Posted on 08/27/2013 8:15:53 AM PDT by Kaslin
CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta admitted earlier this month that he had been wrong in his opposition to medical marijuana during the rollout for his documentary "Weed." Gupta reported on research that demonstrated the proven benefits of marijuana in treating neuropathic pain. Medical marijuana was the only drug that helped a 5-year-old girl with Dravet syndrome live without constant seizures. It calmed the constant hiccuping of a 19-year-old. Israelis use it to treat Parkinson's disease and other ailments.
Gupta took on the federal government's classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug, which has no accepted medical use but has a high potential for abuse. (Heroin also is a Schedule I drug. Methamphetamine is Schedule II.) Gupta now believes that classification is an outrage.
The doctor didn't say marijuana is all good. He cited research that found that regular use by teens can lead to a permanent decrease in IQ. But Gupta could find no documented case of a death from a marijuana overdose, whereas someone dies every 19 minutes from a prescription-drug overdose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 80,000 Americans die each year from excessive alcohol use.
Last week, Gupta's sentiments were echoed on the right when columnist Charles Krauthammer, a former psychiatrist, told Fox News that alcohol is much more harmful than marijuana. Quoth Krauthammer: "If I were starting a society from scratch and had to choose the intoxicant, I would outlaw alcohol and I'd allow marijuana." (Side note: But seeing as he can't reset the world, Krauthammer said he wouldn't legalize pot.)
Gupta's about-face might well signal a sea change in how this country looks at marijuana. Gupta told CNN's Erin Burnett that he used to look at medical marijuana advocates as "malingerers" who are "just looking to get high." But he came to see that cannabis not only helps severely ill people but also averts the dangerous side effects of more potent pharmaceuticals.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Pat Leahy announced Monday that his committee will hold a hearing Sept. 10 about the correct federal response to state laws legalizing the use of medical marijuana and, in the cases of Washington and Colorado, recreational use of marijuana.
Is President Barack Obama paying attention? Reporter Jessica Yellin asked White House spokesman Josh Earnest last week whether the administration was considering changing marijuana's Schedule I designation. Earnest responded with a long-winded no.
Before the American Bar Association recently, Attorney General Eric Holder delivered a speech that was supposed to signal big changes in the administration's approach to nonviolent drug offenders.
But he didn't mention marijuana enforcement, even though his Department of Justice has waged a ruthless war against medical marijuana dispensaries. Federal prosecutors have not only sent registered California dispensary operators to prison but also gone after their landlords, their bankers and contractors.
Listen to Gupta and Krauthammer and it's fair to surmise that marijuana is the least harmful of all controlled substances. It's less toxic than alcohol, which is legal. It's less lethal than prescription drugs.
So why is Washington still waging a war on weed?
IF all applicants were equal in abilities and experience, I’d pick the teetotaler.
But that’s in a prefect world and we all know this ain’t.
I’m not dogmatic about pot or alcohol.
It would be about the “whole package”, if you will.
btw; I’m not a businessman
4th paragraph in your linked article, mazz44, is very telling indeed. You folks are the guilty ones of making absolute statements regarding smoking and toxins and you’re not even aware of the depth of these findings - their still in the wading pools!!! they just don’t really know! So tell me this do you know anyone who has died from smoking pot?
“Although these lines of evidence are suggestive, direct proof that smoking marijuana or cocaine adversely impacts on host immunity is lacking. Moreover, the few human studies addressing this issue have reported mixed results. Sherman and colleagues (29) observed a significant decrease in the intracellular killing of yeast by alveolar macrophages (AMs) recovered from chronic marijuana smokers (compared with AMs from nonsmokers) but no significant limitation in their ability to produce superoxide. In contrast, Van Dyke and coworkers (30) administered intravenous cocaine to healthy volunteers and measured an increase in the number and anti-tumor activity of circulating natural killer cells. Similarly, we recently reported a rapid increase in the activation state and function of peripheral blood neutrophils following the acute administration of either inhaled or intravenous cocaine to chronic users (31).”
From a study I saw decades ago, they studied 4 groups long-term:
teetotalers,
occasional drinkers of wine only,
beer only and
hard liquor.
Emphasis on occasional.
Do you know what they found? Amazing that these results even reinforced the Biblical teaching on alcohol [BTW nothing recorded in the Bible directly about pot or other drugs].
One group had an average of almost 10 years above the average.
Another group 10 years below, and 2 groups tied for average longevity.
You probably guessed the hard liquor group was 10 years less,
but the occasional wine drinker came out 10 years ahead.
For me personally seeing a chiropractor was the best thing for my health. I probably would have been dead before 50 of colon cancer. Had an ‘S’ turn in the frontal x-ray view of my lower spine. Problems in mid-back and esp. the neck too. Best money I’ve ever spent seeing a doctor who also practices ‘first do no harm.’
Earlier though you said “But the biggest danger of pot isn’t physical...it’s spiritual. If you want to know why I’ll tell you.” I’m all ears as I read my Bible daily as much as possible and try to follow all of it’s teachings. Try is the keyword...I know I’m not perfect but I’m much better than I’d be without my faith and spiritual growth.
I am aware, it is part of my naturapathic profession. It was just an example. One can find statistical evidence on both sides and present their cases, accordingly. My point from the beginning was that burning and inhaling marijuana is not the best way of eliciting its healing power. Infused as an oil is. Even marijuana’s most ardent, expert supporter
Mr. Simpson believes that to be true. The fact is, the combustion of marijuana creates very dangerous toxins and harms the human body, similarly to alcohol and cocaine. Also, temepture changes associated with its preparation and use changes its effects and toxicity. The same holds true for other living consumables, such as beans and potatoes. In fact, if one does not neutralize the chemicals in soy, soy is very dangerous and detrimental to our bodies. It make sense that plants would create toxins to keep from being consumed from predators.
