The Dope on Medicinal Marijuana

[Twisted Canuck]

This ought to bring out the ire of users everywhere.

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/ca...al-use-for-pot

The good:

....that reviewed the results of 10,700 studies on the medicinal qualities of marijuana concluded that there is “conclusive or substantial evidence that cannabis or cannabinoids are effective” in treating only three conditions: chronic pain in adults, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and patient-reported multiple sclerosis spasticity symptoms (although there was “limited” evidence of “clinician-measured” spasticity relief).


The bad:

The National Academies report also listed the significant harms of marijuana, including:

• “substantial evidence” that smoking pot causes “worse respiratory symptoms and more frequent bronchitis episodes”;

• increased risk of motor vehicle crashes;

• moderate evidence of increased risk of overdose injuries, including respiratory distress among children;

• substantial evidence that pot use by pregnant women results in newborns with lower birth weights;

• moderate evidence it causes impairment of “the cognitive domains of learning, memory and attention” with acute use;

• substantial evidence linking cannabis use with the “development of schizophrenia or other psychoses”; and

• substantial evidence linking increases in cannabis use frequency with “progression to problem cannabis use”.

With all that, how can any responsible public official rush into loosening controls on marijuana without thoroughly considering the negative impacts on people and society, especially when the loudest chorus for the policy change is coming from the mostly illegal marijuana industry that stands to massively profit? Why is anyone listening to them and their claims?

The new study, for example, found “limited evidence” that cannabis is effective at treating weight loss in HIV/AIDS patients, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, dementia, glaucoma, depression, cancer, anorexia, irritable bowel syndrome, epilepsy … and on an on.

For the most part, the medical marijuana industry is a fraud. It’s making false claims to sell pot because people like to get high. I just wish everyone would own up to that fact. And I say that as someone who has long support decriminalization because with so many people using marijuana it makes no sense saddling people with criminal records over relatively innocuous behaviour. But that’s a far cry from legalizing the drug, or celebrating its use as so many people now do.



And there you have it. The indignation should begin in 3...2...1....

[Newellknik]

What about bwain damage and bad body odour .

The one positive .....there are definitely not going to be
enough jobs to go around . So we need a bunch of stoned
Vegetables staying home , out of the traffic .

[HighlandHeart]

Both sides like to exaggerate the effects of marijuana, positive and negative. It can't be a cure for everything that is completely free of side effects, but it will get you feeling high without a hangover the next day. I don't think our PM will legalize it anytime soon with his new boss in the White House.

[calgarychef]

Let me preface this...I've smoked my share of pot. Don't anymore simply because it bores me.


People like to get high, and when they'r in medical distress getting high might take their mind off of their problems. I agree that there's limited REAL results from its use and it's not a panacea.

It comes down to a handful of people who are going to make huge money off of the legalisation of pot and society is going to pay the price as we do with alcohol use. Pot cultivation is going to be taken away from the little guy and place firmly into the hands of large corporations. It'll be heavily taxed and Trudeau will gladly waste that tax money too.

[HighlandHeart]

Originally Posted by Newellknik

What about bwain damage and bad body odour .

The one positive .....there are definitely not going to be
enough jobs to go around . So we need a bunch of stoned
Vegetables staying home , out of the traffic .

Out of the traffic? Sounds like a plan. It would be a shame if they got killed by someone drinking and driving.

[bigskinner]

Originally Posted by Twisted Canuck

This ought to bring out the ire of users everywhere.

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/ca...al-use-for-pot

The good:

....that reviewed the results of 10,700 studies on the medicinal qualities of marijuana concluded that there is “conclusive or substantial evidence that cannabis or cannabinoids are effective” in treating only three conditions: chronic pain in adults, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and patient-reported multiple sclerosis spasticity symptoms (although there was “limited” evidence of “clinician-measured” spasticity relief).


The bad:

The National Academies report also listed the significant harms of marijuana, including:

• “substantial evidence” that smoking pot causes “worse respiratory symptoms and more frequent bronchitis episodes”;

• increased risk of motor vehicle crashes;

• moderate evidence of increased risk of overdose injuries, including respiratory distress among children;

• substantial evidence that pot use by pregnant women results in newborns with lower birth weights;

• moderate evidence it causes impairment of “the cognitive domains of learning, memory and attention” with acute use;

• substantial evidence linking cannabis use with the “development of schizophrenia or other psychoses”; and

• substantial evidence linking increases in cannabis use frequency with “progression to problem cannabis use”.

With all that, how can any responsible public official rush into loosening controls on marijuana without thoroughly considering the negative impacts on people and society, especially when the loudest chorus for the policy change is coming from the mostly illegal marijuana industry that stands to massively profit? Why is anyone listening to them and their claims?

The new study, for example, found “limited evidence” that cannabis is effective at treating weight loss in HIV/AIDS patients, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, dementia, glaucoma, depression, cancer, anorexia, irritable bowel syndrome, epilepsy … and on an on.

For the most part, the medical marijuana industry is a fraud. It’s making false claims to sell pot because people like to get high. I just wish everyone would own up to that fact. And I say that as someone who has long support decriminalization because with so many people using marijuana it makes no sense saddling people with criminal records over relatively innocuous behaviour. But that’s a far cry from legalizing the drug, or celebrating its use as so many people now do.



And there you have it. The indignation should begin in 3...2...1....

HAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaa is that a fact , l have a half a dozen potheads living across the lane from me , they party every day and night , they think their mechanics , they buy old junk cars and mess with them and then they park them wherever, unfinished and block the lane never touch them again, you can smell the weed 2 blks away , you never seen a more stupid bunch of mental cases in your life , cops visit them once a week , none of then can hold down a job , so there you have it , let the stupidity begin.

[Newview01]

Originally Posted by HighlandHeart

Out of the traffic? Sounds like a plan. It would be a shame if they got killed by someone drinking and driving.

What are you trying to say?

[Twisted Canuck]

Originally Posted by bigskinner

HAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaa is that a fact....

I just cut and pasted from the article, so can't say if it's a fact or not....but I do tend to agree with the article. People who want to use it need to just be real, and say they want to get high, not go on about 'medical benefits'.

When I drink good whisky, it's because I like it, not because it's going to kill worms. And it does have all kinds of negative side affects.

[grouse_hunter]

The National Academies report also listed the significant harms of marijuana, including:

• “substantial evidence” that smoking pot causes “worse respiratory symptoms and more frequent bronchitis episodes”; - Smoking anything is bad for your health, especially a plant which is rich in oils, like marijuana. Most medical patients vaporize or eat their cannabis

• increased risk of motor vehicle crashes; - Obviously if one is driving while impaired by any substance the risk of an accident will become greater

• moderate evidence of increased risk of overdose injuries, including respiratory distress among children; - How is respiratory distress among children considered to be an overdose injury? How did these children become exposed to marijuana?

• substantial evidence that pot use by pregnant women results in newborns with lower birth weights; - Use of alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy results in underweight children, FAS and other much more serious conditions. Obviously you shouldn't smoke marijuana while pregnant

• moderate evidence it causes impairment of “the cognitive domains of learning, memory and attention” with acute use; - Just like alcohol and a lot of synthetic drugs do.

• substantial evidence linking cannabis use with the “development of schizophrenia or other psychoses”; - There are many studies on this subject. What this anti-marijuana article fails to mention that the risk of mental illness is increased in a person who is predisposed to these types of conditions (family history, etc) and uses large amounts of marijuana regularly

• substantial evidence linking increases in cannabis use frequency with “progression to problem cannabis use”. - Just like the use of alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, synthetic drugs, cheeseburgers and pornography can lead to progression to problem use.


At the end of the day, US health research is influenced by the pharmaceutical industry who dislikes cannabis since it competes with their product.

Israel is a true leader in cannabis research. Their program is state funded and is under the direct government oversight. This information is available to anyone who can use Google. Here are two articles that I found in less than a minute which show a different perspective of the medical marijuana debate.

