The Therapeutic Potential of Cannabis
David Baker, Gareth Pryce, Gavin Giovannoni, and Alan J. Thompson, "The therapeutic potential of cannabis," The Lancet, Neurology 2, issue 5 (May 2003): 291-298.
This review of marijuana's potential for such neurological conditions as pain and spasticity notes: "Cannabinoids inhibit pain in virtually every experimental pain paradigm." It also explains how cannabinoids protect nerve cells from damage and describes the drawbacks of administering cannabinoid medicines orally (e.g. Marinol).
Free abstract and full text for a fee available at http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474442203003818/abstract.