Experts and users discuss marijuana, cannabis, drug law, health: Does Marijuana have Medical Value?

Regarding Question

Does Marijuana have Medical Value?

Medical Marijuana a misnomer

Promoting the notion of so-called ‘safe smoking of cannabis’ is a quite misleading and potentially harmful action – with an erroneous message, very similar to the one promoted to have people smoke tobacco to relieve symptoms of stress and other illnesses, by tobacco ‘experts’ some 20 years ago.

World experts including the American Academy of Ophthalmology advise that existing pharmaceutical drugs provide satisfactory treatment for patients suffering glaucoma, cancers, nausea, wasting syndrome and multiple sclerosis.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has not endorsed marijuana to be a safe drug for consumption in any form.

The Australian Medical Association has issued warnings on the health risks associated with smoking marijuana, including memory loss, psychosis, hallucinations, asthma, and lung cancer. Studies have found that cannabis drivers have a 7 times greater risk of fatal accidents.

- Drug Free Australia July 29, 2008 4:23PM

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- Medical cannabis is 5000 year old fact
  
  Firstly you know that what you are saying is completely wrong, the fact is that smoking cannabis is far less harmful than most pharmaceuticals not only because it has less side effects, it simply has been proved to be a protector of the body and the brain, see US Patent 6630507 - Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants Assignee:* The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
  
  However there is another innovation coming out of GB that is a spray made from the oil of the plant and almond oil, perhaps a little further research from our Governments own anti drug group. You know the thing that really gets me with DFA is that you will say nothing about the thousands of people who die every year from Alcohol, tobacco and lets not forget the millions of deaths to pharmaceuticals and medical errors, WHY?
  
  You are right the TGA says no medical use, so here is a question I am still trying to get an answer on since they say no medical use why then have they any power over this plant after all they are only there to deal with medical not anything else, secondly why are any plants under TGA watch, again they are supposed to deal with medical not horticulture? Perhaps you can answer.
  
  The so called medical risks have been proved to be not only wrong in fact continuing to claim these things are even according to the latest from the WHO is nothing more than lies and does more harm than good.
  
  Please before more kids decide that adults simply cannot tell the truth don't you think it is time to start telling the truth again a recommendation from the WHO latest report to go to all Governments who signed the Single Treaty and by the way the very thing that not one of them are abiding by on any level, Australia is totally in breach of the Single Treaty at least the USA are ensuring its use for medical and scientific purpose that the treaty states they MUST, a small 4 letter word that your people and our Governments are having a problem understanding.
  
  - littlbit October 4, 2008 1:13AM
  
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- completely erroneous take on cannabis use
  
  first of all in recorded history no one has ever died from cannabis. secondly marijuana is a slang word for cannabis. thirdly most people die from doctor prescribed drugs,around 400000 people a year. also not to mention the people that become addicted to pain killers! many of our elected officials have admitted to using cannabis. The only reason it is illegal is because drug companies cannot stop people from growing it themselves and it cuts into their profits. alchohol is the number one drug for auto accident,suicide,family breakup,crime and liver damage. but yet it is legal and young kids die in auto accidents in high school proms and racing down the road. but yet no one dies from cannabis. get your head out of your ass and look around.
  
  - Jackattack October 8, 2008 2:59PM
  
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- Just what question do you suggest that you are answering?
  
  Your argument is a protest against something that isn't even being discussed here. The question at hand is, "Does Marijuana have Medical Value?" The questions you have answered are different than the question posed.
  
  As for the assertion that somebody is 'promoting the notion of safe smoking' let me put your mind at ease. Luckily, you don't have to smoke it. It can be inhaled through an herbal vaporizer and used in the preparation of food. Ever heard of a pot brownie? Well, they exist, and you don't have to smoke them.
  
  As far as satisfactory treatment goes, does that include death? Obviously, if somebody dies from an approved treatment then they don't have those pesky ailments to deal with any more, do they?
  
  There are just as many obscure groups of folks, that regular people have never heard of, that HAVE endorsed marijuana. While I'm sure the Therapeutic Goods Administration has their reasons for withholding their endorsement, the lack of endorsement has no bearing on the question at hand, and it does not address whether they WOULD endorse marijuana were it gainful for them to do so.
  
  Where o where were the cannabis driving studies done? Austrailia? How was the numerical probability of a fatal accident calculated? Who did the math? Cannabis is not a hallucinogen. Recent studies oppose the Austrailians' conclusions on things such as memory loss and lung cancer. What do the AMERICAN studies say? O yeah, I forgot, there ARE no American studies.
  
  The answer to the question at hand is yes. There are folks who were formerly among you that have switched sides. Although President Obama apparently opposes marijuana legalization, it is important to note that he did not associate himself with any of the positions you have stated. In fact, he didn't qualify his position at all.
  
  - Chris December 17, 2008 7:30AM
  
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- and alcohol users?
  
  Promoting the notion of so-called ‘safe smoking of cannabis’ is a quite misleading and potentially harmful action – with an erroneous message, very similar to the one promoted to have people smoke tobacco to relieve symptoms of stress and other illnesses, by tobacco ‘experts’ some 20 years ago.
  
  but still with it killing 500,000 people A YEAR it is still legal, but something that has killed 0 is still illegal...
  
  Studies have found that cannabis drivers have a 7 times greater risk of fatal accidents.
  
  and alcohol users? but that's still legal...
  
  The Australian Medical Association has issued warnings on the health risks associated with smoking marijuana, including memory loss, psychosis, hallucinations, asthma, and lung cancer.
  
  those are RISKS not side effects much like all the crazy SIDE EFFECTS much like the ones you would use for these...
  
  existing pharmaceutical drugs provide satisfactory treatment for patients suffering glaucoma, cancers, nausea, wasting syndrome and multiple sclerosis.
  
  - Turbojdmef9 January 27, 2009 11:32AM
  
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- Nonsense.
  
  Cannabis has controlled my asthma since 1968. It has provided a 25% reduction in my intraoccular pressure as my Ophthalmologist will attest, since my glaucoma diagnosis eight years ago.
  And I like it. Deal with that.
  
  - rsteeb March 3, 2009 10:22PM
  
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- Rx drugs as well?
  
  Lots of other medical associations & groups have endorsed MMJ. Another poster put up a list.
  
  You listed one of the reasons medical cannabis stays illegal, Rx drugs . How about a list of the side affects of your list of Rx drugs? The Rx drug makers are afraid they will lose $ if cannabis were RE-legalized.
  
  Smoke bad? Get a vaporizer.
  
  Medical cannabis is NOT a misnomer. If it were we would not be advocating it's RE- legalization . Those of us who fear the Rx drug side affects know that MMJ works. Besides, the RE-legalize movement is not about getting any one else to start using medical cannabis. It IS about letting us as individuals & States have the ability to choose for ourselves. Why cannot we be allowed to choose a substance that you cannot die from using over Rx drugs "whose side affects may include" our death?
  
  Look up the persecution of MMJ patients like Angel Raich.
  
  SamFox
  
  - SamFox March 30, 2009 3:24PM
  
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The Great Manipulation

It has long been acknowledged that pushing marijuana for medical use could open the doors for full legalisation of all drugs, under the same banner. At a conference to push this agenda it was clear the public would be manipulated emotionally,unless educated re. the cost to the unborn where a parent is using and the behavioural and physical changes that take place following use.
Marijuana has never been passed as a medicine by the World Health Organisation,despite being researched many times.
Marijuana lowers the immune system when people need it most during illness.
Its use causes both physical disease and mental illness.People who are ill need the best available health care both medical and through natural methods e.g. the food they eat etc.
Marijuana is a poor suggestion for health care. We need to provide the best. It is not. There are far better alternatives.Dont be manipulated
Aisling Group International, Ireland

- Vision July 30, 2008 4:04AM

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- Please research
  
  Cannabis (marijuana is slang) is being used by twice as many people today than just after John Howard did his zero tolerance speech, that is called rebellion and that is what prohibition brings about. Secondly all drugs should be controlled as it is right now exactly what control does our government have over any of the so called illicit drugs, given by their own reports they get around 10% of all the illicit drugs, now by my reckoning that says they have no control over 90%. Now by anyone's figures that is not control.
  
  Cannabis does not lower the immune system it in fact protects it as is now well known by researchers around the world in fact since we have already THC in our body and brain, have CBD receptors in all vital areas our bodies, they are there for a reason and now the researchers know why, we need Cannabis to help the body to mend itself, protect us against the nasties out there including cancer, Alzheimer's, in fact so far most mental illness and most cancer, however if by some chance we get these nasties Cannabis cures them and so much more.
  
  Cannabis does not cause mental illness even the latest Government reports now admit this fact.
  It has never caused physical disease and has never killed anyone or anything in recorded history.
  
  You state that people who are ill need the best available medical and natural well guess what the medical want to do just that, however you wont let them and this is one of the most natural Plants and medicines known to mankind and has been used in all traditional medicine for thousands of years and even the bible backs this up as do what is left of the ancient herbal treatment manuscripts that have survived the destruction by the Catholic church attempting to stop people being healed by anyone or anything other than a priest of the church.
  
  People including many you know need this medicine, please take your own advice and do not be manipulated do your own research.
  
  - littlbit October 4, 2008 1:32AM
  
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- Well, the drug is LOST! So why keep at it?
  
  ALL drugs should be legalized. If it is not blaringly obvious that MJ prohibition is even a more dismal failure than alcohol prohibition...well, you can't say much to the willfully blind & ignorant.
  
  Why should all drugs be legalized? To take control of them. To take the profit motive away from the drug cartels. To take the 'forbidden fruit' aspect away & lessen the curiosity factor. After all curiosity is the real gate way to drugs, not cannabis use. To save lives. If it were not for the prohibition that has given rise to the drug cartels a lot of people would still be alive.
  
  Cannabis should be out right legal. All other drugs should also be legal, only about 2% of the population are addicts any way.(More die because of prohibition than die from illegal drug use . Rx drugs are even worse for causing death. Thank the cartels & stupid burrocrates.) The 2% population addiction rate has been steady for years. Check out Law Enforcement Against Prohibition's web site. Drugs should be legal, quality controlled & affordable. They should be dispensed legally & linked to factual education regarding the potential affects. Government would not have to lie about the dangers of crack, X, meth, heroine & so on the way they have to lie about cannabis. Plus we could sure use the $$!!
  
  I am not going to address each of you comments. They show you have not done a good job of research. To me it appears you are just parroting what you have heard others say & have not bothered to check out the claims yourself.
  
  I am not manipulated. Rather it seems that you have been.
  
  SamFox
  
  - SamFox March 30, 2009 3:57PM
  
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- I am a patient
  
  I am a medical cannabis patient, and I am living proof that cannabis does have medical uses. I used to have to take 31 pills per day for my myriad medical and psychiatric problems, and now am down to two types of insulin and a cannabis-laced chocolate truffle once per day. I no longer have to deal with the horrible side effects of the prescription drugs prescribed to me by Western doctors , and am no longer spending weeks at a time in hospital recovering from symptoms of autoimmune diseases that are the result of an OVERactive immune system and side effects and drug interactions from all of my prescriptions. Your assertion that " marijuana lowers the immune system" would be a positive in my case if it were true. "It causes...mental illness"? It has alleviated the symptoms of my mental illnesses(anxiety and PTSD)to allow me to be a productive member of society . In fact, even while I was using Western medicine , I was eating a diet prescribed by my Homeopath and endorsed by my Acupuncturist, and both did not see any improvement in my health until I switched from Western medicines to medical cannabis. I challenge you to show me a better alternative to this one medicine that works and is not causing any ill effects in my body, life, or relationships. I am healthier now than I have been in years, and am no longer afraid of dying VERY young.
  
  - aspiemom August 8, 2009 1:14AM
  
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- If it's true
  
  that marijuana lowers the immune system (please link evidence to this claim) then why do doctors primarily prescribe it for patients who belong to the highest risk groups for compromised immune systems (ie people who have cancer or are under going chemotherapy and HIV / AIDS patients)?
  
  People going through chemotherapy are told that changing the cat litter box can risk their life (due to their reduced natural immunity to toxoplasmosis) so why on earth would a doctor give them access to something that would further damage their immune system?
  
  - Cannabeaux August 8, 2009 2:28AM
  
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Not when smoked

This is almost a trick question because the answer could be yes or no, depending upon how one thinks of marihuana. There are beneficial molecules in the cannabis plant, just as there are beneficial molecules in the foxglove plant (digitalis) or the bark of the willow tree (salicylic acid or aspirin) or the leaves of the coca bush (cocaine). Important pharmaceutical drugs have copied, synthesized, and manufactured these molecules in pure and standardized doses that can be prescribed by practitioners and taken safely in recommended doses by patients to alleviate disease symptoms. The same is partially true for cannabis. At least two medicines whose active ingredient was derived from cannabis have been approved by the FDA and are in medical use today. Many more are in the pipeline, including some that will provide the benefits of the cannabis plant without the unwanted psychic side effect. Those who abuse cannabis, however, are not likely to appreciate cannabinoid medicines without the tr

- DrJohnColeman July 30, 2008 11:44AM

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Give It Time

This issue is a tricky one to face because of the limited knowledge that the general public is readily offered about marijuana. There are many ways to ingest marijuana that are much safer than directly smoking it. There are also vaporizers that make smoking safer. While it is agreed that smoking anything is not in itself good, when facing the controversy over marijuana, it takes some research and knowledge.

It is my personal opinion that should you want to try it, it should be an option for you. There are many people that claim that it helps when other medicines do not. We cannot discount these claims.

There are many medicines in which the risks generally outweigh the benefit but these medicines are readily. In fact, as bad as alcohol is for a person, in moderation it has been shown to be beneficial. Why not view marijuana the same?

Let's get as much information as we can. Educate the public.
We can't move forward in this topic until we get past the stigma we have built around it.

- jlwils10 August 1, 2008 6:24PM

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Why the hell not?

Most people against medipot see only the negative aspects of the drug. Take a look at the benefits:
It's cheap: Anyone with a green thumb and no health insurance can easily produce it themselves WITHOUT paying out of the arse to a multinational pharmaceutical giant like UniMed (the makers of Marinol)
It's relatively non-addictive: Compared to other psychoactive painkillers, such as oxy-contin, cannabis is much easier to quit and causes far fewer negative effects id addiction does occur. Not to say that it isn't, but one has to compare to what's already available.
Vaporizers don't remove all the bad stuff, but they do remove a lot of it. Besides, it's perfectly legal for tobacco smokers to expose themselves to this all the time, yet some prohibitionists base their entire argument for continuing to use the long arm of the law against patients on this fairly insignificant fact. To this day, no one has ever been able to tie a single case of lung cancer directly to marijuana smoke or vapor

- DelBeano August 1, 2008 10:46PM

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It works better THAN all the medication my insurance co.

recently my wife and I went to a BBQ get together. It started raining and everyone went inside. This was a LARGE house but everyone seemed to gather in this small entertainment room.(A TV, POOL TABLE and a Bar. There were joints lit and passed around. I passed when they were offered to me because its illegal in my State (TN) Even though I passed on the joints, I inhaled some of the smoke that was in the room. My wife and I left because we didnt want to be involved with any criminal activity. (I'm confined to a wheelchair with SPASTIC PARPERISIS) On the way home my wife said I was moving better. and I had the most restful sleep that night, More restfull than I have had in MANY years. I also woke with short term energy. Usually I just don't want to get out of bed for a while. I take the medication called Baclofen, wich releives my spastic muscles SOME. but with a GREAT AMOUNT OF FATIGUE.! I WANT Marijuana as a LEGAL medication. I didnt suffer any Side affects but a giggle.

- Blackbayou August 2, 2008 8:43PM

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It works for me and...

it's "legal" in my state. I pay the state $150 a year for that "permission slip" called the state issued card. I use it for glaucoma however I still use two different types of drops that help keep my pressures low. Using pot reduces the pressures in between the drops. It would be impractical to be stoned all the time. I also use it for a sleep aid but that was an unintended benefit. I've lost 30 lb. and my gout flare ups are down 90%. It's never killed anyone from an overdose however I almost died from a mistake made on a prescription lable and I had a terrible allergic reaction to Celebrex. So to you Drug Free America people... Worry about the dangerous drugs... the ones in your medicine cabinets! Leave my non-toxic drug alone.

- Moldy August 3, 2008 6:51AM

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YES

I have Basal Cell Carcinoma. Basal Cell is a form of skin cancer. It is not considered particularly dangerous, although I have been told it could penitrate through my skin, into the flesh of my scalp, from there into my skull, and then into my brain. Well, it hasn't done that in over 25yrs so I'm not perticularly worried about it. I have had six surgerical procedures to remove lesions from my head, neck, and face. After the last surgery I decided I had had quite enough. I decided I would seek an alternative treatment method. After some very extensive searching I came to rest on Cannabis Oil. The treatment is utterly painless, safe beyond measure, and quite cheap compared to surgery. My lesions had been biopsied, and diagnosed by the Veterans Administration medical center, dermatology clinic in Dallas, Tx. I treated two rather prominent lesions with the cannabis oil. THEY ARE CURED, GONE, KAPUT, FINNISHED. I am living proof that compounds in the cannabis plant WILL CURE CANCER.

- Ironman August 3, 2008 7:36AM

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US Patent 6630507

The United States government is completely duplicitous when it comes to the medical efficacy of cannabis. On the one hand the DEA raids medical cannabis dispensaries and patients. On the other hand;

US Patent 6630507 titled "Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants" which is assigned to The United States of America, as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services.

How can the US so boldly lie about this issue while holding the above patent? How?!

- blendin August 3, 2008 9:03AM

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I'm confused

Cannabis,(marijuana) is schedule 1 Controled substance. One of the requirements for Schedule 1 is NO MEDICAL VALUE. If cannabis has enough medical value to be patented by the US Gov for medical use, how can it be a schedule 1 Controled substance? Something is very wrong here. Either the patents are bogus, or cannabis is no longer a schedule 1 controled substance. I'm soooooooo confused :)

- Ironman August 3, 2008 9:29AM

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- Good for you.
  
  If you spend a little time researching the internet you can find that the US government had it's own FEDERAL medical marijuana plan and at one time it had almost 70 members. Right now there are about four remaining patients who receive monthly marijuana shipments from the FEDERAL US medical marijuana program. I believe this was covered well in Penn and Teller's 'B*llsh*t' episode about the war on drugs . So ask yourself how the US government can ban the use of marijuana for medical use when they send it in the mail to patients who signed up for their own program?
  
  - Cannabeaux August 8, 2009 2:33AM
  
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  - Does Marijuana have Medical Value?
    
    Yes I am well aware of the program. There is a vid on this, can't remember where it is at the moment. One of the recipiannts is talking to a gov group of some kind. One of the things that he said was that he had never gotten "high" on the gov cannabis . This leads me to believe statements that I have heard stating that gov cannabis is extremely LOW quality. He also stated that the remaining members had been tested to see what harmfull affects the consumption of cannabis had had on them. The results of the test showed that there had been NO HARMFULL AFFECTS WHATSOEVER, NONE. I have personaly used cannabis oil to treat Basal Cell skin cancer SUCCESSFULLY. No medical value my ass.
    
    - Ironman August 8, 2009 8:19PM
    
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Bet the Farm Quick

As soon as we get someone in the white house that will work for the American people and not corporations the truth will be told. I have years of personal research it helps insomnia, depression, chronic pain and many others and last week I saw a study that indicated regular use may reduce the chance of cancer. Go to the web stories of MJ helping a plethora of problems. But our Federal boys just will not give it up pushed by politicians who are financed by big business. They are afraid they might lose some bottom line. So the feds sacrifice us at the rate of one every 38 seconds, every day! I call it being put in jail for being Americans remember when they said you cannot have your alcohol? My dad drank and my grandfather drank it killed them both I rarely drink. Sell the farm make your bet! I do not advocate anyone taking drugs I say I will fight to insure your rights to make a personal decision as an adult. And if the majority vote and want it I will not vote to arrest you.

- Cherokee Fred hussein August 5, 2008 3:21AM

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Common thread, and no Vision

I noticed a common thread in the responses I read. NOT WHEN SMOKED. A vaporizer would help alleviate concerns about "smoking" cannabis. Vision, do you work for a big pharmacuetical company? Your response certainly gives me that impression. I suppose in your world Marinol, and Sativex have tremenous medical value.

- Ironman August 6, 2008 12:26PM

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Reality intrudes on the propaganda.

I note the age and inaccessibility of the documentation of the anti-pot side. Not unusual, almost required, since the honest science appraisals always come down on the side of medical marijuana, especially under controlled circumstances and intelligent use, whic would be with a Volcano vaporizer. We are suffering in the United States from our religious indoctrination of children, which leads to their acceptance, after they've grown up, of poor evidence for their beliefs. The current anti-science efforts by the theologists are reactive battles against evidence. They battle stem cells, evolution, evidence-based legislation because they are fearful of losing their status, wealth, and power as ultimate arbiters of behavior. God doesn't need money; she has all the power she needs. She gave us marijuana and the knowledge to use it for both mental and physical pain as we need it. It is shameful and sociologically destructive to ban personal choice in medicine. Get the God-nuts off our backs!

- Ormond Otvos August 6, 2008 1:03PM

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- It is about $$$ not God
  
  It is the prison guards and cops who would be laid off (were MJ legalized) who finance anti-cannabis lobbyists. They and the lawyers who would not be paid to defend the cannabis users or growers, it these groups (and many others) who fight against the truth about this wonderful medicine. I can continue to list the groups of people who benefit from the current legal status of cannabis who are not priests or ministers.
  
  Cannabis has long been used in religious ceremonies. The Bible has no prohibition against it. The leaders of the American churches are just average Americans, who have been brain washed by anti-cannabis lies like all the rest of the nonchristians. Believing that their country is good and the laws just - they will give you the just say no talk. Or perhaps you might do some time in detox followed by Jesus boot camp.
  
  I take time to educate everyone who will listen about the medical and other ways that cannabis is good food, good clothing, good medicine, good for the economy. It makes great rope also.
  
  We need to educate everyone about cannabis. We need to organize and fight bad laws with the light of scientific research. I am a Christian who knows the truth about cannabis. See the difference??
  
  clinton
  
  - clinton October 6, 2008 10:57AM
  
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Side effects aren't worth it???

Let's see, over many years of smoking (notice they don't say anything about eating) pot you can absolutely have many of the same side effects of tobacco use. Yet we allow tobacco.

On the other hand we allow Morphine to control pain. How about those side effects? Addiction, overdose, organ failure yet we allow Morphine. I don't see them saying the side effects of that aren't worth it yet they're far worse than the worst side effects of pot.

- State of Reason August 6, 2008 1:50PM

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The Great Projection

The "Great Manipulation" is one wrought by those who would keep cannabis illegal, not by those trying to get a very effective medicine into the hands of suffering patients. It is ever thus, that we attribute to others those qualities which we ourselves possess, but that is another story. It is quite true that those who object most strenuously to cannabis as medicine are afraid that the house of cards, built on disinformation would fall, once cannabis is readily available as medicine in its raw form. For one thing, there would be much more research done that is not based only on the attempt to prove harm (which is presently the only research that NIDA funds or allows). In spite of that, studies, such as the one by Dr. Donald Tashkin, showed that even chronic long term smokers of cannabis show no increased risk of lung cancer. It is only a matter of time that the weight of public opinion, and science finally ends the desperate attempt to retain funding for the failed "war on drugs".

- Brinna Nanda August 6, 2008 4:58PM

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Cannabis Cures Cancer

Laws against Marijuana and Hemp were racist in their origins and only serve those who would profit from prohibition. true Crimes don't leave an oder trail or scent. Rick Simpson has cured over 1000 people with his cannabis oil. It's time people come before corporate and organized crime profits. Stop wasting our taxdollars on arresting people for using a seed bearing plant placed here on Earth by God for all to benefit from. www.jackherer.com http://www.phoenixtears.ca /

- Enjoy Cannabis August 27, 2008 4:39AM

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Anecdotal Information

I am a registered nurse that was taught 15 years ago in nursing school that marijuana can help alleviate the nausea that frequently accompanies cancer and AIDS. I had depression long ago, and marijuana helped me not commit suicide. A few years back, I got stuck with a needle that had been used to administer a shot to a person that could easily been infected with HIV/AIDS. The treatment for such a situation is treatment with HIV drugs within two hours of the stick, and for at least 6 weeks after the stick. Those drugs made me terribly nauseated, on the verge of vomiting constantly. Marinol helped, but my physician told me to smoke marijuana as well. The combination lessened the nausea enough to stop the vomiting. Recently I have been diagnosed with Abdominal Migraines, Colitis, Crohn's, and Diverticulosis. Obtaining a license to do so, I began to smoke marijuana. It has really helped with the nausea and to keep my stress level down. I also believe it has helped to lessen the bleeding from the diverticulosis.

So please think twice before you condemn this drug. It has very few negative side effects other than affecting your lungs like any smoke would do. I was a waitress when my state first began it's big push against marijuana. My customers stopped asking if I could find pot for them, and started trying to find ice and crack. The state was the "gateway" in this instance, not pot.

My gastroenterologist tells me that well over 25% of her caseload are addicted to prescription pain killers like oxycodone. That something is prescribed doesn't make the user any less of an addict.

Our country was founded by men that realized that we needed to engineer our laws so that the fewest number of people would be impacted by them. Our nation is diverse, with many diverse opinions. We need to open our minds and evaluate everything with an educated, unbiased attitude. It is what our forefathers showed us how to do. They would not be pleased with our need to control others.

- Hawaii Nurse September 3, 2008 2:04PM

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Yes, In Pill Form

Smoking any substance, whether it be tobacco, cannabis, or tree bark, is very bad for health. However, marijuana has been proven time and time again to help alleviate pain from a number of different causes. Marijuana in pill form has the same effects as the inhalation of it's smoke, so why not make it accessible that way?

- bagpiper2005 October 8, 2008 7:09AM

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herbal medicine

Yes, marijuana is an herbal medicine. The fraud of cannabis prohibition should not be blamed on religious people. A lot of religious people use herbs for healing help. The " love of money" has prolonged cannabis prohibition because drug companies and law enforcement stand to lose money if it is legalized. Alcohol companies are worried that it might cut into their sales too.

- Timber October 8, 2008 7:57AM

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Grown Free American Citizens

I you are a grown American citizen and you feel weed helps with your mental or physical problems that is good enough for me. Why should I or my government insist on putting you in jail for seeking your personal relief? Greed they want to make sure the PAC checks clears. We are sacrificed, our lives ruined, and our rights are taken away for pure greed! The so called legal drug companies estimate 80% loss if weed were legal it would replace many of the drugs they push (legally). They spend millions in PAC (political action committee) money to ensure our so called leaders vote to keep a god given weed illegal and continue to enslave us to protect corporate profits. Stop federal oppression vote for Obama!!

Cherokee Fred Hussein aka Stupid old man

- Cherokee Fred hussein October 9, 2008 8:49AM

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Recent Research

Relief from pain and nausea are only two of the medical benefits of marijuana. In 1974, a study in Virginia found that it blocks tumor growth. U.S. officials suppressed this information. Subsequent research in Spain confirmed that marijuana shrinks brain tumors. And a twenty-year population study by UCLA has concluded that smoking marijuana does not cause lung cancer. These tumor-shrinking, anti-carcinogenic properties have also been found effective against prostate and non-melanoma skin cancers. Recent research in Canada indicates that, unlike caffine, alcohol or opiates, marijuana actually encourages brain cell growth. And an Italian study on pain relief finds it superior to synthetic, non-synergistic, patented cannabinoids like Marinol. If these reports were aired on the NBC Nightly News, we'd see zillions of Marlboro Men screaming for reform. The public is already ahead of the politicians on this issue. Elected officials are too afraid of being labeled 'soft on crime'. What say the Michigan voters?

- Food For Thought October 14, 2008 9:50PM

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Natural or Chemical ?

Cannabis has been around for 5000 years and has proved it's efficacy as a medicinal herb, simply by it's longevity of useage. If it's really as harmful as the drug-war propagandists insist it is, surely we, as logical reasoning human beings would have eradicated it long before now ??
But no, we have used this precious plant over the centuries, for pleasure, for clothing,ropes for the sailing ships, buildings, for so many diverse benefits, without any need for bio-ecology destructurage.

I sincerely believe that there are many more beneficial effects still to be discovered within the chromosomes of this lovely genus of plant...but separation of the THC from the other chemical compounds will not necessarily preclude side effects. This herb is best smoked in it's original state of being...

Thousands of people, nay, millions of people would testify to the healing powers of marijuana had they not been subjected to the propagandist film made in 1938, in which marijuana users were portrayed as manic killers...and the drug-wars began. People who had previously smoked the herb to help them through what were extremely difficult days began to feel ostracised and consequently had to resort to illegal purchase of their "medicine".....and it's much the same nowadays.

Remember, up until 1938, cannabis sativa was available from any reputable herb shop and anyone who has read A Modern Herbal by Mrs Grieve will know the properties with which the herb was attributed. In my opinion, any natural product, I mean plant or weed, which has been around for as long as Cannabis has, deserves great respect and should be classified as an empiric medicine.

- Glideover February 12, 2009 1:41AM

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Cancer is a cure?

Though marijuana may hold some value as a pain killer, it is very much dwarfed by such things as morphine. It is important to note though, that there are more carcinogens found in marijuana than tobacco. Though it may be used for pain purposes, it does not eqaute to it being a medicine.

- ckidwell7098 March 2, 2009 4:21PM

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- THC cures cancer
  
  Google Tashkin+cancer.
  Google THC+glioma.
  The 25% reduction in my intraoccular pressure is a documented fact.
  It has been a medicine since before recorded history.
  Google "W.B. O'Shaughnessy."
  
  - rsteeb March 3, 2009 10:19PM
  
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  - Some more info.
    
    "Add possible increased risk of heart disease to the side effects of smoking marijuana. A study led by Jean Lud Cadet of the National Institute on Drug Abuse in Bethesda, Md., and published online in Molecular Psychiatry tested blood samples from 18 chronic marijuana users and 24 nonusers. Heavy smokers, who used 78 to 350 joints a week, had higher levels of the protein apolipoprotein C-Ill, which stops enzymes from chewing up triglycerides. This failure increases the levels of triglycerides, implicated in heart disease. Chronic use may boost levels of the protein when THC, marijuana's active ingredient, binds to cannabinoid receptors in the liver, says George Kunos of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in Bethesda. The body also makes substances that bind to the receptors. Understanding how THC works can shed light on this natural pathway, Kunos adds."
    
    .
    
    "The effects of marijuana are mediated by cannabinoid receptors on neurons in the brain, and a causal relationship between marijuana use during pregnancy and permanent cognitive deficits in the offspring has been identified. Berghuis et al. (p. 1212) now define the molecular hierarchy that controls marijuana actions within single neurons and show that activation of cannabinoid receptors by their natural ligands controls the establishment of functional connections between neurons in the brain. These findings define the cellular context through which prenatal marijuana use perturbs brain development.
    CREDIT: BERGHUIS ET AL."
    http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/sci ;316/5828/1093h?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=marijuana&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT
    
    - ckidwell7098 March 4, 2009 4:14PM
    
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    - that's a ridiculous study
      
      who can smoke 78-350 joints in a week? that's 11-50 joints a day..... a chronic smoker might hit 5-6 a day, but 11-50?? your numbers are insane
      
      - ignint March 26, 2009 4:44PM
      
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      - Yes, that is a very large number.
        
        I will agree with you, that that is a rather high figure. However, I feel that there are several things that should not be ignored.
        
        1. That "smoking" may have been just a label that they may have branded overall marijuana use. They could have easily thrown in figures such as "ingesting so much marijuana is eqaul to smoking this many joints" (my example is rather crude, but I think that you get the point).
        
        2. You are forgetting that there are indeed outliers in all communities. Someone is found to always be around a large amount of marijuana burning could be eqauted to so many joints being individually used. Similar to a hookah bar server being around so much second hand smoke. They could eqaute that to individually using so many tobacco products.
        
        3. This particular statement I am not overly confident in, but nonetheless, it is from a reliable source. Now, I am not saying that they are correct a hundred percent of the time, but I am saying that they most likely would have checked this study before putting it under their name.
        
        - ckidwell7098 March 26, 2009 5:17PM
        
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        or you can look at this
        
        http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/research-moderate-long-term-marijuana-use-reduces-risk-of-some-cancer
        
        Not the first that I have heard about MJ and the effects on cancer .
        
        - tek August 8, 2009 7:53AM
        
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      - suzibeth
        
        Well, I know someone who does manage to smoke close to 50 joints a day. She doesn't smoke tobacco , but perhaps it's similar usage to those who have a 2 pack a day tobacco habit.
        
        She's also monstrously overweight (attibutes it to the "munchies" she says always come with smoking "dope" - her words).
        
        So even if cannabis isn't directly affecting her current poor state of health (she has many problems related to obesity ), if her own admitted connection between over-eating and cannbis is correct, then there are certainly secondary health issues resulting from cannabis use in her case.
        
        - Suzibeth September 30, 2009 5:39PM
        
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    - May?
      
      May is a big word to hook all that danger warning too. Eating too much steak MAY cause your cholesterol to go up too high and cause the same problem chronic marijuana use MAY. Get a
      life,teach your own children the values you hold dear and quit blaming everyone else because they come out like everyone else's children.
      
      - Clay April 19, 2009 12:52AM
      
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- Cannabis valuable treatment
  
  I know from experience that there is no better treatment for the symptoms associated with chronic gastro-intestinal conditions such as Crohn's Disease, or ulcerative colitis. It not only acts as a pain-killer, but also as an anti-nauseant and anti-depressant, valuable effects when a patient is unable to eat for days on end during bad flare ups, or during the onset of the disease. While there clearly are risks to smoking anything (it goes against reason that inhaling smoke can be only beneficial), the long term risks from cannabis are far less than the possible long term risks of, say, morphine. Assuming that both are equally addictive, (they aren't, morphine is much more addictive than cannabis), and that a patient is likely to become addicted during treatment, we can safely say that the long term risks of morphine, such as liver failure, brain damage, and bodily decay are much worse, and onset much more quickly.
  It should also be noted that morphine has been regulated longer than cannabis, and carries far higher penalties for possession in narcotics laws because it is much more dangerous. Just because doctors prescribe it for patients doesn't make it a better option than cannabis. Doctors sometimes use a liquid cocaine compound to treat nosebleeds, yet that too is a far more dangerous, and evidently destructive drug with great, immediate, risk.
  The sensible thing to do is offer it as an alternative to consenting adults who understand the risk involved; it's always easier and cheaper to allow people freedom than to actively take it away.
  
  P.S. The healthful benefits of THC can easily be gained without smoking anything, so the carcinogen argument is a bit of a non-starter, too.
  
  - ReyMostaza April 15, 2009 3:03PM
  
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No other drugs match Cannabis for PTSD

Israel now uses Cannabis to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in its military. There is no other drug that comes close to its effectiveness.

- Boss March 25, 2009 4:21PM

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Marinol

What about that the FDA has approved Marinol-

The chief ingredient in Marinol is THC a.k.a. the active ingredient in marijuana -

Marinol "has been found to relieve the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy for cancer patients and to assist with loss of appetite with AIDS patients." The DEA endorses this statement.

So...there is no proof that marijuana has any affect on relieving symptoms of any illness or disease, but the FDA and DEA find that TCH actually does when it goes by a different name? I call BS.

So...as long as pharma can corner the market and sell a bottle of 60 pills for 250-400 then it is ok. RIght?

- illusion June 9, 2009 2:18PM

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- When I had cancer...
  
  my doctors tried all of the prescription drugs available to combat the nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, and not one of them worked- even the one that cost me over $100 per pill after the insurance company paid their share. I started using marijuana when the last prescription failed, and it stopped the nausea and vomiting completely. Marinol is not effective in a LOT of patients- human cannabinoid receptors do discriminate between real and synthetic THC.
  
  - aspiemom August 8, 2009 1:29AM
  
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Raw?

As far as I'm aware marijuana isn't used 'raw' any more than coffee is. Marijuana is dried and cured before use so while I don't agree with this assertion it is worth pointing out that it is technically misleading.

- Cannabeaux August 8, 2009 2:23AM

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I have never tried

cannabis but have known friends who use it for assisting in their pain control. These people are not junkies or bums, each has worked in a productive position until injuries stopped them.
Our government has a long history of demonizing anything or anyone they want to discredit. We have spent billions on the drug war only to see smoke more popular than it was in the sixties. Looking back at the time when they started the push to make marijuana illegal it really seems to follow the pattern they use.
I think a lot of opinions here in America are formed after listening to radio and tv commercials than after really studying the situation and reaching an independent set of opinions and ideas.

- oneoldman August 10, 2009 9:15PM

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Yes marijuana has medical value

Many have heard present day testimonies of marijuana 's benefits to sufferers of chemotherapy, MS, glaucoma, etc., even cancer fighting abilities are being proven; however, cannabis has been used as medicine for thousands of years.

Cannabis was called a "superior herb" in the first medical textbook, China 2737 BC. Soma, aka as bhang (a mixture of cannabis flowers and leaves used in India) mentioned as "the king of the healing plants," in the Rig Veda - one of the oldest religious books, sacred to Hinduism and Buddhism.

Medicinal benefits of cannabis are being discovered and proven everyday.

- HerbalRemedy August 23, 2009 7:49PM

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Regarding Argument

Marijuana Treats Anxiety Disorders

- From Amer Alliance for Med Cannabis

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WORKS

Works for me that is all the proof I need I am a free grown American citizen and this is my choice. Stop the FEDS!!

- Cherokee Fred hussein October 9, 2008 9:54AM

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I have anxiety and self-medicate

I use marijuana to deal with my anxiety; it allows me to get into a calm state of mind that I have difficulty achieving without some assistance (hence my anxiety "disorder"). The downside of using marijuana for this purpose is the side effects; the following day I feel slightly less motivated and a little hazy. However, in moderation the drug is helpful to me for relaxation and calmness. I have taken up yoga, and hope to eventually be able to achieve a similarly calm state of mind without the drugs.

- veradicere January 5, 2009 11:22AM

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- quote marks?
  
  I'm a bit troubled by the quote marks around the word 'disorder'. If you are saying that you have an anxiety disorder, and this works as well as SSRIs or SNRIs to alleviate your symptoms then that is one thing- but if you have do not have an anxiety disorder, and are simply suggesting that marijuana can relieve stress, then that does not support the notion that it is a medicine. Rather it supports that it is of value recreationally - just as people can relieve stress after work with a beer or a martini.
  
  Anxiety disorders are illnesses. I have had a relative involuntarily hospitalized for an anxiety disorder and know a couple whose son committed suicide after years of struggling with his disorder. Actual treatments which can help in these circumstances are welcome, but I know of no credible sources which have found that marijuana qualifies.
  
  - ockraz January 31, 2009 8:10AM
  
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Regarding Argument

Marijuana Treats Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

- From Amer Alliance for Med Cannabis

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Works

Works for me that is all I need to know! Stop the feds save 100 billion let my brother sisters out of jail not please!

- Cherokee Fred hussein October 9, 2008 9:55AM

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OCD and Marijuana

This is a ridiculous contention- there are two people cited as evidence for this. OCD is an anxiety disorder which can be affected by a myriad of things. If it is that case that two people with OCD responding positively to a substance qualifies as evidence that the substance is medicine, then I submit that caffeine is a medicine too. We'll probably soon find that the same is true of chocolate.

- ockraz October 21, 2008 3:52AM

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I'll bet it does...

I have to be honest, when I saw the title to this argument, I laughed out loud. I'm pretty sure your average marijuana user doesn't care enough about anything to be OCD. I'm not sure if it qualifies as treatment, however, if the patient stops displaying signs of compulsive behavior simply because he/she is too stoned to give a shit.

- richardsonkr January 18, 2009 8:33PM

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Regarding Argument

Marijuana Treats Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

- From Amer Alliance for Med Cannabis

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Works for me!!

I volunteered for military service in 1968 during Vietnam I first used MJ in 1971 while serving my country. I have a history of depression in my family my mother was given electro shock treatments (scary, draconian, dangerous but legal) I found weed helped with my depression plus it helps you sleep. I know others that it helps with a variety of problems mental and physical. I am now 60 and it still helps with my problems so why are we put in jail for its use? Simple the major drug companies do not want you to have access to a weed you can grow in your yard and has the potential to replace 80% of the drugs they push. It would cost them billons in profits so how do you eliminate the competition. Pay our so-called leaders millions through PACs to ensure they keep a weed illegal. They enslave, jail, make us felons, destroy our lives and refuse to represent the 75% they are sworn to represent. Continuing the travesty by keeping a god given weed illegal to protect corporate profits!! Alcohol

- Cherokee Fred hussein October 9, 2008 9:57AM

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It works

25 years ago the DR wanted to put one of my sons on speed for his hyperacttivity.I did not do it.I should of because he made my family a living hell.
Marijuana does work and is better then speed.

- countryboy July 25, 2009 6:05PM

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- Cannabis works differently, not better than, speed.
  
  I have ADHD, and I take both cannabis and dextroamphetamine (aka dexedrine, also half the contents of Adderal). Both are very useful but in different ways, although it's worth noting that neither makes me behave as if I did not have the condition.
  
  Dexedrine works by giving me a lot of extra energy and mental focus; it works synergistically with the "hyperfocus" part of ADHD, changing it from a situation in which I hyperfocus on a very few things to a situation in which I can hyperfocus on quite a lot of things. That means I'm going to be far more productive, because I'll see something that needs doing and just go for it until it's done.
  
  Cannabis works by making certain activities more enjoyable, stimulating the imagination and creativity. A lot of the time the problem I have is simply lack of inspiration... I might be interested in a topic but my hyperfocus has given way to apathy. If I take cannabis, it's like injecting life into the situation, it becomes fun and experimental again, and I can make lots of new things I might not have bothered with otherwise.
  
  Thus, each in its own place. If I'm writing a paper, for instance, I might take dexedrine at the start so I'll really hone in and get lots written, have an eye to detail and be extremely thorough. Once I'm finished, I'll probably be pretty relieved and feel a desire to relax, so I'll hit the bong, which will take the stress off and facilitate a much needed break... and then I'll go back to the paper and do revisions, now looking at things in a more textural, structure-oriented way, opening me up to new ideas about how the rigorous data the dexedrine helped me to output can be ordered and phrased. Whereas speed produces content, then, cannabis improves form. Both are important, and their combination (not at the same time, but cannabis after dexedrine has worn off) radically boosts productivity, something that's very important for somebody, like me, whose ADHD makes it difficult to be productive.
  
  - Michael Vipperman October 19, 2009 3:58PM
  
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  - re: Cannabis works differently, not better than, speed
    
    Thank you, Michael, for your description of how these medicines are used. We're beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel and cannabis will return to it's proper place in medical practice.
    
    Arthur
    
    - Arthur Livermore October 21, 2009 3:52PM
    
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    - re: Cannabis works differently, not better than, speed
      
      You're very welcome. Whether we've seen the light at the end of the tunnel is hard to say; as this site proves, the drug authorities in the United States are still in the old, absurd position. I am not in the United States, and I am actively involved in the literature development but from an ethnographic perspective (my training is as a Sociologist) in a way that I might not be allowed to in the United States, and in a way which is also far from the mainstream here in Canada.
      
      Recently I wrote harm reduction articles about cannabis and about " sex and drugs " for Toronto harm reduction group TRIP! Project, and I'm going to be leading an advanced seminar on lesser-known drugs for their new volunteers. So I am trying to get a balanced, ethical, sane position out there... but so far I've been lacking any real funding for it; TRIP can give me tiny honorariums from time to time and that's good, but there's only so much pro bono I have the time for. But if I'm not doing it, then who will be?
      
      Anyway, related to the topic, I figure I should state for the record that cannabis has a potentiating effect on a great many drugs. I specified in my post that while I use both to treat ADHD, I do not do so at the same time, but I didn't stress the importance or explain why. Weed makes other drugs hit harder. So if you get stoned while already somewhat high on dex, it's going to be like you're REALLY high on dex, which might not be what you wanted. Same goes for alcohol , psychedelics, K, etc. With alcohol I always advise people to smoke first and then drink, because that tends to result in a more easily controlled inebriation and also generally less alcohol consumed, therefore less liver damage, whereas smoking after you're already drunk tends to result in getting way too fucked up, having "the spins" and desperately needing a toilet. Bad idea: don't smoke when you're drunk unless you're sure you can handle it. With dex, though, just know that smoking up can kick it into a higher gear, so don't unless you're prepared for that.
      
      and, as always, your mileage may vary.
      
      - Michael Vipperman October 22, 2009 12:56AM
      
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Regarding Argument

Marijuana Treats Depression

- From Amer Alliance for Med Cannabis

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WORKS for me!!

I volunteered for military service in 1968 during Vietnam I first used MJ in 1971 while serving my country. I have a history of depression in my family my mother was given electro shock treatments (scary, draconian, dangerous but legal) I found weed helped with my depression plus it helps you sleep. I know others that it helps with a variety of problems mental and physical. I am now 60 and it still helps with my problems so why are we put in jail for its use? Simple the major drug companies do not want you to have access to a weed you can grow in your yard and has the potential to replace 80% of the drugs they push. It would cost them billons in profits so how do you eliminate the competition. Pay our so-called leaders millions through PACs to ensure they keep a weed illegal. They enslave, jail, make us felons, destroy our lives and refuse to represent the 75% they are sworn to represent. Continuing the travesty by keeping a god given weed illegal to protect corporate profits!! Alcohol

- Cherokee Fred hussein October 9, 2008 9:56AM

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Helps me a lot with my bipolar.

I use to cycle like a bike rider. One day I was offered marijuana I thought what the hell I will try anything to escape this depression so I toked up and 10 mins later I was very happy I started loving life not wanting to end it. After just that one hit for the next couple of days I was fine. I talked to people did things that I didn't have the energy for just days earlier. So long as I toke up a couple times a week the depression stays away.

- Excelion October 14, 2008 11:02PM

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Living Proof

I have been diagnosed bi-polar for 8 years. I have taken about 20 medications over the years and found no relief until I tried Cannabis. After 15 years of not even drinking, this plant is a godsend.

- Boss December 17, 2008 8:10AM

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All the evidence suggests so

In response to "How much is known about the medicinal properties of cannabis?" Dr Philip Robson, Director of the Cannabinoid Research Institute, an expert on the therapeutic potential of the components of cannabis, stated that "If you've got a range of symptoms, not just pain but perhaps nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, feeling pretty bad about life and the future, a drug which can actually impact several of those symptoms at the same time is potentially particularly useful." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/panorama/4104702.stm

"In a paper appearing online on October 13 in advance of print publication of the November issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Xia Zhang and colleagues from University of Saskatchewan show that a potent and synthetic cannabinoid promotes neurogenesis. This drug also exerts anti-anxiety and antidepressant-like effects."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051014073523.htm

"To varying degrees, the drug was able to mildly increase appetite and energy intake in all studies. However, a marked improvement in mood was also documented, raising the question of whether the positive effect in energy balance may derive from a specific action of cannabinoids in the brain areas controlling food intake or may be simply due to a generalized change in the sense of well-being."
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloads/The %20Emerging%20Role%20of%20the%20Endocannabinoid%20System%20in%20Endocrine%20Regulation%20and%20Energy%20Balance.pdf

"The endocannabinoid system has been involved in the control of several neurophysiological and behavioural responses. Indeed, recent studies have suggested that the cannabinoid system could represent an important substrate for the control of emotional behaviour, and further research would probably help to identify new promising therapeutic targets. This paper reviews the results obtained in different animal models used to investigate emotional states after the manipulation of the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoid compounds can induce anxiogenic- and anxiolytic-like responses in rodents depending on the experimental conditions. Studies using knockout mice lacking the CB1 cannabinoid receptors have shown the participation of this receptor in several behavioural responses including anxiety- and depressive-like states. Furthermore, the endocannabinoid system regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis, which is involved in providing an appropriate response to stressful situations. Recent studies have also demonstrated that the endocannabinoids can function as retrograde messengers, modulating the release of different neurotransmitter, including opioids, GABA and cholecystokinin that have been classically involved in the control of anxiety-like responses. All this recent information has further clarified the role played by the endogenous cannabinoid system in the control of emotional behaviour and provides data to support a new possible therapeutic use of cannabinoid compounds."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16250845?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2 .PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=4&log$=relatedreviews&logdbfrom=pubmed

- Starlon January 27, 2009 4:39AM

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Marijuana Relieves Pain When Conventional Drugs Fail

- From Marijuana Policy Project

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Conform to FDA scrutiny

Many of the pain meds available are plant derivitives. If marijuana can pass muster in clinical trials for safety and efficacy, then yes it should be legal. If it must be smoked to be effective, then set up centers (like infusion centers for cancer patients) where delivery system controls the dose. Marijuana is fine if it works.....just play by the rules.

- flowerchild613 August 23, 2008 2:21AM

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- Actually
  
  Modern pharmaceuticals have little relationship to their plant origins. They are chemically produced. Yes you start with opium, boiled with slake lime as a starter to make morphine. These drugs are addictive, toxic, and deadly.
  
  Cannabis is nontoxic, not addictive, and safe. There is a large body of research which shows it's efficacy in treating illnesses. I am a patient and grower in a state where MMJ is allowed. I have seen it destroy cancer, help the wasted to regain weight, stop certain pain better than opiates - I have seen its use in hospice where it greatly relieves the suffering of the dieing.
  
  It needs not to be smoked to work. In fact the cannabis oils which is mostly non-psychoactive - are very healing. We make our own canibinoids - they are vital to regulating our metabolisms. We are just starting to learn about it.
  
  You refer to the rules. Those rules were made law when a big lie was sold to Americans in 1936. At that time there was 95 medicines based upon cannabis being sold in the USA. Bayer owned the patent on making hemp oil. Those rules need to be changed. We should all be allowed to grow our own medicine - after all it can only make you feel good.
  
  clinton
  
  - clinton October 6, 2008 11:17AM
  
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- Marinol
  
  Actually, in 1986 the FDA approved a substance called Dronabinol which is the active ingredient in Marinol. Dronabinol is a synthetic duplicate of THC. Marinol is a schedule III drug . It doesn't get wide use because it's grossly expensive, and it's not as effective as marijuana . The leading hypothesis for explaining that is because Marinol only contains Dronabinol (THC duplicate), whereas marijuana contains numerous cannabinoids such as THC, CBC, CBD and CBN.
  
  - Serothis March 24, 2009 8:52PM
  
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it did for me

I am not a marijuana user. I am a SAHM of 3. I don't drink or do drugs. Of recent I had a root canal go wrong. Nothing relieved the pain. The dr had done a number jabbing me through the bone with his novacaine needle. I was popping advil 3 every four hours to no avail. Finally after 3 days of no sleep and chronic pain I was desperate and asked a friend if I could take a bong hit. I was VERY desperate. I was so sad because between the advil and the antibiotics I had to stop breastfeeding my son. So at this point I was willing to try anything. The advil had dried up my milk supply.
So with a baby on formula and Dad in charge of taking care of the kids I took one bong hit...within 10-15 minutes my face was numb. I went to sleep and the next day the pain was still there 1 more smoke I was fine the rest of the day until night, I took one more. The next day I felt much better. The pain was distant. I had no desire to smoke any more. I let it clear from my system for a couple days and worked on getting my milk supply back up and resumed breastfeeding. If there was anything in my breastmilk from the marijuana my son showed no difference in personality of patterns. I actually was more fearful over the amount of advil I was taking compared to a few bong hits. So yes I would say medical marijuana is a medicine if used as such. When it impairs your ability to participate in life then no it is abuse just like anyother dr prescribed liver killer. My only regret is that I didn't take it sooner. I live in a state were it is totally illegal. I had no side effects or withdrawal symptoms.

- cc76 March 21, 2009 11:42PM

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- Very useful for pain
  
  I don't use marijuana either, but have seen it successfully used for intractible pain. My aunt had lymphoma, and could not eat from the nausea the chemo caused her...she tried everything else, and the only thing that helped her deal with the pain and the nausea was a few hits off a joint. My aunt was not a pothead by any means of the word, and I am glad to hear that you were able to get some relief from your botched root canal...that can hurt like hell!
  
  - Lucky13 March 25, 2009 5:32PM
  
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What is the Answer?

Over priced, dangerous and addictive perscription pills? No thanks. I'll keep smoking my marijuana whilst the prohibitionist throw their temper tantrums. And you know what? I don't even have a medical condition! Ha! I just like to smoke marijuana! (sticks out tounge and makes raspberry noise)

- BJJMikeR October 15, 2009 9:47AM

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Marijuana Lets Patients Continue Life-Saving Treatment

- From Marijuana Policy Project

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Polio Survivor...

If it wasn't for my smoke I wouldn't be able to tolerate the residuals of the Polio Virus that I contracted in 1955. It is so much better than the pharmaceuticals that the FDA tries to shove down my throat. This country isn't as free as it wants us to believe. This nation needs to wake up and let those of us who are responsible and need to smoke for medical purposes alone, and let us smoke legally. I bet that every one in our Government is an alcohol drinker and Marijuana is "second" to "alcohol" as to what the Gov. calls a social problem. QUIT! arresting medical marijuana patients. The FDA could go ahead and legallize it and I wouldn't care how much they taxed it. They could take the tax money and put it towards arresting Child Molesters & Meth Lab Junkies..

- keithmyspace August 31, 2008 8:23PM

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It fascinates me

when I hear people talk about how unhealthy marijuana is and how bad it is for the body and the immune system. The two consistent conditions that the medical community supports the use of medical marijuana for are HIV and cancer patients. Doctors advise patients with these conditions to avoid a wide range of health risks including staying out of public places where germs are widely spread and to avoid cats, kittens and litter boxes. Why on earth would a doctor recommend a substance to such high risk group patients if there was anything remotely dangerous about it? It's true that in food forms and vaporization, marijuana is *healthier* than smoking it but even in smoked form it is at the very least gentle on the body and a short search of pubmed.com articles demonstrates that marijuana is actually beneficial to the immune system.

My father-in- law was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and his doctor recommended marijuana to help him cope with the negative side-effects of chemotherapy (a treatment which literally destroys your immune system). Not only did it reduce his nausea but it reduced the blood flow to his tumor and reduced the size of the tumor so that he was able to gain enough weight to have a successful throat surgery. He is now on his way to recovery and I have no doubt whatsoever that his life was saved by his ability to access medical marijuana. I believe the biggest crime is not allowing this plant to be studied closely and that it is difficult for many sick people to access an inexpensive and quality controlled medicine that has been 'trial tested' by thousands of humans for thousands of years.

It is hypocritical for the US lawmakers to ban this plant while they accept lobby money from pharmaceutical companies and aren't drug tested themselves as a condition of their jobs . The amount of money saved on prosecuting marijuana-related crimes and generated by the taxation of the controlled sale of this medicine would more than pay for the theoretical public health issues it *might* raise. I hope we find out soon.

- Cannabeaux August 8, 2009 2:14AM

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Regarding Argument

Marijuana is Safer than Many Legal Medicines

- From Marijuana Policy Project

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WIN/WIN

The so-called legal drugs that millions take ever day oxecodine, valluiem, codeine, vikadin, and many other are derived for the so called illegal drugs. They are stronger more addictive and harder on your body. Our leaders have voted to make these legal and allow the drug companies to charge what ever they wish 1000% mark up on some drugs. You can get opium and other synthetic drugs and they are working on a THC pill but we are still jailed for growing a weed. The legal drug pushers, in my town there is a drug store on ever corner just like your town, want you to only have access to the drugs that bring them billions every year. They are afraid if you could grow a weed that would replace 80% of the drugs they push they would lose billions. Our leaders are bought and paid for why else would they spend 100 billion a year and put 875,000 non-violent drug users with no prior legal problem in jail for using a weed? Even in states where the majority of voters have spoken and voted it legal the FEDS will still put you in jail, why pure greed! While millions take drugs ever day these so-called legal drugs kill 500,000 a year weed, grass, smoke, MJ, marijuana in all recorded history has killed not one person. Yet our so-called leaders continue to lie and enslave us for its use. It is time to stop this travesty against every Grown American that should have the freedom to decide for themselves what works and does not work for them. We are not children (I am 60) we are the estimated 75% of free thinking Americans that say end the War on US (drugs) stop wasting 100 billion ever year let the 2 million in jail out and repair their lives by removing the felony records so they can get a job. Stop the lies listen to the rest of the world and the research they are doing. Allow our people to live in peace as they were doing before you put them in jail and ruined their lives for greed!

Cherokee Fred Hussein aka Stupid old man

- Cherokee Fred hussein October 9, 2008 9:25AM

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Existing Medicines are not Adequate Substitutes

- From Marijuana Policy Project

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MY CHOICE!!!

I volunteered for military service in 1968 during Vietnam I first used MJ in 1971 while serving my country. I have a history of depression in my family my mother was given electro shock treatments (scary, draconian, dangerous but legal) I found weed helped with my depression plus it helps you sleep. I know others that it helps with a variety of problems mental and physical. I am now 60 and it still helps with my problems so why are we put in jail for its use? Simple the major drug companies do not want you to have access to a weed you can grow in your yard and has the potential to replace 80% of the drugs they push. It would cost them billons in profits so how do you eliminate the competition. Pay our so-called leaders millions through PACs to ensure they keep a weed illegal. They enslave, jail, make us felons, destroy our lives and refuse to represent the 75% they are sworn to represent. Continuing the travesty by keeping a god given weed illegal to protect corporate profits!!

- Cherokee Fred hussein October 9, 2008 9:41AM

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Marijuana Has Been Recognized as a Medicine for 5,000 Years

- From Marijuana Policy Project

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No Down Side!!

After forty years I am ready to fight to keep my weed of choice. It is safer non addictive than many legal drugs millions take every day! My father and his father both died of alcohol use I watched both of them die it kills you liver kidneys and will KILL YOU!! It is legal and the alcohol industry also gives millions to PACs to keep our weed illegal. It is estimated if free Americans had a choice the legal alcohol industry would lose 40% of there market share. That is why they pay our so called leaders (house/senate) and they put us in jail destroying lives to ensure corporate profits.

- Cherokee Fred hussein October 9, 2008 9:53AM

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sawmill king

I happen to agree with the facts-----being that marijuana is indeed a medical need for meds. Very much for the people that are in a lot of pain and cancer ridden. O yes a lot of the people smoke weed just for the trip's as well. Here is a idea. legalize weed and there will be no more problems with the legal part of it being not legal. Used in the proper method--I don't see any thing wrong with it--and the people that smoke it for medical purposes. Another good question would be ---where does the marijuana go when the law gets a hold of it???????? Is it destroyed--I don't think so--so what happens to it then????

- flying eagle April 19, 2009 11:29AM

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Regarding Argument

Cannabis (Marijuana) is a Safe and Effective Medicine

- From ASA

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Marijuana Medicines are Legal in Other Countries: US Trials Ongoing

- From ASA

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The US Govt's Own Patent on Medical Cannabis: 6630507

In 2003 the US Dept. of Health and Human Services was awarded a patent (#6,630,507) on the medical benefits of cannabinoids derived from cannabis. This patent, based on research done at the National Institute of Health states that cannabinoids are useful in the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of diseases, including stroke, trauma, auto-immune disorder, HIV dementia, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Twelve states allow cannabis to be used medically. Michigan is close to becoming the 13th medical cannabis state.

The current classification of cannabis as a Schedule I substance having a great potential for abuse, AND having no current use for medical treatment in the US, is outdated, and legally must be changed. Since cannabis no longer meets the criteria for inclusion on Schedule one, we can demand this change, and we must.

Prohibition affects all of us, whether we smoke or ingest cannabis, or not.

- Brinna Nanda October 18, 2008 8:23PM

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Americans Who are Ill Deserve the Most Health Options Possible

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Marijuana is Not the Answer

- From Drug Free America

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Prohibition is not the answer

When I began smoking pot in 1968, I found it to be an effective anxiolytic, and helpful in attaining sleep after a full day of work followed by night school; and it was only decades later that I learned why my asthma mysteriously subsided about that time after plaguing me since childhood.

To claim the "raw crude herb" can never have medical value is patently absurd-- Why is coffee legal if caffeine pills can be prescribed? Oranges vs Vitamin C pills...

Cannabis was in the US Pharmacopoeia for a century. What "science" led to its removal?

hint- Google: Anslinger jazz swing.

- rsteeb August 23, 2008 8:17AM

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Recommended by

I live in Texas. The is NO Medical Cannabis program here. If you even mention the word cannabis to a physician he/she curls up in a fetal ball, puts their hand over their ears, and says NANANANA. He/she could loose his/her license, be put in jail, called incompetent, etc. Ya'll speak of "No Medical Value". How do you know? Meaningfull research is NOT allowed in this country into the curitive properties of the compounds in this plant. Allow research. Then come back, and say there is no medical value. Considering I have used cannabis oil to remove all visual signs of Basal Cell, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma from my head, I don't think you will be able to.

- Ironman October 1, 2008 10:11AM

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Can you explain why DFA is funded by tobacco and alcohol?

Tell me why tobacco and alcohol corporations fund Drug Free America. Could it be because they are afraid of competition from a substance which does NOT cause cancer, does NOT give hangovers, does NOT cause hundreds of thousands of deaths each year?

- Brinna Nanda October 20, 2008 1:04PM

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- Drug Free America is also sponsord buy Drug Companies.
  
  Do you find it outrageously ironic that the Partnership for a Drug Free America is funded almost wholly buy alcohol, tobacco and pharmacuetical companies. Here are a few from the list: Johnson and Johnson, DuPont, Merk, Bristol Myers Squibb, P&G.
  
  Medical marijuana advocates are often accused of having biases. Of course we do, we side with reason and logic. We don't have a profit motive. It's just a damned plant.
  
  - GanjaBlue January 8, 2009 12:12PM
  
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  - That does make a lot of sense doesn't it
    
    Sarcasm and irony.
    Why don't we talk from positions of facts, instead of fear.
    
    - tRANIS June 19, 2009 1:20PM
    
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Not the answer to what question?

This "marijuana is not the answer" rhetoric is just the latest talking point that prohibitionists have adopted. The answer to what question? If it's "What new treatment can we patent and sell to the public?", then I agree... the whole marijuana plant is not the answer to that question.

I believe that if marijuana "is not the answer" then one must look at the possibility that you are asking yourselves the wrong question.

- Chris December 17, 2008 6:39AM

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Department of Health and Human Services disagrees with you

This is a quote...

"Cannabinoids have been found to have antioxidant properties, unrelated to NMDA receptor antagonism. This new found property makes cannabinoids useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of wide variety of oxidation associated diseases, such as ischemic, age-related, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The cannabinoids are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants, for example in limiting neurological damage following ischemic insults, such as stroke and trauma, or in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and HIV dementia."

That's Cannabinoids... from Cannabis... which is Marijuana. Want to know where that quote comes from? Get this... it comes from the text of a patent provided to the United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services. That's right... your government and my government. The same gevernment that sponsors this propaganda machine called Drug Free America. Check it out for yourself...

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6630507/fulltext.html

- csmith January 28, 2009 1:58AM

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Money

The only FDA approved, is FDA approved because pharmaceutical companies can make money from it, and they hold the FDA's puppet strings. Regardless, just use a vaporizer, it has none of the negative effects of smoking. This is just a stupid argument because states have the right to choose and we have the president on our side. Now that we've started, we can't be stopped.

- ikenovak March 26, 2009 11:15PM

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Intresting logic

If cannabis is not the answer than why is marinol? You don't have to smoke cannabis.

- OuttaLuck May 5, 2009 12:03PM

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Your views make me sick

Marijuana IS a medicine i dont give a shit what your moral views are. if a patient through personal experience gets relief from marijuana YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO DENY THEM. marijuana is a safe, non-toxic medicine that has no chance of killing you that relieves so much pain. i dont hate anyone expect thoughs that support a view that holds no water. WHY ARE WE PUTTING PEOPLE IN PAIN IN PRISON. we have laws in place to protect people. these people pose no harm to society except they want to relieve pain. go to hell worthless scum.

- icezizim June 5, 2009 11:50PM

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Hypocrites

As far as I'm concerned, Drug Free America Foundation is a fraudulant group of morons who should be put out of business for being a front for Big Pharma. Ever notice that they don't call for outlawing tobacco or alcohol , which kill far more people per year than marijuana has in DECADES?! Why not? Because the government makes too much money off taxing them, and banning alcohol didn't work in the 1920s. And if marijuana were legal and used as medicine , it would take a huge bite out of Big Phama's profits!

- Dale Husband July 30, 2009 11:45PM

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Misleading statement which when explores disproves argument.

"Smoking or ingesting marijuana damages the immune system – an intolerable side effect for an end of life or immune-suppressed patient." -- I'd like to see some citations for this. an April 16, 2003 article in the American Medical Association's journal demonstrated that cannabis lowers levels of the inflammation-promoting protein interleukin-2 and raises levels of the anti-inflammatory protein interleukin-10. This means, in layman's terms, that it fights inflammation. However, since inflammation is part of the immune system, this finding has been twisted around by certain dishonest organisations to imply a weakening of the immune system, even though no increased susceptibility to any diseases other than bronchitis* has ever been shown. To paraphrase with less technical detail:

When the Partnership for a Drug Free America says that cannabis damages the immune system, what they REALLY mean (or should, if they bothered to read the literature) is that it reduces swelling. Thus, if your question is "what's a good way to deal with swollen joints after exercise that won't cause unwanted effects (but might feel good)," cannabis just might be the answer.

*Acute bronchitis incidence rate is higher for cannabis users than the general population, but researchers have thus far failed to control for the means by which the cannabis is ingested or the context in which it's used. Taking huge gulps of air while in a humid environment , such as on your porch while it's raining, could alone account for the effect. And if the smoke itself could be explained as a contributing factor, it's likely that the use of vapourizers, or, to a lesser extent bongs, could mitigate this effect.

Both of these findings could be of potential benefit for treating autoimmune disorders one day.

- Michael Vipperman October 19, 2009 3:03PM

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Regarding Objection

Half-Truths, Red Herrings, and Plain Falsehoods

- From Marijuana Policy Project

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Wait a minute, i think dfa proved a point for me...

so let me get this straight... i can't smoke cannabis because it will make me some psycho crazy big time danger to society, but if i got to your pharmacy and get a drug WITH THE SAME ACTIVE COMPOUNDS AS MARIJUANA/CANNABIS MARINOL, and i get to pay an arm and a leg for it, it's ok i'll be just a norml (yeah that's right) NORML guy as long as i am paying you????

- Turbojdmef9 January 27, 2009 11:27AM

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I agree

Many medicines out there have different results for different people. I think we should not disuade a drug because of the political stigma assiciated with it. Look at all those opiods and cocane derivatives that are used daily by our medical community. It is time to dispell the myth and run corrupt lobbyiest out of politics ! The time and voice of the people will be heard. Medicine is medicine and this one has been used as such for as long as recorded history.

- proposition1MD April 15, 2009 12:31PM

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No Relief from M.S., Chronic Pain or Glaucoma

- From Drug Free America

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That's a lie if I ever heard one...

It doesn't help with chronic pain, you say?? Well, I have chronic pain in my head. I get really bad headaches, and I have seen a neurologist for it. Unfortunately, the many different drugs he prescribed me did not affect me at all. They did not prevent or help soothe the throbbing pain I get every day of my life.
What has helped? Marijuana. It is the only thing that will make the pain go away. Why you're suggesting keeping this plant illegal is beyond me. I'm positive that if you were in my position, you'd disagree with everything you just said entirely. It is unfair to me to have to go through unmeasurable lengths to get the ONE THING that will help my chronic pain.

- meeshell420 August 3, 2008 10:07AM

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25% IOP reduction is no relief?

I received a diagnosis of glaucoma seven years ago, after enjoying cannabis daily for thirty three years. I abstained from smoking the herb for a couple of days in advance of an examination. When I saw the look of shock on my Ophthalmologist's face, I explained that I had smoked a fat joint before the previous appointment where he had measured my intra-ocular pressures of 20-21mm Hg, and had abstained before the current measurements of 25-26.

When he issued me my "medical excuse" note, the relief from the "stigma of criminality" was surprisingly profound.

With the combination of two prescription eyedrops PLUS the kind herb, my IOPs remain in the low 20's, and I still achieve 20/20 with my glasses on.

-Richard Paul Steeb, San Jose California

- rsteeb August 23, 2008 8:06AM

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How can you lie to people like this?

I know marijuana helps people in chronic pain because I am one of those people. Having suffered for years with multiple herniated discs, I have gone through 4 surgeries in the past 5 years. Outside of being in surgery, I lived my life in constant pain. I've had doctors prescribe me many different types of (legal) painkillers, each and every one left me either feeling too dazed to function properly or had such debilitating side effects, it ended up being worse than the original pain. I've been left on these type of medications for months at a time. It wasn't until very recently that I discovered the medical benefits of marijuana. Now that I use marijuana to control my pain, I find that I have an appetite, I can maintain focus and continue to work, and overall I feel almost as well as before any of the surgeries. I'm not claiming that marijuana is healing me, but how can you discount the amazing benefits of this plant? How do you feel justified telling people marijuana won't help with their pain? Being a person in pain, I'm telling you that YOU'RE WRONG!

- PakaloloLady October 14, 2008 10:35AM

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duh

Inquisitive minds want to know? Are you in the employ of an organization that stands for the arrest
and imprisonment of people finding help with their health problems and outlets for their for their lives when debilitated and their health and mental situation is improved by the use of a natural herb? Shame on you. You shout how your protecting the children when you must be protecting something else.
Does your organization,or do you receive paychecks from Juarez? Inquisitive minds want to know.

- Clay March 23, 2009 6:20PM

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Regarding Objection

Marijuana Treats Neuropathic Pain Due to Multiple Sclerosis

- From Amer Alliance for Med Cannabis

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I disagree with your arguement

Fistly lets address your "scientific evidence"

British journal of medicine article addresses it is as useful as codine..so it is a relatively good pain killer...where did you get the conclusion that codine was not a good pain killer and then draw the conclusion that mm was not too

Glaucoma article 9 ppl in a test goup thats like saying I pooled all the people in the bathroom at work today and found that the population of the earth was 100% male

and dont even get me started on the FDA DEA regulated federal paper you quoted...

NOW in support of MM

The second largest physician society recognizes its medical value, American College of Physicians (ACP)

recent publications of the reduction of brain tumors by CBD in Nurology magazine

just to start
also:
There are over 50k, perscribed legal medical users
Dutch pharmacists and doctors often perscribe use
It has been around for 5000 years in use by humankind

- proposition1MD April 15, 2009 12:44PM

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Regarding Argument

Smoking is Never a Good Idea

- From Drug Free America

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Well I guess its good that you don't have to smoke it

Eating or vaporizing work quite well as a delivery system. Pharmaceutical companies have yet to create a working alternative.

- tRANIS October 8, 2008 5:12AM

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stretching the truth.

You can't cite fungal infection from unmonitored growing methods as a negative. Does DFA really think the average person doesn't know that if marijuana were legalized, the growing methods would become perfected?
The so-called harmful chemicals that eating marijuana delivers amount to what, the psychoactives? Show me one study that links these chemicals to harm, and I'll show you ten that show you it doesn't.
Vaporization may still deliver small amounts of tar, but they pale in comparison to the harmful chemicals present in virtually every pharmaceutical (many are laced with fluoride). Look at how wrong your position is, how harmful it is to our society, that 92% of people who take these issues seriously support using marijuana as a medicine. So Just What Is It that keeps you going? Because if it does become legal, your budget gets cut? And you'll need to find real jobs?
You can't cite studies from groups that have vested interests in finding harmful effects. Like Drug Free America, for example. You are a disgrace to science, and actively harm the social environment by making it difficult for honest researchers to conduct studies.
You can make amends by focusing your efforts on the REAL dangers of our society, the chemicals in our food, in our water, in our air. Clean up the drugs, and let the public decide how to handle the plants.

- sonofwill October 8, 2008 6:37AM

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Reference, please

Please provide your reference for the following statement: "vaporizing does not filter marijuana – it still delivers the same cancer-causing tar and chemicals directly to the lungs."

I suspect you will have a hard time, as it is not true - or highly misleading at best. It's true that vaporizing does not filter marijuana, but that is not what vaporization is at all, and you know it. Over and over you say that in the end, it's burning leaves, however vaporization does not burn leaves. Finally, the statement "delivers the same tar" does not explicitly say that it's the same amount, but heavily implies it. It's either factually incorrect, or deliberately misleading. What few studies have been performed on the matter show that the levels of tar and other yucky stuff are drastically reduced, if not eliminated.

This information would be easier to find, and you could not get away with such claims, if there were actual research going on into these matters. If marijuana has so little medicinal value, why doesn't the government encourage open research to shut us medicinal patients up once and for all? (I'd guess it's because they know they're lying.)

- lostlo January 30, 2009 4:48PM

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- Hear hear!
  
  @lostlo, how ironic those claims should come from a DuPont:
  
  http://books.google.com/books?id=ymwfs7IUo9UC&pg=PA96&lpg=PA96&dq=dupont +tars+ cancer &source=bl&ots=twNEUFYK-2&sig=x0JynMGX9ZD7SVlZuI7erXoJK0g&hl=en&ei=vD3LSo3VG86utgfyp-DtAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2#v=onepage&q=dupont%20tars%20cancer&f=false
  
  see also:
  
  Vaporization as a smokeless cannabis delivery system
  http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/ww_en_db_study_show.php?s_id=187
  
  Smokeless Cannabis Delivery Device Efficient And Less Toxic
  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/71112.php
  
  Volcano is to Vaporizer As Porsche is to Automobile
  http://ccrmg.org/journal/04spr/volcano.html
  
  Recommendation to Patients: "Don’t smoke, Vaporize"
  http://ccrmg.org/journal/03sum/vaporize.html
  
  Decreased respiratory symptoms in cannabis users who vaporize.
  http://marijuana.researchtoday.net/archive/4/4/1195.htm
  
  Use of vaporizers reduces toxins from cannabis smoke
  http://www.cannabis-med.org/english/bulletin/ww_en_db_cannabis_artikel.php?id=146 #2
  
  Marijuana Water Pipe and Vaporizer Study
  http://www.ukcia.org/research/pipes.htm
  
  - Historicus October 6, 2009 7:49AM
  
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sorry charlie

marijuana has no tar in its smoke,that is a product of legal tobacco,and vaporizing is safer than smoking

- Clay March 23, 2009 6:26PM

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Healing smoke has thousands of years of tradition behind it

Certain aboriginal groups in the "new world" have been using smoking as a delivery mechanism for medicinal compounds for a very long time, and have done so effectively. Some medicines that have been smoked are even used specifically to fight ailments of the lungs -- such as mullein to treat heavy, mucus filled coughs (the mullein smoke breaks up the mucus and facilitates its removal from the body). While it is true that irritation in the throat or lungs is not an uncommon side effect among people who smoke, the benefits in many cases far outweigh the harms.

Until recently, the inhalation of smoke was the only effective means of getting active compounds to the lungs; certain technological advances have provided us with other methods of late, such as aerosol sprays, some of which have proven to have their own contraindications and side effects. Strict use of aerosols, in any case, makes users dependent upon an industrial complex to provide them with those products, which of course also requires that they are deemed worthy of receiving them: the fact is that not everybody is equally able to make use of these advances, and their ability to do so is dependent on some external force deeming them worthy of receiving the benefit.

Whether there is, in fact, relative benefit is also important to consider: while many cannabis users prefer vaporization because it results in less throat irritation, others find that the high is different, and less desirable. The same is true to a much greater extent with the pill forms: by and large they just don't have the same effect, and aren't as effective treatments as smoking. If studies are done using aerosols, the control group will be with a placebo, at best an "active placebo," not with smoking, and thus no data will be generated as to whether the new method is, in fact, a better treatment than smoking. It may well not be.

In any case, ingesting smoke IS an effective treatment for a wide variety of conditions , and the extreme anti-smoking positions of "Western" medicine largely have to do with the historical context of the flagrant overuse of low quality tobacco presenting a very skewed perception of the effects of smoking. We found out that chain smoking low quality, chemical treated tobacco over the course of decades is a fundamentally bad idea, and we inferred from this that ingesting any kind of smoke in any amount over any time scale is always incredibly harmful and should be avoided at all costs. This is untrue.

People who have conditions that cannabis is effective at treating (which, by the way, includes "anyone who menstruates" and "anyone who runs or stretches and experiences joint pain") do not have to use expensive, oil -dependent, industrial complex-tied, big government /big pharma approved methods of ingestion: they have a perfectly simple, effective, and relatively safe means of ingestion at their disposal already. It's called smoking, and there are certain ways in which its harms can be mitigated (such as by use of a bong and avoiding sharing if you're sick).

- Michael Vipperman October 19, 2009 3:34PM

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Regarding Objection

Medical Literature is Clear: Smoking is a Phony Argument

- From Marijuana Policy Project

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Marijuana Policy Project supports smoking?

This objection admits that smoking is harmful but supports smoking marijuana for people with debilitating illness. But many people who have no such illness are smoking marijuana and now thinking it is a medicine .

The use of vaporizers or eating suggests that some users realize that smoking is harmful and try to reduce harm. But many people will not do this as smoking is easier.

The marijuana policy project should try to prevent smoking by healthy individuals with a clearer message. Marijuana does not cure illness--at best it relieves symptoms--and in healthy individuals it is more harmful than helpful.

- Lynn9 June 6, 2009 5:05AM

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- Sure. Right. YOU be the judge.
  
  True or blatantly false?
  
  "Marijuana does not cure illness--at best it relieves symptoms--and in healthy individuals it is more harmful than helpful." - Lynn9
  
  Cannabidiol, Antioxidants, and Diuretics in Reversing Binge Ethanol-Induced Neurotoxicity
  
  http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/314/2/780?maxtoshow=&HITS=&hits=&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=cannabidiol %2Bantioxidants%2Bdiuretics%2Bneurotoxicity&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT
  
  US Patent 6630507 - Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants
  
  http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6630507.html
  
  Effects of smoked marijuana in experimentally induced asthma.
  
  http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/ww_en_db_study_show.php?s_id=57
  
  Lowering of Blood Pressure Through Use of Hashish
  
  http://www.thehempire.com/index.php / cannabis /news/lowering_of_blood_pressure_through_use_of_hashish
  
  Antitumor Activity of Plant Cannabinoids
  
  http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/318/3/1375
  
  Cannabis extract makes brain tumors shrink, halts growth of blood vessels
  
  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/12088.php
  
  {Delta}9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-Induced Apoptosis in Jurkat Leukemia T Cells
  
  http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/4/8/549
  
  Smoking Cannabis Does Not Cause Cancer Of Lung or Upper Airways
  
  http://ccrmg.org/journal/05aut/nocancer.html
  
  - Historicus October 6, 2009 7:43AM
  
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Regarding Argument

The Side Effects Aren't Worth It

- From Drug Free America

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yes they are!!

you have never had a med. perscribed for a migraine headache have i have and somtimes do to the nausea i have to get two med's or smoke pot out of a water pipe and no med's needed pain will subside,nausea will go away and i will be able to walk, talk and eat with out crying. prescribed med.'s for migraines biggest possible side effect HEARTATTACK!!!!! never heard or seen that as a side effect for toking ever..

- amawenger August 8, 2008 8:40AM

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The Side Effects of Prohibition are Intolerable.

A quick response to the "points":
Respiratory damage... My CombiVent remains unused as a "side effect" of my glaucoma-medication with the herb. Forty years of asthma control as a side effect of pot smoking, so far...
* Cardio- Sex or a brisk walk can dramatically increase heart rate. Cannabis lowers blood pressure. * Have you checked the global population lately? doubled since 1970... * ALL Anti-inflammatory meds work by modulating the immune system. * Aspirin use has been "linked" to headache sufferers. * The stigma of criminality is anti-therapeutic. * Alzheimer's leads to memory loss-- Check out US Patent 6630507. * Having to acquire pot from "drug dealers" leads to exposure to the toxic ones. * Dealing in contraband that is as valuable as gold leads to more violent behaviour; getting stoned leads to couch-lock. Don't even attempt to equate it with alcohol.

- rsteeb August 23, 2008 9:22AM

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IoM would disagree with this statment

The Institute of Medicine's 1999 report specifically states that marijuana's side effects are well within the accepted range of tolerance. From page 126:

"The short-term immunosuppressive effects are not well established; if they exist at all, they are probably not great enough to preclude a legitimate medical use. The acute side effects of marijuana use are within the risks tolerated for many medications."

- ozzy og kush August 25, 2008 10:42AM

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- Immunosuppressive?
  
  I read an article that states that cannabis has some good antibacterial properties. I believe them. I placed cannabis oil on three basal cell lesions the same day they were biopsied. The results were positive for cancer. The lesions healed quite nicely, NO infection of any kind. I also consume cannabis recreationaly. You would think that if cannabis reduced the effectivness of my immune system I would have gotten an infection. Give it some thought. I consume cannabis recreationaly, I placed cannabis oil directely ON an open wound, NO INFECTION. Considering what THEY say, the wounds,(lesions), should have become a cesspool of bacteria. These lesions should NOT have healed at all, they have. Doctors, and all of you NAY sayers please tell me how this is possible.
  
  - Ironman October 13, 2008 9:08AM
  
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buzz side effects

It helps arthritis IMO. The only bad side effect is that it gives you a buzz or a high. Some times that can be considered a good thing. Other times a buzz can get in the way desired goals. Marijuana prohibition is a FRAUD because the government has not proven that it is bad enough to outlaw its use for adults. To allow alcohol use and forbid cannabis use is hypocrisy and the law is a fraud.

- Timber October 8, 2008 7:36AM

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Drug Free America... right...

Your essay claims, with dubious supporting articles, that the side effects of cannabis outweigh the benefits. That could be said of many of the legal drugs on the market. Where is your crusade to banish such harmful drugs as opiates and legal painkillers. Pain isn't the only thing these drugs kill. Many of the side effects you're worried about pale in comparison to the side effects of opiates. Death, the ultimate side effect, can be attributed to many legal pharmaceuticals (drugs you are not opposing), but cannot be attributed to cannabis.

There must be a lucrative market in opposing cannabis. I submit that when the question is "why?" (e.g. Why is cannabis illegal?) that the answer is almost always "money."

Where are the self-righteous crusades against caffeine? Where are the moralist arguments against aspirin? Why no opposition to drugs like Zoloft, Xanax, and Ritalin? Drug Free America, indeed.

- Chris October 16, 2008 2:05PM

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Side effects?

Anyone seen the list of side effects of the APPROVED medications? Good grief. I smoked pot regularly for almost 10 years, and was never violent, did not experience any ill effects, and never had any kind of psychotic breakdown. Today I possess a Masters degree in Counseling and have 12 children, 4 biologically and the rest by adoption. The only reason I stopped smoking pot was because, as an adult, I realized the dangers of getting caught with an illegal substance.

Pot should be totally legalized NOW. All of the data that was used to criminalize it 70 years ago was bogus, and compared to FDA approved medications, it is safer. Prohibition didn't work with alcohol, and it sure as hell isn't working with pot.

- Big Dog October 21, 2008 9:13PM

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This is 50% lies and 50% propaganda!

There is no evidence to base the claim that marijuana causes violent behavior.
I do not use marijuana, but i can see that this is absolutely untrue.
I would even say that it is the very opposite. Marijuana makes people kinder and more polite.
10,000 people gathered at the vancouver art gallery last year on april 20'th to smoke marijuana and i did not hear in the newspapers of one fight, or one overdose as a result.
The only thing violent about marijuana is cops breaking down doors with guns to drag peaceful people to jail for commiting a victimless crime .
I oppose prohibition of all and any drugs, and wish to see the day where the government keeps out of peoples personal choices and begin to enforce freedom, not fashism.

- MasterDebater March 21, 2009 7:04PM

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cool dude

Unverified claims. Prescription drugs can cause side effects from anal leakage to sudden, unexpected death. No one who has smoked would agree with any of those "side effects." They are all exaggerated and usually happen when mixed with poor social situations or other drugs. Just like taking an ambien and a couple shots then going for a drive would be advised against. Hypocrites.

- ikenovak March 26, 2009 11:21PM

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Why does everyone think it must be smoked?

There are many other ways to ingest cannabis .
Baking, vaporizing, etc

the side effects you suggest are all related to smoking. Which is not for everyone.

- tRANIS April 15, 2009 8:14AM

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Prescribed Meds

A lot of prescribed medications have one very serious side effect... DEATH

The F.D.A. has also been determined that the benefits can outweigh the negative side effects for some.

Cannabis can not kill you. The benefits outweigh the negative side effects for a lot of people.

How is this logical thinking?

