A couple of researchers at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco have discovered that certain compounds in cannabis can stop the metastasis (the spread) of some cancers.

“It took us about 20 years of research to figure this out, but we are very excited,” said Pierre Desprez, one of the scientists behind the discovery. “We want to get started with trials as soon as possible.”

Desprez, who is a molecular biologist, spent decades studying ID-1, the gene that causes cancer to spread. Meanwhile, fellow scientist Sean McAllister was studying the effects of Cannabidiol, or CBD, a non-psychoactive chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. Then the pair collaborated, combining CBD and cells containing high levels of ID-1 in a petri dish.

Their finding are incredible. ”What we found was that his Cannabidiol could essentially ‘turn off’ the ID-1,” Desprez said. The cells stopped spreading and returned to normal.

“We likely would not have found this on our own,” he added. “That’s why collaboration is so essential to scientific discovery.”

The scientists first published a paper on what they found in 2007 and since then have seen CBD work both in the lab and in animals. Now they want to move to human clinical trials.

“We started by researching breast cancer,” said Desprez. “But now we’ve found that Cannabidiol works with many kinds of aggressive cancers–brain, prostate–any kind in which these high levels of ID-1 are present.”

I know what you’re saying: wait a minute, doesn’t the federal government say that cannabis has NO medicinal value? Indeed. In fact, the feds look down on this kind of research, the kind that the FDA refuses to undertake.

So let’s say that CBD proves itself in several, human clinical trials. What will the feds say then? Will they finally admit what millions of people prove everyday, that cannabis has a lot of medical value? Or will they keep an actual cure for cancer under Schedule I of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and keep it illegal?

If they can ignore all the proof surrounding the medical value of cannabis as things stand now, they should have no problem keeping a cure for cancer illegal, especially since Big Pharma is ready to fill the campaign coffers of politicians who make sure marijuana stays illegal no matter what.

- Joe Klare

- make sure you check out our brand new Forums and our “Stop The Ban in L.A.” Facebook page!