California State Medical Marijuana Patient Identification

Marijuana as medicine is nothing new, despite the current groundswell of laws making pot legal for medical uses. Here's a quick fact file on cannabis and its medical history.
1. “Marijuana” is a Mexican term that originally was applied to low-quality tobacco.
2. Cannabis was cultivated in China for therapy (and recreation) over 4,700 years ago.
3. More than 20 medicationscontaining marijuana were sold in U.S. pharmacies at the turn of the 20th century. Pot-based medications were commonly available until 1942, when cannabis was stricken from the U.S. Pharmacopeia, the official compendium of drugs considered effective. From 1937 to 1942 the federal government collected a tax of $1 per ounce for such drugs.
4. About 17,000 studies on marijuana and its components have been published, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, an advocacy group, but fewer than 20, all of them small, have included human subjects.
5. The federal government is in the pot-growing business. Under a federal contract, the University of Mississippi in Oxford cultivates marijuana for use by researchers, who have to be cleared by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
6. The plant has nearly 500 chemical compounds, called cannabinoids.
7. Fourteen states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. But patients in these states face federal prosecution for using it—or for growing or possessing pot for medical purposes.
8. Federal law prohibits physicians from prescribing or otherwise actively supplying patients with the drug. But in 2002 the U.S. Supreme Court backed an appellate court ruling that physicians who discuss it with patients, or provide oral or written recommendations, are protected.

In the United States, marijuana is classified as a Schedule 1 substance, and is put in the same category as heroin, and LSD. Under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), marijuana is illegal to possess, or distribute, and is considered to be unsafe for medicinal purposes. Yet many individuals, including Medical Doctors dispute this, and advocate for the use of medicinal marijuana. (Stern & DiFonzo. 2009). Because the government does not accept marijuana as an appropriate form of medical use, various States have enacted legislation that allows for the use of medical marijuana. Thus a conflict appears between Federal and State laws, which also cause concern for individuals who depend on medical marijuana.

The subject of legalizing marijuana has been extremely controversial. Critics often cite that marijuana is the 'gateway' drug to harder drugs, and if marijuana is legalized there will be an increase in crime, an increase in drug addicts, and an increasing demand for harder drugs, such as cocaine, or methamphetamines. Advocates claim there are a variety of reasons to legalize marijuana, and assert that marijuana is on the same level as alcohol. Some of the other reasons include the notion that keeping marijuana illegal is costly, prohibiting marijuana does not work, just as alcohol prohibition in the 1920s, and criminalized marijuana use increases 'criminal' activities. Advocates also state criminalized marijuana does not help individuals who need it for medical purposes, and also complicates matters to make marijuana legal only for medicinal uses, yet banning it for general use. Advocates also cite that other countries have legalized marijuana, and they have not had any negative consequences. For example, Readings in Deviant Behavior discuss the legalization of marijuana in the Netherlands, and while the increase in marijuana use was initially seen, users have tapered off, and its use is lower than the United States. “…the de facto legalization of cannabis in the Netherlands has not brought about a torrent of marijuana and hashish consumption…the experiences of the Netherlands and the United States suggest that decriminalization would not produce significantly higher levels of marijuana use.” (Thio, Calhoun & Conyers, pg. 345. 2010).

The stigma attached to marijuana use has decreased, and more individuals are in agreement with the use of marijuana for medical reasons. “Gallup poll results reflect that nationwide support for medical marijuana is increasing, from seventy-three percent in 1999 to seventy-eight percent in 2005.” (Stern & DiFonzo, pg. 16, 2009). In fact, in 2009 President Obama set forth a measure that would prevent Federal persecution of States that allow the use of medical marijuana; however this measure does not protect individuals who traffic marijuana. “'It will not be a priority to use federal resources to prosecute patients with serious illnesses or their caregivers who are complying with state laws on medical marijuana…but we will not tolerate drug traffickers who hide behind claims of compliance with state law to mask activities that are clearly illegal.''” (Stout & Moore, 2009).

Because of the increase in individuals showing support for medical marijuana use, I personally believe that the stigma associated with using marijuana will not exist as it has in previous years.

References

Stern, R., & DiFonzo, H. (2009). The End of the Red Queen's Race: Medical Marijuana in the New Century. 27 Quinnipiac L. Rev. 673.

Stout, D., & Moore, S. (2009, October 19). U.S. Won't Prosecute in States That Allow Medical Marijuana. The New York Times. Retrieved 8th March 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/us/20cannabis.html

Thio, A., Calhoun, T. C., & Conyers, A. (2010). Readings in Deviant Behavior Sixth Edition. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

Medical Cannabis is nothing new, despite the current groundswell of laws making pot legal for medical uses. Here's a quick fact file on cannabis and its medical history.
1. “Marijuana” is a Mexican term that originally was applied to low-quality tobacco.
2. Cannabis was cultivated in China for therapy (and recreation) over 4,700 years ago.
3. More than 20 prescription medicinescontaining cannabis were sold in U.S. pharmacies at the turn of the 20th century. marijuana based medications were commonly available until 1942, when cannabis was stricken from the U.S. Pharmacopeia, the official compendium of drugs considered effective. From 1937 to 1942 the federal government collected a tax of $1 per ounce for such drugs.
4. About 17,000 studies on marijuana and its components have been published, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, an advocacy group, but fewer than 20, all of them small, have included human subjects.
5. The federal government is in the pot-growing business. Under a federal contract, the University of Mississippi in Oxford cultivates marijuana for use by researchers, who have to be cleared by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
6. The plant has nearly 500 chemical compounds, called cannabinoids.
7. Fourteen states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. But patients in these states face federal prosecution for using it—or for growing or possessing pot for medical purposes.
8. Federal law prohibits physicians from prescribing or otherwise actively supplying patients with the drug. But in 2002 the U.S. Supreme Court backed an appellate court ruling that physicians who discuss it with patients, or provide oral or written recommendations, are protected.

