Letter: Cannabis queries

Angela McNeil of Zimbali has some questions about cannabis oil: I am especially interested in the article “Cannabis oil shops exploit ‘gray area’ of law” (Courier, November 23).

Could the good Doctor Hurley please answer some questions that have been uppermost in my mind these days since the legalization of cannabis.

• Has the doctor, having come from America, had knowledge and witnessed clinical trials carried out on this medication?
• How does one measure pain and then how are they able to prescribe the correct dosage?
• If clinical trials have been carried out then what are the side effects?
• I have heard they are quite serious after use of this medication?
• What guarantees does one have if prescribed by traditional healers that there is no contamination with other herbs which have not themselves undergone clinical trials?
• What part of the plant then is medicinal?

I would be very interested to receive this information.

Dr Hurley replies:

Thank you, Ms, Mc Neil for your interest.

1. I have knowledge and clinical evidence from extensive research that has been done in USA and UK. Research that has been published in medical journals proving the benefits of cannabis use in medicine. The Federal Drug Administration has approved a cannabisbased medicine for epilepsy in the USA. The UK has approved the use of cannabis as medicine as of November 1, 2018.

2. Pain is “subjective”. Each patient perceives pain differently which makes it difficult to treat. Thus, each patient must be treated individually based on their medical history and their response to the medication with frequent follow ups and specific instructions on titration.

3. The side effects of cannabis as a medication are minimal if used appropriately. Slow titration of medication and proper ratio of CBD:THC is essential to avoid adverse effects. the main side effect could be paranoia or agitation if too much THC is used. but as I stated if used appropriately will not occur with medicinal use.

4. The cannabinoids isolated from the cannabis plant are used for medicinal purposes.

5. To ensure the purity of the medication, one must purchase from a reputable source that has ensured specific doses of their medication and are educated on the use of cannabis as a medicine.

6. The take home message: Medicinal use of cannabis is NOT recreational use.