420 Use and Health

[Crow]

For nonstop:

http://CannabisNW.com

Click the front cover of the magazine (the one with the ladybug). Go to page 16-17 and you'll find a great article about Naturopathic Medicine (the article is titled, "Naturopathic Medicine - An overview of expectations"). It doesn't talk about cannabis specifically, just what an ND is and how naturopathic medicine works. I hope this information helps you find relief.

[nonstop]

For nonstop:

http://CannabisNW.com

Click the front cover of the magazine (the one with the ladybug). Go to page 16-17 and you'll find a great article about Naturopathic Medicine (the article is titled, "Naturopathic Medicine - An overview of expectations"). It doesn't talk about cannabis specifically, just what an ND is and how naturopathic medicine works. I hope this information helps you find relief.

Interesting read, Thanks Seattle!

[nicodude]

Report is back on the banana OG strain, freakin amazing!!!!! High for 4 straight hours, nice head high with spaced out feeling, intense narcotic like euphoria and "pressure" in the top front of the head, a very heavy stoned feeling with a fantastic heavy feeling body high, intense relaxation, great for anxiety/insomnia. It even killed my back pain, completely! One HELL of an indica!!! I'm just gonna come out and say it, this is the best strain Ive had to date! 12 hours since smoking it and I still felt somewhat sedated, top notch medicine here guys

I did not get couch locked until later on in the high, the first hour or so I was up and about trying to do stuff, not always successfully but I was able to move around while still enjoying myself. This strain gives a cloudy head high, which was very pleasant, but this is one to use when you have the time to enjoy it, not something to smoke before going out somewhere. Very potent anxiolytic properties and gives a great sound sleep!

Taste was amazing, I mainly use a vaporizer and the banana really came through in the first two rips, very potent tasting, first time my vape made me cough that hard since I got it. Overall vapor flavor was just really good spicy dank with a touch of sweetness. I also took a hit from a new glass pipe, I'm not much of a smoker anymore but it was enjoyable. I actually tasted a sweeter more candy like banana in the smoke but it was rather harsh at the same time and left me coughing up a lung.

Smell was straight wicked, nice sweetish spicy aroma, with a fruity undertone, this stuff will stink up a room and leak through sealed bags.

I'm not one for sativas as I have anxiety which sativa makes worse, but if your a big indica fan as I am then you must try this, banana OG!


*The above writing is meant as a work of fiction and is not to be confused with any illegal activities, this fictional review is for entertainment purposes only!

[Crow]

My Story - By James Anderson

Multiple Sclerosis is one of the major reasons that law makers in Washington State chose Cannabis as a qualifying disease for the use of marijuana. My wife had been diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis on her birthday in 1997. PPMS is the worst form of the disease to have, and has the quickest mortality rate.

She was in severe pain for the last 6 years of her short life. She would go to the doctor's office monthly for checkups, evaluations, and prescriptions. The prescription list was extensive. Her doc would ask her to rate her pain at its worst on a scale of 1 to 10. Her answer was always 11. And the next question was the pain at its least and she would say 5.

I was always trying to convince my wife that it was OK to use marijuana as a tool to relieve pain and the children would not need to see her smoke. I had been a cook in the Navy and for another ten years after I ended my service. I would be able to add it to baked goods for use. She finally said yes, but not to put the marijuana in anything that was chocolate.

Chocolate was one of her weaknesses.

Many recipes that we found were not too palatable as the marijuana butter is very pungent. Apple sauce and bananas did not have enough strong flavors to overcome the marijuana. I finally came up with this recipe and all was well. This bread has great taste, smooth texture, and moist, which is great for those who have swallowing troubles.

My wife passed away from complications of Multiple Sclerosis in January of 2011. She would have wanted for anyone who suffers from uncontrollable pain to have this recipe.

Medicinal Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup marijuana butter, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 box (4 servings) instant vanilla pudding
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg or 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 (16 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease two 9 in. loaf pans.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream butters and sugar together.
3. Add eggs.
4. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
5. Stir into the butter mixture until moistened.
6. Add the pumpkin and stir until well blended.
7. Bake for 1 hour or until bread tests done.

Slices of about 3/4 inch seem to work well at reducing pain.

[Crow]

One more article from the April-May issue of Northwest Alternative Medicine:

Juicing Cannabis??? What? - Laura [Green Hope]

We have all heard about CBD's and how great they are for you. They are the real body healing agents of Cannabis. We are always looking for new ways to use Cannabis. Raw juicing is that new way! How?

