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1. Name: Patrick J. Fox, M.D.
2. Title: Clinical Neurology, Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
3. Medical Marijuana
Position:		 No position found to the question "Should marijuana be a medical option?"
4. Reasoning:

"BACKGROUND: Disabling tremor is common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Data from animal model experiments and subjective and small objective studies involving patients suggest that cannabis may be an effective treatment for tremor associated with MS. To our knowledge, there are no published double-blind randomized controlled trials of cannabis as a treatment for tremor in MS patients...

RESULTS: Analysis of the data showed no significant improvement in any of the objective measures of upper limb tremor with cannabis extract compared to placebo. Finger tapping was faster on placebo compared to cannabis extract (p < 0.02). However, there was a nonsignificant trend for patients to experience more subjective relief from their tremors while on cannabis extract compared to placebo.

CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis extract does not produce a functionally significant improvement in MS-associated tremor." ("The Effect of Cannabis on Tremor in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis," Neurology 4/04)
5. Credibility
Ranking:

Key Experts
Physicians [We believe physicians are the "key experts" in the medical marijuana debate because the issue is thought by many to be ultimately based on the medical value and risks of marijuana, and Physicians, with their training and clinical work, should (at least in theory) have the best knowledge of marijuana's medical value and risks]

6. Involvement:
  • Clinical Neurology, Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
  • Research Registrar, Cannabinoids in Multiple Sclerosis (CAMS) Study Team
  • Member, Royal College of Physicians (MRCP)
7. Education:
  • M.D., School unknown
8. Relevant Affiliations/Honors:
  • None listed
9. Contact Info:
Phone: 01752 315251 Fax: 01752 517842, Main office
E-Mail:   p.fox@plymouth.ac.uk
Web Site: www.pms.ac.uk/pms/index2.php
10. Other: Select Publications:
  • Co-author, "Cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis," Practical Neurology 2002, 2: 154-160
  • Co-author, "The Use of Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Spasticity and Other Symptoms Related to Multiple Sclerosis - Results of a Multicentre Randomised Placebo-controlled Trial (the CAMS study)," Lancet 2003, 362: 1517-26
  • Co-author, "Cannabis for Dyskinesia in Parkinson Disease: a Randomised Double-blind Crossover Study," Neurology 2004, 63: 1245-50
  • Co-author, "Cannabinoids in Multiple Sclerosis (CAMS) Study, Safety and Efficacy Data from Up to 12-months Follow-up," Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 2005, 76: 1664-9
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