Educate and Enjoy!
MGkush
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Legalization in what form?
Here's my second video log that apologizes for my serious laziness and discusses the pros and cons of the different forms of legalization options that are currently being weighed by our states and country. Let's educate people and make one of these happen!
Educate and Enjoy!
MGkush
Educate and Enjoy!
MGkush
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Video Log
I'm going to start doing a video log every week or so. They'll be posted to my Youtube channel which is musemm420, so look for them there and on the blog page! Any questions or comments, feel free to leave them! Educate and Enjoy!
MGkush
Friday, May 11, 2012
Oh, Fweed.
I'm going to start this by saying that I highly doubt the government intended to use reverse psychology pertaining to the drug war and marijuana prohibition. But let's be real. Prohibition made alcohol use and trade a million times worse and caused gangs, supported underground markets and activity (black market anyone?) and frankly made drinking and obtaining alcohol a huge challenge that, to many people, seems exciting. And that's exactly what's happened with the marijuana prohibition over the years.
One of my strongest points for this argument is the introduction of 'fweed', or fake weed, into the market. This stuff is marketed and sold as incense in airtight packages weighing a gram or more (sound familiar?). The packages clearly state that this 'incense' is not for internal use and gives instruction on how to properly use its contents as an incense. Ha. With names that sound like some of the street names people give different marijuana strains like Serenity Now, Blaze, Blueberry Haze, Dank, Demon Passion Smoke, Genie, Hawaiian Hybrid, K2, Magma, Ninja, Nitro, Ono Budz, Panama Red Ball, Puff, Sativah Herbal Smoke, Skunk, Spice, Ultra Chronic and Voodoo Spice (and that's only some of them) the makers certainly make it sound like something you're supposed to inhale. The "upside" is that these products, the ones that haven't been banned yet, are in fact legal to sell to those over the age of 18 and don't show up on any drug tests. The downside is that they are not all natural and therefore not safe for the body, but made in labs with chemicals meant to mimic the effects of marijuana mixed with a couple herbs and spices to make them seem harmless. There are no scientific studies that show us the effects these chemicals have on the brain or body. unfortunately. However the truth is that fweed has caused numerous deaths and hundreds of hospitalizations. For instance, a woman's son died as a direct result of smoking fweed and she has been trying since to get the chemicals banned in her home state. (http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-03-23/news/31231982_1_karen-dobner-fake-pot-ban-synthetic-pot) I've found a couple other deaths related as well and a great article that goes into some detail about the effects. (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/real-dangers-of-fake-pot-synthetic-marijuana-use-985608.html) I also startlingly came across an article describing an epidemic-like outbreak of kidney failure in teens in Wyoming that's due to their use of fweed. (http://www.naturalnews.com/035181_spice_recreational_drugs_kidney_failure.html) And keep in mind these are only a few examples. Google it yourself and I'm sure you'll find a number of other articles and cases.
Now with all this said I've got a fun trivia question for you: How many deaths have been reported in the known history of time, not just in America but all over the world, that were directly attributed to marijuana use? Give up? ZERO. That's right, ZERO. Not once in all history has there been a death that was due directly or exclusively to the use of marijuana. HOW IS THIS ILLEGAL WHEN SOMETHING MIMICKING THE PLANT IS AVAILABLE AT GAS STATIONS?
This entire matter just makes me fume. There's an incredibly hardy plant out there that can be grown in almost any climate, all over the world, that has amazing and miracle-like potential to help treat and cure millions of people, give people a method of relaxing and winding down in a way that broadens the mind's eye instead of making them belligerent and dumb and uninhibited (like alcohol does), make our country billions of dollars in sales and taxes along with the goods it could provide if used industrially and the money it could bring in from those goods. It's illegal. But there are also a number of herbs that can be sprayed with chemicals to make you feel slightly high for a while in a way that is barely similar to marijuana and then rot your brain and half of your organs while giving you chills, shakes, fevers, nausea, and a slue of other fun symptoms. It's totally legal and is probably sold at your neighborhood gas station!
SERIOUSLY PEOPLE!?
Blows my mind that more people aren't invested in the fight to legalize marijuana. Get in touch with your local NORML chapter or other advocacy groups in your area and see what you can do to help. There's hope.
I'll be out of town for Mother's Day and won't be posting, but I would really love to hear some feedback from the people I'm reaching. Am I teaching you anything? Are you pissed at your government for keeping something so awesome from the public yet? Is there anything you'd like me to cover in a post? Let me know. I'll do what I can.
Educate and Enjoy!
