Cannabis Link to Multiple Sclerosis
Patients with multiple sclerosis who were regular smokers of street cannabis had more extensive cognitive abnormalities compared to multiple sclerosis patients that do not use cannabis.
(Source: Neurology journal issue 71, 2008).
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
The link of cannabis use with multiple sclerosis has been known for some time and scientists are now measuring the adverse effects on brain function and difficulty of withdrawal from addiction.
Smoked cannabis has more that 2000 cannabinoid compounds with varying levels of toxicity depending upon potency and method of growing.
The over 2000 compounds also include various cancer causing substances.
Cannabis grown hydroponically has higher levels of THC which increase the effects of the cannabis on the brain and also the difficulty of the withdrawal.
Cannabis use is addictive and requires withdrawal because of the addiction.
Cannabis use causes impairment of the immune system, heart problems, respiratory problems and mental illness.
As cannabis is the most used illicit drug in Australia the medical impacts are likely to be more widespread causing more damage to young Australians and more costs to the health system.
Drug rehabilitation that gets cannabis users off drugs is more compassionate and very cost effective.
There is an urgent need for this type of rehabilitation to be more available in Australia.
