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Conditions treated; How it works, Why?

Canasol was a cannabis-based medication for glaucoma that relieves intraocular pressure symptoms associated with late-stage glaucoma. Also, it did not induce the negative side effects that similar synthetic drugs are known for. Medicines replaced by or used in conjunction with Canasol; TBA ... Alternatives ... Substitutes

How Medical Cannabis Reduces Eye Pressure and Controls Eye Diseases Cannabis has been proven time, and time again, to be a useful and effective anti-inflammatory for a range of different conditions. Many studies find that Cannabis reduces Glaucoma-related inflammation. "Canasol eyedrops, (a liquid Cannabis based formulation) has been demonstrated to be effective in lowering intraocular pressure, and has also been shown to potentiate the effectiveness of other widely-used glaucoma drugs such as Timolol." -- Dr. Manley West, Pharmacologist, University of the West Indies, Jamaica, Mon  Click >> HERE >> for more.

Got information about Canasol and Conditions, Alternatives, Substitutes or related? Post a Note, Send a Message, and Spread the Word!  

Resources

Where to get, how to make: Medi-Grace Pharmaceuticals has been sold and does not produce Canasol anymore. We do not know of any other producer. Dr. West, RIP, has passed on - (Mar 17,1929 - Apr 24, 2012). MERCY does not have any Canasol nor do we know of a resource. There is a recipe for an eye-wash on our Bulletin Board.

CONTACTS

Medi-Grace Pharmaceuticals | Medi-Grace Pharmaceuticals has been sold and does not produce Canasol anymore. Read more about the sale in the >> News section. We will post any information about any other Businesses in the >> Biz section of this page.

Canasol and Asmasol | After ten years of continuous and diligent research, pharmacologist, Professor Manley West and ophthalmologist, Dr. Albert Lockhart developed an eye drop, Canasol, specifically to treat the eye disease, glaucoma. Glaucoma is estimated to affect 3% of the Jamaican population and causes pain, visual disturbances and even blindness.  Click >> - HERE >> for more and to make contact.

Dr Albert Lockhart | Ophthalmologist, co-developer of Canasol * 7 Melmac Ave Kingston 5 Jamaica * 876-926-2750 -or- 876-926-8914  Click >> HERE >>

Medicanja Limited | was established in December 2013 by Dr. Henry Lowe to chart the way forward in the development of a medical marijuana industry in Jamaica. Cannabis, known locally as ganja, has long been regarded as a plant with outstanding medicinal properties.  Learn more, click >> - HERE >>

People, Organizations, Businesses and other resources   will be listed here as we learn about them. Know of one? Post a Note, Send a Message, and Spread the Word!  

News

GraceKennedy Announces the Sale of MediGrace | GraceKennedy Limited announces the sale of Medi-Grace Limited to Smith Russell & Company Limited, a company which is engaged in the distribution of pharmaceutical and consumer products. It is expected that the sale will be completed by August 31, 2006. Medi-Grace Ltd. is involved in the distribution of pharmaceutical and consumer products, and represents such well known companies as Eli Lilly, Merck Sharp & Dohme, and Pfizer Consumer Health. It is expected that under the new ownership, Medi-Grace will continue to operate as an independent company focusing on the pharmaceutical industry. GraceKennedy Ltd. also operates a similar business which is involved in the distribution of consumer items called World Brands Ltd. Based on the terms of the agreement, certain consumer products with the brand names, Dial, Soft Sheen and Energizer now carried by Medi-Grace will be transferred to World Brands Ltd.  Click >> HERE >> for more.

Cannabis For Glaucoma Is The Real Deal; No Longer A Joke To Get A Medical Card, Marijuana Helps Glaucoma | (Nov 10, 2016) Glaucoma patients are among the country's most prolific medical cannabis users. Cannabis has been shown to effectively reduce intra-ocular pressure (IOP) and in some cases can even halt the progression of glaucoma. Many studies since the 1970's have proven that cannabis is definitely effective in reducing IOP. One of the most recent studies conducted in 2014 shows that the cannabinoids in the plant are effective in reducing IOP in glaucoma patients. The study also found that cannabis possesses neuroprotective characteristics that can help patients prevent glaucoma. One of the most notable studies exploring cannabis for glaucoma dates back to the 60's. Professor Manley West, a pharmacologist, worked with ophthalmologist Dr. Albert Lockhart to research about the potential benefits of cannabis for the condition. They began to analyze cannabis use among Jamaican communities and even developed eye drops containing cannabis called Canasol, which was sold in Jamaica. Canasol was effective in reducing IOP, giving it as much potential as a treatment for glaucoma as conventional medications. Canasol is still used around the world and doesn't contain any of the psychoactive compounds of cannabis.  Click >> HERE >> for more.

