Source: @norml @WeedConnection
Posted By: norml@weedconnection.com
media :: news - Tue, 16 Jun 2015 04:20:21 PST
Survey: Nearly One Out Of Six MS Patients Use Cannabis Therapeutically
Indianapolis, IN: One-quarter of patients with multiple sclerosis report having used cannabis therapeutically and nearly one out of six (16 percent) currently use it to treat symptoms of the disease, according to survey data commissioned by the North American Research Committee on MS.
Over 5,600 MS patients participated in the survey. The results were presented last week at the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Center 2015 Annual Meeting.
Most subjects who had experience with marijuana said that it mitigated at least some symptoms of the disease, such as spasticity or pain. Only five percent of patients surveyed said that cannabis did not provide some level of relief.
Those with more advanced symptoms of MS were more likely to report using cannabis therapeutically.
Of those surveyed, 82 percent said that they would consider cannabis therapy if it were a legal option in their state.
Clinical trials have previously reported that cannabis inhalation is superior to placebo in reducing pain and spasticity in patients with treatment-resistant MS. Other studies indicate that long-term use of cannabinoid therapy may potentially modify MS progression.
Previous survey data published in the journal Neurology reported that 14 percent of MS patients used cannabis for symptom management.
Poll: 56 Percent Of Likely California Voters Back Legalization
San Francisco, CA: Fifty-four percent of Californians support legalizing marijuana for adults, according to polling data commissioned by the Public Policy Institute of California and released on Monday.
The percentage of respondents favoring the notion that "the use of marijuana should be legal" increased three percent since pollsters last posed the question in October 2014. Fifty-four percent is the highest level of support for legalizing cannabis ever reported in a PPIC poll.
Support was slightly higher among likely voters, with 56 percent favoring legalization.
Democrats (65 percent), Californians age 18 to 34 (62 percent), Independent voters (61 percent), and whites (60 percent) were most likely to favor legalization. Sixty percent of Latinos and 57 percent of Republicans opposed legalization.
California is one of several states where voters are expected to decide whether or not to legalize and regulate the use, production, and retail sale of the plant in 2016.
Poll: Most Arizonans Favor Legalizing Marijuana For Personal Use
Phoenix, AZ: Most Arizonans support permitting adults to legally possess marijuana for personal consumption, according to statewide polling data commissioned by the Behavioral Research Center.
Fifty-three percent of respondents favor legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. That is an increase of two percent compared to when pollsters asked a similar question last year.
Only 39 percent of respondents disapproved of the notion of legalizing cannabis.
Legalization supporters were more likely to be under the age of 35 (71 percent) and to identify as a Democrat (64 percent). Respondents age 55 or older (45 percent) and Republicans (33 percent) were least likely to support legalizing the plant for adult use.
Arizona voters will likely decide on a statewide ballot measure in 2016 to regulate the possession, use, production, and sale of cannabis.
Louisiana: Governor Anticipated To Sign Marijuana Sentencing Reform Measure
Baton Rouge, LA: Lawmakers in both chambers have approved legislation, HB 149, to significantly reduce marijuana possession penalties.
The proposal now goes to Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal, who has said that he intends to sign the measure into law. "We are fine with the idea of providing rehabilitation and treatment for non-violent drug offenders, and I think this bill does that," he said.
Louisiana presently imposes some of the harshest marijuana penalties in the nation, particularly for repeat offenders. Annually, state and local police make nearly 14,000 marijuana possession arrests. The state is #14 in the nation in per capita marijuana possession arrests.
House Bill 149 amends criminal penalties for offenses involving the possession of up to 14 grams of marijuana from up to six-months in jail to no more than 15 days in jail. Second offenses would be reduced from up to five years imprisonment to no more than six-months in jail. Third offenses are reduced from up to 20 years imprisonment to no more than two years in prison.
The measure also allows offenders one chance to apply to have their record expunged if they aren't convicted of a marijuana violation within two years of the first offense.
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