The Health Effects of Cannabis - Informed Opinions

Enter any bar or public place and canvass opinions on cannabis and there will be a different opinion for each person canvassed. Some opinions will be well-informed from respectable sources while others will be just formed upon no basis at all. To be sure, research and conclusions based on the research is difficult given the long history of illegality. Nevertheless, there is a groundswell of opinion that cannabis is good and should be legalised. Many States in America and Australia have taken the path to legalise cannabis. Other countries are either following suit or considering options. So what is the position now? Is it good or not?

The National Academy of Sciences published a 487 page report this year (NAP Report) on the current state of evidence for the subject matter. Many government grants supported the work of the committee, an eminent collection of 16 professors. They were supported by 15 academic reviewers and some 700 relevant publications considered. Thus the report is seen as state of the art on medical as well as recreational use. This article draws heavily on this resource.
The term cannabis is used loosely here to represent cannabis and marijuana, the latter being sourced from a different part of the plant. More than 100 chemical compounds are found in cannabis, each potentially offering differing benefits or risk.
CLINICAL INDICATIONS
A person who is "stoned" on smoking cannabis might experience a euphoric state where time is irrelevant, music and colours take on a greater significance and the person might acquire the "nibblies", wanting to eat sweet and fatty foods. This is often associated with impaired motor skills and perception. When high blood concentrations are achieved, paranoid thoughts, hallucinations and panic attacks may characterize his "trip".

PURITY
In the vernacular, cannabis is often characterized as "good shit" and "bad shit", alluding to widespread contamination practice. The contaminants may come from soil quality (eg pesticides & heavy metals) or added subsequently. Sometimes particles of lead or tiny beads of glass augment the weight sold.

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
A random selection of therapeutic effects appears here in context of their evidence status. Some of the effects will be shown as beneficial, while others carry risk. Some effects are barely distinguished from the placebos of the research.

• Cannabis in the treatment of epilepsy is inconclusive on account of insufficient evidence.
• Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy can be ameliorated by oral cannabis.
• A reduction in the severity of pain in patients with chronic pain is a likely outcome for the use of cannabis.
• Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients was reported as improvements in symptoms.
• Increase in appetite and decrease in weight loss in HIV/ADS patients has been shown in limited evidence.
• According to limited evidence cannabis is ineffective in the treatment of glaucoma.
• On the basis of limited evidence, cannabis is effective in the treatment of Tourette syndrome.
• Post-traumatic disorder has been helped by cannabis in a single reported trial.
• Limited statistical evidence points to better outcomes for traumatic brain injury.
• There is insufficient evidence to claim that cannabis can help Parkinson's disease.
• Limited evidence dashed hopes that cannabis could help improve the symptoms of dementia sufferers.
• Limited statistical evidence can be found to support an association between smoking cannabis and heart attack.
• On the basis of limited evidence cannabis is ineffective to treat depression
• The evidence for reduced risk of metabolic issues (diabetes etc) is limited and statistical.
• Social anxiety disorders can be helped by cannabis, although the evidence is limited. Asthma and cannabis use is not well supported by the evidence either for or against.
• Post-traumatic disorder has been helped by cannabis in a single reported trial.
• A conclusion that cannabis can help schizophrenia sufferers cannot be supported or refuted on the basis of the limited nature of the evidence.
• There is moderate evidence that better short-term sleep outcomes for disturbed sleep individuals.
• Pregnancy and smoking cannabis are correlated with reduced birth weight of the infant.
• The evidence for stroke caused by cannabis use is limited and statistical.
• Addiction to cannabis and gateway issues are complex, taking into account many variables that are beyond the scope of this article. These issues are fully discussed in the NAP report.

CANCERThe NAP report highlights the following findings on the issue of cancer:

• The evidence suggests that smoking cannabis does not increase the risk for certain cancers (i.e., lung, head and neck) in adults.
• There is modest evidence that cannabis use is associated with one subtype of testicular cancer.
• There is minimal evidence that parental cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with greater cancer risk in offspring.

RESPIRATORY DISEASEThe NAP report highlights the following findings on the issue of respiratory diseases:

• Smoking cannabis on a regular basis is associated with chronic cough and phlegm production.
• Quitting cannabis smoking is likely to reduce chronic cough and phlegm production.
• It is unclear whether cannabis use is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, asthma, or worsened lung function.

IMMUNE SYSTEMThe NAP report highlights the following findings on the issue of the human immune system:

• There exists a paucity of data on the effects of cannabis or cannabinoid-based therapeutics on the human immune system.
• There is insufficient data to draw overarching conclusions concerning the effects of cannabis smoke or cannabinoids on immune competence.
• There is limited evidence to suggest that regular exposure to cannabis smoke may have anti-inflammatory activity.
• There is insufficient evidence to support or refute a statistical association between cannabis or cannabinoid use and adverse effects on immune status in individuals with HIV.

MORTALITYThe NAP report highlights the following findings on the issue of the increased risk of death or injury:

• Cannabis use prior to driving increases the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident.
• In states where cannabis use is legal, there is increased risk of unintentional cannabis overdose injuries among children.
• It is unclear whether and how cannabis use is associated with all-cause mortality or with occupational injury.

BRAIN FUNCTIONThe NAP report highlights the following findings on the issue of cognitive performance and mental health:

• Recent cannabis use impairs the performance in cognitive domains of learning, memory, and attention. Recent use may be defined as cannabis use within 24 hours of evaluation.
• A limited number of studies suggest that there are impairments in cognitive domains of learning, memory, and attention in individuals who have stopped smoking cannabis.
• Cannabis use during adolescence is related to impairments in subsequent academic achievement and education, employment and income, and social relationships and social roles.
• Cannabis use is likely to increase the risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychoses; the higher the use, the greater the risk.
• In individuals with schizophrenia and other psychoses, a history of cannabis use may be linked to better performance on learning and memory tasks.
• Cannabis use does not appear to increase the likelihood of developing depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
• For individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorders, near daily cannabis use may be linked to greater symptoms of bipolar disorder than for nonusers.
• Heavy cannabis users are more likely to report thoughts of suicide than are nonusers.
• Regular cannabis use is likely to increase the risk for developing social anxiety disorder.

It must be reasonably clear from the foregoing that cannabis is not the magic bullet for all health issues that some good-intentioned but ill-advised advocates of cannabis would have us believe. Yet the product offers much hope. Solid research can help to clarify the issues. The NAP report is a solid step in the right direction. Unfortunately, there are still many barriers to researching this amazing drug. In time the benefits and risks will be more fully understood. Confidence in the product will increase and many of the barriers, social and academic, will fall by the wayside.

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The Cannabis Encyclodia

Medical Properties Of Medical Marijuana

The chemical components of Medical Marijuana, referred to as cannabinoids, play a major role in the realm of medicine known as CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine). Medical Marijuana, also know as Medical Cannabis, has been employed for a wide array of medicinal uses for many centuries for its pharmacological effects on the CNS (Central Nervous System) and the immune system. Its anticancer properties and its ability to help the body cope with the side-effects of cancer as well as the treatment process through the activation of specific receptors throughout the body were discovered quite recently.
The non-psychtropic and modifying cannabinoid that has a number of different medical properties called Cannabidiol comprises 75% of the total cannabinoids content in a few rare strains of cannabis. This modifying cannabinoid called Cannabinol has low psychoactive properties. It is known to reduce the psychoactive effects of THC by degenerating it. Its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, and antioxidant properties are well-known.
The cannabinoid, Cannabigerol that is found in Cannabis, particularly its medical marijuana and hemp varieties is the precursor form of other cannabinoids like THC and CBD. It is a bone stimulant with antibacterial and anti-proliferative properties.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin is found in cannabis along with THC. This psychoactive cannabinoid has numerous medical benefits in THC, which include decreased appetite and as the dosage gets larger, it is known to oppose the medicinal properties of THC. There are a number of THCV-based pharmaceuticals that are currently undergoing human trials to address the problems of obesity and Type II diabetes.
Akin to Tetrahydrocannabivarin is the non-psychoactive cannabinoid, Cannabichromene that is usually found in cannabis and it also known to have a few medical properties. It is renowned for its anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, antimicrobial, analgesic properties, also stimulates the growth of bones and constricts blood vessels.
One of the principal psychoactive cannabinoid compounds found in marijuana is Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC that occurs naturally as THC-A, its acidic form and is not absorbed readily by the body in its naturally occurring state. When heated, THC-A undergoes decarboxylation to a readily absorbable from that has a number of different medical benefits.
Both Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol have anxiolytic, antispasmodic, anti-proliferative anticancer, anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective, antiemetic, and neuropathic analgesic properties. In addition, Cannabidiol is also a bone-stimulant and immunosuppressant with antibacterial, antipsychotic, antiepileptic, anti-ischemic, anti diabetic, anti psoriatic, and vasorelaxation properties while the antioxidant Tetrahydrocannabinol stimulates appetite, reduces the intraocular eye pressure, promotes the growth of new nerve tissue, also protects nerves from damage.



Colorado is one of the states that has legalized Medical Marijuana for use as a medicine. For more information visit the website of Kind Love Medical Marijuana Dispensary located in Denver, CO. You can submit your questions about Medical Marijuana to an MMJ expert at the Kind Love Dispensary http://www.mmjdenver.net.

