|
For More Information Click Here for AAMC Chronic Conditions Treated with Cannabis Click Here
|
 |
Education |
Ohana Collective OPERATES IN STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE 11362.5 (prop 215) AND 11362.7 (sb 420).
TOP CENSORED STORY OF 2000 Pot Shrinks Tumors; Government Knew in '74 By Raymond Cushing, AlterNet
The term medical marijuana took on dramatic new meaning in February, 2000 when researchers in Madrid announced they had destroyed incurable brain tumors in rats by injecting them with THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. The Madrid study marks only the second time that THC has been administered to tumor-bearing animals; the first was a Virginia investigation 26 years ago. In both studies, the THC shrank or destroyed tumors in a majority of the test subjects. Most Americans don't know anything about the Madrid discovery. Virtually no major U.S. newspapers carried the story, which ran only once on the AP and UPI news wires, on Feb. 29, 2000. The ominous part is that this isn't the first time scientists have discovered that THC shrinks tumors. In 1974 researchers at the Medical College of Virginia, who had been funded by the National Institute of Health to find evidence that marijuana damages the immune system, found instead that THC slowed the growth of three kinds of cancer in mice - lung and breast cancer, and a virus-induced leukemia. The DEA quickly shut down the Virginia study and all further cannabis/tumor research, according to Jack Herer, who reports on the events in his book, "The Emperor Wears No Clothes." In 1976 President Gerald Ford put an end to all public cannabis research and granted exclusive research rights to major pharmaceutical companies, who set out - unsuccessfully - to develop synthetic forms of THC that would deliver all the medical benefits without the "high." The Madrid researchers reported in the March issue of "Nature Medicine" that they injected the brains of 45 rats with cancer cells, producing tumors whose presence they confirmed through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). On the 12th day they injected 15 of the rats with THC and 15 with Win-55,212-2 a synthetic compound similar to THC. "All the rats left untreated uniformly died 12-18 days after glioma (brain cancer) cell inoculation ... Cannabinoid (THC)-treated rats survived significantly longer than control rats. THC administration was ineffective in three rats, which died by days 16-18. Nine of the THC-treated rats surpassed the time of death of untreated rats, and survived up to 19-35 days. Moreover, the tumor was completely eradicated in three of the treated rats." The rats treated with Win-55,212-2 showed similar results. The Spanish researchers, led by Dr. Manuel Guzman of Complutense University, also irrigated healthy rats' brains with large doses of THC for seven days, to test for harmful biochemical or neurological effects. They found none. "Careful MRI analysis of all those tumor-free rats showed no sign of damage related to necrosis, edema, infection or trauma ... We also examined other potential side effects of cannabinoid administration. In both tumor-free and tumor-bearing rats, cannabinoid administration induced no substantial change in behavioral parameters such as motor coordination or physical activity. Food and water intake as well as body weight gain were unaffected during and after cannabinoid delivery. Likewise, the general hematological profiles of cannabinoid-treated rats were normal. Thus, neither biochemical parameters nor markers of tissue damage changed substantially during the 7-day delivery period or for at least 2 months after cannabinoid treatment ended." Guzman's investigation is the only time since the 1974 Virginia study that THC has been administered to live tumor-bearing animals. (The Spanish researchers cite a 1998 study in which cannabinoids inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation, but that was a "Petri dish" experiment that didn't involve live subjects.) In an email interview for this story, the Madrid researcher said he had heard of the Virginia study, but had never been able to locate literature on it. Hence, the Nature Medicine article characterizes the new study as the first on tumor-laden animals and doesn't cite the 1974 Virginia investigation. "I am aware of the existence of that research. In fact I have attempted many times to obtain the journal article on the original investigation by these people, but it has proven impossible." Guzman said. In 1983 the Reagan/Bush Administration tried to persuade American universities and researchers to destroy all 1966-76 cannabis research work, including compendiums in libraries, reports Jack Herer, who states, "We know that large amounts of information have since disappeared." Guzman provided the title of the work - "Antineoplastic activity of cannabinoids," an article in a 1975 Journal of the National Cancer Institute - and this writer obtained a copy at the University of California medical school library in Davis and faxed it to Madrid. The summary of the Virginia study begins, "Lewis lung Aden carcinoma growth was retarded by the oral administration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinol (CBN)" - two types of cannabinoids, a family of active components in marijuana. "Mice treated for 20 consecutive days with THC and CBN had reduced primary tumor size." The 1975 journal article doesn't mention breast cancer tumors, which featured in the only newspaper story ever to appear about the 1974 study - in the Local section of the Washington Post on August 18, 1974. Under the headline, "Cancer Curb Is Studied," it read in part: "The active chemical agent in marijuana curbs the growth of three kinds of cancer in mice and may also suppress the immunity reaction that causes rejection of organ transplants, a Medical College of Virginia team has discovered." The researchers "found that THC slowed the growth of lung cancers, breast cancers and a virus-induced leukemia in laboratory mice, and prolonged their lives by as much as 36 percent." Guzman, writing from Madrid, was eloquent in his response after this writer faxed him the clipping from the Washington Post of a quarter century ago. In translation, he wrote: "It is extremely interesting to me, the hope that the project seemed to awaken at that moment, and the sad evolution of events during the years following the discovery, until now we once again I draw back the veil over the anti-tumoral power of THC, twenty-five years later. Unfortunately, the world bumps along between such moments of hope and long periods of intellectual castration. "News coverage of the Madrid discovery has been virtually nonexistent in this country. The news broke quietly on Feb. 29, 2000 with a story that ran once on the UPI wire about the Nature Medicine article. This writer stumbled on it through a link that appeared briefly on the Drudge Report web page. The New York Times, Washington Post and Los Angeles Times all ignored the story, even though its newsworthiness is indisputable: a benign substance occurring in nature destroys deadly brain tumors. Raymond Cushing is a journalist, musician and filmmaker. This article was named by Project Censored as a "Top Censored Story of 2000." THE MARIJUANA TAX ACT OF 1937 The purpose of the Tax Act was "to impose an occupational excise tax ( and a transfer tax) upon certain dealers in marijuana, and to safeguard the revenue there from by registry and recording." 1 The Tax Act covered every part of the marihuana plant, "every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, it's seeds, or resin…but shall not include the mature stalks of such plant, fiber produced from such stalks…" 2 Structure of The Tax Act
*Item for Consideration: By making the individual who wished to smoke marihuana pay $100 tax, per ounce, the government effectively forced the burgeoning of the black market. Timeline To The Tax Act 1920 -the 18th Amendment outlawed the sale , manufacture, distribution, etc. of alcohol in the United States. This is commonly known as 'Prohibition' and the 'Volstead Act' after the congressman who introduced the bill to congress. In the year the Harrison Act established in existence the Federal Bureau of Narcotics which acted as a division of the Prohibition Unit of the Internal Revenue Service. 1930- The Federal Bureau of Narcotics transferred to the Treasury department and Harry Anslinger takes over as Director of the Bureau. 1931- Harry Anslinger is quoted as saying "marihuana makes darkies act like they think they're white men" and a general mood of public hysteria linking marihuana use to minorities began to become apparent. 5 1933-Repeal of Prohibition 1933-1937- An increase in public hysteria over the use of marihuana *Item for consideration It has been widely held that Mr. Anslinger and the Bureau provided much of the 'misinformation' to the media and the government, regarding marihuana use, in order to preserve their jobs after the repeal of Prohibition. 1937-At the congressional hearings for the Tax Act, Mr. Anslinger placed for consideration several newspaper editorials and 'letters from experts' which were blatantly racist: From a Colorado newspaper- "The people and the officials here want to know why something can't be done about marihuana…I wish I could show you what a small marihuana cigarette can do to one of our degenerate Spanish-speaking residents. That's why our problem is so great; the greatest percentage of our population is composed of Spanish-speaking persons, most of who are low mentally, because of social and racial conditions" A letter from a Director of Health from the Southwest: "The Mexican population cultivates an average of two to three tons of the weed annually. This the Mexicans make into cigarettes, which they sell…the great majority are members of the lowest strata of humanity. When you think this fact over there should be no room for argument against marihuana prohibition." 6 Mr. Anslinger's testimony before the congress incited the gathering join in the hysteria with statements like : "No one knows, when he places a marijuana cigarette to his lips, whether he will become a joyous reveler in a musical heaven, a mad insensate, a calm philosopher, or a murderer" 7It will likely never be definitively known whether Mr. Anslinger's representations of marihuana reflected a true concern for America's welfare, or whether they were the actions of a man set on establishing his, and his organization's bureaucratic existence. 8 In 1956 in Congressional hearings that led to the Narcotic Control Act, Mr. Anslinger played down the connection between marihuana use and crime, emphasizing , instead, that marihuana was dangerous, primarily because it sometimes led to heroin addiction, stating, "That is the greatest problem and our great concern about the use of marijuana, that eventually, if used over a long period of time, it does lead to heroin addiction". 9 This willingness to switch justifications for continued prohibition of marihuana use "opens up Mr. Anslinger to charges of self-preservation" for his, and his bureau's continued existence. 10 MEDICAL MARIJUANA Marijuana is a drug whose nature "does not constitute a public health problem of any significant dimensions. It is, for instance, far more innocuous in terms of physiological and social damage than alcohol or tobacco." 11 "Marijuana is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known. For thousands of years, marijuana has been used to treat a wide variety of ailments, including:
Prior to 1937, at least twenty seven medicines (containing marihuana) were legally available in the United States. 12 The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 placed all illicit and prescription drugs into five "schedules". Marijuana was placed in Schedule I, defining it as "having high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States"…13 Item for Consideration: For more than 4000 years, marihuana has been "accepted for medical use in treatment" in China, Mexico, the Middle East and other non European cultures for such uses as : analgesic-hypnotic; appetite stimulant ; antiepileptic-antispasmodic ; treatment of neuralgias; antidepressant-tranquilizer ; antiasthmatic; oxytocic ; antitussive ; topical anesthetic ; childbirth analgesic ; hypothermogenic. 14 Does this not discriminate against those Americans of these cultures and deny them what they believe (what 4000 years of treatments has taught them to believe in) are effective treatments for their disorders? Is this not racial discrimination? 15 In 1972 a petition was submitted to the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs ( now the DEA) to reschedule marijuana to make it available by prescription. After sixteen years of court battles, the Dea's chief administrative law judge, Francis L. Young, ruled: "Marijuana in it's natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known…the provisions of the (controlled substances) Act permit and require the transfer of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II. It would be unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious for Dea to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance…(September 6, 1988) Marijuana's placement in Schedule II would enable doctors
to prescribe it to their patients. But top DEA beauracats
rejected Judge Young's ruling and refused to reschedule
marijuana. On February 18, 1994, the U.S. Court of Appeals
(D.C.Circuit) ruled that the DEA is allowed to reject it's
judge's ruling and set it's own criteria enabling the DEA to
keep marihuana in Schedule I. 17
NOTES
#1 The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937#2 ibid #3 White, Kenneth Michael, The Beginning of Today (2004) #4 The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 #5 Grinspoon,Lester,M.D., Marihuana Reconsidered, 2nd edition (1971) #6 ibid #7 White,Kenneth Michael, The Beginning of Today (2004) #8 ibid #9 Solomon, David, The Marihuana Papers (1966) #10 White, Kenneth Michael, The Beginning of Today (2004) #11 Grinspoon, Lester,M.D., Marihuana Reconsidered, 2nd Edition (1971) #12 Marijuana Policy Project, Medical Marijuana Briefing Paper (2005) #13 ibid #14 ibid #15 Mikuriya, Tod H., M.D., "Marijuana Medical Papers" (1973) #16 Marijuana Policy Project, Medical Marijuana Briefing Paper (2005) THE EXPERIENCE OF USING MARIJUANA FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES What is it like to consume cannabis? Good question. By Mikki Norris with Chris Conrad The cannabis "marijuana" or hash high is different for each person, depending on the particular details of conditions, setting, timing, state of mind, and the variety of cannabis used. Although cannabis is generally pretty benign, nothing is always safe for everyone in every situation. This includes cannabis. Comfortable surroundings and good judgment are advised. Smoked or vaporized cannabis is felt within seconds of being inhaled. Its peak effect is from 15 minutes to a half hour in duration, followed by a steep decline that levels off and wears away in 2 to 4 hours. People can smoke it in hand-rolled cigarettes, called "joints" or "spliffs," a variety of pipes, or water pipes ("bongs"). A new technology in the form of "vaporizers" is enabling people to consume the resin containing THC through heating it short of burning the plant matter to eliminate harms that come with smoking material. Eaten cannabis is not felt at first. It is a good idea to wait and see for an effect after a suggested dose, before eating more. In a half-hour to an hour, the initial effect is felt, and that can be abrupt and powerful. It maintains a relatively stable level and drops off in 4 to 6 hours. Intensity depends on dosage and metabolism. But if you don't know yours, be prepared to lie down and rest for a while, if necessary. Fresh air, fresh juice, and gentle reassurances are the best things if you consume too much. THE ENHANCERCannabis use can increase focus and concentration, making a person's moods, sensations, and experience seem more intense. Your heart may feel like it's pounding, the music is fantastic, this is the best dessert you've ever eaten and, wow, get a load of how beautiful nature is. The problem is that if you're concentrating on something that's negative, you can intensify that feeling, as well. Fortunately, something else will come along and distract you with another thought to pursue, if you so choose. And if your fleeting idea feels like the answer to the world's problems, please write it down. It's profundity might escape you later, but it will feel good if it turns out you're right. MEMORYMarijuana does not appear to affect actual memory. You still remember your name and address, parents, childhood, and whatever you've learned along life's highways and byways. Cannabis can be a memory trigger, which means that the experience is likely to remind the user of things that s/he has associated with cannabis in the past. There is some historical evidence that