Marijuana protects against brain damage

Cannabis may relieve Parkinsons related pain

[Taco]

Helps me with the pain from my buggered up shoulders during the night and allows me 8 hrs of uninterrupted sleep without loading myself up with prescription naproxen and tylenol 3s.

[Twisted Canuck]

Originally Posted by Taco

Helps me with the pain from my buggered up shoulders during the night and allows me 8 hrs of uninterrupted sleep without loading myself up with prescription naproxen and tylenol 3s.

Which is why that bit about helping those with chronic pain is listed up there as 'good'. There are legitimate uses for sure, I have a friend with fibromyalgia who gets relief from using marijuana, and prefers it to prescription drugs (wise choice I believe).

[Mr Hawken]

I can say this. I suffer from depression. Have since as long as I can remember. Some of my family uses anti depressants. I chose to smoke pot. I can tell you with 110% it helps. I have been pretty low and it helps. I grew up thinking once a pothead your a loser and you can't hold a job and drop out of school. Well I have 2 kids a beautiful amazing wife completed 2 tickets halfway done my third and have a steady job. Not bad for a loser pothead

[silverdoctor]

My mother is getting pretty severe osteoarthritis, but she won't touch weed due to it being illegal in her mind. It's a plant, mind you it's been modified 7 ways to Sunday.

Before anyone jumps on the "weed is bad" bandwagon, I urge you to study up on the research coming out of Israel of all places, they seem to be leading the way on cannabis. THC does have many medicinal properties.

CBD on the other hand seems to have some incredible properties.

Look at the Stanley brothers in Colorado - they created a strain low in THC and high in CBD that is essentially hemp. Look up Charlotte Figi, this little child would be dead without it as many kids with Dravet syndrome would be. CBD has actually brought children back to life, letting parents rediscover their child for the first time.


Now further your research into the legal drug dealers - called doctors. Look at Oxycontin for one, and the history behind it and why it became a drug of choice. How many people got hooked on basically synthetic heroin prescribed by their doctors. How did Oxy take off? Marketing, plain and simple.

Why is weed illegal? Marketing, plain and simple. Lots of research went on in the treatment of disease using weed - before it became illegal.


People want to smoke weed either medicinally or to get stoned, couldn't care less to be honest. I don't use drugs - other than cigarettes and alcohol, but I wouldn't be long reaching for it if it was needed.

[Twisted Canuck]

OK, I'm sorry....I deliberately opened a can of worms, did it on purpose, no different than starting a thread on Climate Change. I agree that there are certainly legitimate medical uses. Won't argue the fact. But the bit in the article about people getting real, and just saying 'I want to legally get high (like alcohol users)...', that to me was the point of the article. Just be real about it, don't always be hiding behind the banner of 'But it's good for you, because....'.

But still sorry for being a pot stirrer on this one. Mods, scold me, close it if you need to. TC

[silverdoctor]

Originally Posted by Twisted Canuck

OK, I'm sorry....I deliberately opened a can of worms, did it on purpose, no different than starting a thread on Climate Change. I agree that there are certainly legitimate medical uses. Won't argue the fact. But the bit in the article about people getting real, and just saying 'I want to legally get high (like alcohol users)...', that to me was the point of the article. Just be real about it, don't always be hiding behind the banner of 'But it's good for you, because....'.

But still sorry for being a pot stirrer on this one. Mods, scold me, close it if you need to. TC

It's a conversation that needs to be had - but unfortunately, the "illegal" part takes over and people do get very heated in their stance either for or against. To me, cigarettes and alcohol are far more damaging than weed.

[BackPackHunter]

For anyone looking for or wanting more info on LEGAL Weed pm me
I know lots of people using it legally, comes right to your door

It's helping a lot of people , from cancer to migraines to pain.

For people who can't afford there meds, theirs avenues for you to make your own meds ....


If you don't like the idea of the "high" there is CBD strains that keeps your head straight and easy to function

If smoking isn't for you, there is a oil you can put on anything and eat it ,

I have been in a couple accident and have more nuts n bolts & metal then my dirt bike , I need to control my pain , if I use what the doctors give me , I'm a drooling zombie , thc & cbd keep me functioning like a normal human.


