Posted on 11/05/2004 1:38:10 PM PST by Ahriman
A decade ago, when Daniele Piomelli went to scientific conferences, he was often the only researcher studying cannabinoids, the class of chemicals that give marijuana users a high. His work often drew sniggers and jokes; but not any more. At the recent annual Society for Neuroscience conference in San Diego last week, scientists delivered almost 200 papers on the subject.
Why all the attention? Many scientists believe marijuana-like drugs might be able to treat a wide range of diseases, far beyond the nausea and chronic pain typically treated with medical marijuana.
Researchers presented tantalising evidence that cannabinoid drugs can help treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease - Parkinson’s disease and obesity. Other researchers are studying whether the compounds can help victims of stroke and multiple sclerosis.
Although the chemicals work on the same area of the nervous system, the new drugs are much more refined and targeted than marijuana, with few of its side effects.
"Cannabinoids have a lot of pharmaceutical potential," says Piomelli, a neuroscientist at the University of California. "A lot of people are very excited."
When scientists mix a number of drugs together for a specific purpose it is a "drug cocktail" and is right out there on the cutting edge.
When God does the same, it is a "dirty drug".
Is that your way of saying the article has no credibility?
No, your father wasn't "brainwashed". What you observed was a man with character, an individual whose self-esteem would not allow him to become addicted, even in his final moments.
Hell of a man, your dad. And for you to call that behavior "pathetic" ... well, words fail me.
Do not, ever, suggest that I have less than the greatest admiration for my father. You know that I was commenting on the attiudes towards drugs in this country but chose to twist what I said to suit whatever authoritarian, drug warrior agenda you have.
God wasn't as careful.
At what IQ level is the cut-off?
I find it laughable that someone who adopts a cheap whiskey as his moniker rails against pot.
Perhaps you are totally ignorant of how our founding fathers viewed the Wild Turkey.
Where did I rail against pot?
Well it was you that claimed this article had nothing to do with smoked marijuana. You were wrong.
That's probably because there is no such thing.
I guess one sentence about how someone got interested in research over-rides 10 paragraphs about synthetic cannibinoid research.
I stand corrected. The article does deal with marijuana.
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They believe marijuana has too many negatives to be a truly effective drug, with side effects that include memory problems, decreased immunity and possible addiction.
Marijuana has another drawback. From a scientific standpoint, Giuffrida says, it’s "a very dirty drug".
"In today's society, legalization carries with it an implied societal acceptance. People have the attitude of, "Hey, it's legal, I can do it, and don't you impose your morals on me."
How many times have we heard or read, "Yes, I did that. But it's not illegal!" Like that's the only standard."
Clearly this line of thinking is a direct consequence of setting up the government as the arbiter of what is right and wrong. The more the government controls people's behaviour, the less they will exercise their their own judgement on matters of morality.
Excited? Dude, they're stoned.
Are you going for the "Thick as a Brick" award.
You said the article had nothing to do with smoked marijuana. You were wrong. Spin all you want.
Easy. See my #254. I said I stood corrected.
How about the Fabulous Furry Freak Bros....
IQ has to do with the intellect, not intelligence.
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