Medical Marijuana I'm confused

[Moonbeam]

Ask your doctor if marijuana is right for you.

 

[halik]

yes.

Occham's razor would suggest otherwise. I dont have a problem with peple getting high on weed, but might as well own up to it. THC may have medical benefits, smoking weed gets you high.

 

[TruePaige]

Again in the age of designer drugs, billions of dollars in medical research and people with biotech phds, inhaling smoke from burning plant is the medication? That's why it sounds like one of those remedies i heard form my grandma.

In many cases, yes. Say you have a sleeping problem..

Side effects of Ambien:

Ambien

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Ambien:

Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness (including daytime drowsiness); "drugged" feeling; dry mouth; headache; nausea; nose or throat irritation; sluggishness; stomach upset.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Ambien:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the hands, legs, mouth, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); abnormal thinking; behavior changes; chest pain; confusion; decreased coordination; difficulty swallowing or breathing; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; memory problems (eg, memory loss); mental or mood changes (eg, aggression, agitation, anxiety, depression); severe dizziness; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or actions; vision changes.

Ambien CR Extended-Release Tablets

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Ambien CR Extended-Release Tablets:

Dizziness; drowsiness (including daytime drowsiness); "drugged" feeling; dry mouth; headache; muscle aches; nausea; nose or throat irritation; sluggishness; stomach upset.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Ambien CR Extended-Release Tablets:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the hands, legs, mouth, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); abnormal thinking; behavior changes; chest pain; confusion; decreased coordination; difficulty swallowing or breathing; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; memory problems (eg, memory loss); mental or mood changes (eg, aggression, agitation, anxiety, depression); severe dizziness; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or actions; vision changes.



Now Side effects of Marijuana:

Marijuana's side effects are short term and are Problems with memory and learning, Distorted perception, Difficulty with thinking and problem solving, Loss of coordination, Increased heart rate, Anxiety, paranoia and panic attacks


Yeah...you can deny it if you want to but that is just in comparison to one medicine. If you take a bunch of pills that MJ can treat you could be saving your life in the long run.

 

[halik]

In many cases, yes. Say you have a sleeping problem..

Side effects of Ambien:

Ambien

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Ambien:

Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness (including daytime drowsiness); "drugged" feeling; dry mouth; headache; nausea; nose or throat irritation; sluggishness; stomach upset.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Ambien:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the hands, legs, mouth, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); abnormal thinking; behavior changes; chest pain; confusion; decreased coordination; difficulty swallowing or breathing; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; memory problems (eg, memory loss); mental or mood changes (eg, aggression, agitation, anxiety, depression); severe dizziness; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or actions; vision changes.

Ambien CR Extended-Release Tablets

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Ambien CR Extended-Release Tablets:

Dizziness; drowsiness (including daytime drowsiness); "drugged" feeling; dry mouth; headache; muscle aches; nausea; nose or throat irritation; sluggishness; stomach upset.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Ambien CR Extended-Release Tablets:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the hands, legs, mouth, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); abnormal thinking; behavior changes; chest pain; confusion; decreased coordination; difficulty swallowing or breathing; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; memory problems (eg, memory loss); mental or mood changes (eg, aggression, agitation, anxiety, depression); severe dizziness; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or actions; vision changes.



Now Side effects of Marijuana:

Marijuana's side effects are short term and are Problems with memory and learning, Distorted perception, Difficulty with thinking and problem solving, Loss of coordination, Increased heart rate, Anxiety, paranoia and panic attacks


Yeah...you can deny it if you want to but that is just in comparison to one medicine. If you take a bunch of pills that MJ can treat you could be saving your life in the long run.

What peer reviewed study are you quoting exactly for the side effects of THC when used for insomnia?

That is EXACTLY my problem - if it was actually legalized, pharma would spend money on research to find out all the true side effects, so they don't get sued by the users (or nailed by FDA). Right now there's no research and people are smoking weed because there is a handful of peer reviewed studies that tested THC extract on people. That's why it's all around stupid. It's not like when you buy a bag of weed from the dispensry, you'll get the dosage, side effects and other info with it.

 

[1prophet]

Does this "medical marijuana card" prevent the police from arresting you or issuing a ticket if they find a joint or two during a traffic stop?

 

[TruePaige]

What peer reviewed study are you quoting exactly for the side effects of THC when used for insomnia?

That is EXACTLY my problem - if it was actually legalized, pharma would spend money on research to find out all the true side effects, so they don't get sued by the users (or nailed by FDA). Right now there's no research and people are smoking weed because there is a handful of peer reviewed studies that tested THC extract on people. That's why it's all around stupid. It's not like when you buy a bag of weed from the dispensry, you'll get the dosage, side effects and other info with it.

