Cannabis Timeline - Scientific Research and Cannabis Law
It is Time to Stop Treating People like Ignorant Fools!
"I lumped them [patients using medical cannabis] with the high-visibility malingerers, just looking to get high. I mistakenly believed the Drug Enforcement Agency listed marijuana as a schedule 1 substance because of sound scientific proof. Surely, they must have quality reasoning as to why marijuana is in the category of the most dangerous drugs that have "no accepted medicinal use and a high potential for abuse?" They didn't have the science to support that claim, and I now know that it when it comes to marijuana neither of those things are true. It doesn't have a high potential for abuse, and there are very legitimate medical applications. In fact, sometimes marijuana is the only thing that works."
I like people who have the courage to admit they were wrong – especially when they are in positions of power or authority. It is a shame that politicians, for the most part, fail to do the same, because there can be no doubt that they know the cannabis plant should not be on Schedule 1 – and they also know it should never have been. I believe the British and American governments have known this for a very long time. Why? Because for more than 50 years (since 1974), the medical world has consistently reported the results from laboratory bench studies showing the effectiveness of cannabis in treating a very wide array of health conditions, including many different forms of cancer. In fact, there are currently more than a thousand pre-clinical studies showing that not only does cannabis effectively shrink cancer tumours and cause cancerous cells self-destruct, but that this occurs in many different types and stages of cancer, including terminal conditions. To believe our governments had no knowledge of this is naïve at best.
Like many people facing a life-changing medical diagnosis, the knowledge that I would probably die soon had suddenly become a very real possibility. And yes, I was scared, especially on finding out that I had a rarer form of breast cancer (HER2+) that had few treatment options (albeit better that ten years ago). And although I was more or less sure that THC-rich cannabis did kill certain cancers, I didn’t know whether it would help my type of cancer, or how much the stage (in my case stage III), played a role in any successful outcome. Furthermore, I had to make a decision on whether or not to have surgery almost immediately due to cancer protocols and targets that demand treatment begins within 30-days or so of a cancer diagnosis.
Unfortunately, the tests to find out what type of cancer I had took longer than usual, which meant I was given 10 days notice for surgery – for them to cut off my breast – and that gave me no time at all to think about things. But one thing I did know was that I wanted the bastard out of me. If I’d known then what I know now, I would not have made that decision.
Despite surgery, I was told I would need at least a year of very intensive chemotherapy, with over half taking place weekly. And, when I asked whether I could expect a successful outcome, I was told that depended on my body’s ability to cope with chemotherapy. OMG!
I’d already been told about cannabis and cancer from friends, and read reports on the Internet, but was very sceptical (who wouldn’t be!), but as a long-term cannabis user I also knew that cannabis could treat some things.. and then I found out about our endocannabinoid system. That led to weeks of research careful research, which later turned into months and then years, but within a very short time I’d found enough information to know it was true. This page shows the results of my research, which formed the basis for my decision to forego chemotherapy and take Rick Simpson Oil alone.
A few important documentaries, interviews, advice and info..
Dr. Jenn, a GP practising in California where cannabis use is fully legalised. In this video she explains what RSO is, its success in treating cancer, and how to obtain the medicine (over-the-counter).
Documentary recording the outcome of families using forms of RSO to treat their children’s terminal cancer. The film follows these families over a five year period – a must watch!
Interview with Professor Mechoulam, a.k.a the Father of Medical Cannabis due to his extensive research over the past 50+ years. Listen to what he has to say about cannabis and cancer.
This important documentary discusses cannabis and cancer, but with an emphasis on the need for more research and why cannabis should be removed from schedule 1.
Cannabis Law and Scientific Research 1963-2021
The following table is a timeline showing the results of published, peer-reviewed scientific cannabis research over the past 60+ years alongside the laws and anti-cannabis campaigns that took place at the same time. It gives a very clear picture of how we have been deceived for decades. In the past 20 years, more than 20,000 cannabis studies have been published, so the sample given below is extremely small and, for the most part, focused on cancer studies, but it still gives an extremely clear picture of how cannabis was (and still is) demonised due to the political and/or personal agendas of many key players in politics and law enforcement. The table portrays a very unattractive picture of the government’s refusal to listen to the science, no matter how fantastic the results. In doing so, the British and American governments, both past and present, are guilty of not only hampering the advancement of medicine, but also of obstructing a very possible cure for cancer.
IMPORTANT: It is THC that effectively kills cancer – all of the studies listed below were conducted with cannabis plants that had THC levels that were higher than any other cannabinoids in the plants (including CBD), and the plants used until very recently were those confiscated during police seizures (so what the government and pharmaceutical companies now vilify as ‘street’ cannabis), but what in essence was/is standard cannabis.
Prior to this timeline: Researchers identified and isolated the cannabinol CBN in 1895; Researchers figured out the structure of CBN and discover it has anti-inflammatory and anti-convulsant properties in the 1930s; and, in 1940, they discover a second cannabinoid: CBD.
Timeline: Scientific Research, Government Reports, and Cannabis Law
BACKGROUND: In early 1960s, the US government began secretly funding cannabis research being conducted by Professor Mechoulam (a.k.a the Father of Medical Cannabis), in Israel. Their aim was to prove that cannabis was dangerous and addictive – an objective that proved difficult. Nevertheless, the US government continues funding this research for more than fifty years (until 2010).
The use of cannabis in the UK (as well as elsewhere), became widespread during the 1960s, especially among white, middle-classed youth. It was seen as part of Western counter-culture, attributed to the sexual revolution, as well as other forms of ‘rebellion’ that was taking place during this period. The laws that were in place at this time carried harsh, draconian sentences that equalled those of real killers; e.g. heroin, and millions of people around the globe . In the meantime, the results of scientific work in Israel (and other countries) were clearly demonstrating that cannabis was a potential medicinal powerhouse, but the reports were systematically ignored and/or refuted.
And then, 1n 1992, scientists reported the discovery of our endocannabinoid system.
1963 - 1970
Scientific Research
The US Government secretly bankrolls the work of scientist Raphael Mechoulam and his research team in Israel, who are studying the cannabis plant.
Scientists identify and isolate the compound that causes the euphoria cannabis is renowned for: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The research team in Israel identify the chemical structure of several other substances in the cannabis plant, and calls these unique botanical compounds ‘cannabinoids.’ Dr. Mechoulam describes cannabis as a ‘pharmacological treasure trove.’
1970: The funding of cannabis by the U.S government was aimed at proving that cannabis use was dangerous and addictive, and so there was absolutely no interest in the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids, despite what researchers in Israel were reporting. 1970. Tincture of cannabis was still a licensed medicine in the U.K (LINK).
