Rick Simpson: Marijuana Cures Cancer

A non-profit entity called the Phoenix Tears has been asking donations from people in support of Hemp Oil. Phoenix Tears claims that Hemp medicines as that of the one they provide is an effective cure for cancer and other serious illnesses. The group, headed by Rick Simpson, is providing people with information regarding the use of natural Hemp oil, which comes from marijuana or cannabis plant. Thus, the group would like to rescind the negative notion of most people about the association between marijuana and cancer.

Rick Simpson had attempted to seek relief for his medical condition through using medicinal marijuana oil. In 1997, Simpson had a serious head injury and was given by his physician several pills to take for his treatment. After discovering hemp oil, he did not think twice of using it as his sole treatment since hemp oil has high concentration of THC. He studied further on the use of hemp oil and discovered that it can cure cancer as well as other diseases. He had then believed that the effect of marijuana and cancer treatment can have a positive association. He tried to share his knowledge on marijuana and cancer treatment to many people free of charge. He had informed, cured, and controlled the diseases of people. However, when his story was publicized, the law had snatched his “generosity” with regard to his knowledge on the positive effect of marijuana and cancer treatment. Thus, Simpson had left many people who believed in hemp oil without cancer treatment after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police charged him with possession and trafficking of marijuana.

According to the website of Phoenix Tears (www.PhoenixTears.ca), hemp has always been known as a medicinal plant throughout the history of man. However, it has also been used both as a religious and political controversy. The group believes that the restrictions placed against marijuana are maintained due to big money and not because marijuana is harmful. This leaves many people to suffer and die needlessly when the association between marijuana and cancer is already positive. According to the group, if the government has allowed them to grow hemp in their backyards to cure illnesses, then the pharmaceutical industry will definitely through a fit.

Simpson and his group have been dedicated to share a positive outlook about marijuana and cancer treatment. In fact, they claim that many large pharmaceutical companies still existing today have sold hemp medicines during the 1800s and early 1900s. They claim that these companies have already known then that a positive link between marijuana and cancer treatment exists. Thus, they think that the government is against the legalization of hemp oil as a medicine because apart from a possible violent reaction from the pharmaceutical industry, hemp oil can never be patent.

COULD HAVE CANCER CURABLE A LONG TIME AGO?

On February 2000, the world was startled on the announcement made by Spanish researchers in Madrid that they had eradicated brain tumors in rats. They did this by injecting known marijuana content, THC.

This research on cancer marijuana treatment is only the second time that rats with tumors were injected with THC. American researchers from the Medical College of Virginia way back 1974 were also experimenting with tumor-bearing mice, searching for proof that marijuana is damaging to the immune system. What they discovered however is the effect of THC in leukemia, lung and breast cancer. Marijuana is a probable source of cure since THC can slow the progress of cancer inside the body of the mice.

According to Jack Herer, author of the book The Emperor Wears No Clothes, the Drug Enforcement Agency locked the research on cancer marijuana treatment right away as well as all other related researches. A couple of years thereafter, the then American president Gerald Ford stopped all government-sponsored marijuana and cancer research. In the process, private pharmaceutical firms were vested exclusive rights of marijuana and cancer research in order to find a synthetic form of THC. This is so to source THC, along with all its medicinal benefits and without the addicting “high” side effect.

As reported in the March 2000 issue of the magazine Nature Medicine, the Spanish researchers used 45 rats with cancer cells. They confirmed the presence of tumor through magnetic resonance imaging or MRI. Upon verification, they injected two types of substance, the organic THC and the synthetic Win-55,212-2. Fifteen rats were subjected to THC and another 15 to Win-55,212-2 on the 12th day. The other 15 rats that were remained untreated died within 12-18 days. The main cause was glioma cell inoculation, a form of brain cancer. Those treated with THC survived much longer. Nine of them were able to survive up to the 19th to the 35th day. THC did not affect three of the THC-treated mice, and were able to live up to the 16th to the 18th day only. Most importantly, three of the THC-treated mice had their tumor effaced altogether. According to the researchers, the result with the Win-55,212-2 had the same result.

