Marijuana as medicine

At 59, Sam Mellace might at first glance seem a guy who wants nothing more from life. But behind the easy smile is a federally licensed marijuana grower. But what makes him different from the 26,000 other authorized marijuana medicine growers is that he is also the owner of the New Age Medical clinic, Danforth, Canada, which was opened with the sole intention of helping ailing patients through the use of marijuana, just as it had helped him some time ago.

A few years ago, Mellace had been the victim of a terrible car accident, and it was during rehabilitation that he got himself addicted to opiates and medicines. As a result, he was later suffering from numerous health problems like liver problems and diabetes, but luckily for him, he turned to marijuana medicine. “With the law as it stood then, I should have been dead five years ago. But, due to the use of the marijuana products that we’ve developed, I’m still here and alive to talk about this. My diabetes is gone; the liver disorder and blood disorders I had are gone. And I can only attribute that to marijuana.”

As soon as you walk into the New Age Medical Clinic, you are greeted with a warm and smile by the receptionist at the desk. The long waiting halls to the examination rooms are all enough for you to mistake it for another regular health medical clinic. Other than the strong smell, there really is no other telltale of the marijuana. The clinic boasts of qualified doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists, all ready to offer their services to anyone who needs them.

Authorized marijuana growers

Through his clinic, Mellace tries to help out people who have become addicted to prescribed narcotics. He believes that people will eventually turn to the streets if they can no longer obtain prescriptions from their doctor. His clinic helps people get off opiates, cocaine, heroine, oxycontins and the like. Other than that there’s alternative medicine to replace the conventional allopathic, to help out people suffering from various ailments. What Mellace does is detract the THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) component from the marijuana plant, the element that is responsible for giving a high, leaving behind only the useful chemicals.

Presently the Food and Drugs Act has not assessed the safety and quality of marijuana, and so it cannot be sold as a therapeutic product. But Mellace is of the opinion that if he can get legal permission to incorporate this altered form of marijuana into products like chocolates and cookies, lotions and creams, he would be able to render help to a wider audience.

weed medicine and usage

Marijuana is, without doubt, one of the ancient natural herbs used for medicinal purposes. Scientists are still on research to find out the natural benefits of this herb. To regulate the use of this herb, many marijuana dispensaries are operating in different parts of the country.  In order to establish a healthy cultivation environment, House Bill 3460 devised a system commonly known as the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. It is estimated that more than 150 marijuana dispensaries are operating in Oregon presently under this program.

The Oregon Medical Marijuana program

According to the revised law, registered growers and patients are advised to acquire a license to hold a marijuana farm. The new bill also insists medical marijuana dispensaries to obtain a similar license from the OMMP. Similar to other government licenses, the individual or the dispensary needs to meet specific criteria to acquire the same. Some of the criteria include:

• The dispensary should, under no circumstances be located in the vicinity of schools or other educational institutions.
• According to the rules and regulations, it should not be allowed within a 1000 feet radius of any medical establishment.
• To obtain weed medicine from a farm site, patient authorization is mandatory. On top of that, tests to detect  pesticides and other harmful objects should be carried out before handing over the same to the patients. The prime objective of all these security measures is to avoid misuse of marijuana.
  

     weed medicines for patients

More on the law enforcement procedures

The Medical Marijuana Act was first passed in the year 1998 and it encouraged the patients to plant their own medicines. The patient was also allowed to designate another individual to grow the weed medicine. This resulted in serious marijuana misuse and was in favor of the black market. In the late 2005, another guideline was introduced in the SB 1085 which helped to raise the production of marijuana under the law. This helped numerous facilities and dispensaries to start their own operations. However, in many areas such dispensaries were raided and shutdown in the name of law enforcement. But centers like Portland still run facilities to support a large number of patients.

The use of marijuana for medical purposes has increased over the years. It is the duty of the individuals using marijuana to make sure that it is not misused under any circumstances.

Marijuana medicine for users

New regulations are being brought to attention in Oregon by the medical marijuana advocates to control the quality of marijuana medicine in the state. Authorities are yet to confirm the latest thread concerning the quality control and refused to comment for the time being. The recent post about the unfortunate incident involving a man from Washington, raises serious questions from the public. However, the Oregon State Police Department holds on to the previous official statement that the man consumed large quantities of marijuana before getting hospitalized. “There was too much weed for a patient in his system” said the leading investigator of the case.

HB 3460, the newly proposed law demands a compulsory test to prevent the outbreak of pesticides, mildew or mold. However, the new regulatory dispensary system has initiated an outcry; especially from the professional growers, who claim that it is not in the best interest of the public, but a political ploy to seize control over marijuana. “Simply put, the government wants to take the entire weed away” says Marcus, a registered grower from the state. Further investigations revealed that medical marijuana users have to either rely on private collectors or they have to approach other growers. The latter is more difficult since most growers get little support from the government agencies. On the other hand, industry insiders stress on the possibility that large quantities of harmful pesticides may be involved.

Marijuana medicine concerns

“In every facet of life there seem to be people who jump on the bandwagon and look for a way to twist it and turn it and bring it to their advantage”, says one anonymous grower from the state. Although there are various concerns, there are those who walk in the opposite direction such as Dr. Pat Marshall, a renowned chemist, who frequently runs tests for marijuana in addicts. Marshal explains that the effect of marijuana with addicts lasts much longer than the natural ones due to the sheer amount of toxicants. While eliminating ambiguity is his primary concern, he talks about the miscellaneous responses of patients in this regard. “They’re like, ‘I don’t want another one of those brownies because the last time I ate one of those. It puts me on the couch for six hours,’” Marshall pointed out. When the bill goes for a public hearing this Monday, Oregon House Committee on Health Care will decide the fate of marijuana medicine growers for the years to come.

Know About Weed Medicine

To buy and smoke marijuana has just been legalized almost all over the U.S. In the decade to come, weed medicine and its products shall be easily available all over the country. To use marijuana on sick dogs is in the process of being legalized by Dr. Doug Kramer from California who is advocating its use. He opines that THC will aid dogs when it comes to debilitating and chronic conditions.

When asked what made him think of treating sick dogs with pot, he responded that it was a client who first suggested it to him. She said she had a pet which did not respond to any of the pain medications or steroids that were given to it. She tried to get hold of medical marijuana. Other vets at the practice seemed quite dismissive but she remained persistent.

It is sad to hear that his own pet dog had been diagnosed with cancer that was untreatable. She was given all the usual pain medical medications including steroids. She wasn’t responding to any of these and was soon on the verge of death. On the first dosage, she seemed to recover. Of course, she was never cured but just that the life of the animal improved is heartening.

Dr. Kramer recommends glycerine tincture. In his opinion, this is the best way to do it as it provides the best accuracy. It also tastes quite sweet. It can be turned into butter oil. You can use anything that contains a bit of butter oil. Even homemade dog biscuits will do the trick.

Information About Weed Medicine

As of now medical marijuana is also being recommended for cats. It is used mainly as an appetite stimulant. It is commonly observed that cats tend to act finicky when they fall sick. Any animal which has the cannabinoid receptor is likely to respond in pretty much the same way. Studies indicate that chickens, pigs, rats and monkeys have identical receptors.

Some people tend to blow smoke straight into the face of their dogs to give them a high which is totally uncool. In the opinion of Dr. Kramer, this is a form of animal abuse.

So weed medicine is becoming increasingly accepted in various parts of the country. Of course, we can understand the concern of legislatures; it could be misused. However, marijuana has proved its use in the medical field. Whether it becomes fully accepted or not remains to be seen.

buy weed medicine

Waltham city dwellers can no longer get weed medicine from the medical marijuana dispensaries as the city council has prohibited the operation of these dispensaries for one year. The decision, which was taken by the council along with the survey and planning board on last Monday, will ensure that no more marijuana dispensaries come up in the city. Councilors hope that this moratorium will provide them with ample time to amend the policies concerned with the location of these dispensaries.

