France: Drug May Stop Mad Cow Disease
DRUG MAY STOP MAD COW DISEASE
A PRO-CANNABIS lobby group says an ingredient in cannabis may prevent "mad cow" disease.
The National Organisation for Marijuana Law Reform says a French study shows cannabidiol may be effective in preventing bovine spongiforme encephalopathy.
Scientists at the National Centre for Scientific Research in France found cannabidiol - a non-psychoactive ingredient - may prevent the development of prion diseases, the most well known of which is BSE.
Research found cannabidiol inhibited accumulation of prion proteins in infected mice and sheep.
NORML spokesman Chris Fowlie said this added to the scientific evidence supporting Green MP Metiria Turei's bill to legalise the medicinal use of cannabis.
"[It] should be supported by any MP with a clear head. Unfortunately most MPs act like mad cows when cannabis is mentioned."
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1081/a06.html
Newshawk: http://www.norml.org.nz
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Pubdate: Tue, 18 Sep 2007
Source: Dominion Post, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2007 The Dominion Post
Contact: letters@dompost.co.nz
Website: http://www.dompost.co.nz
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2550
Cited: NORML New Zealand http://www.norml.org.nz