Medical Marijuana
 

Living in California with a medical marijuana recommendation, I have received great benefit from a liquid form of marijuana. (I don't like to smoke) Instead of having to rely on strong sleeping pills that leave me stumbling into the wall the next day, just a couple of drops of liquid THC gets me a good night's sleep. Before, I was lucky to get 2-3 hours sleep. Now I get 6-7 hours and wake up clear headed.
That's what I call valuable medicine!
Now suddenly the feds have declared war on medical marijuana and are closing down the dispensaries. It is legal on the state level but illegal on the federal level. Obama had made a policy of leaving medical marijuana alone but now, the policy has changed.
Where does that leave me? Am I supposed to wander around street corners trying to buy pot??? It's crushing to see how easily my health problems can be just swept aside and medicine that helps me can be taken away.
Anyone else in the Parkinson's community tried marijuana? Even if you haven't or don't want to, please consider how easily and thoughtlessly this medicine has been yanked away. If anyone out there is concerned with this situation, please contact your representatives in Washington and let them know how you feel.

The government up here in Canada has launched a campaign against the Killer Weed being prescribed by doctors. They are making it much harder to get medical marijuana. It's an example of people believing in individual liberty as long as everybody lives exactly the same way they do.
Yes, I find marijuana is excellent against stress and pain and emotional despair. But it grows wild as a weed, and would never be as profitable as whiskey or Mirapex. Besides which, our rulers are quite terrified at the prospect of millions of baby boomer PWP's wandering around stoned. But the boomers are on the way to PD-land, and the music will be LOUD.
So don't tell anybody, but every summer i grow a couple of plants behind the barn.
Weeds, just can get rid of invasive weeds.

RE: compassion
 

There use to be a law in fla. that allowed the use of this plant. They are cracking down for no good reason. If people are in pain, you aught to be able to use what works. If we would legalize it, and tax it, guaranteed we'd be out of national debt. Prohibition didn't work eithor, and neithor will this war on Pot. It's all about money and greed. There needs to be sensible ways of dealing with the whole situation. I can't induldge down here, because our governor, has made war, and decided all those on medicare/medicaid need to get tested. He has now been sued on a state level. I am sorry they are giving you trouble in Ca. the whole issue should be built around compassion for those that hurt. It is a plant, people should be able to use it. It is not addictive, nor does it lead to harder drugs. Think about what they said about drinking during prohibition. I have cronic pain, and I would if I could. ginnie

Sad for Americans
 

One of the many sad things about this whole problem is that they are closing down the dispensaries which offer a safe place to obtain marijuana and burning the marijuana crops of US citizens who planted them trusting in the California law that said that it was legal. So... now where will the pot come from? Mexico! We are just handing the whole thing over to the Mexican drug cartels. There is already a nasty crime spree going on around the borders. Now we're going to encourage even more.
Not to mention that the citizens of California voted to legalize medical marijuana... so much for the what the people want. I guess the politicians know best???!!!! We're throwing away the opportunity to collect desperately needed tax money which could be collected on the legal sale of marijuana.
Let's see now... we have tobacco, liquor and Indian gambling casinos. But Californians in pain cannot be allowed to have a simple plant based medicine. But we can smoke til our lungs fall out, drink til our livers explode and gamble our last pennies away. What? Did big brother take a day off when they legalized all of that?
So what's the real story behind this marijuana crack down??? I believe there is some sort of sinister game being played here and I for one want to know what it is.
Let me in on the joke so that I can laugh too. So far I'm not laughing... I'm crying knowing that soon I will run out of the medicine that helps me sleep and stops my foot cramps.
I've phoned and written my senators and representative. I've even phoned the White House. I don't have much faith that my little voice will be heard but, I'm trying. And I am encouraging everyone to try also. If we let them get away with this... what's next?????

I'm not a conspiracy theorist but have to wonder if making pot illegal is a war on consciousness as well.

i have a friend who gets similar results from MM as sinemet but i have to wonder if that may be because he also uses tobacco and the combo of the two is synergistic for pd .

i get a little spacey on pot and treasure clarity so gave it up a long time ago for fear of more memory loss

md

Not a pot smoker
 

Actually, I've never been a pot smoker. First of all, I don't smoke. Second of all, I hate feeling out of control. I like my wits about me and tend to feel quite paranoid when I have had one drink too many. My college try of marijuana gave me that same paranoid, out of control feeling so, never used it again.
Actually it was my neurologist who inquired if I'd tried marijuana. I was so desperate for sleep and something to fix those foot cramps that I went right out and got my official medical recommendation. I found a dispensary and I must say that the person I spoke with there was very professional, compassionate and helpful. It was a very clean, doctor's office kind of atmosphere located in an office building in a decent part of town. I felt quite safe going in there.
When I explained that I am a non-smoker, they recommended a liquid form of marijuana. It works very well. I know that this isn't curing anything. It's just one small medicine that eases a couple of symptoms. When you have PD, any relief is a huge blessing.
Why do sick people have to beg for a medicine that helps them? Shall I sit on a street corner with a tin cup? At whose foot do I need to grovel?