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Official (Gov.) Reports
1963: A report commissioned by President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon Johnson, found that cannabis use did not induce violence and did not act as a gateway to other drugs.
The United Nations estimates there are between 200,000,000 and 250.000,000 cannabis users worldwide (Link).
UK Wootton Report (1968) is published by the Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence. It finds alcohol use 114 times more dangerous than cannabis use and recommends that a small amount of cannabis should not be viewed as a serious crime or published with prison. This caused a political and media storm – they were outraged. All recommendations to reform cannabis law were ignored. The report went on to recommend the construction of a new system for drug penalties based on scientific evidence of harm. This subsequently became the ABC classification that is used within the Misuse of Drug Act, and which is still used today (LINK). |
U.K – 1970: A report was published looking at the powers of the police under the provisions of the Dangerous Drug Act (1967), especially in regard to stopping and searching people suspected of drug offenses. The reported concluded that it was neither practical or desirable for the law to define ‘reasonable grounds’ when stopping and searching someone, and that police should accept and enforce the principle that particular modes of dress or hairstyle should never be constituted as reasonable grounds to stop and search an individual on suspicion of taking drugs.
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The Law
The use of cannabis became widespread during the 1960s, especially among white, middle-class youth. It was part of the counterculture and sexual revolution that was taking place during this period, and popular among free-spirited Beats, anti-war and other political activists, college students, and other youth. The laws in pace at this time carried harsh, draconian sentences that equalled the penalties of real killers, such as heroin (LINK).
There are widespread calls to reduce the legal penalties for cannabis use in the UK but these are ignored and the 1967 Dangerous Drug Act is introduced. The Act gives the police more powers to search and detain people suspected of using cannabis or any other illegal substance (LINK). |
Iceland and Denmark criminalise cannabis use (1968).
The British police recommend the construction of regional drug or crime squads, and that if the latter is chosen to equip them by attaching drug squad officers to each region (1968).
Keith Richards and Mick Jagger were arrested for possession of cannabis, prompting the famous Times editorial ‘Who Breaks a Butterfly on a Wheel,’ which suggested that the arrests were more about who the detainees were than the severity of the crime. Shortly afterwards, Paul McCartney paid for a full page advert calling for cannabis reform that was signed by a number of academics, politicians, artists, and pop stars. It was ignored by the British government.
1970 - 1980
Scientific Research
Official (Gov) Reports
The Law
1971: Potential Treatment for Glaucoma
1974: Potential Treatment for Cancer
The first study showing cannabis potentially treated cancer was published in 1974, but the results did not please the authorities and so the study was shut down and all further research forbidden.
Then, in 1976, President Gerald Ford gave exclusive research rights to pharmaceutical companies, who attempted to develop synthetic cannabinoids. Their answer was Marinol (nabilones), which is 99% pure THC and, unsurprising, has debilitating side effects.
Researchers also report the effects of cannabinoids on host resistance to Listeria monocytogenes and herpes simplex virus (1979); the antiemetic effect of cannabis (1975, 1976, 1982, 1986, 1990) and Receptor regulation and isoreceptor identification (1980). |
On March 22, 1972, the Shafer Report was presented to the U.S. Congress and the American public entitled “Marihuana, a Signal of Misunderstanding,” which favoured ending marijuana prohibition and adopting other methods to discourage use. LINK. Nixon rejected the recommendation, but over the course of the 1970s, 11 states decriminalized marijuana and most others reduced their penalties LINK.
The U.S. National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws petitioned the U.S gov about rescheduling cannabis….it is FOURTEEN YEARS later before the U.S. gov. responds … (1986)
Within a little more than a decade (1960-1973), cannabis possession convictions in the UK had grown from 235 to 11,111. (LINK).
1977: Mississippi, New York, and North Carolina decriminalize cannabis. In 1978, New Mexico passed the first state law recognizing the medical value of marijuana [Controlled Substances Therapeutic Research Act]. Over the next few years, more than 30 states passed similar legislation. 1979: Virginia passes legislation allowing doctors to recommend cannabis for glaucoma or the side effects of chemotherapy. |
1973: Texas law is amended to declare possession of four ounces or less a misdemeanour. Oregon becomes the first state to decriminalize cannabis – reducing the penalty for up to one ounce to a $100 fine.[LINK In contrast, criminal penalties and prison time for cultivation was, and still is, up to 14 years in prison, a fine, or both, and for possession up to 5 years in prison, a fine, or both. |
The UK 1971 Act did not prohibit fibre from stalks, or seeds, and allowed medical and research uses, but all of them needed licences from the Home Office which for many years were issued to only a few official researchers, who all researched the possible harms of cannabis use. LINK
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1976: Afghanistan’s King Zahir Shah outlaws cannabis production and promises to totally eradicate its use. His anti-cannabis campaign is financed with $47million from the U.S. government. (LINK).
Nepal cancels the licenses of all cannabis shops, dealers, and farmers, due to pressure from the U.S. and the international community. (LINK).
U.S – 1970: The Controlled Substance Act is introduced. The U.S Justice Department and DEA take the decision to place cannabis and its derivatives on Schedule 1. This decision is taken without any input whatsoever of medical or scientific experts. It is now widely acknowledge that this was purely a political decision. The British government at that time follows suit – obviously preferring to listen to Uncle Sam than its own experts (e.g. recommendations in the Wootton Report). 1971 UK Misuse of Drugs Act introduces a drug classification system and sentencing guidelines. Cannabis is put in Class B. Legal penalties include a three strikes system and £90 fine if caught possessing even the smallest amount of cannabis. Criminal penalties and prison time for cultivation were and still are: up to 14 years in prison, a fine, or both. And for possession, up to 5 years in prison, a fine, or both.
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1980-1990
Scientific Research
Reports/Law Changes
The Law
U.S. RE 1972 PETITION ABOVE: 1986: The DEA finally held public hearings on the issues raised in the petition submitted in 1972 before an administrative law judge. Two years later [on Sep. 6, 1988], Judge Francis Young ruled [in the matter of Marijuana Rescheduling Petition, Docket No. 86-22] that the “therapeutic use of marijuana was recognized by a respected minority of the medical community, and that it met the standards of other legal medications.” (LINK) (See 1988 – right column). First medical cannabis initiative passes in San Francisco with 79% in favour. |
President George W. Bush declares a new ‘War on Drugs’ and launches a series of anti-cannabis campaigns (LINK).
Researchers report the antiemetic effect of cannabis (Randell, 1990).
Differential suppression of T-cell subpopulations by THC (δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) Pross, S. H., T. W. Klein, C. A. Newton, J. Smith, R. Widen, H. Friedman. 1990.. Int. J. Immunopharmacology. 12:539. LINK.
