Therapy with Medical Marijuana

I’m writing this in response to a previous article by a Professor of Psychiatry in a prominent East Coast medical school but my remarks are directed at about 75 percent of physicians in the U.S. The article had more incorrect information that I thought possible from a Professor Psychiatry.

The big problem seems to be the impact of “Reefer Madness” and obviously many physicians still believe it and attest to the validity of the U.S. gov’t propaganda.

I am going to go through the several inaccuracies of his article.

First of all he says “marijuana is not benign”. Medically it is one of the most benign but effective medicine, ever found.

Then he outlines potential risks. There are none, or very few.

He said Napoleon’s troops brought it to Europe. Actually the Persians brought it to Scythia, part of European Russia maybe a thousand years before.

While THC is the main chemical possibly 95 percent, CBD and CBN seem to be the next most present. It appears few people know the activities of the rest because they are in such small amounts.

Marijuana doctor/specialists will disagree with this statement that 9 percent become addicted.

Just because someone uses it constantly is because IT WORKS, not that they are addicted. Medical users who run out have minimal withdrawal symptoms. Marijuana doctors have seen little or no withdrawal syndromes!

The U.S. Government says about 70 million people here have used it, and possibly 10 million use it daily. There has been no epidemic of harm.

Many people, however, might confess they are “addicted” and seek abuse treatment to avoid jail or risk losing their job.

The article uses “intoxication” which means POISONING which it isn’t. This “intoxication” doesn’t even compare with alcohol or two espresso coffees.

It is nothing like nicotine withdrawal, which is harder to beat than heroin. Beating the big “H” involves excruciating pain and sickness, but when its over, its over. Cigarette smokers that quit will tell you a year after the fact that they still have cravings.

He implies it causes cancer and damages the immune system. It does the opposite. He also implies it may lead to opiate addiction. Actually, marijuana/cannabis has been used to get addicts off alcohol, opiates and nicotine.

He says it triggers psychoses. Actually California doctors are using it to treat psychoses including PTSD, probably the most common one now.

Any medical/scientific articles more than 5 years old are sadly out of date. Marijuana is used successfully for maybe one hundred or more medical conditions and these conditions can be found easily by sitting at a computer for just a few minutes.

Dronabinol/Marinol is NO SUBSTITUTE for marijuana used with a vaporizer, not as a cigarette. For nausea and vomiting Marinol is useless. People throw it up. It takes too long to act, from one to two hours, and patients frequently get dreadful anxiety and panic attacks which are typical signs of overdose.

If this doctor or any other doctor would see a few marijuana patients, most of whom had used for 10 to 50 years, he would see some very sick near medically destitute patients who are getting good relief from marijuana.

Some California doctors say “all marijuana use is medical”. It certainly seems very effective for coping and the euphoria from a medical dose is extremely beneficial for patients in extreme pain, or suffering from cancer or AIDS.

We marijuana doctors advise the use of vaporizers which decreases almost to zero any bronchial irritation common with burning/smoking.

We welcome FDA testing and approval but remember they approved Thalidamide, Latrite, Vioxx and several more real nasy poisons.

If marijuana is good for terminal cancer why shouldn’t it be available for persons in severe chronic pain, spasms and nausea? Cannabis has been used for 5000 years without one death.

Source: Dr. Phil Leveque of Salem-News.com

The Benefits of Medical Marijuana for Cancer Patients

Due to being illegal or quasi-legal in many countries, you might not find as much information on the uses of medical marijuana (or marihuana) as you might expect. However, many studies have been conducted, and are still being conducted, about the medical uses of cannabis. Despite a somewhat blind governmental view in many countries, including Canada and the United States, these studies have shown repeatedly exactly how medical marijuana can help those suffering from severe illnesses such as cancer.

Traditional Cancer Treatments

Lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer – in fact, most types of cancer all start the same basic way. Something causes cancer cells to divide and grow without pause, spreading badly damaged DNA. Those cells invade other tissues and, in most cases, form tumors.

Cancer studies have taken leaps and bounds as far as finding treatments to slow, and sometimes stop, the spread of cancer. However, two of the most important treatments, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, also cause damage and, often, severe side effects.

For instance, some of the most powerful, toxic chemicals are used in chemotherapeutic agents. Both treatments kill cancer cells, but healthy cells as well. Chemotherapeutic agents such as Adriamycin (doxorubicin) and Platinol (cisplatin) can, and have, caused immune suppression and multiple organ damage, but they also cause severe nausea and vomiting.

The vomiting can last over a period of days, to the point that some patients have actually torn their esophagus. Due to the vomiting and lack of appetite, severe dehydration and weigh loss is normal. In fact, many cancer patients begin having a reaction before chemotherapy begins, in “anticipation” of the side effects. Unfortunately, although chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may be an integral part of their survival, many cancer patients decide not to take the therapies because the side effects are so severe.

Because of this, many are given a mix of anti-nausea drugs. Often, the anti-nausea drugs work. However, the drugs only give partial symptom control, while for others they give no control at all. In addition, those who take traditional medications may also suffer fever, bone pain, fatigue, anxiety, sleep problems and changes in heart activity, among other issues. This leaves cancer patients to suffer from the effects of the cancer itself, the side effects of the treatments, and the side effects of medications used to alleviate the initial side effects of the treatments.

Medical Marijuana for Cancer Patients

It has proven in many studies, performed by prestigious scientific and medical organizations and individuals, that medical marijuana can (and does) relieve pain and nausea. In fact, some of these studies go as far back as the 1970s and older.

For instance, in 1975, the New England Journal of Medicine published the results of a “double-blind” study on the effects of oral (ingested rather than smoked) tetrahydrocannabinol on nausea and vomiting. According to the study, “No patient vomited while experiencing a subjective “high”. Oral tetrahydrocannabinol has antiemetic properties and is significantly better than a placebo in reducing vomiting caused by chemotherapeutic agents.”

A 1999 report by the Institutes of Medicine concluded, “In patients already experiencing severe nausea or vomiting, pills are generally ineffective, because of the difficulty in swallowing or keeping a pill down, and slow onset of the drug effect. Thus an inhalation (but, preferably not smoking) cannabinoid drug delivery system would be advantageous for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea.”

Although freedom from nausea and vomiting are two of the most noticed benefits of medical marijuana use, many have reported a reduction in the severity of wasting away. As well, they’ve notice a lessening in depression and other “side effects” brought on by the disease, including an increase in appetite. All of these things together have helped many cancer patients live a better, happier, more comfortable life. However, studies have also shown a shocking benefit.

Over twenty major studies in the past nine years have shown that cannabinoids (the chemicals in cannabis) actually fight cancer cells. In fact, it’s been shown that cannabinoids arrest cancer growths of many different forms of cancer, including brain, melanoma and breast cancer. There’s even growing evidence that cannabinoids cause direct anti-tumor activity.

Since the possibility was first realized, many more studies have been conducted, focused on the possibility of cannabinoids have anticarcinogenic effects. A 2007 study by the Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology in Rostock, Germany focused on human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. The cells were treated with specific cannabioids and THC. Even at low concentrations, MA and THC “led to a decrease in invasion of 61.5% and 68.1% respectively.”

The benefits of medical marijuana for cancer patients are clear when it comes to increased appetite, reduction of pain, wasting, vomiting and nausea, as well as depression. Although its anticarcinogenic effects aren’t quite as clear, ongoing research further points to the possibility that medical marijuana may actually be what many claim it is – a truly miraculous drug.

Grow Medical Marijuana – Six Habits of Highly Effective Medical Marijuana Growers