MGkush
One of my strongest points for this argument is the introduction of 'fweed', or fake weed, into the market. This stuff is marketed and sold as incense in airtight packages weighing a gram or more (sound familiar?). The packages clearly state that this 'incense' is not for internal use and gives instruction on how to properly use its contents as an incense. Ha. With names that sound like some of the street names people give different marijuana strains like Serenity Now, Blaze, Blueberry Haze, Dank, Demon Passion Smoke, Genie, Hawaiian Hybrid, K2, Magma, Ninja, Nitro, Ono Budz, Panama Red Ball, Puff, Sativah Herbal Smoke, Skunk, Spice, Ultra Chronic and Voodoo Spice (and that's only some of them) the makers certainly make it sound like something you're supposed to inhale. The "upside" is that these products, the ones that haven't been banned yet, are in fact legal to sell to those over the age of 18 and don't show up on any drug tests. The downside is that they are not all natural and therefore not safe for the body, but made in labs with chemicals meant to mimic the effects of marijuana mixed with a couple herbs and spices to make them seem harmless. There are no scientific studies that show us the effects these chemicals have on the brain or body. unfortunately. However the truth is that fweed has caused numerous deaths and hundreds of hospitalizations. For instance, a woman's son died as a direct result of smoking fweed and she has been trying since to get the chemicals banned in her home state. (http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-03-23/news/31231982_1_karen-dobner-fake-pot-ban-synthetic-pot) I've found a couple other deaths related as well and a great article that goes into some detail about the effects. (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/real-dangers-of-fake-pot-synthetic-marijuana-use-985608.html) I also startlingly came across an article describing an epidemic-like outbreak of kidney failure in teens in Wyoming that's due to their use of fweed. (http://www.naturalnews.com/035181_spice_recreational_drugs_kidney_failure.html) And keep in mind these are only a few examples. Google it yourself and I'm sure you'll find a number of other articles and cases.
Now with all this said I've got a fun trivia question for you: How many deaths have been reported in the known history of time, not just in America but all over the world, that were directly attributed to marijuana use? Give up? ZERO. That's right, ZERO. Not once in all history has there been a death that was due directly or exclusively to the use of marijuana. HOW IS THIS ILLEGAL WHEN SOMETHING MIMICKING THE PLANT IS AVAILABLE AT GAS STATIONS?
This entire matter just makes me fume. There's an incredibly hardy plant out there that can be grown in almost any climate, all over the world, that has amazing and miracle-like potential to help treat and cure millions of people, give people a method of relaxing and winding down in a way that broadens the mind's eye instead of making them belligerent and dumb and uninhibited (like alcohol does), make our country billions of dollars in sales and taxes along with the goods it could provide if used industrially and the money it could bring in from those goods. It's illegal. But there are also a number of herbs that can be sprayed with chemicals to make you feel slightly high for a while in a way that is barely similar to marijuana and then rot your brain and half of your organs while giving you chills, shakes, fevers, nausea, and a slue of other fun symptoms. It's totally legal and is probably sold at your neighborhood gas station!
SERIOUSLY PEOPLE!?
Blows my mind that more people aren't invested in the fight to legalize marijuana. Get in touch with your local NORML chapter or other advocacy groups in your area and see what you can do to help. There's hope.
I'll be out of town for Mother's Day and won't be posting, but I would really love to hear some feedback from the people I'm reaching. Am I teaching you anything? Are you pissed at your government for keeping something so awesome from the public yet? Is there anything you'd like me to cover in a post? Let me know. I'll do what I can.
Educate and Enjoy!
MGkush
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Ha!
Awesome political cartoon that sums things up nicely. I found it on Pinterest and had trouble locating its origin.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Demonizing a Miracle
I'm going to encourage you all to watch as many documentaries on this subject as possible. It would be incredibly difficult for me to pack as much history, scientific data, and other information into one post as there is in an hour long documentary. Here's a short list:
The Union: The Business Behind Getting High (Great for history, medical info, industry, etc.)
A NORML Life (Describes laws, patient stories, etc.)
Reefer Madness (Not a documentary! I only ask you to watch this so you'll see the ridiculous reputation marijuana has had for decades through even more ridiculous propaganda funded by those who want marijuana to remain illegal for all the wrong reasons.)
Super High Me (A documentary similar to Super Size Me, but with pot, that shows how insignificant the effects of long term marijuana use are.)
