Yes, but was it the marijuana that led to those persons using the other drugs, or the other drugs that led to those persons using marijuana? And how many of those marijuana users used alcohol, nicotine, or caffeine FIRST?

As early as 1944...
It wasn't my intent to go off on a tangent here, and we shouldn't. Anyone who's interested might look into the history of marijuana prohibition

If anyone cares to discuss it further, we should move it to another thread/forum.

Doc

I know I would use it if it was legal in PA. It can't possibly be as bad as most of the other poisons they put us on. I just thought of something. I wonder if big pharm companies may be lobbying to block the legalization. They stand to lose a lot. If it works for people they won't buy their drugs.

I did hear the other day that it is really expensive though and not covered by insurance. I heard $400 an ounce. Who can afford that?

My primary issue with Sativex is that the cost prevents it from reaching many who could benefit from it. That's a hard one to get around for most people! I do support its use for the benefits which only continue to show promise in studies. The bigger problem for many however is cost and access and it is important to know there are affordable alternatives that provide the same benefit for those who have access to them.

The products are measured in milligrams, similar to prescription drugs and just like prescription drugs, a patient adjusts the dosage based on their pain status.

I know.

For me, it eliminates the antagonizing tingling completely. I understand some people have tried pot, gotten high and didn't realize a decrease in symptoms but as Dr. Smith pointed out, they could very well have been strains containing high THC and lower or no CBD. The general population of pot smokers seek the high THC since that is what provides the high. In medicine however, and more specifically to treat neuropathic pain as we are discussing here, high CBD and low or no THC products (and some with a ratio of 1:1) are being used in studies with significantly positive outcomes.

In Colorado, a high CBD strain is about half that, so $200 an ounce which can last three or four months depending on usage. Also most places offer incentives such as discount cards (think competition ).

You hit the nail on the head. What do you think it would do to the pharm industry if people found medicine they could use or grow, instead of all the narcotics and other meds we take? Of course they are behind the push to stop this from becoming law. I have been involved in campaigning for this issue, and believe me the pharm industry is involved up to their ears. If this passes as law to allow MM, don't think this pharm industry would not get involved, they would in any way they could make money.
MM isn't legal in my state either. I may move to a legal location if we can't get this passed in florida. MM works for PN. ginnie

An article highlighting the three prescribed drugs used to manage neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain in fibromyalgia sufferers: Cymbalta, Lyrica and Savella vs Cannabis:
http://www.prohealth.com/library/sho...fm?libid=18949

And in a survey of fibromyalgia sufferers, cannabis was rated far more effective than any of the FDA-approved drugs:
http://americannewsreport.com/nation...a-8823638.html

Results:
Cymbalta: 60% - no help, 32% - helps a little, 8% - very effective
Lyrica: 61% - no help, 29% - helps a little, 10% - very effective
Savella: 68% - no help, 22% - helps a little, 10% - very effective
Cannabis: 5% - no help, 33% - helps a little, 62% - very effective

I am not a conspiracy theorist by nature but I think we all know how extremely powerful Big Pharma is and its enormous (financial) influence over the US Government. It will surely fight to prevent the medical community from accepting the concept of patients using natural medicine or even growing their own medicine to use in lieu of their expensive lab-manufactured chemicals.

It is unfortunate that politics play a role in medical care but it most certainly does!

Ok, we're missing a connection here; that doesn't answer the questions of "How?" or address the issues of purity/potency. At this time, they can print pretty much ANYTHING they like on the labels; nothing is yet regulated/standardized, and with "natural products" they aren't required to specify everything that's in a product (goes to purity), much less how much. Along with the higher competition that lowers prices (this is still a "for-profit" business for the most part) comes cost-cutting measures and corner-cutting. Where, and on/with what? Who's watchdogging? (That may change soon, but it's not here yet, and has a way to go—see NPR link below)

It's not like prescription drugs at all. With prescription drugs—pain medications in particular—patients don't generally adjust their own dosage—doctors do, based on accumulated knowledge & experience that isn't yet available with MM.

Putting all that together, there's a lot to question/be skeptical about, especially when the image the industry portrays is one like this:
http://www.caregiverscup.com/
Their hearts may be in the right places, but would you buy medicine from—and/or trust your health to—this image? Are you?

These questions/issues were recently the subject of an NPR report (among others).
Marijuana-Laced Treats Leave Colorado Jonesing For Food-Safety Rules

I think they concern many doctors as well.

Doc

Thanks for the articles!!!!! I so hope this state gets the issue passed this fall. If not as I stated before I may move. I went to Jamaica, and I did use MM the entire time. I had so much less PN pain I cried! Walking up and down the hills in Negril I was able to do! After two times trying this, 8 months apart, I did a good control study of my own and kept notes. I stay legal in my own state, but I hate using the hydrocodone or other narcotics. I had a devil of a time getting off another medication a few years ago. No withdrawing from MM either. No after effects at all. This whole issue should be a non issue. It is a plant that works and should be allowed. It is political in this country. Keep me posted on articles you find. I will pass them on to a group I am involved with for the election. ginnie