Unravelling the Science behind Ganja | (June 6, 2016) The University of the West Indies has revived the ganja research programme it began in the 1970s as it prepares to launch Jamaica as a global "powerhouse" for cannabis research; as famous for its products and services as it already is for reggae and the good ‘ol sensi weed'. Aside from ongoing research into the properties and effects of Cannabis, the UWI was among the first in the world to successfully develop medicines from the plant. Its work, going back to 1972 when ophthalmologist Albert Lockhart and pharmacologist Dr. Manley West began investigating the anecdotes of fishermen who attributed their exceptional night-vision to their consumption of ‘ganja teas'.

From their research, the Department of Pharmacology in 1987 released the Canasol (TM), eye drops to treat glaucoma and followed that success in later years by a number of pioneering marijuana-derived pharmaceuticals: Asmasol for asthma; Cantivert also used to treat glaucoma; Canavert for motion sickness and Cansens for treating viral infections. "We are expecting that many products will be produced and have to be tested and quality checked for them to be marketed. We also expect the USDA will soon come up with regulations on cannabis-derived medicines and we are preparing to meet them," Lindsay said. Construction of the UWI Mona Cannabis Research Centre and supporting facilities to expand the institutions research capacity and house its partners is estimated to cost some US 4million dollars. McDonald is expecting that funding from partners will equip and build the facility as "their contribution to UWI's 40-year cannabis research legacy, accommodation and the prestige of brand-Jamaica".  Click >> HERE >> for more.

Jamaican ganja — the race against time; Three-day conference at UWI will tell law-makers opportunities slipping away | (May 22, 2014) JAMAICA is already over 40 years behind in decriminalisation of ganja and a three-day conference which kicks off today at the University of the West Indies (UWI) will signal to legislators here that time is not on Jamaica's side. "We are 40 years late," said Dr Albert Lockhart, a leading opthalmologist who helped pioneer marijuana derived medicines such as Canasol for treating glaucoma, the eye disease and Asmasol for asthma sufferers.

Lockhart, and the late Dr Manley West of the UWI intensified medical research on ganja in 1972 after then Health Minister Dr Kenneth McNeill invited them to address parliamentarians on their work and gave them permission to collect, transport and do research on the weed within the bounds of Jamaica. He said Canasol changed the thinking of many persons about glaucoma when it hit the market. The drug gained favour with glaucoma sufferers because, unlike other drugs, it protected the optic nerve, while lowering eye pressure. "Our research found that when ganja was smoked it increased blood flow into the eye. That put us on to Canasol. We had to produce an eye drop because we don't promote smoking," Lockhart disclosed. "Anything smoked opens the smoker to cancer of the lips, throat and lungs," he noted. "Smoking of tobacco can cause heart problems."  Click >> HERE >> for more.

Latest developments in glaucoma therapy | (20/03/2014) Glaucoma has recently been reclassified as a "progressive optic neuropathy characterised by a specific pattern of optic nerve head and visual field damage." Now known to occur with or without elevated intraocular pressure, the updated definition of this group of irreversibly blinding disorders does not include the words intraocular pressure (IOP). Glaucomatous optic nerve damage should be seen as representing a final common pathway resulting from a number of diseases which affect the eye, similar to end-stage kidney or liver failure. Future additions to glaucoma therapy | Marijuana (cannabis): This definitely does lower intraocular pressure. CANASOL, an eye drop created from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, is available in Jamaica. Unfortunately, although many other derivatives of marijuana have been tested in the US over the last 15 years, none has been deemed sufficiently effective and sufficiently free of side effects to bring to market there for glaucoma treatment.  Click >> HERE >> for more.