1982: Alaska passes legislation that further decreases the penalties of cannabis use and possession.
1981-1985 – US Gov sells Marinol patent to Unimed and FDA Approves It for treatment of nausea/appetite in Cancer and AIDS patients. LINK.
UK 1982 ACMD Expert Group on the Effects of Cannabis report was inconclusive on health effects and called for more research. Government used this report as part of its reason for rejecting previous ACMD cannabis report calling for regrading cannabis law.
1982: Largest cannabis shipment ever seized in the UK – 11 tons
UK: 1982 Customs & Excise pilot ‘compounding’ schemes at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. People caught with 10 grams or less of cannabis were given the choice of accepting a £50 instead of facing prosecution. UK: Controlled Drug (Penalties) Act 1985 Increased the penalties for certain offences relating to controlled drugs: 14 years’ imprisonment – cannabis. 1985 Publication of Tackling Drug Misuse: Government strategy was: to ‘attack the problem by simultaneous action on five main fronts:’ (a) reducing supplies from abroad; (b) making enforcement more effective; (c) maintaining effective deterrents and tight domestic controls; (d) developing a prevention strategy; and (e) improving treatment and rehabilitation.
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1996: U.S. President Ronald Reagan signed The Anti-Drug Abuse Act. This law raised the cannabis penalties and created mandatory sentences, many of which equated cannabis with, for example, heroin. LINK. 1988: Paraguay decriminalised personal possession of 10 grams of cannabis or less. 1989: Bangladesh bans the sale of cannabis. 1990: Alaska recriminalises cannabis by voter initiative, restoring criminal penalties for possession of any amount of cannabis. |
1990-2000
Scientific Research
Scientists announce the discovery of the endocannabinoid system.
1992: Scientists announce the discovery of a new signalling system in the mammalian body – it is the biggest system in humans and in charge of all other the other systems in our bodies. They call it the endocannabinoid system, after the cannabis plant because cannabis has the ability to trigger the system and bring healing to a multitude of health conditions and disease.
Small bench study shows cannabidiol inhibits human glioma cell migration through a cannabinoid receptor-dependent mechanism (Williams et al., 1993) Cannabis causess cancer tumours to shrink and cancerous cells to self-destruct. Baeuerle and Henkel, 1994 LINK; Traenckner et al., 1995: LINK. Attenuation of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression by D9-tetrahydrocannabinoid is mediated through the inhibilition of NFkB/Rel activation (Jemon, 1996). Mol Pharmacol 50:334. LINK. Tau protein after delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in a human neuroblastoma cell line. Lew GM. Gen Pharmacol. 1996 Oct;27(7):1141-3. doi: 10.1016/0306-3623(95)02150-7. PMID: 898105 LINK Causes cancer tumours to shrink and cancerous cells to self-destruct. Jeon et al., 1996. LINK
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Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol induces apoptosis in C6 glioma cells. Sanchez, C., I. Galve-Roperh, C. Canova, P. Brachet, M. Guzman. 1998. FEBS Lett. 436:6 LINK.
The endogenous cannabinoid anandamide inhibits human breast cancer cell proliferation. De Petrocellis, L., D. Melck, A. Palmisano, T. Bisogno, C. Laezza, M. Bifulco, V. Di Marzo. 1998. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:8375. LINK.
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol induces apoptosis in human prostate PC-3 cells via a receptor-independent mechanism. Ruiz, L., A. Miguel, I. Diaz-Laviada. 1999. FEBS Lett. 458:400. LINK
Involvement of the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway and of mitogen-activated protein kinase in the anti-proliferative effects of anandamide in human breast cancer cells. Melck, D., D. Rueda, I. Galve-Roperh, L. De Petrocellis, M. Guzman, V. Di Marzo. 1999. FEBS Lett.
Scientists report that endocannabinoids are born and broken down by various biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes. Thanks to these metabolic enzymes, endocannabinoids are made when needed and then degraded after serving their purpose.
Official (gov) Reports & Actions
Scientists discover anandamide, which the body produces on demand when needed. Like cannabinoid receptors, which are present in all life forms with a spinal cord, anandamide is present in all life forms with a nervous system. LINK
Isolation and structure of a brain constituent that binds to the cannabinoid receptor. (Devane, W. A., et al., 1992), LINK
UK – 1992: Publication of the Release White Paper on Reform of the Drug Laws to mark the 25th anniversary of its founding. According to this report, the aim of the White Paper was to ‘provide a concrete basis for debate and consultation’ on the reformulation of Britain’s drug laws in ‘ways which safeguard and promote individual and community welfare.’
U.S President Bill Clinton admits to having smoked cannabis in his youth but claims he “never inhaled.” LINK
During his presidency Barak Obama also admitted to having smoked cannabis when younger. He stated, “I inhaled. That’s the point!”
A survey examining the experiences and attitudes of U.S. oncologists re medical cannabis showed that 53% of the those surveyed believed it should be available to patients on prescription (Kleiman & Doblin, 1991). LINK.
New England Journal of Medicine (US) publishes an editorial calling for cannabis to be rescheduled.
The US National Institute of Health calls for more research to assess the therapeutic and medical benefits of cannabis.
U.S. The Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics (ACT) launches a major advertising campaign in the national press for the legalisation of cannabis for medical use.
U.K – 1997: William Straw, son of UK Home Secretary Jack Straw, is cautioned by the police for allegedly selling cannabis after being set up by a journalist working for the Daily Mirror.
Canada announces funding for research on medical cannabis.
"Most people in our industry said it was impossible to turn cannabis into a prescription medicine. We had to rewrite the rule book. We have the first approval of a plant extract drug in modern history. It has 420 molecules, whereas every other drug has one."
The Law
1992: American Medical Student Association unanimously endorses rescheduling of cannabis. LINK.
Iran bans and eradicates cannabis under U.S pressure.
U.K – 1994: Over 72,000 people were convicted in the U.K for cannabis offences. U.S – 1995: A second petition is filed with the DEA to reschedule cannabis. The 275 page petition demands for cannabis and THC to be removed from schedule 1 of the Controlled Substance Act because neither has the high potential for abuse as described in this law. U.S – 1996: California becomes the first state to fully legalise cannabis.
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The Clinton administration spends $25 million on television campaigns vilifying cannabis use (LINK). U.S. Congress prevents the implementation of medical cannabis law in Washington DC. Presidents Ford, Carter and Bush urge voters to reject medical cannabis but their advice is ignored, and Alaska, Oregon, and Washington DC legalise medical cannabis. 1998: U.K. GW Pharmaceuticals, a British firm that focuses entirely on cannabis as potential medicine, is licensed by the Home Office to research cannabis. NOTE: This is just six years after the discovery of our endocannabinoid system. Poland criminalises cannabis possession.
