GW Pharmaceuticals, the firm that did the work on Sativex, was founded in 1998 and granted a lisence by the Home Office to grow marijuana at an undisclosed location. It began running clinical trials on Sativex in Britain a year later. Elsewhere, the process has been faster. Canada approved Sativex for relieving pain (but not spasms) in MS patients, albeit under strict conditions, in 2005. Two years later, people with advanced cancer were also allowed to take it. Clinical trials are under way now in Spain, where GW hopes Sativex will be approved for use later this year (2010). In America, the Food and Drug Administration gave its blessing in 2005 to clinical trials involving cancer patients, and these, too, are due to conclude this year. - The Gleaner - Jamaica
