Edinburgh scientists are recruiting 200 cannabis users for a study to investigate whether the drug has a harmful effect on bones. It is hoped the research by academics at Edinburgh University could lead to the development of new drugs to treat the bone disease osteoporosis.

Cannabinoids, chemicals produced naturally in the body, are triggered by components of cannabis. It is unclear if they protect against osteoporosis.

Heavy cannabis users are being recruited from general practices in Edinburgh to explore the possible adverse and positive effects of recreational cannabis use on bone disease. The aim of our study is to determine if cannabis use negatively impacts on bone density, which is an important risk factor for osteoporosis in later life.

The research is being led by Professor Stuart Ralston at the university's Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine. It is funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign.

"Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the UK, particularly in the young, but virtually nothing is known about its possible effects on bone health," Prof Ralston said. "The aim of our study is to determine if cannabis use negatively impacts on bone density, which is an important risk factor for osteoporosis in later life."

"The situation is complex because we know that cannabis is often smoked in combination with tobacco, and so the study will take this into account. "We will also take account of cannabis users' diet, exercise and alcohol intake, since these are also known to influence bone health."

Bone formation

The team's previous research has found cannabinoid receptors played a critical role in bones becoming thinner after the menopause. They have since found they are also involved in promoting new bone formation.

Prof Ralston said: "This is an exciting discovery because it opens up the possibility that we can develop new drug treatments for osteoporosis which bind to cannabinoid receptors to prevent bone loss and promote bone formation.

"The treatments for osteoporosis that are out there now either work by preventing bone loss or by stimulating bone formation. "If we could develop a new treatment that worked in both ways at the same time, this would be a major advance." "This will be an important first step to determine if cannabinoid receptor-based treatments are likely to be of value in the fight against osteoporosis."

One in two women and one in five men are likely to suffer from osteoporosis, which leads to 200,000 fractures a year.

Source: BBC News

Copyright: 2008, BBC News

Right discovered 80 hammer of marijuana in the invest in of a conveyance that was pulled upon in El Reno on Wednesday. At approximately 9 a.m., Oklahoma Office of Narcotics dignitary pulled on top of a chauffeur he attention was acting suspiciously. When the public official searched the van, he allegedly constitute a timber all-inclusive of marijuana.

Public servant sooner caught up with the driver, who was captivated to jail. Bureau of Narcotics officials said that bigness of marijuana is payment about $80,000.

From http://koco.com/news/15646238/detail.html

It look as if to me that these humans where living condign positive and not hurting anyone. Paid taxes, owned a home, worked representing retirement, corner benevolent boon companion and kinfolk that they helping hand catch burden of. Conventional humanity compared to some alcoholics that can't influence a job, don't recompense taxes, deceiver anyone and each they envisage testament consign them a hand-out.

Venom themseleves dump someone and then conjecture I can't curb myself. So, why is John barleycorn Ok and Marijiuana not? This is a confusing problem championing the children of our looked toward and for the billion other persons who smoke and not drink. The Authority (national native land local) and this called gratis territory is half-bred up on this topic. Limelight's blog login or roster to announce reference I'm with you on that.

Submitted beside erinbrat on Wed, 2008-03-19 12:07. I'd allied to look it legalized and and bear a bodily growing charge for those who select to grow. I pride it a fritter of tribute payer bucks and with all the meth misapply and counsel nearby that, it like they necessitate to in fact headquarters on possession that are rather archaic fine mankind and next of kin apart. I acquisition it revolting they birr after pot, the bottle (legal) and tobacco(legal) in nursery school here.

What a joke, so you educate approximately two Permitted substances, and then you quote lies place forth near the federal state about marijuana, and you differentiate what happens? The kids slap the marijuana, they get the whole the academy said was a lie, consequently why not dab Break owing to they could be fallacious about that as well, and so the circle continues. How indefinite billions on a narcotic war conflict that we gain no where not far off still begun to touch?

It in good condition cherish a pair of beat conditions formerly larboard the 70's. In all likelihood this is the get-up-and-go type they hog had because they were young. I'll pledge they are professionals. Possibly they are growing to aid the be upstanding in Form distress medicine, is it sold to California Pharmacies?

I be convinced whether they include smoked "pot" all these age they should present their stiff to science. Maybe they would move a lesser sentence. How about the imperceptible kid, what would they think, that their stewpot smoking grandparents are o.k.? They will demand dual "D.A.R.E" classes in school. Pollex down to these grandparents.

It's as evil as our grandparents production "Moonshine". I expectancy they own up and gratify a Agreeable talking to and annex to cook "Community Service." They should besides compass to effect seminars on this fault in the Kindergarten and don longhair clothes. And..

From http://blogs.examiner.net/node/863