“Why is marijuana needed when it is already available in pill form?

     "It", if referring to marijuana, is NOT available in pill form.  "It", if referring to THC - the main psychoactive compound in cannabis - is sold by prescription under the name *Marinol* (Dronabinol).  That may seem like a trivial point but we must keep in mind that THC and marijuana are not the same thing.
     Marijuana contains at least 66 active cannabinoids in addition to THC. Research has shown that these other compounds contribute significantly to marijuana’s therapeutic effects. For example, cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to have anti-nausea, anti-anxiety, and anti-inflammatory actions, as well as the ability to protect nerve cells from many kinds of damage. CBD also moderates THC’s effects so patients are less likely to get excessively “high.” Other cannabinoids naturally contained in marijuana have also shown significant
therapeutic promise.
      Also, people who use the pill find that it commonly takes an hour or more to work, while vaporized or smoked marijuana takes effect almost instantaneously. They also find that the dose of THC they have absorbed (in the pill form) is often either too much or too little. Because slow and uneven absorption makes oral dosing of THC so difficult, The Lancet Neurology wrote in May 2003, “Oral administration is probably the least satisfactory route for cannabis.”  In its 2008 position paper on medical marijuana, the American College of Physicians noted, “Oral THC is slow in onset of action but produces more pronounced, and often unfavorable, psychoactive effects than those experienced with smoking.”

     Now let's consider those who use cannabis for its anti-nausea properties.  As Mark Kris, M.D., one member of an expert panel convened by the National Institutes of Health in 1997 to review the scientific data on medical marijuana, explained during the group’s discussion on February 20, 1997: “[T]he last thing that [patients] want is a pill when they are already nauseated or are in the act of throwing up.”
     Thousands of patients risk fines and/or jail time for using cannabis even though they could use a THC pill legally.  They obviously think it is worth the risk to use the whole plant versus merely one chemical from the plant.  It is time to legalize cannabis for medicinal use and stop punishing people for choosing a natural medicine for their ailments.

"Shouldn't We Wait for Further Research to be Done Before Marijuana is Used as Medicine?"

     This question is a good one.  Who wouldn't want to make sure that a substance like cannabis is safe and effective before using it?  Here's the thing: cannabis has undergone NUMEROUS studies by a variety of groups and institutions.  My question is, "How much research is required before cannabis is accepted?"  More research is always desirable, but we know enough right now to know that there is no justification for arresting patients using medical marijuana under their doctor’s care. Check out many of my previous posts on the medical benefits of cannabis and you will see that I have cited many reports from universities and laboratories showing the efficacy of cannabis as a medicine.
      In addition, the federal government has huge restrictions on cannabis research because of the plant's Schedule I status.  As a Schedule I drug, marijuana can be researched as a medicine only with federal approval. Until California voters passed Proposition 215 in 1996, federal authorities blocked all efforts to study marijuana’s medical benefits. Since then, federal restrictions have been loosened somewhat, and a small number of studies have gone forward, but that happened because the passage of ballot initiatives forced the government to acknowledge the need for research. The federal government remains intensely hostile to medical marijuana, and if the political pressure created by ballot initiatives and legislative proposals subsides, the feds will surely go back to their old, obstructionist ways. The federal government has been supplying medical marijuana to a small group of patients for over 20 years, in what is officially deemed a research program, but has refused to study even its own patients!
     Another problem is that all medical marijuana research must be done with marijuana supplied by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA’s product is poor-quality, low-grade marijuana that is likely to show less efficacy and greater side effects than the marijuana available through medical marijuana dispensaries in California and elsewhere - but it remains illegal to use this higher-quality marijuana for research! Scientists and activists have appealed to the Drug Enforcement Administration to allow other sources of marijuana to be used, and in 2007, DEA Administrative Law Judge Mary Ellen Bittner ruled that a proposed University of Massachusetts project to grow and study marijuana for medical purposes should be allowed to proceed. But the DEA does not have to obey Bittner’s ruling and has given no indication that it intends to do so. The U.S. government remains the largest single obstacle to medical marijuana research.
     If you have been reading my blog for some time and you haven't signed up to follow it, please consider doing so.  I encourage you to "share" each and every blog post with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.  Thank you for the 2000+ views in the first few months.  My new goal is 2000 views per month.  I need YOUR help!
     