it's even been helpful for some seniors to retain or recover memories and recognition. A short-term memory interruption is common, however. A speaker may lose track of what he was saying just a moment ago. This effect is temporary while high and does not impact memory in general. It is really a fleeting distraction, and the description is misleading, because "short term memory" refers to thoughts that have not formed into memory yet. It's like the moment before you begin to type at your computer; you haven't hit the keys yet, so there is nothing to save. But if you reconstruct what led up to the idea, you will probably think of it again. IS CANNABIS AN ESCAPE? Most people consider cannabis to be an experience enhancer rather than an escape device. If you feel good, it may make everything seem even better. When some people feel down or depressed, smoking may be "inappropriate" and they might get more into their problems. But, many report that it may lead to a new understanding or perspective on a problem, helping to resolve it and lift one's mood. It has been extremely helpful to people with terminal illness, helping them shake off depression and live out their remaining time with dignity and relatively good cheer. For some people it is definitely an escape, but whether that is good or bad depends on the way that it is used. If it allows perspective and insight, that is good; if it is an avoidance mechanism, that is not a good use of cannabis. This is where the concepts of sensible and responsible adult use apply. INSIGHTS AND CREATIVITY People often get a new perspective on a familiar scene or problem, a seemingly profound thought or burst of creativity. There is a sense of awe, revelation and realization. Stoned insights tend to fall into three categories: 1) A deeper recognition or understanding of an already known truth or perception; 2) A new way of looking at something; 3) Playful fantasies and ideas. It can result in uncontrollable giggling about silly ideas, or a burst of complex insights, such as when Carl Sagan solved a physics equation while "under the influence." It can draw on the appreciation of a hitherto overlooked phenomenon, or reveal profound metaphoric relationships that apply to one's own life. It can separate the consumer from the immediacy of life and lead to a more balanced perspective of their own situation. The possibilities are limitless because each set and setting is unique, and therefore capable of new ways of looking at things. That's spontaneous mental generation. JUDGMENT Unlike alcohol intoxication, people who feel the effect of cannabis are aware of that fact and tend to moderate their behavior accordingly. For example, most people prefer not to drive when high since they know that their perceptions are somewhat altered even when not impaired. There is an effect wherein you may experience a feeling that you are simultaneously observing your own actions with an objective eye at the same time as you are doing the action, giving a new sense of perspective. At the same time, certain experiences may be infused with a new sensibility, such as "how can people go out and get drunk like that? I'm glad I chose cannabis instead." Just don't get judgmental about it. Many people report that cannabis makes them more open-minded and tolerant of diversity. TIME Your pulse speeds up a bit, so the count of heartbeats may give you the sense that more time has elapsed than actually has. The external measurement of time appears to pass more slowly, as well. For example: you may feel like an hour has gone by but when you look at a clock it might only have been ten minutes. You may look at a clock repeatedly and still not keep track of what time it is. Events seem to unfold more slowly, allowing more detailed observations and reactions. Several ideas may occupy the same moment, or thoughts may pass so rapidly that you don't even try to keep up, you just observe the passage. Wow, is that still the same song playing as a while ago? That's one long song. And if you're driving, you might find yourself driving below the speed limit and letting everyone else pass. SEX Most people who've experienced it think that cannabis makes sex better. Some even consider it a mild aphrodisiac. It tends to increase sexual pleasure as it may lower inhibitions, slow down time, induce relaxation, make people more aware of touch and senses, and help to focus on the present moment. Orgasms may not be more intense, but the experience may seem more sensual. There's a sense of deeper appreciation for the ambiance such as candlelight, visual aesthetics and music. More imaginative approaches may be explored, but that does not remove the individual's responsibility or judgment for practicing safe sex and proper use of condoms. PHYSICAL EFFECTS All these effects are temporary. Reddening of the eyes; slight temporary increase in the rate of heartbeat; cool fingers and toes; mouth gets dry -- "cotton mouth." Cannabis and the cannabinoids are all non-toxic. Smoke itself is an irritant, and bronchial irritation can occur but no direct link to cancers have been proven. Ironically, cannabis is also a vasodilator and bronchodilator, so it can actually help some asthmatics. There are no deaths that have been attributed to cannabis overdose, but it is possible to have a very unpleasant experience, especially due to the one-hour delay in effect when large amounts of it are eaten. That would be extremely rare, but once you've eaten too much you may need to vomit or just wait it out. That is an advantage to smoked or vaporized cannabis; because the effect is felt almost immediately, it is a simple matter to stop when the desired