A) I pulled the side effects for both from drugs.com, which is a reliable source for medication information.

I don't think you even understand the full mechanics (no offense) of MJ anyway as you keep referring to THC extract and the like when we already have a pill that is an attempt at doing that exact thing (marinol) which is replicating the THC but go to any site for reviews of the medicine and side effects / side effect strength and you will see that it just is not the same. Other components in MJ make it a perfect blend.

I don't know why you think that because something was made in a lab it is automatically a better choice.

All the side effects of MJ are quite obvious and it has NEVER been the cause of death for a single (or married, hah ) person. It is one of the SAFEST medicines at our disposal and should be used in place of pharmaceuticals in as many cases as beneficial.

 

[TruePaige]

Does this "medical marijuana card" prevent the police from arresting you or issuing a ticket if they find a joint or two during a traffic stop?

Yes it does in most cases unless you trigger a DUI type law.

 

[Tristicus]

$150? I'd pay that to do it without penalization I suppose...

 

[halik]

A) I pulled the side effects for both from drugs.com, which is a reliable source for medication information.

I don't think you even understand the full mechanics (no offense) of MJ anyway as you keep referring to THC extract and the like when we already have a pill that is an attempt at doing that exact thing (marinol) which is replicating the THC but go to any site for reviews of the medicine and side effects / side effect strength and you will see that it just is not the same. Other components in MJ make it a perfect blend.

I don't know why you think that because something was made in a lab it is automatically a better choice.

All the side effects of MJ are quite obvious and it has NEVER been the cause of death for a single (or married, hah ) person. It is one of the SAFEST medicines at our disposal and should be used in place of pharmaceuticals in as many cases as beneficial.

So your argument is that smoking the plant is better than using the active ingredient or blend of the active ingredient because is natural? I'm sorry, but it seems you fall into the category of organic nutjobs ("It's soo much better, because it's organic and natural man. Labs create poisons and organic food from communes is the best." )

Again occham's razor - what other medication do you know that's better in the natural form or smoked for that matter? What are the odds that inhaling smoke leads to no side effects?

Pick up a copy of this, the author has a nice section of the organic nutjobbery movement.
http://www.amazon.com/Denialism-Irra.../dp/1594202303

From what I've read, Dronabinol has the same exact medical properties, but it just doesn't get you a fun high. That's the goal of any medication - it's supposed to help you, not get you baked.

Finally the two studies you'll probably link about the advantage of weed as opposed to Drabinol: The first one is from "Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics" and the other is from a book about weed. Neither one of are peer reviewed medical or pharma journals.

 

[Robor]

No one has ever died from MJ. You get some tar, a little smoke related crud, nothing that is going to seriously hurt you. It is the best alternative to many medicines on the market.

It only looks better versus all those other examples you posted.

I saw the documentary on medical pot and almost everyone was buying it to smoke. There were a few clips where they mentioned edibles but most of it was being smoked. What I don't understand is why they don't put it into a pill form. I'd probably try it then (can't stand smoking).

 

[halik]

I saw the documentary on medical pot and almost everyone was buying it to smoke. There were a few clips where they mentioned edibles but most of it was being smoked. What I don't understand is why they don't put it into a pill form. I'd probably try it then (can't stand smoking).

They do, though it looks like the pills don't get you high.

Mark Kleiman, director of the Drug Policy Analysis Program at UCLA's School of Public Affairs said of Marinol, "It wasn't any fun and made the user feel bad, so it could be approved without any fear that it would penetrate the recreational market, and then used as a club with which to beat back the advocates of whole cannabis as a medicine."

 

[TechBoyJK]

Well post up some peer reviewed studies that show smoking weed is helpful for x.

Again I'm not arguing that weed should be schedule 1 or that THC has no medical benefits. My point is simply that smoking anything is a retarded way to go about doing it. There will be virtually no pharma research so long it's shedule 1 and "better smoking weed than FDA approved drugs" is hardly a rational argument to base public policy on (but hey, it will get passed via proposition)

Again in the age of designer drugs, billions of dollars in medical research and people with biotech phds, inhaling smoke from burning plant is the medication? That's why it sounds like one of those remedies i heard form my grandma.

Halik, if you are so inclined to know if there are peer reviewed studies that show smoking weed is helpful, google it and ye shall find.

That's why prohibition of MJ is such a crime to society. It has not only medicinal perks, but industrial perks as well.

I'm not saying you are an ignorant person in general, but your perspective on MJ is pretty ignorant, which will change if you open your mind, do some research, and keep an honest perspective.

Yes, MJ should be legal and regulated so that those who just want to get high, can do so, and do not send their business underground where it can not be taxed, regulated, and funds organized crime.

However, on the MMJ front, you will find many many scientificially proven uses (so scientifically proven it's not really even up for debate any more, just like the sky is blue), where the mild, mild harm from non abusive smoking is greatly outweight by the benefits.

Smoking anything isn't really 'healthy', but look at all these "designer drugs" that are in pill form. Their potential side effects are so dramatically more dangerous than any harm from smoking pot that it's literally comparing apples to oranges.

Btw, there are many remedies you might hear from your grandma that are legit.

The bottomline is that MJ is a wonder plant, arguably the most beneficial plant in existence to humans and the medical benefits are just one of many reasons for it's cultivation.

 

[Ns1]

Again in the age of designer drugs, billions of dollars in medical research and people with biotech phds, inhaling smoke from burning plant is the medication? That's why it sounds like one of those remedies i heard form my grandma.

You ever look at the side effects to those designer drugs?

100% worse than MJ

ex) Lyrica vs MMJ as medicine for fibromyalgia

* Very common (>10% of patients): dizziness, drowsiness
* Common (1–10% of patients): visual disturbance (including blurred vision, diplopia), ataxia, dysarthria, tremor, lethargy, memory impairment, euphoria, constipation, dry mouth, peripheral edema, loss or decrease of libido, erectile dysfunction, weight gain
* Infrequent (0.1–1% of patients): depression, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, myoclonus, hypoaesthesia, hyperaesthesia, tachycardia, excessive salivation, sweating, flushing, rash, muscle cramp, myalgia, arthralgia, urinary incontinence, dysuria, thrombocytopenia, kidney calculus
* Rare (<0.1% of patients): neutropenia, first degree heart block, hypotension, hypertension, pancreatitis, dysphagia, oliguria, rhabdomyolysis, suicide.[11]

 

[bfdd]

Having taken Ambien before and knowing someone who went from taking that to getting his medical card that shit can totally fuck you up. Have ANY of you ever taken it? Ever taken it and not been able to fall asleep? Dreaming while you're awake is some crazy fucking shit.

Also, I got my card for anxiety and nausea. They put me on anti-psychotics for the nausea and I don't take head pills anymore, not for anything and I sure as fuck don't want to take an anti-psychotic so I can eat. I do agree however that smoking shit for your health is retarded, vaporizers and edibles don't have the same problem smoking does though and edibles are rather cheap and potent or easy to make.

The thing that confused me is how much of a horse and pony show the whole "medical" part of it seems. Sure you need a legitimate reason, like I have, but it's not that easy to get a "legitimate" reason for the recommendation.

 

[Carmen813]

Speaking from experience or just out of your ass?

Experience, both as a patient and as a professional. When I was receiving chemotherapy I asked to receive anti-depressants and it was granted without substantial discussion (other than to inquire if I was suicidal and to have me meet with a social worker once). I'm currently a grad student in mental health counseling, we discuss this problem quite a bit. Far and away the largest prescribers of psychotropic medications are family doctors who do not typically have specialized knowledge in treatment of mental health problems.

 

[umbrella39]

THIS

Finally a voice of freaking reason. Smoking shit for health = FAIL

Like always when this topic comes up, they have vaporizers that take the whole smoking shit out of your concerns.

 

[bfdd]

Like always when this topic comes up, they have vaporizers that take the whole smoking shit out of your concerns.

not to mention you can literally just eat it too

 

[halik]

Halik, if you are so inclined to know if there are peer reviewed studies that show smoking weed is helpful, google it and ye shall find.

That's why prohibition of MJ is such a crime to society. It has not only medicinal perks, but industrial perks as well.

I'm not saying you are an ignorant person in general, but your perspective on MJ is pretty ignorant, which will change if you open your mind, do some research, and keep an honest perspective.

Yes, MJ should be legal and regulated so that those who just want to get high, can do so, and do not send their business underground where it can not be taxed, regulated, and funds organized crime.

However, on the MMJ front, you will find many many scientificially proven uses (so scientifically proven it's not really even up for debate any more, just like the sky is blue), where the mild, mild harm from non abusive smoking is greatly outweight by the benefits.

Smoking anything isn't really 'healthy', but look at all these "designer drugs" that are in pill form. Their potential side effects are so dramatically more dangerous than any harm from smoking pot that it's literally comparing apples to oranges.

Btw, there are many remedies you might hear from your grandma that are legit.

The bottomline is that MJ is a wonder plant, arguably the most beneficial plant in existence to humans and the medical benefits are just one of many reasons for it's cultivation.

I think that alone shows your bias towards ganj...

As far as my ignorant perspective, it seems that it's the proponents of the medical weed thing that keeps throwing all these statements around w/o any backing ("weed has only these 4 side effects", "smoking pot is totally fine in comparison") as if this was a common knowledge or proven fact.

The only peer reviewed studies I've seen dealt with THC, rather than smoking weed. I have seen studies correlate lower serotonin levels for habitual weed smokers.

If THC was a complete miracle drug, wouldn't you expect pharma to throw some serious money at it? Dronabinol is schedule 3 drug - if that was a miracle like you claim, you'd expect that anyone on xanax would beon it by now.

 

[halik]

You ever look at the side effects to those designer drugs?

100% worse than MJ

ex) Lyrica vs MMJ as medicine for fibromyalgia

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/marinol-side-effects.html

Side effects for marinol. If you want to compare apples to apples.

 

[bamacre]

What the drug war supporters don't understand is that people like myself can get marijuana more easily than the OP. I don't live in a state that has legalized marijuana for medical purposes. I don't need to go to a doctor. I don't need to pay $150 for a license. I just make a phone call and it's delivered shortly afterward. And there's no sales tax either.

 

[halik]

What the drug war supporters don't understand is that people like myself can get marijuana more easily than the OP. I don't live in a state that has legalized marijuana for medical purposes. I don't need to go to a doctor. I don't need to pay $150 for a license. I just make a phone call and it's delivered shortly afterward. And there's no sales tax either.

War on drugs is all around waste of resources. Every person in jail for selling weed costs 40K/yr

 

[Steeplerot]

Well post up some peer reviewed studies that show smoking weed is helpful for x.

Again I'm not arguing that weed should be schedule 1 or that THC has no medical benefits. My point is simply that smoking anything is a retarded way to go about doing it. There will be virtually no pharma research so long it's shedule 1 and "better smoking weed than FDA approved drugs" is hardly a rational argument to base public policy on (but hey, it will get passed via proposition)

Again in the age of designer drugs, billions of dollars in medical research and people with biotech phds, inhaling smoke from burning plant is the medication? That's why it sounds like one of those remedies i heard form my grandma.

If you have sensitive lungs use a vaporizer, or just use consumables instead of smoke. Regardless, smoking it will help with pain faster.

 

[Pens1566]

1) Use vaporizers to remove smoking it from the equation.

2) I've never seen a cancer patient on chemo/radiation that has tried every suggested/prescribed synthetic anti-nausea med switch to "natural" alternatives and not have a dramatic improvement in symptoms.

3) Legal, and taxed.

 

[TechBoyJK]

I think that alone shows your bias towards ganj...

As far as my ignorant perspective, it seems that it's the proponents of the medical weed thing that keeps throwing all these statements around w/o any backing ("weed has only these 4 side effects", "smoking pot is totally fine in comparison") as if this was a common knowledge or proven fact.

The only peer reviewed studies I've seen dealt with THC, rather than smoking weed. I have seen studies correlate lower serotonin levels for habitual weed smokers.

If THC was a complete miracle drug, wouldn't you expect pharma to throw some serious money at it? Dronabinol is schedule 3 drug - if that was a miracle like you claim, you'd expect that anyone on xanax would beon it by now.

Well, I can't say it's proven fact that "smoking pot is totally fine in comparison" since it depends on what we are comparing it to, but it most cases it is fact. Pharma can't throw money at it since it is illegal......

I wish I had more time to relate my position more intellectually. I'm slammed at work right now. Anyways, I hope you didn't offense to make saying you were ignorant about this subject, I didn't mean that as a personal attack.

 

[alchemize]

Well post up some peer reviewed studies that show smoking weed is helpful for x.

Again I'm not arguing that weed should be schedule 1 or that THC has no medical benefits. My point is simply that smoking anything is a retarded way to go about doing it. There will be virtually no pharma research so long it's shedule 1 and "better smoking weed than FDA approved drugs" is hardly a rational argument to base public policy on (but hey, it will get passed via proposition)

Again in the age of designer drugs, billions of dollars in medical research and people with biotech phds, inhaling smoke from burning plant is the medication? That's why it sounds like one of those remedies i heard form my grandma.

Halik, ask and ye shall receive. Lots of peer reviewed studies, pick your condition:

http://www.medicalmarijuanadoctors.org/granny-storm-crows-list