Pubdate: Thu, 16 Jun 2016
Source: Westword (Denver, CO)
Column: Ask a Stoner
Copyright: 2016 Village Voice Media
Contact: http://www.westword.com/feedback/EmailAnEmployee?department=letters
Website: http://www.westword.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1616
Author: Herbert Fuego

DEAR STONER: DOES MMJ DO ANYTHING FOR MIGRAINES?

Dear Stoner: I've been dealing with migraines for years, and my 
prescribed medication rarely works. I've been thinking about medical 
marijuana as an alternative treatment. Does it do anything for migraines?

Ken

Dear Ken: They say that those who deal with migraines and insomnia 
are the most intelligent and creative people; I am neither, but my 
dumb ass still dealt with the same issue growing up. I tried all 
sorts of treatments - aspirin, prescription ibuprofen and Imitrex, 
multiple MRIs, even locking myself in a dark, silent room - but 
nothing worked. I've also gotten so stoned that I've forgotten I even 
had a migraine - but that put me out of commission longer than the 
headache ever did. Finally, I spoke with a medical marijuana doctor 
about my condition, and he recommended tinctures and edibles.

Edibles are stronger but might not kick in for an hour - probably 
after you've already thrown up and passed out from the pain. 
Tinctures kick in faster because they're absorbed under your tongue 
and reach the bloodstream faster. The calming body high could help 
your headaches in fifteen minutes or so, but it didn't work for me. 
My head still pulsated and my body was still overheating. Turns out 
monitoring my hydration, stress and sleep was the best cure. But just 
because edibles and tinctures didn't work for me doesn't mean they 
won't work for you. My doctor's a bright guy, and he recommended them 
for a reason.

Dear Stoner: Flower and pre-rolls are getting cheaper in Colorado; 
why aren't edibles?

Koki

Dear Koki: As I noted in a recent article about flower prices in 
Colorado dispensaries, a dispensary data firm reported that although 
the average gram of pot was $6.67 in April (down more than $2 since 
2014), the average edible cost $16.20, just 62 cents less than in 
2014. According to the data firm, average gram prices are taken from 
all amounts sold (grams, eighths, ounces and so on), so don't expect 
$6 grams everywhere - but it's still quite a difference in overall 
price reduction.

Sadly, a price fall in edibles isn't expected anytime soon. 
Dispensary owners and edibles manufacturers I've spoken to have said 
that keeping up with regulation changes in production and packaging 
have disallowed cutting retail prices. Enforcing safety measures like 
childproof packages and the earmarking of each ten-milligram serving 
isn't a bad thing, but updating equipment and materials every six 
months costs money. And guess who those costs are passed on to? Us, baby.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom