or…
HOW TO HAVE YOUR TEETH DRILLED WITHOUT NOVOCAIN (OR GAS)
By George Rohrbacher, NORML Board of Directors, medical marijuana patient Science and medicine run deep in my family. My dad and an uncle had Ph.D.s in parasitology and pathology. My dad’s dad was an M.D. Grandpa met my grandmother when they were both attending medical school at the Univ. of California, in 1915. My grandma’s grandmother learned surgical nursing during the Civil War and afterward was the “doctor” for Oroville, California for many years. My mother, brother, and several aunts are all Registered Nurses. For at least five generations, our family has been committed to science and healing. It is from this perspective that I view marijuana as a medicine.
Like most Americans, I discovered marijuana as a medicine quite by accident. 60-years old, I’ve used pot for over 41 years simply because it makes me feel good. I like it. But who would have ever guessed cannabis was actually helping me stay healthy at the same time?
A ‘bad back’ is one of medicine’s most oft heard adult complaints, and during my 35-years of farming and ranching, my body has written many a check my back couldn’t cash. Sometimes my back has hurt so bad that if I got down on the floor, I couldn’t get up without help. In the end, after trying numerous back treatments, I found that just plain walking and stretching was the best way to deal with my lower back pain, that is, walking and stretching while consuming marijuana. I had first bunched these activities together so as to allow me to get my hurting back “walked out”, and at the same time, I had the privacy to smoke a little pot out of the sight of my growing children. I soon found that walking and stretching while using cannabis was many times more effective for treating my back pain than just walking without it! Marijuana seemed to relax my muscles, reduce spasms and inflammation. When I later became acquainted with the scientific research on this subject, I found out that was exactly what cannabis, and its cannabinoids, had been doing for my body all along.
Decades of splitting firewood, pounding fence posts and other such farm work has left me with two ruptured discs in my neck and numbness and pain that sometimes plagues my hands and fingers. Nasty. Sometimes, very, very nasty. Cannabis helps control the pain from these pinched nerves and cannabis helps me sleep at night without killing my liver or kidneys, without causing gastric distress or constipation, and without damaging my sex drive or good humor. Cannabis helps me pursue my non-surgical options, while at the same time it reduces inflammation and muscle soreness from my on-going activities.
Along with the work-related injuries, I am also a walking encyclopedia of old football injuries, some that still have me hobbling around, four decades after the last touchdown. I’m a big guy, played defensive tackle and lacrosse, too. I loved banging heads. In the process, I’ve separated a shoulder, had a major knee operation and sprained both ankles numerous times. But, am I standing in line for a knee or hip replacement like my no-pot using baby sister or brother-in-law? NOPE! Why no replacements of my damaged joints? I honestly think it’s because of the four decades of cannabis use that I can still walk five miles every day on my banged-up knee and ankles without any pain or inflammation. As it turns out, even the cartilage in one’s joints has cannabinoid receptor sites.
Oh yes, sure a dislocated ankle really hurts, but for a real front-row seat to the world of pain, there is nothing like a migraine headache. I am one of the unfortunate millions of Americans who have diet-triggered migraine headaches. But fortunately, over the years, I’ve rooted out my dietary ‘triggers’, which include: chocolate, red wine, aged cheese, soy sauce,…and now, I rarely have a migraine anymore. I avoid those triggers like the plague. But in my medicine chest, just in case, to help me deal with one of those aura-producing, skull-splitting migraine headaches that still lurk along life’s path, marijuana is an essential medicine. Almost instant migraine relief is possible for me with vaporized or smoked cannabis.
In late January, this past winter, we had a freezing fog that glazed-over everything for miles around. I took a dramatic fall on the ice and landed flat on the back of my ass. Both feet went out from under me so quickly I had not even gotten an elbow or finger down to help break my fall onto the ice-covered concrete slab. Well, at least I hadn’t cracked my head, I thought, as I lay there on my back on the ice, testing for broken bones. Slowly I started to move. Yup, I was OK. No broken hip, thank God—just the start of one very, very sore ass from taking the full impact of that drop onto the ice-glazed concrete. I crawled back into the house, went directly to our freezer, and took out a double dose of my special medical marijuana spice cake. About an hour-and-a-half later, my wife and I walked out the door on the start of a slow, but enjoyable, three-mile hike. My pelvis was very sore but, with the cannabis properly applied, it was good to go. I repeated this treatment every day for the next week, cannabis edibles and walking.
As my bruised butt was healing, I went to see my dentist for a check-up. He looked into my mouth and said I needed a filling, “Nothing too major.” Fortunately I was prepared; I had taken a good dose of my cannabis edibles an hour or so before my appointment, to allow me to sit, despite my injury, without discomfort in the dentist’s chair. I said to my dentist, “No Novocain today, Doc.” He nodded and started to prepare his drill. He’d seen me do this before.
Cannabinoid receptor sites are primarily in the peripheral nervous system. As cannabis calms the underlying causes of most back pain, the inflammation and tightness of the muscles, the cannabinoids also act on the peripheral nervous system to modulate the pain messages transmitted to the major nerves. The pain from tooth drilling is a bit different, that kind of pain is hard-wired directly into the brain. Cannabis doesn’t block that pain so much as helps a person to simply look past the pain and ignore it.
In having one’s teeth drilled, due to the fear of pain, virtually everyone trades a very few moments of serious pain from the drilling, for about two hours of having one’s face defrost from the jaw-numbing shot of Novocain. I said, “No Novocain for me today, Doc,” because I chose the pain, knowing medical marijuana would help me overcome it.
Here’s how: Take cannabis edibles an hour or two before you are to sit in the dentist’s chair. Not flinching while the dentist is drilling your teeth is a big job. You must lie there absolutely still, melted into the chair, immobile. Cannabis is very useful in this process, not so much to block the high-voltage pain from the tooth drilling, but to help your mind reach the meditative state to deflect that pain, so you can let the pain flow over you like water.
Think of your time in that dentist’s chair like body surfing in big waves. When a crusher wave comes in, you must dive down deep, hold your breath, and let it roll over you. When it’s safe, you can come up again for air. The ocean is too big to fight; you have to hold on until the wave passes. And, it’s the very same thing having your teeth drilled without gas or Novocain. The very second the drilling stops, that tooth pain stops, as well, and you can safely come up for air. With modern high-speed dental drills, the actual total number of seconds of real pain are quite few, providing the excavation isn’t the Grand Canyon (your dentist can help you judge). So, just relax, it’s really not that bad, roll your eyes back, and let her rip! With a little pot spice cake behind you, you’ll be quite surprised, you can handle it! And, it’s only going to hurt for a few seconds, anyway. Afterward, when the drilling’s all done, putting in the filling doesn’t hurt a bit.
One very nice thing about dentistry without Novocain is you always get the occlusion right, the first time, everytime, because you can actually feel your mouth when the dentist tells you to bite down, and asks, “Is the new filling too high or low?” And then, when the dentist takes off your dental bib, it’s all over; it is really totally over—no frosted face, no needle marks in your gums, nothing else to recover from.
Without the Novocain shot as part of your dental work, you can walk out of your dentist’s office pain-free after a filling, your cannabis edibles still kicked in, whistling your favorite tune! Now, you try doing that for the next hour or two with your face and lower lip de-frosting from the Novocain!
I’ve been using cannabis as a medicine for over 30 years, 5 years legally. Washington State’s voters gave me the right to use marijuana as a medicine in 1998; I got my doctor’s recommendation in ‘04. President Obama’s Justice Department has said the Feds will no longer interfere with Washington State law in this area. Decades of worry and paranoia, the fear of a SWAT Team, with their guns drawn, bursting through our front door in the middle of the night, bringing drug dogs to search for my medicine has abated, at least for now. Help NORML end America’s marijuana prohibition for good.
Achieving proper titration: In the words of the DEA’s own Chief Administrative Law Judge Francis L. Young: “Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances know to man…” Advances in technology have come in all areas of modern life and making marijuana use even safer is no exception! In the last five years, I have all but given up smoking pot in favor of using a vaporizer—it’s clean and very tasty, with no tars or fire-created carcinogens—although for mobility and socialization it will always be hard to replace a joint. Achieving proper dosing levels using a vaporizer or smoking is quite easy, full effects are seen in about ten minutes and last about an hour-and-a-half before declining. Homemade cannabis edibles take about 20-40 minutes to kick-in, a lot depending on what else is in your stomach, and some experimentation is needed to find the proper dosing levels; but for long term, high-dose pain relief, edibles are hard to beat.
Irvin Rosenfeld, America’s longest surviving Federal cannabis patient, has been receiving federally-grown pot for 27 years. Irv finds smoked pot works best for him. He consumes 10-to-15 joints a day to deal with the challenges of living with a rare form of bone tumors that has afflicted him since childhood. A stockbroker handling millions of dollars in transactions, Irv has said he never feels a “high” from using marijuana, even though he uses it all day long.
About two years ago, when the pinched nerves in my neck were acting their very worst, I began using cannabis at dosing levels where pot’s marvelous, fun and useful psycho-active effects started disappearing for me as well. Damn, it’s the shits to be that sick! Thank goodness, I’m better now.
Good read – but now my teeth are killing me :). I’m happy to see such high results with something that could be inexpensive and readily available. I hope the Fed comes to its senses soon.
way 2 go irvin!!!
i totally agree with all legalization of marijuana. honestly it really doesnt hurt anyone, its nonaddicting, and it helps people deal with day to day task without the frustration. as one smoker to another im just saying “Come on.” just let it happen its goin to eventually.
Err ill keep the Novocain and opiates thank you sir sorry I’m just not hippy enough to duck under the ocean of pain lol i don’t smoke or use weed at the moment but as soon as its legal ill try it for my knee’s and back i take percocet 10/325 x 5 each day for the unreal pain i still hurt bad and my ears ring lol
I thought we were shooting to legalize and tax like the two main killers alcohol, and cigs Seems like its sliding right out of our hands. Atleast decriminalize it.It really makes me wonder if the DEA is proud when they find plants in feilds while they know its not harming n e one and could put that time and money elsewhere LIKE REAL CRIME
Wonder how many millions of dollars testimonials like this will cause big pharmi to donate to political campaigns and law enforcement unions. They should be scared. Nothing they’ve come up with rivals the work of God.
Irvin Rosenfeld is BOSS.
Hey I have a a back pain almost all the time and when i smoke weed it it calms my back pain. I did not know that this could work walking and smoking so Im gonna try it. But u know I dont really wanna smoke out side because of ppl snitching and pigs arresting!
Thats beautiful. I agree with article in regards to lung capacity because ive had asthma since childhood. Anyway , i recently went to the doctor and they always check my asthma . they said you lungs are nice and clearly. i wonder why . legalize.
see, all this is just more and more truth comin out. i live in rural Kansas and believe me wen i say if one of our police got a call about a person bein violently attackd on one side of town and another call about a person who only POSSIBLY had a joint on the other side of town i guarentee that cop would burn rubber and mow down nuns in his extreme haste to bust the pothead eveytime. i kno other comments ask me to refran from cop bashing but i find it increasingly hard to believe they jus innocently doin thier job. its b s the cops in this state r worse than any mafia.
I’m a little nervous to forego novocain but cannabis really calms down my gag reflex. It works great!
I have some degeneration in my lower back vertabrea and have nerves pinching causing burning leg pain. I’ve had a few lumbar injections which help a lot. My last injection lasted 2 years with the help of cannabis but my doctor said, “Pot won’t help your back pain one bit”????
I tend to believe George more than my doctor on that. Great read!
oh and to prove it chek this: in the last month or two we had three ‘Drug busts’ all yeilding LESS thatn a bowl of pot nd one pipe only. one anon female is my friend and she told me they were threatin to take her kid away and forfiet her car and other things. all they found in her house was one dragon pipe with one bowl loaded in it and nothin else. this is but one example. this is terrible. early americans would not have tolerated this much policing without risin up. WE R SUPPOSED TO BE FREE PEOPLE..
It’s sad that it takes someone this sick to get people’s attention. Thank god he’s alive
Stories like this bring tears to my eyes. Keep on fighting for what is right… Let the conclusion not come from rifles and riot shields but inquiring minds and straightforward conversations.
Say thankya, Norml sie.
Such a shame this miracle plant is looked down upon by so many still. Our future generations will look back at this period in time in amazement at the level of hypocracy and ignorance we are currently living in.
Good article!
– The superior efficacy of cannabis as a pain-reliever,
the truth about cannabis needs to be repeated OFTEN!
– Safety-information about VAPORIZERS,
(Zero-Tar, Zero Carbon-Monoxide),
needs to be made common-knowledge,
(esp, when the hazards of ‘smoking’ is brought up…)
#4 randem Says:
May 6th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Err ill keep the Novocain and opiates thank you…
RE:
It’s not just for ‘hippies’ anymore…
– Cannabis is a far more effective ‘pain-reliever’ than
‘pain-killer’ opiates, NSAIDS or muscle-relaxers,
MINUS their awful side-effects,
(drowsiness, constipation, nausea, impotence,
ulcers, tinnitus, hepatoxcity, incoordination, overdose-fatality…).
– Why should “one of the safest therapeutically active substances know to man…”
be treated as if it were one of the “most dangerous” any longer!?!
WE NEED TO RE-LEGALIZE THIS SAFER, EFFECTIVE NATURAL-MEDICINE NOW!!!
– If anyone,
(esp. former ‘drug czars’),
think that back-pain is a trivial reason to utilize whole-cannabis for relief,
may they have back-pain 1000 times more severe than my own…!!!
#6 MIKE STROUP Says:
May 6th, 2009 at 11:15 am
…They should be scared.
Nothing they’ve come up with rivals the work of God.
RE:
When will Big-Pharma stop ‘playing-god’ ?
– If the Creator of Life, the Author of naturally-occurring plant-genomes is Omnipotent,
may the Creator’s contributions to herbal-medicine-reform surpass those of
Big-Pharma’s opposition!
i hope norml, mmp and all the other sites advocating medical mj will use this mans testimony on national tv ads. i think i will send this to my governor in nh…we recently passed a law to legalize medical mj, but gvnr lynch may stand in the way and veto it, even though it passed the senate and the people have spoken. i do not believe one man should have that power.
Im tired of listing to people stereo type pot smokers like they do the rest of the country. I am 25 years old and i have been smoking for about 10 years. Now i agree not every one should use the drug, but then again alot of people shouldnt drink or have kids because they are not responsable enough to do so properly, but they do any ways. By saying all pot smokers are not as productive or just plan stupid when they are high is no differnet then saying all black people are gangbangers. And as far as weed being a gate way drug i feel that to be a load of crap. ive never been to look for a “higher high” when i am stoned weed does me just right. Now add alot of liquer to the situation and people will do things they wouldnt normaly do sober or high on weed. Alcohol is the true gate way drug and honestly i cant believe people could not see this before. or they have and didnt say nothing because those people would probably be losing alot of money. If you were to legilze pot that would open so many very needed jobs. It will take money out of terriost hands if all that crap you hear on tv is true. What should we be more worried about the senceless war on pot or the war against terroist that threatin this great country.End the war against pot take that money for our selfs and turn this country around. Any brain dead person can see this why doesnt our goverment.
thanks for you time
average joe
HiGH!!!
FoR Lyfe…
AN EMAIL I RECIEVED FROM PENNSYLVANIA REPRESENTATIVE MARK KELLER AFTER I EMAILED HIM URGING SUPPORT FOR HB 1393….
“Dear Amoura,
Thank you for your correspondence in which you request my support of House Bill 1393, legislation that would legalize marijuana for medical purposes. I appreciate you taking the time to share your views with me on this issue.
The debate over legalizing marijuana has been on-going since the 1970s. Since that time, proponents of the measure have offered a gamut of rationales to build support for a movement to have marijuana decriminalized. Some of these motivations have included medical benefits, improvements to public safety, and economic revival, just to name a few.
But for each of these justifications comes an onslaught of expert opinions disputing the claims of marijuana supporters. In fact, a recent report issued by Dr. Robert DuPont, from the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. in Rockville, MD cites that “marijuana smoke is known to contain harmful chemicals, which adversely affect all body systems from the brain and the immune system to the lungs and the reproductive system.” He goes on to say that any medical benefit to be derived from marijuana can be found in the synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In 1985, the FDA-approved drug known as MarinolT and is available to physicians to prescribe to their patients.
Dr. DuPont maintains in his report that “it is inconceivable the that FDA would approve burning marijuana leaves for any illness given the fact that marijuana smoke is known to be toxic and that smoking is not accepted as a route of administration for any medicine since it is an unhealthy and unreliable drug mechanism.”
Pennsylvania legislators, myself included, have worked hard to establish laws that support strict drug law enforcement. At this time, I do not feel that supporters of this legislation have produced adequate evidence to substantiate their argument; and therefore, I will not be supporting H.B. 1393.
Again, I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to contact me and voicing your opinions on this matter. Please do not hesitate to continue to do so in the future.
Sincerely,
Mark
Mark K. Keller
State Representative
Perry & Franklin Counties
1-800-959-8119
FAX – 717-582-8979
I AM WORKING ON A RESPONSE TO THIS EMAIL. ANYONE IN PENNSYLVANIA CONTINUE TO WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES!!! EVEN IF THEY REFUSE SUPPORT!
Been smoking 35+ years,1969 caught Hong Kong flu,laid on the couch 3 days,got over it ,smoking ever since,haven’t been “sick” since. LEGALIZE
DITTO!
CFJ
Check this article out.
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/may062009/mj_zogby_5-6-09.php
We are winning my friends, all in due time. One day 20 or 30 years from now I want to light a bowl and reminisce about the “bad old days” of Cannabis prohibition.
