Medical Marijuana: "It was funny how surprised we all were that it really worked."

[JohnyCanuck]

Side Effects of Medical Marijuana
By Paul Krassner


Dying to Get High: Marijuana as Medicine (New York University Press, 2008) is an important and accessible book -- not heavy on academic jargon, but rather lively and engaging, like a true detective novel -- with a broad appeal to those interested in the medical potential of cannabis, an end to the drug war, and grass roots activism. I asked the co-authors how working on the book changed them.

WENDY CHAPKIS: “I certainly was one of those people who thought that 'medical marijuana' was probably mostly a way for Americans to get around ridiculously punitive drug laws. It seemed like a reasonable strategy to me. But the very first time I walked into a WAMM membership meeting, looked around the room and saw people who were ghostly white and frail, people in wheelchairs, people huddled in small groups talking about a WAMM member who needed round the clock care, I realized that medical marijuana was no 'ruse.' These were very ill people. And, as I started doing interviews, the stories of the medicinal properties of pot blew me away.

“I wasn’t the only one surprised to discover that marijuana did in fact have therapeutic effects. Many patients were equally astonished. Like me, they had been recreational users who appreciated the pleasurable effects of marijuana and were suspicious of the claim that the herb was medicine. Then they started chemotherapy, for example, found themselves fighting off non-stop nausea, took a hit and the nausea disappeared. Or they had intolerable nerve pain from multiple sclerosis, AIDS, or post-polio syndrome, used some cannabis tincture and the pain quieted down. It was funny how surprised we all were that it really worked.

“I think this shows how effective drug-war propaganda really is. Even (or maybe especially) people who are very familiar with marijuana are prepared to believe that it doesn’t really work as a medicine. Of course, since the discovery of the cannabinoid receptor system in the body (and the production of endogenous cannabinoids), scientists haven't been at all surprised at the medical properties of the plant -- which I guess helps explain why the feds have been so reluctant to allow any scientific research.

http://www.realitysandwich.com/side_effects_medical_marijuana

[SharonRB]

1. My daughter was diagnosed with MS in May

and a proposal to legalize medical marijuana here in Michigan just passed. It's good to know that if she needs it down the road depending on how her disease progresses (she's on the newest treatment, Tysabri, which will keep it in check), she'll be able to get it here.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. Sharon, I'm Sending You A PM

Please look for it.
GAC

[sagetea]

5. I was diagnosed 15 yrs. ago

I barely had any symptoms until a year ago Xmas. I over worked myself and fell into the first of three relapses.
I now smoke for the pain and to increase my appetite. My dr. is very supportive, that I refuse to take any other meds. as I told him I only wanted to battle one illness at a time. Most of the meds. affect the kidney, liver, or heart. I think your daughter is very brave to take other meds. and that she lives in a state that not only recognizes ms, but has legal medical marijuana.

The state I live in recognizes neither, so I have to get mine the old fashioned way!!!

[ProfessorGAC]

7. Same Length Of Time For Me

1993.

My symptoms come and go, but it's mostly the severe burning sensation in the legs and tightness in the hips. Plus, i went blind in one eye.

But, like you, i'm getting by.
The Professor

[SharonRB]

9. Could you explain what you mean by your state not

recognizing MS? I understand not recognizing marijuana for medical purposes, but how can they not recognize MS as a disease? This is a brand new law here in Michigan, but I'm glad it passed. My daughter's symptoms aren't too bad so far -- mostly tingling and occasional weakness. Her first symptom -- a blind spot in one eye -- was a few years ago and we had no idea it was a symptom until her recent diagnosis. She saw an opthalmologist at the time and had an MRI, but no one told her she should investigate further when they didn't find anything and at that time she had no insurance. The blind spot eventually went away and she was fine. Then she had a bout of vertigo. Finally, this past year she had periods of tingling, she was occasionally falling for no reason, she was easily fatigued, etc. Her worst symptom -- severe stomach pain -- turned out not to be from the MS, but from gallstones (and it took her neurologist to find that after she started getting jaundiced). Once she had her gallbladder removed, she felt much, much better.

She's really handled the whole thing very well and we know it's not necessarily the case anymore that she'll wind up in a wheelchair or severely disabled. The Tysabri is supposed to be very effective, albeit very expensive. I know they're working on a pill and I hope they come up with something in the not-too-distant future. I'm so nervous that one day she'll find herself without insurance and unable to continue the $6,000-a-month treatment. I'm just hoping Barack and the 111th Congress can fix our health care system so my daughter and millions of others don't have to worry like this.

[Mojorabbit]

18. I have had MS since 86

I am doing pretty well though I do have pretty bad nerve pain in my legs. Good luck to your daughter.

[SharonRB]

21. Thanks, Mojorabbit

So far, she's doing great, but I know it's early and time will tell.

[Patiod]

3. True story

I was interviewing doctors about a potential drug that worked in much the same way smoked marijuana works

We were also interviewing docs who had done research with cannabinoids (the active component).

I asked one of these experts to confirm "do you have any experience with cannabinoids?" and he said "I assume you're not including the chemo patients I used to take up on the roof at HUP (Hosp of the Univ of Penna) when I was a resident so they could smoke some dope before their chemo?"

A funny answer, but really sad. These docs know it works. They REALLY WANT it for their cancer patients (for the elderly - not so much, because they worry about cognitive and balance issues).

[knitter4democracy]

24. I don't know a single doctor against it.

Every doctor I know wants to be able to prescribe marijuana for the patients who really need it. The THC pill isn't as effective, and doctors are really tired of seeing people suffering when the right drug is available. Thank God our law passed here in Michigan and our doctors will be able to prescribe it now for those who really need it.

[xochi]

4. I was surprised to find that--for me, anyway--pot works much better than

all the prescribed painkillers (Vicodin, Valium, high-dose Ibuprofen) I used to take for severe chronic back pain, and it helps me sleep, too. I would get a medical marijuana card (it's legal in my state)--but then I'd have to pay a stiff registration fee and register with the local police, and they've been known to harass med. marijuana patients (busting them anyway, taking their stash and/or plants, then dropping charges when they're forced to). Also, the Feds don't respect the state medical marijuana laws. It's just so inhumane and ridiculous.

[here_is_to_hope]

8. Same here.

I might smoke three times a week for the pain from my back and legs. Pain killers make me sick to my stomach, I was prescribed Oxycontin once and I slept for two days after taking one...no thanks.
When the pain adds up (I do ignore it all day) and I start to get grumpy, a hit or two and I am fine and ready for bed.

We have had legal pot for some time, the local PD are fairly cool about it though.

[SharonRB]

10. Hmmmm...that gives me an idea

My husband has been suffering with severe leg pain the last few months and nothing has seemed to work. He has either a bulging disk or degenerative disk disease, depending on who you talk to. Epidurals didn't work, therapy didn't work, the acupuncture he's doing now doesn't seem to be doing much, muscle relaxants don't work. He's been walking with a cane and is a real mess.

Once this law takes effect, maybe he should see if he can get approved for the marijuana as a treatment.

[Ichingcarpenter]

16. It helps my degenerative disk disease and degenerative arthritis

I get splitting headaches and it helps relieve the pain and headaches.
Unfortunately, I've been out of supplies since the Feds have closed down
all the clinics around me. I would only use it in the evening after
pressure on my spine would make contact with the nerve endings.

I would suggest an inversion table and fish oil supplements for your husband it really helps
stretch and lubricate the spine

[SharonRB]

17. I take fish oil supplements -- I'll suggest that he start taking them, too

I don't know about the inversion table, though.

I wonder if we'll have the same problems here with the Feds when our program gets up and running. I'm not sure how it's going to be administered.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

15. Valium and Ibuprofen aren't really painkillers.

I'm glad you found something that works though.

David

[JohnyCanuck]

6. kick n/t

[Ichingcarpenter]

11. I'm Pissed because ATF has closed down all the clinics around me

for over 120 miles, some with the help of Blackwater. Hopefully, Obama will stop this practice because
it makes the passage of such a needed state law useless

[blue_onyx]

12. I'm very happy medical marijuana is availablie in MI now

I was surprised it didn't receive much opposition here. Of all the drugs we fill our bodies with, marijuana is probably a lot less toxic and addictive than most prescription drugs. I think only 13 states allow this treatment so hopefully the rest will follow soon. If it makes people suffering from a disease feel better, I don't see how people can oppose medical marijuana.

[tridim]

14. It's not only less toxic, it's NON-toxic.

In fact it's one of the most non-toxic substances on Earth. There has never been a case of death by Cannabis overdose in thousands of years of human use. Can the same be said of any other drug? Even common drugs like aspirin are toxic.

[duhneece]

13. Same experience in NM

The patients who spoke at a recent New Mexico Dept of Health hearing were incredibly persuasive about the effects of medical cannabis on their physical and mental health. (when you're not hurting as badly, you're more likely to do all of the other things that will help your condition, like eating right, taking your meds, etc.)

[leftchick]

19. how does one make a tincture?

out of weed? :shrug

[greenmutha]

22. Here is a guide to making tinctures:

http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com/tinctures.html

[formercia]

20. Big Pharma doesn't want something that works

and can be grown at home.

[juno jones]

23. All I know is

in my mid-late teens I had a diagnosis of chronic depression. I wanted to kill myself, seriously. I was on elavil and triavil for these problems. At 17 I started smoking pot full time. Goodbye psych drugs, I have never been depressed to that degree since. It's just too easy, that's why the PTB hate it.

[mdmc]

25. kick