Let's liven up the place! Sanjay Gupta MD says WEED is AOK

Keep the comments coming!

Much easier topic than the PxG one that sure did some blood boiling. I assure you, this one is sure to have a much more "mellow" effect. lol

"P" - As you noticed back a few years ago, dispensaries were on nearly every corner and it got out of control. The program still seems tied up in the courts but it seems the programs is still alive. This link goes to the main industry group in the state. Lots of the details there. http://www.mtcia.org/faq-on-current-law.

Katie - I am very opposed to excess taxation but taxing the MJ industry is a good thing, similar to the pretty heavy taxes imposed on the alcohol industry. In NorCal, there is a city/county tax on the sales of MJ, then there is state sales tax on top of that. It is definately putting extra coins in the state and local coffers as well as reducing costs and resources in law enforcement and the court system for personal level usage.

I've not read MJ cures cancer but there does seem to be some stories, certainly not clinically proven, that speakf of MJ keeps cancers from growing. Hopefully, more scientific research and trials are done as well as earlier studies can get out of the closets and dark, after years of suppression.

Fish - Much preferable to narcs. That rings the big bells!!  Nearly everyone here who requires pain management is prescribed narcotics, ranging from hydrocodone, oxycodone, to fentanyl. All are derived from opium, same as heroin. It really is beyond me why most folks, if they have a hard think, would not seriously consider at least trying MJ in lieu of the narcotics to help with pain, sleep, and appetite issues.

For those who have access to MJ, preferably in a MJ friendly state, are most cancer patients choosing not to try MJ or just not give it sufficient thought as a viable option?

Without question, thousands of people have died from misuse of opiate based drugs. There has never been a single death directly associated to consuming MJ. Of course, this excludes incidents where someone high runs into a freeway embankment, etc.

For those in states where the use is totally illegal, some percentage of patients are going to avoid getting involved unless they are already sold on the benefits. Someone with a new cancer diagnosis is probably not in the mood to risk getting arrested with a drug offense.

JG - How much dope you smoking these days? You have a pot smokiing dog that fishes and eat flounders; boy - must be some good sh...t  lol

There is so much evidence of efficacy for certain conditions that this whole topic should really not even need any further discussion. If nothing else, the FDA should quickly help get MJ onto the correct DEA schedule. It is a Schedule 1 drug, same as heroin, LSD, MDMA(Estacy), pshcy mushrooms,etc.

Schedule I substances are those that have the following findings:
  The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.
  The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
  There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.

You gotta take your hat off to those who take risks to help patients getting some relief, given the potentially draconian punishment if the authorities decide to act.

"Sentences for first-time, non-violent offenders convicted of trafficking in Schedule I drugs can easily turn into de facto life sentences when multiple sales are prosecuted in one proceeding.: from wikipedia

Hondo - I have read your story so I understand your openess to alternatives rather that what is peddled by the traditional medical establishment. You raise some great points though, In states where it is not legal, you could run the risk that any random blood test could find THC in your system and you could be in big trouble including losing your job and career. It is great to get this sort of perspective as it brings reality into the lights, the place where some of us get blinded by the lights and really need them dark shades. lol

Grandmax4 - humm.. any specific reason to "pass"; just nice to get more perspectives into the thread so folks can think and make informed decisions on using MJ as stated here.

dlygoblue - Marinol - WOW! not so many are prescribed this stuff. I learn so much by asking questions. It is amazing that Marinol which contains THC, same as cannabis, is classified as a Schedule 3 drug and considered to be non-narcotic with alow risk of dependence.  

"Marinol has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the treatment of anorexia in AIDS patients, as well as for refractory nausea and vomiting of patients undergoing chemotherapy, which can remain in the body for up to 5 years, which has raised much controversy as to why natural THC is still a schedule I drug." wikipedia

This just shows how screwed up things really are. Well - the battle continues but at this point, it is really just a matter of time before it is decriminalzed across the country. Things are so messed up - it never dawned on me to ask my doctor to just prescribe Marinol.

Any others out there used Marinol or even heard of it being prescribed or asked for it?

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for joining in. What is up with all the Florida folks here? Humans and animals enjoy a puff or two - John even has a pot smoking dog that eats haibut when he high and gets the munchies! LOL

I'm glad others can offer their insights to what is going on in their own regions as it sure does seem to cover a wide range. At the very least, cannabis for bonafide medical use is the right thing to do. I really hope many of Sanjay Gupta's followers may softten and even convert over to being supporters after seeing how dramatic the improvements were in those sickly kids, youth, and adults.

NORML http://norml.org/ is a main focus point for those advocating for getting medical cannabis legalized as well as decriminalizing it altogether. You can find out the status and where efforts are underway to influence legislation and related topics.