EVERYONE GO TO MSNBC.COM THERES FINALLY AN UPDATED POLL ON LEGALIZING 87% APPROVE SO FAR CLICK ON THE VINELINE
Look to light that bool a lot sooner. I think there are going to be serious discussions on it before this year is out. It shouldn’t take 20 or 30 years. It could be changed within a matter of months, heck, in a single day. It’s not that complicated.
Like the writer of this article, I’ve smoked for most of my life now. At 51 I still skateboard and figure skate. I can still do the splits. I got my first fracture last fall (ribs) while skateboarding. I was back on the board in a little over a week. Every doctor I’ve seen for anythig (mostly sports injuries) has commented on how healthy I am. When it comes to the issue of pot I get, “I would be very concerned except that you’re in such good health.” At least I can’t say that pot smoking has harmed me, and I’d venture to say that if I hadn’t smoked pot I wouldn’t be able to do what I do now.
I don’t think it will be that long Will S. it seems as though this band wagon is being supported by people that once dubbed marijuana as a “serious narcotic”.
Look what MSN just posted up:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/StockInvestingTrading/
a-budget-cure-marijuana-taxes.aspx?gt1=33002
My name is Kenneth Mabie, in November of 2005 I was in a very bad auto accident where when I was stopped at a red light a septic tanker truck rear ended my car , as a result I have a obliterated disk and vertabra in my lumbar region 2 hernated disk in the thoratic region and 3 hernated disks in the cervical region in my spine, i have a tear in my spinal cord in the cervical region that causes twitching, pain, numbness, and loss of function in the left side of my face as well as my left shoulder and arm, I am still able to walk after the accident I was in , but not for very long periods of time and not with out the assitance of a cane, i have had employers repremand me for not being able to preform certian duties of work and was backdoor fired for same said reasons, I have used cannabis for many years recreationally, but after the events of November 2005, I started to notice the medical benifits of marijuana more than ever, since the accident I have been able to walk in to a doctors office and give the the history of my injuries and leave with a script for opiate painkillers, which I do not like the side effects of, and am very concerned with becomming addicted to, in the month of November 2007 I met my now girlfriend and quit using cannabis, as both a medication and as a recreational pleasure, and have only used it a hand full of times since, after moving from Philadelphia PA to the Richmond VA area I no longer have a connect for cannabis, an cannot find one since I am home bound most of the time here (about 85% to 90% of the time I remain inside of our apartment), Quitting the use of cannabis is one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made of my life, the pain I suffer on a daily baisis is unbearable, and I am afraid of taking opiate painkillers for fear of becomming addicted to them, OTC pain relivers do not work at all, why would the american government allow me to suffer? why would they allow you to suffer? when will they realize that marijuana is a viable medication that is needed to certian people? I am not a religious person, but I have accually prayed that the american government will wake up, and legalize medical cannabis. maybe one day, hopefully some day soon people like me, and the people that are worse off than I will have our medication with out being labeled a criminal or a junkie. I plan to do everything I able to do to help in the legalization of medical and even recreational cannabis.
I’m sure lots and lots of people do have a story of simular context. I still insist that we have canibis legalized with no regulation, due to the fact that the government has no right to tell me what or how i medicate if i want to medicate or just use because, man it was a rough day, or how about good morning, thank GOD I’m alive to see another day. so it’s your choice not the governments place to dictate to us about anything but 1 thing direct and levy tax on forign commerce. thats it, check your constitution! PEACE and “GOD” be with YOU.
I was just watching the Fayette County Georgia police raid two nice looking houses on our local evening news. I counted 20 cops at 2 raids in full military garb. Guns pulled screaming and busting down doors with camera’s rolling. They made two misdemeanor arrest. Which means in Georgia that they found less than 1 ox. in each house. Wow what a wonderful way to spend my tax money. This is ridiculous and the police were so proud and said they have to get people at every level. Well just Damn. Pat your self on the back. How is this “War on Drugs working?” I asked that of a local cop here that is a client of mine and he said that when I go down the road here in our town that 6 out of every 10 cars has some kind of illegal drug in it. Is he serious? If so this “war” is not working at all. If he is delusional and paranoid then that explains why everyone that gets pulled over in the town are always searched. God please help us in Georgia….
I’m 20 years old, in college enjoying all the stress that comes with it. The anxiety of passing all my classes above a C average, getting the tuition in order and sometimes this is just the best sedative I can take in order to chill out and think things thoroughly, whether it be hw or some personal social problems. I’m about to be granted an unlimited drinking license from the government by turning 21, I wish I could have that first legal joint alongside my first legal beer. I don’t need to be thinking about be arrested and going down as a criminal.