Give me credit for early work on Canasol (September 11, 2013) | NOTE: Reference is made to Dr Albert Lockhart's letter to the editor titled 'Clarifying school of marijuana', which was published in The Gleaner on September 4, 2013. While I have no problem or issues with a gentleman like Dr Lockhart (who I have been associated with for decades) expressing his views, I was very surprised by his absolute negative statement: "I must point out that at no time was Dr Henry Lowe involved in the development of Canasol."

Factual history speaks for itself and, therefore, in my view, there is no need on my part for further dialogue on this subject beyond these points noted now or in the future: The work on Canasol can be said to have started in the science laboratories at CAST (now the University of Technology) soon after I returned from the University of Sydney School of Pharmacy in 1970, with an MSc in pharmaceutical/medicinal chemistry. The story of how the late Dr Manley West and I started this work is of great human interest and related to his observations on the Portland fishermen and how they could see the 'fish run' to get large catches after they smoke ganja.

The rest is history and the evidence exists to show that not only was I involved in the cannabis (ganja) research, but we authored at least one joint publication on this subject titled 'The Potential Use of Cannabis Sativa in Ophthalmology', West Indian Med Journal 1977 Jun;26(2):66-70. This article directly relates to the Canasol research and was subsequently quoted in several scientific publications. I go on further to say that when the Cannabis Research Institute was formed, with me being the first chairman in 2002, Dr West was invited to serve as a member of the board of directors. Dr West gave his full support to the venture and he told me, "It was a pity that I was never publicly referenced in any of the early recognition on glaucoma work on cannabis, particularly on the aspects of medicinal chemistry."

It was only since then that I started making reference to my involvement with the Canasol work, which few persons know about. I trust this will clear the air and we can move on with our scientific research and development to serve the world at large, but, more specifically, the people of Jamaica.  Click >> HERE >> for more.

Hemp Info > Hemp and Medicine > File Glaucoma >> Canasol and Cantimol, that effectively treat glaucoma. | (May 11, 2005) CONTROVERSY OR not, local scientists, Dr. Henry Lowe and Professor Errol Morrison note in their book the History of the use of Marijuana that ganja is liberally used by the folk in soups, cakes and cookies. The leaves are brewed and the tea taken as tonic or crushed and applied as an ointment to cure various conditions. In common folk preparations, the green leaves or buds are soaked in white rum (sometimes tempered with fruit juice) and used for the relief of stomach ache, toothache and symptoms of asthma. GLAUCOMA | On the issue of eye disease, glaucoma, the IOM report states that "the potential harmful effects of chronic marijuana smoking outweigh its modest benefits in treating glaucoma" and that more research is required to isolate, its therapeutic effect against high intraocular pressure (IOP). Most Jamaicans would already be aware that two highly-acclaimed local scientists, Drs. Manley West and Albert Lockhart, have already isolated ganja's therapeutic compound and have developed two drugs, canasol and cantimol, that effectively treat glaucoma. Cantimol is a combination of canasol, an alpha agonist and timolol maleate, a beta blocker.  Click >> HERE >> for more.

Ganja medicine in Jamaica | (January 16, 2000) GLAUCOMA PRESSURE: Your eyes are infused with a fluid called aqueous humor that keeps them round, nourished and juicy. The pressure inside your eyes is called intraocular pressure, and is partially the result of a balance between the production, inflow and outflow of aqueous humor. If this balance is upset and your intraocular pressure rises to abnormally high levels, you are a victim of glaucoma. West explained that he and Lockhart began studying cannabis-glaucoma pharmacology in the early 1970's. Scientists had long known that cannabis lowered intraocular pressure, but instead of utilizing whole smoked cannabis, American researchers spent millions of dollars on a poorly-designed topical THC eyedrop treatment that had caused eye irritation and failed to decrease intraocular pressure.

Although early research and cultural lore indicated promising medical uses for ganja, West and Lockhart found their development of cannabis therapeutics complicated by drug war politics, as well as the daunting realities of pharmaceutical research, development and approval processes. Neither West nor Lockhart would elaborate on the exact procedures used to transform the above-mentioned solution into a prescription medicine, although Lockhart did say that a stable "powder" had been made in sufficient quantity to supply the experimenters with all the "principle" they needed to conduct numerous experiments and to make stable pharmaceutical preparations. Lockhart and West reported that clinical trials and anecdotal information indicate that Canasol is safe and effective. Lockhart said that the only problems they'd encountered occurred when a few vials of Canasol produced mild, temporary eye discomfort. The problem was corrected by creating a different type of vial.  Click >> HERE >> for more.