subjective effect is achieved. FOOD Most people get "the munchies" (a strong desire to eat) and say that food tastes exceptionally good, and chocolates or desserts taste even better. Some people say they can taste the separate ingredients in food and distinguish new subtleties in olfactory sensations. A few people experience the opposite effect: a loss of appetite and would rather postpone eating and do something else. Sometimes that is accompanied by a very strong appetite a few hours later. If it kicks in late at night when you should be getting ready for bed, that is where spontaneity vs. personal responsibility and moderation comes into play. THINKING/ CONSCIOUSNESS ALTERATION Consumers may feel a slight euphoria, happiness, or sense of "well-being." Many mundane things suddenly seem more interesting; alive; rich in details. Problems seem less severe and pressing. Stoned thinking has been compared to the indirect move of the knight on a chessboard, as opposed to the direct linear moves of the rook or bishop; like switching between two or more frames of mind. It may take you off on tangents as you follow a train of thought. For some however, thinking may be "foggy;" less clear or focussed. Then there are the times when you just get the giggles and laugh about anything, no matter how silly or ridiculous. You may realize that something that has really been bothering you is actually not such a big deal after all, or that something you overlooked before could be the key to a problem you've been trying to solve. Some people become more observant or self-conscious, and talk less. Others become more spontaneous and sociable. A profound metaphor may reveal itself with rich implications for your life and destiny. This aspect has led to cannabis being used as a sacrament in many of the world's religions throughout history. There are a variety of Christian, Hindu, Islamic and other religious denominations that revere cannabis as a sacred plant. Bible scripture is cited to support its use. PARANOIA / ANXIETY Some people, especially novice smokers and people living under drug war marijuana prohibition, may feel uncomfortable with the changes they experience while stoned. They may become paranoid or self-conscious, or possibly experience a sense of panic (especially if they ate too much cannabis). This is often triggered by the sudden and often subliminal recognition that the cannabis consumer's heart is beating faster. Just reminding them that this is a normal effect will usually reduce their anxiety. Antidote: This discomfort is usually handled by changing the environment, getting some fresh air and trying to relax. One should lie down, breathe slowly and drink some orange juice. A reassuring friend is also helpful. Remember: No matter what, the effect will wear off in a few hours. RELAXATION/TIREDNESS On a physical level, cannabis helps relax muscles and reduce spasms, including those caused by spinal injury or MS. Many adults also often use cannabis to relax and unwind after work, to let go of the day's tensions and to adjust their mental attitude. Most people prefer not to smoke when they have a lot of things to get done, because smoking cannabis (especially indica) can sometimes make one tired, sleepy or feeling sluggish. Other people become energized or even "hyper" when they consume cannabis. Other people find that it gives them a lift and change of perspective to keep them alert. OVERDOSE? No one has ever died from consuming cannabis. There is no such thing as a fatal overdose. On the other hand, one can consume more than a comfortable amount, especially when eating or drinking it. Symptoms of overindulgence usually include unpleasant physical reactions or exaggerated psychological emphasis on annoying situations that can lead to paranoia or, rarely, panic. Since the effect of smoking is almost immediate, it is relatively easy to prevent this from occurring by stopping your intake while still at a comfortable level. Any negative effects wear off in a short time and you can often simply lie down and sleep them away. Generally, there is no hangover when you wake up. SOCIALIZING Some people enjoy smoking and interacting with others, and feel they enjoy a special communication, bond or connection with other smokers while high. Others may sometimes become quiet, introspective, self-conscious, uncomfortable or have difficulty making conversation and prefer not to be stoned in public or a social situation. MUSIC Most people say that music sounds "richer." They can hear sounds differently, more vividly and intensely. Some claim it enhances their ability to hear the distinct lines of several instruments at once and that they better grasp how the various instruments interact to produce the music. READING For some, reading seems impossible while high as they may forget the beginning of the sentence by the time they get to the end. Stoned readers may at times find themselves reading the same paragraph over again. Stoned readers may at times find themselves reading the same paragraph over and over again. Stoned readers may find themselves reading the exact same paragraph over and over and over again and again. On the other hand, others can focus on it and feel reading is even more enjoyable. When reading imaginative works, being high can increase the sense of empathy and help one to visualize situations. Excerpted from the Hash, Marijuana, Hemp Museum of Amsterdam PO Box 2662, 1012 DV Amsterdam, The Netherlands Medical
cannabis comes in two basic types: sativa and indica. Each
type has its own distinct set of characteristics. MARIJUANA HAS MANY MEDICAL
USES
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