Marijuana and Cancer - Governmental Arrogance Buries Viable Cancer Therapies

It seems that nearly everyone in government fancies himself superior to the rest of us in knowledge and judgment. There is no telling how much beneficial, not to mention vital, research and knowledge have been lost as a result of the arrogant whims of the few who consider themselves the elite among us, simply on the basis of having engineered themselves into a position of power. A depressing example of this arrogance is reflected in the fiasco surrounding research into the medical benefits of marijuana.
Way back in 1974, the National Institute of Health funded research at Medical College of Virginia. Their mission was to prove the contention that marijuana damages the immune system. In funding this research, the NIH was destined to be roundly disappointed - they effectively shot themselves in the foot. Rather than receiving confirmation and supporting evidence of their contention, the NIH people were annoyed to learn that the MCV researchers found instead, that THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, undeniably slowed the growth of three kinds of cancer in mice.
Since this failed miserably in bolstering the government's case against marijuana, in their view the most noxious of all weeds, and in fact proved just the opposite, the DEA came charging into the fray, banners flying, trumpets blaring. They shut down the Virginia study along with all other cannabis tumor research.
Not to be outdone in the public assault on a useful albeit often misused plant and substance, President Gerald Ford got on the bandwagon in 1976, and put an end to all cannabis research while simultaneously granting that right exclusively to the maniacally delighted pharmaceutical industry.
Then again, in 1983, in accommodation to intense lobbying and reception of massive campaign contributions, the Reagan/Bush administration tried hard to persuade American Universities and researchers to destroy all of the 1966-76 cannabis research work, including compendiums in libraries. They were partially successful. Large amounts of information have disappeared.
But all this negative effort is like trying to hold back the dawn. The facts keep cropping up in spite of the best efforts of vested interests to bury them. In February of 2000, another confirmation of marijuana's cancer fighting abilities came out of Madrid. Researchers there had destroyed incurable brain cancer tumors in rats by injecting them with THC. This confirmed the earlier Virginia study.
The news of this discovery has been virtually non-existent in the United States. The New York Times ignored the story. So did the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. These papers receive major advertising revenues from the pharmaceutical industry, which by the way, employs two lobbyists for each and every member of congress.
As public pressure to allow the use of medicinal marijuana continues to build, more and more politicians are being induced to taking a closer look at the facts. Its strong support by patients and medical professionals is beginning to be felt. More and more states are adopting compassionate laws toward medicinal marijuana as many patients clamor for the substance to relieve the symptoms and side effects of chemo.
The nausea, vomiting, pain, and insomnia that are typically a consequence of conventional cancer therapy, cripple a patient's quality of life. Marijuana, smoked, vaporized, infused in teas, or baked in foods, can dramatically restore a patient's place in the world. Noting this has induced the entire oncology community to endorse its use.
The pharmaceutical companies, hard pressed to compete against this tidal wave of sentiment, have isolated the active compound in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrolcanabinol, THC, and made a synthetic version of it available by prescription. But it doesn't work nearly as well as plain old marijuana, it doesn't work at all on some people, it takes from 45 minutes to 2 hours to take effect when it does work, and it will set a patient back about $ 800.00 a month. Not really a good alternative.
Medicinal marijuana is not without its own side effects. Anxiety, drowsiness, dry mouth, slow reaction times, and loss of short term memory are among them. Patients using this substance for medicinal purposes will experience varying side effects. Everyone reacts differently to its use and it is very important to buy marijuana from an authorized source. Other drugs or harmful substances are often added by unscrupulous criminal dealers.
Doctors treating cancer patients are in critical need to be kept informed of all drugs taken by their patients, including marijuana, over-the-counter, prescription, or homeopathic remedies. It's very important to keep in mind that marijuana, at this point, is not a form of treatment and is not curative. It is used only to treat cancer symptoms like pain, and to relieve the side effects of treatment.
Fourteen states have legalized the use of medicinal marijuana. They are: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Each state has its own rules and regulations regarding its use and these need to be complied with. Most states require registration with supporting documentation and certification by a physician. This should by no means be construed as an endorsement for the indiscriminate use of marijuana. The substance has some very serious negative side effects and needs to be treated like any other drug. If you don't need it, stay away from it.



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Why Do People Smoke Cannabis?

There's an issue that's frequently requested - so why do people smoke cannabis?

Globally, marijuana is easily the most generally used street drug. A 2007 survey discovered that 14.4 million folks the America alone had smoked cannabis at least one time within the last thirty days.

You will find a number of reasons that individuals take drugs and that we certainly do not have all of the solutions. However, you will find some classic mental reasons that individuals start and then smoke weed that people can explore.

Mental reasons

The mental causes of taking drugs could be like the reasons that individuals buy things, visit certain websites or choose an impulsive or momentary strategy at any particular time.

While dopamine transmitters constitute only one Percent from the brain they "are wired" in the most crucial parts.

Dopamine is generally connected using the "reward system", supplying feelings of delight and reinforcement to motivate someone to perform certain activities.

Dopamine is launched and rewards encounters for example food, sex, and drugs.

The purpose of dopamine transmitters is not fully understood however it could explain a number of "urges" in human behavior. We'll naturally be drawn to any action that delivers an incentive. It might explain why humans will require drugs to have an immediate reward whenever a long term negative effect is fully understood.

Here's an action flow diagram which might explain the procedure:

    Requirement for existence to alter > Do something > Receive benefit > Learn association

We are conditioned to look for food and therefore are compensated with nourishment in addition to a "dopamine reward" that is then learned therefore the process could be repeated. Drugs may also provide us with an optimistic experience (the "high") which combined having a "dopamine reward" that is then "learned" and encourages habitual behavior.

This could explain the circular causation that lots of addicts experience. They're bored (hunger), take drugs (nourishment), are compensated, discover the association, and so the the next time the positive associations are strengthened thus developing a habit.

So, everyone has dopamine transmitters only some people take drugs. What exactly would be the some other reasons?

To suit in / pressure from peers

Among the most powerful mental factors to describe behavior is famous by a number of expressions for example "monkey see, monkey do", "pressure from peers" and "social proof". This is often referred to like a copying or resembling of behavior we have seen around us.

For a number of reasons we're conditioned to complete as others around us do. So, simply enough, if you will find many people smoking weed around us, we will probably follow.

This pressure to suit in could be a more effective among more youthful people as everyone knows. However, taking drugs simply to easily fit in isn't the whole picture and will not be understood this way. However, it might be a contributory factor.

Copying of role model / hero

One more reason why people smoke weed is allied towards the previous reason for copying behavior. People naturally attempt to copy the behavior of people which are locked in esteem with a peer group. So copying the drug taking habits of celebs could be described in by doing this.

Alcohol

Probably the most natural part models for most of us are their parents. Many children "learn" to consume alcohol using their parents after which once the results of this drug aren't appreciated marijuana can appear an appealing alternative.

Rebelling

Similarly, with respect to the individual and also the "stage" in adolescence or youthful their adult years, smoking grass can appear just like a method of distinguishing themselves using their parents.