All you need is a juicer, 15 fresh cut leaves and one 2" bud.

Let bud sit for 5 minutes in ice cold water, then process in juicer.

Divide the liquid into 5 equal servings. Mix with other fruit/veg juiced drink.

The best part, because the THC-A isn't removed, you don't get high. Only the healing benefits great for IBS, Arthritis, and relieving pain. Swelling causes pain, this juice helps reduce swelling and promotes healing. So dust off those juicers and give it a try. Just mix it with your favored juice. Cannabis Shots!!! Bottoms Up!!! To read more, pick up a copy of Treating Yourself #26 (2010). This is a relatively new method, so if you do try it, please let us know what you think. E-mail, darid@wabudz.com

[truthwolf1]

DO NOT DRINK BEER OR OTHER ALC. BEFORE HAVING A JOINT.... NEVER, EVER.. JUST DON'T DO IT.... you need to be 100% clean before you smoke it, no alc, no coffee, nothing. I had two lovely Westmalle beers (9 % alc) for dinner and thought I would have "desert" at a coffee shop... I was completely drunk ... or "high" or whatever I was and so was my girlfriend... we could not find our way to the central station and nearly missed the train back to Cologne.

I will only use MJ if there is alcohol in my system. There have been numerous times when I tried using with friends on a clean system only to end up slamming alcohol to get rid of panic attacks.

if however I am relaxed with a couple of drinks beforehand then it is a hit or miss experience with people.
I think using it alone actually works out the best for me because I like the mental relaxation/creativity and medicinal sleep quality of the substance.

[sgreger1]

a and "pressure" in the top front of the head

That would be from the anti-inflamatory properties of the cannabis relaxing the walls of your arteries, causing them to open slightly and allow a higher volume of blood through which results in low blood pressure throughout your body. This low blood pressure coupled with the fact that your head sits at the top of your body results in a shortage of blood to the frontal lobe of the brain. This is why anyone with cardiac problems or those who are at risk of stroke should not ever smoke marijuana as the reduced blood pressure to the frontal lobe can set off a transient ischemic attack (aka, the mini-stroke).


But the good news is that cannabanoid compounds also help preserve the cells in the event of heart attack or stroke, so while you would usually suffer brain damage after a stroke or heart attack you can squeak by without any major damage in most situations. The only problem is that they have only seen a cannabis induced TSA 3 times in history so it is still unclear if it can be directly tied to the cannabis usage, though all other factors had been ruled out. The most common factor between all 3 was their age and the excessive prior drug usage they had, all 3 had a history of cocaine or meth abuse and frequently drank alcohol. Not exactly a closed case.



Edit: damn i'm high, didn't even address your post. The banana sounds bomb!

[truthwolf1]

That would be from the anti-inflamatory properties of the cannabis relaxing the walls of your arteries, causing them to open slightly and allow a higher volume of blood through which results in low blood pressure throughout your body. This low blood pressure coupled with the fact that your head sits at the top of your body results in a shortage of blood to the frontal lobe of the brain. This is why anyone with cardiac problems or those who are at risk of stroke should not ever smoke marijuana as the reduced blood pressure to the frontal lobe can set off a transient ischemic attack (aka, the mini-stroke).


But the good news is that cannabanoid compounds also help preserve the cells in the event of heart attack or stroke, so while you would usually suffer brain damage after a stroke or heart attack you can squeak by without any major damage in most situations. The only problem is that they have only seen a cannabis induced TSA 3 times in history so it is still unclear if it can be directly tied to the cannabis usage, though all other factors had been ruled out. The most common factor between all 3 was their age and the excessive prior drug usage they had, all 3 had a history of cocaine or meth abuse and frequently drank alcohol. Not exactly a closed case.



Edit: damn i'm high, didn't even address your post. The banana sounds bomb!

This would mean that if you already have too low of blood pressure in the first place that it also could be harmful. The excessive further drop could be fatal.

But for all the (freak outs/I am having a heart attack nights) for countless humanity I tend to side with the pro-MJ camp about this drugs lethalness.

However, we will find out for sure here pretty soon with the high usage in the Baby boomers of longterm outcomes.

[Mykislt]

Just so you guys know, cannabis possession (of up 25 grams), cultivation (of up to 8 plants), and sharing will very likely be legalized in Uruguay, and the wheels are in motion.

http://republicbroadcasting.org/?p=15019

[sgreger1]

This would mean that if you already have too low of blood pressure in the first place that it also could be harmful. The excessive further drop could be fatal.

But for all the (freak outs/I am having a heart attack nights) for countless humanity I tend to side with the pro-MJ camp about this drugs lethalness.

However, we will find out for sure here pretty soon with the high usage in the Baby boomers of longterm outcomes.

I agree RE: babyboomers. So far it's looking good, they are finding more good than bad.


The side effects of marijuana are less risky than taking an ibuprofen in fact, but like anything your doctor should be aware of it. There are certain situations, like if you already have low blood pressure or are diabetic, where smoking what essentially breaks down to a blood pressure medication is bad and could be fatal. Again, marijuana is not fatal or toxic and is actually one of the most phenominal plants even witnessed on earth in terms of it's composition, but like anything you can't be stupid. If you have existing health issues, absolutely do not ingest any kind of drug/substance without talking to a doctor first, same goes for eating too much cheese or taking up skydiving.


As for your panic attacks, I used to get those too. The reason is simple, smoking culture seems to promote over-medicating yourself. I smoke nightly and smoking even a single joint would be 100x more than I could handle, I would have a panic attack right away. I've learned that the panic attacks are a result of smoking too much. Smoke single, small hits, wait a while, if it feels to low than smoke another. Like anything you have to dose yourself because the dosage of a smoked marijuana nug is not consistent. Smoking an entire gram joint is going to lead to panic attacks in a lot of people, some can smoke without any reprocusions but I am not one of them. I never get panic attacks now because I am just being smarter about how and how much of it I take. Next time you smoke, jsut smoke a tiny snap, like a .1 or .2, let it settle in for about 30 minutes and see where it goes, have a little more in 30 minutes if you feel alright.

The panic attacks come as a result of this blood pressure thing as well as some other factors, it causes your hard to become tachycardic especially in the first 30 minutes. This isn't harmful and most don't notice it, it just means that your resting heart rate goes a little above the normal range when you first smoke, and most of that is caused by the smoke itself and not the marijuana. No one should pretend there are no health risks, but these risks are literally as safe as any drug on any market, legal or illegal, can get. As the AMA and others have said before, the side effects of marijuana are WELL within the acceptable limits based on the scale all other drugs are put on. Even asprin can destroy your liver or give you stroke and they sell that over the counter, all drugs have side effects, and MJ's side effects aren't even bad, it's just that they might not jive with you if you have existing conditions.

[truthwolf1]

You are absolutely right Sgreger1.
I just have to find the right dosage for me and not fall into the trap of using more then I can handle. Most of my longterm friends are professional daily abusers of MJ and I am the outsider who dabbles every now and then with them. It really does feel like I am hitting higher levels off of laughable amounts to them. When I notice this it brings on the panic because at that stage I feel like I am in a higher state where they are still acting, conversing as if they have not used anything at all.
Just a super lightweight I guess but hoping that I am possibly blessed that I might be reaping the benefits of this magical plant where overusing it might null the health benefits, similar to alcohol. In the same way as booze in moderation is attributed to health benefits but overuse can deepen existing problems.

[african redbush]

^^^ just make sure that you have an ice cold beverage and some good music and you'll be in a much better state of mind!

[Ansel]

I rarely get stoned these days as for me i get a kind of panic attack which although not entirely unpleasant it's undesirable but i have noticed that when high i get the munchies of course so food is great but also the snus is great but for reasons i can't explain when having a ganjover (weed hangover) the next day snus just doesn't do it for me and then after running out of pot this will last for a few days after.

edit: that goes for other forms of tobacco too.

[Crow]

Louisiana (US)

Fourth marijuana conviction gets Slidell man life in prison

Cornell Hood II got off with probation after three marijuana convictions in New Orleans.

He didn't fare too well after moving to St. Tammany Parish, however. A single such conviction on the north shore landed the 35-year-old in prison for the rest of his life.

State Judge Raymond S. Childress punished Hood under Louisiana's repeat-offender law in his courtroom in Covington on Thursday. A jury on Feb. 15 found the defendant guilty of attempting to possess and distribute marijuana at his Slidell home, court records show.

Hood moved from eastern New Orleans to the Slidell area after he admitted to separate charges of distribution of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana on Dec. 18, 2009, in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court. He received a suspended five-year prison sentence and five years' of probation for each -- which was precisely the same penalty he got in that court after pleading guilty to possessing and intending to distribute marijuana on Feb. 22, 2005.

