Short-Term Effects of Medicinal Cannabis Therapy on Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis

Treatment tested

• Smoked Cannabis

Other measures (2)

Inclusion Criteria: * Clinically definite or probable, laboratory-supported MS * Complaints of spasticity and at least moderate increase in tone as evidenced by a score of >= 2 on the Modified Ashworth Scale at either the elbow, hip, or knee * If on disease-modifying therapy ("ABC"), have been on a stable dose for at least six months * Fluent in English * If not cannabis-naive, must refrain from smoking cannabis for two weeks prior to screening (confirmed by urinalysis) * If on either lioresal (Baclofen) or tizanadine (Zanaflex), have been on a stable dose for at least three months * >=18 years of age Exclusion Criteria: * Axis I psychiatric disorder especially depression or significant neurological disease other than MS as determined by the PI * Recent history of active substance abuse defined as daily use for at least 14 days within the past month * Drug use restrictions, eg, subjects on probation or parole, employment involving high risk to themselves and/or the public (airline pilot, bus driver, etc.) * Any unstable medical health problem * Any known pulmonary disorders, including tuberculosis, asthma, or COPD * Pregnant or nursing * Require benzodiazepines to control spasticity * Require high doses of analgesic medications on a daily basis

The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not smoked marijuana improves spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis.