A case for cannabis
 

I'm not a pot smoker but I have read that it relieves nerve pain. So when it got so bad I couldn't stand the pain anymore I smoked it. I will tell you that it killed my pain for 5 hours but I was so high I didn't like that feeling at all. But I understand how this marijuana plant can help people in cronic pain it does work. It would be great if there was a way to take away the high and just have the pain relieving properties, the world would be a better place for us PNers.

There is a strain that has been developed in Colorado (where medical marijuana is legal) that has little or no THC so no 'high'. The 10 yr old son of someone I know uses it there for epilepsy control. *admin edit*

Recent MM thread
 

You may want to read this thread on MM.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread193628.html

Agreed; it's all about the strain/variety or blend of strains. Those for pain relief are generally lower in THC and higher in CBN/CBD.

What Medical Marijuana strain is best for your condition, Sativa or Indica?

Doc

Did you smoke the whole joint? I have no experience but others have said that just a few puffs and it takes the edge off. You are not looking to get high just to take the edge off.

With some of today's strains (vs. what was available in the '60s & '70s) one hit/puff can be one toke over the line for someone cannabinoid-naïve.

Doc

I figured that you would say that. The people I've heard say that a puff or two is enough to take the edge off the pain are not from the 60's and 70's. They are from today's world. In saying that, they probably know what strains to use. These are people on forums I go on. And it does not work for everybody either.

I have no idea about strains of pot , but I got some relief from chronic pain just for a little while smoked 2 big puffs off a joint and the pain went away in less than a minute.I believe people suffering from PN shouldn't be made a criminal for pain . Is this still the Stone Age or what? All I know is that it worked for me and I don't judge people for trying to better there quality of life. It nice to know that smoking a puff off a joint works for my chronic pain and if that makes me a criminal so be it. Peace !

I couldn't agree more. The facts & history behind the prohibition would (IMO) blow most peoples' minds. The Times They Are A-Changin', albeit too slowly, but even well-known conservatives are rethinking the issue and changing their positions, based on facts rather than fictions.

The War on Drugs is Lost

Why I Changed My Mind on Weed by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent

conservatives who support medical marijuana

You would be in good company.
Emphasis mine.

Doc

I understand Doc, crazy world we all live in. I too am of the conservative mind and see how this country is a changing. Hopefully, next year they will pass M.M. Here and it gets to those people that need it so badly. I have very little experience with marijuana ,as I understand that it is physically not addictive as the pain killers I take. No brainer ! Legal m.m. Is better for everybody in need and takes away one less thing we have to worry about. You hang in there Doc , Peace!

Maybe—maybe not. First, dependence is not addiction. Dependence is physical; addiction is psychological. There is no question that pain patients can become dependent on opioid pain medications. However, less than 3% of pain patients without previous history of abuse or psychological issues become addicted.

Painkiller Addiction: A Smaller Risk Than You May Think

I don't know the cannabis addiction statistics of chronic pain patients, however...
Cannabis can also cause dependence.
So while opioids present a greater dependence risk, cannabis may present the greater addiction risk.

In the case of chronic pain patients, who may need pain medication for many years—if not for life—this may all be academic. I think it comes down to choosing the lesser of evils.

Long-term effects of cannabis
vs.
New research shows effects of long-term use of opioid therapy

From a much broader reading of what's out there, I'm inclined to agree with you that cannabis addiction and/or dependence MAY be preferable to opioid addiction and/or dependence, but that will have to be each individual's personal choice—there are many other factors that enter into it (side effects, efficacy, cost, etc.)

And I encourage anyone contemplating/faced with this decision to do much more research than presented here, and have discussions with their doctors before making their decision.

You hang in there too.

Doc

I actually do smoke pot a bit recreationally. I have TN and I find that it makes the pain worse. When I am high I tend to really focus on that pain. Others say it helps. Guess it depends on the pot and the person

Sad but our government is broken at every level
 

It is the only drug classified as a schedule 1 on the list of illicit drugs that shouldn't be there. Only because the government has no way to control it. If God put it here it has a purpose unfortunately the controversy of deception continues. Once the government decides they can put money in there own pocket then the coffers it will happen until then we suffer. The consequences will be similar to DWI and many will suffer the laws when it does become legal.
I suffer i pain every day but with that being said, "why complain" so many have it so much worse. Make the most out of each day. Increase your faith in God and go to a good church and feed the spirit. You will feel better keeping your mind occupied and living in the spirit. It works better than drugs and there are no side effects :-)

Well, God also made nightshade and poisonous mushrooms and rattlesnakes...but I do agree with you. I would certainly like all if us who need lifetime pain management to have more choices, and more information. I personally do not get a lot of pain relief from faith. I assume God uses all suffering for good, but I am not intellectually capable of a "feel-good" faith. I have tried but this is not the forum for that!

Sometimes I think my PCP, the only doctor I see these days, is a little pedestrian, but he has promised to work with us on this and he did sit both of us down last year when we switched to time release morphine and have a long conversation about this being for the rest of my life. Since I am 51 that could be a long time, with a lot of incremental increases which have to be made as slowly as possible so that I don't run out of options before I die. I make an effort to remain mentally sharp.
That is one thing that worries me about MM. I remember, faintly, making some dumb choices in college "under the influence". Not sure if that was the drug or the age, but mental clarity and focus are a concern I would have.

Most people are just taking a puff or two to take the edge off of the pain. It is for medicinal use. At least that's what I've read here and on other forums. And the MM is not from the '60's and '70's. It is what is in today's world. They are not doing this to get high. And even at that it does not work for everyone.