[Rags123]

Originally Posted by gerryann

So sorry for the loss of your sister. My brother was in the same situation, but with an inoperable brain tumor. This picture was taken 2 weeks before his death. Medical marijuana helped him get through the rough days. He was 46, a policeman in Tampa.

A lot of people can NOT take drugs. I am one of them. I have had 3 surgeries and could take nothing stronger than Tylenol. I would have loved marijuana, but had no way of finding it, or I would have.

To you people who seriously think that everyone is out looking for a "high"....you are wrong! They are looking for help managing pain. The people looking to get high will find it in whatever form they can find.

We always seem to end up in the same place on this.

I can only speak for myself on this. I really get upset being painted as unsympathetic and non feelings. That is so far from the truth and it really upsets me to have that implied.

I have asked....are there other medications that will achieve the same thing. I have been told on this thread and have read it THAT THERE ARE. Actually, drugs that more assimilate marijuana than those on ballots. I will ask again, and I ask again in the most sympathatic way......are there not alternatives to pot now ?????? Drugs that obtain the very same results ? If I am being informed correctly ON THIS THREAD the medical marijuana is without the strongest component of the drug.

Why is this not being explored within the medical community and going through the same thing that any new drug needs to go through ? Why is all political and on a ballot ? Why does noone who supports it even admit that there are alternatives that will do the same thing ?

If there are no other alternatives that offer the same results you seek, then I am with you on making MEDICAL MARIJUANA legal but still asking WHY the medical community is not pursuing it and why it is made political ?

I note on this thread that there are those who ignore the medical part of this and talk about the recreational part of it.....that bothers me A LOT. And if you listen to the supporters of MEDICAL marijuana, they are almost giddy about getting it legal for recreational use.

If someone can address these questions, I am open. Trying to make me feel guilty...and I can only speak for myself, is terribly unfair. I have sympathy for all of you and anyone who suffered.....I also know suffering but choose not to discuss it.....I am NOT a cold person as you seem to want to make me.

Please address my questions.....I have been accused of dealing in only generalities, yet those who support this measure talk in generalities only and I have asked and asked SPECIFIC questions and only receive stories about how it helped family and I am glad that you were able to get that....honestly, but that is NOT speaking to the subject or the national debate.

I would also ask that you give your opinion on recreational use, just to keep your comments in context.

Thank you and sorry if you feel I am cold and unfeeling but it is not the case.

[shcisamax]

If there are no other alternatives that offer the same results you seek, then I am with you on making MEDICAL MARIJUANA legal but still asking WHY the medical community is not pursuing it and why it is made political ?

My understanding is that whatever is in marijuana, with our without the THC but they are making it without the THC specifically FOR seizures, is extremely potent for seizures. My understanding is it works even when other synthetic pharmaceuticals are unable to. Why not use it?
I didn't read this entire thread but I am sorry if people are making you feel badly for your opinion. Everyone has one.

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by Rags123

We always seem to end up in the same place on this.

I can only speak for myself on this. I really get upset being painted as unsympathetic and non feelings. That is so far from the truth and it really upsets me to have that implied.

I have asked....are there other medications that will achieve the same thing. I have been told on this thread and have read it THAT THERE ARE. Actually, drugs that more assimilate marijuana than those on ballots. I will ask again, and I ask again in the most sympathatic way......are there not alternatives to pot now ?????? Drugs that obtain the very same results ? If I am being informed correctly ON THIS THREAD the medical marijuana is without the strongest component of the drug.

Why is this not being explored within the medical community and going through the same thing that any new drug needs to go through ? Why is all political and on a ballot ? Why does noone who supports it even admit that there are alternatives that will do the same thing ?

If there are no other alternatives that offer the same results you seek, then I am with you on making MEDICAL MARIJUANA legal but still asking WHY the medical community is not pursuing it and why it is made political ?

I note on this thread that there are those who ignore the medical part of this and talk about the recreational part of it.....that bothers me A LOT. And if you listen to the supporters of MEDICAL marijuana, they are almost giddy about getting it legal for recreational use.

