The Arthritis Society Funding Medical Marijuana and Fibromyalgia Study

The Arthritis Society recently announced that it will be conducting more research on marijuana’s ability to help treat fibromyalgia.

“The Arthritis Society has announced the winner of its latest research grant for the study of medical cannabis and arthritis. McGill University’s Dr. Mark Ware, who has garnered a worldwide reputation as a leader in pain research, will lead a trial examining the use of oral cannabinoids for fibromyalgia – a disease that inflicts chronic pain on some 520,000 Canadians, most of them women.

The study was selected from among several proposals submitted by Canadian researchers to receive the three-year grant, following an extensive peer review process by an impartial volunteer panel of cross-disciplinary medical and scientific experts as well as arthritis health consumers.

This is the second medical cannabis research project The Arthritis Society has funded in the past 18 months: in 2015, Dr. Jason McDougall was awarded a similar three-year grant to study the impact of medical cannabis on arthritis pain and disease management.

“These investments are about leading by example,” says Arthritis Society president and CEO Janet Yale. “Patients and physicians both need to be able to make informed decisions about whether cannabis has a place in the individual’s treatment plan. With these commitments, The Arthritis Society is doing its part to help fill some of the critical knowledge gaps around medical cannabis, but we can’t do it alone. There’s no reason for the government to wait until new legislation is in place to start addressing the . That’s why we continue to call on the federal government to make a firm commitment in the 2017 budget to fund $25 million in medical cannabis research over the next five years.”

Impact Of Fibromyalgia

A condition characterized by widespread tenderness and pain that affect a specific region or can be spread throughout the body. It is typically found in the spin, neck, shoulders and hips. There are often symptoms of fatigue and effects on mood and ability to sleep, and the physical sensation of being on pins and needles.

Top Ten Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Pain all over
Fatigue
Sleep difficulties
Brain fog
Morning stiffness
Muscle knots, cramping, weakness
Digestive disorders
Headaches/migraines
Balance problems
Itchy/burning skinThis is a common condition affecting more than 3 million people per year in the U.S. alone.

This is a common condition affecting more than 3 million people per year in the U.S. alone.

“This disease has a tremendous impact on a person’s life,” Dr. Ware explains, “but to date we haven’t really had any good treatment options to offer. Opioids and NSAIDs for pain management are often ineffective for fibromyalgia pain, or can have serious negative side effects – especially when used for prolonged periods. We hope to identify whether oral cannabinoids can offer the person with fibromyalgia hope for relief from their symptoms, and help restore their quality of life. We are grateful for the support of The Arthritis Society for this important project.”

About The Arthritis Society

The Arthritis Society has been setting lives in motion for over 65 years, and is dedicated to a vision of living well while creating a future without arthritis. Founded in British Columbia in 1948 by Mary Pack and Dr. Wallace Graham, The Society is Canada’s principal health charity providing education, programs and support to the over 4.6 million Canadians living with arthritis.

Since its founding, The Society has been the largest non-government funder of arthritis research in Canada, investing more than $190 million in projects that have led to breakthroughs in the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with arthritis. Investments also support the recruitment and development of rheumatology clinicians, investigators and other health professionals, expanding the capacity of arthritis-related expertise available to support Canadians.