New rule change at HW: Medical Marijuana can be discussed

.

Post Edited (Buddy Blank) : 10/11/2013 9:17:12 PM (GMT-6)

Buddy,

While I don't share all your hard opinions on the "M" subject, I do share some of them. Peter has made a clear distinction of allowing the discussion only related for medical purposes. As you say, not for people to brag about their past and present illegal use of the drug for recreational purposes.

I have such strong personal and religious views on the subject, that even I have a lot of personal resevervations about even considering it in the future for my severe chronic pain issues. Not sure I could get past my feelings to even attempt to try it. These are all subjective and personal issues for each of us to decide.

As long as "normal" prescription pain medications which I take, all legally prescribed, and taken literally only as prescribed, work for me, I intend to continue that route.

Plus I live in a state, where I am convinced it will never be legal regardless of what other states choose to do.

I do feel strongly, that there are absolutely legitimate medical uses for "M", and where legal, shouldn't be rule out as a possibility for those in true need.

Like you, I too would find it offensive if the subject become a guise for recreational bragging rights, and I hope and pray it doesn't come down to that. I am pretty sure, not speaking for Peter, that was not his intent remotely for relaxing the former ban on this subject.

David in SC

142 said...
I am in a business world that makes a lot of money digging information out of supposedly secure places.

Wow! Are you and your business "digging information" here at Healing Well?

Post Edited (Paralleli) : 10/8/2013 9:21:37 PM (GMT-6)

142, I could never in my life work for any company that thought it would be ok to invade my personal life like that no matter how much they paid me.

142 is right. Many companies and local, state, and federal employees are likely tested and cannot have THC in their systems. And they are monitored.

Semi-OT. Perhaps any of those employees can enlighten me on how the feds view medicinal and recreational MJ use in states that allow it. I think it's probably a safe bet saying you can't have any MJ in your system since it is not legal from a federal stand point. It does not matter if you have cancer.

PS
@Buddy Blank. I moderated four years here at HW and was completely on board with MJ use not being an allowed topic. It sure made moderating easier. It may be tough at times for the moderators here in the prostate cancer forum to keep up without this discussion popping up. I see why the site administrator also wanted to make no announcement posts about it. But MJ use can be a useful tool for many cancer patients so it is relevant discussion. I know many oncologists ok with medicinal use. The site allows the opiates and many other pain killing drugs to be discussed that would rank very high on the mind altering lists the DEA has. After all we are a cancer website. Still I believe that the moderators will do a great job of deflecting poor judgement. The rule is simple ~ it must be discussed on topic to as it relates to cancer. I also know the site owner very well and he struggled with this for years. I believe the discussion and behavior will be on a short leash. And if it lowers the value of the website that he is likely to reverse the decision first.

Tony

Post Edited (TC-LasVegas) : 10/9/2013 12:19:08 AM (GMT-6)

Steve,

I did not "go to work" for a company that does that sort of thing. Over the years since I started, employment policies in the industry have changed at the demand of customers. Also, I can't change jobs easily as a cancer patient. Insurance becomes a problem, and my ability to do a full "normal" job is severely reduced by incontinence (both kinds), radiation fatigue, and the side effects of Lupron, which almost got me fired several times. It doesn't officially qualify me for disability, but functionally does. I'm too young to retire on Social Security.

I am very fortunate to have the job I have, and to have immediate managers who understand and can work with my situation. I either live with the rules or move on to an unknown future.

.

Post Edited (Buddy Blank) : 10/11/2013 9:17:41 PM (GMT-6)

Clock, I hear your frustration on this topic - but, honestly, "Uh un" - when I felt like I needed to back away from HW not all that long ago you were one of the ones that stepped up and "wouldn't let me" - so guess what - right back at you! You bring far too much level-headedness and valuable input to this table to leave us and the newbies. . . .

jmho but i personally think there are far too many anecdotal stories that maijuana is helpful to discount it. someone needs to set up a good double blind study so we can have some reliable evidence as to its efficacy or not.

Wanted to add my two cents to this discussion. Back in 1978, my mother was treated for advanced breast cancer...a radical mastectomy which left her with a bit of nerve damage, brutal chemo for almost 2 years, to be followed by a recurrence in the other breast, a lumpectomy, and more chemo. At the hospital where she received her infusion treatments, MM was recognized as helping patients in pain, as well as the debilitating nausea from the chemo drugs and the muscle spasms from the nerve damage. Patients who wanted to try it for their symptoms did so under hospital supervision...and it was smoked (this was back when you could smoke in a hospital). Even though my mom was a cigarette smoker, she wasn't thrilled with smoking MM but tried it to see if would help her - and it did. The nausea was greatly diminished, her appetite picked up (especially for sweets) and the muscle spasms in her chest were reduced. It may not be for everyone (or to everyone's liking) but it does help patients debilitated by their diseases and/or the treatment.

Sephie,

I guess I didn't explain myself well enough.  I didn't mean to suggest that someone who uses MM is "high all night," or high at all for that matter. 

My point was that those who defend recreational use by pointing a finger at alcohol fail to address the point that casual drinking does not mean intoxication, whereas casual marijuana use ALWAYS means intoxication...in fact, that's why it's used.

I agree that MM can be beneficial to some people.  In my casual reading, though, I 've seen more than a few instances where unscrupulous people will, as you say, "scam the system" to find a way to get high, when they aren't really candidates for MM.  Sorry if I gave the wrong impression.

Clock, no need to apologize, and thanks for the clarification.

Ed, not sure what your post means but I laughed anyway!

As some of you may remember, my husband has had a long and difficult journey, the latest one being two brain lesions which required two craniotomies. He was on oxycodone every four hours from January 2013 through May for overall bone pain, headaches, and neuropathy. His appetite was extremely poor as well. Since medicinal marijuana was legalized in New Jersey we decided to go that route. He has been using it since May and has not needed to take one single Oxycodone. The medicinal marijuana has helped him TREMENDOUSLY with his neuropathy and pain although it hasn't done much for his appetite. We have never been advocates of using it before, but I can tell you first hand that it has improved his QOL 100%. I can only attest to the improvement I see in my husband as I myself have never used it. Hope this helps patients who are truly in need of pain relief because it does work.


Radsgrrl22,

My husband was given a prescription for Marinol but it never seemed to help increase his appetite. Not sure why.