Cannabis for Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis

The treatment of MS is far from satisfactory. For acute attacks, high dose corticosteroids seem to reduce the duration of attacks and to reduce the likelihood of future attacks. Immunomodulatory agents, available in this disease over the last decade, reduce the frequency of severe attacks by about one third. The remainder of the treatments are symptomatic, aimed at reducing the disability already present. Recent research into the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptor systems suggest that cannabis may have the potential for affecting both the pathogenic mechanisms and the symptoms of MS. In light of the autoimmune hypothesis of the etiology of MS, THC could directly alter immune function in a manner that might reduce (or increase) the primary pathology of the disease. Comparisons: Three treatment arms will be compared: 1) inhaled cannabis and oral placebo, 2) inhaled placebo and oral THC, 3) inhaled placebo and oral placebo, with the effects of these agents analyzed at thirty and sixty days.