Cannabis therapeutique - Les echos du Chanvre | Des chercheurs jamaicains ont mis au point un traitement legal a base de cannabis pour traiter le glaucome, l'asthme et d'autres maladies. Le glaucome Les yeux sont proteges par un liquide appele humeur aqueuse. La pression dans les yeux est appelee pression intraoculaire et elle est en partie le resultat d'un equilibre entre la production, le flux et le reflux de l'humeur aqueuse. Si cet equilibre est perturbe et que la pression intraoculaire augmente anormalement, c'est un glaucome. ... "La Jamaique a une culture traditionnelle de la ganja", declare Lockhart. "Cela nous a aide a obtenir l'autorisation debut 1972 pour des protocoles de recherche etroitement reglementes et la collection de cannabis dans un but medical. Nous avons aussi reçu une aide commerciale du gouvernement dans les annees 80, ce qui nous a permis de creer une societe pour la fabrication et le marketing." ... Canasol, un medicament a base de cannabis qui permet de reduire la pression ... velle certification officielle pour le Canasol en fevrier 1983. "J'etais depuis ...  Click >> HERE >> for more.

Did you know that it was a Jamaican who: Created Canasol, a ganja-based eye-drop for glaucoma treatment | (Feb., 2014) Canasol was developed through the hard work and scientific research of two notable Jamaicans: pharmacologist, Professor Manley West, and ophthalmologist, Dr Albert Lockhart. It was an important breakthrough drug as it was the first glaucoma eye medication in the Caribbean to be developed at UWI, Mona, and it does not induce the negative side effects that similar synthetic drugs are known for. Professor West remembers being told by country folk that washing their eyes in ganja water made them see better, and fishermen claimed that drinking ganja tea improved their vision, particularly at night. Meanwhile, Dr. Lockhart noted that his Rastafarian patients who used ganja, had few incidences of glaucoma. From these observations, the two men became interested in working with ganja in order to discover its potential medical benefits. Ten years later, Canasol was the result.  Click >> HERE >> for more.

History

According to various websites: CANASOL an ophthalmic drop solution prepared from cannabis sativa which contains 0.3% active solid. Canasol's research has proven this product effective to reduce the adverse symptoms of glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure and having no side effects. This product has been approved by the Ministry of Health of Jamaica. Small wonder then that most new modern-day Cannabis based pharmaceuticals are making their appearance OUTSIDE of the US, in places like Jamaica. *  Click >> HERE >> - for more.

Albert Lockhart and Manley West began studying in 1964 the health effects of traditional cannabis use in Jamaican communities. They developed, and in 1987 gained permission to market, the pharmaceutical "Canasol", and began distribution in 1987. As late as 2003, it was still being distributed in the United Kingdom, several US states, and several Caribbean nations. It was notable for being one of the first cannabis-containing pharmaceuticals to be developed for the modern pharmaceutical market and being one of the few such pharmaceuticals to have ever been legally marketed in the United States.

The product, a derivative from cannabis (ganja, "marijuana"), was at first received with much scepticism and doubt, but according to ophthalmologist Dr. Albert Lockhart, one of the developers of the product, patients from Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., New York and Massachusetts in the United States were using it. "We have to try to educate people and let them know that Canasol does not contain any psychoactive agents" from ganja, he said.

The product was distributed in Jamaica by Medi-Grace Limited and, according to Dr. Lockhart, they also exported to England, some Caribbean islands, and it was sold directly based on doctor's prescriptions from the United States. According to sources at Medi-Grace Limited, an average of 400 units were sold per month, and pharmacists across Jamaica agreed that "the product sells like hot bread." "There is a great demand for the product," Mrs. C. Law a pharmacist at Dolphin's Pharmacy in Kingston said, adding that persons even send from abroad to get it.  Click >> HERE >> for more.