There are a number of other documentaries I think everyone ought to watch, but those 4 alone were enough to make me angry and appalled at our government and society for allowing such a heinous thing as the drug war on pot to continue for so long. Marijuana is listed as a Schedule 1 narcotic, making it seemingly more dangerous and its possession more punishable than cocaine. That fact makes me literally want to laugh in the faces of the men and women who have tried to suppress marijuana use for all this time. There are more scientific studies and patient cases than ever before that show marijuana's amazing benefits for the body. There are even a number of politicians speaking in medical marijuana's favor. There are thousands of advocacy groups for the legalization of medical marijuana; this includes moms, cops, retired military men and women, lawyers, doctors, etc. According to a recent study by CBS 77% of Americans think medical marijuana ought to be legalized (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57327004-503544/poll-public-supports-medical-marijuana-but-not-full-pot-legalization/). How is it that something so many people think can help our country's citizens is still so demonized?
A lobbyist in California reportedly made $400,000 fighting against a bill for legalization in CA (http://www.naturalnews.com/035277_John_Lovell_California_marijuana_legalization.html). That's just one man, one time. Imagine the amount of money other lobbyists are making off of this same issue. Imagine how much money is floating around the dark corners of the black market that wouldn't be there if marijuana was legalized. Imagine the number of police forces that get a large portion of their funding from the government for marijuana eradication. Imagine the amount of money and resources the police and government seize from drug lords running marijuana. Millions. Billions. There is so much money to be made in the fight against marijuana that I guess these people haven't stopped to look at how much money could be made from the plant if it were legalized. This plant, as an industrial resource and a medicine and even further in the future as a regulated product similar to alcohol, has the potential to pull this country out of debt. Even if marijuana were solely legalized as a medicine the profits would be in the billions. As an industrial resource, which is more easily renewable than most others, this plant could bring in a few more billion. It's one of the strongest natural ropes known to man, it makes durable and comfortable clothing, it makes paper without the terrible loss of forests, it makes crude oil that all automobiles could be modified to run off of. That ought to be enough information right there for this plant to be growing on every available acre in the country. I won't bother going into the amount of money that could be made if recreational marijuana were legalized, taxed and regulated since that doesn't seem to be in the cards for years. But there are so many uses for this plant. And there's so much money to be made. We could stop fighting other countries for oil. We could stop raising gas prices and actually see almost all the gas prices as profit. We could stop importing the majority of our goods (aside from produce and services) from other countries. There are so many benefits that I just find it baffling that this plant is still illegal. It blows my mind and I hope it blows yours too. Tomorrow I think I'll write about the reverse effect the war on marijuana is having in our society. Please leave me questions or comments about things you'd like to see covered. Thanks! Educate and Enjoy!
MGkush
Parkinson's Disease
There are very new studies that show cannabinoids may have similar effects in Parkinson's patients as in those with MS. Some cannabinoids have shown to protect neurons from death 'even without cannabinoid receptor activation.' Once again, I'm just going to link you to the facts here and hope you read because I don't want to plagiarize an awesome article.
http://www.naturalnews.com/034719_Parkinsons_marijuana_magnesium.html
Super short post here, but please read the article and get some facts. This plant is not a harmful drug, it's a miracle worker. Educate and Enjoy!
MGkush
http://www.naturalnews.com/034719_Parkinsons_marijuana_magnesium.html
Super short post here, but please read the article and get some facts. This plant is not a harmful drug, it's a miracle worker. Educate and Enjoy!
MGkush
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Cancer and Pot
Today we're going to look at some of the amazing effects cannabis, THC and cannabinoids have for cancer patients. Most of today's information comes from the website for the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/patient/Page2#Section_15) where you can also find a lot more information than just what's posted here and I encourage everyone to give it a look.
First and foremost I must say that there are few human trials of cannabis' benefits for cancer patients because it's illegal and not FDA approved. However, the results are pretty astounding and it frustrates me to no end that such a miracle working plant is not being given the chance to help cure and treat one of the biggest killers in our country. That being said, let's dive in. I'll list and detail some of the symptoms that have been tested and treated with cannabis, cannabinoids, and THC. For details on the trials, follow the link above and do some research for yourself.
Nausea and Vomiting: A major side effect of cancer and approved treatments, nausea and vomiting have been proven treatable through the use of cannabinoids. A couple of these drugs have actually been FDA approved for use in patients undergoing cancer therapy because of their incredible efficacy. The chemicals in these medicines have treated nausea and vomiting as well or better than some of the more common treatments used.
Loss of Appetite: Another common side effect of cancer and cancer treatments is the loss of appetite. "The munchies" are a scientifically proven phenomena. The chemicals in marijuana react with receptors in your brain to literally create hunger. The trials done for advanced cancer patients, while successful, were not as impressive as those done for patients suffering from weight and appetite loss due to HIV and AIDS. However, the animal trials done for this study did show increased appetite and a stopping of weight loss.