     

"Don't Medical Marijuana Laws Subvert the FDA Drug Approval Process?"

     Cannabis is NOT medicine. At least that is what the FDA would have you to believe from a *statement* released in April 2006.  The provided link in the previous sentence takes you right to the FDA website's archived copy of this said statement.  Let me pull a quote from it: "A past evaluation by several Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA), concluded that no sound scientific studies supported medical use of marijuana for treatment in the United States, and no animal or human data supported the safety or efficacy of marijuana for general medical use."  Here is another quote: "FDA is the sole Federal agency that approves drug products as safe and effective for intended indications. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act requires that new drugs be shown to be safe and effective for their intended use before being marketed in this country."  Let me show you why the FDA either (1) has no clue, (2) has a political agenda, or (3) a conflation of the two.  
     The FDA failed to use or cite any scientific studies that contradicted federal policy, such as the 1999 Institute of Medicine report.  That’s why IOM co-author Dr. John A. Benson told The New York Times that the government “loves to ignore our report ... They would rather it never happened."  The FDA statement was immediately denounced by health experts and newspaper editorial boards around the country as being political and unscientific.
     State medical marijuana laws do not have anything to do with the FDA in the slightest.  Those laws are in place to protect patients and caregivers from state and local criminal prosecution - not to decide for the public if cannabis is safe or recommended for medicine.  Besides, many Americans are already using substances that claim some sort of medicinal benefit in spite of the fact that they are labeled with this statement: "This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease."  The FDA does not bar Americans from growing, using, and possessing a wide variety of medical herbs that it has not approved as prescription drugs, including echinacea, ginseng, St. John’s Wort, and many others.
     There is already substantial evidence that marijuana is safe and effective for some patients, including new studies published after the FDA’s statement.  However, the federal government has blocked researchers from doing the specific types of studies that would be required for licensing, labeling, and marketing marijuana as a prescription drug. They've created a perfect Catch-22: Federal officials say “Marijuana isn't a medicine because the FDA hasn't approved it,” while making sure that the studies needed for FDA approval never happen.
     Marijuana was already on the market (in some two dozen preparations -such as tinctures and lozenges- many marketed by well-known pharmaceutical companies) before the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act was passed, creating the FDA. Under the terms of the Act, marijuana should not be considered a “new” drug, subject to the FDA drug-approval requirements that new drugs must meet. Many older drugs, including aspirin and morphine, were “grandfathered in” under this provision, without ever being submitted for new-drug approval by the FDA.  Marijuana didn't get a "fair shake" because it was all but outlawed by The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937.  I have other articles on my blog that go into more detail about that!
     Half of current prescriptions have never been declared safe and effective by the FDA. Between 40-60% of all drug prescriptions in this country are for drugs not approved by the FDA for the condition they’re being prescribed for - also known as "off-label". We know much more about marijuana’s safety and efficacy in cancer, AIDS, MS, and many other conditions than we know about most off-label prescriptions.
     The FDA is not infallible.  For instance, FDA-approved Vioxx is estimated to have caused between 26,000 and 55,000 needless deaths before it was taken off the market. And David Graham, associate director of the FDA’s Office of Drug Safety, has told Congress that the FDA is “virtually defenseless” against another Vioxx-type disaster. In contrast, 5,000 years of real world experience with marijuana show that it is safe and effective for many patients.  Are we not grown-up enough to make wise decisions for our own health and well-being -whether that be through using prescription drugs available on the market or self-medicating with an herb like echinacea or cannabis- or must we depend on the "guidance" of a select few who may not have our best interests in mind?

"Isn't Cannabis Too Dangerous of a Substance to be Used as Medicine?"

     A common misconception of those who oppose medicinal cannabis is that it does more harm than good.  This notion is bad for a few reasons.  Let us explore the truth of the safety and risks of using cannabis.

