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Badger · 10-26-2015, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bamaman

My wife has received surgery for spinal stenosis after her leg gave way twice when she was walking up steps. She's been going to a pain management clinic through a hospital for the last 15 years. With proper medicine management and a cortisone shot from time to time, they've kept her leading a normal life. Otherwise, she'd have been an invalid with a reduced life span. Her doctor is an anesthesiologist with a fellowship in pain management, and they often do drug screen checks to make sure she's just taking the meds prescribed--and nothing else. Medical marijuana would be spotted in a minute and she'd be released from their care.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm glad your wife has found relief.

I also had surgery for spinal stenosis as well as crushed discs, spinal nerve damage resulting in peripheral neuropathy and limiting motor control in my right leg and foot. I went through 3 lumbar surgeries in less than a year through the same area with the last being lumbar fusion.

I have been to a few physicians that are pain management specialists. I have tried a variety of western medical pain management methods as well as a few eastern practices including acupunture, TCM, etc. I have also received cortisone injections. Not only has nothing worked some of the serious documented side effects of cortisone are additional nerve damage, osteonecrosis, osteoporosis, and destruction of cartilage with repeated use. I have run out of options except to take the legal opioid drugs that work for a limited time, require repeated doses, yet have extremely serious side effects, make my brain "fuzzy" and bring on mild hallucinations. The oxycodone and their cousins have serious side effects including physical dependence unlike marijuana. But I don't have the option to consult with a knowledgeable MM provider that could help me select the appropriate strain that could help me. Just buying off the street in a state where it is illegal you have no idea whether it has been contaminated or even has the correct proportion of cannabinoids suitable for my particular needs. What so many opponents don't seem to grasp is that tens of thousands of people with similar conditions are not interested in a THC high. They want relief. Just think of the worst pain you have experienced and try to imagine it 24/7 for years. Knowing someone with that problem is nothing like having the experience yourself.

Cheers!

donheff · 10-26-2015, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senator

In Minnesota we have Medical marijuana. It can only be prescribed for certain ailments. We do not allow smoking. Only pills and oils.

The Dr. that prescribes it cannot be affiliated with the pharmacy.

It is a true medical marijuana policy. Unfortunately, other states that have MM have done it with the intent of making anyone who wants a prescription able to get it, for any reason.

Quote:

Originally Posted by harley

I believe MJ has medical uses. However, I also believe a lot of MM policy is a precursor to legalization. No problem there, it's the same process the gov't used to get the seatbelt laws passed. "oooh, we promise we'll only give tickets when you've been pulled over for something else". It's a tried and true method. Nibble away at the obstacles until you get where you want to be.

In DC, as in CA, Dr's can prescribe MMJ for any reason. I support the more extensive approach because I believe MMJ should be treated more akin to herbal remedies and supplements than like typical prescribed medicines. Other than unusual situations like childhood epilepsy, there is no way for doctors to "prescribe" properly in terms of dose, times per day, route of administration, etc. The effects are too idiosyncratic and there is almost no solid experimental data. Everything is anecdotal. That doesn't mean there are no real benefits, just that this stuff isn't going to be useful when prescribed like BP meds. It is also not dangerous in terms of overdoses or demonstrated dose dependent dangers as is typical in many prescribed meds.

HFWR · 10-27-2015, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donheff

In DC, as in CA, Dr's can prescribe MMJ for any reason. I support the more extensive approach because I believe MMJ should be treated more akin to herbal remedies and supplements than like typical prescribed medicines. Other than unusual situations like childhood epilepsy, there is no way for doctors to "prescribe" properly in terms of dose, times per day, route of administration, etc. The effects are too idiosyncratic and there is almost no solid experimental data. Everything is anecdotal. That doesn't mean there are no real benefits, just that this stuff isn't going to be useful when prescribed like BP meds. It is also not dangerous in terms of overdoses or demonstrated dose dependent dangers as is typical in many prescribed meds.

Marijuana should be legalized, perhaps using the Colorado model. This would also allow those who choose to self-medicate.

As for medical usage, I would hold that to a higher standard. We already have too much junk science.

Edited to provide a coherent thought...

donheff · 10-27-2015, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFWR

Aside from thinking marijuana should be legalized, perhaps using the Colorado model. This would also allow those who choose to self-medicate.

As for medical usage, I would hold that to a higher standard. We already have too much junk science.

I agree in an abstract way. It should be legalized for recreational use and people could then use it for health reasons at will. Studies could and should be pursued to see what the real benefits and harms are. But I was/am happy to see the introduction of MMJ programs because that moved the legalization process ahead by decades. I don't think we would have seen majorities concluding that MJ harms are not sufficient to continue warranting prohibition if they hadn't seen tens of thousands of dispensary "patients" with no cataclysm.

Nodak · 10-28-2015, 09:24 AM

harley · 10-28-2015, 07:43 PM

It takes stronger drugs than pot to make bad puns funny.

frayne · 10-28-2015, 08:06 PM

It should be decriminalized at the federal and state levels and legalization left up to the respective state.

harley · 10-28-2015, 08:21 PM

In an attempt not to get the thread closed, I won't name the candidate, but one of them just recommended completely removing MJ from the national Schedule of Controlled Substances. I think that's a great idea, and would leave determination completely up to the individual states. Just like alcohol and tobacco.

**MichaelB** · 10-29-2015, 07:23 AM

It's tempting to post about policy recommendations being made by presidential candidates, but that leads the discussion down a road we best left untraveled.