Relax

Existence for everybody could be demanding sometimes. Youthful individuals are particularly prone to sudden bouts of stress and smoking dope is visible like a temporary release out of this tension

Experiment / take risks

Youthful people, males particularly, could be vulnerable to taking greater risks and also to experiment a lot more than people of other age range.

Religious

Many religions stress the significance of smoking cannabis to locate yourself emotionally.

Medicinal

Marijuana is proven to be a discomfort reliever for a number of conditions. For youthful women it may be particularly useful in combating period pains.

Inherited

And finally, there might be some evidence that the inclination to become hooked on mind-changing substances might be hereditary.

Legal Marijuana - Busting the Myths of Medical Cannabis

There are many myths concerning the effects of marijuana. Of all the ones you've heard, how many came from a reliable source? Do you REALLY trust what your friend's uncle says about the subject? Let us explore these myths in greater depth.

1. Marijuana is addicting.

False! Marijuana is not addicting. Medical studies have shown alcohol, nicotine, and even caffeine to all be more addicting than marijuana. Compare this to the drug OxyContin. Both medicines are used to treat severe pain, but in 2006, 20.4 million Americans illegally used OxyContin. Medical marijuana is a much safer alternative.

2. Marijuana has a negative effect on health.

There are thousands of deaths each year from various drugs approved by the FDA. Interestingly enough, there are ZERO reported cases where marijuana was listed as the cause of death. Many people fear the smoking of marijuana, relating it to the cancers cause by cigarettes. Keep in mind, smokers will go through twenty or more cigarettes a day, every day. Medicinal levels of marijuana are nowhere near that high.

3. Even if it doesn't cause death directly, marijuana weakens your immune system.

This claim is based on a test performed in 1980, stating that white blood cells transformed slower in reaction to threats when exposed to THC. Since then, such results have never been able to be replicated. The FDA has even approved Marinol, a synthetic form of THC, for the treatment of diseases that attack the immune system, such as HIV.

4. There is no medicinal use for marijuana.

Quite the opposite! Marijuana is used medically in California in the treatment of cancer, AIDS, arthritis, migraines, and anorexia. Studies show it can also be used alongside, or even instead of, current medications for those diagonsed with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and insomnia. Research is currently being conducted to test its effect on Alzheimer's disease.

5. Legal marijuana will be abused/illegally sold.

The idea of banning a medicine because others will abuse it is preposterous. Drugs such as sleeping pills and pain medications are abused daily, yet are sold over-the-counter. Also, if someone is unfortunate enough to have AIDS, and are depending on a medicine to prevent extreme pain, why would they willingly get rid of it?

These are only a few of the common myths about medical marijuana. Think about all the information you have about weed, and then decide if your sources are really that reliable. The stigma around this medicine is wrong, and needs to be reversed, for the sake of patients who could benefit from it. Learn the facts about marijuana and its medicinal purposes for yourself.

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Lots Of Benefits From Medical Marijuana

Over time it's becoming more and more apparent the advantages of Medicinal Marijuana. If you talked to any one that has experienced pain with a debilitating condition such as Cancers, AIDS, Glaucoma, Ms, or perhaps Crohn's Disease, and they'll tell you how it's changed their lives.
From vaporizing or smoking the purely natural herb tends to make controlling their pain and negative effects a possibility. In comparison to the chemically enhance prescription tablets, they just do not compare.

Take side-effects, for instance. Most prescribed drugs come with a multi-page list of potential negative things that can happen with regular usage - liver problems is almost symbolic of long-term usage. Compare that to marijuana, in which studies show have little or no permanent problems with long-term usage, and a lot of patients choose possibly not to smoke. Baked goods, oils, butters, and other natural means which make marijuana the most convenient medicine for you to consume.

Medical marijuana isn't just for devastating diseases. It's also found to deliver comfort from rheumatoid arthritis, nausea, and long-term pain. Most women experience fantastic results when using cannabis to alleviate menstruation cramps, and also menopausal women discover good success by using cannabis to deal with hot flashes, swift changes in moods, as well as chills. At the moment there are medical studies being done which reveal the fact that medical marijuana may have a positive effects on depression as well as other anxiousness related issues.

The "group of stoners" stereotype has followed responsible marijuana customers around for far too long. Similar to other effective medications, marijuana could very well be abused. Much different from several other effective drugs, you'll find it practically impossible to overdose with cannabis. Saying that cannabis is a harmful medicine in the first place is comparable to outlawing ginseng or black cohosh or every other natural herb that is routinely used in many civilizations for pain relief and healing. It is surely an alternative medical course, as genuine as chiropractic treatments, and often used hand in hand to get good results. Chiropractic beliefs lines up completely with that of medical cannabis - the body, together with mother nature, has the ability to heal.

The greatest benefit of cannabis is this : it's an herb, harvested in the earth naturally. Medical marijuana doesn't have to be manufactured or chemically refined or enhanced by any means. You simply won't discover a list of un-pronounceable substances made to meticulously manipulate the signs of your illness. Medical marijuana is all natural and all the potential health benefits haven't at this point begin to scuff the surface.

For more information on medical marijuana please visit us online.

About Medical Cannabis

What Are The Top Five Mental Conditions Treated When a Patient Gets a Medical Card?