I have eight bolts, three rods and numerous spacers in my lower back. They want to do another surgery to remove the hardware from those three levels and go up another two levels. So what do I do for pain? 100mcgs of Fentalyn patches applied every 48 hours. And eight Percocet every day. I can’t imagine the day when I have to go without the meds. (I got laid off a few months ago and my medical will run out soon)
I’m going to be sick, sick like a heroin addict for maybe a week. I’ve been thru it for six hours and I wanted to die.
Now if they had the choice to put me on Marijuana for all this time that wouldn’t happen. And I would be able to think alot better than I do now. Try doing Opiates regularly for six years.
If it ever becomes legal for medical use in VA I’ll be looking for it right away.
Ga Sunshine, that is very unfortunate for the citizens of the state of Georgia. That always perplexed me how law enforcement will don their “battle dress” as we say in the Navy to bust into civilian homes like they really are in some sort of warzone. These are not enemy combatants they’re terrorizing, they are Americans with the good sense to recognize Cannabis for what it is, a miracle plant with far too many benefits to list.
Also, I don’t think it will take 20 or 30 years to fully legalize, I just want to live to be at least 70, and maybe smoke some tasty green with my son (who’ll be 49 by then) and tell him of these horror stories that “our” Government put it’s citizens through until we rose up, said enough, and put this beautiful plant back into the hands of responsible Americans who do not need someone to tell them what they can and can’t put into their bodies.
What about all the people on BIG PHARM DRUGS that are in our society in this country and I am not talking about over the counter drugs. Prescribed by doctors=pain killers and anti-depressants that kill and destroy peoples minds and bodies. You take one pill if it does’nt work will give you another and if that does’nt work then another. The next thing you know your all screwed up and in worse shape than before. The HUMAN GUINEA PIG. Never saw that problem with MARIJUANA THE ALL PURPOSE PLANT THAT TREATS NATURALLY AND SAFELY AND HAS BEEN AROUND FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS AND KEEP ON GOIN LIKE THE ENERGIZER BUNNY. 420 ALL THE WAY!
sir I greatly agree with you about the back pain and marijuana every time I use cannabis I feel great relief from pain and bad posture I have a medical recommendation for my carpal tunnel syndrome but due to the current economy I was laid off in January and have’nt been able to have relief of pain scince fearing a prospective employer invasion of my personal privacy and request a drug screen I will just have to live with the pain which is better than having my stomach bleed due to naproxen hopefully this madness of prohibition will end soon
Hey…respond to that retarded Representative in Penn. that we have vaporizers now!…its not the dino age anymore and if legalized…we could be like Amsterdam and find many other different ways to “take our medicine”…I mean common…every kind of smoke…whether from pot..a cig..a burning house…a burning tire…any kind of smoke is bad if it hits your lungs…do these people really think that we are still stupid??????????????? its really upsetting to be called a dumb ass
Allen St. Peirre,
Very good patient compilation for medical case histories, just click the writer’s name above for the whole story folks! Very sad reading and I wish the nightmare would end sooner for medical marijuana patients. What part of dying don’t opponents get here? Life giving and it may be you next that needs the meds in the near future! “To my last breath, MMJ for the cure.”
GA Sunshine,
check this video
actually, everybody ought to check this!
George is a great writer
While I agree with the others here about making it legal all around, I do have to say having all 50 states have it legal for medical is a step in the right direction.
I personally like this story. I’m 32 years old and was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. An auto immune arthritis that causes my immune system to see the inflammation in my spine and in turn causes it to calcify and grow new bone. This new bone will eventually join my vertibrea and my back will be fused. No movement at all. Ever. The pain that is caused by this and a few other ailments I have can be unbareable. Narcotics barely touch the pain. The other drugs I’m on can cause severe infections, lupus, MS and lymphoma. Not pleasant any way you look at it.
Growing up my parents idea of the drug talk was, “some people lace pot with stuff that’s not good. If you want to safely try it ask us and we’ll get you some.” Well that surprised me and I never smoked it. I was afraid of losing control and I always was very anal about control. After years of suffering in pain my family finally told me to try pot. They gave me enough for a joint or two and told me it may help the pain. Well I tried it and it really helped! It helped more then the narcotics (although not as long.) I have only tried it a few times for fear of getting caught since they’ve really cracked down on it locally. My husband is so upset about me not being able to help myself fell better we’re considering moving to a state where I can legally get it. That is unless the senate finally votes yes on it like the house has in the past (I live in NY)
So hearing stories like this makes me happy. I like to hear that it’s helping so many people who can’t be helped any other way. Although the idea of using it instead of novocaine isn’t something I’d try. But if it works for you more power to you!
