The Compassionate Coalition

Barbara Kay's latest reefer madness in the National Post; The most common law enforcement marijuana test is critically flawed; music by George Clinton.

A new documentary by Len Richmond, “What if Cannabis Cured Cancer,” is starting to turn heads. Dr. Andrew Weil recently reviewed Richmond’s film, calling it “excellent,” and last week answered a question about medical cannabis on his web site.

[E]xciting new research suggests that the cannabinoids found in marijuana may have a primary role in cancer treatment and prevention. A number of studies have shown that these compounds can inhibit tumor growth in laboratory animal models. In part, this is achieved by inhibiting angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels that tumors need in order to grow. What’s more, cannabinoids seem to kill tumor cells without affecting surrounding normal cells. If these findings hold true as research progresses, cannabinoids would demonstrate a huge advantage over conventional chemotherapy agents, which too often destroy normal cells as well as cancer cells.

Though not referenced in Dr. Weil’s answer, much of the recent investigation into inhibiting cancer growth using cannabis comes from Dr. Sean D. McAllister, of the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco and medical cannabis researcher Jahan Marcu, who is also on the Medical & Scientific Advisory Board of Americans for Safe Access (ASA).

Richmond’s film is narrated by Emmy-winning actor Peter Coyote and has a host of medical cannabis experts, including Dr. McAllister, Dr. Donald Abrams, Professor of Clinical Medicine and Integrative Oncology at UCSF, Dr. Robert Melamede, University of Colorado Biology Chairman and ASA Advisory Board member, as well as researchers from Spain and Israel.

Richmond’s film asks:

Could the chemicals found in marijuana prevent and even heal several deadly cancers? Could the tumor-regulating properties of “cannabinoids” someday replace the debilitating drugs, chemotherapy, and radiation that harms as often as it heals?

The film also includes a bonus comedy puppet short, “Kurt Cannabis Meets Connie Cancer,” with the voices of Roseanne Barr and Malcolm McDowell.

Drawing attention to the federal government’s outdated position that “marijuana has no currently accepted medical use,” Dr. Weil concluded in his review of Richmond’s film:

If we need more evidence that our current policy on cannabis is counterproductive and foolish, here it is.

Richmond’s film will be screening at the Sausalito Film Festival on Sunday, August 15th, at 1:30 pm, followed by a panel discussion on cannabis and cancer with Richmond, Dr. Donald Abrams, Dr. Jeffery Hergenrather, Dr. Sean McAllister.

For additional information, go to Len Richmond’s web site: http://LenRichmondFilms.com.

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(Thu, 29 Jul 2010)

(Thu, 29 Jul 2010)

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Dr. Mitch Earleywine on Native American use of cannabis, cannabis salves, medmj for OCD kids; Radical Rant on Workplace Drug Testing; music by Josh Heinrichs.

(Wed, 28 Jul 2010)

(Wed, 28 Jul 2010) Malibu Times, The (CA)

(Wed, 28 Jul 2010) Los Angeles Times (CA)

(Wed, 28 Jul 2010) Detroit News (MI)

(Wed, 28 Jul 2010) Grand Rapids Press (MI)

Filmmaker Len Richmond with "What if Cannabis Cures Cancer?"; California Marijuana Report interviews Craig X; Bret Michaels busted in Indiana; music by Ten Story Relapse.

(Tue, 27 Jul 2010) Verde Independent (AZ)

(Tue, 27 Jul 2010) Daily Times-Call, The (Longmont, CO)

(Tue, 27 Jul 2010) Courier-Post (Cherry Hill, NJ)

(Tue, 27 Jul 2010) Monterey County Herald (CA)

(Tue, 27 Jul 2010) Tribune, The (Greeley, CO)

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(Mon, 26 Jul 2010) Daily Lobo (U of NM, Edu, NM)