Narco Non Victims » Medical Marijuana

Medical Marijuana: A summary and an opinion

maureen — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:07:50 +0000

The cannabis plant has a long history of being used as a medicine in many cultures and there has been many positive studies involving the use of cannabis as a medicine. It has helped the life’s of sick people but still many countries reject the idea cannabis has any medical valueWhat Is Medical Marijuana?:Medical Marijuana refers to the use of cannabis/marijuana as a herbal therapy and also the use of synthetic THC and cannabinoids.A Brief History:The first use of cannabis as a medicine is hard to pinpoint but in China its believed its been used as a medicine for around 4000 years, Egyptian texts like Ebers Papyrus and the Ramesseum III Papyrus, both from over 1000 years BC describe medical marijuana. Other cultures also have references to medical marijuana from texts thousands of years old. In modern medicine cannabis was used more in western civilization from the 19th century onwards following experiments and promotion from Irish doctor William Brooke O’Shaughnessy. The creation of aspirin is considered by some to be responsible for the decline of the use of cannabis as a medicine, along with the anti-cannabis campaign in the early part of 20th century, with movies like Reefer Madness cannabis went from medicine to a drug that makes you insane. In more recent times only a few countries recognize cannabis as a medicine and there is some pharmaceutical companies looking into the many compounds within the plant for medicinal purposes.Where?:Lots of countries class cannabis as having no medicinal value so Medical Marijuana is only available in either herbal or synthetic form in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Israel, Spain, the Netherlands, the UK and in 13 states of the US. The laws are different in all countries with medical marijuana and gaining access maybe difficult. You will need a doctor’s recommendation so your doctor is the best person to speak to if you live somewhere where medical cannabis might be available for you. The situation in the US is complicated with the 13 states having passed state laws, but medical marijuana is not recognized by federal law. This means patients who use and grow medical marijuana legally under state law still have to live in fear of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) raiding and possibly arresting them. As I spoke about before, there is hope that thing will change under the new president but only time will tellUses:Cannabis has been used as a medicine for years for pain relief and is considered especially good for relieving neuropathic pain (pain from nerve damage). Cannabis also helps with nausea, spasticity, glaucoma, and movement disorders, cannabis is also a powerful appetite stimulant and is specifically good for patients suffering from HIV and other illnesses that reduce your appetite. Some newer research finds cannabis properties may protect the body against some types of malignant tumors and are neuroprotective. There is many more uses for cannabis medically and no doubt further research will show more benefits of the plant.Future:It should be easy to say that the future of cannabis being used as a medicine is bright but with most countries worldwide rejecting the idea that cannabis has any medical value it makes progress much harder. I hope soon more countries and all the states of the USA will have access to medical cannabis. Awareness needs to be spread about the medical value of cannabis as there is more people who could benefit from the plant.The use of cannabis as a medicine is nothing new and the fact that some pharmaceutical companies are looking closely at the plant and some of its compounds does not surprise me. Since they cannot patent a plant those looking into making money from the plant will look at making a synthetic version that they can make millions of. It would be easier and better for the patients simply to grow their own medicine but of then how would the pharmaceutical companies make money then?People might argue that smoking your medicine is not a healthy way of taking medicine, but with the vaporizers available on the market for healthy inhalation and the fact you can make edible or drinkable goodies form cannabis or a hemp oil then cannabis does not need to be smoked.The difference among recreational use and medical use of cannabis needs to be recognized by more people. While I believe that a responsible adult should have the right to use cannabis recreationally, I do think that there should be no doubt about allowing a sick person use a plant with a long history of medical value should be accepted and legal. What might be considered just the munchies by a recreational user is for some medical users the difference between having an appetite or not.Cannabis has a great potential as a medicine and more awareness, and acceptance is needed. Read up and spread the word

Legalize Medical Marijuana

maureen — Fri, 27 May 2011 03:16:29 +0000

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.

3 Reasons Your Medical Marijuana Garden Needs To Be Organic

maureen — Wed, 25 May 2011 03:07:15 +0000

3 Reasons Your Medical Marijuana Garden Needs To Be Organic

Can you imagine strolling through the woods, when you happen across a forest ranger trying to use a leaf blower? That ridiculous image is not too far off of what I see while driving around town. The amount of bagged leaves, tree clippings, grass, and dead foliage being tossed out, could easily boost a crop of Medical Marijuana- or anything else vegetative. If you think of feeding the soil not the plant, then you are on your way to producing a great organic Medical Marijuana crop.

