cannabisnews.com: Brief History: Medical Marijuana
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Brief History: Medical Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on June 10, 2010 at 20:03:56 PT
By Kayla Webley 
Source: Time Magazine
USA -- Some call it a green rush. In the past five years, the number of medical-marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles has exploded from four to nearly 600. To get a handle on what one city official called a "chaotic situation," more than 400 were shuttered June 7, following a January vote to limit their numbers in response to complaints that many were catering to recreational users.When it comes to using the drug for medical purposes, though, no one did it like the ancients. Around 2000 B.C., the Egyptians used cannabis to treat sore eyes. A millennium later, doctors in India could be found mixing the weed with milk to use as an anesthetic.
In 200 B.C., the Greeks used marijuana to remedy earaches. Pot even enjoyed its freedom in America's early days. Farmers in colonial Jamestown were urged to grow hemp, and 19th century medical journals praised the plant's medical effectiveness.Such endorsements slowed and eventually became nonexistent after 1937, when the Marihuana Tax Act effectively banned the drug in the U.S. In 1996, California approved marijuana for medical use in treating cancer, AIDS, chronic pain and other illnesses. Today 60% of Americans support legalizing it for medical use, according to an April 2010 AP-CNBC poll. As a result, states are increasingly having to grapple with whether to take this course and, if they do, how to go about prescribing and dispensing the goods. In January, New Jersey became the 14th state to legalize the drug for medicinal purposes. The law, expected to go into effect July 1, is among the most restrictive in the nation, forbidding patients to grow the drug or use it in public and limiting them to 2 oz. a month. And with a handful of other states debating legalization (a measure will be on the ballot this November in Arizona), one thing is certain: Mary Jane has not had her last dance.Source: Time Magazine (US)Author:  Kayla Webley Published: Monday, June 21, 2010Copyright: 2010 Time Inc.Contact: letters time.comWebsite: http://www.time.com/time/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/NxLPVBYECannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #3 posted by NoCowLevel on June 11, 2010 at 23:19:20 PT
 Storm Crow
Thanks much for the information. Very interesting.It really is a disgrace that people rely on this medicine and it's illegal for... the most irrational and greed-ridden reasons.Much to both my mother and my dismay, her doc told her that he will not prescribe her medicinal marijuana for her knees, even after the surgery. He said the law is extremely restrictive, to the point where its only being prescribed for cancer and AIDS/HIV patients. I really had high hopes for both of us, but more so her. She relies way too heavily on the painkillers, and it is just saddening to see her suffering without being able to do anything that is legal. Oh well. In due time I guess.I've never seen a shrink for my PTSD, but I know have it, and I know that if I were to see a shrink, s/he would put me on some antidepressant that will make me into a zombie, just as it does your husband. I refuse to take any medicine that can be otherwise solved with cannabis. The plant just makes me a happier, outgoing, more social person. I am a rather antisocial person, but cannabis really helps with that. It gives me confident to talk to people and defend what I believe.I will just have to continue to self medicate and hope I don't get caught for trying to better myself. I am going to share with her and see if she feels any relief.Did you know the government is considering to ban Vicodin and Percocet because of its liver toxicity? We will never see this with cannabis, that's for sure!With condolences for you and your husband,
Cow
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Comment #2 posted by Storm Crow on June 11, 2010 at 10:29:24 PT
NoCowLevel..
Hi Hon, 
You should run a search on "Dr. Phil Leveque PTSD". He is a sufferer of PTSD from WWII, and writes great news articles about PTSD and cannabis. There are also medical studies and articles about cannabis treating PTSD in my "Granny Storm Crow's MMJ Reference List". Just run a search for it- you'll have no trouble finding it. I know, that you know, it works, but there is nothing like having your observations confirmed by medical science! There are studies in my list your Mom should read, too. For a start, cannabis works as good as codeine for pain- without the upset stomach and other problems codeine brings. It is also an anti-inflammatory, and should help bring down any swelling in her knees. My hubby is a chronic depressive, and I can tell you, that for him, a pipe works better and faster than any of the pills the doctor has given him! The pills left him like a zombie, or had other nasty side effects. He (sensibly) refuses to take the pills when there is a natural, safe and effective medicine for him- cannabis! I have a bunch of studies on depression and cannabis in my list. If, after looking at my list, if you decide you'd like a free copy, just drop me an email at- i.wantgrannyslist(at)greenpassion.orgMy list is always free and I will send a copy to everyone who asks. I think of giving it away as a public service to educate people about what a wonderful healing herb cannabis is. (Also, I'm just a compulsive educator! lol)Granny
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Comment #1 posted by NoCowLevel on June 10, 2010 at 21:31:56 PT:
New Jersey
I am a New Jersey resident and I must say I am really disappointed that we won't be able to grow or use in public.I myself am 17 right now and turn 18 in late July. When I do, I will be applying for a card for PTSD. I broke both of my arms simultaneously in 2008, and I sometimes wake in the middle of the night screaming. It's horrible. I am also pushing my mother to apply for a card: she has chronic pain in both of her knees (she's getting a double total knee replacement in September), a lot of anxiety, and depression.I first used it in... I believe March for purely recreational purposes, but much to my surprise, I realized afterward that the symptoms of PTSD have actually really decreased. I've been self-medicating ever since, and am welcoming MMJ being legal in New Jersey, even if it's going to be ridiculously overpriced.
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