Medicinal use YES OR NO

[Buggsy]

Marijuana: Yes or no to medicinal use?
The Tartan Online
Pittsburgh, PA May 3, 2006 -- The use of marijuana for medical purposes has been debated for many years. While some consider the plant to be a phenomenal ailment reliever, others believe that the psychoactive and harmful effects overpower the possible benefits. In the most recent chain of events, on April 20, the FDA rejected medical use for marijuana. Although a number of states have passed legislation allowing for marijuana to be used medically, the FDA says that these laws are inconsistent with the new rulings.

Canada has taken a different route from the U.S., however, and has allowed for medical testing and prescription use of the substance. Canadian researchers have recently discovered that marijuana can cause the neurons in the brain to regenerate.

Marijuana has been on the medical scene in the US since the beginning of the 19th century. Doctors recommended that it should be sold over the counter as a pain reliever, but it soon lost popularity with the development of aspirin. In 1937, Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act, which eventually led to use of the substance being criminalized. The American Medical Association was the solitary opponent to this legislative step. Since that time, marijuana has been outlawed by the federal government and has been banned for medicinal use.

In the 1960s, marijuana was found to reduce intra-ocular (internal eye) pressure and helped patients with glaucoma, helping to prevent blindness. It was also found to eliminate the nausea experienced during cancer chemotherapy. Lastly, marijuana was found to control muscle spasms associated with spinal cord injury.

The part of marijuana that is responsible for the â??highâ?� condition associated with the drug was found to be delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The chemical compound was isolated, approved by the FDA, and sold under the name Marinol. Marinol had too many side effects and was too expensive for the common person. Smoking marijuana also immediately releases THC into the blood stream, while taking a capsule took an hour before relief was finally felt.

In 1996, California permitted patients to use marijuana for medical purposes. This led to political contradictions because a state law conflicted with a federal law. The public disagreed with laws that restricted patientsâ?? use of marijuana. The federal government then decided to modify their policies. They did not change their perspective on outlawing marijuana, but allowed for more marijuana research in order to better understand its effects.

The reliability of medicinal marijuana research has been questioned. This is because an effective placebo for marijuana cannot be created, as traditional research methods require. A placebo is an inactive substance that is given as a control and has no therapeutic effects. Using humans as subjects, two groups would have to be created, one that received marijuana and one that did not. The psychoactive properties of marijuana cannot be replicated in a placebo, and thus prevents such an experiment from being conducted.

The debate and controversy surrounding the use of medicinal marijuana is expected to continue until a successful compromise between researchers and proponents is reached.


Be good, peace and many kudos

[imagoober]

Interesting read!:) i say yes of course!:thumbsup:

[braddog10]

Marijuana: Yes or no to medicinal use?
The Tartan Online
Pittsburgh, PA May 3, 2006 -- The use of marijuana for medical purposes has been debated for many years. While some consider the plant to be a phenomenal ailment reliever, others believe that the psychoactive and harmful effects overpower the possible benefits. In the most recent chain of events, on April 20, the FDA rejected medical use for marijuana. Although a number of states have passed legislation allowing for marijuana to be used medically, the FDA says that these laws are inconsistent with the new rulings.

Canada has taken a different route from the U.S., however, and has allowed for medical testing and prescription use of the substance. Canadian researchers have recently discovered that marijuana can cause the neurons in the brain to regenerate.

Marijuana has been on the medical scene in the US since the beginning of the 19th century. Doctors recommended that it should be sold over the counter as a pain reliever, but it soon lost popularity with the development of aspirin. In 1937, Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act, which eventually led to use of the substance being criminalized. The American Medical Association was the solitary opponent to this legislative step. Since that time, marijuana has been outlawed by the federal government and has been banned for medicinal use.

In the 1960s, marijuana was found to reduce intra-ocular (internal eye) pressure and helped patients with glaucoma, helping to prevent blindness. It was also found to eliminate the nausea experienced during cancer chemotherapy. Lastly, marijuana was found to control muscle spasms associated with spinal cord injury.

The part of marijuana that is responsible for the â??highâ?� condition associated with the drug was found to be delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The chemical compound was isolated, approved by the FDA, and sold under the name Marinol. Marinol had too many side effects and was too expensive for the common person. Smoking marijuana also immediately releases THC into the blood stream, while taking a capsule took an hour before relief was finally felt.

In 1996, California permitted patients to use marijuana for medical purposes. This led to political contradictions because a state law conflicted with a federal law. The public disagreed with laws that restricted patientsâ?? use of marijuana. The federal government then decided to modify their policies. They did not change their perspective on outlawing marijuana, but allowed for more marijuana research in order to better understand its effects.

The reliability of medicinal marijuana research has been questioned. This is because an effective placebo for marijuana cannot be created, as traditional research methods require. A placebo is an inactive substance that is given as a control and has no therapeutic effects. Using humans as subjects, two groups would have to be created, one that received marijuana and one that did not. The psychoactive properties of marijuana cannot be replicated in a placebo, and thus prevents such an experiment from being conducted.

The debate and controversy surrounding the use of medicinal marijuana is expected to continue until a successful compromise between researchers and proponents is reached.


Be good, peace and many kudos


Buggsy,

Four or five years ago, I found myself getting dragged down by chronic pain. At times I could only work every other day. If I tried to have a full active day, I found that I could do very little to nothing the next.

On my search for relief of chronic pain, I went to many med sites. a topical search for chronic pain found many studies. The site that most impressed me was webmd. I subscribed to the topic "chronic Pain" to receive any new reports that would come up on their site. One day in my email I received a link to a page "Many Dr's. are seeing relief for chronic pain sufferers thru Med. Marijuana use." This started my search in this area, for I desperately needed the same.

Other sites I had visited also had links for suicide intervention... I understand this well. At one point, depressed, in pain constantly. I was close to feeling.........Done. Tho I certainly wouldn't consider such.

As I went back to the site after noticing your thread. I read that it has far fewer side affects, if any, than nsaids, opiates, other antinflamitories, all of which address liver issues etc...

I'll never forget watching a television program, where a medical examiner had gone to a home, to find a man ~ dressed in his nice cloths, room all nice and straight, laid back on his bed. The very thoughtful woman (ME), was looking him over, observed the gun, the sml cal hole thru the back of his throat. Her comment that he had been dealing with health issues the last several years.

I'll never forget the sinking feeling I had when I saw that. Its' like I knew the man, and exactly where he had been.

Their are estimates that chronic pain cost the country 61.2 Billion dollars per year. M.weed addresses the specific issues without alot of collateral effects.

One article indicated that M.weed directly addresses the physiological issues that are indicated for seizures, bipolar. No wonder so many bipolars like it. Interestingly, Bi-polars are typically prescribed seizure meds.

An interesting read. http://www.webmd.com/content/article/73/81986.htm

I think I typed it in right. If problem, go to webmd, perform search for medicinal marijuana. After reading just a few, Its hard to not get pissed at the AMA.

The relief I enjoy is immediate. My personal Dr., whom I had been seeing for chronic pain, Lite up with interest after I had mentioned my own experience.

By the way, Tho I feel a bit shielded (legally), by my own documented pain history, encompassing 10 of thousands. I realize that I must incorporate more anonymity here for those that I have been in more direct contact with that....... are not.

Sorry guys, a bit of a lose cannon
Think I'll just stick with the boards.

[beachguy in thongs]

Ahhh, fuck aspirin.

[ThatTokenWhiteGuy]

Medicinal use... YES. Marijuana is a hell of a drug, if it can help people with health problems than all the power to it.

[Purple Banana]

I have fibromyalgia (chronic pain disorder), and have had it for 4 years, so I know of what Braddog is talking about. I HATED taking other drugs for pain, both antidepressants that claimed they would work, but didn't, and opiates, which left me feeling icky and becoming addicted. I work as a nursing tech in the ER, and I see what narcotics do to people. Combined with herb and exercise (I eat it to avoid carcinogens, and I'm too cheap to buy a vaporizer) my pain is about a 75% reduction to what it used to be. I used to never even get out of bed because just putting on clothing hurt. Now I can live my life to what I want to, regardless of what AMA thinks.

I had one elderly patient come in one day for chest pains, and I asked the "do you use recreational drugs" question, he said "No, but I do grow it for teenagers in my farm, and I make great profit from it. Does that count?" I nearly DIED laughing, and so did he.

I made good friends with that man, and he ALWAYS gives a discount because of that day.

Cannabis is NOT the evil. More people abuse RX drugs and end up in the slums than from cannabis.

[Dutch Masta]

No. None of us have any need for it and it doesen't improve upon any current medical treatment available. Everyone who smoked marijuana, does it to get high, plain and simple.

Anyone actually expecting to legalize marijuana based off medical uses are in for a huge disappointment. Its not going to happen and the DEA has already made that pretty clear.. Thats not to say I agree with them AT ALL, but their authority far outweighs the illegal pot smoking community.

Now on the other hand, a benefit of information about medical marijuana, leads to an enlightened view on the "drug", rather than a lot of the previous marijuana propoganda going around in the past. This helps to get a good word around for the herb, as majority rules, and as soon as such a high amount of the population smokes it, then serious things will start changing since it will finally be accepted in society.

[BloodAngel]

I smoked a joint and sat in a hottub for a bit and my back pain (so bad I couldn't move) went right away..

[iamafridge]

coming from someone recovering with a fracture I say that medical marijuana should be legalised! it helps with the pain immensely, much better than crappy painkillers :) :)

[daima]

Marijuana: Yes or no to medicinal use?
The Tartan Online
Pittsburgh, PA May 3, 2006 -- The use of marijuana for medical purposes has been debated for many years. While some consider the plant to be a phenomenal ailment reliever, others believe that the psychoactive and harmful effects overpower the possible benefits. In the most recent chain of events, on April 20, the FDA rejected medical use for marijuana. Although a number of states have passed legislation allowing for marijuana to be used medically, the FDA says that these laws are inconsistent with the new rulings.

Canada has taken a different route from the U.S., however, and has allowed for medical testing and prescription use of the substance. Canadian researchers have recently discovered that marijuana can cause the neurons in the brain to regenerate.

Marijuana has been on the medical scene in the US since the beginning of the 19th century. Doctors recommended that it should be sold over the counter as a pain reliever, but it soon lost popularity with the development of aspirin. In 1937, Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act, which eventually led to use of the substance being criminalized. The American Medical Association was the solitary opponent to this legislative step. Since that time, marijuana has been outlawed by the federal government and has been banned for medicinal use.

In the 1960s, marijuana was found to reduce intra-ocular (internal eye) pressure and helped patients with glaucoma, helping to prevent blindness. It was also found to eliminate the nausea experienced during cancer chemotherapy. Lastly, marijuana was found to control muscle spasms associated with spinal cord injury.

The part of marijuana that is responsible for the â??highâ?� condition associated with the drug was found to be delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The chemical compound was isolated, approved by the FDA, and sold under the name Marinol. Marinol had too many side effects and was too expensive for the common person. Smoking marijuana also immediately releases THC into the blood stream, while taking a capsule took an hour before relief was finally felt.

In 1996, California permitted patients to use marijuana for medical purposes. This led to political contradictions because a state law conflicted with a federal law. The public disagreed with laws that restricted patientsâ?? use of marijuana. The federal government then decided to modify their policies. They did not change their perspective on outlawing marijuana, but allowed for more marijuana research in order to better understand its effects.

The reliability of medicinal marijuana research has been questioned. This is because an effective placebo for marijuana cannot be created, as traditional research methods require. A placebo is an inactive substance that is given as a control and has no therapeutic effects. Using humans as subjects, two groups would have to be created, one that received marijuana and one that did not. The psychoactive properties of marijuana cannot be replicated in a placebo, and thus prevents such an experiment from being conducted.

The debate and controversy surrounding the use of medicinal marijuana is expected to continue until a successful compromise between researchers and proponents is reached.


Be good, peace and many kudos

10,000 years of human consumption, for reasons from , Religious, Medical, Recreation, and zero overdose deaths. The verdict is in, and it's been in.

dai*ma:stoned: sfca

"After reviewing evidence presented to me by both sides of the medical marijuana issue, i have concluded that marijuana is one of the safest medicines known to man"
-DEA Judge, Francis Young (reagan appointee)

[MegaOctane12]

No. None of us have any need for it and it doesen't improve upon any current medical treatment available. Everyone who smoked marijuana, does it to get high, plain and simple.

Anyone actually expecting to legalize marijuana based off medical uses are in for a huge disappointment. Its not going to happen and the DEA has already made that pretty clear.. Thats not to say I agree with them AT ALL, but their authority far outweighs the illegal pot smoking community.

Now on the other hand, a benefit of information about medical marijuana, leads to an enlightened view on the "drug", rather than a lot of the previous marijuana propoganda going around in the past. This helps to get a good word around for the herb, as majority rules, and as soon as such a high amount of the population smokes it, then serious things will start changing since it will finally be accepted in society.

Smart guy:thumbsup:

[Storm Crow]

When I was 3 years old, I was a brat. One day I saw a neighbor boy putting up a tent (one with tent pegs). I started pulling the pegs out while he was on the other side of the tent.He came around the side of the tent and took the hammer he was using and began striking me very violently. I have about a half dozen dents in my skull because of this attack. There are also several scars hidden by my hair. I have suffered from headaches and migraines as far back as I can remember. When I was 19, I found that cannabis all but eliminated my migraines and headaches! It also eases my sore hip and knee. I am now a "legal" MMJ user. I am 59 years old and have been toking steadily since I was 19. Yes, I like the high, but also YES! it is medicinal. I have a 200 page notebook that I have compiled of (mostly) one page scientific abstracts on cannabis, THC, CBD and endocannabiods and their role in healing. Start your own note book! Just run a search on --cannabis, abstract, ________ (cancer, diabetes, alzheimer's, MS, fibromyalgia- take your pick! Then take it to your doctor- or send it anonymously) I started my note book less than 6 months ago. If I can find that much in less than 6 months-- well that's a LOT of proof that marijuana is medicinal.

And all of you medical users, I have a friend (whom I've never met) named Randy Brush. He's a medical user in Ohio and recently got 3 years for 4 plants! Could you find the time to drop this poor dude a line? You can read about him at Http://FREERANDYBRUSH . He's crippled (uses a wheel chair most of the time) and really sick and a letter really makes his day! He's been happily pissing off the COs by teaching everyone about medical marijuana and how to grow it. (The man grew some killer trees). His ex turned him in.

Randy T Brush # 502945
PCI
POB 209
Orient, Ohio 43146

[Captain Hanks]

Marijuana: Yes or no to medicinal use?
The Tartan Online
Pittsburgh, PA May 3, 2006 -- The use of marijuana for medical purposes has been debated for many years. While some consider the plant to be a phenomenal ailment reliever, others believe that the psychoactive and harmful effects overpower the possible benefits. In the most recent chain of events, on April 20, the FDA rejected medical use for marijuana. Although a number of states have passed legislation allowing for marijuana to be used medically, the FDA says that these laws are inconsistent with the new rulings.

Canada has taken a different route from the U.S., however, and has allowed for medical testing and prescription use of the substance. Canadian researchers have recently discovered that marijuana can cause the neurons in the brain to regenerate.

Marijuana has been on the medical scene in the US since the beginning of the 19th century. Doctors recommended that it should be sold over the counter as a pain reliever, but it soon lost popularity with the development of aspirin. In 1937, Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act, which eventually led to use of the substance being criminalized. The American Medical Association was the solitary opponent to this legislative step. Since that time, marijuana has been outlawed by the federal government and has been banned for medicinal use.

In the 1960s, marijuana was found to reduce intra-ocular (internal eye) pressure and helped patients with glaucoma, helping to prevent blindness. It was also found to eliminate the nausea experienced during cancer chemotherapy. Lastly, marijuana was found to control muscle spasms associated with spinal cord injury.

The part of marijuana that is responsible for the â??highâ?� condition associated with the drug was found to be delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The chemical compound was isolated, approved by the FDA, and sold under the name Marinol. Marinol had too many side effects and was too expensive for the common person. Smoking marijuana also immediately releases THC into the blood stream, while taking a capsule took an hour before relief was finally felt.

In 1996, California permitted patients to use marijuana for medical purposes. This led to political contradictions because a state law conflicted with a federal law. The public disagreed with laws that restricted patientsâ?? use of marijuana. The federal government then decided to modify their policies. They did not change their perspective on outlawing marijuana, but allowed for more marijuana research in order to better understand its effects.

The reliability of medicinal marijuana research has been questioned. This is because an effective placebo for marijuana cannot be created, as traditional research methods require. A placebo is an inactive substance that is given as a control and has no therapeutic effects. Using humans as subjects, two groups would have to be created, one that received marijuana and one that did not. The psychoactive properties of marijuana cannot be replicated in a placebo, and thus prevents such an experiment from being conducted.

The debate and controversy surrounding the use of medicinal marijuana is expected to continue until a successful compromise between researchers and proponents is reached.


Be good, peace and many kudos

i am so sick of people saying that is has no medicinal values and prohibiting its' use for patiens who need it, if it had no value then why is the U.S. government supplying 6 patients in the states with cannabis monthly? why are their conditions getting better? simple as that

[Markass]

Plainly, marijuana can make you feel better. No matter if you're sick, or if you're just a bit heated because you had a shitty day, you should be able to smoke a joint if you want to. Scientific studies show next to no negative effects from it, and rather it be intended for medicinal use or not, it should be accepted as a recreational substance. In the mornings, a few times a week I throw up stomach acid, and feel like complete shit. At first I tried to avoid smoking as I thought it was the cause of this, but after I get a smoke in the morning, I feel fine and ready for school or work. It's something that isn't toxic to your body, nor is it rejected by your body..as is alcohol especially. Smoke it up :)

[Markass]

i am so sick of people saying that is has no medicinal values and prohibiting its' use for patiens who need it, if it had no value then why is the U.S. government supplying 6 patients in the states with cannabis monthly? why are their conditions getting better? simple as that

bush senior dick shut the program down because drugs are bad and alcohol is just fucking dandy. With cannabis legal, they wouldn't be the fking world police, and it then could not work. So they constantly avoid this issue because it's more important for the little guys(us) to work our asses off and to only consume substances that are going to benefit them and other big fucking corporations. This shit will end one day. We'll have our freedom with this plant sometime and until then, educate others and thank the government for sucking at preventing plant matter from being grown and consumed by we gentle stoners.

[thcbongman]

No. None of us have any need for it and it doesen't improve upon any current medical treatment available. Everyone who smoked marijuana, does it to get high, plain and simple.

Anyone actually expecting to legalize marijuana based off medical uses are in for a huge disappointment. Its not going to happen and the DEA has already made that pretty clear.. Thats not to say I agree with them AT ALL, but their authority far outweighs the illegal pot smoking community.

Now on the other hand, a benefit of information about medical marijuana, leads to an enlightened view on the "drug", rather than a lot of the previous marijuana propoganda going around in the past. This helps to get a good word around for the herb, as majority rules, and as soon as such a high amount of the population smokes it, then serious things will start changing since it will finally be accepted in society.

To tell you the truth, I got really, really angry reading that post, but I can't blame your ignorance. I recently have been diagnosed with cancer and have been hocked up on morphine, and dahila for days. Painkillers that come with nasty side effects such as Nausea, Constipation, Appetite loss, and a constant feeling of being sick. To treat the Nausea, they gave me an IV of anti-nausea medication, which didn't do jack shit. They apparently have a medicine for every ailment, but one after another, it comes with a different side effect that makes my pain worse.

Now since marijuana is a pain-killer, I don't see why it has no medicinal value. I have no doubt in my mind if I had marijuana instead, I wouldn't be having such painful side effects. I wouldn't be constipated, I wouldn't have Nausea, I would be eating properly, I wouldn't feel so goddamn sick.

The truth of the matter is marijuana would make many of the drugs on the hospital obsolete and rendered useless. I'm convinced. After all, at the moment, I have private consultants deciding what drugs are best for me. The truth of the matter is, marijuana or hashish could and will do more wonders for me than Morphine, Fentanyl, Dahlia, Ibuprofin, or anything they came come up with.

To say it wouldn't improve my current medical condition is really insulting, and I understand what medical marijuana patients go through now. It's amazing the new perspective gained after contracting a life-threatening disease.

[shoi]

i think it really is sad the way the government does these things... saying stuff like "medical marijuana is a myth created by potheads to try to get this terrible thing legalized"....all the lies and such... just makes me sad

[ShrmHuntr]

To tell you the truth, I got really, really angry reading that post, but I can't blame your ignorance. I recently have been diagnosed with cancer and have been hocked up on morphine, and dahila for days. Painkillers that come with nasty side effects such as Nausea, Constipation, Appetite loss, and a constant feeling of being sick. To treat the Nausea, they gave me an IV of anti-nausea medication, which didn't do jack shit. They apparently have a medicine for every ailment, but one after another, it comes with a different side effect that makes my pain worse.

Now since marijuana is a pain-killer, I don't see why it has no medicinal value. I have no doubt in my mind if I had marijuana instead, I wouldn't be having such painful side effects. I wouldn't be constipated, I wouldn't have Nausea, I would be eating properly, I wouldn't feel so goddamn sick.

The truth of the matter is marijuana would make many of the drugs on the hospital obsolete and rendered useless. I'm convinced. After all, at the moment, I have private consultants deciding what drugs are best for me. The truth of the matter is, marijuana or hashish could and will do more wonders for me than Morphine, Fentanyl, Dahlia, Ibuprofin, or anything they came come up with.

To say it wouldn't improve my current medical condition is really insulting, and I understand what medical marijuana patients go through now. It's amazing the new perspective gained after contracting a life-threatening disease.

Right on, man... I hear you. When I was diagnosed with cancer and started chemo, I tried their litany of drugs. They do nothing but stop the action of vomiting (at least for me), as I still couldn't eat and barely get up to walk to the bathroom. After weighing the pro's and con's (I had oral cancer... freak thing... don't smoke, don't drink, etc.) of smokeing and the small chance of getting an infection (esp. from chemo-weakened immune system...) I caved in and toked. And I still remember that time as my experience as a truly medicinal user. I've used it before in the past for insomnia, various mood disorders, etc... and I hadn't had any for some time recreationally... and I have to say... I did not get "high" like I used to. The chemo had my body so completely fucked, that the cannabis actually made me "equalize" to some way, and I was able to eat something and even go grociery shopping. I have since now invested in a vaporizer for my health... I guess it wouldn't make since to smoke and add more carcinogens, especially while already having cancer. I believe Jack Herer says something to the extent of
"Cannabis can make the difference between someone dying of cancer, and someone living with cancer."

[newactivist]

The whole point of the medical movement needs to be having it rescheduled from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2. As Schedule 1 doctors are not allowed to prescribe or research it. This list includes drugs such as LSD. With a Schedule 2 designation doctors can prescribe and research it. This list includes heroin and cocaine, two obviously much more dangerous drugs. As for those who think marijuana is only for pain and glaucome you REALLY need to read this article.

New Study Explains How Pot Kills Cancer Cells
By Steve Kubby

A new study published in Nature Reviews-Cancer provides an historic and detailed explanation about how THC and natural cannabinoids counteract cancer, but preserve normal cells.

The study by Manuel Guzmán of Madrid Spain found that cannabinoids, the active components of marijuana, inhibit tumor growth in laboratory animals. They do so by modulating key cell-signalling pathways, thereby inducing direct growth arrest and death of tumor cells, as well as by inhibiting the growth of blood vessels that supply the tumor.

The Guzman study is very important according to Dr. Ethan Russo , a neurologist and world authority on medical cannabis: "Cancer occurs because cells become immortalized; they fail to heed normal signals to turn off growth. A normal function of remodelling in the body requires that cells die on cue. This is called apoptosis, or programmed cell death. That process fails to work in tumors. THC promotes its reappearance so that gliomas, leukemias, melanomas and other cell types will in fact heed the signals, stop dividing, and die."

"But, that is not all," explains Dr. Russo: "The other way that tumors grow is by ensuring that they are nourished: they send out signals to promote angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels. Cannabinoids turn off these signals as well. It is truly incredible, and elegant."

In other words, this article explains several ways in which cannabinoids might be used to fight cancer, and, as the article says, "Cannabinoids are usually well tolerated, and do not produce the generalized toxic effects of conventional chemotherapies.

Usually, any story that even suggests the possibility of a new treatment for cancer is greeted with headlines about a "cancer cure" - however remote in the future and improbable in fact it might be. But if marijuana is involved, don't expect any coverage from mainstream media, especially since mainstream editors have been quietly killing this story for the past thirty years.

That's right, news about the abilility of pot to shrink tumors first surfaced, way back in 1974. Researchers at the Medical College of Virginia, who had been funded by the National Institutes of Health to find evidence that marijuana damages the immune system, found instead that THC slowed the growth of three kinds of cancer in mice -- lung and breast cancer, and a virus-induced leukemia.

The Washington Post reported on the 1974 study -- in the "Local" section -- on Aug. 18, 1974. Under the headline, "Cancer Curb Is Studied," it read in part: "The active chemical agent in marijuana curbs the growth of three kinds of cancer in mice and may also suppress the immunity reaction that causes rejection of organ transplants, a Medical College of Virginia team has discovered." The researchers "found that THC slowed the growth of lung cancers, breast cancers, and a virus-induced leukemia in laboratory mice, and prolonged their lives by as much as 36 percent."

"News coverage of the Madrid discovery has been virtually nonexistent in this country. The news broke quietly on Feb. 29, 2000 with a story that ran once on the UPI wire about the Nature Medicine article," complained MarijuanaNews.com editor Richard Cowan , who said he was only able to find the article through a link that appeared briefly on the Drudge Report Web page. "The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times all ignored the story, even though its newsworthiness is indisputable: a benign substance occurring in nature destroys deadly brain tumors," added Cowan.

On March 29, 2001, the San Antonio Current printed a carefully researched, bombshell of a story by Raymond Cushing titled, "POT SHRINKS TUMORS; GOVERNMENT KNEW IN '74." Media coverage since then has been nonexistant, except for a copy of the story on Alternet .

It is hard to believe that the knowledge that cannabis can be used to fight cancer has been suppressed for almost thirty years , yet it seems likely that it will continue to be suppressed. Why?

According to Cowan, the answer is because it is a threat to cannabis prohibition . "If this article and its predecessors from 2000 and 1974 were the only evidence of the suppression of medical cannabis, then one might perhaps be able to rationalize it in some herniated way. However, there really is massive proof that the suppression of medical cannabis represents the greatest failure of the institutions of a free society, medicine, journalism, science, and our fundamental values," Cowan notes.

Millions of people have died horrible deaths and in many cases, familes exhausted their savings on dangerous, toxic and expensive drugs. Now we are just beginning to realize that while marijuana has never killed anyone, marijuana prohibition has killed millions.

[Buffalo Bill]

It boggles my mind that it has been 10 years since California passed medical mj laws. There are still a handful of patients receiving their cans full of joints rolled with so/so pot from the feds every month. If it was so harmful would the feds still be sending it out to those folks who were approved to take it back when the feds did look into it? The Dutch are still the only ones who have it right. The Canadians seem to have some good laws, but there is still so much controvery up there that folks still are not safe. Safer, but not safe!

[Dutch Masta]

To tell you the truth, I got really, really angry reading that post, but I can't blame your ignorance. I recently have been diagnosed with cancer and have been hocked up on morphine, and dahila for days. Painkillers that come with nasty side effects such as Nausea, Constipation, Appetite loss, and a constant feeling of being sick. To treat the Nausea, they gave me an IV of anti-nausea medication, which didn't do jack shit. They apparently have a medicine for every ailment, but one after another, it comes with a different side effect that makes my pain worse.

Now since marijuana is a pain-killer, I don't see why it has no medicinal value. I have no doubt in my mind if I had marijuana instead, I wouldn't be having such painful side effects. I wouldn't be constipated, I wouldn't have Nausea, I would be eating properly, I wouldn't feel so goddamn sick.

The truth of the matter is marijuana would make many of the drugs on the hospital obsolete and rendered useless. I'm convinced. After all, at the moment, I have private consultants deciding what drugs are best for me. The truth of the matter is, marijuana or hashish could and will do more wonders for me than Morphine, Fentanyl, Dahlia, Ibuprofin, or anything they came come up with.

To say it wouldn't improve my current medical condition is really insulting, and I understand what medical marijuana patients go through now. It's amazing the new perspective gained after contracting a life-threatening disease.

Do you even know the meaning of the word ignorance? I have sympathy for your condition and all, but that is such an incredible minority its not even funny. The vast majority of the world are smoking pot to get high, nothing else.. they do not have your rare condition in which they are all looking to use marijuana as the only way to alleviate themselves.

I've been sick at times too, and I've smoked and it made it all better. Its sort of like the high feeling far overtakes the original sick condition, which is why it works so well. But its hard to justify getting high as a medical treatment.


i think it really is sad the way the government does these things... saying stuff like "medical marijuana is a myth created by potheads to try to get this terrible thing legalized"....all the lies and such... just makes me sad

How is it a lie? All it would take is some simple browsing of this forum to find an endless amount of people who have absolutely no medical conditions, that still push for medicinal marijuana in order for a broader regulation of it. The DEA knows this, and have made it clear that its obviously not going to make any serious impact when it comes to legalizing marijuana. So i think its foolish to still be banking on it. The fact is, most of the world is smoking marijuana to get high, nothing else. I'll say that time and time again.

[newactivist]

That may be true Dutch Masta, but what's your point? Whether you look at it smoked recreationally, industrial hemp or medically the laws need to change. Ooh, just because people smoke it for recreation it means....? The evil weed with junky smokers? Reefer madness? Terrible people who light up for fun, aren't we? Does this make us or the plant wrong or evil? Apparently it does in your eyes.

I smoke weed, at least usually, for recreation. At the moment I quit to concentrate on other things but I will probably come back to it. I am not stupid and highly successful. I do not drink, smoke cigarettes and have only rarely used any other drug. As for the DEA, well fuck them. They do not create the law, we do. When we put it to a referendum at the federal level and it becomes law guess what? The DEA will be forced to uphold the law because that is their job.

Are you a cop?

[Dutch Masta]

That may be true Dutch Masta, but what's your point? Whether you look at it smoked recreationally, industrial hemp or medically the laws need to change. Ooh, just because people smoke it for recreation it means....? The evil weed with junky smokers? Reefer madness? Terrible people who light up for fun, aren't we? Does this make us or the plant wrong or evil? Apparently it does in your eyes.

I smoke weed, at least usually, for recreation. At the moment I quit to concentrate on other things but I will probably come back to it. I am not stupid and highly successful. I do not drink, smoke cigarettes and have only rarely used any other drug. As for the DEA, well fuck them. They do not create the law, we do. When we put it to a referendum at the federal level and it becomes law guess what? The DEA will be forced to uphold the law because that is their job.

Are you a cop?

I don't deny the laws need to be changed. I think they are so far off from even a remotely intelligent attempt of controlling a society, its not even funny. I deny that there is any possibility of these changes, and I don't think anyone here realizes truly what a stretch it is for anything to change on a national level. Majority rules in our organized world, and the majority still does not want marijuana to be legalized. Allthough the last few decades, slowly but surely outlooks on the drug/substance use (or more specifically, alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use) have began to gain an acceptance, as any parent with a child over the age of 16 at this day and age should be well aware of: the inevitability of the exposure to these substances. From there, and after the user decides to try these substances, comes any possible outcome from: occasional use, to frequent use, to dependance or addiction, or in a lot of cases substance progression. While most of us can safely stay at the occasional or frequent use level with no problems, not everyone has this ability, and this is where any concern comes from. I always prefer to consider alcohol and tobacco in with things like marijuana, coke, and heroin because they are still at heart, drugs. They just arent called drugs because they are legal, but they are the real "gateway drug".

The problem is, the drug trade "industry" is simply too large to be stopped by any possible means.. and thats the only thing the government is focusing on. That is, adressing a problem they have created themselves. The very outlawing of substances (from alcohol, to tobacco, to weed, to coke, to heroin) is what adds to all of the history of use of all these substances. Its only human nature that one wishes to feel inebriated and have that desire to escape from the world type feeling, since it helps millions get by with the hardships of life. But the laws have unfortunately convinced the rest of the world that all of that is wrong and should not be completely available to us, which eventually lead to an enormous, unstopable industry of alcohol industries, tobacco industires, and a never ending drug trade, where marijuana is readily supplied and available to every high school throughout the world, making it widely available, desireable, and beneficial to all. Which is why its also important to understand that if something as desireable as marijuana were made legal, corperations would simply eventually just take over it like they have with alcohol and tobacco.

[newactivist]

Ok, I see your point and it's a good one. My position is that I don't really care whether corporations take it over or whether we get to grow it ourselves. What I care about, from the recreational side anyway, is that we stop decimating our youth by giving them criminal penalties for something their parents and grandparents did as well. All we're doing is funding FCoA (Future Convicts of America).

The only way I see to do that is to, minimum, decriminalize recreational use at the federal level.

Granted, people who use it medically or industrial hemp definitely deserve priority as far as legalization goes but just the social damage of the laws against recreational use is enough to make George Washington roll over in his grave.

