Fun Fact: Dr. Gupta is a Neurologist who turned down the job of U.S. Surgeon General to work for CNN. Here's the link for that http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/...rgeon.general/ .

I saw Gupta on CNN plugging this docu today (more info below). He stated that he was wrong about the benefits of MMJ. He also stated that people with neuropathic pain do benefit. Either way, I thought it was worth sharing. Lord knows some of us are on much stronger and more lethal medications just to make it through a day with the neuropathic pain we with CRPS / RSD experience.

See Trailer at http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/vi...promo.cnn.html

Premieres on CNN Sunday, August 11 at 8 pm ET

Once considered a more underground activity, marijuana has become increasingly popular over the years, resulting in legalization to grow, sell and smoke it in states like Colorado and Washington. Cannabis has become one of the most controversial topics in America, but just decades ago it was a legitimate medication on U.S. formulary. No matter the circumstance, the debate over marijuana still exists and one question remains the same. Is marijuana bad for you or, could it actually be good for you?

In “Weed” – a one hour documentary premiering on Sunday, August 11th at 8 pm ET – CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta spends nearly a year traveling the globe to shed light on the debate.

While it is part of a lifestyle for some, it is a lifeline for others including five-year-old Charlotte Figi. Charlotte suffers from a rare condition called Dravet’s syndrome, making her prone to up to 300 seizures per week. Like many people who use marijuana for medicinal purposes, parents Paige and Matt Figi tried every other option before resorting to this type of prescription. Sanjay follows their journey.

Sanjay takes you to Colorado where weed dispensaries and pot cafes have become the norm. Dealers, doctors, users – Gupta meets with various people, like the Figis, offering a raw insight to what’s been dubbed “The Green Rush.” He also talks to experts about whether marijuana can be addictive—and whether it can contribute to long-term damage in the brain.

Sanjay’s final stops are in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem where he meets with some of the pioneers behind marijuana study, offering access to decades of innovative and cutting-edge research.

Weed: Sanjay Gupta Reports will replay Sunday, August 11th at 11:00 pm ET and Monday, August 12th at 2:00 am ET.

Thanks for this Vrae. I'll have to wait until it's available on YouTube or something though!

The MMJ thing is a very interesting debate. I've read a lot about it, and it's hard to sift though the evidence because the whole subject is shrouded in a cloud of hippie-phobia, fear and suspicion. I suspect that in common with many drugs, when widely available it causes a lot of physical and social problems among casual users - BUT it can be beneficial in a medical setting when used for particular conditions.....such as neuropathic pain....like.....for instance.....CRPS....

It's biggest problem is that it was first and foremost a recreational drug (used by a negatively-viewed social group) before any medical benefits were realised - so its use is associated with all those negative social stereotypes. Making it available to everyone on the street was never going to improve the situation long-term, which is a shame. If the medical community had started its use, we wold not even be having the discussion - MMJ would just be another prescription drug that also had a criminal street value and use.

Personally I would like the chance to try it for myself legally. I don't want to have to smoke it, but I'm interested in the drug itself and it's reported neuro-pain benefits. There's just so much social stigma attached to it though, that I can't see it happening. When your (effective) drug options are so limited, and traditional painkillers are as effective as Smarties, not being able to explore something like MMJ properly is a tragedy.

Just my view

Bram.

Just checked my guide and its not on CNN here

I saw him speak this morning on the ???????? talk news show. I forgot the interviewer's name. It's a british guy.

As always Bram the Brit, you crack me up / make me smile. Thanks for that!

I strongly agree with all you have said above. Hopefully it won't be too long after it airs on TV that they will offer it online as well. Or as soon as it's run out of TV ad dollars.

That stinks! <sigh>

Piers Morgan?

That's the guy. Dr.Gupta was on his show too. I watched it this morning, I believe it was recorded perhaps from last night?

I will watch that show for sure. My take on the issue, is that heavy narcotics I am allowed, but not this substance. Which is worse for you? I am a 60's child, no question about it, however I cannot do this in my state. Even if I thought it worked, I would lose my benefits for medicare, and most likely my good reputation with my PCP and pain doc. I do wish there wasn't such a stigma. I would try it to see for myself if there was any benefit for PN and RSD etc.
I am sad that micro management of our lives has been so severe. I met the Lady down here who has ALS, this helps her symptoms, and her husband and her were arrested for growing. They dropped the charges, as they are now involved with state legislature in which I signed the petition. We have enough on the petition to bring it to the state agenda. I think I will be dead before this state says OK for it. Florida is backwards. ginnie

It is madness when you think about logically...I mean yes, marijuana has side effects - but are they any worse than the side effects of constant morphine, or tramadol, or even ibuprofen? My bet is probably not. But if you are tested and have even a hint of THC in your blood then you are a hippie drug-user and not to be trusted with any other strong medicine. It beggars belief really.

It's a true shame of our times that even campaigning on the issue leaves you branded with a social stigma. In a hundred years, our ancestors will laugh (and probably cry) at so much of what we have done, and so many of our ridiculous beliefs and rules.

Hope you sleep well folks, I'm off to try... ouch ouch

Bram.