West Virginia -Newbie with Q's

[drylandfish]

Greetings from the very MM unfriendly state of WV!

I'm new to the forum and completely new to cannabis. Really. I've never tried it even once.

Was recently diagnosed with neurological condition resulting from the autoimmune demyelination of my nerves. I'm trying to do everything I can to slow or maybe halt the progression of this. It's not MS yet, and I don't want it to be if I can help it. Cannabis and it's constituents have been shown to be helpful and would likely be a beneficial adjunct to my treatment strategy.

But I am full of questions and know no one locally who can fill in the blanks.

Let me be clear. I'm not looking for a "hookup". I know that would be against the rules here. Just looking for suggestions on how I might find cannabis locally. I'd like to avoid risky situations where I could end up on the wrong side of the judicial system. The newspapers here are filled with drug arrests and there seem to be few qualms about arresting sick folks seeking relief.

I'd like to avoid breathing smoke if possible and have been looking into the use of vaporizers. Again, I wonder about the legality of receiving such a thing in the mail. Are they defined as "paraphernalia"? Are people generally hassled much for mail-ordering?

Have many more questions, but will wait and direct them to appropriate sections of this forum.

Many thanks,

Fish

[FakeBoobsRule]

Your profile says you are 70 is that true? If so my advice of hanging out in bars with young pot smokers might not work! Always a good idea to befriend people in bars that you think has a high percentage of pot users in it. Also, learn the bartenders so they can help you by pointing out the cool people and making you not look like the police.

Vaporizers aren't illegal in most cases until they become dirty and have THC residue on them or they can be clean and in the vicinity of marijuana. Coming in the mail clean isn't illegal.

[oldmac]

...drylandfish;

You will find here, and out in the world there are alot of 55-65 year olds (aging hippy generation) that use MMJ, btw I'm just a bit older then you.

As FBR said it might be a little difficult to hang out at bars, but you may find some of those aging hippies around. If there is ever a NORML fund raiser or concert near you, attend and you'll have a better chance of finding someone that could be a starting point. In fact if there is a NORML chapter near you it might be worth a call. Explain your health and age situation and ask for advice.

I too am in a state that does not recognize MMJ, but for the past 20+ years I've been providing it to sick or dying folks thru both a cancer group (people coping with the disease & treatments) and a hospice group. You might try making a discrete inquiry to any groups like that in your area to see if they are trying to offer it to thier members. Vaporizers are the only way these types of groups roll (with a few exceptions).

The easiest long term solution is to grow some meds yourself, it is not that hard to grow a small amount, whether indoors or outdoors with the right location. And there is plenty of help with growing on this board.

Sorry to hear of your condition, good luck finding some help.;)

[drylandfish]

Thanks to the both of you for the suggestions/information! Will follow up on them as soon as I can.

I agree, oldmac. Stealthily growing a few plants is likely the way to go. Seeds can often be found in the bags, no? Have dabbled in the past with hydroponic greens in the winter. Sounds like a project.

Kudos on your philanthropic work. I can think of no better cause to devote your time to.

Thanks again!

[Storm Crow]

I collect MMJ studies as a hobby. At least some of the medical answers you want can be found in my list (link is below). Cannabis can be a powerful neuroprotectant and may slow the progression of MS. Here's a few from my list that you may find interesting reading-

Cannabis May Halt Progression Of Multiple Sclerosis
Cannabis May Halt Progression Of Multiple Sclerosis, Study Says - NORML (http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7704)

Cannabinoid control of neuroinflammation related to multiple sclerosis.
Cannabinoid control of neuroinflammation related to multiple sclerosis. (http://marijuana.researchtoday.net/archive/4/10/1400.htm)

Cannabis and Neuroprotection
AAMC: Cannabis and Neuroprotection (http://www.pacifier.com/~alive/cmu/cannabis_and_neuroprotection.htm)

Cannabidiol and delta 9THC are neuroprotective antioxidants
http://www.ukcia.org/research/NeuroprotectiveAntioxidants.pdf

There are quite a few more in my list, but that's enough to get you started. I also have several articles on vaporizers (see "Methods of use- Vaporizers" in my list). Vaporizers are the way to go if you don't want to smoke.

And as a beginner, I would suggest growing in soil. MUCH easier than hydroponics and all the variations there of.



Granny :hippy:

[drylandfish]

Thank you, Granny.

It was studies such as these that brought me here. I'll absolutely explore your list more fully when I can. I appreciate you creating this resource.

Have just found and began reading the vaporizer section. Do you have any recommendations as to model for a person new to the med?

I was just going to post a question in the appropriate section about recommended strains for neurodegenerative disease. From what I've read, maybe an indica of some kind? Not that I'll have much selection in the beginning, but if I were to come across some, I'd like to make the best choice.

I really appreciate all the help and kindness here.

[Storm Crow]

But it is also around $500 to purchase! In these times, that may be a bit much for many of us.

The Vapor Brother's hands-free is a reasonable lower priced brand. It should run you about $150 delivered. And as long as they have no cannabis residue in them, they are legal. The VB is small, quiet, efficient and durable. I've had one for over 3 years and it has been dropped several times as well as subjected to heavy, daily use.

The cheap "look-alikes" that you can get on EBAY are, in my experience, very inferior to the original. Don't even bother!

Since vaping does not reduce the cannabis to ashes, many people recycle the "left-overs" by using them in baking or making extracts. Not all of the THC/CBD are used up when vaping. I mix my blenderized "left-overs" and add them to baked goods. They won't get you "zonked", but will provide a long lasting gentle high.

But start off slowly with the edibles- especially if you are mixing unvaped bud in them. More than one person has over-medicated with edibles because of the longer time needed to feel the effects (1/2 to 3 hours). They eat a second or third brownie before the first one's effects are felt and end up a bit higher than they wanted. Of course, there is no real danger in this beyond feeling "uncomfortably high". My hubby gets MUCH better pain relief from edibles.

Granny :hippy:

[drylandfish]

Thanks for all the info, Granny!

One more question. I understand that there is really no way to tell how potent a particular quantity of cannabis is. So how much should I try the first time in a Vapor Brother's vaporizer? The volume of a dime? A nickel? Seeing as I've never tried it before, I don't want to end up "uncomfortably high" and be skittish about using it in the future.

I appreciate all the help.

[wayoftheleaf]

For a first time user, it won't take much. I suggest packing a bowl in the vaporizer. Take five hits, wait five or ten minutes. And then repeat. Five hits of some of the best pot money could buy would get you fairly stoned, but not uncomfortably so. You won't just "come across" bud like that very easily though. Chances are, you will pick up some low quality bud to mid range. Taking a few hits at a time and gradually increasing will show you how your body reacts in a very simple and peaceful way.


I wish the very best for you and your condition, may you halt the beast in its tracks.

P.S. I don't pretend to know as much as the fair crow and FBR, but I don't think you will find a better method than this for finding out how much you should smoke. Generally, ten dollars will get you about three to five bowls, depending on how big the bowl the vaporizer has. Mine can hold quite a bit, but I never fill it up all the way. A bud a little bigger than a quarter, and not too much thicker either, should be all it takes. If that.

[drylandfish]

wayoftheleaf,

Thanks much for the guidance! Will take it slow and easy and see how it goes.