I agree, most people can't handle the harder drugs if they use them long term. Also, I agree that the government has bitten off more than it can chew trying to get rid of so many drugs. That being said, if marijuana is legalized/decriminalized then they can focus on the worst problems such as meth. Marijuana accounts for roughly 90% or our drug arrests and if we could get all the police resources focused on the 10% we will crush these drugs. If the feds were truly intelligent they would allow safe legal recreational drugs to replace these hard drugs. Nobody would use something that dangerous if they had a better alternative.

Still believe in school drug testing though. I started at 13yo and wish I hadn't. For adults it should be legal but on the other hand we have to make sure our kids stay away from all drugs until they are old enough to make their own decisions. This stance may not be popular on this site but... well there it is.

[SmokingPlatypus]

Now I can live my life to what I want to, regardless of what AMA thinks.


Sounds like you're just one of those hippies! Damn hippy sex-fiend dopeheads! Putting dope in our schools and throwing it in our drinking water! You should be shot!

I am being completely sarcastic. MM should be legal. No questions asked. It's made very many people's lives livable again, free from pain, nausea, etc.

[Cas]

Marijuana: Yes or no to medicinal use?


yes of course it should be

[Dutch Masta]

Ok, I see your point and it's a good one. My position is that I don't really care whether corporations take it over or whether we get to grow it ourselves. What I care about, from the recreational side anyway, is that we stop decimating our youth by giving them criminal penalties for something their parents and grandparents did as well. All we're doing is funding FCoA (Future Convicts of America).

The only way I see to do that is to, minimum, decriminalize recreational use at the federal level.

Granted, people who use it medically or industrial hemp definitely deserve priority as far as legalization goes but just the social damage of the laws against recreational use is enough to make George Washington roll over in his grave.

I agree, most people can't handle the harder drugs if they use them long term. Also, I agree that the government has bitten off more than it can chew trying to get rid of so many drugs. That being said, if marijuana is legalized/decriminalized then they can focus on the worst problems such as meth. Marijuana accounts for roughly 90% or our drug arrests and if we could get all the police resources focused on the 10% we will crush these drugs. If the feds were truly intelligent they would allow safe legal recreational drugs to replace these hard drugs. Nobody would use something that dangerous if they had a better alternative.

Still believe in school drug testing though. I started at 13yo and wish I hadn't. For adults it should be legal but on the other hand we have to make sure our kids stay away from all drugs until they are old enough to make their own decisions. This stance may not be popular on this site but... well there it is.

Mandatory drug testing is still a scary, scary thought. Even right now, if the government really wanted to just slap everyone in the face, they could address the failing "war on drugs" problem, and take that money and invest it in the equipment and personnel needed to enforce mandatory drug testing for all individuals (or select age individuals), and it could completely eliminate the so called, "problem". But whats controversial, is why drug use is considered a "problem"? and why do we simply overlook the fact that drugs are drugs. They are just substances that interact with us somehow, either desireable effects or not. The only reason smoking marijuana is looked down upon by anyone, is because it is "illegal".

But besides.. the drug trade is just so large and continues to grow and reproduce before our very eyes. Criminals today, are simply just people looking to get high but can't afford it. Where else is the source of crime? The mast majority of it is a result of the high cost values of drugs, and the difficulty to balance drug use and income. Which is why things like heroin and cocaine are so bad. Marijuana though, is simply the good kid who hangs out with the bad crowd. (Heroin, Meth, Coke, Crack) Imagine marijuana was a drug considered to be a mircale drug, such as Caffeine or any anti-depressant that is considered to be fairly acceptable in society. When you take a second to think about the value of a simple plant that grows from an ordinary seed.. its almost ridiculous. But what do we have to thank for the very growth of this industry? The law. What is the current accepted belief system in the regulation of life? The law. Sucks, but we just have to learn to live with it for the time being.

I'm happy I live in an area where weed is considered decriminalized, but its only a result of a general acceptance for it, and finally the classification of marijuana as a miracle drug. No serious consequences or addiciton with desireable effects. Around here, its almost laughable to consider the thought of jail time for simply weed. So everyone knows they are safe sticking to it, yet still understand an importance of keeping it on the low. Once everyone else catches on like this, the problem will finally be solved.

[thcbongman]

Do you even know the meaning of the word ignorance? I have sympathy for your condition and all, but that is such an incredible minority its not even funny. The vast majority of the world are smoking pot to get high, nothing else.. they do not have your rare condition in which they are all looking to use marijuana as the only way to alleviate themselves.

I've been sick at times too, and I've smoked and it made it all better. Its sort of like the high feeling far overtakes the original sick condition, which is why it works so well. But its hard to justify getting high as a medical treatment.



How is it a lie? All it would take is some simple browsing of this forum to find an endless amount of people who have absolutely no medical conditions, that still push for medicinal marijuana in order for a broader regulation of it. The DEA knows this, and have made it clear that its obviously not going to make any serious impact when it comes to legalizing marijuana. So i think its foolish to still be banking on it. The fact is, most of the world is smoking marijuana to get high, nothing else. I'll say that time and time again.

You forgotten what you said. You stated that No one needs it for medicinal use. Even minorities rights need to be protected. The medicinal argument and legalization argument for recreational use are two separate arguments in my view.

Sure, the overwhelming majority smokes weed to get high, no question. That fact alone doesn't mean marijuana has no medicinal benefits.

[jamstigator]

Cannabis is apparently beneficial for preventing at least some cancers. Cancers of various kinds take a HUGE toll on society, killing people who would otherwise be productive members of society. While those who now have or will get cancer are a minority of the population, they are certainly not a TINY minority.

There is also some research that suggests that cannabis is useful in treating osteoporosis, the so-called 'silent killer', which primarily affects women as they get older. Add just the osteoporotic population to the population that has cancer now or will have it in the future, and add to those ranks those who have the various other diseases and disorders that cannabis can help with (AIDS, glaucoma, nausea, epilepsy, arthritis, sleep disorders, eating disorders, and so on), and I'd actually be surprised if the minority isn't the people who WOULDN'T benefit from cannabis in some way.