If someone can address these questions, I am open. Trying to make me feel guilty...and I can only speak for myself, is terribly unfair. I have sympathy for all of you and anyone who suffered.....I also know suffering but choose not to discuss it.....I am NOT a cold person as you seem to want to make me.

Please address my questions.....I have been accused of dealing in only generalities, yet those who support this measure talk in generalities only and I have asked and asked SPECIFIC questions and only receive stories about how it helped family and I am glad that you were able to get that....honestly, but that is NOT speaking to the subject or the national debate.

I would also ask that you give your opinion on recreational use, just to keep your comments in context.

Thank you and sorry if you feel I am cold and unfeeling but it is not the case.

Forget "recreational marijuana" that is not what is being discussed. That's actually the problem...no one is looking for a "high" when using MM. If you are, then move to Colorado, or purchase illegally....that's not what this is about.

As for other drugs doing the same....doing what? Eliminating seizures? Eliminating pain? The legal drugs that eliminate pain are highly addictive and have terrible side effects.....MM does not.

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by shcisamax

If there are no other alternatives that offer the same results you seek, then I am with you on making MEDICAL MARIJUANA legal but still asking WHY the medical community is not pursuing it and why it is made political ?

My understanding is that whatever is in marijuana, with our without the THC but they are making it without the THC specifically FOR seizures, is extremely potent for seizures. My understanding is it works even when other synthetic pharmaceuticals are unable to. Why not use it?
I didn't read this entire thread but I am sorry if people are making you feel badly for your opinion. Everyone has one.

Well, thus far I am old, narrow minded, talk in generalities (nobody will answer my specific questions) and a lot of other things. One who used the narrow minded comments applauded the increase in legal recreation use so that flies in the face of using it for medical reasons.

I am NONE of those things. If you want to stick with the actual title of the thread, this ammendment was very very poorly worded relative to obtaining it.

Again, this politics, and it IS politics, of calling anyone who disagrees with you names or unsympathetic or racist (THAT is a claim of some if you oppose this) or whatever name you want to use.....that is wrong and those who do it, are simply showing their ignorance and inability to have a discussion.

I have asked questions on this.....I cannot understand why nobody will respond to those questions and only tell sad stories of their loved ones. I understand those feelings for sure.....just trust me....I DO understand but that story whether it be mine or yours is NOT what should being discussed.

Again, I am sorry sometimes I even post on some of this threads. People do not want to discuss...just make sure they are able to feel better than you who disagree with their views, and NEVER support them.

Do those who post and imply that I, or anyone, is not sympathetic to their plight or that of their family REALLY AND HONESTLY feel that way ? And if so, how do you arrive at that ?

AND BY THE WAY....I LOVE hearing other opinions....that is how we learn. But, an opinion is not implying I am something I am not or calling me and others narrow minded. That is arrogant to me...as if YOURS is the only opinion. Sharing opinions is great.....sharing pontifications is not educational to anyone.

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by gerryann

Forget "recreational marijuana" that is not what is being discussed. That's actually the problem...no one is looking for a "high" when using MM. If you are, then move to Colorado, or purchase illegally....that's not what this is about.

As for other drugs doing the same....doing what? Eliminating seizures? Eliminating pain? The legal drugs that eliminate pain are highly addictive and have terrible side effects.....MM does not.

Forgot recreational...only mentioned because a supporter of the medical mariuna ammendment referenced how happy they were relative to more states allowing recreational.

Listen, I am not smart enough to continue this conversation and my ego can stand no more of the shots taken at me for my questions...my questions now, NOT my stand.

I have read and they are probably crap sites..but have read about at least 10 drugs that mimic cannabis and just want to know what is wrong with them,....You say they have bad side affects...I am not reading that.

I wish all of you well......you are obviously more well versed than I on this subject and I will bow out......please accept my apologies if I hurt anyones feelings with my QUESTIONS, not opinions or stands...QUESTIONS...still unanswered but did not want to offend so many people.

Again, I AM old, but not narrow minded, not unsympathetic, not racist and enjoy learning things. What I have learned here is that many have suffered and have had relief with marijuana...that is good. What I want to learn is about the alternatives to using marijuana.

