Cannabis is a plant!!!! Sativex is a drug.

So many research studies currently ongoing, all seeming to be looking at things already proven… more the merrier i guess?

This is especially true when you consider that traditional thinking meant that a mention of ‘schizophrenia’ was usually in conjunction with a negative aspect of the ‘deadly weed’, however some studies now offer support to the notion that cannabis can actually help REDUCE incidences of psychosis.

Anyway… the tests continue…

Is that CBD that might even help reduce incidences of psychosis? I read somewhere that CBD may have some THC in it anyway. So it’s hard to know if CBD is all CBD.

I share the link below, because i am aware of readers / contributors of this forum, who would benefit from a cannabis therapy but fear to do so, due to their reliance upon the illegal status being in place for good reason.

The link explains, through several examples and levels of legislation, why the law is an arse. (Cannabis is categorised as being more harmful than methamphetamine.)

Also Mr Oliver is quite amusing, is fluent when educating in an entertaining way, and because he conveys quite clearly the absurdity and the resulting pains caused by obsolete laws when they are based entirely on prejudice and non-science (and nonsense)

All the best.

Real, meaningful progress!

For those who insist on seeing Cannabis as ‘the devil’s cabbage’, you may need to simply question the basis of your opinion and perhaps conclude that you have been misinformed of the bigger picture, over the years.

For those who would immediately and significantly benefit from such ‘herbal remedies’, i hope this news allows you a sense that a change in legislation that will provide you with an improved quality of life, is becoming more of ‘when’ not ‘if’.

All the best.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/04/13/marijuana-legalization-bill-liberals_n_15991856.html

“If your objective is to protect public health and safety and keep cannabis out of the hands of minors, and stop the flow of profits to organized crime, then the law as it stands today has been an abject failure,” Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale told a news conference.

Yay!!! Open your eyes Britain!

A lot of really interesting points raised in this thread, it’s been a fascinating read!

I’m not a huge fan of pharmaceutical medicines, but i do intend to keep an open mind…all I know is, when my numb legs and particularly chronic back pain are at their worst, a ‘joint’ helps to alleviate it better than anything and (for a short while at least) I can move without falling or crying out in pain. :slight_smile:

To be honest Soo, & each to their own, but the only relief I have nowadays is illegal, so to speak. I’ve tried everything, I mean everything, pain is not something I like, not at all, I used to roll for my palliative care patients, God love them, & I’ve have done jail for it so long as it helped them, it did, so bugger it, relief is instant & on that note, I’m off to do what I need to do

smiles and that’s what I love about you: be damned if its illegal you still helped your patients and gave then what they needed. Not everything in life is black & white…

Ha! Sometimes its greeeen! :wink:

Have a good night xxxx

& you sweetpea, & thanks, I am! xxxxx

I Like the last few comments.

Tbh it’s not something that works for me. But I did try it before I decided it doesn’t do what I’d have liked it to. So I personally believe not in decriminalisation, but in legalising cannabis.

So good for you.

Sue

I worked in a hospice for a lot of years & went on to study in order that I could use better knowledge in which to aid people in their darkest days. Sorry to sound so poetic, it is not intentional. I met people from all walks of life, none deserved what they went through/are going through. The 1 thing, & I remember it clearly cos I was the only 1 who could roll a joint (please don’t delete this admin, it is not meant as propaganda) most found that cannabis gave them much needed relief, mentally & physically. I don’t smoke, but I do partake of this particular drug when the nerve pain gets too much. None of the prescribed drugs touch it, none. I am not endorsing it’s uses just because, like Sue said, it doesn’t agree with all, but at least she admitted she has tried it, for those with narrow minded views, just look at what the side effects of your drugs are doing to you, then decide. I do not condone it’s uses for recreation, I believe it is like any drug, it can cause serious problems, I, however have found it’s effects on me to be useful & at least I can sleep, without pain, for a few hours. Legalisation would take it from the gutter out into the open, the stigma it carries at the moment would disappear, without infamy, well, it’s not forbidden fruit then is it? Wish they would ban tabacco to be honest, the damage that does!!! no offence meant by my opinion, just mine & if I’m jailled for my painkiller, sure the authorities would love to see my other prescribed drug indications!!!

Like

Canada introduces law to decriminalize marijuana

http://aa.com.tr/en/americas/canada-introduces-law-to-decriminalize-marijuana/796533

