African Traditional Herbal Research Clinic ... - Blackherbals.com

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Continued from page 29 – What Your Government Knowsabout Cannabis and CancerSadly, the questions posed above are not entirelyhypothetical. Let me explain.In 2007, I reviewed over 150 published preclinical andclinical studies assessing the therapeutic potential ofmarijuana and several of its active compounds, knownas cannabinoids. I summarized these numerous studiesin a book, now in its third edition, entitled EmergingClinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids:A Review of the Scientific Literature. (NORMLFoundation, 2008) One chapter in this book, whichsummarized the findings of more than 30 separate trialsand literature reviews, was dedicated to the use ofcannabinoids as potential anti-cancer agents,particularly in the treatment of gliomas.Not familiar with this scientific research? Yourgovernment is.In fact, the first experiment documenting pot's potentanti-cancer effects took place in 1974 at the MedicalCollege of Virginia at the behest federal bureaucrats.The results of that study, reported in an Aug. 18, 1974,Washington Post newspaper feature, were thatmarijuana's primary psychoactive component, THC,"slowed the growth of lung cancers, breast cancers anda virus-induced leukemia in laboratory mice, andprolonged their lives by as much as 36 percent."Despite these favorable preliminary findings(eventually published the following year in the Journalof the National Cancer Institute), U.S. governmentofficials refused to authorize any follow-up researchuntil conducting a similar -- though secret -- preclinicaltrial in the mid-1990s. That study, conducted by theU.S. National Toxicology Program to the tune of $2million, concluded that mice and rats administered highdoses of THC over long periods had greater protectionagainst malignant tumors than untreated controls.However, rather than publicize their findings, the U.S.government shelved the results, which only becamepublic after a draft copy of its findings were leaked tothe medical journal AIDS Treatment News, which inturn forwarded the story to the national media.In the years since the completion of the NationalToxicology trial, the U.S. government has yet toauthorize a single additional study examining the drug'spotential anti-cancer properties. (Federal permission isnecessary in order to conduct clinical research onmarijuana because of its illegal status as a schedule Icontrolled substance.)Fortunately, in the past 10 years scientists overseashave generously picked up where U.S. researchers soabruptly left off, reporting that cannabinoids can halt thespread of numerous cancer cells -- including prostatecancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, andbrain cancer. (An excellent paper summarizing much ofthis research, "Cannabinoids for Cancer Treatment:Progress and Promise," appears in the January 2008edition of the journal Cancer Research.) A 2006 patienttrial published in the British Journal of Cancer evenreported that the intracranial administration of THC wasassociated with reduced tumor cell proliferation inhumans with advanced glioblastoma.Writing earlier this year in the scientific journal ExpertReview of Neurotherapeutics, Italian researchersreiterated, "(C)annabinoids have displayed a greatpotency in reducing glioma tumor growth. (They) appearto be selective antitumoral agents as they kill glioma cellswithout affecting the viability of nontransformedcounterparts." Not one mainstream media outlet reportedtheir findings. Perhaps now they'll pay better attention.What possible advancements in the treatment of cancermay have been achieved over the past 34 years had U.S.government officials chosen to advance -- rather thansuppress -- clinical research into the anti-cancer effects ofcannabis? It's a shame we have to speculate; it's evenmore tragic that the families of Senator Kennedy andthousands of others must suffer while we do.-30- Traditional African Clinic December 2009http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-armentano/what-yourgovernment-know_b_108712.html☻☻☻☻☻☻Cannabis Biggest DrugChallenge in Africa - GiadeThis Day (Lagos)14 January 2008The Chairman of the National Drug Law EnforcementAgency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade said at the weekendthat Cannabis otherwise known as Indian hemp is thebiggest drug challenge in the country and the Africancontinent.Giade made the declaration when the Agency publiclydestroyed a total of 101,652.24 kilogrammes of narcoticswhich is about 102 metric tonnes in Anambra, Delta andEdo States.Edo State Command where 75,896 kilogrammes of harddrugs were destroyed has the largest quantity. This isfollowed by Delta State and Anambra State Commandswhere 22,700 kilogrammes and 3,056.24 kilogrammes ofnarcotics were set ablaze. The public destruction is partof the Agency's effort to provide a drug free society forall. Continued on page 34
African Traditional Herbal Research ClinicVolume 4, Issue 11 NEWSLETTER December 2009FEATURED ARTICLESHarmless Habit or Dangerous Drug?Chris SummersBBC News5 January 2006The UK Home Office is expected to announce within dayswhether it will ban khat, a narcotic shrub which men inthe Somali and Yemeni communities have traditionallychewed.Khat is illegal in the United States but is entirelyuncontrolled in UK. Is it really any more dangerous thantobacco or alcohol?Facts about khat:• There are two main types of khat - mirra and hereri• Mirra is grown mainly in Kenya• Hereri comes from Ethiopia• A bundle of khat costs around £3 in Britain• Khat is illegal in the US and a bundle there sells forbetween $50 and $80The stimulant khat, or qat, is currently legal in the UKalthough it is banned in the United States, Canada andseveral European countries.The plant - celastrus edulis - is grown mainly in Kenyaand Ethiopia but most of the crop is picked and flown toSomalia or the Yemen or to expatriate groups in Europe.Labour MP Mike Gapes said khat was "causing havoc inthe Somali community" and he has called on HomeSecretary Charles Clarke to make it a controlledsubstance.The MP for Ilford South said: "It used to be chewedmainly by old men but it is now being used by young boyswho are in a state of permanent intoxication.Decision due soon"There is evidence of serious psychotic consequencesfrom long-term use and also a suggestion that it iscarcinogenic."Khat has been used for centuries by Somalis, not onlyfor its energy-giving qualities, but also because itmakes people more relaxed, talkative and friendly andis also said to improve sexual prowess, although insome men it can actually have the opposite effect.Just before Christmas the Advisory Committee on DrugMisuse handed Mr. Clarke its report on khat, whichincluded a recommendation.The report is due to be published later this month and,if it recommends a ban, it is thought Mr. Clarke willpush ahead with legislation.Many Somali women resent the effect of khat on theirmenfolk and this opposition was highlighted by arecent survey.Nearly 600 members of Britain's Somali communitywere interviewed and 49% said they would support aban on khat.The Yemeni community was not canvassed for theiropinions.'Horrified'The Home Office said of the survey: "Those whowanted to see it banned generally thought that Somalipeople would achieve more in British society, workingand studying harder than they currently did with khat todistract them."Faisa Mohammed, chair of the Bromley-based SomaliWell Women Project, said the abuse of khat wasdamaging many Somali families in Britain.She said: "Back home the men were the breadwinnersbut they came to Britain without jobs and took up khat,which has become an addiction. They chew all nightand during the day they can't do anything."“There is evidence of serious psychotic consequencesfrom long-term use and also a suggestion that it isContinued on page 32-31- Traditional African Clinic December 2009
Page 1: African Traditional Herbal Research
Page 6 and 7: African Traditional Herbal Research
Page 10 and 11: Continued from page 5 - Is America
Page 12 and 13: Continued from page 11- Argentina R
Page 14 and 15: Warning of Extra HeartDangers from
Page 16 and 17: Continued from page 15 - Can Mariju
Page 18 and 19: Continued from page 17 - Marijuana
Page 20 and 21: Continued from page 19 - Michigan F
Page 24 and 25: One-in-10 Deaths 'Caused byDrinking
Page 26 and 27: Continued from page 23 - Alcohol Ta
Page 28 and 29: Continued from page 27 - Why you sh
Page 32 and 33: Continued from page 31 - Harmless H
Page 34 and 35: Continued from page 30- Cannabis Bi
Page 36 and 37: Continued from page 35 - GSK Deal d
Page 38 and 39: Continued from page 37 - Cocaine Ad
Page 40 and 41: Continued from page 39 - Cocaine, S
Page 42 and 43: Continued from page 41 - Hints of 9
Page 44 and 45: Dutch Police in CannabisMix-upBBC N
Page 46 and 47: Continued from page 45 - Uganda Mar
Page 48 and 49: Continued from page 47 - Liberia Po
Page 50 and 51: Continued from page 49 - Kenya Aid
Page 52 and 53: Continued from page 51 - Drugs and
Page 54: Mission StatementOur aim at The Afr

African Traditional Herbal Research Clinic ... - Blackherbals.com

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?