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How cannabis could play a role in cancer research

Getty

Getty

Pre-clinical benefits of marijuana to treat cancer have been discussed on a US Government website.

Cannabis is listed as a ‘Schedule I’ drug – the most restrictive of a five-tier drug classification list.

• Medical marijuana by 2015
Medical marijuana pushed
• Cannabis regulation recommended

Last month, the beneficial medicinal applications of the drug were discussed on The National Cancer Institute’s website, the US’s leading cancer research and training body.

Several potential uses for cannabis were discussed, including pain relief, appetite stimulation and as a treatment for cancer.

“Studies in mice and rats have shown that cannabinoids may inhibit tumor growth by causing cell death, blocking cell growth, and blocking the development of blood vessels needed by tumors to grow,” the website stated.

“Laboratory and animal studies have shown that cannabinoids may be able to kill cancer cells while protecting normal cells.

“A laboratory study of cannabidiol (CBD) in estrogen receptor positive and estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells showed that it caused cancer cell death while having little effect on normal breast cells.

“Studies in mouse models of metastatic breast cancer showed that cannabinoids may lessen the growth, number, and spread of tumors.”

The study added that adverse side-effects included rapid beating of the heart, bloodshot eyes, dizziness and depression.

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