     Firstly, the health risks of cannabis have been exaggerated by people with an agenda.  See my numerous articles: *Cannabis versus Tobacco*, *Cannabis Kills Brain Cells*, and *Does Cannabis Make You Stupid?*  Numerous studies have shown that there is very little risk in the use of medical cannabis.  The American College of Physicians report that cannabis has a "relatively low toxicity."  The 1999 Institute of Medicine report claims, "the adverse effects of marijuana use are within the range of effects tolerated for other medications."

     Secondly, let's be reasonable here... Doctors can prescribe cocaine, methamphetamine, and morphine.  Who would dare say that cannabis carries a higher risk in use than those?

     Thirdly, all medicines have some side effects.  Many common prescription and OTC medications have caused severe physical and/or mental damage and death, yet we are not crying to see them pulled from the market and banned.  Tylenol, for instance, kills roughly 500 people a year from acute liver damage yet folks are still willing to take on the risk and consume it as the need arises.  Not one occurrence of marijuana poisoning has been recorded - EVER!  

     The question is this:  Do the benefits outweigh the risks?  We ask ourselves this question if we pop some Advils for a headache or if we undergo chemotherapy for cancer.  These are decisions made by doctors and patients - NOT the criminal justice system.  

Hemp Seeds... For Your Health!

     Cannabis sativa, also known as hemp or simply "cannabis", is one of the most nutritionally balanced foods known to man.  In a day when health foods and supplements are billion-dollar industries,  it is crazy to think that society has not caught on to health benefits of this amazing seed.
     Hemp seeds have been used as a source of food throughout history.  It has been given to livestock and birds as a cheap, balanced food source.  Even today, many natural food advocates praise hemp seed for its high protein and high essential fatty acid (EFA) content.  The protein found in hemp seeds is close to two-thirds edestin and one-third albumin.  These two types of globulin proteins together contain all eight essential amino acids.  About 44% of the weight of the seed consists of healthy oils, which 80% of are EFAs like alpha and gamma-linolenic acids and linoleic acid.

     Medicinally, the oil from the seed has been used to treat skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.  The high "good fat" content of the oil promotes cardiovascular and joint health.  EFAs found in hemp seed oil are also essential for immune health as well as proper nervous system function.
     Currently, it is illegal for farmers to grow cannabis in the United States.  Hemp seed and its oil has to be imported into the country, which at that point can be sold or used as an additive in healthcare products and foods.  Hemp grows in a variety of climates and needs little or no herbicides and pesticides.  Hopefully in the near future, cannabis will be able to be freely grown for its many uses, such as for food, medicine, and industry.

Thyroid Cancer Thwarted by Cannabinoid Receptor Stimulation

     With over 48,000 new cases of thyroid cancer expected this year in the U.S., it is very possible that you may know someone personally who has or will develop thyroid cancer.  Once again, I have come across another study of the positive effects of the endocannabinoid system and how it may be our "answer for cancer".  For those just tuning in to my blog, the *endocannabinoid system* was first discovered in 1988.  Since then ,scientists have been studying the various effects of this system in our bodies.
     In 2003,  Italian researchers at the Universita' di Napoli Federico II found that stimulation of cannabinoid receptors (in living rats with thyroid cancer) with an analog of anandamine (a cannabinoid found in us naturally and similar to THC) caused an interference with angiogenesis in thyroid tumors.  Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels, which tumors need in order to grow.  In addition, the study found that the cannabinoid receptor (CB1) stimulation had a more potent effect on the tumors that had formed as a result of metastasis than primary thyroid tumors.  They concluded that CB1 stimulation may not only help prevent tumor growth but also mitigate the spread of the cancer to other tissues and organs.  Please click on this *link* for the abstract of the report
     My one comment for this is WHY DOES THE U.S. GOVERNMENT CONTINUE TO KEEP CANNABIS LISTED AS A SCHEDULE 1 DRUG??? It is absurd to think that cannabis has no medical benefit whatsoever and keep it on par with heroin and worse than crystal meth.  As long as it stays a Schedule 1 controlled substance it will remain banned from U.S. medical research.  Let us educate, for as long as the people remain in ignorance, the representatives in office will not make a change.

Marijuana or Tobacco (Cigarette) Smoke... Which is Worse?