In testing for toxic effects, Dr. Manuel Guzman of Complutense University who also served as the lead researcher filled the brains of healthy rats with progressively large doses of THC. After seven days, no side effects resulted.

Concluding through MRI, the researchers verified that no significant damage occurred to healthy rats that could possibly lead to trauma, edema, necrosis or even infection. Other possible side effects were also observed but only insubstantial behavioral change in set parameters in physical activity and motor coordination resulted. During and after THC irrigation, weight gain and the level of food and water intake of the mice remained practically the same. Blood tests were also employed and the researchers found that hematological profiles of the mice were normal. They have therefore concluded that THC does not affect both the biochemical make up and tissue damage markers of the cannabinoid-treated mice within the span of the whole seven-day duration of treatment to a couple of months thereafter.

This Spanish discovery may be considered the first official study on the subject since the Virginia research was kept from the public. Even during the consecutive tenancies of both Ronald Reagan and George Bush, all possible information, from articles to compendiums in university libraries were hidden or systematically destroyed.

Dr. Guzman finally obtained a copy of a 1975 journal article about the Virginia study from an American journalist that practically verified his findings—two components of marijuana namely THC and CBN successfully reduced tumor in mice treated with such for twenty successive days. A 1974 The Washington Post article titled, “Cancer Curb is studied” also reported that the spread of damaging cells in cases of leukemia, breast cancer and lung cancer, marijuana component THC is possibly the cure.

Why the American government censored such an important finding, only they would know. Much has been written about the other effects of marijuana on the body and mind of a human being, but little did the public know that through the active components of marijuana, cancer could have been curable as early as the 1970s.

Hemp Activist Runs Independent in Federal Election

Rick Simpson, the Hemp activist from Canada known for associating positive effects of marijuana and cancer treatment runs for public office. Simpson has been known as the inventor of marijuana “miracle drug” as he cultivates the plant, turns it to oil, and distributes it to ill people with different diseases free of charge. Simpson had cured his cancer through hemp oil in 2003. His campaign to prove the positive effects of marijuana and cancer treatment started after being healed. He said he had contacted politicians and organizations in support of his campaign.

Simpson, in his website www.phoenixtears.ca, has expressed his intention to run for office. He stated that he is offering the public a cure for different diseases including cancer. He said that he have made hemp oil available to many people for the past few years. He was one of the few people who bravely publicized an inverse association between marijuana and cancer.

In his previous interviews, Simpson claimed that marijuana or Hemp have been used as medicine throughout history. He then questions as to why marijuana is being restricted in Canada when it has been the most used medicinal plant prior to the modern ages. He explained that as the hemp, which contains high percentage of THC is turned to oil; one will achieve amazing healing effects. He added that hemp oil is a cure-all drug, which can be produced easily on a large scale at reasonable costs.

Simpson has decided to run for public office claiming that the government is not telling the Canadian people the truth, specifically on positive effects of marijuana and cancer treatment. He said he can no longer stand by as ignorance, graft, and corruption ruin the nation. Simpson had admitted having medical issues of his own; although he stressed that he is capable of representing his people in a proper and honest way.

For instance, Simpson linked the government and the pharmaceutical industry as restricting the positive effects of marijuana and cancer treatment to the public. He said the government to make people believe that hemp or marijuana is harmful to one’s health passes laws. He said hemp is not dangerous and that he had sworn to many affidavits of people having serious medical states; thus, he said hemp oil had been helpful to these people.

With regard to pharmaceutical industry, Simpson had stated that such industry sold hemp-based medicines for years knowing of its healing effect. He had noted that the pharmaceutical companies had sold a watered down version of hemp medicine, which are mostly in suspension and mixed resin pain pills. More so, Simpson said he did not find evidence that such companies sold real high-grade hemp oil. Thus, he had asserted that the government and the pharmaceutical industry had kept the positive effects of marijuana and cancer treatment as well as cure of other diseases from the public. He said both entities stand in front of the public with the same reasoning: “you can’t sell the people medicine if you heal them.” As such, according to Simpson, the public does not get what they should.

Smoking Marijuana: Risks and Studies

Studies and activities have been performed to provide useful data in defining the health risks of marijuana smoking as well as the association between marijuana and cancer. These include the following:
• Prospective epidemiological studies of populations at high risk for HIV infection or having HIV seropositivity – Since HIV/AIDs patients consists the largest group, which reports smoking marijuana for medical use, a pressing need for a thorough understanding of the relative risk posed by and the rewards of marijuana smoking. More so, such group is vulnerable to immunosuppressive effects. Studies associating marijuana and HIV/AIDS should incorporate the history of marijuana usage in analyzing the possible risk factors for seroconversion. More so, studies should be able to analyze how the opportunistic infections of AIDS are acquired and how they progress. Studies can be conducted under the scope of federal approved clinical trials of marijuana in immuno-compromised patients. In addition, such studies should be able to provide a follow-up phase, which is enough to draw plausible adverse occurrences.
• Molecular markers of respiratory cancer progression in marijuana smokers – Studies would be prompted to explore on the presence of molecular markers in the event that an epidemiological association between marijuana and cancer is presented. These molecular markers include p16, GSTML, TP53, and NATZ, which can be predictive of increased risk of carcinogenesis in marijuana smokers.
• Case control studies in determining the associated risk of marijuana and cancer development in the respiratory system – Findings from cellular, genetic, biochemical, animal, and tissue studies have suggested a plausible link between using of marijuana and cancer development. Such hypothesis can be addressed with more conviction through a population-based case control study of adequate large numbers of people with lung cancer. Consequently, the study should also consist of large numbers of people with upper aerodigestive tumors such as oral cavity cancer, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus cancers. Noncancer controls are also needed in order to demonstrate a statistically significant association between marijuana and cancer, that is, if one link actually exists. No epidemiological studies have been comprehensive enough to gauge the link between marijuana and cancer due to the fact that long periods are required to induce human carcinomas. On the other hand, today, an epidemiological investigation may already be possible in finding an association between marijuana and cancer. This is because over thirty years have passed since the beginning of widespread use of marijuana among adolescents and young adults in the United States.

Dangers of Smoking Marijuana Compared to Tobacco

Many tobacco smokers had been persuaded to quit for fear of cancer, coughing, and shortness of breath. There are also people who could not quit smoking because they claim it calms their nerves. The question applies to marijuana smokers if they should be similarly concerned as that of tobacco smokers. However, based on clinical, genetic, and cellular studies, it had been suggested that a dangerous link exist between marijuana and cancer development, specifically in the respiratory system.

Based on the studies, many cancer-causing or carcinogenic compounds found in tobacco are also in marijuana, particularly when the plant is burned. The unfiltered smoke from joints contains higher concentrations of chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as compared to smoke from tobacco. Marijuana smokers generally expose more of their lungs to higher levels of dangerous substance since they inhale more deeply than tobacco smokers. A preliminary research has also suggested a link between using marijuana and cancer development in the lungs as higher levels of an enzyme converts PAHs to a cancer-causing form. Therefore, it is not surprising that smoking marijuana is linked as a risk factor for lung, mouth, and throat cancers.

The reports that have linked marijuana and cancer suggest that marijuana smokers obtain greater risk of cancer development in tissues that are directly in contact with smoke such as in the mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, and lungs. On the other hand, such reports were only based from series of case reports rather than finding evidences based from controlled studies. Therefore, the effect of marijuana and cancer development cannot be attributed solely on marijuana; cancer development may also be linked to other factors including tobacco smoking.

At the time writing, only one large study on attribution of marijuana and cancer development has initiated efforts in determining the frequency in which smokers of marijuana are struck with cancer. The study on marijuana and cancer attribution had included 65,000 men and women with ages15 and 49. Among these subjects, cases of cancer totaled to 1,421 where usage of marijuana and other type of cancer are also linked to smoking tobacco.

On the other hand, the study on marijuana and cancer association was limited to the factor that most of the participants were younger that the average ages when cancers appear. It has also been limited by the short duration of smoking marijuana. For instance, the development of lung cancer is usually evident only after the exposure to smoking; more so, few users of marijuana continue smoking the drug for more than a few years simultaneously with smoking tobacco.

Nova Scotia Marijuana “Cancer Cure” Case Already a Constitutional Concern?

A Maccan-area man who had grown marijuana in his property was charged with 3 drug charges by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Ricky Logan Simpson had grown marijuana in his Little Forks Road property then turns the marijuana to oil and distributes it to people with diverse diseases. Simpson had claimed that he should not be considered a criminal for using the effects and association between marijuana and cancer treatment. He further said that the laws that prohibit the possession, cultivation, and distribution of marijuana are unconstitutional and that officials should be grateful that he found the link between marijuana and cancer treatment.

Simpson had faced charges for possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana, less than 3 kilograms of marijuana resin for trafficking, and unlawful production of marijuana. In August 2005, the RCMP had raided the property of Simpson, which had a total of 1,190 plants. The street value of such plants was found between $400,000 and $800,000.

As Rick Simpson stated his testimony in the court, he had told the jury that he did not have any idea on why he was being tried and that the RCMP did not have the right to terrorize the public with laws that do not exist. His testimony was 11 pages in length and read the whole document in front of the jury.

He had begun his testimony by explaining the link between marijuana and cancer treatment. Then he had elaborated on how he discovered marijuana as a cure to certain diseases including cancer. He said that he used the drug to treat his post-concussion syndrome after his prescribed drugs failed. He told the jury that marijuana had done more for the treatment of his disease than the pills prescribed by his physician. Thus, he had stated that it was indeed a link between marijuana and cancer treatment.

During his testimony, Simpson had criticized his physician for not issuing him a license to possess and grown medical marijuana. He said his physician had refused to discuss the value of marijuana as a medicine.

Simpson had testified that his efforts to help people with his hemp oil had not been hidden. He did not hide to the people that the link between the effects of marijuana and cancer treatment and cure to other diseases. He had admitted that for 4 years, he had brought hope to people through his discovery of the “miracle cure of marijuana.” More so, he also emphasized that he had not been hiding from the attention of the police. As he said this, he had looked towards the two different federal ministers of health, the police, the medical community, the media, and local politicians who were present during his trial.

Consequently, all of the people he addressed ignored his explanation. He said that he was annoyed at the Canadian Cancer Society for ignoring his request to assess the link he discovered between the effects of marijuana and cancer treatment. Furthermore, he had said that most pharmaceutical companies and physicians he approached were greedy and did not want his cheap medicine to be accessible to the people.

Nova Scotia: Marijuana “Cancer Cure” Grower Goes to Jail

In 2005, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had raided the property of Maccan-area man, Rick Simpson, after receiving report that latter grows marijuana in his home. Simpson had admitted that he grew marijuana in his property, turning it to oil, and distributing the oil for free to help people fight various diseases including cancer. Following the raid, charges were filed against him; one count each for possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana, unlawful production of the drug, and possession of less than 3 kilograms of tetrahydrocannabinol used for trafficking.

Rick Simpson was prompted to grow marijuana in his property in line with speculations of many scientists that diseases can be cured by marijuana and cancer is one of them. He had explained in court that he started using marijuana for treating his post-concussion syndrome when his doctor’s prescribed drugs failed to make him well. He added that marijuana had done more for him as compared to the pills he used to take for his disease. He was convinced of the curing effects of marijuana after successive brush of hemp oil in skin cancer. That had responded to the link people debated about between marijuana and cancer. He had tried the hemp oil in people who had different kinds of diseases and was even more convince of the positive effects of marijuana to human health. He had discarded the notion about the association of smoking marijuana and cancer development. Simpson had added that in light of the effects of marijuana and cancer treatment, he should not be convicted as the laws that prohibit possession,

In 2007, the jury had found Simpson guilty of the three drug charges laid against him in 2005. Simpson had stated that he was expecting the jury to view his case as a doorway associating the effects of marijuana and cancer treatment. He had even told Justice Felix Cacchione, upon discussing the adjournment for sentencing, to put him to jail that very day as he would continue treating patients when he got home. He said he would still grow marijuana until his last breath since other people’s lives are also dependent on it.

On the other hand, Justice Cacchione had stated to Simpson that he was not revoking his bail. Cacchione said that when a guilty verdict is found, it revokes bail most of the time. However, in Simpson’s case, the judge did not revoke the bail, claiming Simpson that complied with all his bail terms.

The Crown’s office had gone through a way of summary to Simpson’s first charge and indictment by the second charge. Thus, Simpson could be faced with a fine as a sentence to the charge of simple possession. On the other hand, the trafficking charge could sentence him a maximum imprisonment of 5 years and 7 years for his charge of unlawful production. Monica McQueen, Crown attorney, had not reacted to the verdict and refused to speculate on the sentencing recommendation that the Crown would submit to the courts.

Upon Justice Cacchione’s request, the sentencing of Simpson was adjourned for pre-sentence report.

Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cancer

It is not easy to gather information about marijuana usage, which makes it difficult to prove a connection between marijuana and cancer. More so, many smokers of marijuana smoke tobacco or cigarettes at the same time. Thus, it is more difficult to discern extent of the risk from marijuana from that of tobacco.

People have different speculations on the effects of marijuana on human health. These include the following:

• Marijuana is smoked until the end in which tar content has the highest impact
• Marijuana may cause mouth and throat cancers as suggested by medical reports
• Marijuana has many cancer-causing substances similar to tobacco
• Marijuana is impossible to discern if it contains pesticides among other additives because it is illegal
• Marijuana is inhaled very deeply and its smoke is held in the lungs longer than tobacco
• Marijuana has more tar compared to cigarettes

In contrast to most studies claiming no link exists between marijuana and cancer, a group of New Zealand scientists thinks otherwise. The scientists had published an article in the European Respiratory Journal that marijuana is expected to cause harm in the airways more than tobacco. This is because marijuana contains doubled levels of carcinogens including polyaromatic hydrocarbons as compared to cigarettes. This is the scientist’s first basis of their assumption on a link exists between marijuana and cancer.

According to the scientists, the way individuals smoke marijuana increases the risk because the joints or marijuana sticks are usually used without a filter. Thus, this increases the amount of inhaled smoke. A marijuana smoker even inhales more deeply and longer, which allows carcinogens to be deposited in the airways. This is another basis on a link between marijuana and cancer.

The New Zealand scientists had stated that carbon monoxide passes through the bloodstream of marijuana smokers five times as compared to tobacco smokers. Team leader Richard Beasley at the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand had further stated that marijuana smoke has higher concentrations of carcinogens. Thus, this is another basis on a link between marijuana and cancer.

The researchers had interviewed 79 subjects having lung cancer. They had identified the main risk factors for lung cancer including smoking, occupation, and family history. The subjects were also asked on their usage of marijuana and alcohol. As expected, they have again established a link between marijuana and cancer through such highly exposed group. The researchers had determined an increase in the lung cancer by 5.7 times for those who smoked more than one marijuana cigarette for 10 years after adjusting cigarette smoking and other variables.

According to Beaseley, although their study on a link marijuana and cancer subsumes a moderately small group, it had presented clear evidence that long-term use of marijuana increases the risk in cancer.

Large Study Denies Link between Marijuana and Cancer

Many individuals have diverse opinions and knowledge on the subject of associating marijuana and cancer. For instance, some people think that the tar marijuana creates contains 50% more of the chemicals associated to cancer as compared to tobacco smoke. Others think that the smoke from burned marijuana leaves contains known carcinogens that triggers or increases the risk of lung cancer. In addition, some individuals think that a single marijuana cigarette is able to deposit 4 times as much of the tar equivalent to tobacco. On the other hand, scientists have never ceased to explore on decisive evidence that will prove no association exists between marijuana and cancer. In fact, on a study conducted to 2,000 people, scientists were shocked to know that no increase in the risk of cancer development was found on marijuana smokers.

