Neurologist Inundated with Questions about Medical Marijuana

Newswise — MAYWOOD, Il. – Ever since medical marijuana became legal in Illinois Jan. 1, Loyola University Medical Center neurologist and multiple sclerosis specialist Dr. Matthew McCoyd has been inundated with questions from his patients.

The topic typically comes up at the end of the visit, when the patient brings up one last thing: What does Dr. McCoyd think about medical marijuana?

“It’s an extremely common question,” McCoyd said.

There are anecdotal reports that marijuana can relieve pain and spasticity in MS patients, but little evidence from clinical trials that marijuana is effective, McCoyd said. However, he noted that a marijuana-based drug called Sativex has been approved in Britain, Canada and other countries for the treatment of MS spasticity. Sativex is a peppermint-flavored mouth spray. A small pump delivers a precise amount of medicine with each spray. The drug, extracted from cannabis plants, has been shown in clinical trials to be effective.

McCoyd said medical marijuana may be an option for carefully selected MS patients who are Illinois residents. Like any prescription medication, there is a concern for medication abuse, which will have to be considered on case-by-case basis.

McCoyd said medical marijuana could also be prescribed to help relieve muscle spasms in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, another qualifying medical condition under the new law.

On Jan. 1, Illinois began a four-year trial program that will allow patients with MS and certain other conditions to obtain prescriptions for medical marijuana. MS is among the main indications for medical marijuana.

McCoyd said there are differences between medical marijuana and marijuana sold on the street. Medical marijuana has higher concentrations of THC, the compound that provides the drug’s high. Medical marijuana has less THC and higher concentrations of cannabinoid compounds.

McCoyd is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology of Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.