DemocracyNow! correspondent Amy Goodman just announced in her opening statement that a new Zogby poll shows that 52% of the US population support legalizing and taxing cannabis!!
#26 Steven Justice Says:
May 6th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
I don’t think it will be that long Will S. it seems as though this band wagon is being supported by people that once dubbed marijuana as a “serious narcotic”.
Look what MSN just posted up:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/StockInvestingTrading/
a-budget-cure-marijuana-taxes.aspx?gt1=33002
RE:
Steve,
The link to MSN article won’t work UNLESS the entire address is on ONE line,
without spaces, line-returns. nor other ‘invisible’ computer symbols / characters.
NOTE FROM ADMIN: We love your comments, but embedded links with long URL’s break our layout, so please use a service such as tinyurl.com to create a short link.
See: http://tinyurl.com/d7jt4n
Thanks!
dam kenny thats one of the saddest stories ive herd. im recently born again christians and believe me bro some of first prayin is gona b for you.
check out the landslide of yes votes on the msnbc poll
http://www.newsvine.com/_question/2009/05/06/
2784019-should-marijuana-be-legalized-and-taxed
you have to have an acount to vote
Sounds like you’ve went through an ordeal… I’m glad you have the opportunity to use medical marijuana, it sounds like life is a breeze with it. My dad will probably never be open to the idea…
Good luck George, and this was another great read, you are always entertaining.
If you have loved ones who can benefit from this medicine, DON’T HESITATE! DON’T WAIT A SECOND! My father could have benefited from cannabis greatly. I blame myself more than my family, because I’ve been aware of the health benefits for some time now. Personal problems, old feelings of shame/guilt, have to be put aside for greater issues.
RE:
Rayvyn,
– Mark Keller is seriously MISinformed / UNinformed about medical-cannabis…
MY REbuttals OF Mr. Keller’s AND Dr. DuPonts IGNORANCE about CANNABIS
IS IN ALL BOLD-CAPS …
Rayvyn, I hope this helps you formulate a reasoned response to Mr. Keller’s concerns / email.
#20 Rayvyn Says:
May 6th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
AN EMAIL I RECIEVED FROM PENNSYLVANIA REPRESENTATIVE MARK KELLER AFTER I EMAILED HIM URGING SUPPORT FOR HB 1393….
“Dear Amoura,
… In fact, a recent report issued by Dr. Robert DuPont, from the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. in Rockville, MD cites that “marijuana smoke is known to contain harmful chemicals, which adversely affect all body systems from the brain and the immune system to the lungs and the reproductive system.”
RE:
HERBAL-VAPORIZERS COMPLETELY ELIMINATE THE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH SMOKING BY GENTLLY HEATING THE HERB TO RELEASE ITS USEFUL COMPOUNDS
INSTEAD OF BURNING IT….
NORML-MAPS Study Shows Vaporizers Reduce Toxins In Marijuana Smoke
http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4250
…medical benefit to be derived from marijuana can be found in the synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In 1985, the FDA-approved drug known as Marinol and is available to physicians to prescribe to their patients.
RE:
– MARINOL CONTAINS ONLY ONE OF THE SEVERAL EFFICACIOUS CANNABINOIDS FOUND
IN WHOLE CANNABIS HERB.
– BY ONLY ALLOWING A SYNTHETIC-VERSION OF ONE OF
THE MANY USEFUL COMPOUNDS FOUND IN CANNABIS,
(YET BANNING USE OF THE PLANT ITSELF),
IS AKIN TO ONLY ALLOWING SYNTHETIC VITAMIN C,
(ASCORBIC ACID),
YET BANNING CITRUS-TREES!
Marinol Versus Natural Cannabis
http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6635
http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6640
http://norml.org/pdf_files/NORML_Marinol_vs_Natural_Cannabis.pdf
http://stash.norml.org/cluster-headaches-responsive-to-smoking-cannabis-
so-use-marinol/#more-4467
MARINOL INFO:
http://www.googlesyndicatedsearch.com/u/norml?q=Marinol&x=0&y=0
http://www.googlesyndicatedsearch.com/u/norml?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-
1&q=Marinol+vs+Natural+Cannabis&btnG=Search
Dr. DuPont maintains in his report that “it is inconceivable the that FDA would approve burning marijuana leaves for any illness given the fact that marijuana smoke is known to be toxic and that smoking is not accepted as a route of administration for any medicine since it is an unhealthy and unreliable drug mechanism.”
