I may have not made my thoughts clearly ..my friend thinks that it can treat
cancer. I wanted to know if it can treat neuropathy or will it only mask the pain. You answered my question clearly.

It will be like Gabapentin, Lyrica and other conventional medicines which are currently prescribed by doctors. It will reduce or mask the pain but it will not heal the nerves. Its not the ideal goal but given our situation, I can live with that.

it would have been nice if this is given as another option for us in our state.

I also think so that when used for a long time, one will develop tolerance. Until you may have to increase the dosage until perhaps you dont realize you are hooked to it.

I read, though, its not addicting. I need to read more because i dont understand how it cannot be addicting.

Marinol is available in our state. I have to ask my neuro in my next visit if it can be prescribed to neuropathy.

Here is site describing Marinol and it's uses:

http://www.drugs.com/marinol.html

Another site on MJ:

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publication...uana-addictive

you must be in new jersey

Addiction is a strange word, but no, for most people it is not addictive, meaning they don't want to constantly smoke/inhale it and/or up the dose.

In very few people it can be addictive - I've seen them first hand in rehab - and they tend to get very paranoid and nervous. But they really are a very very small minority, and often people who have untreated other issues. For most of us, it is perfectly safe. Personally I never understood that MJ could be illegal and alcohol isn't/wasn't. But that's a whole different topic.

Dr. Smith is right: it is not a cure. It does however - for many people - mask the pain and mellows them out. It also may stimulate your appetite, and your laughter. It is very easy to control, you can quickly feel when you had enough.

I would say: give it a try. Go easy at first, you don't want to accidentally get stoned out of your mind.

These are complex questions, answers to which can be quite polarizing because in many cases, politics interferes with science.

I think reading more—about ALL of these questions, and then deciding for onesself, is probably the best idea.

Doc

Took me awhile to find this PBS show on MM. I watched it about 2 years ago. It makes a compelling case for MM and its potential in helping so many. One thing that stands out for me is that there are numerous compounds in marijuana which contribute to it effectiveness....The synergetic effect versus isolating only one chemical and making drug of it.

If you have the time, take look.

http://video.pbs.org/video/2103797319/

That's why I stressed the importance of the right strains/blends for individual patients. So many compounds, but only a few so far studied, and then only considered singlely. Unfortunately it's a matter of trial & error to find a right one, if there is one. This is where other patients' feedback and/or dispensary budtenders (like a bartender) can sometimes help.

Doc

Marlene,

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS LINK.

I watched it and will try to look it up from the PBS online the complete show.

Mary

This should be the entire show:

http://watch.montanapbs.org/video/1825223761/

Doc....did you just coin the term "budtender" or is that the lingo of MM? Pretty clever.