifically. They work on the peripheral nerves that carry pain from your joint into the spinal cord."
Dec. 2000 -
J. Michael Walker, PhD 


Americans for Safe Access stated in their 2005 brochure titled "Arthritis and Medical Marijuana":
"Cannabis has a demonstrated ability to improve mobility and reduce morning stiffness and inflammation.
Research has also shown that patients are able to reduce their usage of potentially harmful Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) when using cannabis as an adjunct therapy."
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