Pubdate: Thu, 31 Dec 2015
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Column: The 420
Copyright: 2015 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Ngaio Bealum

MEDICINAL VS. RECREATIONAL

A criticism of legalized medical marijuana is that medical cards are 
easy to obtain (i.e., buy) and that a large proportion of card 
holders are basically recreational users. What is your view and experience?

- -Waiting for Legal

Here is my view: So what? Marijuana should be legal anyway. If going 
to the doctor and claiming you use cannabis to treat your 
pretendinitis will keep you out of jail and away from the criminal 
justice system, do it. Going to jail is a gigantic threat to your 
health and well-being.

Yes, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 was intended to assist people 
with serious diseases (cancer, HIV, arthritis, etc.). However, 
cannabis has been proven to be effective for a variety of health 
issues, and it is a natural stress reliever. Stress will kill you in 
a hurry, and going to jail will definitely increase your stress 
levels, so getting a medical cannabis recommendation is a 
preventative health measure. Boom. Plus, why should someone have to 
try to find a marijuana dealer when they could go to a friendly 
neighborhood cannabis dispensary and choose from a plethora of fine 
products that have been tested for quality? Marijuana is the safest 
medicinal and recreational drug of all time ever, and no one should 
ever have to deal with the criminal justice system because they like 
weed. So don't wait for legalization, because California may never 
get it right.

Several years ago I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I found that 
marijuana often helps ease the anxiety and racing thoughts associated 
with manic episodes. Yet, most evaluators won't approve 
medical-marijuana use for people suffering from BPD. I'm wondering, 
is that because there hasn't been sufficient research done on the 
matter, or are there proven dangers associated with it?

- -Sleepless in Salinas

There hasn't been sufficient research on how marijuana affects people 
with bipolar disorder. The esteemed Dr. Lester Grinspoon published a 
study a few years ago (http://tinyurl.com/cannabisandmood) showing 
that cannabis may help, but he also says that more study is needed. 
The DEA makes it very difficult for American scientists to study the 
medicinal effects of marijuana (probably because they need marijuana 
to remain illegal to justify their enormous budget). That's why 
Israel is leading the world in cannabis research. Although the DEA 
just announced that it's easing the rules for research on CBD, which 
is a nonpsychoactive component of the cannabis plant (meaning it 
won't get you high). Still, CBD has been shown to be an effective 
anti-anxiety med, so maybe the scientists will find a way to help you 
with your condition. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence suggesting 
that cannabis can help people with BPD, but I would suggest that you 
find a doctor or therapist who is a little more open minded about 
cannabis and talk to them before you go out and start smoking all the 
weed all the time.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom