Hey, Merely Me. This is a topic long overdue for serious discussion. I'm looking forward to hearing from your readers on this.
Howdy John!
It has become a very popular topic in the news and media recently...like in the last few weeks. They are discovering more than ever about marijuana...and yes the topic is controversial but one which needs to be discussed.
I too am looking forward to hearing more from our readers on this. I know that you had received much feedback on this topic in the past. There are many varied opinions and that is great for having a spirited discussion.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
MM
I've never tried Marijuana but I think it should legalized, quality controlled, researched further, taxed and sold along with alcohol. Both can impair people in certain activities, like driving, and other functions, and the law is applicable to both, as well as some other substances which cause impaired driving.
It is a known medication for some people with glaucoma and chronic pain which has not responded to the usual controlled substance.
But besides the medical benefit, or regardless of it, people in their own home should be free to exercise their own judgment. Perhaps the case can be made that it is as dangerous as smoking tobacco, if so, it can be taxed similarly. Neither alcohol, which is immediately deadly if consumed to an approximate .50% blood alcohol or higher, though there are people who have survived even higher, or tobacco which harms slower, has been made illegal.
What can't be abused? I always said I'd try it if they ever legalized it, and I'm sticking to that. But others who may need it to relieve excruciating pain? Should be able to obtain it legally. The few who abuse the system can be prosecuted.
Hello Paul
I happen to be in agreement with you. I think when you look at the scope of things...that in the scheme of things there are worse things one can do than smoke pot. In some cases the medicinal use can really help with the conditions you have mentioned when other remedies simply do not work. Instead of demonizing pot...I think it would be in our best interest to continue with these types of studies to ascertain when marijuana could be used to help with certain medical or mental conditions.
You are very right in saying that anything can be abused. For example, Wellbutrin, a popular antidepressant has been reported to be abused in prisons. Who knew?
We shall see what the future holds. The reality is...for now...is that it is illegal in most states. But I feel that they should continue with this type of research to see how some patients who meet a certain criteria...may benefit from medicinal marijuana.
Thank you very much for your insights. Your thoughts are very appreciated.
MM
I've tried it once and it didn't do a thing to me - I just thought it smelled terrible!
I agree with Paul, though. If it can help people, why not legalize it by making it a prescription drug, at least? We can drink ourselves to death and smoke ourselves into lung cancer and COPD and it's all completely legal, so why not marijuana? How many other drugs do people try (legal) and they have bad side effects? A friend of mine heard it's supposed to help asthma (although I wouldn't think one would want to smoke it, in that case!) and if it would help her, I'd say go for it. What makes marijuana worse than any other drug? Legalize it, put some controls on it if you have to, but if it can help make people's lives more bearable, then we should let them try it.
I agree Judy.
Here is the thing...they are finding that pot is not so bad for your lungs as they once thought. Now I cited only one study. I am sure that there may be research out there to show some other result. But all the dire predictions of pot being a health menace...not sure if they are holding up anymore.
It is certainly worth more research to determine which strains may be beneficial for certain patients.
Thank you so much for your comment!
I agree with Paul as well. The use of medical marijuana seems completely fine to me. It is a natural substance. If it helps people with chronic pain, anxiety or other medical illnesses, then why not use it. Give patients some peace when other medications have not worked or have had terrible side effects. A lot of man made medications have such terrible side effects, they don't out way the positive benefits of using the drug or patients have to take a number of other medications to counteract a drugs side effect. Its craziness. If the marijuana helps...let them use it.
I have never tried marijuana, but if I get into a situation where it is prescribed because it will hepl me...I'll try it.
I have seen a program on TV about the use of medical marijuana to help chemotherapy patients with there appetite. It was extremely helpful to these patients and in addition to increasing their appetite, it also gave them somre relief from the pain and sickness that chemotheraoy caused them.
As an ACOA (Adult Child of Alchoholic)...I can say that I don't belleive that Marijuana can cause near the issue that alcohol has caused.
Hey Rena
You make some excellent points. If we are to compare pot with alcohol...I don't think there is much of a comparison. Or even with tobacco. Some would argue that pot has addictive properties. But then when you look at some of the pharma drugs...with side effects and withdrawal symptoms....these may be greater sources of addiction. The number of cases of patients who are addicted to prescription drugs has skyrocketed.
The best case scenario is for more research to be done to find out if there is any value in prescribing marijuana to patients who meet a certain criteria. If there are benefits...we need to be looking into those. Throwing out the baby with the bathwater...not the answer...in my humble opinion.
Thank you so much for stopping by to comment! I love the discussion we are having about this controversial topic.
that's really interesting post, Merely Me when something that's important to write about.
I was especially interested in learning about the difference between the two types of substances and thought. I've used marijuana for chronic pain and found that often, it could reduce anxiety or at other times, exacerbate what I was feeling. it definitely seemed related to the type of marijuana I smoked.
Care to elaborate? :>)
From what I have read...the type or strain of marijuana is important. And there are many types. Some have some funky names like Big Cheese, Frankenberry, and Fuzzy Wuzzy. I kid you not.
I am hopeful that something comes of this new research to identify which variants are most important in medicinal marijuana.