One reason to focus on the organic aspect is that it’s very available. Most yards have grass, leaves, clippings, and other formerly alive vegetation. Aside from sparing you extra trash bag usage, hauling, and physical labor, this organic material needs to remain in the yard. You don’t need a fancy tumbler, chicken wire, or compost bin either- just an area of the yard dedicated for dead stuff. If you have a pick-up truck and notice bagged up leaves, toss them aboard and take them home! Many growers alternate sides of the yard, with the non-use side for these organic by-products. Mix in some fresh cut material with older dead vegetation, turn or rake around periodically. Egg shells, coffee grinds, and herbivore manure are excellent amendments to toss in.

Secondly, without getting real scientific, there’s a break-down of the dead material which enriches the soil. Microbes, micro-organisms, and soil mineral exchange boost your patch of earth to a new growing level. One year I buried an animal in the compost area and the next batch of plants from that area was overwhelming! Take one walk through the forest right now, and there’s a lot of decay. Dead animals, goo-gobs of leaves, and huge fallen trees, these are fertilizers of the forest- natural organic soil enhancers. Can’t we learn from nature?

Finally, most first time cultivators of Marijuana (Medical) want to water and fertilize like crazy. When you take this zeal to the garden, what you normally do is ruin your crop. Marijuana is a weed, and weeds as such come from a very organic background. Feed your soil and Marijuana will take from the soil, diminishing the chance that you “burn” or kill your plants with fertilizer. Growers need to get rid of the humongous bud mentality, and just think about the best growth environment for their plants. Dropping gallons of growth stuff around your plants is not the best growth environment for your “babies”. I’ve witnessed first hand what an organic garden can do for Medical Marijuana. Once you go organic, you won’t go back. Remember, grow American!

Joyce

The Photoperiodism of Medical Marijuana

maureen — Sat, 21 May 2011 03:08:20 +0000

Thank goodness my Chow’s winter coat is in, because it was freezing this morning. The geese also seem ready to pack up and fly on their cool weather mission. The animal kingdom contains built in regulators for mating, shedding, hibernation, and much more. In the plant world, there are several in house regulators as well. One of the most fascinating plant receptors, the one which will tell your Medical Marijuana to bud out, is photoperiodism. Botanist researchers have found that it is length of darkness that influences plant growth.

The most important decision regarding cultivation of Medical Marijuana is which strain to use. Your seeds will need to be compatible with the photo period. In California, outdoor growing of Marijuana is as simplistic as, 1-2-3. Toss out some seeds during a spring rain, then periodically cultivate, and when the plants sense the summer day length waning, she’ll begin to flower. In warm weather climates, Medical Marijuana gardening is easy, and you may use Cannabis Sativa (the big plants), Cannabis Indica (the shorter, bushy plants) and finally a mixture or cross of the two, Indica/Sativa.

However, no need to fret my cool weather friends. Most seed banks can accommodate any planting climate zone. For example, in Vancouver, Canada – many growers are lyrical over the “Early Skunk” strain. Seed banks also have Marijuana varieties that “automatically” flower, regardless of photoperiod. I prefer my own seeded crop, as my strain is now indigenous to the area, including climate and photoperiod.

Light duration involves the length of exposure to light in a 24-hour period. Plants have an internal mechanism for keeping track of light exposure they receive each day. The length of days can have a direct effect on the growth of many plants. Greenhouse crops like chrysanthemums and poinsettias will begin to flower naturally in the fall when the day length is shorter. They are said to be short-day plants. These plants grow vegetatively when the days are long.

In order to produce enough vegetative growth on the plants, growers have to extend the day by artificially lighting the plants at night. Incandescent lights are turned on from 10pm – 2am. This is usually done with the aid of timers. Flower initiation, or development of the flower’s buds, begins when the days are short. If the days are naturally long, growers shorten the days by pulling a light-proof cover over the plants. The covers are pulled automatically or by hand around 5pm and removed about 8am. This shortens the day and induces flowering. If you choose to grow your Medical Marijuana indoors, you control the length of days. You’ll bring on one of two plant responses. The plants will be kept in a vegetative stage of growth or encouraged to flower.

Indoor lights are usually on for 18-20 hours, so once you cut back on your Medical Marijuana crop, the plants flower. A HPS (High Pressure Sodium) bulb is a nice addition to your indoor garden, as it emits an orange-red glow. This band of light triggers hormones in plants to increase flowering/budding. As you can see, indoors, YOU are Mother Nature! Which ever way you go have fun, and keep growing American.

Got Extra Medical Marijuana Seeds?

maureen — Tue, 17 May 2011 03:07:07 +0000

You may live in sunny California, with the most nitrogen rich soil on earth – but unless you have viable seeds to germinate, it won’t matter when it comes to Cannabis cultivation. There are many pot smokers with bags of seeded Marijuana, who cannot grasp the idea of homegrown smoke. Many individuals are preparing to hit the medicinal dispensaries, at a cost, for therapeutic relief through Medical Marijuana. Both groups need to pause for a minute, and try an experiment.

No matter where you live, try this little experiment. It will illustrate two things, one the hardiness of Marijuana, and two, just how easily Cannabis grows. If you frequently come across Marijuana seeds, each evening do this. Go out to your backyard and toss a seed or two of Marijuana somewhere. Each evening try to do the same thing, selecting various spots around the yard. Do not cover, plant, or assist the seed in any way. You may continue this project as long as you wish.

One day, you will notice a nice green, unusual looking weed. By the time you recognize your first plant of Medical Marijuana, it may already be knee high. Do not fertilize it, weed around it, prune, or give it water. Let this plant slug it out in the yard, and then you may witness the tenacity of a true botanical warrior. One of the largest (Sativa), prettiest, and highest yielding pot plants I’ve ever seen, was from a seed that the grower had accidentally dropped. Oh yeah, she also got lightly seeded by an Indica male, but was extremely potent- one of my all time highs. Nobody suspected the “Queen” as being homegrown.

So the moral of this story is, just like in Jack & the Beanstalk, seeds can lead to something good. Don’t run around tossing out seeds from an Amsterdam seed bank, but you’ll pleasantly be surprised as to what you already behold. Remember, grow American.

Joyce

Medical Marijuana Has Been Legal For Years

maureen — Mon, 16 May 2011 15:10:41 +0000

California was the first State to approve Medical Marijuana in 1996, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had cleared the use of Medicinal Marijuana in 1986, as the pill form of Marinol. Marinol contains the active ingredient in Marijuana known as

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and is considered to be, Medical Marijuana. Marinol is primarily used in association with chemotherapy for Cancer patients, alleviating nausea and vomiting. The “Pill” is also used to assist with loss of appetite by AIDS patients.

Why then did the medical community and FDA, give recent proponents of the leafy plant such static regarding legalization? First of all, Marijuana would have been the FDA’s first (and only) drug approved with a smoking delivery system for medicine. The FDA has long considered the similarities of Tobacco and Marijuana too unsafe for the general public. Tars, 400 plus chemicals burning, poor delivery, difficult to regulate, and difficulty in administering doses, were impassable hurdles facing clearance. To show that they aren’t such a harsh agency, the FDA points to their acceptance of Morphine and the opiate family.

The FDA may have to dig deeper in their acceptance hearts, as the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research has concluded an interesting study. From August 2004, to May 2005 at the University of California San Francisco, smokeless delivery was examined. The primary objective was to evaluate the use of a vaporization system (The Volcano) as a smokeless delivery system for inhaled Marijuana. The results were positive, and a two thumbs up green light has ushered in a new era in the consumption of Medical Marijuana.

Santa may be hauling a lot of extra weight on his sled this year, in the form of Vaporizers.

