Medical Marijuana: Nothing is New
The use of cannabis as medicine is not new, in fact, there are references to the use of marijuana as a medicine that date back to 2,000 years BC. Marijuana use hasn’t been confined to just one geographical area either – there are global records of its use. In China, it was used to treat conditions such as malaria, constipation and rheumatism.
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You might be surprised to find that it wasn’t just ancient peoples who used the drug; marijuana remained in the United States pharmacopoeia until 1941. Up until that time, cannabis was freely available in shops and, in the UK, Queen Victoria, that most conservative of royals, used cannabis to alleviate her menstrual cramps.
Medical Marijuana: The Truth
The truth of the matter is we don’t know exactly how many illnesses and symptoms that the medical use of marijuana could alleviate. The following list is taken from Appendix IV of a US Government Accountability Office report issued in November 2002, Descriptions of Allowable Conditions under State Medical Marijuana Laws.
Over the following days detailed articles will be written about how marijuana may help each of these conditions and as the articles are published they will be linked to this page.
This is not an exhaustive list of the conditions that may be helped by using cannabis and other conditions will be added as you tell us about them!
We believe Medical Marijuana will help these conditions:
- Alzheimer’s Disease: a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior
- Amyloidosis: Amyloids are body-proteins that have folded in on themselves, making them insoluble. The fact that they don’t dissolve can lead to a build up of deposits in various organs, such as the heart, the kidneys, and the nerves.
- Anorexia: an eating disorder characterized by refusal to maintain a healthy body weight
- Anxiety: a feeling of apprehension or fear, the source of which is not always known or recognized
- AIDS: (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the final stage of HIV disease, which causes severe damage to the immune system
- Arthritis: inflammation of one or more joints, which results in pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement
- Autism: autistic spectrum disorders are a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges
- Breast Cancer: cannabis study suggesting that a particular compound may be effective at taming metastasizing breast cancer cells with low toxicity.
- Cachexia: physical wasting with loss of weight and muscle mass caused by disease
- Cancer: a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell division leading to growth of abnormal tissue
- Crohn’s Disease: an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), causing inflammation of the digestive tract lining . This can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and malnutrition
- Depression: a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration
- Epilepsy: a disorder that results from the surges in electrical signals inside the brain, causing recurring seizures.
- Fibromyalgia: a constellation of symptoms that include widespread aching, stiffness, fatigue, and the presence of specific body tender point
- Glaucoma: a group of eye diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve usually caused by raised pressure (IOP) within the eye
- Insomnia: chronic inability to fall asleep or to enjoy uninterrupted sleep
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Anecdotal evidence suggests that use of cannabis/marijuana reduces symptoms associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
- Mesothelioma: Well, let’s get this said up-front: as far as we know medical marijuana will not cure mesothelioma. Nevertheless, we know of at least one study looking at cannabis for chemotherapy patients (Harvard University) that showed THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, slashed tumor growth in common lung cancer by 50% and also reduced the spread of the cancer.
- Migraine: a severe recurring headache, usually affecting only one side of the head, characterized by sharp pain and often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances
- Multiple Sclerosis: a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting movement, sensation, and bodily functions.Caused by destruction of the myelin insulation covering nerve fibers in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
- Nausea: a feeling of sickness in the stomach characterized by an urge to vomit
- Pain: an unpleasant sensation occurring in varying degrees of severity as a consequence of injury, disease, or emotional disorder
- PTSD: (post traumatic stress disorder) a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: It’s been known, anecdotally at least, for many years that cannabis can help ease the painful symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Spasticity: a constant and unwanted contraction of one or more muscle groups
Find out the Medical Marijuana state laws where you live. Then you will know whether you are legally able to use Medical Marijuana to treat your medical condition.
[...] Plant is not the medical marijuana to relieve your insomnia! However, if your medical condition is getting you down and you are low on energy, it might be a good strain to [...]
Below is a repost of an article published on Americans for Safe Access website: www.safeaccessnow.org in November of 2003. The article describes how cannabinoids, the active components of marijuana, inhibit tumor growth in laboratory animals and also kill cancer cells. Then it finishes off by saying that the US government has known for more than 35 years and that the media which would normally go crazy about a cancer cure story like this, doesn’t at all and in fact seem to be burying the story rather than promote it in any way. I for one am amazed at the government’s stance on marijuana and their failed war on drugs, which is more like a war on it’s own country. I guess too many people get rich off of the war on drugs.
Yes I hear you! My husband and I are considering moving to a state where it is legal. We are in the same boat. He is dying. We are not the criminals either. Best of luck. Vote to legalize.
Hello,
I’ve been a formal patient in the pain Clinic setting for going on 5 years. I suffer with RSD or more recently named Complex Regional Pain Syndrome which is a debilitating pain (nerve) condition.
Ive tried virtually every available treatment,procedure, and medicine to find only marginal at best relief.
Ive had a spinal cord stimulator implanted, I currently take Methadone and Oxycodone for the pain although their benefits are beginning to disappear.
Recently, Ive had some luck with ketamine Infusions on a monthly basis. The Ketamine actually helps a bit but I still am in need of more relief and do not think that narcotic analgesics are working much any longer.
