Cannibis

[Quixotic1]

Johnny and others, I just found this on the National MS website as part of an article about treating invisible and hard to measure symptoms.  

"Marijuana merits study
Because marijuana has been described as having therapeutic value for some of the symptoms that are so difficult to measure objectively, and because its study has suffered from the problems that we are discussing here, the National MS Society has convened a special task force to evaluate all of the current evidence for the efficacy of marijuana for MS symptoms, and all the evidence relating to adverse effects. The task force will then determine if an appropriate risk:benefit analysis can be conducted or, alternatively, what additional research studies are needed to answer the open questions. If a drug with abuse potential is convincingly shown to have therapeutic benefit that significantly outweighs its risks, we must have valid data to convince the legal authorities that its use is justified.

To increase available data, we have already initiated funding of our first grant to study the effects of cannabis on MS-related spasticity. This trial is going forward thanks in no small part to improved methods for objectively measuring the severity of spasticity. "

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HOM_LIB_IMSFeb07_WhatDoing

Q

[kitten o]

GOD PUT THIS PLANT ON THIS EARTH TO HELP PEOPLE
IT WORKS , ESPECIALLY FOR PAIN .
KITT  

[Johnny Utah]

  The real issue in all of these states is that the federal government doesn't not recognize a single law that the states have passed and have moved to remove them. In Maine, it is legal only if you have a prescription from your doctor, which you cannot get because if he/she prescribes this, then he/she faces the full wrath of the DEA. Strange world we live in, OK via the law to use for medical reasons, illegal to have without a prescription which you can't get.

  What irritates me the most is that the US Government has been growing and studying this substance probable as long as any drug they have ever considered for medical use. There have been hundreds of studies done. There are risks, and the method of delivery should be considered when someone uses it. Smoking is the least effective but usually the fastest delivery form. The active ingredients  can be extracted and delivered in a better, longer lasting format. They believe health risks outweigh benefits yet they still sell cigarettes by the millions which present the same health risks, possible even more in the form of addiction.

But wait, cigarettes don't addict do they...

And we know cigarettes have no dangerous additives in them..

I'm not an advocate of cigarette smoking, I've never tried one, ever. But, if my government says they are OK for sale than they should not be such hypocrites. In a heads up comparison I would be very interested to see how cigarettes and cannabis stack up. I am talking about an end product, not a grow your own scenario or unprocessed tobacco. Something tells me that unless they dumped a ton of additives into cannabis that it would have less health risk than cigarettes. I could be wrong.

As far as a movement for MM, it seems pretty dead right now. Most states passed laws more than 5 years ago and after the federal government took noticed and brought the full weight of the DEA down it has pretty much gone nowhere. It would be a death sentence for a sitting US president to pass legislation to allow this. The public would be up in arms. There are however avenues that could bring it to fruitation such as Congress passing a law and the President either sitting on it and not vetoing it, or if it is vetoed Congress voting to override that. I don't see either happening soon.

Federal laws really don't come into play with the growing aspect for MM use unless you exceed 99 plants, after 99 its mandatory sentencing time on the federal level. The upside is federal prisons are nicer. Under 99 plants and you are prosecuted at the state level. Keep it under 3 and your very likely to never be prosecuted. You can cultivate enough for MM use and never have more than 2 plants, it's the greed factor that will get you into trouble.

You can grow two plants and never use more than around 250 watts of electricity. Thats the same as keeping a couple of regular lights on. It can be done in a very small space without any smell. Over the years I actually found it very therapeutic as do others that garden or grow any kind of flowers.

Johnny

[TonkaSpirit]

Wow, I wasn't aware how many states allow.  That is great, I think. A movement looks likely.  Thanks for all of the info.  You have definitely done your homework.
Terrie

[Quixotic1]

Hi, again, codeine is a derivative of the opiates, opium, morphine, heroin, et al.  Cannabis as a politically hot topic started in the 1930's (I think) when the government released the bizarre "public health" film "Reefer Madness."  I won't go further, but I agree.  If they will allow morphine pumps for relief of severe pain, I don't understand why medical marijuana is such a hard sell.  Clearly the people voting on it have not suffered much.

Portland, OR is about to put a law to the ballot allowing anyone to possess an ounce or less of it in their own homes and some number of plants.  Probably won't pass, but I was surprised when Nevada approved Medical Marijuana.  It's a pretty conservative state.  Also in Oregon, people are legally allowed to grow several plants specifically for a group of people who have been prescibed it by their physicians.  Recently, one guy had to stop because his house was too close to a high school and he had it stolen, so the government (state or county) is amending the law with regard to where it can be cultivated.

13 states allow MM.  Alaska | California | Colorado | Hawaii | Maine | Maryland | Montana | Nevada | New Mexico | Oregon | Rhode Island | Vermont | Washington

Quix

[TonkaSpirit]

Hello, I think Montel is trying to get attention focused on this subject, as it seems it helps people with MS and some of their symptoms.  I know that it helped my Uncle while he was fighting the last stages of cancer, and it seemed to be the only thing the really worked for him and his pain.  Very interesting subject. I wonder why it would be considered illegal when it is a natural substance being used for medicinal purposes?  Isn't codeine a form of cocaine? or am I mistaken?
Thanks, Terrie

[T-lynn]

Your right it isn't for an everyday use nor is it for the buzz,good god I'm loopy enough.

I like the quickness of it plus it definately helps when no other med works.

I look at it this way its natural,not synthetic,herbal remedy as long as its not abused.

They use cannibis in cancer patients and so forth why not MS.

T

[Johnny Utah]

  Hi, at work, but this is interesting stuff. I will check it out when I get home, don't need to be reading that stuff at work.. no telling who is reading what.

  T-lynn I agree with you there are benefits and I find it helps as much as some of my pain meds which may just need to be adjusted again. I find that it helps very quickly which is what I like, not something for everyday use but it certainly helps when needed.

  Thanks Quix!

  Johnny

[T-lynn]

Thanks for the info,

I'd sign up for the study,it really does work for the spasticity when it gets chronicly severe.Sometimes its the only thing that does work in releasing the muscles.

T