Thank you very muchly for stopping by to comment. Will be by to visit your site...shortly.
MM
I really enjoyed this publication! The use of marijuana, for medicinal purposes, is something that I think would be a great benefit for multiple things.
Growing up, I took part in programs like D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and grew up thinking pot smokers were "druggies." In an ironic turn, I tried pot just about a year ago. The motivation behind that decision was: years of struggling with extreme depression; insomnia; bouts of rage; and the inability to focus on anything or even hold a job. All of these things came about after 2 deployments in Iraq. I went about treatment the "right" way. I was put on a variety pack of medications for depression, insomnia and bedwetting, anxiety, and went to counceling (which was really just a medication adjustment meeting). I was at the end of the line when I tried pot for the first time.
Within a few months of use, I noticed that my depression and anger issues had subsided. I was able to hold a job- and even show up enthuisiastically each day! My issues with insomnia, and bedwetting disappeared. I began losing the weight I had put on from the pharmacist's cocktail that I had stopped taking (I had peaked at 194lbs on a 5'2" frame). My personal relationships, which previously were strained, began to improve. It even assisted in abolishing my alcoholism and I am nearly cigarette free. Today I am a healthier person, mentally and physically, due to marijuana. Without it, I may not have even made it this far.
I sincerely hope that medical marijuana is something that is eventually accepted by all states, and the government. It would be nice if I could take part in my daily regimen without feeling like a criminal, and if another person's quality of life could be improved as mine has.
wow!
Your story is amazing.
I think that for some people medicinal marijuana could really be of great benefit. it is a strange thing in my opinion that pot is not legalized especially since alcohol is freely abundant. We create pharma drugs which have tons of side effects and withdrawal symptoms yet...we criminalize pot. It is a wacky world. :>)
My hope is that this research will continue and that they will find a way to harness the benefits of marijuana for those who may improve in their condition by using it.
Thanks so much for sharing your story. Hope to hear more from you on this site or any of our other Health Central sites.
pot is a very interesting herb. i do find some initial paranoia, or so called anxiety if i smoke the really good stuff. or if maybe i smoke too much. but it always wears off to a much more mellow and tame buzz. the interesting effects to me is the spiritual awakening i receive from the cannabis. ive experimented in college with a few different drugs. and i even took some prescription pills do to work injuries and broken bones, also a almost fatal auto accident. i find other drugs to have a hard come down as far as dependence and depression. my conclusion is that pot is a wonder drug sent from heaven to help those in need. i unfortunately cannot partake in the herb, due to drug testing and children in the home. it makes me sad that the government is soo warped with this illegal mentality.
I don't smoke much but I realized that when I feel sad and depressed and overwhelmed that just one hit changes my whole way of thinking. I start thinking more positive and much more able to cope with life. It feels like it "fixes" my brain and gives me "hope" . I now understand why my ex would take one hit every couple of hrs, he was self medicating for depression. At the time I was so against pot smoking that I demanded he quit. When you smoke for medical reasons you do it different than smoking to get "high". When people smoke for the high they smoke a lot at once, all the time. For medical you smoke only 1 hit at a time and don't smoke enough to get "high" , at least I don't. I've had middle age friends say"its the only thing that helps me stop crying" I believe anything natural is better than chemicals.
Hi there
Yes it is true...pot is still illegal. And the medicinal use is restricted to only certain states.
It doesn't make sense to me either. It is like throwing out the baby with the bathwater. If there can be some medical benefit to pot...shouldn't we be exploring this benefit more?
Thank you very much for sharing your story and your experience with us. Hope to hear more from you in the future.
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MM,
Your referenced study on the differing effects of THC and CBD is very pertinent. Let’s hope that
the use of CBD in some way will lead to good outcomes in helping people who suffer greatly
with anxiety. As far as the effects of THC and CBD combined, as in regular use of marijuana,
my experience was that anxiety could be increased during periods of constant use, because of
the paranoia factor. Being illegal in most states adds to the potential for anxiety to users in
those states. Aside from inducing bouts of panic during high experiences, the effects of fatigue
and other typical stressors can be magnified with marijuana. For most users I have known,
there wasn’t so much concern about anxiety as a slowing of motor skills, general lethargy, and
loss of concentration, which could interfere with scholastic or job performance. The deleterious
effects were also magnified, when used in combination with other psychedelic substances. As
for long term effects, I’m not convinced that the verdict is in on that. If brain cells are being
damaged, as is indicated by your referenced article
• Marijuana Use and Schizophrenia: The Missing Link
I would question the veracity of studies that suggest there are no long term effects. When the
positive effects remain in question after centuries of consumption, a
conservative approach or abstention must be the healthiest choice.
Ric
Hello
I do agree that your opinion is shared by many other people. Each study only shows a part of a whole. And then as you say...it is illegal to smoke pot in most states. But perhaps some of these studies will provide answers as to why, in some cases, the use of marijuana helps to diminish certain symptoms of mental and medical conditions and why...in other cases it may only make things worse.
My opinion is that it certainly is looking into and that more research needs to be done.
These are interesting times indeed.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences. It is much appreciated!