How To Get A Colorado Medical Marijuana Card

maureen — Sat, 14 May 2011 03:08:13 +0000

AIDS/HIV

Arthritis

Asthma

Cachexia

Cancer

Crohn’s Disease

Chronic Muscle Spasms

Chronic Nausea

Chronic Pain

Degenerative Disk Disease

Epilepsy

Fibromyalgia

Glaucoma

GERD

Hepatitis C

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Migraines

Multiple Sclerosis

Parkinson’s Disease

Seizures

We can help you to complete all necessary paperwork and provide you with caregiver services quickly and easily. In order to get started you should schedule and appointment with us. You must bring the following information to your appointment:

Recent chart notes from your own doctor, with documented diagnosis*

Valid Colorado driver license or ID card

You have two options when scheduling an appointment. You can fill out our online scheduling form or you can call us directly at; 719-555-1212. If you call to schedule an appointment, please leave your telephone number with area code. Please speak slowly, clearly and spell your last name. One of our representatives will call you back as soon as possible, generally within a couple days.

After our doctor has seen you and evaluated your records, he/she will determine your need for a Colorado Medical Marijuana Card. If you qualify, he/she will sign your permit and provide you with instructions on how to register the paperwork with the Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry (CMMR).

*Our doctors are authorized to see patients solely to determine their qualifications for receiving medical cannabis. They cannot and will not act in any other capacity. They cannot act as your primary physician.

We require all patients to have at least one other current physician. You must be able to provide current medical records from your current physician that documents the existing condition(s) for which medical marijuana can be authorized under Colorado State Law. You must obtain these records yourself and bring them into our office. You can also authorize your medical records be faxed or mailed to our office as well.

It is important to not that our doctor’s only need the chart notes from 2 or 3 visits to your current physician that pertain to your qualifying condition(s). We DO NOT need your entire medical record. When obtaining your current medical records please ensure that they include any relevant x-ray or MRI reports (not actual film), and also YOUR name and phone number.

Please deliver relevant medical records to our main office:

1402 W. Colorado

Baby Boomers, Medical Marijuana, and Headshops

maureen — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:10:49 +0000

Baby Boomers, Medical Marijuana, and Headshops

The graying of America has led a group of baby boomers into uncomfortable territory. Medical Marijuana may be prescribed for some “boomers” who have been alien to pot, or at least away from it for a while. In addition, many headshops which peppered the streets of many cities in the seventies, are now online entities. Medical Marijuana has resurrected the ghosts of 70’s past, and now baby boomers must re-view some of the paraphernalia needed to deliver their medicine in the most efficient and economical way.

One of the hottest holiday gifts and most important device for the delivery of Medical Marijuana is a vaporizer. In fact, MedLine reports studies that support the use of vaporization (The Volcano) as a viable means of efficient smokeless delivery. The fact that a governmental level study has been conducted is important, since the FDA frowns upon smoked medicine. The main benefit is that your throat is spared irritation from a cigarette like experience.

The Volcano vaporizer, which was used in the study, and the “V” Tower Extreme, are front runners for VAPES of the year. Many old school boomers will fall back on regular rolling papers, blunt wraps, cones (splif papers), pipes, bongs, hookahs, or chillums. All of these are efficient (and necessary) for Medical Marijuana delivery.

A new comer to the headshop scene is the herb Grinder. An arthritic patient or vaporizer user would greatly appreciate an object designed to mash, grind, and crush the Medical Marijuana into an easy to heat source. The classic wooden Grinder would be an excellent gift item.

Speaking of gifts, when you visit an online headshop, remember there are plenty of possibilities. The list also includes Drug Test Kits, Mood Enhancers, Novelty Ash-Trays, Souvenir Lighters, Smokeshop supplies & legal herb, black light posters, beads, jewelry, incense, hemp clothing, and an endless array of memorabilia.

Joyce

Why Physicians Oppose Medical Marijuana

maureen — Sat, 07 May 2011 03:08:42 +0000

If you are wearing medical uniforms, with health on top of your mind, will you suggest the use of cannabis to your patient? While the American Medical Association and other big health organizations supporting further research on any therapeutic benefits, physicians too, should have a clear stand on this issue.

As we can see, more and more states and cities in the U.S. are drafting and passing bills that would legalize ganja. However, amidst debate, pot shops are selling marijuana like candies; and they are sprouting like mushrooms. Within the 13 states where there is an existing marijuana law, its legal status is still behind the smoke. In fact, some so called patients end up in jails.

Why should doctors take a firm stand? Primary reason, marijuana is listed as Schedule I in federal drug laws, which means it has no legitimate medical use. Secondly, no medical authority recognizes it as effective treatment for any condition. It may bring some easing effects on patients with long list of diseases, medical conditions or symptoms, but scientific evidence is lacking.