Although a moratorium is imposed, most councilors do not want these dispensaries to shut down permanently. Daniel Romard, the ward 1 councilor who put forward the motion last December told reporters “It’s absolutely not my intent to avoid a dispensary in Waltham”. He also said, “Eighteen states so far have legalized marijuana treatment centers and of those eighteen states, each law is different”.

Medical Marijuana dispensaries became legal, when the majority voted in favor of it in a ballot poll conducted last November. The new law envisages at least one dispensary in a County. However, this number should not go beyond five in cities. Waltham is not the only city to issue the moratorium. Many other cities in Massachusetts have already limited or prevented the marijuana dispensaries to issue guidelines.

However, the city council’s decision has invited protests from many corners. Many people feel that the council had ample time since November to plan and propose the guidelines. One of the Waltham residents, Annette Reynolds, who is also the director of Waltham’s League of Women Voters, told that it would be unfair if patients had to travel from Waltham to Boston to get weed medicine.

   weed medicine side effects

She remembers how medical marijuana helped her from the side effects of chemotherapy, which she underwent twenty-three years ago. She also adds, “There are those that fear that marijuana dispensaries will attract undesirables to our city” and “I know what those undesirables look like. They are the ones whose faces are in grimaces of pain. They’re the ones whose bodies look like they’re hardly bodies at all because of the medicine they’re taking.”

Those who support the moratorium, like the Waltham resident Francis Stanton says “I would like to rise today and commend Councilor Romard and his comments about being cautious and, dare I say, conservative on our approach to marijuana dispensaries in making sure that if it’s going to happen in Waltham, that it will be done right”

Waltham residents now eagerly wait for the Ordinance and Rules committee, which will discuss the matter on the next sitting. The Survey and Planning board has set aside May 1 to discuss the issue.

Medical marijuana

The Oregon state lawmakers are seriously considering the legalization of medical marijuana dispensaries in the state. In what is seen as the first step into this process, they are in the process of finalizing a bill that would make marijuana medicine dispensaries legal.

Criticisms

However, such a move from the part of the lawmakers has definitely drawn opposition from certain sections of people and media. With the state lawmakers standing firm in their decision, it is certainly going to be an interesting few weeks on this front.

Need for amends

There is no doubt that the existing structure of medical marijuana distribution in the state needs a revamp. The medical marijuana dispensaries do exist in Oregon, but with no laws to regulate them, the quality of the marijuana that they distribute remains a cause of concern. It is calculated that there are 53,000 people who use medical marijuana to relieve their pain, and that most of them do not grow marijuana on their own, or take the help of another grower.

Attending to such a high number of patients is a serious issue and needs to be confronted as soon as possible. According to Geoff Sugarman, director of Oregonians for Medical Rights and the bill’s architect, the primary need for such patients is the availability of quality marijuana legally. “Many patients do not have a grower, do not want to grow themselves, and have difficulty finding safe, reliable and legal access to the medicine they need,” he said when asked about the need for a legal medical marijuana dispensing system.

     marijuana medical properties

However, the laws that are in place now state that the cardholders must grow marijuana themselves or find a grower to grow it for them. Sugarman was skeptical about his current situation and he urged the lawmakers to make a change to the current system. “Marijuana being grown legally for patients is not finding its way into the hands of patients, but is instead being siphoned off into the black market”, he added.

With no laws to regulate them, the medical marijuana dispensaries sprouting up in the state have no one to control them, and as such, quality of their products is seriously compromised.

There are enough indications to suggest that a new system should be implemented for a better way to reach out to the suffering patients. Lawmakers seem to sense this too, and all the latest rumors indicate a new law to regulate marijuana medicine dispensaries.