1998: Marinol, a pharmaceutical drug that according to the results of clinical trials is significantly less effective than simply smoking cannabis (so less profitable), is moved to Schedule 3. The given reason for this is that it will increase availability to patients.
Maine becomes the 5th U.S state to legalise medical cannabis. 1998: The UK’s Home Office licensed GW Pharmaceuticals to begin researching cannabis for medicinal purposes.
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1998: U.K. The House of Lords Committee recommends legalising medical cannabis. Lord Perry, Chairman of the enquiry states: “We have seen enough evidence to convince us that a doctor might legitimately want to prescribe cannabis to relieve pain, or the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and that the criminal law ought not stay in the way.”
The recommendations were ignored.
The phrase ‘entourage effect’ first appeared in a July 1998 science paper by S. Ben-Shabat and several colleagues. Published in the European Journal of Pharmacology, the article focused on a ‘novel route for molecular regulation of endogenous cannabinoid activity.’
Anandamide – the ‘feel good’ chemical compound – is broken down by FAAH [fatty acid amide hydrolase]. Its molecular structure of FAAH was characterized by Ben Cravatt at the Scripps Research Institute in 1996, and the following year Italian scientists identified MAGL as a key degradative enzyme for 2-AG.
2000-2010
Scientific Research
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Actively fights several different types of cancer. (Erlandsson et al., 2002). Targeting CB2 cannabinoid receptors as a novel therapy to treat malignant lymphoblastic disease. (McKallip, R. J., et al., 2002) LINK. The role of the endocannabinoid system in fighting cancer (Ingber, 2002) LINK. The endocannabinoid system as a target for the development of new drugs for cancer therapy. Bifulco M, Di Marzo V. 2002. Nat Med 8:547–550. This study reports how THC effectively fights metastasis cancers. LINK. Lack of correlation between NFkB activation and induction of programmed cell death in PC12 the cannabinoid receptor 1-agonist CP55,940. (Erlandsson et al, 2002). Biochem Pharmacol 64:487. LINK |
Controls cancer cell survival/proliferation. (De Petrocellis et al., 2004; Cannabinoids induce cancer cell to self-destruct (Hart et al., 2004). LINK Novel role for endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids in immunoregulation. (Do et al., 2004). J Immunol 173:2373–2382. LINK The endocannabinoid system: A general view and latest additions (De Petrocellis et al., 2004. Br J Pharmacol 141:765-774. LINK Cannabinoids induce cancer cell proliferation via tumour necrosis factor alpha-converting enzyme (TACE/ADAM17)–mediated transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor. Hart, S., Fischer, O. M., and Ullrich, A. (2004) Cancer Res. 64, 1943–1950. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-03-3720. LINK. Cannabinoids inhibit the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway in gliomas. Blazquez C, Gonzalez-Feria L, lvarez L, Haro A, Casanova ML, Guzman M (2004) Cancer Res 64: 5617 –562.
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Cannabinoids selectively inhibit proliferation and induce death of cultured human glioblastoma multiforme cells (McAllister SD, et al., 2005). LINK Cannabidiol inhibits human glioma cell migration through a cannabinoid receptor-independent mechanism (Vacanni, et al., 2005). LINK. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol enhances breast cancer growth and metastasis by suppression of the antitumor immune response (McKallip, R. J., et al., 2005) LINK.
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Anandamide inhibits adhesion and migration of breast cancer cells – causes apoptosis (cancerous cells to self-destruct) in breast cancer cells. (Grimaldi et al., 2006). LINK. A pilot clinical study of 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme [Brain cancer] (Guzman et al., 2006). LINK. Stops tumour growth causes and cancer cells to self-destruct (Laezza et al., 2006) LINK. Antiangiogenic Activity / Tumour-Suppressor Efficiency (Pisanti et al., 2006) LINK. Cannabinoids and cancer: pros and cons of an antitumour strategy (Bifulco et al., 2006). LINK. – D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits cell cycle progression in human breast cancer cells through Cdc2 regulation (Caffarel et al., 2006). LINK. – Cannabinoids induce apoptosis of pancreatic tumour cells (Carracedo et al., 2006). LINK. |
Cannabinoids induce apoptosis of pancreatic tumour cells via endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes. (Carracedo, A., et al., 2006) LINK.
The stress-regulated protein p8 mediates cannabinoid-induced apoptosis of tumour cells. (Carracedo, A., et al, 2006). LINK.
Cannabinoid receptors in human astroglial tumours. Held-Feindt J, Dorner L, Sahan G, Mehdorn HM, Mentlein R (2006) J Neurochem 98: 886–893.
Antiangiogenic activity of the endocannabinoid anandamide: correlation to its tumor-suppressor efficacy. Pisanti, S., Borselli, C., Oliviero, O., Laezza, C., Gazzerro, P., and Bifulco, M. (2007). J. Cell. Physiol. 211, 495–503. doi: 10.1002/jcp.20954 LINK. Bench trial shows Δ-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibits growth and metastasis of lung cancer (Preet et al., 2007). LINK.
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Bench study – Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits cell cycle progression by downregulation of E2F1 in human glioblastoma multiforme cells (Galanti G, et al., 2008). LINK. Enhancing the in vitro cytotoxic activity of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in leukemic cells through a combinatorial approach. Liu, W. M., Scott, K. A., Shamash, J., Joel, S., and Powles, T. B. (2008). Leuk. Lymphoma 49, 1800–1809. doi: 10.1080/10428190802239188 LINK Cannabinoid receptor activation induces apoptosis through tumour necrosis factor alpha-mediated ceramide de novo synthesis in colon cancer cells. (Cianchi, F., et al, 2008). LINK. Increased endocannabinoid levels reduce the development of precancerous lesions in the mouse colon. Izzo, A. A., Aviello, G., Petrosino, S., Orlando, P., Marsicano, G., Lutz, B., et al. (2008). J. Mol. Med. 86, 89–98. doi: 10.1007/s00109-007-0248-4 LINK Widmer M, Hanemann CO, Zajicek J (2008) J Neurosci Res 86: 3212–3220.Cannabinoids for cancer treatment: progress and promise. Sarfaraz S, Adhami VM, Syed DN, Afaq F, Mukhtar H (2008) Cancer Res 68: 339–342. Tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits epithelial growth factor-induced lung cancer cell migration in vitro as well as its growth and metastasis in vivo. Preet, A., Ganju, R. K., and Groopman, J. E. (2008). Delta9- Oncogene 27, 339–346. doi: 10.1038/ sj.onc. 1210641 Inhibition of cancer cell invasion by cannabinoids via increased expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1Ramer, R., and Hinz, B. (2008).. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 100, 59–69. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djm268
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Official (Gov.) Reports/Actions
U.K.: Prime Minister Tony Blair agrees that cannabis should be legalised for medical purposes, despite having ignored the recommendations of the House of Lords just 18 months previously. This is to solely to enable GW Pharmaceuticals to study the plant as potential medicine LINK
U.K Police Foundation Report suggests that certain drugs be classified and penalties reduced. LINK
Despite Blair telling the public that medical cannabis should be legalised, the British government rejects the police recommendations.
