Medical Marijuana for UC & the CCFA

The government? Really?

I don't need the government to tell me anything.

I do, however, need SCIENCE to tell me.

You do realize that science and the government are not the same things, right?

MJ is safer/better than prednisone and I have used both, I don't care what the science behind it states between the 2, no one will ever convince me prednisone is better (in any way) than MJ, for IBD at least.

Please refer to the previous posts in this thread. There is very little science conducted in the U.S. Because MM is Schedule 1. However other countries in the world, especially Israel, have found it to be very effective.

If you prefer to remain on prednisone until MM is no longer a Schedule 1 drug in the U.S., followed by years of research in U.S., then be my guest. In the meantime don't begrudge someone who seeks relief through MM rather than suffer the side effects of pred.

IamCurious said...
MM is a Schedule 1 drug in the U.S. so it may not be fair to ask for long term studies proving its safety. But Israel is the world leader in science on the medical uses of marijuana and they are conducting research proving MM efficacy in UC and Crohn's as well as a host of other diseases included epilepsy and ALS, etc.

So far very few or no side effects found. You cannot say that about Pred.

blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2016/03/12/worth-repeating-medical-marijuana-defeats-crohns-disease/
A small human trial in Israel in 2011 found that “Of the 30 patients 21 improved significantly after treatment with cannabis.

Authors concluded that “this is the first report of cannabis use in CROHN’s disease in humans.

In 2013, researchers reported “complete remission” of Crohn’s Disease Activity in 5 of 11 cannabis test subjects in a prospective 21-person placebo-controlled study. Eight weeks of THC-rich cannabis “produced significant clinical, steroid-free benefits to 10 of 11 patients with active Crohn’s disease, compared with placebo, without side effects.

IamCurious said...
The same information about Israel's marijuana research was also published in The Washington Post.

/www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/israeli-medical-marijuana-creates-buzz-but-no-high-will-it-go-global/2015/01/31/558fe072-a19a-11e4-9f89-561284a573f8_story.html?tid=HP_world
Israeli doctors use it to treat ailments including Crohn’s disease, basal cell carcinoma, psoriasis, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and PTSD in Israeli military veterans, and the pain of cancer patients and the elderly.

One contributor was Timna Naftali, a gastroenterologist at Meir Hospital, who said she was skeptical in 2011 when she prescribed cannabis to 30 patients with Crohn’s disease.
But “the results were dramatic,” she said. “They didn’t need steroids or surgery or hospitalization.”

Everyone's logic is defined by their own perspective ambling. And everyone is entitled to express their opinion, just because you don't agree with it doesn't mean you have to be snarky about it.

FYI, GI's in Canada are leaning if not completely stopped RXing Prednisone for their IBD patients any further, and say it's because Prednisone is a terrible drug that has thankfully been thrown at the waist side in light of much better meds and options available now to treat IBD....Pred that is still being used by GI's anywhere in Canada for their IBD patients are considered still in the dark ages....

Options being MMJ. Fact is, many Crohn's patients that my own medical MJ doctor has told me are in the majority of no longer needing to even be on biologics....that they are able to sustain remission with the use of MMJ. It's a fact, research backs the amazing help MMJ does for many, and not just IBD.

I've been on pred and felt the racing mind the very first time within the first few weeks and I've been stoned. Racing mind did not help me feel good mentally or emotionally and wasn't even that great physically and when the effect finally stopped as it always does with pred, and it felt absolutely gross to me on every level....MJ has not only improved my symptoms, I rarely even have to smoke it to function better (Never did I feel that way on Pred) There is no crash and burn on MMJ like Pred, no other health issues caused physically with MMJ like there is with Prednisone. MJ is better than alcohol in my own opinion based on my experiences as well as proven facts what alcohol can do to organs let alone other issues (not opening that can of worms though).

The 2 biggest unfortunate things is 1) when some people's opinion isn't based necessarily on experience of their own and they judge or dispute with others. 2) There are no guarantees with anything, what works for some doesn't work for all and some people unfortunately cannot smoke MJ because for some, they don't enjoy the experience....which is fine, to each their own.....You like Pred, great!! Great for all that do, but do not knock anyone for using what ever they can find that helps them with THEIR OWN PAIN because we don't all feel the very same pains as everyone else does, or we at least perceive our own pains and feelings and what we know feels good and what doesn't for ourselves.

It is completely mind boggling to me, that since we ALL know what pain is, regardless if it's IBD pain, emotional pain, mental pain......whatever it is, how can arguing about what who thinks is better, be it meds, surgery, jumping off a cliff, what ever works, and someone is sharing what helps them is great, but to get nasty with each other here, when WE ALL feel angry all because of wanting to be right? Well, most of us that know IBD pain and for a long time now, we should be gentler about our opinions, we should be respecting not arguing what each of our own experiences have been....some dreadfully regret getting surgery, some are angry they didn't do it sooner and some are just so on top of the world happy being so much better and not caring about being sick anymore, those are the only ones' that really get what it's about. I wanted to literally kill myself for a long time now because everything in my own experience in my opinion is, who cares what choices we make for our own bodies, regardless of what we want to put into it or have something taken out of it, as long as you can find something that works, that's all that should matter to all of us, we should be happy some are mild enough they have finally figured out a way to use that method or what any methods we choose to use for ourselves, we should respect what others choose as well. It's sad because it seems less supportive than it should be.

This too shall pass, it's a physical learning experience for all of us. Be grateful that we won't have these physical bodies forever.....now that would suck, so why not be more supportive of one another and more appreciative of the amazing information people here are sharing, facts, updates, research, others sharing more of their own happiness, others share tragic and others feeling hopeful and others not so much, we need to support each other in a more positive way because this is a very valuable resource to all of us, the ride is rough enough as it is for us all.

lets make the best of it.

I'm quite sure MJ can help with some uc symptoms for some patients, but it's a bit much to say it can replace the very strongest medications available for uc...I'm highly skeptical that MJ could replace prednisone or biologics, that's more that a little bit of a stretch.

Anything that helps improve symptoms is wonderful, but every treatment has limitations. How can MJ not have limits?

The point is not that MMJ will replace Prednisone or other drugs, but that MMJ is still classified as a dangerous drug in many places around the world when doctors prescribe drugs like prednisone knowing full well the damage it will do to our bodies. I don't understand any reluctance to try something that has never damaged anyone and could help -what's the problem?

There are a number of studies regarding Cannabis and long term effect. In fact, Health Canada recently released advisory for individuals under 25 and Cannabis, with high levels of THC. The science is there, not hidden under some rock. Medical Cannabis is as legitimate as another other prescribed medication

It frustrating, that will all it's resources to study Cannabis, the USA is so backwards when comes to science and funding Cannabis research. At least other countries have picked up the ball.

For those who have never used MM let me say that it is not the same as street weed. Prior to using Cannabis for my colitis I general had a moderate amount of disdain for Cannabis and it's users. When my disease began with UP I wish I had access to MM, in particular, CBD Oils. It may have made a difference. It's regrettable that some of the research available today was not 10 years ago.

MM is pesticide and chemical free ( generally ), and produced under the strict guidelines of Health Canada. With a prescription you have a number of strains available with or without the psychoactive component ( THC ).

Furthermore, a doctor will prescribe you a set dosage and monitor ones condition, just like Prednisone or any other medication. Some users receive a prescription for Cannabis with CBD only to treat their condition which to me essentially makes it a very benign medication... compared to the alternatives.

For those who are unfamiliar with how MM is presented, here is a licensed producer in Canada. I think there are about 20 LP in Ontario, 8 in BC and a small handful in other provinces.

https://canntrust.ca/shop/

As you can see there are a number of choices with varying levels of CBD and THC... just like any other medication.

Now that oils are available, in a few weeks I'm going to experiment and delay my Remicade infusion 1-2 weeks while supplementing with CBD Oil... if I don't become symptomatic I'll visit with the GI and see if we can discontinue. I'll let you know how it pans out.

While new to Medical Cannabis, I'm impressed with how the Canadian government is regulating the production and sale of cannabis. Gone is the stigma of a long haired pot head advocating the legalization of Marijuana. It will be interesting to see how Canada handles sale and distribution next year when Cannabis is legalized. Maybe the CCFA - CND will someday fund some research.

And with medical MJ, you can simple get the CBD strain only, which does not make you high like when you have the THC strains.