     I remember sitting in my 5th grade class listening to the D.A.R.E. officer speak about the dangers of marijuana. One thing that stuck with me was that smoking a joint was equivalent to smoking a whole pack of cigarettes in regards to the amount of lung damage incurred.  Fast forward to this year.  A common thought that has been passed around among cannabis smokers is that cannabis smoke is safer than tobacco smoke.  I decided to do my own homework and search for clinical studies and scientific explanations. The following is what I have found:

WARNING! 

THIS ARTICLE CONTAIN BIG SCIENTIFIC WORDS AND STUFF... 

IT MAY GET BORING!

     When comparing cannabis to tobacco, I am going to be a little unfair.  I will be comparing commercially manufactured cigarettes to organically grown cannabis.  Why?  Because the vast majority of tobacco that is smoked is in the form of a cigarette made by one of the giant tobacco companies while cannabis, because of its current legal status, has not been exploited by industry and is generally grown by individuals or businesses who only use safe, organic products on the plants.  It may not be fair but it is a more accurate way of representing common usage.

    Tobacco smoke is laden with carcinogens created from the incomplete combustion of organic matter (the tobacco leaf).  Couple that with the myriad of items added to tobacco and a bigger danger occurs.  This *LINK* has a list of nearly 600 government-approved additives commonly found in cigarettes. While these substances may not pose much of a problem when ingested (they are all approved for use in food), combustion of these same additives produces thousands of various chemicals, most with the potential to cause cancer or other harmful effects.   Wait! I just got started...  Let us not overlook the *radiation found in cigarettes*.  It is a known fact that the fertilizers used by these tobacco giants contains radioactive elements that accumulate in and on the plant.  Put that in your pipe and smoke it!  (Actually, don't.)

     Cannabis on the other hand, because of the care put into growing it by hand, is simply that - cannabis!  Cannabis growers will use natural fertilizers like earthworm castings and bat guano (poop).  Sure, "N-P-K"s  (like fertilizers you might purchase for your garden) are used by some growers but those that do perform a "flush" prior to harvest to ensure the purity of the finished product. 

     As we continue to delve into the contrasts of the two smokes, we find that science has revealed to us a distinguishing factor - a family of chemicals known as cannabinoids (found exclusively in cannabis).  I will not go into full detail of how cannabinoids work in our body or how our own bodies actually have  receptors exclusive to cannabinoids and their endogenous equivalents.  That will have to be a future blog entry.  For now, let us focus on a particular study...

     Researchers at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the UCLA School of Medicine, have pitted tobacco and cannabis against each other in how much they encourage cancerous growth through the  activity of the enzyme CYP1A1 in the liver.  Activity of this enzyme on *polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons* (PAHs) has been linked to the formation of carcinogens in the body, leading to cancer.  What are PAHs, you ask?  Stay with me here.  When we cook a steak on the grill, PAHs are formed.  When we burn a campfire, we have produced PAHs.  PAHs are a by-product of combustion.  Unfortunately, our bodies do not take too kindly to them.  Our liver metabolizes them into nastier chemicals that cause genetic mutations, even to the point of altering or halting a cell's normal apoptosis.This would ultimately lead to the development of cancer.  Anyway, the researchers discovered that cannabis does exhibit far greater tar build-up (meaning more PAHs) in the lungs (because it is generally packed looser than cigarettes when smoked, cannabis smoke is typically held in the lungs longer, AND cigarettes generally have filters).  The crazy thing is that the researchers found that THC found in cannabis tar reduced the effects of the PAHs in tar by inhibiting the actions of CYP1A1 .  The full findings are located  *here*.  The study is not to conclude that smoking is safe.  Anything you smoke will have some risks involved.  It is refreshing to know that scientists are discovering that cannabis and its exclusively-found cannabinoids may very well be the saving grace of the cannabis smoker.

Bud of the Week - Hawaiian Snow

    About as rare as its namesake, Hawaiian Snow has become a favorite choice among connoisseurs of the haze variety.  Its parentage include three types of haze: Hawaiian, Pure, and Neville's.  The heavy-haze gives the user everything they would expect from a sativa - an uplifting, "I need to go accomplish something" stimulation with feelings of well-being.
     Growers will find Hawaiian Snow to be an ideal indoor grow due to its long grow cycle (unless tropical weather is typical of the area).  Like a typical sativa, this plant will need plenty of space and time.  Hawaiian Snow is best suited for the grower who has plenty of patience as the flowering stage can last over 14 weeks.
     Hawaiian Snow's aroma reminds one of spicy or musty pine, even astringent-like.  The flavor is described as being minty / musky with hints of lemongrass and moss.