- OuttaLuck May 5, 2009 10:45AM

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Lies, lies and dammed lies!

Respiratory damage

* Cardiovascular damage – it can dramatically increase heart rate

* Reproductive damage in men and women

* Immunosuppression

Does smoking marijuana cause psychological problems?

Yes. Marijuana use has been connected to psychotic disorders, specifically schizophrenia.
Only if there is a predisposition to any of these things

* Paranoia - Alcohol also causes this, so does a number of prescribed drugs.

* Emotional disorders - Cannabis has been proved to ease emotional disorders, using very small amounts, it allows people to think more clearly, and take control of the issues, that are causing the emotional problems.

* Increased risk of schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders - There must be a predisposition to the illness in the first place, then anything can in fact bring the illness to the forefront.

* Memory loss - In normal use this occurs to a much lesser level than the same effects with alcohol , and it is short term only. Even the WHO have said this again this year.

* Loss of ability to concentrate - nonsense, it in fact will aid concentration, allows you to think clearly.

* Increased tolerance to intoxication - After 17 years of daily medical use, I can barely tolerate more than I did after the first month of use. I use less than 2 grams daily.

* Addiction - Completely false there is no physical addiction to cannabis , and the mental addiction is far less than with caffeine , I should know, giving up coffee was almost as nasty as giving up nicotine.

* Leads to much higher use of other illegal drugs- Now this is pure scaremongering, and you know it. If anything is a gateway drug it would be caffeine or alcohol, as every addict has used both, before going on to use heroine, however every heroine user has not used cannabis, fact not fiction.

* Linked to more violent behaviour - Now this proves that you do not have a clue about cannabis as everyone knows that users are laid back and if stoned, simply are not interested in moving let alone starting a fight or becoming violent.

I thought the world had grown up since Reefer madness days, but it appears you have not, still scaremongering, still telling lies, still keeping cancer cures and pain medicine from the sick. You will condemn people to lives of hell and others to death, because of your religious beliefs, that have no biblical basis, in fact in total contradiction of the bible .

- littlbit June 3, 2009 10:04PM

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umm you are very ignorant.

the side effects arnt worth it huh? well i could sit her and type big thing that pushes your argument into the dirt but i wont. all i have to say is look at all the other pharmaceuticals available today, they have FAR WORSE side effects then what you list, and even then you over exaggerate all your claims.

your the drug free America arnt you? why arnt you pushing to stop all legal drugs too? because according to you, medicine is bad and people that use medicine are bad. you make me sick

- icezizim June 5, 2009 11:56PM

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Denialists

I notice that when scientific studies are provided to back up a claim, commenters deny their validity. I've seen conflicting data from scientific studies on marijuana , but on balance more showing harmful effects. Yes, prescription medications also have side effects. That doesn't mean marijuana's side effects should be discounted. At least prescription medications are not smoked.

- Lynn9 June 6, 2009 5:20AM

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out of date and bad science

I love how anti Cannabis campaigners use both out of date or completely bad science to try and prove their point.

The facts are that for everyone we need to find the correct strain we need, and the correct dose to ensure we are getting what our bodies need to repair the damage, usually caused by pharmaceutical chemicals .

As a user who has suffered severe pain in my spine for decades, and asthma, a family history of heart problems and I also happen to be Asperger. My choices in medicine is limited and over the past couple of years I have developed allergies to codeine based drugs , I have always been allergic to aspirin and now I can take nothing that comes out of a lab, so I now can only use herbs.

So I do use cannabis for my pain, asthma and it also allows me to cope with NT's.

In Australia, our Government who forced the Single treaty on Narcotics on us, and who promptly ignore the Must provide for medical as part of the treaty, they instead arrest sick civilians in their war against cannabis users. They destroy their lives, because in this country as with others a drug conviction will keep you out of many work places, will stop you renting a home, forces you into poverty and removes your only medicine.

Hubby and I were arrested over 2 1/2 years ago, hubby lost his $100K p.a. IT job and cannot work at all now, we have not yet had our day in court, we are waiting on a decision from our High Court on our case, we have lost everything we owned, we have lost friends and family, not because we used, they all knew that already, but because we are fighting the law and the system.

So kindly do not tell me that Cannabis does harm, the laws are the harm being done, the laws are the evil not the green plant bearing seed, God gave us for food .

When some so called Bible believing Christian can give me chapter and verse where Genesis 1:29-31 was repealed by God, then you may have some chance to convince me God got it wrong, until then he said it was good, and you know the rest of that quote.

Cannabis is a great healing herb, it is safer than anything coming out of a lab as cannabis has never killed and every man made drug has killed many more than they have ever cured, simply because they do not cure.

Now here is a question for all you anti cannabis people, why are there no cures from big pharmaceutical, why is all the research into early detection and drugs that prolong life and none to cure the illness?

My answer to that is, they don't want cures, they cannot make money from cures, they can only make money if you are sick and the longer you are sick the more money they make.

Question 2, why are all big pharmaceutical companies dividing into divisions of cannabis based medicine and chemical based medicine? Why are their chemical arms loosing money and their stocks are dropping through the floor, while their cannabis medical arms are by far amongst the best and safest stocks to own?

There has always been a reason why cannabis was made illegal, it had nothing at all to do with danger, it has to do with money and companies cannabis threatened.

Science proved in 1947 that cannabis is the only cure for many cancers, it is also the only cure for altzheimers, glaucoma, and the only completely safe medicine to use ongoing for pain management.

This war must end and given America started it, it should end there, it is time Obama called for a ceasefire and an end to hostilities.

- littlbit September 3, 2009 7:12PM

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The side effects....

....are the best part!

- BJJMikeR October 15, 2009 9:48AM

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Regarding Argument

Marijuana is Not Prescribed By Medical Professionals

- From Drug Free America

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Instead of Harmful Chemicals, Let's Legalize the Natural Plant!

Although I do not smoke marijuana, I still believe that it should be legalized, only because of its medicinal benefits. If anything, they should make alcohol illegal, even though it’s been known to have health benefits as well. Everything in moderation, right? Marijuana has been known to alleviate many symptoms, just as it helps decrease the agonizing pain in cancer patients. A close friend of mine suggested that I take marijuana to help relieve my severe menstrual cramps, because my stomach will not allow room for ibuprofen after dealing with an ulcer which it eventually gave me. I declined, only because I don’t like “smoke”. If it were legalized, I could take it in the form of a serum, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), that is used by many pharmacies around the country. Then, I would gladly take part to get rid of these horrendous cramps I get every month. It's also been known to help people with asthma, which I have.

What a better alternative: a natural substance God given, instead of taking painkillers. It makes sense. We accept and allow so many chemicals to flow through our veins with a gazillion side effects, yet we won’t allow a natural plant to help us as it did many years ago?

I don’t get it.

Also, if it were legalized, it would also eliminate most of the "laced" pot we see on the streets---knowing that it came from a trusted source.

I’m for it.

- dpasquella September 23, 2008 6:53AM

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It is not prescribed but recommended as per rules

1. This is such a specious argument. If cannabis wasn't placed erroneously (and maliciously) on Schedule I, many doctors would happily prescribe it.

2. Out and out lie: Here is a partial list of Medical Associations endorsing medical cannabis and calling for removal from schedule one:
American Academy of Family Physicians, American Cancer Society, American College of Physicians, Virginia Nurses Association, American Medical Student Association, American Preventive Medical Association, California Academy of Family Physicians .

And then there is the venerable AMA:
American Medical Association (AMA)
DATE: December 1997
* POSITION: endorsement of a physicians' right to discuss marijuana therapy with a patient
* SUPPORTING STATEMENT: "The AMA believes that effective patient care requires the free and unfettered exchange of information on treatment alternatives and that discussion of these alternatives between physicians and patients should not subje ct either party to criminal sanctions."
* POSITION: research
* SUPPORTING STATEMENT: "The AMA recommend that adequate and well-controlled studies of smoked marijuana be conducted in patients who have serious conditions for which preclinical, anecdotal, or controlled evidence suggests possible efficacy in cluding AIDS wasting syndrome, sever acute or delayed emesis induced by chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, dystonia, and neuropathic pain."
* REFERENCE: Council on Scientific Affairs Report #10: Medical Marijuana

3. You don't need to be terminally ill to use Oxycontin, Morphine, Lyrica and all the other addictive and dangerous medications that the pharma industry shoves down our throats.

4. Doctors prescribe and recommend herbs all the time which are non-FDA approved. You are ones calling cannabis a drug!

5. Patients rights are negatively impacted by arrest and harassment and cut-off of access, don't you think?

6. Why is the only 'drug' that can't kill you, illegal? Oh, yes. Because it also makes you feel good.

- Brinna Nanda October 20, 2008 1:25PM

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Move To Canada

We can get marijuana prescribed to us by doctors, chiropractors, midwives, eye doctors, just about anyone with a script pad. Its never recommended you smoke it but to use an herbal vapourizer (my daughter, husband and i all have one) and inhale the steam or brew it as a tea or make yummy brownies with it.
It is great for menstral cramps (prescribed to my 14 year old), morning sickness (prescribed by both ob/gyns and midwives), my moms seizures she got a prescription for it...they stopped...stress releif, increasing breastmilk prodcution...and seeing my 12 year old cousin with cancer treatments well underway, bald and giggling and eating, finally eating, after her "special" brownies...that would make anyone want it legal...

- sherri December 10, 2008 7:25AM

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Right

How do you figure a patient's rights would be violated by medical marijuana ? On the contrary, supporting medical marijuana is supporting medical freedom. Medical freedom is almost as popular as freedom itself.

- Starlon February 19, 2009 10:48AM

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But medical pros DO endorse MMJ!!

The American College of Physicians DOES endorse medical cannabis !

http://tinyurl.com/ck6bwd

So do many doctors.

Dr. Ron Paul, the Prez candidate the US will deeply regret not sending to the White House, does not so much endorse drugs or medical cannabis as he does the rights of sates to choose their own approach to the subject..

If cannabis is such a dangerous drug , WHERE ARE ALL THE BODIES??

The drug war & MJ prohibition are more dangerous than the substance. More innocent people have been killed by law enforcement than have been killed by MJ in all recorded history. Check out the Drug War Rant website.

Also people need to know that MJ was NOT criminalized because it is a dangerous drug. In fact, MJ was not the target of WR Hurst & his lap dog, Harry Anslinger back in the 30's. Hemp was the target. Hurst had large investments in timber stands & was invested in DuPont's fledgling synthetic chemical industry.. The reason Hurst went after hemp was to protect his investments. But hemp was not a danger to any one. So Hurst linked hemp to marihuana because though the two are very similar, especially in appearance. Using his newspaper Hurst proceeded to rant about how dangerous MJ was supposed to be. He lied. He deceived by leading he public & law makers into thinking that hemp & marijuana were the same. His Reefer Madness campaign was successful because people thought that "if it's in the paper it must be true". We know better now.

People need to know the truth of why MJ was made illegal. You can find out by checking the facts & history of cannabis & hemp prohibition. You can start by looking up the website of Jack Herer. Also check out what NORML. Americans For Safe Access & Christians For Cannabis & other sites have to say. For a 'cliff notes' study watch the DVD "Grass" narrated by Woody Harrelson.

You will find that cannabis & hemp are villified & remain illegal NOT because they are dangerous, but because many big corps think they will lose $ if these two plants are RE-legalized. Did you not know that in the Colonies it was once illegal NOT to grow hemp? Most Bibles of the day & many founding documents were written on hemp paper?

There is a lot to learn that you have to research. Might as well get started!

SamFox.

- SamFox March 30, 2009 3:02PM

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Don't like smoke?

You can get a vaporizer. Using a 'vape' will get you the med from the bud but won't burn the rest of it. THC evaporates at a lower temp than it takes to produce the smoke of burning.

Vaporizers lay to rest the argument that MJ smoke is bad for you. They are smokeless.

SamFox

- SamFox March 30, 2009 3:09PM

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Regarding Objection

Marijuana is a Plant, Not a Pill

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Marijuana is Not Prescribed Because it Can't Be

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Experts and users discuss marijuana, cannabis, drug law, health: Does Marijuana have Medical Value?

Does Marijuana have Medical Value?

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Marijuana Treats Anxiety Disorders

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Marijuana Treats Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

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Marijuana Treats Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

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Marijuana Treats Depression

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