Cannabis Science Demonstrates That Pharmaceutical Cannabis and Medical Marijuana Are Essential to Contain Health Care Costs

Do Globe Newswire

Cannabis Science Demonstrates That Pharmaceutical Cannabis and Medical Marijuana Are Essential to Contain Health Care Costs and Give Patients Access to Affordable and Effective Medicines Offering the Obama Administration Non-Smoked Medical Marijuana Delivery Systems

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., March 24, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTCBB:CBIS), a pioneering U.S. biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis products, calls pharmaceutical cannabis and medical marijuana essential to real health care reform by containing costs and helping those who need it most.

Cannabis Science points out that pharmaceutical cannabis and medical marijuana will help contain costs and give patients access to affordable and effective medicines, again meeting the objectives of the Obama Administration with precisely the sort of savings the new health bill calls for.

Also, Reuters and ABCNews report that the UK and Spain are expected to approve GW Pharmaceuticals' whole-cannabis extract. Big Pharma "gets it", and  is leading the way for Cannabis Science to develop several non-smoked cannabis pharmaceutical products it will bring to the FDA for clinical trials.

Dr. Robert Melamede, PhD., Cannabis Science President and CEO, remarked, "Supporters of the new health care reform legislation just signed by President Obama argue that it was necessary both to contain costs and provide health care to millions who cannot afford it. Its opponents argue that it will cost too much and involves the government intrusion into health care more than it should. Unfortunately, despite overwhelming public support for medical marijuana, all sides have ignored the role that cannabis can play in reducing costs and bringing help to patients like disabled veterans and others suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other medical problems.

"How can someone argue that we have to reduce costs and yet ignore the fact that medical marijuana is already reducing health care costs in a variety of ways? For example, marijuana is much more affordable than the pharmaceuticals  used to fight nausea in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy. Moreover, chronic pain patients who use medical marijuana tend  to use far less opiates than were previously needed, and are able to function much better, increasing their ability to care for themselves and lead productive lives. The potential savings could be huge."

Richard Cowan, Cannabis Science CFO, observes, "One justification for the 'reform' was the argument that all Americans deserve the right to health care. If that is so, then we should stop depriving sick, dying and disabled Americans, especially our veterans, of their rights to use a plant to treat themselves. Also, medical science demands that they should have access to non-smoked pharmaceutical cannabis products made to FDA standards." 
Cowan further noted, "Reuters has reported that both the UK and Spain are expected to approve GW Pharmaceuticals' 'Sativex,' an alcohol-based whole cannabis extract for the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients who do not respond adequately to existing therapies. It is already on the market in Canada, and is in Phase 3 FDA trials in the U.S. GW will get 12.5 million UK pounds from its licensees as a result of this progress. There is no lethal dose of cannabis, so there is no justification for delaying approval of other whole cannabis extracts. Obviously, Cannabis Science thinks that it produces more effective and affordable products for FDA approval, but in the meantime, the politicians and bureaucrats should catch up with the people and recognize the medical value of cannabis, both in its herbal form and as a standardized pharmaceutical product."

According to Reuters, Piper Jaffray, an investment banker, is forecasting Sativex sales in MS spasticity could reach 107 UK million pounds in Europe alone.

Forward Looking Statements; This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing words such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs. Cannabis Science, Inc. does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements.

CONTACT:  Cannabis Science, Inc.
          Dr. Robert J. Melamede, President & CEO
          Peter Glaser, Investor Relations 
          1-888-889-0888
          info@cannabisscience.com
          www.cannabisscience.com