Treating with weed medicine

A bill was introduced on Friday in the Oregon House of Representatives to license and regulate dispensaries where treatment with medical marijuana or weed medicine is held. Along with State Senator Floyd Prozanski, State Rep. Peter Buckley passed the bill titled House Bill 3460. The House Bill 3460 will focus attention on ensuring that patients have safe access to the medicine they require. Patients, medical marijuana facilities and growers will be requested to work in sync, under the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, to ensure the success of the bill.

As per the provisions in the bill, medical marijuana facilities will have to obtain a license from OMMP. The license will have a similar effect as the licenses that patients and registered growers are legally recommended to obtain as per the stipulations in the present marijuana law. The bill restricts medical marijuana facilities with a number of regulations. Besides all that, the Oregon Health Authority is now endowed with the special power to draft rules and regulations at the onset of any risk being caused to the patients. The Authority says that this is to ensure the safety and security of the patients.

Patients could grow their own marijuana or task someone to grow it for them in the beginning, as per the original medical marijuana act of 1998. But due to the lack of means to grow marijuana, and the difficulty to find someone who could grow it for them, not many patients benefited from that law. Interestingly, numerous dispensaries are coming up in the state where medical marijuana is

    legal restrictions on weed medicine

administered. It is roughly estimated that there are over 100 dispensaries now, across the state. Liberal attitudes from the law enforcing authorities have contributed to the mushrooming of numerous medical marijuana dispensaries. However, many of these dispensaries have been raided by concerned authorities in the past years to ensure the safety of the patients, and to stop the illegal spreading of marijuana.

Patients who grow marijuana or weed medicine for themselves, or task someone to grow it for them, are allowed to mobilize marijuana to a medical marijuana facility, or to their primary caregiver. The bill also includes provisions that allow marijuana growers to claim a reimbursement of their cost upon transferring marijuana to a Medical Marijuana facility. MMFs are accountable for the transferring of marijuana in and out of the facility. They are also required to ensure that they receive marijuana only from a registered grower. A breach of the terms in the bill could entail serious after effects on the parties.

medical marijuana for treatment

Recently, a case was reported in Porterville where a house was robbed and attacked by robbers who came to stole Marijuana. Though this is an isolated incident, we can expect more of such kind with no strict regulations imposed on growth of marijuana for medical purposes. Most cities in the country carry out state laws in this regard and there is no uniform law applicable to all cities in the country.

This is clearly stated in the notice issued by the grand jury of Tulare County. He pointed out that many of the cities in the County lacked a strict and uniform law to check the growth of marijuana for medical purposes.

With no strict laws in place, many people have started misusing the Compassionate Care Act, which came into effect in 1966. As per this act, a person can nurture up to 99 marijuana plants if he has a letter of recommendation from a recognized medical practitioner. This is evident from the number of cases caught by the Sheriff’s deputies in Tulare County where in place of 99 plants, they were able to discover thousands. In cities, however, there has been only a single case of such violations.

One thing is for sure, everyone is going to welcome a strict law in this regard. The law enforcement officers would be happy to enforce this law and residents who grow medical marijuana legally would be more than happy to see such a law.

   grow medical marijuana

The important danger of medical marijuana is the threat from thieves. Incidents like the one that occurred last week could happen again if a strict law is not imposed with immediate effect. A law restricting the growth of Marijuana inside a closed wall can keep away thieves. This will also make sure the safety of your neighbors.

Everyone would like to see an ordinance that keeps a check on the misuse of the compassionate medical marijuana. Porterville, tried to impose an ordinance, however failed miserably. Therefore, it is high time that all cities come up with an act, which will have strict restrictions and other methods in curbing the illegal plantations. In some cities, like Visalia, you can grow a marijuana plant only inside a closed complex.

We would like to see rules such as this imposed throughout different cities. Let us wait and hope that we will all receive the good news soon.