Those who assume that it is easy to grow medical marijuana are actually people who have less or no knowledge about marijuana growers. They tend to mislead you with their deficient and somehow wrong information regarding the growing of medical marijuana.  So beware of those who are saying that there are short cuts and quick fixes which minimize the hard work and focus required to succeed in this endeavor.  An effective medical marijuana garden always satisfies the needs of the grower who knows and follows these seven important rules:
Cleanliness
Procrastination is not recommended in growing of medical marijuana.  Simple task such as picking up dead leaves and sweeping of debris should not wait until piles of these have accumulated.  It is considered to be an important daily routine that requires due diligence.  Make it your mission to keep things clean always.  So start putting down the bong, get off the couch and clean your grow room from top to bottom.  Always keep in mind that the work you do now will surely pay off in the end.
Stealth
When it comes to growing medical marijuana, silence is always the golden rule.  Although it might be tempting sometimes to brag and show off your hard work, but it can only cause you more troubles along the road.  Try to minimize or avoid throwing big parties or let people hang out all day smoking weed in your area.  Suspicious events like this have been the downfall of many pot growers before.  You need to make yourself invisible to neighbors and keep a low profile in order for you to keep your marijuana garden discrete.  On the other hand, don’t be too paranoid as well by blocking off all your windows or avoiding interaction with neighbors because this will only indicate that something is not right.  Instead be friendly but not too friendly and never panic or antagonize those around you.  Keeping everything peaceful is the key to have successful harvest after harvest.
Realistic Expectations
You need to set your goals wisely and realistically, by doing so; you can maintain your motivation at all times.  Be realistic and consider many factors that affect the growth of your medical marijuana plants.  Try to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of all decisions and possible outcomes.  Knowing and properly anticipating possible expenses can lead you to long-term success.
Attentiveness to Plant Needs
To grow medical marijuana, you also need to be attentive to your plants needs.  Although marijuana plants isn’t all that hard to please, but still they need to be provided with the proper atmosphere at all time, maintained appropriate temperature, feeding and airflow.  Try to be meticulous with small details to avoid stress that causes marijuana plants to delay their growth or even die.  Knowing and understanding all elements of plant growth is necessary to become successful in growing medical marijuana.
Patience
Marijuana plants needs to complete their life cycle to fulfill their true destiny and it is your job to do everything to make that happen.  Try not to harvest early because you are preventing the marijuana plants to reach its full potential.  That means that you need to have patience and know the fact that you will be in this thing for quite a long time.  Patience really does pay.
Humility
Infuse some positive energy into your plants by showing humility.  Take pride with your gardening accomplishments but don’t become the “human buzz-kill” person who always seeks to one-up all comers.  Besides, to grow medical marijuana is not a competition of who gets to produce better and high quality pots.  Just let your buds speak for themselves.  If you love what you are doing then you are already a winner.

Legalize Medical Marijuana

Every day an estimated 6,000 Americans will try marijuana for the 1st time. It’s the most common illicit drug in the United States with nearly 15 million people using it at least once a month.

All this week, “Anderson Cooper 360″ is taking a close look at the deeply divisive issue of drug legalization in a series of reports. It’s a special “360″ investigation called “America’s High: The case for and against pot.”

The issue of medical marijuana inspires particular controversy. As of right now, 13 states have laws that permit marijuana, also know as cannabis, to be taken for medical conditions. There is no prescription for cannabis; instead doctors issue a recommendation in these states.

But is it safe? Is it effective? Does it actually work?

Melissa Etheridge says it worked for her. The Grammy Award-winning singer- songwriter turned to marijuana after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004.

In an interview, Etheridge talked to CNN’s Anderson Cooper on why she did it and how she believes it helped restore her health. She’s now pushing for its legalization.

The following is an edited version of the interview.

Melissa Etheridge: I’m actually grateful for my cancer diagnosis.

Anderson Cooper: Grateful because it changed your life?

Etheridge: It changed my life; woke me up totally.

Cooper: What is the pain [of chemotherapy] like?

Etheridge: It was just a general pain of your body dying, of all your cells dying. Your appetite is gone. And you are nauseous. And your hair is falling out. Your skin — it’s like death. And the only thing I could do is lay there. I can’t — it hurt to — light hurt, sound hurt. I couldn’t read anything. I just laid there.

(Etheridge didn’t want to use Vicodin or other prescription pills, she said.)

All of these things have side effects. So, the steroids and the pain relief that they give you on that first day when you go into chemotherapy causes constipation. So they will — here is a pill for the constipation which will give you diarrhea. And you get huge side effects from all of this.

Cooper: The first time you did [marijuana], it made a big difference?

Etheridge: Instantly — and instantly within a minute relieves the nausea, relieves the pain. And all of a sudden I was normal. You don’t take medicinal marijuana to get high.

Cooper: So you weren’t getting high?

