WP: Research Supports Medicinal Marijuana

[DeepModem Mom]

Research Supports Medicinal Marijuana
AIDS Patients in Controlled Study Had Significant Pain Relief
By Rick Weiss
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 13, 2007; Page A14

AIDS patients suffering from debilitating nerve pain got as much or more relief by smoking marijuana as they would typically get from prescription drugs -- and with fewer side effects -- according to a study conducted under rigorously controlled conditions with government-grown pot.

In a five-day study performed in a specially ventilated hospital ward where patients smoked three marijuana cigarettes a day, more than half the participants tallied significant reductions in pain.

By contrast, less than one-quarter of those who smoked "placebo" pot, which had its primary psychoactive ingredients removed, reported benefits, as measured by subjective pain reports and standardized neurological tests.

The White House belittled the study as "a smoke screen," short on proof of efficacy and flawed because it did not consider the health impacts of inhaling smoke.

But other doctors and advocates of marijuana policy reform said the findings, in today's issue of the journal Neurology, offer powerful evidence that the Drug Enforcement Administration's classification of cannabis as having "no currently accepted medical use" is outdated....

Countless anecdotal reports have suggested that smoking marijuana can help relieve the pain, nausea and muscular spasticity that often accompany cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis and other ailments. But few well-controlled studies have been conducted....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/12/AR2007021201332.html

[WindRavenX]

1. re: inhaling smoke

1)there has never been a documented case of lung cancer caused by marijuana inhalation

2)bongs and other water pipes remove a significant amount of the carcinogenic chemicals in the smoke

Toke up for good health! :smoke:

[Marnieworld]

9. One word

Vaporizer.

:smoke:

[Ezlivin]

17. Another word: German engineering excellence typified in the Hurricane Bong

Designed to create a vortex of spinning smoke that uses centripetal force to separate tars from the "goodies", the Hurricane Bong is easier to use than a vaporizer and doesn't require electricity.

When Jesus tokes, this is what he uses.

Or so I'm told....

:smoke:

[Marnieworld]

19. If only you told me in time for Valentine's Day

Oh well, our anniversary is around the corner. Thanks!

:smoke:

[Ezlivin]

21. But the price! Oh vey!

I've been lusting after one of these pieces of high-tech hand-blown glass for over a year now.

But that price. Wow.

[Fovea]

2. it did not consider the health impacts of inhaling smoke

Nor does it consider the health impact of 24 by 7 intractable pain either.

The conservatives propose nothing in the face of pain.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. This, IMO, is like the stem cell "controversy" -- there is no acceptable...

or humane argument for the other side.

[aquart]

4. Pain management in this nation is insane.

My sister will be in pain every day of her life. Every doctor has told her so. WTF difference does it make if she becomes an addict? If she's on painkiller, she can function and enjoy her life. If she's in agony, oh gosh, at least she's not an addict???

I'm about to have outpatient surgery. The pills I asked for, and got, are the ones she finds most effective. I will use as few as humanly possible so I can send the rest to her.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. Oh, my goodness. Thanks for sharing this from your personal experience. nt

[Fovea]

12. I wish your sister well

I have had over five years of pretty much continuous pain since my stroke. There are days it entirely debilitates me. I can't handle cold at all on my right side.

My doctor is very conservative about pain meds. Around here that seems to be the case generally. I get elevil. It does nothing but make me sleepier.

I have found one or two legal ways of living with it, but I would cheerfully peel all the skin off every asshole who is responsible for the Med Marijuana witch hunt.



That would start to set karma right, IMO.

[Shallah Kali]

13. So this must mean they are about to ban tabacco smoking then

This is just plain evil. My Dad died of cancer and he spent too many days doubled over in agony trying to not make a sound so no one would know how bad it was. I did everything but beg on my knees to the pain specialists asking them to do more for him when the oxycontin wasn't enough. I feel horrible that I didn't force someone to give him what he needed.

If they could patent marijuana it would be legalized in a new york minute even if it had 100 times more problems than what they claim it causes.

[Doondoo]

5. K&R

[Cobalt Violet]

6. "no currently accepted medical use" ....

Meanwhile the studies that prove that right-wing lie just keep pouring in.

[mopinko]

7. until i got a dx, and proper meds, weed kept me alive.

not that i didn't try to get mainstream help. but i had fibromyalgia before it was even known to exist. all they could do was give me drugs that they hoped would work. none did. most made it worse.
i do have good meds now, and have lost a lot of desire to smoke. gee, i wonder why.

[DeepModem Mom]

11. Thanks for sharing your pesonal experience, mopinko. nt

[jayfish]

8. Accidental Overdose Of Prescription Medication Is Now...

the 2nd leading cause of accidental death amoung adults in the US and Dipstick is worried about the dangers of inhaling marijuana smoke? Amazing!

Jay

[HuffleClaw]

16. well, its not like they have a legitimate opposing view

[Hun Joro]

14. K & R.

[HuffleClaw]

15. and you can be sure it was truly CRAPPY pot too

the 'good stuff' would be far more beneficial. the white house's whining is funny.

[Towelie]

18. Methamphetamine and Cocaine can be prescribed by doctors for medical use

And Heroin can be prescribed for extreme pain in the UK.

But heaven forbid that a dangerous poison like marijuana ever becomes legal. :sarcasm:

[Forkboy]

20. "Researchers Catch Up To Populace Decades Later!"

Research Supports Big Amounts Of Marijuana
Sane People In Controlled Study Had Significant Stress Level Reduction
By Bud Geeen
Washington Post Hippie Desk
Tuesday,February 13th,2007,Page A-OK

Americans suffering from debilitating aggravation and frustration got as much or more relief from smoking marijuana as they would typically get from prescription drugs,which are sold by the man anyways,according to a study conducted under rigorously controlled conditions with some Lamb's Breath.

In a five year "study" performed in Rick's basement when his mom was at work and where the subjects smoked three or more marijuana "cigarettes" a day,all of the participants felt less likely to kill anyone,and all agreed they were "really fucking high."

By contrast,almost everyone who smoked "placebo pot",or "ratweed",which is like smoking tea we're told,reported benefits,as measured by subjective joy reports and standardized neurological trip outs.

The White House,a bunch of pig-fuckers if ever there were any,belittled the report as a smoke screen and said,"Besides,coke is better."

But other stoners and hepcats who advocate the government chill said the findings,in this month's issue of High Times,offer powerful evidence that the Drug Enforcement Administration's assertion that weed doesn't help make better music is outdated.

Countless anecdotal reports have suggested that smoking marijuana can help relieve the pain,nausea and muscular spasticity that often accompany living under a fascist junta.