epilepsy Archives - TheJointBlog

Study Says “CBD Shows Similar Efficacy in the Severe Pediatric Epilepsies to Other Antiepileptic Drugs”

November 8, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

Cannabidiol (CBD) “shows similar efficacy in the severe paediatric epilepsies to other antiepileptic drugs”, states a new meta-study published by the journal Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, and epublished by the National Institute of Health.”

“There are hundreds of compounds found in the marijuana plant, each contributing differently to the antiepileptic and psychiatric effects”, states the study’s abstract. “Despite considerable community interest in the use of CBD for paediatric epilepsy, there has been little evidence for its use apart from anecdotal reports, until the last year. ” Researchers note that “Three randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials in Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome found that CBD produced a 38% to 41% median reduction in all seizures compared to 13% to 19% on placebo.”

Similarly, “CBD resulted in a 39% to 46% responder rate (50% convulsive or drop-seizure reduction) compared to 14% to 27% on placebo. CBD was well tolerated; however, sedation, diarrhoea, and decreased appetite were frequent.”

Study: Cannabis Could Represent an Effective and Well-Tolerated Treatment for Epileptic Seizures

March 30, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

According to a new study published by Epilepsia Open, “cannabis could actually represent an effective, well-tolerated antiepileptic drug”.

“Cannabidivarin (CBDV) and cannabidiol (CBD) have recently emerged among cannabinoids for their potential antiepileptic properties, as shown in several animal models”, states the study’s abstract. “We report the case of a patient affected by symptomatic partial epilepsy who used cannabis as self-medication after the failure of countless pharmacological/surgical treatments.”

Clinical and video electroencephalogram (EEG) evaluations were periodically performed, and the serum levels of CBDV, CBD, and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol were repeatedly measured. After cannabis administration, “a dramatic clinical improvement, in terms of both decrease in seizure frequency and recovery of cognitive functions, was observed, which might parallel high CBDV plasma concentrations.”

Hawaii: Proposal to Expand Medical Marijuana Law Passed by Two Senate Committees on Same Day

March 30, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Legislation that would expand Hawaii’s medical marijuana law was passed by two Senate committees today, sending it towards a vote by the full Senate.

House Bill 1488 was passed unanimously today by both the Senate Judicial Law Committee, and the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The votes come roughly a week after the measure – which has already passed the House of Representatives – was approved by the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health Committee.

House Bill 1488 would amend the definition of adequate supply of marijuana to include seven marijuana seedlings, and would “amend the definition of “debilitating medical condition” to include lupus, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and autism as conditions that qualify for the legal use of medical marijuana.”

Hawaii Bill Adding Five New Medical Cannabis Conditions Passes House Committee

March 22, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

The Hawaii House Health Committee has passed a measure that wold expand the state’s medical cannabis program. They also unanimously passed a bill to change state law to refer to “medical marijuana” as “medical cannabis”.

Senate Bill 174, which has already passed the Senate with a unanimous 25 to 0 vote, passed the House Health Committee yesterday; the vote was 4 to 2. The proposal would add lupus, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis and autism as conditions that qualify someone to become a legal medical cannabis patient.

Currently medical cannabis use in Hawaii is limited to those with cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS or a “chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces” cachexia, severe pain or nausea, seizures, sever muscle spasms or post traumatic stress disorder.

Nebraska Judiciary Committee Votes to Legalize Medical Marijuana

March 18, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Nebraska’s Judiciary Committee has passed legislation to legalize medical marijuana.

Legislative Bill 622 was passed by the Judiciary Committee with a 6 to 1 vote, with Senator Stebe Halloran casting the sole “No” vote. The measure allows those with a qualifying condition to possess and use marijuana medicines if they receive a recommendation from a physician and become licensed with the state. A system of regulated marijuana dispensaries would be authorized.

Qualifying conditions would include opioid addiction, AIDS, epilepsy, glaucoma, Crohn’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, hepatitis C, lupus, Parkinson’s disease, Lyme disease, spinal cord injury or disease, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety.

Hawaii Senate Votes Unanimously to Allow Medical Cannabis for Lupus, Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Arthritis and Autism

March 7, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

A Hawaii measure that would expand the list of qualifying medical cannabis conditions has been passed by the state’s full Senate.

Senate Bill 174 was passed today with a unanimous 25 to 0 vote. It now goes to the House of Representatives, where its passage will send it to Governor David Ige for consideration.

If passed into law, the proposal would allow those with lupus, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis and autism to become registered medical cannabis patients, allowing them to possess, purchase (from a licensed dispensary) and use cannabis and cannabis products for medical use.

Study: 90% of Adults Who Use Marijuana to Treat Epilepsy Find Success

February 28, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

According to a new Australian study published by the journal Epilepsy Behavior, and published online by the U.S. National Institute of Health, a vast majority of those who use marijuana to treat epilepsy (including parents who administer it to their children) find success in doing so.

For the study; “Epilepsy Action Australia conducted an Australian nationwide online survey seeking opinions on and experiences with the use of cannabis-based products for the treatment of epilepsy.” The survey “consisted of 39 questions assessing demographics, clinical factors, including diagnosis and seizure types, and experiences with and opinions towards cannabis use in epilepsy.”

A total of 976 responses met the inclusion criteria. Results showed that 15% of adults with epilepsy and 13% of parents/guardians of children with epilepsy were currently using, or had previously used, cannabis products to treat epilepsy.

Florida Officials Begin Issuing Medical Marijuana Cards to Patients

February 25, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

**Florida’s Office of Compassionate Use has officially started issuing medical marijuana cards to patients and caregivers.**

According to Mara Gambinieri, spokesperson for the state’s Department of Health, their Office of Compassionate Use began processing patient applications once the state’s new medical marijuana rules took effect on February 19th.

Under the state’s law, those with a qualifying condition who receive a recommendation from a physician to use medical marijuana can apply with the department to do so. Qualifying conditions include HIV/AIDS, cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, chronic muscle spasms, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) and Crohn’s disease.

Top 10 Studies Released in 2016 that Exemplify Cannabis’ Medical Diversity

August 15, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

In recent years there has been a vast amount of research released that exemplifies cannabis’ diverse medical value, and 2016 – despite being far from over – has been no different.

Below is a list featuring 10 of the top studies released this year that demonstrate this diversity:

THC Stimulates Toxic Plaque Removal in the Brain, Blocks Inflammation, Finds Study

A study published last month in Nature Partner Journals found that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) stimulates toxic plaque removal in the brain, and also blocks inflammation (which can damage neurons).

Study: CBD Oil ‘Highly Promising’ as Treatment for Pediatric Epilepsy

January 29, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

By Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director

The administration of cannabis oil extracts high in cannabidiol reduces seizure frequency in children with intractable epilepsy, according to clinical data published online ahead of print in the journal Seizure.

Israeli researchers retrospectively evaluated the effects of CBD oil in a multicenter cohort of 74 patients with intractable epilepsy. Participants in the trial were resistant to conventional epilepsy treatment and were treated with CBD extracts for a period of at least three months. Extracts in the study were provided by a pair of Israeli-licensed growers and were standardized to possess a CBD to THC ratio of 20 to 1.