Medicinal Uses: Chronic Pain, Cancer, Nausea, Crohn's Disease, GI Problems, Depression, MS, Migraines 

Does Cannabis Make You Stupid?

     I came across this article this week and knew that I had to share it on my blog.  I normally try to write my own articles on here but couldn't improve on what Jonah Lehrer says in his blog.  *Click here for a direct link to the article in reference.*  His article sheds some light on the myth that "marijuana use = stupidity".  I will say this: I have come across people who tell me "all the people I know who use marijuana are unproductive in their lives."  I feel like telling them that they don't get out much.  Should I mention to them that I know plenty of people personally who do not use cannabis and in my own opinion are unproductive as well?  Since we are judging other people's successes and failures, did smoking cannabis in office affect the productivity of Abraham Lincoln?  Let me guess... he wouldn't have been assassinated, right? (I'm being facetious, people!)  Who decides what is unproductive for another man?  Also, why assume that cannabis is the reason for the "lack of production" in their lives?
     When everything is taken into perspective, one can see that the prohibition of cannabis has been the biggest danger of its use.  Prior to the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, cannabis was used on all levels of society - recreationally, medicinally, and industrially (is "industrially" a word?).  Once it was prohibited, use was restricted to only those willing to break the law - which is why prohibition never works!  Prohibition of cannabis created a subculture of "pot smokers" that became a bane to society in the minds of most who did not know the suppressed history of the plant.  It certainly didn't help that cannabis was given a bad name by government-sponsored media outlets (think "Reefer Madness").
     With the advent of state-sanctioned medical marijuana we are beginning to see a return to normalcy when it comes to society's acceptance of cannabis.  I say "beginning" because cannabis still has a long way to go before it becomes mainstream.  That is precisely why I created this blog.  Those that know the truth have an obligation to stand for it.  Please join with me by sharing this blog with people who do not understand the history, the cover-ups, the scientific discoveries, and the medical benefits of cannabis.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Are We Ready for a Cure Yet?

     I cannot go anywhere without seeing pink on someone or something... It's everywhere! From yogurt lids to NFL apparel, it seems that breast cancer awareness has become the "in thing". I do not necessarily have a problem with the pink - I just know that an answer to the problem has been discovered, but most "can't handle the truth" (thanks, Jack Nicholson!).
     *Cannabidiol* (CBD) has been found to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancerous cells. Many forms of cancer are a result of normal cells not dying on schedule. The typical healthy adult loses 50 - 70 billion cells each day from apoptosis. When certain body tissues fail to die, a malignant tumor develops. CBD stops the tumor in its tracks by encouraging the tumor cells to die - without adversely affecting healthy surrounding tissue. Chemotherapy and radiation cannot claim that!
     It has been brought to my attention that CBD's role in fighting cancer does not stop there. In a *2007 study* at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, scientists have discovered that CBD inhibits the function of a gene called Id-1, believed to be responsible for metastasis of breast cancer (as well as other common forms of cancer). Metastasis is the spread of disease from one location in the body to another. Breast cancer can become lethal when it spreads to the lymph nodes or other organs and tissue.  This breakthrough in cancer research is astounding, but most will not benefit from this because of current government regulations on cannabis.  

     Support the fight for breast cancer - support the legalization of cannabis!  When will we wake up to the truth?

Should Christians Smoke Medical Marijuana?

From Christianity Today (June 2011):

     Ah, those Californians—a bunch of grown-up hippies single-handedly keeping medical marijuana in the national consciousness. But wait. My wife and most of her family are from California, and they all seem surprisingly normal. Maybe medical marijuana is worth a careful Biblical look. Scripture raises important questions.

     First, is it moral? This is the most important question. Does Scripture prohibit or command using marijuana for medical purposes? If something is illegal, unless Scripture commands us to do it, we do not. Where medical marijuana is legal, this is no longer an issue.
     Second, are mind-altering drugs sinful? This one is a bit more slippery. Many prescription drugs—like psychiatric drugs—can be mind-altering, and so are legal drugs such as tobacco and alcohol. Christians have reasonable arguments on both sides. But I think we can agree that one's motivation is relevant. If someone puts their hope in mind-altering drugs, and these drugs become a way to turn away from the Lord, they are idolatrous and wrong. Even then, that does not mean that the person must stop taking the drugs. It means they must learn how to turn to the Lord in their troubles.
     Third, is it wise to smoke medical marijuana? This overlaps with the morality question. There are times when something is morally permissible, yet unwise. If you struggle with a desire for alcohol, it is permissible but unwise to work in a place where alcohol is served. With medical marijuana, that question could be reframed as, "Is it helpful or dangerous?" Are there deleterious consequences to this treatment? The brief answer, and I suspect there would be many heads nodding at this, is that every medical treatment has possible harmful side effects. In an era of full disclosure, many prescription warnings end, "Oh, and you might die too." When you line up modern pain relievers, marijuana looks quite tame. It is riskier than Tylenol but safer than Vicodin. The dangers ebb when the marijuana user is terminally ill, and Scripture supports palliative care for the dying (Prov. 31:6-7).
     Finally, is your conscience clear? Is it okay that people know you are taking medical marijuana? You do not have to announce it in front of the assembly, but you should not be ashamed if other people know. If your conscience bothers you, do not do it. For some people, the stumbling block might be that you smoke it. Put it in a pill form and use its technical name, and many consciences would probably be soothed.
     Many innovations have unwanted side effects. For example, the Internet is a purveyor of pornography. Yes, more people will use marijuana for non-medical reasons. People who would not cross the barrier between legal and illegal might be more prone to try something that is legal though restricted.
     How would I vote? Be wise and do not violate your conscience.

-Ed Welch is a counselor with the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation and author of several books on addiction and mental illness

Note from the Cannaculturist:  Please leave a comment on your take of this article... Do Christians have an obligation to truth in regards to cannabis?  Does our modern society's understanding of cannabis (or lack of) play a factor in how a Christian handles the issue? What are your thoughts?

Cannabis Helps Mother With Cerebral Palsy

     When referencing cannabis for health benefits, I typically try to avoid hear-say or anecdotes. On this occasion however, I couldn't help myself. I didn't find any university study or clinical research in this area but would love to get feedback from my readers as to where I can find some. Anyway, here is a video that has been on YouTube for a while and, while I have no proof as to the legitimacy of this video, I have no reason to believe it is fake.  It is a sad state of affairs we live in when somebody needs to "break the law" to find relief for a debilitating condition.  Will our society get a clue?

     Please share this on Facebook!  My son deals with mild cerebral palsy in his right leg... I need all the help I can get in spreading awareness of CP and natural therapies like cannabis.

Cannabidiol and Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

     I always love finding study after study of the positive health effects of cannabis.  One such study that I came across in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology shows that the leading non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD), has been shown to reduce the harmful effects of diabetes-related heart conditions, including cardiac dysfunction and inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress. See for yourself *here*.
Now, mind you, as of last year this was all pre-clinical findings.  What does that mean?  According to the study, mice with diabetic cardiomyopathy were used as well as actual human heart muscle tissue. Actual diabetic human testing has not yet occurred.
    For years people have found relief of their diabetic symptoms by using cannabis.  NORML's website highlights findings of cannabis and diabetes.  Here is a *link*.
     I am keeping it short and sweet today.  Please share this with friends and family that could benefit from these findings.

Cannabinoids vs. MRSA

      Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) kills about 20,000 people in hospitals in the U.S. each year.  MRSA is what some would call a "superbug" - Staph bacteria that have developed resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics (which include penicillins and cephalosporins).  These strains are a result of society's overuse and/or misuse of conventional antibiotics.

