IACM-Bulletin of January 6, 2002

IACM — Become a member of the IACM

The International Association for Cannabis as Medicine was founded in March 2000 by members of the German Association for Cannabis as Medicine. An increasing number of people outside the German speech area is joining the IACM to help to make cannabis and the cannabinoids available for medical use, worldwide, and to increase our knowledge on their pharmacology, toxicology and therapeutic potential.

Become a member of this international network at:

http://www.cannabis-med.org/english/member.htm

New members, who join the IACM until the 1st of March 2002, receive a free copy of the 205 page special HIV/AIDS issue of the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, Volume 1(3/4) of 2001.

News in brief

Switzerland — Hunger strike

A Swiss cannabis activist started a hunger strike on the day of his arrest on 14 November 2001, now since more than 50 days. Bernard Rappaz cultivates cannabis. He is founder and manager of the hemp co-operative Valchanvre (English: Hemp valley). 25 police officers raided the co-operative and confiscated 10 tons of cannabis. Rappaz is accused of cultivating hemp that contains more than the allowed 0.3% THC. (More on: http://www.multimania.com/fdcc/)

Science — Emetogenic effects blocked by THC

The endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) caused vomiting in shrews. THC and several synthetic CB1 receptor agonists blocked this emetogenic effect. The nonpsychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) was inactive. (Source: Darmani NA. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2002;300(1):34-42)

UK — Pilot scheme extended

Around 400 drug users have been warned instead of arrested for possession of cannabis under a pilot scheme in Brixton, south London, police said on 2 January. The scheme was introduced in July 2001 and is intended to free up police time so officers can concentrate on hard drugs. The police has argued that confiscating drugs and issuing a warning on the street could take 10 minutes of an officer's time instead of up to 10 hours if the person is arrested. The initiative has been extended until spring. (Source: PA News of 2 January 2002)

USA — Marijuana laws

NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) has completed and updated its information on marijuana laws in all states of the USA at

http://www.norml.org/states/index.shtml