Cannabis causes apoptosis (suicide) in many different types of cancerous cells. (Bifulco et al., 2001; Seigmund et al., 2005; LINK
Inhibition of glioma growth in vivo by selective activation of the cb(2) cannabinoid receptor. Sanchez, C., M. L. de Ceballos, T. G. del Pulgar, D. Rueda, C. Corbacho, G. Velasco, I. Galve-Roperh, J. W. Huffman, Y. C. S. Ramon, M. Guzman. 2001. Cancer Res. 61:5784. LINK
-Control by the endogenous cannabinoid system of rasoncogene-dependent tumour (Bifulco et al., 2001).FASEB J 15:2745–2747. LINK
Causes apoptosis (suicide) in many different types of cancerous cells. (Bifulco et al., 2001; LINK Seigmund et al., 2005; LINK
Inhibition of glioma growth in vivo by selective activation of the cb(2) cannabinoid receptor. Sanchez, C., M. L. de Ceballos, T. G. del Pulgar, D. Rueda, C. Corbacho, G. Velasco, I. Galve-Roperh, J. W. Huffman, Y. C. S. Ramon, M. Guzman. 2001. Cancer Res. 61:5784. LINK
Control by the endogenous cannabinoid system of rasoncogene-dependent tumour (Bifulco et al., 2001).FASEB J 15:2745–2747. LINK
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THC Controls the “proliferation of numerous types of cancer cells.” (Guzman, 2003; LINK; Bifulco et al., 2006). Cannabinoids: Potential anticancer agents. (Guzman M. 2003). Nat Rev Cancer 3:745–755 Inhibitory effects of cannabinoid CB1 receptor stimulation on tumor growth and metastatic spreading: actions on signals involved in angiogenesis and metastasis. Portella, G., Laezza, C., Laccetti, P., De Petrocellis, L., Di Marzo, V., and Bifulco, M. (2003 FASEB J. 17, 1771–1773. doi: 10.1096/fj.02-1129fje. Retards skin cancer and glioma growth. (Blazquez et al., 2003; Casanova et al., 2003). LINK.- Inhibition of tumour angiogenesis by cannabinoids (Blazquez et al., 2003) LINK The endocannabinoid system as a target for the development of new drugs for cancer therapy (Bifulco & Di Marzo, 2003). LINK. |
Three groups of scientists published papers in 2001 showing that endocannabinoids engage in a unique form of intracellular communication known as ‘retrograde signalling.’ Whereas other neurotransmitters typically travel in one direction from the signalling cell across the synapse (gap) to the receiving cell, endocannabinoids travel in the opposite direction (so from the receiving cell to the sender). That is why endocannabinoids are referred to as ‘retrograde messengers.’ They play a key role in managing how fast (or slow) other neurotransmitters fire, which means they play a significant role in our health.
A U.S. gov. funded study finds that medical cannabis significantly improves quality of life.
Dr. Ethan Russo, a neurologist and cannabinoid scientist, introduced the concept of “clinical endocannabinoid deficiency” in 2004. He hypothesized that diminished endocannabinoid function is at the root of several pathologies. Russo specifically mentioned four diseases – migraines, irritable bowel, fibromyalgia, and clinical depression – which often appear as a comorbid cluster of symptoms in patients who are cannabinoid deficient. Subsequent studies would lend credence to Russo’s thesis by linking endocannabinoid deficits to various aberrant conditions, including epilepsy, PTSD, autism, alcoholism, and other neurodegenerative ailments. LINK.
Researchers continued to discover therapeutic actions of endocannabinoids and plant cannabinoids that are not mediated by either CB1 or CB2. A 2005 article in Life Science, for example, reported for the first time that cannabinoid compounds bind to “PPAR-gamma,” a receptor situated on the surface of the cell’s nucleus.
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U.S: In 2007 Mary Ellen Bittner, a DEA Administrative Law Judge, issues a non-binding ruling that Lyle E. Crake, PhD, should be authorised to grow cannabis for medical research at the University of Massachusetts. The ruling states that “there is currently an inadequate supply of marijuana available for research purposes… I recommend that the Respondent’s application be granted.” It took the DEA two years to respond, and when they did they reversed the ruling and denied the request arguing that the current supply of cannabis was “adequate and uninterrupted.” |
Peter Ainsworth, Francis Maude, Lord Strathclyde, Bernard Jenkin, David Willets, Archie Norman, and Oliver Letwin, all members of the Conservative Shadow Cabinet, admit to having smoked cannabis in the past (LINK).
America’s 2nd largest physician group calls for marijuana reclassification and supports non-smoked forms of medical marijuana. LINK.
Scientific Research
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Bench study shows “Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists inhibit tumour growth and metastasis of breast cancer” (Qumri et al.. 2009). LINK. Study shows that “Cannabidiol Induces Programmed Cell Death in Breast Cancer Cells by Coordinating the Cross-talk between Apoptosis and Autophagy” (Shrivastava et al., 2009). LINK. Endocannabinoid system modulation in cancer biology and therapy. Pisanti, S., and Bifulco, M. (2009). Pharmacol. Res. 60, 107–116. doi: 10.1002/ijc.24483 Changes in the endocannabinoid system may give insight into new and effective treatments for cancer. Alpini, G., and Demorrow, S. (2009). LINK. Pharmacological synergism between cannabinoids and paclitaxel in gastric cancer cell lines. Miyato, H., Kitayama, J., Yamashita, H., Souma, D., Asakage, M., Yamada, J., et al. (2009). J. Surg. Res. 155, 40–47. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2008.06.045. LINK Cannabinoid action induces autophagy-mediated cell death through stimulation of ER stress in human glioma cells. Salazar, M., Carracedo, A., Salanueva, I. J., Hernandez-Tiedra, S., Lorente, M., Egia, A., et al. (2009). J. Clin. Invest. 119, 1359–1372. doi: 10.1038/cdd.2011.32. LINK |
Anandamide induces cell death through lipid rafts in hepatic stellate cells (Yang Q, et al., 2010). Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010 (5):991-1001 LINK.
The endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide, induces COX-2-dependent cell death in apoptosis-resistant colon cancer cells. Patsos, H. A., Greenhough, A., Hicks, D. J., Al Kharusi, M., Collard, T. J., Lane, J. D., et al. (2010). Int. J. Oncol. 37, 187–193. LINK
Membrane cholesterol mediates the endocannabinoids-anandamide affection on HepG2 cells (Wu WJ et al., 2010). LINK.
The Law
Hawaii, Colorado, and Nevada legalise medical cannabis.
U.S Supreme Court rules, “there is no medical necessity exception to the Controlled Substance Act.”
Luxembourg decriminalises cannabis.
Canada legalises medical cannabis.
UK: New licensing laws are introduced under the Misuse of Drugs (2001) that permit cannabis cultivation for research purposes. This enables British Sugar to grow cannabis for GW Pharmaceuticals.
UK: 2001. The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, announces proposals to reclassify cannabis as a class C drug, thus placing it in the same category as steroids and tranquilisers.
U.K: Following a supportive report from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) in 2002, the rescheduling of cannabis as a class C drug took place in 2003.
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2003: The first patient in Canada receives medical cannabis that has been grown legally. Belgium decriminalises cannabis. |
U.S. The DEA instructs HHS to review cannabis for possible rescheduling (yet again). Montana and Vermont legalise medical cannabis. U.S. poll finds that 72 percent of older citizens want medical cannabis to be legalised.
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2005: U.S. Supreme Court rules that medicinal cannabis users in states that have legalised medical cannabis can still be prosecuted under federal laws. Federal agents execute widespread raids on medical cannabis pharmacies in California. Chile decriminalises medical cannabis.
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U.S: DEA confirms opposition to smoked cannabis for medical purposes.
Russian reduces the limits for criminal possession of many drugs, with the criminal threshold for cannabis being reduced from 20 grams to 6 grams for cannabis and 5 grams to 2 grams for hashish/resin.
Brazil decriminalises cannabis and allows small amounts to be cultivated for personal use.
U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, announces there is to be a review of the government’s drug strategy, including whether or not to reclassify cannabis as a class B drug.
New Mexico becomes the 12th state to legalise medical cannabis.
UK: Following a request from the then Home Secretary, the ACMD reviewed the evidence on cannabis and published a report in May 2008 recommending that cannabis remain a class C drug. The report also noted that cannabis use had fallen “significantly” across all age ranges. A last-minute report from the ACMD pointed to a “probable but weak causal link between psychotic illness, including schizophrenia, and cannabis use.” But despite the widespread use of stronger cannabis strains (e.g. skunk), it was noted that cannabis played only a “modest role” in the development of these conditions in the population as a whole.” LINK.
GW Pharmaceuticals begin exporting cannabis for the medical markets abroad, despite only having been granted a license to grow cannabis for research research purposes only. Furthermore, and as stated in a report published by the House of Lords, ‘Cannabis as a “Schedule 1” drug, cannot be used at all in medicine, except for research under special Home Office licence.’ As such, it was illegal to export cannabis – even for medical use abroad (see the next section for the outcome of this situation).
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Despite this the British Government confirmed cannabis was being restored to Class B – so bluntly snubbed the advice and recommendations of its own experts and advisors once again.
Michigan legalises medical cannabis.
Austria legalises medical cannabis.
The American Medical Association softens position on scheduling of marijuana – releasing a policy document, which stated that “marijuana’s status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines.” LINK.
Researchers at Stony Brook University in New York made huge strides in unravelling the riddle of endocannabinoid mobility in 2009 when they identified a fatty acid binding protein (FABP) that transports anandamide through the cell’s watery, internal ecosystem. These transport molecules also shuttle 2-AG and other lipid compounds to the great beyond within the cell.
U.S Attorney General says raids on cannabis pharmacies will not continue (2009).
Argentina decriminalises cannabis.
Mexico decriminalises cannabis possession of up to 5 grams.
The American Medical Association softens position on scheduling of marijuana – releasing a policy document, which stated that “marijuana’s status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines.” LINK.
Researchers at Stony Brook University in New York made huge strides in unravelling the riddle of endocannabinoid mobility in 2009 when they identified a fatty acid binding protein (FABP) that transports anandamide through the cell’s watery, internal ecosystem. These transport molecules also shuttle 2-AG and other lipid compounds to the great beyond within the cell.
2010-2021
Scientific Research
The orphan G protein coupled receptor GPR55 promotes cancer cell proliferation via ERK (Andradas, C., er al., 2011). LINK. Update on the endocannabinoid system as an anticancer target. Malfitano, A. M., Ciaglia, E., Gangemi, G., Gazzerro, P., Laezza, C., and Bifulco, M. (2011). Expert Opin. Ther. Targets 15, 297–308. doi: 10.1517/14728222.2011.553606 LINK The endocannabinoid system and cancer: therapeutic implication. Guindon, J., and Hohmann, A. G. (2011). Br. J. Pharmacol. 163, 1447–1463. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01327. LINK The putative cannabinoid receptor GPR55 defines a novel autocrine loop in cancer cell proliferation. Piñeiro, R., Maffucci, T., and Falasca, M. (2011). Oncogene 30, 142–152. doi: 10.1038/onc.2010.417 LINK
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The endocannabinoid N-arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA) selectively induces oxidative stress-mediated cell death in hepatic stellate cells but not in hepatocytes (Wojtalla et al., 2012). Liver Physiol. 2012 302(8):G873-87. LINK Towards the use of cannabinoids as antitumour agents. Velasco, G., Sanchez, C., and Guzmán, M. (2012). Nat. Rev. Cancer 12, 436–444. doi: 10.1038/nrc3247. LINK Cannabinoids: a new hope for breast cancer therapy?(Caffarel, M. M., et al., 2012). LINK.