Etheridge: No you don’t get a high. No it’s not a high. It was normal. And I could — all of a sudden I could get out of bed. I could go see my kid. And it was amazing. (Etheridge often didn’t smoke; the marijuana was mixed into butter and spread on food, or run through a vaporizer.)

Cooper: Did you ever worry about becoming addicted? They were saying this is a gateway drug?

Etheridge: No. Not at all. If you were on that side, you would understand what I mean. It is almost laughable to think that you could be addicted. This is not at all.

Cooper: You mention you still have a prescription. Do you still use marijuana?

Etheridge: Yes, I do. The effects on my gastrointestinal system leave me with a real intolerance for acid of any kind, and so acid reflux is a constant problem. I don’t want to take the little pills that they give you that have all the side effects to help with that.

And I do use it — I’m one of the users that would like in a stressful situation or maybe when I’ve eaten that cheese pizza with my kids that I will do that and it settles — totally completely settles all that.

Cooper: Most people eat the cheese pizza after the marijuana.

Etheridge: That is true.

Cooper: You’ve got it backwards.

Etheridge: No. It’s not like that. I know.

Cooper: There’s more than, I think, 200,000 people in California who are registered to receive medicinal marijuana. Do you really believe that all those people though have legitimate reasons to be getting marijuana?

Etheridge: Yes. Who are we to say what a legitimate reason is? If it helps somebody at the end of the day instead of drinking a couple of glasses of wine, to have a few tokes, who are we to say? Why must we in this country be so judgmental about this? These people are not hurting anybody. They are not hurting themselves.

Colorado Medical Marijuana

The governments of USA, UK and all the prominent countries all over the world have made marijuana illegal and even to know how to grow marijuana seeds in certain countries. This is so because some of the top government officials feel that marijuana seeds can have fatal effects on our health. It is definitely true that marijuana has some side effects which may include dizziness, loss of memory for time being etc, but the drug is definitely not fatal. Moreover, the positive effects of marijuana have not been hidden from the world.

Many experts too believe that marijuana has some of the greatest pain relieving qualities which chemotherapy patients or other chronic disorder patients can avail to get out of their sufferings. That is the reason there is a big debate going on all over the world on whether to legalize marijuana or not.

In such a scenario when even growing of marijuana has to be done privately, buymarijuanaseeds.org provides the chronic patients a way to get over their pain by understanding how to grow marijuana seeds. The website offers a platform for every individual to ask questions and put forward their queries regarding how to grow marijuana seeds and also to write their own views on the topic and share their own experiences as well.

The information available regarding marijuana seeds, their usage and their advantages is highly beneficial and provides every individual with a clear understanding of the same. The website has its biggest aim to make individuals understand what is good for them and what is not. The website is totally dedicated to the good of those who are suffering tremendously with chronic ailments and although marijuana seeds may help them get out of the pain, yet because of the so called legalities, they are not able to get their medicine in the contour of marijuana.

The website is trying to help such individuals who may get to know the basis requirements on how to grow marijuana seeds and thereafter, they need not be dependent upon anyone for their treatment.

Today most of the people are in favour of marijuana as they feel that those who can be benefitted with its medicinal use should not suffer because of those who make it an abuse. Every individual is matured enough to understand what is right for him and what is wrong. So the public belief is to give everyone a right to decide for themselves. This way at least those who can benefit from marijuana get their due.

Stop the War of Ignorance – Studies Reveal Medical Marijuana Benefits

It becomes more and more difficult to continue the war on marijuana with every study that surfaces. A recent study about marijuana’s effectiveness as an HIV self-care strategy implies that marijuana helped with anxiety, depression, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and peripheral neuropathy. In another study synthetic delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (dronabinol) showed to improve the symptoms of schizophrenia in 4 out of 6 patients.  There were no clinically significant adverse effects on any of the patients. These results complement the recent finding that the cannabinoid blocker rimonabant does not improve schizophrenic symptoms and suggest that the role of cannabinoids in psychosis may be more complex than previously thought. They open a possible new role for cannabinoids in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Marijuana can be used in ways that we haven’t even discovered yet because of an arrogant government.  Instead of fighting marijuana supporters, spending billions, and jailing marijuana users use some of the taxes received from marijuana legalization to put forth in-depth studies on the medical usage of marijuana that has potential to improve the lives of millions, if not billions. So many kids in this generation are worried about weight and appearance; Girls today are diagnosed with disorders like anorexia every day.  There’s not a real treatment available that will work 100 percent of the time, but we have never tried using cannabis to treat a disorder like this.  Women experience nausea and go through days with out wanting to a eat a thing, if thc is smoked through a vaporizer there are no proven bad health effects, therefore leave the patient feeling hungry, and nausea seems to disappear . Other users may just need marijuana for a simple case of back pain, regardless of the medical need; no one should have the authority to say it doesn’t improve your life, or improve your medical situation.

Pain, spasticity, tremor, spasms, poor sleep quality, and bladder and bowel dysfunction, among other symptoms, contribute significantly to the disability and impaired quality of life of many patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In the study, patients that used cannabis improved almost all symptoms of MS with only a little euphoria as a side effect (A side effect we can all live with). Marijuana has never caused side effects as brutal as most serious illness medications, side effects like nausea, headaches, vomiting, abdominal pain, thoughts of suicide are non-existent.

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Quoted HIV Pain Study – Marijuana improves life of HIV patients

Source – http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/ww_en_db_study_show.php?s_id=277

“Despite management with opioids and other pain modifying therapies, neuropathic pain continues to reduce the quality of life and daily functioning in HIV-infected individuals. Cannabinoid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems have been shown to modulate pain perception. We conducted a clinical trial to assess the impact of smoked cannabis on neuropathic pain in HIV. This was a phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of analgesia with smoked cannabis in HIV-associated distal sensory predominant polyneuropathy (DSPN). Eligible subjects had neuropathic pain refractory to at least two previous analgesic classes; they continued on their prestudy analgesic regimens throughout the trial. Regulatory considerations dictated that subjects smoke under direct observation in a hospital setting. Treatments were placebo and active cannabis ranging in potency between 1 and 8% Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, four times daily for 5 consecutive days during each of 2 treatment weeks, separated by a 2-week washout. The primary outcome was change in pain intensity as measured by the Descriptor Differential Scale (DDS) from a pretreatment baseline to the end of each treatment week. Secondary measures included assessments of mood and daily functioning. Of 127 volunteers screened, 34 eligible subjects enrolled and 28 completed both cannabis and placebo treatments. Among the completers, pain relief was greater with cannabis than placebo (median difference in DDS pain intensity change, 3.3 points, effect size=0.60; p=0.016). The proportions of subjects achieving at least 30% pain relief with cannabis versus placebo were 0.46 (95%CI 0.28, 0.65) and 0.18 (0.03, 0.32). Mood and daily functioning improved to a similar extent during both treatment periods. Although most side effects were mild and self-limited, two subjects experienced treatment-limiting toxicities. Smoked cannabis was generally well tolerated and effective when added to concomitant analgesic therapy in patients with medically refractory pain due to HIV DSPN.”

Colorado Medical Marijuana Vaporizers

One of the main reasons that vaporizers were developed was to reduce the harmful effects on your lungs and throat caused from smoking. We know that medical marijuana is an effective medicine to relieve pain and/or inflammation. We also know that smoking of any kind of material can cause respiratory problems. The vaporizer produces a vapor which is far less harmful than smoke. The following study by the authority CANORML shows the advantages of vaporizing over traditional smoking methods.

Medical studies show heavy marijuana smokers have suffered severe bronchitis and respiratory infections. Vaporizing marijuana is an excellent way of reducing the irritating respiratory toxins in marijuana smoke. The vaporizer reduces the amount of tar you inhale. Their is quite a bit of tar in marijuana, tobacco and other herbs especially in Marijuana.

Also herbs are smoked on a recreational basis by millions of people throughout the world. If you currently use Colorado Medical Marijuana you can take advantage of the benefits of a vaporizer.

