Policy brief acknowledges medicinal benefit of dagga

MEDICINAL USE: Dagga benefits have long been touted

THE Medical Research Council (MRC) has published a policy brief acknowledging there was sufficient evidence that the medicinal use of dagga can relieve chronic pain and reduce spasticity in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis.

The brief summarised the findings of Dr Penny Whiting, an American scientist who conducted a systemic review evaluating the medicinal use of dagga.

The publication this week of the brief, prepared for South Africa by Professor Charles Parry, Nandi Siegfried and Bronwyn Meyers from the MRC, follows the introduction of the Medical Innovation Bill in parliament in February 2014.

For the purposes of the brief, and based on the prevalence of disease in South Africa, the authors identified five conditions where claims exist that dagga could benefit sufferers.

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