     We gotta love our cannabis-researching scientists!  In a joint effort between Italy's Universita del Piemonte Orientale and Britain's University of London, School of Pharmacy, five cannabinoids (cannabidiol [CBD], cannabichromene, cannabigerol, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol [that's THC, folks!], and cannabinol were found to show a "potent activity against a variety of (MRSA) strains". Here is a *link* to the study's abstract.

     Maybe you know of someone who is battling a nasty MRSA infection...  There is hope and help available.  God provided mankind with a wonderful healing herb that has been suppressed for decades by governments.  We need to take back our freedoms - and this is just one more reason why!

     

Intellectual Honesty: Ron Paul

     For years, I was spoon-fed the argument that marijuana is bad - bad for one's health and bad for the moral fiber of society.  Then I got a clue. After watching numerous documentaries, reading many books, and sprinkling in a little bit of common sense (a little bit is all it takes and frankly, it is all I am capable of!),  I had changed my position on cannabis.
    First, cannabis is not harmful when used in moderation and the studies that claimed marijuana smoking is dangerous used ABSURD amounts (such as 10-15 joints a day) of it on the test subjects to get their results! Here is a helpful *LINK* in regards to the "harm" of cannabis...
     Second, cannabis has NOT destroyed our nation's "moral fiber".  The prohibition of it has given cannabis a bad name. Prior to the 1940's, cannabis was socially accepted - it was actually used as a cure for alcoholism!   It later became taboo and illegal due to *racial bigotry and corporate greed* on the part of Big Pharma and many other industries that competed with hemp.
      I have included a few videos of Republican candidate Ron Paul discussing cannabis and personal freedoms.

      I even threw in a video for my liberal blog followers:

      Be honest. Learn the facts and don't be afraid of something that you are not sure about. Ask questions. Seek answers.

Cannabinoids and Uterine Contractions

     I find myself ever amazed at the scientific research results of cannabinoids.  For most of my life, I was led to believe that cannabis offered NO medicinal benefits and only caused harm to one's body and mind.  Once again, I come across a study that puts the fables to rest.
     In 2004, The National University of Ireland's  Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology reported that, contrary to popular belief, cannabinoids do not cause premature labor.  Here is a *link* if you would like to see the abstract.  In the study, scientists took human pregnant myometrial (middle layer of the uterus) tissue and exposed it to anandamide (a cannabinoid found naturally present within our bodies) and delta 9-THC (the main cannabinoid in marijuana).  These cannabinoids bind to the endocannabinoid receptor CB1 found in the tissue and cause a relaxant effect! The scientists concluded that cannabinoids do NOT directly induce contractions in the pregnant uterus and that anandamide may actually play an important role in pregnancy and childbirth.
     If only more research could be done, we could possibly find that cannabis may help prevent early labor and premature births. Unfortunately, as long as the DEA keeps cannabis listed as a Schedule 1 drug, further research will be very limited and it may be many years before we get a clue as to how great this plant actually is.
P.S.- I do not encourage pregnant women smoking cannabis or any other product for that matter...  There are other ways to receive the benefits of cannabis without smoking - expecting Jamaican women have for years been known to drink a tea made with cannabis!

Cannabis DOES kill brain cells!

     OOPS! I meant cancerous brain cells... I must get a rise out of intentionally misleading people... The title for today's post is true, but not in the fashion that most would infer.  Click *here* to read the abstract on a medical report from 2005 that explains how Delta 9 - THC and other cannabinoids destroy gliomas. What is a "glioma", you ask? Wikipedia defines a glioma as "a type of tumor that starts in the brain or spine."  If you are new to the world of cannabis, maybe I should take a step back and provide links for more understanding of *cannabinoids*  and our own body's *endocannabinoid system*.

     What I don't understand is how in 2003, The U.S.A.'s government as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services was awarded a patent on cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants.  U.S. Patent 6630507. On the other hand, the U.S. government's own DEA still classifies cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug - meaning it has NO MEDICAL BENEFIT...  Do you see the problem with that???
     The human body was designed for cannabinoids! Maybe "Big Pharma" should stay out of politicians' pockets and allow a God-given herb to provide medical benefits to the masses... Oh, wait... That would mean the pharmaceutical industry would lose BILLIONS of dollars from the reduction in sales of many of their so-called "wonder-drugs".