When Hood switched homes, he also requested a new probation officer based in St. Tammany. Authorities granted the wish, and the officer, Dustin Munlin, drove to Hood's place for a routine visit on Sept. 27, 2010.

Munlin found nearly two pounds of pot throughout the house, according to court records. He alerted Sheriff's Office deputies. They arrested Hood, who apparently shared the King's Point house with his mother and young son.

Prosecutors later charged him with one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

At Hood's one-day trial, the evidence presented by the prosecution included a digital scale and about a dozen bags that had contained marijuana before being seized from the house, testimony showed. Deputies also found $1,600 in cash and a student-loan application with Hood's name on it inside of a night stand.

Jurors deliberated for less than two hours and convicted Hood of a reduced charge, which usually carries no more than 15 years' imprisonment. Assistant District Attorney Nick Noriea Jr. then used Hood's past convictions on Thursday to argue that he was a career criminal worthy of a severe punishment.

Drug offenders in the state are subject to life imprisonment after being convicted three or more times of a crime that carries a sentence exceeding 10 years.

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/...iction_ge.html

[Crow]

United States

Many States Moving Forward With Medical Marijuana Plans — Despite Recent Federal Warnings

Much has been made in the mainstream media in recent weeks regarding the federal government’s attempts to intimidate states into dropping their medical marijuana programs. But much less media attention has been paid to the reality that in several states, lawmakers are continuing to move forward with medical cannabis legalization efforts despite the Justice Department’s recent rhetorical smack-down.

Here’s a run down of the latest statewide developments and what you can do to help.

Connecticut: Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Public Health on Tuesday decided in favor of Governor’s Bill 1015, which amends state law to “authorize an individual to use marijuana for medical purposes as directed by a physician.”

Members of the Judiciary had previously endorsed the bill, which is backed by Gov. Dan Malloy, in April. “States have a right to decide this for themselves,” Michael P. Lawlor, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s senior criminal justice adviser told The Connecticut Mirror this week. If enacted, Connecticut will become the sixteenth state since 1996 to authorize the state-sanctioned use of cannabis when recommended by a physician. You can support this effort via NORML’s ‘Take Action Center’ here.

Delaware: Lawmakers are in the final stages of making Delaware the sixteenth
state to allow for the physician-authorized use of marijuana. On Thursday, May 5, House lawmakers approved an amended version of Senate Bill 17, The Delaware Medical Marijuana Act. Senate Bill 17 amends state law so that physician-supervised patients with an authorized “debilitating medical condition” can possess and use marijuana for medical purposes.

The measure would also provide for the establishment of non-profit “compassion centers” that would be licensed by the state to produce and dispense medical cannabis. Because House lawmakers made amendments to the Senate version of the bill, the measure must return to the Senate for an additional vote. In March, members of the Delaware Senate voted 18 to 3 in favor of the measure. You can learn more about this measure and how to support it via NORML’s ‘Take Action Center’ here.

Ohio: Legislation that seeks to legalize the physician-supervised use of medical marijuana was reintroduced this week in the Ohio Legislature.

House Bill 214, the Ohio Medical Compassion Act, amends state law so that physician-supervised patients with an authorized “debilitating medical condition” can possess and grow marijuana for medical purposes. Full text of the measure can be read here.

HB 214 would allow qualifying patients to possess up to two hundred grams of usable marijuana and twelve mature cannabis plants. Qualifying patients from other medical marijuana states would be provided legal protection under this measure.

HB 214 has been referred to the House Committee on Health and Aging, but has yet to be scheduled for a hearing. You can contact your state lawmakers in support of this measure here.

Vermont: Vermont lawmakers have cleared the way for the
enactment of the state-licensed distribution of medical marijuana.

On Thursday, May 5, House lawmakers voted 99-44 in favor of Senate Bill 17, which allows for the state-sanctioned sale of marijuana to qualified patients. Under the bill, four dispensaries may be established to serve up to 1,000 patients. House lawmakers overwhelmingly decided to pass the measure despite warnings from the US Department of Justice claiming that the operation of such facilities could place citizens and state officials in conflict with federal law.

Senators previously passed a version of SB 17 in April and are expected to concur with
the minor changes made by the House. State Gov. Peter Shumlin supports the measure. Vermont lawmakers legalized the use of
marijuana as a medicine in 2004, but the law presently provides no legal
source for cannabis aside from home cultivation.