[sunnyatlast]

I don't know how MM proponents expect it to become a prescribed substance when the clinical trials required for all other prescription drugs have not been done on "medical marijuana" which is the whole, unprocessed plant according to the link I posted earlier.

One of the biggest reasons for required clinical trials is to find out by scientific method whether it actually helps, and to find out if it does more good than harm! (First, do no harm.)

As this research article from National Institutes of Health shows, there are many complexities to both crude cannabis and the prescription drugs made from derived canniboids that remain untested and unresolved:

Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain

"Even after political and legal considerations, it remains extremely unlikely that crude cannabis could ever be approved by the FDA as a prescription medicine as outlined in the FDA Botanical Guidance document (Food and Drug Administration 2004; Russo 2006b), due to a lack of rigorous standardization of the drug, an absence of Phase III clinical trials, and pulmonary sequelae (bronchial irritation and cough) associated with smoking (Tashkin 2005). Although cannabis vaporizers reduce potentially carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbons, they have not been totally eliminated by this technology."

Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain

[DougB]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

I voted "yes" for people like your sister. Too bad the narrow minds of Florida won out.

Originally Posted by janmcn

Well said Sandtrap. I voted "yes" also for people like Wandatime's sister and John Morgan's brother. I agree with John Morgan, esquire.

Wanda, I also voted "yes" for those like your sister.

[Buckeyephan]

I found Mr. Morgan's argument about MM to be a smokescreen for his hidden intentions. Especially curious was the commercial featuring the little girl who had seizures. According to this article, the MM that would help her is already available.

Gov. Rick Scott signs 'Charlotte's Web' medical marijuana bill | Tampa Bay Times

It is a bit hard to believe that this poor little girl would actually be smoking weed to help with her seizures. Her father's plea for a way to help his child is a bit unnecessary since he can already get the drug she needs.

I'm all for MM to help those who have no other alternatives. What was presented to voters did not adequately address controlling access. My understanding is that doctors can't prescribe it since it is an illegal substance. The feds are simply overlooking the violations in favor of States' Right on the issue. Hmmm, why are we respecting the states on this issue but not on others? That's another question for another day.

Sorry Mr. Morgan. You'll just have to make your money from more frivolous lawsuits instead of your pot farm.

[Steve & Deanna]

"Grandma & Grandpa, would you run down to the corner store and pick up some medical marijuana?" You know whose hands this will get into. We had a case in a nearby city a couple of years ago when some college student went down a city street at 60mph during mid afternoon and took out five cars. When the officers walked towards his car, you'd never guess what he was lighting up......again.....in front of the officers.

[Rags123]

Originally Posted by Buckeyephan

I found Mr. Morgan's argument about MM to be a smokescreen for his hidden intentions. Especially curious was the commercial featuring the little girl who had seizures. According to this article, the MM that would help her is already available.

Gov. Rick Scott signs 'Charlotte's Web' medical marijuana bill | Tampa Bay Times

It is a bit hard to believe that this poor little girl would actually be smoking weed to help with her seizures. Her father's plea for a way to help his child is a bit unnecessary since he can already get the drug she needs.

I'm all for MM to help those who have no other alternatives. What was presented to voters did not adequately address controlling access. My understanding is that doctors can't prescribe it since it is an illegal substance. The feds are simply overlooking the violations in favor of States' Right on the issue. Hmmm, why are we respecting the states on this issue but not on others? That's another question for another day.

Sorry Mr. Morgan. You'll just have to make your money from more frivolous lawsuits instead of your pot farm.

Glad you recognize the politicization of this subject. Why respecct the states ? Game is put it on the ballot and bring out the voters....period. Did not work on Tuesday but that is the game plan !!

[Buffalo Jim]

The language of the of the Question was extremely poorly written .

Even I could drive a " truck " through it . Given Mr. Morgan`s strong interest and financial backing for his " cause " I was very surprised that the language was not a great deal " tighter ".
As it was written it would require the voters to give over a " Carte Blanche " with respect to any reasonable control / regulation over the sale and distribution .

[TheVillageChicken]

Originally Posted by Buffalo Jim

The language of the of the Question was extremely poorly written .

Even I could drive a preverbal " truck " through it . Given Mr. Morgan`s strong interest and financial backing for his " cause " I was very surprised that the language was not a great deal " tighter ".
As it was written it would require the voters to give over a " Carte Blanche " with respect to any reasonable control / regulation over the sale and distribution .

I am not aware of any trucks that preceded the existence of speech.

[Buffalo Jim]

Originally Posted by TheVillageChicken

I am not aware of any trucks that preceded the existence of speech.

Good catch !

Thanks for the note ! I will correct it .

[janmcn]

23 Legal Medical Marijuana States and DC - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org


Twenty three states plus the District of Columbia have passed laws allowing the use of medical marijuana. It would be interesting to hear from posters on how these laws in their home states effected their lives.

California's law allowing medical marijuana seems to be the earliest enacted, dating all the way back to 1996. Other states allowing it are Arizona, Alaska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Washington, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Michigan, Maryland, Maine, Connecticut, Colorado, Minnesota, Hawaii, Montana, Oregon, Nevada, Vermont, and too many others to list.

[blueash]

Originally Posted by Rags123

I have asked....are there other medications that will achieve the same thing. I have been told on this thread and have read it THAT THERE ARE. Actually, drugs that more assimilate marijuana than those on ballots. I will ask again, and I ask again in the most sympathatic way......are there not alternatives to pot now ?????? Drugs that obtain the very same results ? If I am being informed correctly ON THIS THREAD the medical marijuana is without the strongest component of the drug.

Why is this not being explored within the medical community and going through the same thing that any new drug needs to go through ? Why is all political and on a ballot ? Why does noone who supports it even admit that there are alternatives that will do the same thing ?

If there are no other alternatives that offer the same results you seek, then I am with you on making MEDICAL MARIJUANA legal but still asking WHY the medical community is not pursuing it and why it is made political ?

Ok, I will try to give some light and not much heat.

The designation of marijuana as a schedule one drug makes the possession illegal even by doctors or researchers. With rare exceptions it has been and continues to be illegal to conduct studies using weed especially if any federal dollars are involved in the research facility.
University of Florida says it won't risk federal funding to participate in marijuana research - SaintPetersBlog
The politics of how marijuana became a schedule one drug are another topic for another day.

THC is the prime active ingredient in pot, but it is not the only active ingredient. Cannabinoid comes in different chemical forms, think of it like saying Ford which can be a Mustang, Fiesta.... Some forms of THC differ in their profile from others. Some seem to be less likely to produce euphoria than others. The relative amounts in a plant of THC and the other active ingredients in pot differ from plant to plant. There are cannabinoids which produce extremely little euphoria.

There are NO drugs which mimic marijuana because the natural product has many different chemicals.
"Pharmacologically, the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); it is one of 483 known compounds in the plant including at least 84 other cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and cannabigerol (CBG)."

It would be like saying taking a nicotine pill is the same as smoking tobacco, or taking a caffeine pill is the same as drinking coffee. So while there are some approved product which contain cannabinoids none of them provide the wide (alleged) benefits of the real thing.
105 Peer-Reviewed Studies on Marijuana - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org
has the most complete list of studies I can find. Some involve smoking, many involve extracts and commercial products. The studies are of variable quality and look at different issues. No broad conclusions can be drawn.

There are many anecdotal reports, including some posted here, where patients and families have reported that smoked pot was the best drug for the symptoms needing treatment, most effective with fewest side effects.

Benefits reported include control of nausea, increased appetite, improved sleep, pain control, improved mood, and in patients with spasticity improvement in spasms. And as everyone knows, an anticonvulsive benefit in children with Dravet syndrome from the non-euphoria compounds in pot.

So to summarize.. There are no approved products that are the same as pot. There is extremely limited research which the government would require to reclassify pot off of schedule one because you can't do research on schedule one drugs (see reference above). The answers to :

Why is this not being explored within the medical community and going through the same thing that any new drug needs to go through ? Why is all political and on a ballot ? Why does no one who supports it even admit that there are alternatives that will do the same thing ?

is because none of those things are possible at this time, so it is politics that have marijuana a schedule one drug, and it will be politics that will undo that situation if it is to be undone.