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PTSD & Pot: Veterans making Memorial Day push for legal marijuana
Fox News ^ | May 28th, 2018 | By Alex Diaz

Posted on 05/28/2018 11:14:22 AM PDT by Mariner

Veterans from across the country will be gathering in our nation's capital on Memorial Day this year to not only honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but to advocate for a cause that isn't typically associated with our nation's heroes -- the legalization of marijuana.

The veterans and advocates taking part in the Memorial Day Veterans Rally DC hope to change the stigma that surrounds cannabis, the preferred term for marijuana among advocates, by arguing that this alternative medicine is already helping some vets treat issues like PTSD, chronic pain and depression -- all without the use of dangerous & addictive prescription drugs like opioids. One of their rallying cries is "plants over pills," and they're not just coming from the usual legal pot hot-spots like Colorado.

The speakers are traveling from places as far west as Alaska, as far south as Texas, and as far north as New England to support the cause, and to share their stories of how legal marijuana helped ease their pain, alleviate symptoms of PTSD, and even get back into the workforce. Among those scheduled to speak are one of the first responders to the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, the mother of a 24-year-old Marine who took his own life after battling PTSD, and the owner of a veteran-operated cannabis company dedicated to "medical cannabis for military veterans."

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cannabis; chickenhawksfearpot; marijuana; pot; wod
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To: Lurkina.n.Learnin

“Anybody that says there are no legit uses is full of it.”

Look for opportunities to tell THEM.

I already know. I saw what it did for my dad when he had cancer. It gave him several more months of function and he thanked God for it. Daily.


41 posted on 05/28/2018 1:00:33 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Mariner

A comparison between the two is just insane. Those who want to believe that will believe it no matter what you say I guess.

I haven’t looked into it but I suspect that varieties with higher THC content are better for PTSD whereas CBD seems to be better for physical pain.


42 posted on 05/28/2018 1:01:45 PM PDT by TigersEye (This is the age of the death of reason.)
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To: Mariner

So far, 113 unique cannabinoids have been isolated.

The human endocannabinoid system is scatter throughout the body. And, depending upon the variety of cannabis consumed, effects vary greatly.

https://hightimes.com/guides/cannabinoids/

Israel is leading the world in research on medical cannabis.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2017-04-11/israel-is-a-global-leader-in-marijuana-research

No other drug in the world has such widespread medical potential.

It’s time to take it off Schedule I and allow universities and pharma in the US to explore its potential.


43 posted on 05/28/2018 1:15:34 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Mariner

>>No other drug in the world has such widespread medical potential.
*********************************************************
Which Big Pharma has known for decades, which is why they effectively shut it down for so long, depriving generations of the “little” people from real pain relief and healing.


44 posted on 05/28/2018 1:18:45 PM PDT by Kalamata (bibleresearchtools.com)
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To: TigersEye
the high CBD variety

CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol, the active ingredient from the hemp plant. It is not psychoactive.

THC is the abbreviation for tetra hydra cannibinol, which is the active ingredient in the marijuana plant. It is psychoactive.

Healing benefits have been reported for both compounds, and a great deal of clinical research has been done which scientifically supports those claims.

Sadly, the culture is having to plow through decades worth of negative impressions and government propaganda to discover the positive aspects of these natural organisms.

45 posted on 05/28/2018 1:29:42 PM PDT by Windflier (Pitchforks and torches ripen on the vine. Left too long, they become black rifles.)
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To: Windflier

That’s right.


46 posted on 05/28/2018 1:37:06 PM PDT by TigersEye (This is the age of the death of reason.)
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To: Mariner; laplata

Bottom line: Marijuana products have shown effectiveness and are relatively safe (but not completely safe, and not for long term use).

As you point out, Cannabis is safer than opiates. It also seems to be much safer than uncontrolled self-medication with alcohol, which has historically been a huge problem with PTSD.

A main pathway for marijuana products to work, is through increasing the neurotransmitter dopamine (which also accounts for most of the anti-nausea effects). Opiates and cocaine also increase dopamine, the brain’s “reward” chemical - raising pleasure, appetite, mood, and improving sleep - great for countering PTSD symptoms like depression and sleep disturbance.

Some people have higher levels of dopamine, others lower, so marijuana will be more effective for some than others (even counter-indicated in rare cases of very high dopamine, like psychosis or schizophrenia) - but it is generally effective for the population at large.

Long term use of marijuana however, has some chronic downsides - depressed dopamine levels, amotivational syndrome, and some brain changes (shrinkage of the orbitofrontal cortex).


47 posted on 05/28/2018 1:39:57 PM PDT by BeauBo
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To: Mariner
the high CBD varieties exist, but are hard to find for many.

It's not hard to find CBD oil. What's hard, is finding products that contain adequate levels of CBD to acrually be beneficial. 60% or greater is recommended for cancer sufferers.

Not all CBD products are the same. Some contain only trace amounts of CBD, while others contain therapeutically acceptable amounts.

Due diligence is the key.

48 posted on 05/28/2018 1:41:35 PM PDT by Windflier (Pitchforks and torches ripen on the vine. Left too long, they become black rifles.)
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To: Susquehanna Patriot; Crucial

I meant to include you on post #47, for your interest.


49 posted on 05/28/2018 1:44:30 PM PDT by BeauBo
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To: Mariner
It’s time to take it off Schedule I and allow universities and pharma in the US to explore its potential.

Hear hear. Well said.

50 posted on 05/28/2018 1:52:51 PM PDT by Windflier (Pitchforks and torches ripen on the vine. Left too long, they become black rifles.)
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To: laplata

So many are sudddenly acting like marijuana is some kind of miracle panacea. I don’t believe it is conducive to promoting mental health. It’s really ludicrous to think it would be beneficial to get veterans hooked on an addictive substance that hampers their decision making.


51 posted on 05/28/2018 1:53:14 PM PDT by Crucial
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To: BeauBo

Thanks for that.


52 posted on 05/28/2018 2:12:46 PM PDT by laplata (Liberals/Progressives have diseased minds.)
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To: Windflier

It was once a common treatment in America.

http://www.druglibrary.org/mags/cannabisindicainpharmaceuticals.htm


53 posted on 05/28/2018 2:16:07 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Crucial

You are assuming that the form they would use is addictive.

I won’t go back and for the with you. As I said, they’ve had a hell of a trip and if it helps ease their miseries, both mental and physical, good.

I’d say you were never in the military, much less ever saw combat. Many here have.


54 posted on 05/28/2018 2:17:28 PM PDT by laplata (Liberals/Progressives have diseased minds.)
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To: BeauBo

“It also seems to be much safer than uncontrolled self-medication with alcohol, which has historically been a huge problem with PTSD.”

Amen.

Many PTSD vets prefer alcohol to treat symptoms, but the downside is far, far worse.


55 posted on 05/28/2018 2:17:36 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Crucial
So many are sudddenly acting like marijuana is some kind of miracle panacea.

I don't blame you for feeling so skeptical about the medical benefits of marijuana. Most of us have formed opinions about marijuana based on decades worth of negative cultural impressions and government propaganda.

What's only now coming to light, is that there are a great many medical uses for marijuana, and that research confirming this, has been quietly going on for decades.

56 posted on 05/28/2018 2:18:03 PM PDT by Windflier (Pitchforks and torches ripen on the vine. Left too long, they become black rifles.)
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To: Mariner

Many PTSD vets prefer alcohol to treat symptoms, but the downside is far, far worse.

><

You make an excellent point.


57 posted on 05/28/2018 2:22:52 PM PDT by laplata (Liberals/Progressives have diseased minds.)
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To: Mariner

There is no science behind the claims that pot is useful in treatment of PTSD


58 posted on 05/28/2018 3:14:47 PM PDT by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: Mariner

So what? That’s not a reason to legalize.


59 posted on 05/28/2018 3:15:55 PM PDT by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: Wilderness Conservative

Hey cut it out....... No reason for that kind of nonsense

State your case or not ....no reason to call names


60 posted on 05/28/2018 3:17:51 PM PDT by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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