RE:
Mr. Keller, Dr. DuPont,
SMOKING’S NOT THE ONLY MEANS OF CONSUMING / INGESTING MEDICAL-CANNABIS!!!
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF HERBAL-VAPORIZERS, TINCTURES AND / OR EDIBLE PREPARATIONS?
Pennsylvania legislators, myself included, have worked hard to establish laws that support strict drug law enforcement. At this time, I do not feel that supporters of this legislation have produced adequate evidence to substantiate their argument; and therefore, I will not be supporting H.B. 1393.
RE:
MARK,
THESE ARE IGNORANT LAWS MADE AND ENFORCED BY IGNORANT PEOPLE.
(I KNOW THIS SOUNDS HARSH, HOWEVER, IT’S THE TRUTH!)
Again, I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to contact me and voicing your opinions on this matter. Please do not hesitate to continue to do so in the future.
Sincerely,
Mark
Mark K. Keller
State Representative
Perry & Franklin Counties
1-800-959-8119
FAX – 717-582-8979
I AM WORKING ON A RESPONSE TO THIS EMAIL. ANYONE IN PENNSYLVANIA CONTINUE TO WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES!!! EVEN IF THEY REFUSE SUPPORT!
CALL GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER AND TELL HIM TO SUPPORT ASSEMBLY BILL 390! OUR CALLS COUNT AS REPRESENTING THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS! WE NEED HIM TO KNOW THAT CALIFORNIANS ARE TIRED OF BEING PERSECUTED FOR USING AN HERB! CUT DOWN ON THE BORDER VIOLENCE AND INCREASE STATE REVENUES BY LEGALIZING AND TAXING!
MAKE THE CALL! IT TAKES 2 MINUTES, AND BRINGS US CLOSER TO LEGALIZING!
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-558-3160 ( new number )
District Offices:
Fresno Office
2550 Mariposa Mall #3013
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: 559-477-1804
Fax: 559-445-5328
Los Angeles Office
300 South Spring Street
Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: 213-897-0322
Fax: 213-897-0319
Riverside Office
3737 Main Street #201
Riverside, CA 92501
Phone: 951-680-6860
Fax: 951-680-6863
San Diego Office
1350 Front Street
Suite 6054
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-525-4641
Fax: 619-525-4640
San Francisco Office
455 Golden Gate Avenue
Suite 14000
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-703-2218
Fax: 415-703-2803
Washington D.C. Office
134 Hall of the States
444 North Capitol Street NW
Washington D.C. 20001
Phone: 202-624-5270
Fax: 202-624-5280
CALL GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER AND TELL HIM TO SUPPORT ASSEMBLY BILL 390! OUR CALLS COUNT AS REPRESENTING THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS! WE NEED HIM TO KNOW THAT CALIFORNIANS ARE TIRED OF BEING PERSECUTED FOR USING AN HERB! CUT DOWN ON THE BORDER VIOLENCE AND INCREASE STATE REVENUES BY LEGALIZING AND TAXING!
MAKE THE CALL! IT TAKES 2 MINUTES, AND BRINGS US CLOSER TO LEGALIZING!
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-558-3160 ( new number )
District Offices:
Fresno Office
2550 Mariposa Mall #3013
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: 559-477-1804
Fax: 559-445-5328
Los Angeles Office
300 South Spring Street
Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: 213-897-0322
Fax: 213-897-0319
Riverside Office
3737 Main Street #201
Riverside, CA 92501
Phone: 951-680-6860
Fax: 951-680-6863
San Diego Office
1350 Front Street
Suite 6054
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-525-4641
Fax: 619-525-4640
San Francisco Office
455 Golden Gate Avenue
Suite 14000
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-703-2218
Fax: 415-703-2803
Washington D.C. Office
134 Hall of the States
444 North Capitol Street NW
Washington D.C. 20001
Phone: 202-624-5270
Fax: 202-624-5280
Well on the dentest deal, Ive tryed doing that myself and as much as I hate the novacain and the needle they use I can not go without it. The pot helps my mood for sure but to sit there and have them drill, no no, I cant do it. Your a stronger fellow than I sir!
As for Prohibition, we have hit a nerve! The Pro Prohibition people all over the news spreading lies again. So we better be ready to start getting the truth out, speeking to anyone that will listen!