That last sentance you said, "at whos foot do I need to grovel to" got to me. It as it seems people have to beg for their pain relief. These doctos have control over what kind of quality we have in our lives. I was lucky to find a good pain specialist that does treat me for pain. I thank God I have him. Others especially those with RSD, PD and other neurological problems suffer so much that I tear up reading their posts. This kind of suffering should not have to happen in our country. I wish I could pray away their pain and suffering. thanks for posting. Because our state will now test for THC, I can't try even the liquid kind, or in foods. I can't afford to loose my benefits which I have with medicare. Being disabled is so hard to endure as it is. I just wish things could be different. Be good to yourself. ginnie

heres some good news for you madame !your feelings are shared by millions!

http://www.truthdig.com/eartothegrou...egal_20111017/

I read with great interest the artical you sent through. At least that organization is trying to do something positive about this. It is the first good thing I read about the future of this plant. There are so many medicines that do so much harm. Our crisis in Fla. with pill mills is an example. Compassion and choice should be our right. I hate the med. I take, because i know what the withdrawl from it feels like. It is frightening and terrible. Medical THC does not have such an effect. I feel bad for the people who have neurological pain, where nothing helps. Parkinsons, a good example. If any part of the plant worked to alievate just a little of the person discomfort, it should be allowed. I have NP after two spinal fusions. There is no hope in Fla. at the current date. The world it seems is in a war with something that has been around thousands of years. It is long past the time where the war should be fought. I am almost 60 now, I don't need a high, I would like relief that does no damage like the narcotics do. I know others feel the same way. I wish you all the best moondaughter, that you have less pain today. ginnie

it's the pharmaceutical companies that need to be persuaded to back off. Isn't there a strong relationship between pharmacy and politics? If the majority of people seeking relief from pain start turning to MM then where would that leave the pharm companies and narcs/meds for pain? That would be a huge financial loss for pharm. Conspiracy is a strong word, usually reserved for UFO's and the military but I think in this case it's probably an appropriate usage.

I agree with you 100% The drug makers would loose their money big time. There are people in positions of power, who do not wish the laws to change. Some how there is a benefit out of it for them. During prohibition, the underground trade was huge! All the gangs like up in chicago, who provided the booze, made huge profits, because they knew people were going to drink. Police were paid off at the speak easy clubs. The cops were in on it. Now we have the drug cartels down in mexico and at our boarders doing the same thing on a huge scale. That is where the crime is. That would cease to exist, if people could grow their own, or a tax be put on it like drinks and cigaretts. Wanna get out of national debt? The tax and legalization of it would boost our very poor ecomomy. I do feel there is something not quite right about the whole topic. I am a 60's child, the origional flower power. I didn't feel it was wrong back then and I don't now. The medications I take are far more dangerous. Almost everybody I know, has used this at some point in their lives. My 94 year old Aunt wanted to try it before she died. That was hugely funny and she love me dearly. My mother never forgave me. I have that memory and it brings a smile to my face every time. If I could do this, I would. I can't take the chance because of medicare/medicaid. They are using that to reduce the number of people receiving benefits. So I will post and lend my voice to this subject. I will speak out because people are suffering so terribly. Even if it just helped emotionally to cope it would be worthwhile to those who suffer. It is the second most profitable crop in our country. That says alot about the people who live here. Let us hope America changes and again becomes the land of the free. ginnie

I noted with great interest some references to Medicare and Marijuana. I was not aware that you can lose your Medicare if you use Marijuana. Is this so? Has this actually happened to anyone and if so, was it in a state that has medical marijuana?
My recent Blue Cross rate has jumped into "Oh my God" land. Other than PD, I have no health problems, am 61, female and now am forced to pay over $1600 a month insurance premium. So, I've been considering early retirement or disability. But if they are going to drug test me for THC, that will be a problem.
Any thoughts? Also, I've heard that actually getting benefits is a long uphill battle.

Yep, our good old governor, has put forth his idea of a law, to have all people on medicare/medicaid tested for THC. That is why I am afraid to use it, though I know it might help my NP. My opinion is he is trying to reduce the number on the rolls for this state. From what squacking there is about it, he is going to have a fight on his hands. He is being sued from what I heard on a state level. There is a presumtion of guilt, which is unconstituational. what is bad about this, it sets a bad example for other states to try to do this too. This state and his ideas have rubbed alot of people the wrong way. There are alot of people who use this, and all of us would be in trouble. California is trying to back out of their laws, since so many clinics have opened up. Now they are afraid it is getting out of hand. The people voted for it, yet the government is trying to squeeze them out. Just like prohibition, it won't work. I am almost 60, and I will never think bad about anyone who wants to use this plant. I will lend my voice if nothing else. Lets hope other states won't try to do the same thing. I am angry that this option is not open to me. I won't risk my benefits if our governor wins this debate. I think that is against our freedom of choice. Instead I take a medication that is dangerous, and addictive. That is where the crime is. ginnie

I noticed you said your medical insurance has gone out of site. I had pre-existing conditions, so was never able to get insurance at all. When I failed and had 6 surgeries, it wiped out all my savings, and all the money my parents had saved for me too. I now have joined the ranks of the poor, on medicare/medicaid. I am bitter as I worked all my life. My folks had a trust for me which they tried to make it so I could not use it for medical conditions. They knew I would get wiped out. the state didn't care what the trust said. I was not allowed to keep those funds to keep me in my home. It was meant for me to pay my taxes to live in this home. Now I will loose my home also. This country is not fair to those who are ill. I am very bitter at what has been done to me. The programs we have in place are unfair, and lead nowhere but into poverty. Even though your pay 1,600, that would be better than loosing all you have like I did. Medicals costs have skyrocketed, making many people like me, so very sad. I did bring it to my State Rep, Supposedly, the states attorney is looking at my case. I am trying to keep my home. ginnie

[Last night on the News. Florida the one of the upper courts voted down the governors law to make people test to be able to receive medicare and medicaid. the fight goes on. He says they are taking food away from children who need the services but not voting for his bill. They are saying it is an invasion of personal rights and an asumption of guilt. The fight goes on. ginnie

It's now 2012 and marijuana is still illegal. I can call my dr today and request Oxy and he'd probably give me an rx and if I got pulled over on the way home from the pharmacy, the cops would happily let me go. I was about to say it's a weird world, but that's not accurate. It's a corrupt world and our politicians are now so corrupt they can only support their big donors like big pharma. Forget the people, we can't donate a million at a time to their re-election. The political system has officially gone to the dark side and probably only revolution will change it. I know that sounds naive, but I think this year will be the one where the people take back the country. The 99% movement hasn't really started, from what I hear.

I smoke nightly for P.N. and sleep like a baby. I awake refreshed it's like my body has been reset from the day before. I recently had an extraordinary painful day and took 1 norco in the afternoon and one after dinner. I woke up feeling like I had been drinking all night (I don't drink.) It just reinforced why I use MJ now and no pain rx's. The difference is amazing!

The population is waking up though and it should become legal soon (in some states). Here in California, it almost passed in 2010 (or 2008?) but the alcohol industry jumped in and killed it. Amazing. Probably the single biggest cause of death and family turmoil in existance and they rally against the 'evils' of cannabis (with no documented death - ever!)

The news is full of scary storys about the drug war in Mexico. Make MJ legal here in the states and that pretty much takes care of that problem. No more money flushed down the 'war on drugs' toilet and new revenue is created from the legal trade.

Ok, my rant is officially over.

Hope everyone has a better year than last.