The scientists of a large study on marijuana and cancer had admitted having expected an increase in cancer with heavy marijuana use. However, upon conducting a study on the residents of Los Angeles County, they found that even heavy marijuana smokers had no increased risk cancer, specifically in the lungs.

The large study on marijuana and cancer had involved residents from Los Angeles who were interviewed by the scientists. Among the participants, 611 were lung cancer patients; 601 with head or neck cancer under the age of 60, and 1,040 healthy controls. The scientists have discovered that seventy percent of patients with other cancers and eighty percent of the lung cancer patients were tobacco smokers. On the other hand, at least half of both groups had smoked marijuana. In other studies prior to the large study, greater risk of cancer development were evident in tobacco smokers. However, for the large study, after having controlled for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and matching patients and controls according to gender, neighborhood, and age, marijuana did not reflect any manifestation in spite its unhealthy factors. According to the scientists, marijuana has lesser filtration through the cigarette rod because it is packed more loosely as compared to tobacco. Furthermore, the scientists said that marijuana is smoked differently from tobacco; marijuana smokers hold their breath longer, which allows more time for fine components to enter the lungs.

However, the study did not reveal how marijuana manages to avoid causing cancer. In a speculation by the scientists, they had stated that the primary psychoactive component of marijuana, which is the THC chemical, induces aging cells to die prior to being cancerous. The large study on the possible link between marijuana and cancer was presented in San Diego at a meeting of the American Thoracic Society in San Diego.

Smoking Marijuana and Cancer Development

Investigators from the David Geffen School of Medicine had presented an epidemiological data on the possible link between smoking marijuana and cancer development. The data was presented at the International Conference of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and demonstrated findings claiming that smoking marijuana and cancer development has no possible association at all. The investigators had concluded that marijuana use, whether long-term or short-term, is not positively associated with increased prevalence of lung cancer based on the study they have conducted.

The study had involved middle-aged adults residing in Los Angeles. Interviews on 611 participants with lung cancer were done by the researchers and had 1,040 controls matched for neighborhood, gender, and age. The data collected from the participants included their lifetime use of marijuana, tobacco use, alcohol use, and use of other drugs, occupation, diet, and family history of cancer. A logistical regression model was used by the investigators in order to have an estimate of the effect of smoking marijuana on lung cancer risk through adjusting gender, education, alcohol use, age, ethnicity, and cumulative smoking of tobacco.

According to the researchers, they have found no positive association between smoking marijuana and cancer development, specifically in the lungs. In addition, the data they have obtained from the study revealed that one part of moderate lifetime users of marijuana had a reversed association between marijuana and cancer. On the other, as the researchers have expected prior to obtaining the results of the study, a 20-fold increased risk in heavy tobacco smokers was discerned.The officials from the Drug Czar’s office of the White House did not comment on the findings of the study.

As the findings of the study had failed to present a conclusive observation on the positive link between marijuana and cancer, scientists and physicians in other countries have been exploring the potential anti-cancer properties of marijuana. Investigators at Instuto di Chemica Biomolecolare in Italy had recently reported that compounds in marijuana impede the growth of cancer cells in animals and in culture on a broad scope of tumor cell lines. This includes human colectoral carcinoma cells, human prostate carcinoma cells, and human breast carcinoma cells.

Other European researchers have also demonstrated in their previous studies that the constituents of marijuana can decrease the size and stop the spread of brain tumor cells in both humans and animals in a dose dependent method. There have also been separate preclinical studies that showed marijuana to decrease the growth of cancer cells and trigger malignant cell death selectively in lung cancer cells, skin cancer cells, leukemic cells, and other cancerous cell lines.
However, none of these studies on marijuana and cancer amazed the United States government; although in 1974, they have sponsored the first experiment that documented the anti-cancer effects of marijuana at the Medical College of Virginia. The findings of that study linking marijuana and cancer were that the primary psychoactive component of marijuana had slowed the growth in breast cancers, lung cancers, and a virus-induced leukemia in laboratory mice. More so, the study linking marijuana and cancer yielded findings that the mice were able to lengthen their lives by as much as thirty-six percent.