The effect of vaporizing herbs is generally quite different to smoking. Some prefer the feeling of vaporizing and others prefer the feeling of smoking. Even if you prefer the feelings of smoking, it is very handy having a vaporizer. It can be used from time to time to reduce the harmful affects of smoking. For example if you have a sore throat and would like to consume your herbs. The vaporizer can be used and it should not irritate your throat. Or you may feel that your lungs are congested and need some improving, but you would like some herbs. Then vaporize your herbs and you should see improvements in your health. This is especially the case if you have a cold or the flu. The marijuana/herbs may help to reduce the severity of the symptoms caused by the cold. It may be just to painful to smoke when you throat is sore and lungs are conjested.

If you smoke marijuana and find that you are becoming tired and unmotivated and you do not want to quit using marijuana. Try vaporizing your marijuana and you will get more a of a clean headed high buzz.

Like tobacco, marijuana smoke contains toxins that are known to be hazardous to the respiratory system. Among them are the highly carcinogenic polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, a prime suspect in cigarette-related cancers. These toxins are essentially a byproduct of combustion, separate from the pharmaceutically active components of marijuana, known as cannabinoids, which include THC. When you burn marijuana it produces quite a lot of tar. Pipes and joints generally do not have proper filters. Bongs are not the answer, because you inhale concentrated smoke.

The vaporizer certainly reduces the level of tar. You will not have to worry about the harmful carcinogens your body is absorbing when you inhale marijuana smoke.

How to use a Marijuana Vaporizer

You take your marijuana buds and cut them up or grind them slightly. This helps increase the surface area. You then place the cannabis in to the cup style bowl and adjust the temperature. Each vaporizer is different so read the directions on how to control the temperature. The vaporization temperature will alter the affect of the herb.

How Does A Marijuana Vaporizer Work

As the heat is applied to your herbs the THC resins inside medical cannabis buds gets hot enough to vaporize. When this happens the good chemicals held within the small resins on the plants actually vaporize out into a thin mist (vapor). The vapor starts to thicken as it gathers inside a clear glass dome. The vapor is now ready to be inhaled through a long tube. Once the marijuana has been fully vaporized, you are left with the remains of the marijuana plant. The remaining chaff is the waste product. This is what you would have inhaled had you smoked the marijuana rather than vaporize it.

What Are The Benefits Of A Marijuana Vaporizer

The greatest benefit is that you do not inhale any of the harmful smoke produced by a marijuana cigarette (joint). However, through the vaporization process you still receive all the active chemical ingredients from the marijuana buds you place in the bowl. When you burn herbs harmful chemicals are created. Vaporizing your herbs reduces the number of harmful chemicals.

Medical Marijuana – But What About the Children

A common debate that hopefully will come to an end in the next few years is the medical marijuana topic. While there are more pros than cons when this debate ever comes up, there are still plenty of corporations both in the medical and industrial sectors that would love to see medical marijuana made 100% illegal.

There is one ad that most have seen and really speaks to parents of teens. These anti marijuana advertisements describe marijuana including medicallly prescribed to be a danger to teens. They have played anything from a teen setting his house on fire while under the influence to a couple teens hitting a child on a bike due to the effects of marijuana.

One thing that seems to escape the entire anti marijuana both medically or otherwise are the deaths actually caused by marijuana use. The main reason these statistics of deaths are not included is because there has never been a single death caused by this plant ever. Many can agree that children, teens and those with addictive personalities might take from this plant bad things BUT to classify it with man made and chemically containing drugs is only done to keep the general public from knowing the true medicinal properties of this great plant.

In california there have been bills, hearings and everything under the sun fighting for medical patients and consenting adults from using this plant but is a thoudand times less harmful than the completely legal drugs known as alcohol and tobacco. These two perfectly legal drugs which can be bought on any street corner or liquor store have and do kill people including children on a daily basis but they still remain 100% legal.

Why would allow 2 proven and daily killers remain legal but throw the book at adults for smoking something that has never caused on single death worldwide as well as lock adults up for years at a time due to possession or personal use. Parents need to wake up and see passed the catchy anti pot ads and actually do some research.

Why would medical or industrial companies want to keep marijuana illegal? This plant has been proven to be more effective in both fields versus their man made or chemical counterparts and the main reason is this plant doesn’t need a manufacturing plant or company head to continue producing. Hemp can be used in place of many industrial items including rope, fuel, clothing to name a few. Medically this plant has had plenty of proven cases medically of its effects on the body and how it can not only help slow but also stop cancer growth.

Why would the medical establishments not want a plant that can help their patients? Why do you think they spent million to try and reproduce a chemical versus on this amazing plant? Maybe, just maybe it has to do with the issue of this plant being able to be produced 100% free by any adult who chooses to grow their own. Without a prescription, without a business making money from something there is no point in allowing it in our economy.

One thing that big business cannot allow is an individual the ability to provide for themselves. There isn’t a profit in a cure or prevention but there is a huge profit in “living with it”. Sometimes you need to look passed the obvious reason because most times that is furthest from the truth. If you live in a city or state without a medical marijuana law protecting you then it is up to you to make it happen. You can do this by contacting NORML for help.

For a real awakening why not watch the video they pushed to get marijuana banned. The video is called reefer madness and can be found on google video for those wanting to watch it. It is a great old black and white showing that with just one puff a normal teen turns into a killer, a criminal among other things. The propaghanda our country puts out really does put shutters on many and possibly including yourself. Whether you are for or against a specific right, don’t you think it should be up to an adult as to what they put in his or her body or should that be left up to the government to let us know what is allowed or not.

Medical Marijuana – The Herb That Heals?

It has been demonised in the media by pundits and politicians, but doctors have long been aware of the medical applications of marijuana. Will we soon see a future with universal access to medical marijuana?

 

Truth is always the first casualty of war, and no where is this more true than in the War on Drugs. In a misguided effort to stamp out rising substance abuse issues, anything that runs against the official line (loosely summarised as “all drugs are bad, all drugs are bad, all drugs are bad”) is inevitably swept under the carpet. Acknowledging that marijuana might have any positive benefits is tantamount to treason.

 

Yet marijuana has long been recognised within the medical establishment for its medicinal value. Noted for its capacity to relieve nausea, loss of appetite and chronic pain, it has been used with great success by sufferers of cancer, HIV, glaucoma and multiple sclerosis, proving time and again to be more effective than prescription medication.   

 

History of Medical Marijuana

Using marijuana for medical purposes is no new development – many ancient cultures recognised its value. The Ancient Egyptians and Indians used it in their traditional medicine for a wide variety of purposes, ranging from the treatment of haemorrhoids to pain relief (especially for women in childbirth.) The Ancient Greeks made extensive use of marijuana seeds, steeping them in water and using the extract to treat inflammation and pain.

 

It continued to find use right up to the 20th century – before the advent of asprin in the 19th century, marijuana was the most commonly prescribed form of mild pain relief in most Western countries.  

 

Medical Marijuana Today

After a long spell in the wilderness in the first half of the 20th century, where it was demonised as a highly dangerous substance, the medical marijuana debate was reignited in 1972 by Tod H. Mikuriya’s groundbreaking medical study, “Medical Marijuana Papers”. Since then, numerous medical studies have supported and expanded upon his findings, and marijuana today prescribed in certain US states and European nations for a wide variety of conditions.     

 

It isn’t all positive by any means – the majority of US states strictly prohibit the use of medical marijuana, and there has been no uptake from the majority of nations around the world (including the UK). Many people choose to get their medical marijuana illegally, running the risk of prosecution simply for seeking effective relief to chronic pain.

 

By all accounts, marijuana is able to provide the best form of relief for some of the most painful and debilitating conditions that people suffer from, yet draconian drug laws leave many people in unnecessary suffering.

 

The Future?

Many people feel that the medical marijuana debate is at something of an impasse. Some countries go so far as encouraging citizens to buy marijuana seeds and grow their own supplies, whilst many other countries (such as the UK) taking an increasingly strict line against the drug.

 

Medical marijuana faces an uncertain future; to be seen to be actively promoting an increased use of marijuana is to commit political suicide, even though countless medical organisations (ranging from the British Medical Association to the American Public Health Association) have argued for greater access to medical marijuana.

 

What the future holds, none can say – it seems that all the studies in the world that promote marijuana and marijuana seeds from a medical point of point can’t overcome the political paralysis. But with more and more people becoming aware of the benefits of medical marijuana, it is to be hoped that someday everyone can enjoy the benefits of the “healing herb”, not just the lucky few in the most progressive states and countries.

 

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