Study: Non-Psychoactive Plant Cannabinoids Possess Synergistic Anti-Cancer Activity In Leukemia Cell Lines

from norml

London, United Kingdom: The concomitant administration of various non-psychoactive plant cannabinoids demonstrates synergistic anti-cancer activity in human leukemia cells, according to preclinical trial data published online this week in the journal Anticancer Research.
Investigators from Saint George's, University of London assessed the anti-cancer potential of three non-psychoactive cannabinoids (cannabidiol, cannabigerol, and cannabigevarin) and their respective acids on two types of leukaemia cell lines. Authors reported that the administration of cannabinoids in concert with one another resulted in "in additive/mildly synergistic interaction."
Authors concluded: "Our findings indicate that cannabinoids act with each other in a way such that doses for therapy could be reduced without a significant loss of activity. ... [T]his study adds further support to the idea that cannabinoids can have a role in the cancer setting, not only as single agents, but also in combination with each other."
Commenting on the study in a press release, lead author Wai Lui said: "These agents are able to interfere with the development of cancerous cells, stopping them in their tracks and preventing them from growing. In some cases, by using specific dosage patterns, they can destroy cancer cells on their own. Used in combination with existing treatment, we could discover some highly effective strategies for tackling cancer. Significantly, these compounds are inexpensive to produce and making better use of their unique properties could result in much more cost effective anti-cancer drugs in future."
Plant cannabinoids as well as endogenous cannabinoids have been consistently shown to be potent anti-cancer inhibitors in preclinical models, halting the proliferation of glioma cancer cells, prostate cancer cells,breast carcinoma, lung carcinoma, and lymphoma, among other cancer cell lines.
For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director, at: paul@norml.org. Full text of the study, "Enhancing the activity of cannabidiol and other cannabinoids in vitro through modifications to drug combinations and treatment schedules," appears online in Anticancer Research.

Switzerland: Nation Decriminalizes Cannabis Possession Offenses

Bern, Switzerland: Minor marijuana possession offenses have been reclassifiedas fine-only offenses under a new Swiss law that went into effect earlier this month.
Under the law, the possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis by those age 18 or older is punishable by a fine. Those cited for cannabis will no longer have to appear in criminal court or be penalized with a criminal record.
Government officials backed the measure to bring uniformity to the nation's marijuana possession penalties, which had previously varied greatly from canton (member state) to another.
Possessing larger quantities of cannabis, as well as cultivating or selling the plant, remain subject to criminal penalty.
In the United States, several states – including California, Connecticut, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and Vermont– have enacted similar decriminalization laws regarding marijuana possession, replacing criminal penalties with civil sanctions only.
For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director, at (202) 483-5500.

Israel: Economic Assessment Says Legalizing Cannabis Will Boost Revenue

Jerusalem, Israel: Legalizing the retail production and sale of cannabis wouldgenerate an estimated 1.6 sheckels (approximately $450 million) annually, according to an economic assessment published this month by the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies (JIMS).
The authors estimate the existing Israeli marijuana market to total some 2.5 billion sheckels ($704 million). They estimate that taxes imposed on the plant could yield some 950 million sheckels ($207 million) in new annual revenue, while such a change in law would save an additional 700 million sheckels ($197 million) in prosecutorial costs.
According to the JIMS paper, cannabis-related offenses in Israel comprise some 5.2 percent of the nation's criminal cases. An estimated 5.4 percent of all Israeli prisoners are incarcerated for cannabis violations.
"Recognizing the enormous financial gains that would come from legalization demands that the government take a serious look at the proposal to legalize cannabis use under specific guidelines," said paper co-author Yarden Gazit. "There is no disputing that if the public is able to get past the wholly negative misperceptions associated with marijuana usage and appreciate the potential benefits with limited social or healthcare costs, this is an idea that needs open-minded and serious re-examination at this time."
The cultivation and distribution of cannabis for therapeutic purposes in presently legal in Israel and is strongly supported by the public. By contrast, only 26 percent of Israeli's endorse allowing cannabis for social purposes.
For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director, at (202) 483-5500.

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