Health | California Pot Stops Pain, Spasms: Study Medical marijuana shown effective in clinical trials By Jane Yager Posted Feb 18, 2010 3:27 AM CST Copied Yamileth Bolanos, who runs Pure Life Alternative Wellness Center, holds a vial of marijuana known as Jupiter Kush, at her store in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) Who knew? Marijuana actually does stop pain—and muscle spasms. A $8.7 million California study, including the first US clinical trials of marijuana use in decades, has found pot significantly relieves neuropathic pain and reduces muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis patients. A leading neuropsychiatrist found the studies so convincing that he hopes marijuana will no longer be classified as a Schedule I drug, the Los Angeles Times reports. An oncologist involved in the study, however, countered that while it's clear "cannabis has benefits" and "has been a medicine for 2,700 years," he doesn't expect the debate over marijuana to change. "Science has not been driving this train for a long time now. I think it's all politics," he said. Despite the promising results of the state-funded study, it's unlikely to be continued because of the California budget crisis. Read These Next Surgical staff squares off with ICE agents. 'Bad batch' of drugs causes mass OD in Baltimore. Jack White made it to 50 without owning a cellphone. He fired the crucial 'ninth shot' against Trump gunman. Report an error