Pain Relief: This topic truly amazes me. Our pharmaceutical market is flooded with opiates and opioids used to control pain in patients suffering from a slue of different diseases, disorders, and situational injuries. These drugs are highly addictive and have a number of negative side effects on the user's body. They are also one of the top reasons for people entering addiction clinics. It baffles me that something natural and grown from the ground takes a back seat to these drugs. There have been a number of human and animal studies that showed THC, cannabinoids and cannabis to relieve pain in advanced cancer patients and patients with other ailments as well or better than commonly used opioids and opiates. I won't even get into the side effects or withdrawal symptoms of either of these drugs, but I will say that there are virtually none stemmed from marijuana 'withdrawal' and the symptoms of withdrawal from other painkillers is literally a frightening thing to see and a much bigger physical pain than the one the drug is meant to treat.
Anxiety and Sleep: There are few studies on the treatment of these particular symptoms with marijuana in cancer patients. However, the few that have been done conclude that the patients had an overall better mood, less anxiety and stress, and an easier time sleeping along with improved sleep quality.
THE BIG ONE
Antitumor Studies: There have been no conclusive human studies (yet) on the effects cannabinoids have on tumors, but there are a number of clinical trials on mice and rats with amazing results. The cannabinoids found in marijuana not only deterred the growth of tumors, but reversed it in some cases by killing off the cancer cells and protecting the normal, healthy cells. I don't need a long paragraph to explain how amazing and beneficial this could be. Marijuana could literally help reverse cancer.
This was a long post, but I hope everyone found it educational. I do urge you to read over the link at the top and find some more answers to questions you may have. If anyone has something specific they'd like to see covered, just leave me a comment and I'll do my best.
Last but not least, I love including some videos of patients who've been helped by marijuana, so here are a few you ought to watch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eAXRLty5e4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cUC8tjoB_0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F3mTf1z3Yo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNerRVJklsg&feature=relmfu
Educate and Enjoy!
MGkush
First and foremost I must say that there are few human trials of cannabis' benefits for cancer patients because it's illegal and not FDA approved. However, the results are pretty astounding and it frustrates me to no end that such a miracle working plant is not being given the chance to help cure and treat one of the biggest killers in our country. That being said, let's dive in. I'll list and detail some of the symptoms that have been tested and treated with cannabis, cannabinoids, and THC. For details on the trials, follow the link above and do some research for yourself.
Nausea and Vomiting: A major side effect of cancer and approved treatments, nausea and vomiting have been proven treatable through the use of cannabinoids. A couple of these drugs have actually been FDA approved for use in patients undergoing cancer therapy because of their incredible efficacy. The chemicals in these medicines have treated nausea and vomiting as well or better than some of the more common treatments used.
Loss of Appetite: Another common side effect of cancer and cancer treatments is the loss of appetite. "The munchies" are a scientifically proven phenomena. The chemicals in marijuana react with receptors in your brain to literally create hunger. The trials done for advanced cancer patients, while successful, were not as impressive as those done for patients suffering from weight and appetite loss due to HIV and AIDS. However, the animal trials done for this study did show increased appetite and a stopping of weight loss.
Pain Relief: This topic truly amazes me. Our pharmaceutical market is flooded with opiates and opioids used to control pain in patients suffering from a slue of different diseases, disorders, and situational injuries. These drugs are highly addictive and have a number of negative side effects on the user's body. They are also one of the top reasons for people entering addiction clinics. It baffles me that something natural and grown from the ground takes a back seat to these drugs. There have been a number of human and animal studies that showed THC, cannabinoids and cannabis to relieve pain in advanced cancer patients and patients with other ailments as well or better than commonly used opioids and opiates. I won't even get into the side effects or withdrawal symptoms of either of these drugs, but I will say that there are virtually none stemmed from marijuana 'withdrawal' and the symptoms of withdrawal from other painkillers is literally a frightening thing to see and a much bigger physical pain than the one the drug is meant to treat.
Anxiety and Sleep: There are few studies on the treatment of these particular symptoms with marijuana in cancer patients. However, the few that have been done conclude that the patients had an overall better mood, less anxiety and stress, and an easier time sleeping along with improved sleep quality.
THE BIG ONE
Antitumor Studies: There have been no conclusive human studies (yet) on the effects cannabinoids have on tumors, but there are a number of clinical trials on mice and rats with amazing results. The cannabinoids found in marijuana not only deterred the growth of tumors, but reversed it in some cases by killing off the cancer cells and protecting the normal, healthy cells. I don't need a long paragraph to explain how amazing and beneficial this could be. Marijuana could literally help reverse cancer.