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Simultaneous activation of induced heterodimerization between CXCR4 chemokine receptor and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) reveals a mechanism for regulation of tumour progression. (Coke, C. J., et al., 2016). LINK. The potential relevance of the endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Zhang, J., Medina-Cleghorn, D., Bernal-Mizrachi, L., Bracci, P. M., Hubbard, A., Conde, L., et al. (2016). Oncoscience 3, 31–41. doi: 10.18632/oncoscience. LINK Ligands for cannabinoid receptors, promising anticancer agents. Nikan, M., Nabavi, S. M., and Manayi, A. (2016). Life Sci. 146, 124–130. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2015.12.053 LINK
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Targeting cannabinoid receptors in gastrointestinal cancers for therapeutic uses: current status and future perspectives. Pagano, E., and Borrelli, F. (2017). Expert Rev. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 11, 871–873. doi: 10.1080/17474124.2017.1367663. LINK Cannabinoids as anticancer drugs. Ramer, R., and Hinz, B. (2017). Adv. Pharmacol. 80, 397–436. doi: 10.1016/bs.apha.2017.04.002. LINK Cannabinoids modulate neuronal activity and cancer by CB1 and CB2 receptor-independent mechanisms. Soderstrom, K., Soliman, E., and Van Dross, R. (2017). Front. Pharmacol. 8:720. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00720. LINK The Endocannabinoid System as a Target in Cancer Diseases: Are We There Yet? (Moreno et al., 2018). LINK. Corticosterone inhibits the expression of cannabinoid receptor-1 and cannabinoid receptor agonist-induced decrease in cell viability in glioblastoma cells (Sugimoto N. et al., 2019): LINK. Reduced Tolerance and Asymmetrical Cross-tolerances to Effects of the Indole Quinuclidinone Analog PNR-4-20, a G Protein-Biased Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Agonist in Mice: Comparisons with Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and JWH-018. (Ford BM, et al., 2019). LINK. Case Report: Clinical Outcome and Image Response of Two Patients with Secondary High-Grade Glioma Treated with Chemoradiation, PCV, and Cannabidiol. (Dall’Stella P. et al., 2019. LINK. Role of miRNA in the regulation of cannabidiol-mediated apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells (Alharris E., et al 2019) LINK. Medical Cannabis Use in Glioma Patients Treated at a Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Florida (Reblin M, et al., 2019). LINK. Therapeutic targeting of HER2-CB2R heteromers in HER2-positive breast cancer. (Blasco-Benito, S., et al 2019). LINK. Synthetic Cannabinoids Influence the Invasion of Glioblastoma Cell Lines in a Cell- and Receptor-Dependent Manner ( Hohmann T, et al., 2019). LINK. Potential Use of Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer (Sharafi G, 2019). LINK The onus of cannabinoids in interrupting the molecular odyssey of breast cancer: A critical perspective on UPRER and beyond. (Rahman S, et al., 2019): LINK. Flavonoid Derivative of Cannabis Demonstrates Therapeutic Potential in Preclinical Models of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer (Moreau M. et al., 2019) LINK. Anti-tumour Cannabinoid Chemotypes: Structural Insights. (Morales P. & Jagerovic N., 2019). LINK. Down-Regulation of Cannabinoid Type 1 (CB1) Receptor and its Downstream Signalling Pathways in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (Tutino, et al., 2019): LINK
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Clinical trials for cannabis and brain cancer are currently taking place in the UK, but unfortunately the trials are not using cannabis oils or extracts (ALL of the research listed above, as well as the many thousands not listed, used cannabis extracts/oil such as RSO). Instead, the trials are using GWP’s Sativax. It is also worth noting that GW has conducted similar small studies (brain cancer/Sativex), which had good results, but these were no where near as powerful as those achieved with THC rich extracts or oils. So, what are they playing at?
Official (gov) Reports & Actions
June 2010, it was revealed that the British Home Office had been avoiding complying with FOI requests “to avoid a focus on the gaps in the evidence base” that current drug policy had and still has. (BBC, 2010). LINK.
United Kingdom – BBC Report: In 2011, the Global Commission on Drug Policy backed by Richard Branson and Judi Dench called for a review.[76] The Home Office response on behalf of the Prime Minister was: “We have no intention of liberalising our drugs laws. Drugs (sic) are illegal because they are harmful—they destroy lives and cause untold misery to families and communities” LINK. A 106-page petition by the Governors of Washington and Rhode Island is filed with the DEA. It declares that the Schedule I classification of cannabis is “fundamentally wrong and should be changed.” The first cannabis club opens in the UK. Weekly meetings bring together pensioners, students, builders, bankers, etc., to discuss topics ranging from self-medication to a campaign for the decriminalization of drugs. LINK Israeli government arranges to supply medical cannabis to its researchers. Denmark approves several cannabis derived products for medical use.
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2013: It is estimated that there are at least 50 medical cannabis clubs in the UK, with members meeting to discuss the drug’s production, its medicinal use and importantly, its legalisation. LINK.
2014 U.K: The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), which focuses on drug policy reform publish a report entitled ‘Regulating Cannabis for Medical Use in the UK.’ The report included the experiences of 623 patients using cannabis for medicinal purposes, professionals, experts, and reviewed more than 20,000 scientific and medical reports. The paper called for the urgent and significant need to reform cannabis laws in the UK.
As a result a group of British MPs called on the British government to legalise medical cannabis, with an emphasis on how scientific evidence showed that the medicinal use of cannabis showed significant health benefits to many different health conditions. Their decision was also influenced by the End Our Pain campaign, which supports the legalisation of medical cannabis. Their demands were ignored.
2014: UK – Government figures estimate that some 1.4 million people across the UK rely on cannabis to treat their health condition. However, it is likely that these figured are far higher LINK.
The British government Sativex is not cannabis, despite it being made entirely from cannabis and having a 1-1 THC/CBD ratio.
Former prime minister, Nick Clegg, said UK ministers should start planning for the possibility of a legal market for the drug (cannabis) so as not to fall behind other nations. Mr Clegg also wrote a letter to the British Medical Journal last week in which he claimed cannabis is “much safer” than many other medicines in use and said continuing to criminalise it was “absurd.” It claimed, “The UK’s 45 years of harsh prohibition has multiplied use and harm,” Independent, 2016. APPG for Drug Policy Reform publish Cannabis: The Evidence for Medical Use. LINK The British Home Office published the following statement in response to the report mentioned above: “This government has no plans to legalise cannabis. There is a substantial body of scientific and medical evidence to show that cannabis is a harmful drug which can damage people’s mental and physical health. The UK’s approach on drugs remains clear – we must prevent drug use in our communities and support people dependent on drugs through treatment and recovery.” The review was accompanied by an APPG Inquiry Report calling for a change in the law to permit medical prescription. The report reviewed a range of policy models and noted that rescheduling with no other reform would leave the The report also states that cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the UK, with 6.7 per cent of adults aged 16 to 59 using it in the past year (2016). It also estimated that a British legal cannabis market could be worth £6.8bn to the economy annually, potentially netting between £750m and £1.05bn in tax revenues and reduced criminal justice costs. It is estimated that more than 250 million people in Europe have access to medical cannabis, 210 million in the USA, 35 million in Canada, and 8 million in Israel. LINK NO ONE IN BRITAIN HAS ACCESS BECAUSE SOME BRITISH POLITICIANS ARE LOOKING AFTER THEIR PERSONAL INTERESTS RATHER THAN THOSE OF THE PUBLIC THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SERVING. |
U.K. Article in the Independent Newspaper cites a report showing that if cannabis was legalised and regulated by the British government, taxation from sales and savings on criminal justice costs could net the British Treasury upwards of £1 billion. The report also claims that the number of offenders in prison for cannabis-related offenses in England and Wales, which costs the taxpayers some £50 million a year, would also decrease significantly.
BBC Report: The NHS warns that cannabis use carries a number of risks, such as impairing the ability to drive, harm to lungs and a risk of cancer if smoked, harm to mental health, fertility problems, and risks to unborn babies. All of these are unproven – although there is some evidence re driving under the influence of cannabis – which should be illegal anyway. Nevertheless, the risks of having an accident under the influence of cannabis are, according to the report, far less than those associated with drinking alcohol and driving LINK.
UK – Licensed Cannabis Based Medicines as of September 2021: Three cannabis based products have achieved status as a licensed medicine for use in the UK: Sativex, Epidyolex, (both GWP products), and the synthetic cannabinoid medicine Nabilone. They are licensed, respectively, for use in spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS); the treatment of seizures in patients with Lennox Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome (DS); and the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). However, as they are only offered after all other medications have failed to work, and as the NHS are reluctant to prescribe cannabis medicines, only a handful of patients have been able to legally access medical cannabis in the UK since the so-called ‘reform’ of cannabis in 2018 LINK.
The Law
New Jersey legalises medical cannabis.
Iowa Board of Pharmacy recommends the rescheduling of marijuana
Medical marijuana becomes legal in DC and Arizona.
The Czech Republic reduces the penalty for cannabis possession and cultivation – 5 plants or less is seen as a misdemeanor.
UK: Between 2011-2016, which is when Theresa May served as Home Secretary, GW Pharmaceuticals (a British firm) applies for around 41 patents to study cannabis, especially the cannabinoids THC and CBD. This included five patents for treating cancer. According to the patent register, these are the only patents they hold (so all, except two) applied for during May’s term as Home Secretary). There is no record of GWP having applied for anymore in the UK since this time. Theresa May’s husband’s firm owns 22 percent shares in GW Pharmaceuticals. In 2013, Mrs May, Britain’s Home Secretary retrospectively legalised GW’s licence (which did not give them the right to export cannabis), back to 2003 (so when the firm began exporting cannabis on a grand scale illegally). This means that GWP, unlike any other British person or firm, will not face any criminal charges for illegally growing and selling cannabis on a massive scale for more than ten years. If it were you or me, we would be charged as dealers and imprisoned for a very long time. US: Delaware legalises medical cannabis. DEA DENIES the 2002 request to reclassify cannabis out of its very restrictive schedule 1 category – this is NINE YEARS AFTER THE REQUEST WAS MADE!
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U.S: Connecticut and Massachusetts legalises medical cannabis. US Federal Court hears the case demanding that cannabis is removed from schedule 1. Washington State and Colorado legalise recreational cannabis, which marks the beginning of what is described as the ‘green rush.’ Colombia decriminalises the possession of 20 grams of cannabis or less. Switzerland reduces the possession of 10 grams or less of cannabis to a fine. 2014: U.S – New Hampshire and Illinois legalises medical cannabis.
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UK: Sativex, which is a cannabis (only) medicine marketed by GW Pharmaceuticals for treating the symptoms of MS, is reclassified as a Schedule 4 drug under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations (2001). The goal, according to the authorities, was enabling better patient access (and higher profits), while also keeping cannabis illegal for the masses. Nevertheless, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance does not recommend offering Sativex to treat spasticity in people with MS because they do not consider it to be cost effective.
British MPs forced to debate the legalisation of cannabis after an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures. LINK.
Austria decriminalises possession of small amounts of cannabis.
North Mecedonia legalises medical cannabis.
Australia legalises medical cannabis.
Poland legalises medical cannabis.
Norway makes allowances for medical cannabis.
Georgia’s Supreme Court rules that imprisoning people for the possession of small amounts of cannabis is unconstitutional.
U.S: DEA anounces that it is considering moving cannabis to a less restrictive schedule once AGAIN…. in the same year, the DEA refuses to remove cannabis from schedule 1.
Arkansas, Florida, North Dakota, Ohio, and Pennsylvania legalise medical cannabis.
Theresa May becomes the U.K’s Prime Minister.
BBC: Just one in four cannabis users are charged and arrests have fallen by almost 50 percent since 2010, new figures show. This is due to some police forces no longer looking to ‘seek out’ people who use cannabis… and one police force said that officers are no longer targeting those who grow cannabis for personal use. Nevertheless, there is significant disparity between forces, with some increasing arrests. LINK.
United Kingdom: CBD – A statement was issued by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), advising that products containing CBD that are used for medicinal purposes are considered as medicine and therefore subject to standard licensing requirements.
Cayman Islands – Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Law, 2016 allows: “The use of cannabis extracts and tinctures of cannabis for medical or therapeutic purposes, when prescribed by a doctor licensed in accordance with the Health Practice Law as part of a course of treatment for a person under that medical doctor’s care is lawful.” LINK.
U.S: Oklahoma becomes the 30th state to legalise medical cannabis.
Denmark legalises cannabis-based medicines.
Malta legalises medical cannabis.
Zimbabwe legalises cannabis for medical use.
Canada fully legalises cannabis.
Thailand legalises medical cannabis.
South Africa decriminalises cannabis.
FDA approves Epidiolex, which is a CBD-only product produced by (guess who) GW Pharmaceuticals, and prescribed for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome) for patients of two years old and above.
UK legalises medical cannabis (in theory): GW Pharmaceutical products are listed in Schedule 2 under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations (2001), but cannabis itself remains in Schedule 1. The new legislation permits medicinal products made with cannabis to be used for medical (patients) and scientific purposes without needing a schedule 1 license – thus increasing industry profits.
However, the NHS refuses to prescribe these drugs due to a lack of knowledge about cannabis and fears over safety issues – even though the endocannabinoid system (ECS) was discovered almost 30 years ago, more than half of British medical schools and around 75 percent of medical schools globally still fail to include any teaching about the ECS, and teaching about cannabis still focuses on unproven harms and risks along with heroin, LSD, and so on. This also fails to recognise that cannabis has a 100% safety records that stretches back to some 6,000 years and more!
Expert Panel on cannabis-related medicinal products is established in the UK.
Australian Capital Territory legalises personal cannabis growing, possession and consumption for recreational purposes. LINK