medicinal use of plants should be sacred in society inmho and if they help us to FEEL better than we journey towards wholeness and isn't that what we are afterr anyway?

why, as a culture are we afraid to acknowledge the value of consciousness shifts triggered by MM? of course the pain annd anxiety relief are infinitely valuable but lets not tiptoe around he unifying and enlightening effects too lest we are scorned by those who think they know better yet never having experienced it. anything can be abused...moderation is my motto! seems like the MM clinics that offer advice and counseling are so very useful in guiding us towards wise and beneficial use.
I'm grateful for the perceptual shifts i've experience from pot - they came with a cost tho as i also became less productive. this may not have happened had i had the benefit of counsel from the very clinics that are being dismantled....one step forward -two steps back....
time to occupy a garden madamelash!!
md

agree
 

i don't smoke marijiuana anymore because i don't have a source. Moderation is, I agree the only way to go with smoking it. i don't have a problem with a high personality and a regular personality. The point is to relax....put aside the heaviness of life, create pain free moments in time during a most difficult life that we share. It borders on ridiculous that the culture in which we live condemns a plant but condones so many chemicals in all aspects of our life.

if i had a source i'd have some. when was it ever ok in Florida?

meanwhile its been over a year and i am sleeping with the use of other chemicals. but for someone who has always had a mild problem with paranoia and went into 100% paranoia mode during post op delirium, I don't let myself go to paranoia with pot. If you must be jugemental , don't be around people who aren't. acceptance and positivity is crucial for this type of relaxation.

the mexican cartel is winning the battle. our enemies all over the world sell and finance atrocities with drugs. but we break the bank accounts and refuse to help those who legitimately need relief in our own country.

Gosh i'm having trouble seeing the positive in anything lately. rehab hospitals are a little like prison but now i'm allowed to leave for 4 hours. going home to do the laundry tomorrow and get a cookie dough blizzard at Dairy Queen.

maybe i'll score some pot on the street; lol....i could volunteer at the junior high and find some......granny arrested in undercover sting at local junior high. the whole world is on drugs but we must not use the plant or something is "wrong" with us. After all, it's illegal.

Re: want to yell
 

When I hear these posts, I get so angry with the system in the country I want to scream and yell. People should not be made to suffer.
Yes, there was a law for a brief period of time In Fla. to let a certain number of people try this under a compassionate law. it was soon voted down, not by us but by those who have the power to do so.
Tax it legalize it, and we would have no national debt. The mexican problem would disapear if it were legalized, instead there are wars and people getting killed over it. We need to have a more enlightened society. This plant has been around for thousands of years, you would think by now we would have learned that it is an exceptable thing to do. Fla. is one of the worst states now with their laws. I take morphine for pain, and I would love more than anything to get off it. I would have tried this plant if given the opportunity, as it is far less damaging than morphine. It just makes no sense to me that they consider pot, more damaging than this drug. It must be about money and power, with the people at the top. I am sorry you all have to suffer. ginnie

I wouldnt smoke it for my pd, but I agree with you..It should be legalize, and taxed..That would put an end to the crime that is associated with smuggling pot into the country

I guess our govt hasn't learned anything from Prohibition..They outlawed alcohol, and it caused crime and violence, and people were still drinking anyway

Hi madamlash
 

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/

Hi moondaughter
 

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

Perhaps..
 

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.

hello emptynest
 

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

Medicare?
 

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.

HI madamlash
 

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

Re: another comment
 

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

Re: up date from fla.
 

[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.

Hi surfer
 

Rant all you want to. I sure do understand big money and corruption over the issue of MJ. It makes me sad it is illigal, it doesn't cause deaths like other narcotics to, and it works. In my state the Gov. is trying to pass a law to have everyone on medicare/medicaid take a test. If MJ was legal to do, I suppose I would try it, as I know how hard the process is of getting off a narcotic. Those of us who do not abuse medications, would not abuse this either. It is not a gateway drug to worse things in my opinion. I am a 60's child. I never abused a thing in my life. I did discuss this with my pain specialist. He is under pressure from the state to test people, so he does. He told me that he would allow it in his practice if this state would come around. This specialist I go to, is top notch, and I felt comfortable enough to talk to him about it. I do not mind getting tested, as I am so grateful I get the help from him that I do. It was just interesting to hear his personal viewpoint.
We should have a compassionate law, where a trial could be done with NP type of pain for sure. If we would tax it, legalize it, I bet we could get rid of national debt. I also have a strong belief in God. My faith does not contradict what I feel toward this issue. Maybe it is because I was born in the generation I was in, I don't know. I just don't think God would be upset over using this, when most of our good medications are plant dirvatives any way. Our medications are plant based in so many ways. So why is this one any different? I sure can rant on this issue too. I will abide by the laws of this state, but it runs contrary to what I really believe. I am not ashamed to believe this way. I am just ashamed our country will not be more compassionate. If pain can be reduced even a fraction, to some, that would allow a better quality of life. Even if it was all in a persons head so to speak, if it brought peace and some kind of relief, it should be allowed. Why is there such a squack over this particular plant? I am 60 years old, not a child, I would have liked to make this decision to try it in my lifetime to see if it worked for me. I do think it all is political on why this issue remains. I hope all of us have pain free days, so that we have quality of life. Be good surfer, we have to be. ginnie

Surfer, you made some very valid points. Being able to getting Oxy's at CVS with an Rx, but you get caught with MJ with out a Medical MJ Card, and they'll arrest you..On the street, Oxy's are rich mans Heroin, and certainly a dangerous drug when abused

MJ will be a problem untill the Pharma Co's have control over the sale of MJ, and Congress figures out a way to tax it, and when they legalize it, the crime associated with it will all but disappear

Everything has a price

Hi stevem
 

If you are both in California, at least your state is giving the issue a try. I do not this this will happen for this state,Fla. in my life time. Because of all the other abuses with clinics, they are tuff on this issue. I hope all the best for you Stevem. ginnie

Hi ginnie
 

I live in Rhode Island, which does permit medical MJ under certain conditions, but personally, I wouldnt smoke it under any conditions, because I have an addictive personality, and for me it would lead back to a road that I don't want to go back down

However, for those it helps, God Bless them!! :)

On another note, MJ is quite benign in comparison to alcohol, yet alcohol is legal, and MJ is not, yet there are horendous crimes associated with MJ smuggling..This country has learned little from Prohibition

Not trying to change the subject folks, just sayin'

http://www.health.ri.gov/healthcare/...uana/index.php

Hi stevem
 

It is good that you know yourself. I am glad you didn't go down a dark path. I do not have an addictive personality. In fact after my tooth extraction, I saved the meds. I didn't use for emergency. I have been the kind of patient that follows exactly what I am told to do as far as medications goes. I donot believe MJ would hurt me in any way, other that being a risk for throat cancer. There are machines on the market that take away the smoke, and other forms of the plant. I think the technology is there to make a pill or something. I just want this country to open up to the idea of additional plants that may indeed work for some people. Our goal being to reduce suffering. Think of all the plant based meds. we all ready have. Also this plant is in the country, and your are right proabition didn't work at all. I am glad you hear your state of RI is at least trying to ease the horrible time in jail people endure because of this plant. There are alot more serious crimes that should have their attention, not this. It is political, and again a way to control people. ginnie

Cannabis and Parkinson's
 

From Faizan Sheikh's PD website ("My Angel, My Hero")
They ask us, "where is the science?"
Well, the science is there, if they check out what is actually happening to People With Parkinson's, not just what is happening in theoretical lab science.
Cannabis and Parkinson’s: Dr. Mark Sircus’ blog:

“… some cannabinoids are potent antioxidants that can protect neurons from death even without cannabinoid receptor activation. It seems that cannabinoids can delay or even stop progressive degeneration of brain dopaminergic systems… In combination with magnesium cannabinoids represent, qualitatively, a new approach to the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.
Dr. Evzin Ruzicka, neurologist at Charles University in Prague said, “To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the effect of cannabis on Parkinson’s disease, and our findings suggest it may alleviate some symptoms"
39 patients (46%) reported that their Parkinson’s disease symptoms in general were relieved after they started using cannabis; 26 (31%) reported an improvement in tremor while at rest, and 38 (45%) experienced a relief of bradykinesia. Relief of muscle rigidity was reported by 32 (38%), and 12 (14%) said they had an improvement in levodopa-induced dyskinesias.
… the improvement in symptoms occurred an average of 1.7 months after they had started using cannabis. Patients who used it for at least three months were more likely to experience symptom relief than those with shorter experience….
In a 2007 study published in Nature, researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine report that endocannabinoids, naturally occurring chemicals found in the brain that are similar to the active compounds in marijuana and hashish, helped trigger a dramatic improvement in mice with a condition similar to Parkinson’s.
Dr. Robert Malenka and Dr. Anatol Kreitzer combined a drug used to treat Parkinson’s disease (Dopamine) with an experimental compound that can boost the level of endocannabinoids in the brain. When they used the combination in mice with a condition like Parkinson’s, the mice went from being frozen in place to moving around freely in 15 minutes. "They were basically normal," Kreitzer said.
…receptors for cannabinoids are all over the brain, but they are not always activated by the naturally occurring endocannabinoids," said Malenka.”
http://blog.imva.info/medicine/parkinsons-disease

Re: thank you Bob
 

Thank you for the article, and the research you brought to this subject. PD is such a horrible disease, and I believe more than ever, patients should be allowed this compassion and help. If the research is there, it is all political and a method to control. I am 60, and I hope in my lifetime, I see the release of THC into our health system to ease suffering. When I was a child, my neighbor Mr.Johnson had parkinsons. Even though I was young I saw first hand what this disease did to a brilliant mind and body. It took his last breath. What ever help there is for this disease, should be allowed. To not allowed this medical advance is not civilized. ginnie