Medicinal marijuana is now available in 16 States plus the District of Columbia. There are now well over a million medical marijuana patients with valid cards in the US, and who knows how many individuals are self-medicating.
The different states have significant variances with regards to the debilitating conditions that qualify for medical marijuana. Arizona, for instance, has 13 debilitating conditions, whereas in California physicians can decide if a patient has a condition that would benefit from marijuana. In most states, mental conditions are not allowed for medical marijuana, but however, the benefit is often concomitant with the other allowed conditions. For instance, chronic pain is a qualifying condition, and those patients often suffer from insomnia.
The most common mental condition for which medical marijuana assists is insomnia. Marijuana can either be smoked or ingested for this. There is a difference with the onset of action. Smoking's onset is within minutes, if ingestion is used it may take an hour or so. Medical marijuana is typically preferable to addictive drugs such as Xanax. It is not physically addictive or habit forming.
Migraines also respond well to medical cannabis. If the marijuana is smoked or ingested, one of the benefits is that retrograde inhibition will assist in slowing the brain's neurotransmitters. This can relieve the pain along with the nausea and sensitivity that accompanies migraines. There can be significant side effects to traditional migraine medications, such as increased blood pressure and sedation. With marijuana, sedation can be a side effect as well, but this can be adjusted.
Cannabis is very helpful for anxiety, which is often experienced by patients dealing with cancer, chronic pain, and other conditions for which marijuana is helpful. Medical marijuana may slow down thought processes, helping break up some of the upsetting thought patterns that anxiety suffers have to deal with.
Marijuana users in general report report fewer episodes of depression than non-smokers. Usage in depression can help break up negative thought cycles that may lead to a debilitating episode. Marijuana does not magically treat depression and will not cure the root problem leading to it. However, it can help considerably with mood while the patient works with a professional to treat the root cause.
Medical marijuana may calm mood swings substantially that are seen with bipolar disorder. Lithium is a traditional medication for bipolar disorder and may cause issues with the thyroid, kidneys, or heart. Cannabis may achieve an equivalent mood stabilizing effect without the emotional deadening of lithium.
Medical marijuana helps with these numerous mental conditions substantially. It provides an excellent alternative to traditional medications which often have considerable side effects and may have substantial costs as well.



David L. Greene, MD, Phoenix, AZ is CEO of Preferred Pain Center which serves the Phoenix and Scottsdale, AZ metropolitan and surrounding areas. He can be reached at dgreene@preferredpaincenter.com and (602) 507-6550.
Preferred Pain Center is a Comprehensive Arizona Pain doctors Center including Medical and Interventional Pain Management, Chiropractors Phoenix Treatment, Physical Therapy, Spinal Decompression Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, and Manipulation Under Anesthesia.

A Quick Guide to Medical Cannabis in California

Medical Cannabis in California is nothing all that new. Rather, this state has served as the basis for 14 other states in the union to proactively decriminalize marijuana for medicinal usages. Thanks to the progressive medical marijuana program in California, more and more people are starting to understand how many practical medical applications that California offers. For patients who are suffering, now they have another alternative healthcare option that many find to offer the relief that they are seeking but void of side effects, adverse reactions or interactions that are common with many prescription drugs.

Current Laws on California Medical Cannabis

The laws here can be difficult to understand if you are not a lawyer. However, they can be broken down to basic terms to make them easier to digress. The laws ensure that "seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes." They are designed to ensure "that patients and their primary caregivers who obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes upon the recommendation of a physician are not subject to criminal prosecution or sanctions of any kind."

Who Can Legally Use California Medical Cannabis?

As per the law, only patients and their state approved caregivers. According to California law, all patients must be registered with the medical program, which is managed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). In order to qualify, patients must be examined by a doctor and written a recommendation for cannabis. Then they must submit an application to the health department with that recommendation to be issued a California medical cannabis card.

Where You Can Buy Medical Cannabis in California

Upon receiving your California Medical Cannabis card in the mail, you will be able to purchase cannabis from various dispensaries that are located throughout the state. The dispensaries only allow valid card holders to gain entrance and make purchases (or their primary caregivers who hold valid cards). Each county has its own laws regarding the amount of marijuana that a patient can purchase or possess at any given time.

Qualifying Medical Conditions for Cannabis in California

This state differs greatly from the other states that have legalized cannabis for medicinal usages. This is because Medical Cannabis in California hosts the most liberal medical marijuana program. Currently, there are 166 qualifying conditions. A few are added and removed each year by voters. A marijuana doctor can help you determine if you qualify under state law.

Cannabis Doctors Network is an organization that is committed to aiding patients in finding the licensed, caring and professional doctors that they need to see in order to get approved for a medical marijuana card in their state. We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service for our clients and stand behind our 100% satisfaction guarantee.
California Medical Cannabis

The Best Marijuana Documentation

Alternative Medicine As an Effective Migraine Treatment

A migraine is really a chronic headache that is mainly triggered through the spasm and thinning of microscopic bloodstream ships which carries bloodstream towards the brain. The headache is severe and debilitating and may occur from annually or as frequently as four occasions per week. It's indicated by nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, aura but first and foremost with a throbbing discomfort on either sides from the mind. Several factors happen to be recognized as triggers for any migraine attack for example stress, anger, caffeine, nicotine and hormonal discrepancy.

Medicinal marijuana has lengthy been shown to be very effective treatments for migraines. Its primary component, THC, is better noted for its analgesic and neuroprotective effects that may give relief towards the discomfort caused with a migraine attack. Due to marijuana's good reputation for illegality, it is not marketed as a good migraine treatment alternative. People are also apprehensive in making use of medicinal marijuana due to the wrong impression that smoking is the only method of utilizing it. You will find however other delivery techniques you can use for example vaporization, food items that is made by infusing food with cannabis, or through tinctures taken sublingually (underneath the tongue).

Another factor that attempts people by using medicinal marijuana is that they believe that obtaining a medicinal marijuana card is complicated and costly. That's in which the many Colorado medicinal marijuana shops can help you. They are able to provide patients with assistance within the entire medicinal marijuana card application. Colorado marijuana shops have over time sprouted all around the city regardless of the slump in economy. So large the medical cannabis industry is becoming that several measures along with a moratorium happen to be passed to curb and control Colorado medical cannabis shops.

Medical cannabis being made legal ought to be a welcome development to migraine sufferers who avoid taking their prescription medications due to the unwanted effects the drugs have. The most typical of those unwanted effects are fatigue, drowsiness, racing heartbeat, nausea, difficulty in thinking and numbness. Pain relievers which dull the throbbing discomfort of the migraine could cause long-term dependence on it. It's unlucky that patients aren't made conscious of these dangerous results of prescription medications and you will find no alternative remedies given to them.

Not just has migraine patients found relief for that discomfort that's sign of the problem, additionally they learned that advantages of medical cannabis like enhanced sleep and reduced stress can prevent its onset and therefore reduce instances of migraine. The standard of existence of migraine patients that prescription medications can deny them is viewed to possess been enhanced rather by medicinal marijuana.

Information of Cannabis

Introduction of Cannabis

Here is little information interlaced with cannabis. It is a flowering plant with three identified varieties 'Cannabis Sativa' type plant, 'Cannabis-Indica' type plant, 'Cannabis Ruderalis' type plant. It is utilized to engender hemp (fibres of cannabis) and seed as well. It may be propitious for therapeutic purposes and for amusing as well. It has the psychoactive compounds called tetra hydro cannabinol. In short THC. The term hemp used to refer only to types of cannabis that are cultivated for positive purpose. Cannabinoid are extracted from the plant. It is a group of chemical compound. It creates physical and mental outcomes.

Furthermore, a dehydrated floral bud of cannabis plant is called marijuana. Hashish and Hashish-oils are the other extracts of it. There are three kinds of cannabis; most common variety of cannabis is 'Cannabis Sativa'. These are usually tall, having few branches. These found in warm and low-terrain regions. 'Cannabis Indica' is short, bushy plant. It grows in cooler climate conditions and in highland. 'Cannabis Ruderalis' is also short plant. It grows in forests region of Europe and Central Asia. Product of Sativa provides smoker a head-high, while Indica provides body relaxation. This kind of plants requires less pesticides or herbicides because of their height, density, and shrubbery. This kind of plant is environmental-friendly. Sativa grows and matures rapidly as compared to other crops.

Hemp and its utility.

Hemp is a natural, long-lasting, as well as gentle fiber of cannabis plants. It is collected from the trail of Sativa kind of plants. These plants develop 15-20 feet in height. These types of plants do not have recreational value since it has small psychoactive compound levels.

Benefit of hemp seeds.

1. We get milk from hemp seeds. These consist of all essential fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. As a result, this is wonderful for health. Dairy+gluten products are not available in sativa seed milk. It is use as a substitute of milk.

2. Oils derived from the cannabis seeds.

3. Paper, cloth, and bio-fuels are deriving from it. Cloth made from hemp has better longevity.

4. Hemp is useful for making ropes for industrial purpose.

Effect of Cannabis

However, the psychoactive outcomes of cannabis are biphasic in nature. Primary psychoactive effects are state of relaxation in lesser degree, because of its primary psychoactive compound, tetra hydro cannabinol. Abstract thought, contemplation, brooding, and fear are Secondary psychoactive effect. Finally, the tertiary psychoactive outcomes are (often reported) like an increase in heart rate, and stimulation of hunger. These are due to 11-Hydroxy- tetra hydro cannabinol, a psychoactive metabolite of tetra-hydro-cannabinol (THC). These directly effects into the lever. It takes roughly three hours after a larger dose to reinstate the normal body condition after smoking. These can be smoked via glass-pipe, bong, or vaporizer. Nevertheless, if a large amount is taken orally, the effects may last longer time. Psychoactive effects may be there even for a day to a few days, depending on dosage, frequency, and ability to tolerate the substance. Product from the plant Cannabis Sativa leads to higher effect. It kindles hunger, as well as vigorous feeling. On contrary, the product of Cannabis Indica plant may result in trance-like experience called as stoned-impact. It is probably due to a higher Cannabidiol (CBD): THC. However, Cannabidiol does not have psychotropic outcomes on its own. It occasionally exhibits little stimulant impact, much like caffeinated drinks.

Dependencies

Furthermore, when compared with both nicotine and alcoholic beverages, cannabis features a reduced rate of dependency. However, daily usage of cannabis can easily increase dependencies. Psychological drawback symptoms are observed, for example frustration, and insomnia. User can experience stress, panic and anxiety attack because of a rise of THC metabolites. However, any kind of withdrawal signs of cannabis are usually moderate. For information, presently two oral forms of cannabis are there. In the USA, cannabinoid is obtainable with approval of medical practitioners only for nausea/vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. They are 1.Dronabinol as Marinol and 2.Nabilone named as Cesamet. Dronabinol is also approved to manage anorexia associated with AIDS.

Information as well as restrictions.

Cannabis is popular as marijuana too, prepared from dried flowers and subtending leaves & stems of the female cannabis plant. It has 3% to 22% THC. It is illegal in the most countries to plow or even possess cannabis sativa. Four hundred various chemical substances can be extracted from cannabis plant. It includes no less than sixty additional cannabinoids, which can result ill effects in the body.

Sub products of Cannabis

A) Kief

This is a powdered compound full of trichomes. It is prepared from the leaves and flowers of cannabis plants. It can be consumed either in powdered form/compressed form. These cakes are known as hashish. Kief/ keef sometimes called kef/kif. This means "Well-being or Pleasure." It is the resin, known as trichomes, accrued from cannabis. From loose, dried up, cannabis buds; it accumulates inside containers via a net or filter. Concentration of THC is high in kief. It is easy to store and to deliver. Kief is vaporized and inhaled in its powder form.

B) Hashish

Hashish, hasheesh, hashisha, or simply hash. It is a resin in concentrated form. It is extracted from cannabis plant. It has strong effect than marijuana. User devour in either ways, through smoking or by chewing. Based on limpidness, shade differs from Dark to golden brown. It is a preparation of cannabis by compressing stalked resin known as trichomes. This is obtained from the buds, which are unfertilized, from the cannabis plants. It also contains THC but in much concentrated form, compared to unseperated buds or leaves. Hashish, a cake/paste-like substance, varies in hardness and malleability. Common color is light and dark brown. Other shades could vary towards green, yellow, black, or red. Hashish is blended with cannabis buds or tobacco then warmed and smoked. It is popularly smoked with glass-pipe/hookah/ bong/ bubbler/vaporizer/hot knife and or with joints.

C) Hash-Oil

It is popular as BHO (butane honey oil). Hash-Oil is actually a mixture of essential oils and resins. Mature cannabis plants are processed by mixing various solvents to extract resin. It contains higher percentage of cannabinoids i.e., 40% to 90%, THC may differ in between 70% to 90%. Hence, hash-oil is a highly concentrated product. It is usually used in variety of cannabis foods. Nevertheless, honey oil is a particular type of hash-oil produced from the more effective areas of the cannabis plant. Hash oil is conventionally a dark, sticky fluid. Hash oils can be consumed in various ways. Such as via smoking, vaporizing method, or may be orally. Evidence is there that Hash-oil too has anti-carcinogenic properties. Mind that it is classified as a "schedule 1 controlled substance" in the US Federal law. Hence, it is a crime to possess such kind of compound. The UNODC details that 1) Marijuana - 5% THC content, 2) Resin - THC content is 20% and 3) THC content is 60% in Hash-oil.

Adulterations-Caution

Because of high demand, less production, and restrictions, information is there that Chalk and glass particles are mixed. However sometimes it has done so to make cannabis better in quality. Lead found as a mixture with the products for enhancing the weight and lead intoxication can be danger. Some times Sildenafil (known as Viagra) is adulterated with marijuana. Soap Bar or hash, are found adulterated with turpentine, tranquilizers, shoe polish, henna and animal feces too. These make the product as a life-threatening compound. A study performed by UK-Custom department in 2001, came out with a report of adulteration with soil, adhesive, motor-oil and even animal feces.

Consumption style of cannabis

Cannabis is consumed in different ways. Most common is smoking through pipes/bongs/paper-wrapped-joints or perhaps wrapped with tobacco leaf. Green Dragon is a tincture prepared from cannabis plant. This tincture is made from the buds/leaves/stems of the cannabis plant in presence of high-concentrated alcohol or glycerin. The THC is diluted with alcoholic spirit and forms highly potent dark green or brown liquid. It is usually dropped on tongue. It could be blended with different food items too. Green Dragon is actually categorized as an alcoholic drink. Whatsoever, the purpose is to offer cannabis compounds to the user. It is not used as like other alcoholic spirits.

Tolerance to the compound

Drug-Tolerance does not highlight the danger of the product; instead, these are study report from various sources for understanding of individual. Marijuana's therapeutic benefits for to cure severe illnesses is proved. The recent breakthrough states that cannabinoids receptor system in the human brain demonstrates that use of marijuana does not have any dependency or perhaps addiction issue. Drugs that influence dopamine production are like heroine, alcohol, nicotine, produces addiction since the human brain is genetically adopted to adjust maximum dopamine production. This chemical procedure occurs in the striatum, the middle-brain part of the brain. This part regulates different facets of motor nervous system and co-ordination of organs.

Marijuana does not cause any direct effect to produce dopamine inside the striatum.

Compound of Marijuana exhibits the effects like Physical i.e., heart rate slightly changes, change in BP, hence body's temperature changes. These are moderate effects and tolerance develops to those effects with familiarity and onset of regular use. It develops the depressant effects, particularly on motor coordination. However, threshold depends upon the quality and onset of use. Effects are once again divided into 2 types. One is called 'High', which is mental stimulation and other is 'Stone', the pleasant feeling. The effect like nausea and vomiting are noticed as like nicotine, alcohol, or heroine consumption. According to UK Government-2006, "using of cannabis far less hazardous compared to tobacco, prescribed drugs/alcohol, and it has less social or physical harms or addiction". Although tobacco and cannabis smoking are quite similar, cannabis smoking contains higher amounts of ammonia, hydro-cyanide, nitrogen oxides, but less carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons popularly known as PAH. Within the brain where cannabinoids impact most are Basal ganglia- causes movement, The cerebellum-causes body movement and coordination of organs, The hippocampus-causes stress control, memory and learning, the cerebral cortex-causes higher mental functions and the nucleus accumben, which is the response center of the human brain. Therefore, all the effects are noticed due to inhale of cannabis. Other part where it hits moderately would be the hypothalamus gland-regulates homeostatic functions, the amygdalin-emotional responses to fears, the spinal cord-peripheral sensations, the brain stem-responsible for sleep/arousal/movement control, the solitary tract-responsible for abdominal activities like nausea and vomiting. Therefore, these kinds of signs and symptoms are usual with the consumption of Marijuana/Cannabis.