Many physicians give their opinions why they are against it. Medical marijuana procon website listed some of what physicians say about the issue. Richard Carmona, MD, U.S. Surgeon General, told New York Times Magazine, “I approach [the medical marijuana issue] not as a legal issue, but as a health issue and I cannot recommend to anyone that they smoke. First of all, smoking is so bad for you. I can’t say it would be safe to eat [marijuana], because no one has studied the long or short-term gastrointestinal effects.”

With the studies done on heroin, however, medical experts likewise opened the door for cannabis. What should this tell? That we wait until there is solid proof about the medical advantages of marijuana before it is widely and legally marketed. We are not closing doors on the possible medical gains. But it is also important to always go by what FDA says as safe drugs.

At this point though, what we can see is that pot vendors and users took advantage of legalization possibilities. Sadly, its effects are taking toll in communities, especially the young groups.

3 Reasons to Include a Seeder Crop with Your Medical Marijuana Garden

maureen — Thu, 05 May 2011 03:07:50 +0000

3 Reasons to Include a Seeder Crop with Your Medical Marijuana Garden

Advisory: Please check your current State laws regarding the cultivation of Marijuana. Having said that, growing Medical Marijuana will probably be the botanical highlight of your life. From seed to harvest may take half a year for some outdoor farmers, and that’s quite a relationship time wise. Many growers refer to their plants as “my babies.” This is not surprising, considering plants are alive, and go through a life cycle similar to humans.

A big similarity is the reproduction phase, and because of this, there are 3 reasons why you should include a seeder crop.

First of all, you may have had difficulty obtaining viable seeds to initiate your growing experience. Why deal with an absence of seeds each season? Your Medical Marijuana garden is capable of providing you with an over abundance of seeds for future growth.

Many individuals think they need to order a pack of 10 seeds for an exorbitant amount of dough, risking a season and expense on that little pack. What if you had mason jars full of your own seeds? I don’t know about you, but I prefer the packed mason jars of seeds.

Secondly, if you’ve done research or talked to a lot of recreational smokers, you probably heard of the term, “sinsemilla.” This is a Spanish word meaning, seedless. Just like the seedless grapes, and my favorite- seedless watermelons, seedless buds of Medicinal pot are the most sought after form of Marijuana. Sinsemilla, or “ses” is the growing of female only plants. If a male plant pops up in the garden, he is cut down before he can pollinate the females. Ses, is a double edged sword. Yes, you will have larger seedless buds on one hand, but on the other hand, no more seeds. Additionally, many growers who have painstakingly removed seeds from fertilized females, noticed something. The smoked shake (what’s left after the seeds are taken) is an amazing high. Apparently when the female plant endures the complete pollination experience, she produces something special, psycho-actively, in her fertilized state. Other growers may swear by the Sinsemilla trip, you’ll have to decide. In any event, you get seeds, and a fantastic cerebral experience.

Third reason to include a seeder crop with your Medical Marijuana garden is – drum roll please – you will now have seeds that are indigenous to your backyard or grow area! If you’ve ever seen huge Sunflower plants, as they are dying, hanging their heads down –

They are getting ready to drop goo-gobs of seeds around that yard. Not only will there be copious amounts of seeds, but they will be genetically pre-disposed to the soil, weather, and cultivation conditions of that environment. Those Suns will be growing like crazy. This is what you want for your “babies”, I mean your Medical Marijuana. Let your plants mature, get used to seeing the sex differences, and develop your own strain of Medical Marijuana. Your F1 seeds, or next generation seeds, will be unique to your patch of earth.

Finally, after your female plants are fertilized, wait until the seeds are splitting their sheath or protective pouches, then harvest. After 4-6 weeks of dry/cure, when the plants and seeds retain no moisture, you may then get the mason jars out. Caution: if you store your seeds with ANY moisture, you’ll develop mildew and fungus, obviously detrimental to your seeds. As a precaution, periodically lay your seeds out and let them get air, ensuring that they are dry. When you re-store them, keep the seeds in a cool, dark area.

Give your seeds a name like, “purple rain”, “Cali9”, or “Reggie’s Rogue” –after all, new strains need names. Grow American.

Joyce