I now live pain free and happy

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by silverdoctor

It's a conversation that needs to be had - but unfortunately, the "illegal" part takes over and people do get very heated in their stance either for or against. To me, cigarettes and alcohol are far more damaging than weed.

I find it interesting that guys who make and sell moonshine and people who grow weed are often viewed in quite different contexts !
Cat

[brohymn2]

I had a huge post written about medical marijuana and was starting to get worked up about it.

What i am gonna say is i know 20+ veterans personally who are able to regain their lives and start to process aspect of their injuries that will lead to recovery. Unfortunately eating a literal hand full pf meds a day does not support healing of trauma when the medications inhibit processing.



Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[HighlandHeart]

Originally Posted by Newview01

What are you trying to say?

I didn't think what I typed was super complicated. What are you trying to see in it? Whatever you are looking for is all you are going to find. Have a great day.

[Spidey]

Originally Posted by grouse_hunter

The National Academies report also listed the significant harms of marijuana, including:

• “substantial evidence” that smoking pot causes “worse respiratory symptoms and more frequent bronchitis episodes”; - Smoking anything is bad for your health, especially a plant which is rich in oils, like marijuana. Most medical patients vaporize or eat their cannabis

• increased risk of motor vehicle crashes; - Obviously if one is driving while impaired by any substance the risk of an accident will become greater

• moderate evidence of increased risk of overdose injuries, including respiratory distress among children; - How is respiratory distress among children considered to be an overdose injury? How did these children become exposed to marijuana?

• substantial evidence that pot use by pregnant women results in newborns with lower birth weights; - Use of alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy results in underweight children, FAS and other much more serious conditions. Obviously you shouldn't smoke marijuana while pregnant

• moderate evidence it causes impairment of “the cognitive domains of learning, memory and attention” with acute use; - Just like alcohol and a lot of synthetic drugs do.

• substantial evidence linking cannabis use with the “development of schizophrenia or other psychoses”; - There are many studies on this subject. What this anti-marijuana article fails to mention that the risk of mental illness is increased in a person who is predisposed to these types of conditions (family history, etc) and uses large amounts of marijuana regularly

• substantial evidence linking increases in cannabis use frequency with “progression to problem cannabis use”. - Just like the use of alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, synthetic drugs, cheeseburgers and pornography can lead to progression to problem use.


At the end of the day, US health research is influenced by the pharmaceutical industry who dislikes cannabis since it competes with their product.

Israel is a true leader in cannabis research. Their program is state funded and is under the direct government oversight. This information is available to anyone who can use Google. Here are two articles that I found in less than a minute which show a different perspective of the medical marijuana debate.

Marijuana protects against brain damage

Cannabis may relieve Parkinsons related pain

You've included some well-researched content here, grouse_hunter - especially on how it can trigger chronic and persistent mental illness (read: schizophrenia) to those predisposed. This is my largest concern with marijuana. A psychiatrist colleague of mine framed it nicely: it appears that regular cannabis use may serve as a catalyst and flip a "switch" in the brain in many latency-aged and young adult youth which brings on these types of mental illnesses, where there is evidence to support that no or very low use may result in these conditions not developing. Here's a link to one of the seminal studies in this area (a 15 year longitudinal study of 45,0000 Swedish soldiers and cannabis use) confirming that "cannabis is an independent risk factor for schizophrenia" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2892048

That said - I believe alcohol is (by far) more dangerous than marijuana. Partly because it is legal and very socially accepted. But partly because it (unlike TCH) kills brain cells and chronic, regular use causes all sorts of health issues such as hypertension, organ damage, brain damage, cancers, etc. It's interesting that of all the addictive drugs out there, there are relatively few that permanently kill brain cells with heavy or regular use: ecstacy, methamphetamine, alcohol, benzos, and to a somewhat lesser degree - tobacco. Inhalants are in a category all their own (as even one use can cause permanent damage to brain and organs.)

