Marijuana has long been known to provide symptom relief for those suffering from cancer, and this is as true for mesothelioma patients as for those with any other form of the disease. Its been shown that smoking the substance eases the nausea and vomiting that follow chemotherapy treatments and that it can help to improve appetite and therefore nutritional intake: there has also been some anecdotal evidence that it eases nerve pain in patients who suffer from the pain caused by growing tumors. Still, because of legal issues the drug has not been the subject of extensive research to determine whether it can offer a cancer cure. Thats all about to change as a California-based technology company has announced that it will begin clinical studies.

The company is CURE Pharmaceutical, and mesothelioma patients will be waiting along with victims of other cancers to see whether their studies will show that cannabis can either kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. The studies will be done in partnership with the Israel Institute of Technology. According to CUREs CEO Rob Davidson, There is strong anecdotal evidence, but we want to put some science into it. First, well do an in vitro study and see the effects on cancer cells. We can get into human trials pretty quickly in Israel. Conducting the study abroad is notable, and is a result of the fact that the U.S. government continues to classify marijuana as a Schedule I drug, making it difficult to conduct research.

According to noted medicinal marijuana authority Dr. Lester Grinspoon, Associate Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, I think the day will come when it or some cannabinoid derivatives will be demonstrated to have cancer curative powers, but in the meantime, we must be very cautious about what we promise these patients.

Marijuanas ability to provide symptom relief for mesothelioma victims is unquestioned, and is the reason why it is made available to patients. At issue is whether the drugcan move beyond symptom relief and slow growth or cause cancer cell death. CURE is uniquely positioned to conduct this investigation as a result of its foreign partnerships, as well as its proprietary extraction technologies.

Finding relief from the ravages of mesothelioma is the goal of patients, their families, and advocates around the world. For information about the resources available to you, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net. We can be reached at 1-800-692-8608and are here tohelp you find help wherever you are.

Terri Oppenheimer is an independent writer, editor, and proofreader. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in English. Her dreams of a writing career were diverted by a need to pay her bills. She spent a few years providing the copy for a major retailer, then landed a lucrative career in advertising sales. With college bills for all three of her kids paid, she left corporate America for a return to her original goal of writing. She specializes in providing content for websites and finds tremendous enjoyment in the things she learns while doing her research. Her specific areas of interest include health and fitness, medical research, and the law.

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Mesothelioma Patients May Benefit from Marijuana Research - Mesothelioma.net Blog (blog)