General Disability Lifestyle

I realize to some this may be “out of place” or “wrong” – not sure – but always WELCOME discussion outside of the norm! Just wondering peoples thoughts on it! I realize to many it is viewed as a DRUG I know I grew up in that environment – but it amazes me the medications that are “legal” now a days and prescribed so readily – when something herbal is seen as bad and ILLEGAL… from personal experience I can say I’ve done WAY crazier things being drunk – then ever smoking. I realize that with age views may change, and I don’t promote the use of any substance in an exaggerated way or without being conscious of your actions and careful overall… I do however believe that it can be helpful in SO many arenas! I currently work with homeopathic medications and am educated in their effectiveness in SO many areas! Just wondering peoples feelings on this topic ;P

Hi, would like to reply to your topic, "legalizing marijuana", because of what I have seen with people who smoke marijuana and have used it for years, I do not believe we should legalize it.  I have not seen one positive attribute to their use of it.  In fact it's really sad because of what it has done to them.

Praying it's never legalized,

W.E.

I can definitely understand your concern.. Well I suppose I would have to know about the ways in which it has effected their life – but I appreciate your post… and by ALL means your concern… I do think some people use it as a crutch or an excuse as to why they may be “lazy” or “laid back” and I would hope that people would remain active and a contributing part of society no matter the choice of “drug.” I do however KNOW that drugs such as painkillers like vicodin etc – are WAY more addicting and destructive to your body! It’s amazing – studying homeopathics – how BAD things are for our bodies – and how easily we take them because it’s from a “doctor” so it “must be good’ right? – thanks for your honest opinion – I love hearing people’s views and debating or talking about things – it’s interesting and educating ;)

There are certain attributes of marijuana that appear to be medicinal.  For instance, marijuana is sometimes prescribed for glaucoma patients to lower intra-ocular pressure.  For MS patients, there are clinical trials to determine the efficacy of marijuana in reducing pain and muscular spasticity.

 

A major obstacle in determining its therapeutic value is that for certain symptoms (ie-MS patients) there is no way of objectively measuring the results and one must rely on a patient's subjective reports (which may be clouded by the placebo effect).

 

Having said that, THC is available in pill form (Marinol).  But smoking marijuana appears to be different (most likely superior in terms of medicinal effects) than a pill like Marinol.  (But smoking is hazardous to your health!)

 

Like Vicodin and other opiates, marijuana can be abused.  If marijuana has a legitimate therapeutic value, I do not see why it should not be prescribable.

 

--hinge

 

(PS--I did not say marijuana should be legalized.  I said (pending scientific evaluation) it should probably be available by prescription (like Vicodin, etc).

true true - even for recreation - I'd LOVE to see the stats of people getting killed, hurt, driving accidents, etc etc etc.. between Marijuana Vs. alcohol - if alcohol is purely for "fun" - I'd LOVE to see how they compare - because coming from New Mexico with a HUGE drunk driving problem - I KNOW that alcohol is SO much more of a threat then marijuana could ever be... but due to the stigma that has been placed on it - there is a negative connotation with it - and also the gap between generations probably has something to do with it - tho people of all ages may agree or disagree.

I believe marijuana should be legalized for medicinal use.  I have used it, with my doc's knowledge and consent, although it was not legal in the state where I lived, and it helped me with my pain much more than the "heavy" drugs like oxycontin and Vicodin, as well as the muscle relaxers like Baclofen. 

 

I found that it helped my muscle spasm enormously, and also improved my balance issues.  My pain levels decreased, and I was also just more relaxed than I had been when I was prescribed an anti-anxiety drug.

 

I think that the attitudes about this "drug" date from an outmoded view of it, and that, with care, it could help many.  My main concern would be that we not support or allow children access to it, as it seems to have been demonstrated, at least anecdotally, that this is not a good substance for youngsters to be using.  It decreases their initiative, slows their reaction time, defocuses them from their objectives, and so on.  Are their younger brains different?  I don't know, I am not a neurologist.

 

But for those of us in pain and in need, I say that this should be available for us as a resource.  bonnie

I recently became paraplegic from SCI and was told if I were in California I'd be eligible for medical marijuana.  (Road trip! )  My son did a paper on it in college and it is useful for muscle spasms and nerve pain which are my life now.  I hesitate to try it because these days everybody is an indoor grower, which leads to spider mites, which are treated with soap at best and insecticide at worst.  I don't want lung cancer, and I am not brave or foolish enough to grow my own.  And besides, it is cost prohibitive!  Remember when we could get a whole ounce of Columbian Gold or Panama Red for $20   It is that much PER GRAM these days! 

I completely agree with you on natural cures (tho not necessarily homeopathy) and how strange it is that people think just because a doctor prescribes it there is no harm.  I just learned that aspirin and other over the counter pain relievers are a cause of tinnitus which I'm told is maddening.  Glad I haven't taken any since 1972.  I have heard that Hospice gives a cannibinoid pill and have considered asking my doctor about those.  In the meantime, I drink good Belgian beer.  Just wish I could get a prescription for it.

Lol - I'm so laughing at your post- will have to email u