This was a long post, but I hope everyone found it educational. I do urge you to read over the link at the top and find some more answers to questions you may have. If anyone has something specific they'd like to see covered, just leave me a comment and I'll do my best.
Last but not least, I love including some videos of patients who've been helped by marijuana, so here are a few you ought to watch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eAXRLty5e4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cUC8tjoB_0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F3mTf1z3Yo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNerRVJklsg&feature=relmfu
Educate and Enjoy!
MGkush
Friday, May 4, 2012
Multiple Sclerosis
There are hundreds of diseases and disorders that medical marijuana has the potential to treat. However, research of marijuana's benefits is scarce due to the laws against its use. Today I'll give you some interviews and articles about the positive effects that marijuana has for patients with Multiple Sclerosis.
Multiple Sclerosis
I was going to paraphrase an article I found that explained the benefits marijuana can have for multiple sclerosis patients, but I decided the author did a better job so I'll give you a link instead. If you don't feel like reading the entire thing, although I encourage you to do so, it basically explains what the disease does to the body and how the THC and cannabinoids in marijuana help to decrease spasticity by reacting with the central nervous system in a way that gives the patient more control of his/her body.
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/medicalmarijuana.htm
Also, here is a link to a video I posted on Facebook a few days ago. This is an interview with Greg Cooper from the documentary 'The Union: The Business Behind Getting High' (which I strongly urge you to watch). Greg Cooper suffers from MS and the effect marijuana has for him is, in his words, "blatantly obvious."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8_5Ebsjk8I
Here is another case of a man in Texas named Tim Timmons that suffers from multiple sclerosis and uses marijuana to relieve his pain. This video is from a news segment that discusses the fight for the legalization of medical marijuana in Texas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD2b9pAJJKk&feature=related
This is a fantastic interview that describes some of the possible benefits of medical marijuana for MS patients. There are hundreds of great interviews about MS and medical marijuana. All you have to do is look and you'll find them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUsoaKrpes0&feature=related
I hope this helps at least a few of you see some of the obvious benefits this so called drug has for such a serious and painful health problem. Please feel free to share this in any way possible. Educate and Enjoy!
MGkush
Multiple Sclerosis
I was going to paraphrase an article I found that explained the benefits marijuana can have for multiple sclerosis patients, but I decided the author did a better job so I'll give you a link instead. If you don't feel like reading the entire thing, although I encourage you to do so, it basically explains what the disease does to the body and how the THC and cannabinoids in marijuana help to decrease spasticity by reacting with the central nervous system in a way that gives the patient more control of his/her body.
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/medicalmarijuana.htm
Also, here is a link to a video I posted on Facebook a few days ago. This is an interview with Greg Cooper from the documentary 'The Union: The Business Behind Getting High' (which I strongly urge you to watch). Greg Cooper suffers from MS and the effect marijuana has for him is, in his words, "blatantly obvious."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8_5Ebsjk8I
Here is another case of a man in Texas named Tim Timmons that suffers from multiple sclerosis and uses marijuana to relieve his pain. This video is from a news segment that discusses the fight for the legalization of medical marijuana in Texas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD2b9pAJJKk&feature=related
This is a fantastic interview that describes some of the possible benefits of medical marijuana for MS patients. There are hundreds of great interviews about MS and medical marijuana. All you have to do is look and you'll find them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUsoaKrpes0&feature=related
I hope this helps at least a few of you see some of the obvious benefits this so called drug has for such a serious and painful health problem. Please feel free to share this in any way possible. Educate and Enjoy!
MGkush
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Let's Get Started.
America is home to about 313 million people as of this morning, according to the Census website (http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html). Out of those 313 million approximately 577,000 are prescribed and actively use medical marijuana. This number seems far too low for people to be fighting for this cause, but part of what needs to be understood is that A) there are only 13 states in this country that have legalized or decriminalized the use of medical marijuana, B) this number of 577,000 only comes from known and reported cases of patients using marijuana medically, and therefore does not take into account the patients who live in states that do not allow marijuana as a treatment, and C) there are an estimated 6 million cases in America alone of patients who would benefit from medical marijuana that are not being allowed the treatment. The citizens of this country need to be educated on the cornucopia of benefits that marijuana has; this plant is not only a miracle medicine, but it also has thousands of uses for industrial purpose which I'll discuss at another time. For now I just wanted to introduce the main issue this blog will be discussing, which is the need this country has for reviewing its medical marijuana laws in every state and as a nation. Please help by educating yourself and passing along all valid information to your friends and family. I'll post again later today with some more facts and studies on the medical uses of pot. Thanks for reading! Educate and Enjoy!
MGkush.
MGkush.
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