           Weed as a medicine

Should we or shouldn’t we? It seems to be the common question when it comes to legalizing marijuana. It is an age-old question and the answer that most politicians have come up with until now seems to be a big resounding “NO”. Although a lot has changed in recent years, some states are still mulling over the decision of making marijuana legal. It is obvious that those who have a say in such matters does not seem to think legalizing marijuana is the way forward, but some recent studies have shown that this trend might change in the future. Whatever be the case, legalizing weed medicine or marijuana is the way to go forward.

Survey report

A recent nationwide survey conducted has shown that around 52% favored the legalization of marijuana and 72% of those attended the survey were of the opinion that enforcement of anti-marijuana laws brought more costs to the state than benefits.

Although the results of a survey are hardly the voice of the nation, it does pose some interesting questions. How will the politicians and state lawmakers react to such a change in public opinion? Will they be forced to follow the norm, or make a bold move and legalize marijuana?

An interesting trend

              Medicinal marijuana

Some interesting statistics had surfaced in recent weeks, thanks to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center. This poll, conducted by the Pew Research Center studied the results of past surveys that were made on public opinion regarding legalizing marijuana. The results they found spoke about a trend that has developed over the years. It was interesting to note that with each passing generation, more and more people were becoming more aware of marijuana and more were in favor of legalizing it.

In the recent poll, where it was found that 52% were in favor of legalizing marijuana, it the percentage of people supporting the legalizing of marijuana in 1969 was just 12%. With increasing awareness about marijuana, it was interesting to note that people became more adamant that marijuana must be made legal in the country.

For most of the people, majority of them young men and women studying in colleges, marijuana provides a way for them to release their stresses. For some of them, mostly patients suffering from painful diseases, it is a weed medicine, which helps them temporarily to forget about the pain that they suffer from.

   Medical values of Marijuana

The number of the proponents for medical marijuana has increased enormously in the US over the last few years. The present status shows that out of the 50 states, 18 have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Proponents argue that marijuana could be the best medicine to treat symptoms of many diseases like cancer, AIDS, epilepsy and pain glaucoma.

Thought there are still 32 states which have not legalized the medical use of marijuana yet, 88 percent of the US population is in favor. They believe that there is nothing wrong in legalizing it provided the patients are qualify as able enough for intake.

The present trend shows that more US states are moving closer to legalizing Marijuana. In the state of Illinois, bipartisan legislation (House Bill 1) is being considered by the state lawmakers. If this bill is passed, patients afflicted by serious diseases like Cancer, AIDS and other problems will be considered qualified patients to be treated with medical marijuana.

Medical Values of Marijuana

Regardless of the opponents’ view that marijuana can create dangerous side effects on patients, there is enough scientific proof for the medical advantages as well. People with debilitating diseases like Cancer, AIDS and Parkinson’s disease can be prescribed medical marijuana for relief from nausea, discomfort and frequent pain.

However, the legalization is strictly limited, and only a doctor with a licensed medical practice can prescribe this to his patients. Unfortunately, in some states, people have found ways to avail marijuana for illegal purposes, including recreation – a clear misuse of marijuana. Under the guise of medical use, people gain legal rights to get marijuana.

To avoid any sort of misuse of marijuana, and the proliferation of it for non-medical purposes, Illinois law enforcers have proposed a pilot program lasting four years. Under this program, qualified patients will have the right to take in marijuana. However, there will be legal limitation in the amount of marijuana they could possess, as well as a clear prohibition on the cultivation of marijuana.

Legal Procedure

               Legalizing medical marijuana

Under the 4 year pilot program, physicians are accountable for prescribing marijuana to the patients. The physicians should certify that the patient in question is really suffering from serious illness and the administration of marijuana can have therapeutic benefit on him. Moreover, no doctors have the right to prescribe marijuana to any patients whose diseases are not defined in the legislation.

Studying the consequences that arise due to the legalization of marijuana in different states, the federal government should adopt comprehensive policies to restrict marijuana use to medical purposes.