Ricky Williams is back to his old ways and has failed yet another drug test. It is now being reported that last month he tested positive for marijuana use and his NFL return is now officially in jeopardy. Williams was already trying to return from a one-year suspension for failing a drug test, but his latest setback will prolong a decision on his return.

First year Roger Goodell will likely make an example out of Williams, and deservedly so. It is hard to imagine him getting yet another chance to embarrass himself and the league. It won't help his cause that Miami also has a new coach, Cam Cameron. Cameron will probably not put up with his shenanigans and is doubtful that the Dolphins will even ask Ricky to return. Miami has a talented backfield led by returning starter Ronnie Brown, a former Auburn University standout and first round draft pick. Brown has proven to be a durable NFL back surviving his first two seasons without losing much playing time. The Dolphins also acquired Florida State's Lorenzo Booker in this year's draft.

Ricky Williams is the latest in a long line of sports figures who have literally thrown away the opportunity of a lifetime over dope. I guess that's why they call it dope, because only a dope would mess with it. If I were a betting man I would bet that this is the end of the line for Williams. He is still on the hook for $8 million for walking away from the Dolphins prior to the 2004 season. I suppose the Dolphins could take him back at a minimum salary offer to work off some of this $8 million balance. Maybe they could put him on the scout team and let Jason Taylor and the defense pound on him some. At least the he might get some sense knocked back into him!

Williams has fallen a long way from 1998 when he won the Heisman Trophy at the University of Texas. His first few years in the league were promising until his drug abuse problems began to show up. Williams walked away from football in 2004 leaving the Miami Dolphins hanging without a viable option at running back. Many players and staff didn't forgive him for this, but first-year coach Nick Saban allowed him to return. Williams shared carries with Ronnie Brown that year, but Williams failed another drug test and was relegated to the Canadian Football League where he showed promise before breaking an arm.

Drops of the tincture are placed under the tongue (sublingually) and the medication passes through the blood vessels and enters the bloodstream. You will feel the onset of effects in about 5 – 15 minutes with the peak effect at about 30 minutes after taking the medication. For many patients, the effects are similar to inhaled cannabis.

After nearly a decade of training and work in the ER, Dr. Craig S. Cohen was ready for something new. “I have followed the Medical Cannabis movement from the sidelines,” he says. “I now joined those physicians who make it a practice to discuss Medical Cannabis with their patients.”

Many people are not aware that although Medical Marijuana or Medical Cannabis is not legal in many states, it is fully legal in some counties in California, despite the efforts of the federal government trying to stop it. Medical Marijuana became legal in California in 1996 when a Bill known as The Compassionate Use Act was passed. It is also known as Proposition 215.

Dr. Cohen says that many people with Cancer have trouble eating because of the medication that they are taking. “Drugs taken for Cancer or Aids,” he says, “can cause nausea or anorexia, and some drugs can make a patient constipated.” Some, with Aids, lose their appetite and lose a tremendous amount of weight.

Because of the negative after effects from drugs or chemotherapy, Dr. Cohen feels very strongly about the use of Medical Marijuana. He tells his patients that there are many ways that they can use marijuana besides smoking it. He suggests to them to add it to their butter or put it into their tea. They can even mix it in a batter when making cookies. “It's a delicious combination,” Dr. Cohen said. He then continued, ” Patients with serious medical problems come to see me, including HIV, AIDS, Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Pain, and Glaucoma.” Although he does not recommend the use of cannabis for recreational use, he does not form any personal judgment if individuals do use it for such a reason.

Dr. Cohen related that he strictly adheres to the guidelines set forth by the Medical Board of California. Each of his patients can expect a thorough medical history and a physical exam before making a recommendation. “I discuss the gargantuan health risk smoking presents to everyone, and recommend use of tinctures, teas, edibles and vaporization,” he stated

Victoria Pellikka, a retired school teacher, after having breast cancer, went for her first chemotherapy treatment. She became so sick after this treatment. “My oncologist ordered a very expensive pill,” she said, “and it didn't help.” Her friend, who tried to help her, made a recipe with marijuana mixed with butter, and cooked it in a tub. She spread it on her toast and it made her feel better. Pellikka went for her chemotherapy once a week for a month. “I took one piece of toast with the butter after my chemo and it helped,” she said.

A patient of Dr. Cohen said that the recipe works well for him. “It has more of an impact than smoking it,” he remarked. At the dispensary, he pays approximately $50 - $100 a month for this product. He said that California State gives each county the right to decide whether they want the drug to be legal or not.

Dr. Cohen said he gets great satisfaction helping his patients feel better. For anyone who is contemplating going through chemotherapy, or is suffering from severe pain and other symptoms, you will want to know about Medical Marijuana.