Cannabis and The Void

Often when people give up smoking cannabis, a massive hole (or void) is made within themselves. They are left with a feeling of depression and emptiness. It's like something is missing. Something you love has now disappeared and you feel sadness because you want that feeling back.

Truth is you don't actually want marijuana back, but you do want the FEELING that marijuana gave you back.

I hear it often that many users are saying they find it difficult to cope with this change their body is going through. My advise for this problem is always the same ...

Learn something new.

You see, you feel like your missing out on something. Something has gone, its vanished off the face of the earth and you want it back. Well instead of going around in a hopeless loop and ....

Giving up then smoking a few days later,

Giving up then smoking a few days later,

Giving up then smoking a few days later,

etc

Try and fill The Void! As an ex-user myself I know exactly what it is like and today I am going to share with you the exact thing that I used to fill my void with. There's two things actually.

1. Golf. I absolutely love playing Golf and because I used to smoke cannabis I never played as much as I liked to. So when I gave up smoking cannabis I went and played Golf several times per week. I got two great benefits from playing Golf. Firstly, I was outdoors taking some well needed exercise which also helped me to sleep at night, and secondly it was filling The Void.

2. Think and Grow Rich. This is a phenomenal book that gave me added passion to give up smoking but also to better myself in all areas of life. By learning and reading, it gave me purpose to my life and introduced me to a world that I never knew. The author Napoleon Hill was a wonderful sharing person and he shared this brilliant book with us back in the 1930's. It's power and potential is simply mind blowing.

Fill your own Void, make sure it is something you love doing. Make sure it is something you are passionate about and stick to it no matter what.

The Cannabis Coach provides an interactive complete marijuana stop-smoking system to guide you through your mental and physical cravings from your quit date on to smoke-free status. Get your life back on track and start saving money! http://www.cannabiscoach.com

Know the Benefits of Cannabis

What do the current medical laws sweeping the country mean? How do they work? Contrary to the opinion of many, not just anyone can get medicinal cannabis.
According to these new state laws, you must have at least one illness on a specific list of conditions and this must be diagnosed by a real doctor who recommends cannabis as an appropriate medication.
The doctor provides the patients with a written recommendation that it will alleviate the symptoms of their condition. Patients then have several options open to them depending on which state's laws they live under.
The first option in many states is to simply take the letter of recommendation from your doctor to a medical marijuana dispensary. They will most likely keep a copy of your letter on file and then you can purchase your prescription pot from this dispensary from that point on. If you need to move or buy them from another location, you need only have the doctor's note with you.
The next option is for you to take the letter from your doctor and send it in with certain health department forms to your state government. Your state's health department will then send you a medical card. This card can then be used at various dispensaries within your state. This option is required in some states and not in others, but either way you must have a condition for which your doctor can write a letter of recommendation to ingest cannabis.
Most states also provide a third option for patients. You can acquire your doctor's letter of recommendation and then send it in to the state's health department with the necessary forms. This third option, however, requires you to request a medical card in order for you to grow your own medicinal cannabis. The laws in this area not only vary by state, but also by county in some cases.
A qualified patient can be in possession of anywhere from eight ounces of them to several pounds and they can grow and maintain from six to fifty plants of varying maturity depending on which county of the state they live in.
It may seem like the new laws allowing prescription cannabis for certain patients are legalizing pot, but this is not the case. The new laws such as proposition 215 in California are being instituted to allow people who suffer from certain illness to access the medicine they need to feel better.



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California Cannabis Law

MMP or the Medical Marijuana Program was established in order to provide a voluntary medical marijuana ID card issuance program for all those patients who qualified and their caregivers as well. In the state of California, the system allows enforcement of laws and verifies validity of qualified patients and their caregivers to possess, grow, use and transport medical marijuana in the state. Medical marijuana use was approved in California on November 5, 1996 via a 56 percent vote. Upon getting a recommendation from a physician for medical marijuana use, a patient and his or her primary caregiver could apply and be issued a medical marijuana card. Senate bill 420 further required that the program be supported fully via the card application processing fees. Both counties and state have the authority to cover the costs they incur through the application fees.

Some of the medical conditions approved for therapeutic marijuana use in California include anorexia, AIDS, arthritis, Cachexia, chronic pain, glaucoma, cancer, migraine, seizures, severe nausea, persistent muscle spasms including those associated with multiple sclerosis, migraine and other persistent or chronic medical symptoms. To register for the MMP card in California, you have to contact your county program and complete an application form. You should also ask your doctor to complete a written documentation of your records and then mail the forms to the California Department of Public Health, with attention to the Medical Marijuana Program Unit. The card fee is $66 for every patient and $33 for every caregiver. These figures are only state administration fees and counties could add administration fees of their own, so make sure to contact your county before you proceed in applying for an MMP card.

The legalization of marijuana use has removed criminal penalties on possession, use and cultivation of marijuana by those who acquired a doctor's written recommendation which states that the person benefits from using medical marijuana. Patients who were diagnosed with debilitating illness where marijuana has been deemed appropriate are given legal protection under the law. The amount that a patient can possess is not more than eight ounces of dried marijuana or six mature plants. Twelve immature marijuana may be allowed as a replacement of the six mature ones. The legislation also allows municipalities and councils to maintain or approve local ordinances that permit patients to possess bigger quantities than normally allowed under the new guidelines of the state of California.

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