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

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