With acknowledgement to the obvious health and social problems caused by Opiates and Cocaine (crime, violence, homelessness, diseases via use, and overdose), they typically do not cause permanent brain damage. There's research to support that they may suppress the brain's ability to produce chemicals such as dopamine, but there is evidence to suggest that these connections regenerate during recovery - which is why it's common for those in cocaine and heroin/opiate recovery to have using dreams as soon as few months after no use. When the neurons come back "online", and natural dopamine is again released, the brain flashes back to the highs that were artificially achieved when using which can cause cravings.

All that said, if alcohol and cannabis were both "new" to the legalization debate today, I'd bet that THC gets the nod first...

[Fur]

I do not think anyone understands how much of an epidemic chronic pain is. Chronic pain includes everything from past trauma to arthritis to back pain (of which 86% of Canadians at one point will go to their doctor for).

If you think chronic pain isn't a huge issue look into oxycodone use. Massive staggering market based on pain meds.

Just like all drugs it has negative side effects. All drugs do.

[Scott h]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I find it interesting that guys who make and sell moonshine and people who grow weed are often viewed in quite different contexts !
Cat

Ain't that the truth. I don't understand why one is illegal and the other is not. Neither is good for you, but in MODERATION either is fine. I don't believe 98% of the superposed benefits of weed but I can say with 100% accuracy that alcohol has done much more damage to many more people.

[1899b]

I think it comes down to everything in moderation. Addiction and the way it can turn things around, rule your life and affect your health is not good no matter what it is. There are people that have an addiction to cheeseburgers and haven't seen their feet in years but that is ok? Love it when an obese person lectures someone about weed.....

[Fur]

It also comes down to people have choices.

If crack becomes legal are we all going to start doing crack?

Smoking is legal and I do not smoke. Just because something is legal doesn't mean the whole populous is going to start doing it.

Everyone has their poison; as long as it doesn't affect others, go for it.

[HalfBreed]

I'm neither for nor against.

I do think it would be quite sporting if the tobacco product was met by the marijuana? equivalent. As in, a pack of smokes is the same thing.

Let the adults choose.

An entrenched industry has a stake in this argument.

[urban rednek]

it won't be much different than alcohol. And it certainly can't be any worse than the overly medicated crowd we have wandering around out there right now.
PS If it actually goes through, you might wanna sell your stocks in ExLax and Senekot and buy up Hostess and Frito-Lay.

[thumper]

Originally Posted by Taco

Helps me with the pain from my buggered up shoulders during the night and allows me 8 hrs of uninterrupted sleep without loading myself up with prescription naproxen and tylenol 3s.

Thanks Taco - first person experience, and it closely mirrors that of a close, senior friend.
Like you, he simply needed good, uninterrupted sleep to manage his pain, and didn't like what Tylenol 3s did to him.

[thumper]

Originally Posted by BackPackHunter

I have been in a couple accident and have more nuts n bolts & metal then my dirt bike , I need to control my pain , if I use what the doctors give me , I'm a drooling zombie , thc & cbd keep me functioning like a normal human.
I now live pain free and happy

Another good, 1st person, personal experience report! Thanks BPH !

[grouse_hunter]

Thumper, quit endorsing those dope loving pot heads! Haven't you watched reefer madness?! They are nothing but a bunch of doped up Mexicans looking to rape some white women while getting high on the Devils lettuce!
Do you guys have any extra crunchy potato chips in Camrose? I ate all of them in my neck of the woods...
Wait a second, I meant Canmore. Close enough, isn't it?

[2 Tollers]

Originally Posted by Fur

I do not think anyone understands how much of an epidemic chronic pain is. Chronic pain includes everything from past trauma to arthritis to back pain (of which 86% of Canadians at one point will go to their doctor for).

If you think chronic pain isn't a huge issue look into oxycodone use. Massive staggering market based on pain meds.

Just like all drugs it has negative side effects. All drugs do.

I have had a couple of family members treated for severe pain while undergoing cancer treatments. It would have be nice to have this as an option at that time vs the drugged state they had to be in