House of Lords

Session 1997-98

Science and Technology - Ninth Report

Here you can browse the report which was ordered by the UK House of Lords to be printed 4 November 1998.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 2 HISTORY OF THE USE OF CANNABIS

CHAPTER 3 PHARMACOLOGY OF CANNABIS AND THE CANNABINOIDS  3

CHAPTER 4 TOXIC EFFECTS OF CANNABISAND CANNABINOIDS: REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE

Acute (short-term) effects of cannabis

Chronic (long-term) toxicity

Tolerance to cannabis

Dependence on cannabis

CHAPTER 5 MEDICAL USE OF CANNABIS AND CANNABINOIDS: REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE

Current medical use of cannabis

Advice to medical users

Current medical uses of cannabinoids

Proposed new indications for cannabis-based medicines

Multiple sclerosis

Pain

Epilepsy

Glaucoma

Bronchial asthma

Need for clinical trials of cannabis and cannabinoids

Should clinical trials be limited to cannabinoids?

Should clinical trials include smoking?

CHAPTER 6 RECREATIONAL USE OF CANNABIS

Prevalence

Pattern of use

Content of cannabis consumed in the United Kingdom

The state of the law

CHAPTER 7 CHANGING THE LAW ON MEDICAL USE AND RESEARCH: REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE

Prosecution for use of cannabis for medical purposes

Possible transfer from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2

Research

Medical use and recreational use

CHAPTER 8 OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE

Medical use of cannabis: recommendations

Medical use of cannabinoids: recommendations

Why change the law?

Recreational use

Summary of recommendations

APPENDICES TO THE REPORT