medical marijuana multiple sclerosis

Cannabis use has been around since the Stone Age (no pun intended) for everything from fiber to recreation to spiritual to medicinal purposes.

So why in this 21st Century when people who are suffering reach out for pain relief and help are governments acting so inconsistently.

Canada, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Israel, Finland, and Portugal are among nations that use cannabis in medicine.

Here in the United States, almost a quarter of the population live in States that have approved medical use of marijuana, but the Federal government interferes and denies by bullying. What ever happened to States rights much less ‘we the people’ caring?

Within the US Multiple Sclerosis community the National Multiple Sclerosis Society seems to have its head in the sand.

“it is the opinion of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Medical Advisory Board that there are currently insufficient data to recommend marijuana or its derivatives …” NMSS: Marijuana (Cannabis) 

On the other hand with their heads in peaking fall foliage, out of Maine comes this story. 

“Since 1999, 23 studies have appeared in peer-reviewed journals demonstrating the efficacy of marijuana as a treatment … Without a doubt, this is a medicine that can greatly improve the quality of life of extremely sick people.” Qualified patients need safe way to obtain medical marijuana

Montel Williams who actually lives with MS pain admittedly uses and lobbies for medical marijuana.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is funding current Temple University research.

 Marijuana chemical may slow multiple sclerosis

“This is a totally new approach to treating this disease, ... These cannabinoids hold enormous potential …”

Should a political border determine who has access to what pain relief? … In 1995 Health Canada approved the prescription use of Sativex® a cannabinoid oral spray for the treatment of MS-associated pain.

Recently a dear friend with both RN and PhD following her name asked me to share a site, Patients Out Of Time Cannabis As Medicine.

When I asked Patti about how she felt about medical use of marijuana, she simply fixed me with a look like which one of us is cognitively impaired here. 
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UPDATED 10/19/2009 ...

MEMORANDUM FOR SELECTED UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS ON INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS IN STATES AUTHORIZING THE MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA

FROM: David W. Ogden, Deputy Attorney General

"...This memorandum provides clarification and guidance to federal prosecutors ... pursuit ... should not focus federal resources in your States on individuals whose actions are in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana...."

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Caregivingly Yours, Patrick Leer
web site: http://caregivinglyyours.com/
videos: http://www.youtube.com/daddyleer
musings: Patrick Ponders ...