JAMAICA, THE LAND OF GENTLE BREEZES AND MEDICAL CANNABIS: | When one thinks of Jamaica, one usually thinks of travel, tourism, and white sandy beaches. However, it is now also gaining more and more attention as the land where (while still illegal) Cannabis medicines are beginning to flourish. CANASOL an ophthalmic drop solution prepared from cannabis sativa which contains 0.3% active solid. Canasol's research has proven this product effective to reduce the adverse symptoms of glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure and having no side effects. This product has been approved by the Ministry of Health of Jamaica.  Click >> HERE >> for more on this. *  Click >> here << for more on medical cannabis in Jamaica.

Renowned Jamaican scientist Dr. Manley West | Dr West was a scientist. He taught pharmaco-logy at the University of the West Indies, Mona. Significantly, with Dr Albert Lockhart, he developed Canasol, a drug for the treatment of the eye disease, glaucoma, from cannabis, or ganja. Born in Portland, West attended the Titchfield High School. He graduated from the University of London, England, in 1967 with a Doctor of Philosophy in pharmacology. His career at the UWI began as assistant lecturer in pharmacology in 1964, from which position he was promoted to lecturer and internal examiner in pharmacology in 1968. Thereafter, in 1975, West served as acting head of the Department of Pharmacology and in that same year was appointed head of the Department of Pharmacology and chief internal examiner. He was appointed professor of pharmacology in 1981. *  Click >> HERE >> - for more.

Professor the Hon. Manley West, OM | (Mar 17,1929 - Apr 24, 2012) Pharmacologist who conducted pioneering research of the marijuana plant, leading to the development of specialty medicines for glaucoma and other disorders. Glaucoma is a leading cause of preventable blindness and is estimated to affect three per cent of the Jamaican population. Today, many persons worldwide affected by disease are receiving relief through the use of the drugs developed from this research done at the Mona Campus.  SOURCE >> - HERE >>

more History about Canasol and related;   will be listed here as we learn about it. Got info? Post a Note, Send a Message, and/or Spread the Word!  

Bulletin Board, most recent

Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 03:25 AM:
Morgane from France wrote:
" je cherche un remede pour ralentir mon glaucome. Cordialement "

On 5/25/2017 3:25 AM, Velcro wrote:
" Years ago, I started using Herbal Eyebright. It really helped my eyes. My husband's eye specalist said he might be getting Glaucoma and prescribed this expensive eyedrops.

I got my MMJ card renewed and bought some bud with high CBD. Decided to try making an eyewash with it. Took 1 C boiling distilled H2O, added a small amt of AC/DC into it, let it steep for about 15 min and strained it. Hubby has been using it for several days, says he can see better. He had cataracts surgery several years ago and they have come back. He's hoping the eyewash will cure his glaucoma and remove the cataracts.

The people of Jamaica are ahead of us. Will be curious to see if anyone else has used MMJ as an eyewash. "

Monday, October 24, 2016 at 05:28 AM:
Leona Hardin from Plateau, OK wrote:
" now been I Lancaster, PA for 3 year ... where is how do u sign up for it medical marijuana card? "

Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 07:21 AM:
John Wright from Kingston, Jamaica, but currently ljives in New Jersey wrote:
"I have been diagnose with high eye pressure and my doctor is reccommending laser surgery. Do you know where i can get Canasol to buy to treat my eyes. My email address is >> jwright132@yahoo.com "

Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at 03:09 AM:
Helder Nunes (Naturopatic Doctor) from Portugal wrote:
"I need to treat my mother´s glaucoma with Canasol and I just don´t know how I can buy it. Can somebody help me? Thanks "

Monday, November 4, 2013 at 11:14 AM:
Nobody Special from Here wrote:
" I ask you where to find info and do research about the various chemical components of cannabis. I have glaucoma and can't get Canasol so am wanting to experiment to see if I can make an eye drop that is also effective to lower eye pressures- or to connect with a person who is already doing this. I think I heard that the CBDs are best in a 4-1 ratio with THC for the best lowering of IOPs but I want to have more specifics if I can find them! It seems as though a water- based solution is the one best for the eye drop and also most effective for lowering the IOPs...so do you know if CBDs are water-soluble? and what is their source?- which part of the plant- ie leaves rather than bud? or a particular strain of cannabis best for CBDs? "

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