To finalize, marijuana used wisely is better than most drugs, in comparison, however using it in correctly is dangerous, toxic and damaging. Below a excerpt to Mr. Simpson’s statement.
Good luck to you!
Rick Simpson, the most courageous medical marijuana expert of them all, says, “Smoking is the least effective method of using hemp as a medicine. The power of hemp medicine is magnified many times when the concentrated essential oil of the hemp plant is produced. If you want to see the real medicinal magic in the hemp plant, start ingesting high-grade hemp oil. When one starts ingesting the raw, unburned THC and its associated cannabinoids, medical miracles often occur. When a person smokes a joint, over 90% of the medicinal aspect of the plant material goes up in smoke. It’s ironic to see people who have taken chemotherapy smoke hemp to reduce their nausea. They are smoking the very substance that, if taken properly, could cure them.”
Of course the use of magnesium oil for these same effects is also recommended and using topical magnesium and marijuana together in combination is excellent for difficult, stubborn pain. One of the main points for everyone to understand is that when we are thrust back to simpler lives, having access to versatile medicines without cost is important. If the governments would get off their people’s backs, marijuana would be legal and virtually free because it’s so easily grown.
It is highly regrettable that the deficiency of such an inexpensive,
low-toxicity nutrient like magnesium results in diseases that
cause incalculable suffering and expense throughout the world.
Dr. Steven Johnson
Bottom line, when it comes to pain medications that work on the source of pain and disease, there is nothing like magnesium chloride and nothing like cannabinoid medicine. Together they are the Batman and Robin superhero medical team for the world of pain, heavy emotional upset, and the general treatment of disease. Add sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and iodine and you already have a full medical team at your fingertips
“A true believer and follower would not need mind alternating drugs to cope with life and his/her existence. Furthermore he/she would always treat their body like a temple and be strong against temptation.”
Guess I identify more with Paul than these near-perfect true believers you speak of. I do try not to sin and I also read my Bible to try to discern what is sin and what isn’t.
Do you really and truly think a Holy Loving Perfect God created a plant that can solve almost any physical illness also made it toxic and deadly and harmful?
Or do you think maybe he made it’s effects enjoyable and euphoric so man would continue to experiment with this plant’s usefulness?
God made beans, potatoes and soy. If consumed incorrectly, they are destructive to our bodies and can cause death.
The apostles gave us examples of how to live, according to teaching of Jesus. Just because they recognized their faults, does not mean their modern followers should be content in having similar faults. Believers in Jesus and salvations should always strive to learn from their faults and become better and closer to the way of Jesus and the Father.
Well there you go again - moderation in all things - yes I completely agree
But is it not peculiar and perplexing that pot works best in moderation and yet [maybe even uniquely?] has it’s own characteristics making it nearly impossible to over-dose?
Things that make me go hmmmm...
Can’t help but notice most all of my questions keep going unanswered.
Ha! Finally decided to go back and read your 1st web link in this thread - are you serious?
Quoting Minnesota Public Radio articles on FR? MPR shows it’s lies and liberal fed guv bias by offer blow-hard opinions on nearly every contradictory guv study conclusion of the last 50 years - esp. the BIG FIB of mj being carcinogenic - 50-70 times [historically quoted as 100 times] more carcinogenic than tobacco. I’m quite certain this is the biggest pot-whopper of them all.
I miss the early days of FR when quoting NPR or any affiliated public radio as a source would get you not only multiple abuse posts but also a quick zotting.
Sometimes moderation is not the best way. Using methods correctly and prudently is the best medicine.
Overdosing is not the problem with marijuana. It is the seductive nature and slow negative cellular change that it may create when it is smoked. A slow death from a diseased body is more destructive and costly than a quick overdose.
At the very least, regular joint smoking disrupts hormone balance and will contribute to estrogen dominance
and mineral imbalances. Too much estrogen and copper, in turn, is implicated in 99 percent of all cancers. During the last 15 to 20 years marijuana consumption is on the rise right along side soy, grains and non-fat eating. Curiously, during the same period, prostate and breast cancer is on the rise. Our decisions have consequences. Some we may not like or turn a blinds eye to because our actions make us feel good. Does not mean they are prudent and wise.
Just be careful in your decisions and always reflect in what is occurring so wisdom may develop.
Take care! Thanks for the discussion.
I apologize for being so snarkey and smart-alecky at times. I too enjoyed our discussions and wish you all the best!
Like I said. I use the statistics as examples. One can find any angle to promote their beliefs. It was just one source. I have many, many more discussing it on this type of forum is too troublesome. Which is why I chose to bring up Mr. Simpson.
There is just no good reason to make fun of or degrade someone that chose to engage in a discussion on this type of forum. One can find fault in any statistical analysis if they have a vested interest in what the outcome should implore.
Like I said, good luck to you.
You are correct in your statistical analysis. Keep up the good fight!
Thank you for your desire to engage in this discourse.
There is a prudent way to use marijuana to elicit its healing power and smoking it after lighting it is not the way.
But I cannot go there because I'm a alcoholic(hard liqueur),almost twenty years sober.... I've broken my abstinence but only on special occasion and only a single glass.
Daily consuming, even of just one glass of wine would definitely be too much a temptation...even considering the beneficial side effects....
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