George

Good Morning All This is my first post, all the comments on this subject are fascinating. However I would love to clear up a few misconceptions regarding cannabis. A bit of background about me. I live in Leeds in the U.K. 1. I am a ex police officer 2. A semi retired Forenisc Scientist 3. A Qualified Medical Cannabis Dispenser USA. This maybe quite long post lol. I was personally against all drugs years ago. Until I 5 years ago at the age of 45 got up from a stool and my back went. I have never felt so much pain in all my life. Couldn’t move and was crying like a baby. The ambulance was rung and I was taken to hospital. Having been prescribed. Diclofenic, tramadol, diazepam and three other drugs I can’t remember I was finally discharged. Still relatively in pain, but so zonked out I didn’t really care. 3 weeks later I’m no better my back had gone before. My daughter said to me there is only one thing that will sort you out dad and that’s cannabis. Me I was the doting dad and I went mad at her. Within 24 hours I had my only second joint in my life 1st at 18 second at 45. Within 20 mins I’m up pain free and walking normally… Unknown to me at the time how much of a impact this would have on my life in the future. I was so gobsmaked at this I decided to do ALOT of research, and I worked under a licence from the home office to explore cannabis. I was invited over to the USA 3 years ago and completed a course to become certified over there, the best thing I have ever done in my life to be honest. Education is actually the key and a number of facts is as follows. 1. You can not overdose on cannabis. 2. You won’t die either. 3. If you don’t like the “high” take it via suppository it won’t make you high then. 4. Over 5000 different straines of cannabis. 5. It’s classified as a herb. One of my very first patients was a MS suffer in the USA and it was my first ever exposure to this condition. The lady was so lovely, in a wheelchair, she was on so many drugs I can remember her saying I’m so constipated, everything is such a struggle, walking. Opening jars etc. For a hour I took her throug a questionnaire, and this resulting in getting a full understanding of what she wanted to achieve regarding cannabis use. I suggest micro dosing via a heat vapour. Hence no tobacco, but same result only 2 puffs that’s it, with this specific strain. Cannabis oil was a option but I felt this was unnecessary at the moment. A few weeks passed and I was ready to come home. On the last day this woman walked in, pain free and with a new lease of life. I not afraid to admit it i was in tears. I was also blessed in treating a child with grand mal seizures over 200 a day. Cannabis reduced it to 1 a month. Here in the U.K. we are a laughing stock as we are so far behind regarding this. The government states it has no medical benefit, however the big pharmaceutical companies have patented it in the U.K. !!! My advise regarding cannabis usage to you all is the following. Here it is grown by not so nice people the majority of the time, you have no idea what chemicals they are using and in what conditions it is grown in, you have no idea of the strain and if it’s appropriate for your condition. Cannabis oil the same applies but also you don’t know what solvent has been used and if it has been purged properly. also they rip you off so much. The only way to do it is really to grow it yourself, but then aa whole new bag of worms open up. Their is some good news on the horizon, I have been in talks to a number of police forces and I’m making progress in allowing people to grow a limited number of plants without fear of prosecution under strict guidelines, and with the correct strain of plant required. hopefully happening soon. Just looked up in my up today pharmacy book of cannabis regarding MS . Interesting reading through tests last year they have discovered that MS spasticity reduces with a blend of cannabis strains not just one. and how cannabis is shown to limit this disease by limiting the essesive glutamate release. Any questions I’m happy to answer. Mitch

1 Like

Thank you for taking the time to write the detailed explanation. I totally agree from experience. Cannabis’s in the UK is regarded with prejudice borne out if ignorance. This only aid big pharma ripping off the NHS with their addictive concoctions.

1 Like

Thanks Mitch for a detailed and reasonable contribution to this debate. Benjaminhippie and Paolo - you have strong views and I appreciate them, but they are just that - YOUR views.

Especially Benjaminhippie, sorry mate but your history of drug use is bound to be clouding your judgement.

And various comments are correct - it is ILLEGAL in the UK and as such, I don’t smoke it. Known ppl who do and if it works for you, then well and good.

1 Like

Mitch, that was a good read. I’d never really smoked cannabis until I got MS and now I wouldn’t be without it. I’ve been using cannabis for over 20 years and in the last four years I’ve been using two different strains - one is high in THC and the other is high in CBD. The CBD strain was a game-changer and as a result, with the full support of my GP, I stopped taking my prescription meds and the only medication I have used for the last four years is cannabis. I appreciate that this is just “my story” and it may not not be right for everyone but, remove the stigma, educate people about this plant, and let an adult decide what’s best for them.

The arguments put forward about the side-effects of cannabis as a reason to keep it illegal do bemuse me a bit. Everything, in excess, has side-effects - salt, water, caffeine, alcohol, etc and for all the good that cannabis is capable of, all we ever hear about is how harmful it can be! Thousands of people with MS take, and benefit from, DMDs and good luck to them but, look at some of the side-effects from some of them…

This is a very contentious issue and it shouldn’t have to be that way - education is required, not hype and half-truths.

Good luck to everyone who has chosen their path, in life, and how they see fit to look after themselves.

There’ll be no judgement from this side :slight_smile:

Cheers

1 Like

Hi, I recently read information about the effects of marijuana on the body and learned a lot of new things, you can see it yourself if you want. http://www.ncsm.nl/english/marijuana-blood-pressure-upercensense

Buying CBD oil is not only expensive but I also fee a bit of an unknown as there are so many different brands on the market.

Over the last month or so since first trying CBD oil I’ve looked at almost every site there is that sells CBD, and offers it in a variety of products, but I cannot recall any that actually say what particular strain their product is made from.

Theres plenty of info on how its made and what effects THC and CBD will have, but trying to find a product which is grown and then manufactured from a very particular strain is difficult.

I think even if we knew what strain we should be looking for in a CBD product to help with MS, it might be difficult to find a product that specifically advertises that particular strain as a content.

Perhaps going for a high content of CBD might not always be the best option.

Maybe finding the best strain is the way to go.

It’s a bit of trial and error.