[newactivist]

Mandatory testing is a scary thought if you try to apply it to adults. However, children in school is another matter entirely in my opinion. Nobody, even here on a pro marijuana site, believes children should do drugs. It would be easy for the government to sell to the public and it would have a far greater impact on our society in the future in terms of effectiveness than criminalizing adults. Decriminalize adult usage and use the money more wisely by keeping it out of our schools.

IMHO, testing should be for legal and illegal drugs for kids. They shouldn't be smoking cigarettes any more than weed or popping oxycontins. However, adults should not be tested and marijuana should be legalized to seperate hard drug dealers from the majority of the users.

You are right also, the law is the biggest promoter of illegal drugs in our society. This is not only because of the way it makes it profitable for criminal organizations but also that it keeps it in the public eye, advertising it. When marijuana was made illegal less than 1% of Americans had used it and now we are over 30%. If this is an effective drug policy I have a REALLY nice historic bridge to sell you!

Peace.

[Mr.Jesus]

yes it deff should be, it only makes sense..

[Dutch Masta]

Mandatory testing is a scary thought if you try to apply it to adults. However, children in school is another matter entirely in my opinion. Nobody, even here on a pro marijuana site, believes children should do drugs. It would be easy for the government to sell to the public and it would have a far greater impact on our society in the future in terms of effectiveness than criminalizing adults. Decriminalize adult usage and use the money more wisely by keeping it out of our schools.

IMHO, testing should be for legal and illegal drugs for kids. They shouldn't be smoking cigarettes any more than weed or popping oxycontins. However, adults should not be tested and marijuana should be legalized to seperate hard drug dealers from the majority of the users.

You are right also, the law is the biggest promoter of illegal drugs in our society. This is not only because of the way it makes it profitable for criminal organizations but also that it keeps it in the public eye, advertising it. When marijuana was made illegal less than 1% of Americans had used it and now we are over 30%. If this is an effective drug policy I have a REALLY nice historic bridge to sell you!

Peace.

Talk about advertising it.. I find it almost, humorous.. how COPS features at least one of their three clips during the program as a drug bust. Each one features in what *usually* begins in an unnecessarily justified search of that person or their vehicle, which usually results in the discovery of involvment in large scale drug trafficing. And this is only how much they are not only chosing to show us for the show, but such a small minority of actual drug "crimes", which occur at such a high level its ridiculous. Why are they simply showing off how they are making absolutely no progress over the years, in fact negative progress over the years which will continue to go down.

The problem is, while anyone with somewhat intelligence would agree that there is a huge drug problem right now.. from the law's standpoint its different. Its, why should we do anything about it?.. After all, its illegal. Since people are supposed to follow the laws, why should the law do anything about it more than they are now? Their current half assed method is the reason we have such a drug problem. Because it has been created into a never ending problem. They fail to understand how instead of eliminating the problem beforehand, they have only created an even bigger problem, which has gotten to be such a big problem where there really isnt any realistic "stop" to it.

Anyways, the only real progress that needs to be made, is when people stop considering marijuana a (bad) "drug". Or why any drug is bad in general, and what a drug actually is. Everything is a drug in some way. Anyone who has ever brushed their teeth before is a drug user. You have just used a drug. Its ust something that effects you, and it works. . Why is a plant that grows from an ordinary seed in the ground is so sought after?How has it evolved into a multi-quadrillion dollar industry? Its obviously, incredible. Its the only widely used drug where nobody has EVER died from. But all in all, everyone will have their own reasons for why they do or don't smoke it, and argue over the levels of good or bad that it comes with, but what there is NO denying.. is that weed helps people get by. No matter what.

The only reason weed is associated as a bad drug, is because bad drugs are cocaine or heroin too. The good kid with a bad crowd. Once you've gotten into that bad crowd, you'll do bad things and move onto harder substances. Which is why while it is rare for substance progression to occur, drug use is at such a high level where that rare, really isnt that rare anymore because of such incredibly high drug using populations. People that simply stick to weed, or at least for the most part with a few experimentations aside, which is really NOT a problem in any way, as it does no harm to ones self or anyone else.

[Dutch Masta]

You forgotten what you said. You stated that No one needs it for medicinal use. Even minorities rights need to be protected. The medicinal argument and legalization argument for recreational use are two separate arguments in my view.

Sure, the overwhelming majority smokes weed to get high, no question. That fact alone doesn't mean marijuana has no medicinal benefits.

I stated that nobody HERE needs it for medical use. We are all using it to get high. Of course they are two seperate arguments. Thats why I wish people would keep it that way and not have recreation pot smokers banking on medicinal marijuana leniency

[twist n shout]

Well dutch, Im here and I dont use for recreational purposes. Ive got arthritis throughout my whole body.Every effing joint in my body.Ill tell ya, if it wasnt for daweed,Id be dead by now.All of the conventional drugs I was perscribed,were slowly killing me.Im not kidding.I was to the point where I couldnt take it any more.Ya know,I wish I didnt have to use it.I had to go on methadone because of the 320 milligrams of oxcys I was on.Plus the percs& morphine.I live in a state where I risk prison every time I med myself.I have all but decided to move to Alaska or Canada.Enough is enough! that was my 2 cents worth.:cursing: :sadcrying

[newactivist]

It's just like they tell you in the military when we went to primary leadership development course. Never give an order you know won't be obeyed. It makes it easier for the next one not to be either.

That is what the law has done, given orders that will not be obeyed and cannot be effectively enforced. Then they wonder why people don't take the law all that seriously any more.