May 29, 2012

expert reaction to preliminary unpublished results on multiple sclerosis and cannabis

The preliminary results of CUPID (Cannabinoid Use in Progressive Inflammatory brain Disease) were presented at the annual meeting of the Association of British Neurologists, suggesting cannabis did not slow progression of MS as hoped.

Prof David Nutt, Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology, Imperial College London, said:

“This research has not yet been submitted for peer review, so I have not seen the data, but this study appears to be mostly looking at disease progression. There is relatively little theoretical reason why THC, or even cannabis, might limit disease progression so a negative result is not surprising.

“It would be wrong to interpret these preliminary findings to mean that cannabis does not achieve its licensed use. Cannabis is not licensed for limiting disease progression, it is licensed for dealing with spasticity and pain.”