Herein lies my question, I live in Maine where Medical Marijuana is legal. Has anyone had any luck at all with this? Obviously Im getting somewhat desperate as Ive got a 16 yr old daughter to whom I make no bones about pointing out the fact that Marijuana and other drugs are destructive.
So, anyone have any ideas or stories for me? Your consideration is much appreciated.
Bill
PS I also neglected to say that Im currently in Interferon Therapy for Hep C as a result of blood transfusion. Appetite and weight loss are serious issues that i would presume would be helped by Med Marijuana. ( Ive lost 30 lbs in 45 days ) I can be emailed at lukeone17@yahoo.com
God Bless!
I suffer from a type of epilepsy known as Complex Partial Seizures (CPS for short). I have been on numerous drugs (Dilantin, Tegretol, Keppra, Lamictal, etc., and even participated in a 2 year drug trial for a drug that has just recently received FDA approval called Lacosomide. While I did receive varying degrees of help from each of them when I started them, they eventually failed to produce any positive effects. I don’t need to go over the negative side effects we all know about.
The only substance that has given me complete relief from seizures is cannabis. This was recently proven when I spent a week in the hospital while the doctors tried to induce multiple seizures. What they didn’t know was that I had been using MM for a week before I went into the hospital. No matter what they tried (including strobe lights at various frequencies), caused so much as one seizure. I finally discussed it with my doctor and while he couldn’t speak in an official capacity, he acknowledged the benefits of using MM.
So what’s the problem? I live in a state that DOES NOT recognize the medical benefits of marijuana. So like so many others, if I choose to use the only drug that controls my seizures (one that Big Pharma doesn’t profit from), I’m considered a criminal.
Like so many others, I’m tired of being called a criminal by those who really are the criminals. Those whose greed allows them to profit from the pain and suffering of those who, for the most part, have neither the physical nor financial means to fight back.
(too below)
also should point out that i know one should not drive when on this…
To start im am only 18. i have had major headaches for well over a year now everyday. they get so bad that my left eye goes almost blind(thats not everyday tho). iv been to many doctors and they all gave me pills that just dont work at all.
After a cat scan that showed that theres nothing in my head iv have been called a lier by my doctors and now get nothing from them. I hate living with this pain and not being able to know if i can drive somewhere with out having to pull over.
What im asking is if cannabis really fixes these problems and if so can somebody show me a doctor that can write it up for me? Im thinking about taking the jump into it (I have never used weed before and have never smoked anyhting). Im not using it for the high but for a way to finaly live with out this cronic pain. I kinda always had a moral thing on not using it enless its for medical use, now i feel i might just be in that problem.
Nice post. I personally suffer from Crohn’s disease and there seems to be some research out there suggesting that marijuana is an effective treatment against Crohn’s – again, without all the nasty side effects.
I suuffer from Peripheral Neuropathy of the feet and legs, I live in South Florida, Palm Beach County. On June 28th a historic case will begin, I will be seeking the use of the Medical Necessity Defense, Attorney Michael c Minardi will be reperesting me and a case never heard before in Palm Beach County.
I will be seeking public support, and expert witesnes if anyone can help please contact me at kennedyjeffey@bellsouth.net
Thank you,
Jeffrey w Kennedy
I have MS.
Does any one suffer from fibromyalgia chronic fatigue syndrome? Does marijuana help with the pain?
I am a 55 years young man with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I am both a Registered Nurse and a Rock/Blues Guitarist. I am 100% certain that most of my MS symptoms lesson when I smoke pot.
My wife (who doesn’t smoke)and many of my friends also agree that my MS symptoms seem to dissapate when there is THC in my system.
I’m smart enough not to even attempt to drive while I’m “high”. When I’m home and have smoked, I barely stumble, I don’t drool and my thinking is a bit clearer.
I know that at those times I’m under the influence. I have not and I will not ever practice my Nursing skills when I smoke. Hey, Cough Medicine gets me to stoned to practice Nursing as well.
I HAVE A 15YR.OLD SON WITH AUTISM AND SEVERE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS I HEARD IN THE NEWS ANOTHER MOM WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM AND FOUND A DR WHO PRESCRIBE VERY LITTLE MARIJUANA ON HER CHILD BROWNIE. SHE SAW DRAMATIC CHANGES MY QUETION IS WHERE CAN I FIND A DR WHO IS LEGAL AND CAN WORK WITH ME AND MY CHILD.
For years I have struggled with anxiety, and in all the years of going to see doctors and all the stuff they gave me to try and help, nothing has worked but marijuana and for the last 3 years I was able to live a somewhat normal life and it felt so good to be in control for once. That is something I’ve never had before.
Now things have changed because I was put on probation for the next 5 years I have to find other treatment options and it sucks because nothing ever works. I just wish they would see marijuana as such a bad thing because it has helped me in my life so much. I totally support the research that is being done with it and hopefully one day the laws will change.
We are tracking a running list of ailments that can be treated by medical marijuana on our website with a lot of free information for anyone seeking knowledge. Coloradosmedicalmarijuana.com