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2010 -09- 04 16:23:19

First Medical Marijuana Ad Airs With Little Notice

What is believed to be the first television advertisement for medical marijuana has aired in (where else?) northern California with almost no controversy or apparent viewer objection. (Source: Inside Surgery)

Study: Medical Pot Helps Chronic Pain Patients Sleep

(Source: Sleep Education)

Cocaine Should Be Legal, Says Top British Doctor

In the U.S., it’s hard enough to get a sip of wine until you’re well past the age when you actually start drinking, but across the pond, a top doctor is advocating legalization of some hard-core drugs – including cocaine. Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, who recently stepped down as president of the Royal College of Physicians, said in a valedictory statement to colleagues that he believes legalizing marijuana and cocaine would be beneficial to public health and crime rates: There’s a lot of evidence that the total prohibition of drugs, making them totally illicit and unavailable, has not been successful at reducing not only the health burden, but also the impact on crime. […] I’m trying to take a fresh look, as many people have done. There is a strong case for a differe…

Assburgers, Marijuana and Sex?

So I did some looking into the most popular keywords that bring people to AspieWeb when using search engines and I found out some surprises. Out of the top 10 keywords 5 had something to do with sex, 2 had a misspelling of Aspergers as Assburgers and 2 had to to do with Marijuana…. so [...] (Source: AspieWeb.net)

reefer madness

(Source: psychobabble)

President of Mexico Calls for Debate on Legalization of Drugs

By Juan Carlos HidalgoFor the first time ever, Mexican President Felipe Calderón said yesterday that it was “fundamental” to have a debate on the legalization of drugs. Calderon, from the conservative National Action Party (PAN), had until now been reluctant to pay heed to the growing calls in Mexico and Latin America for a hemispheric debate on drug legalization. Once they left office, two of Calderón’s predecessors—Ernesto Zedillo and Vicente Fox—have also engaged in the debate, calling for the need to legalize drugs as a way to battle the drug violence that is crippling Mexico. Others, such as Jorge Castaneda, former foreign minister of Mexico, have also called for an end to prohibition. In today’s edition, El Universal newspaper in Mexico City claims [in Spanish] that…

Baptists and Pot-Growers

By Ilya ShapiroThe L.A. Times reports that the city of Oakland has approved an ordinance paving the way for the industrial production of marijuana. There is more to this than simply a victory for liberty in the drug war. As the story describes and Josh Blackman analyzes, the episode demonstrates “Baptists and Bootleggers”-style public choice economics in action: existing small-time growers are displeased at the competition, barriers to entry are high, the approved pot factories engaged in serious rent-seeking, and the city profits from a new stream of tax revenue. And so, as liberty expands, government reserves the power to decide who gets to benefit most — after taking a slice for itself off the top. (Source: Cato-at-liberty)

Adding PTSD to the Medical Marijuana Mix

Groups appeal to the Colorado health department that post-traumatic stress disorder should be included in the list of conditions eligible for medical marijuana use. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog)

Should a Walmart Worker Be Fired for Smoking Medical Marijuana?

photo: Thinkstock Getting laid off for drug use might seem pretty understandable, but a man in Michigan was fired from his job at Walmart for using medical marijuana to relieve pain from an inoperable brain tumor and sinus cancer. He had to submit to a mandatory drug test after an on-the-job injury, and tested positive. After he took legal action, Walmart said it was sympathetic, but didn’t back down. Do you think Walmart has the right to fire someone because they smoke medical marijuana? Our gut tells us no, but what if the pot causes poor job performance? via Reuters Post from: BlissTree Should a Walmart Worker Be Fired for Smoking Medical Marijuana? (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3)

Recovery in Marijuana Anonymous

The practice of rigorous honesty, of opening our hearts and minds, and the willingness to go to any lengths to have a spiritual awakening are essential to our recovery. Our old ideas and ways of life no longer work for us. Our suffering shows us that we need to let go absolutely. We surrender ourselves to a Power greater than ourselves. Here are the steps we take which are suggested for recovery: The Twelve Steps of Marijuana Anonymous We admitted we were powerless over marijuana, that our lives had become unmanageable. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood God. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and…

Smoking Pot Worsens Schizophrenia Symptoms

A study published in the June issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry has shown that schizophrenics are more sensitive to marijuana than normal users and experience better highs but have a worsening of hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms a few hours after use. The study was published by Cecile Henquet and colleagues. (Source: Inside Surgery)

Barack Obama’s War on ‘Chooming’

By Gene HealyMy Washington Examiner column this week begins with a look back at the Disco Era: In his high school yearbook photo, President Barack Obama sports a white leisure suit and a Travolta-esque collar whose wingspan could put a bystander’s eye out. Hey, it was 1979. Maybe that explains the rest of young Barry’s yearbook page, with its “still life” featuring a pack of rolling papers and a shout-out to the “Choom gang.” (“Chooming” is Hawaiian slang for smoking pot.) Survey data suggest some 100 million Americans have tried pot, including political elites and drug war supporters Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin. So the point here isn’t to play “gotcha” by calling the president out on some harmless fun …

A.M. Vitals: Cities Grapple With Medical Pot; No Need for ‘Octomom’ Restrictions?

Also: military families must wait for kids under 26 to be covered; stimulus loans to doctors may not be all good; new hypertension stats. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog)

Marijuana Better Than Chiropractic For Back Pain?

For the interactive version of this infographic and some statistical geekery, click here. When your back hurts, is your first thought, “Where’s the marijuana?” I’m guessing not. But Back Pain is the #2 condition at CureTogether, with 1188 people reporting their experiences, and this is their collective wisdom. If you look at the infographic above, the most popular and effective treatments reported are on the top right – hot packs, physical therapy, stretching, exercise, massage. The top left quadrant shows below-average usage, but above-average effectiveness, so presumably if more people tried these, they would be helped (marijuana, Oxycodone, yoga, and Pilates). Those in the lower-right quadrant have above-average usage but below-average effectiveness, so pre…

Cross Addiction

As stated in our third tradition, the only requirement for membership in Marijuana Anonymous is a desire to stop using marijuana. There is no mention of any other drugs or alcohol. This is to adhere to the "singleness of purpose" concept, but many of us have found that the only way that we can keep our sobriety is to abstain from all mind and mood altering chemicals, including alcohol. When we give up the drug of our choice, a void is created. The initial struggle to abstain from marijuana use often leaves us vulnerable. To fill this void we may start to use, or increase the use of, other substances such as alcohol, cocaine, pills, or other self-prescribed drugs. Although we may not now be addicted to these substances, their use can lower our inhibitions, leaving us open to repea…

L.A. Faces Years of Litigation Over Medical Marijuana Shops

For years, the city sat by as the number of shops soared to about 600; it s now trying to pare that back to only 186. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog)

The Lotus Eaters

Odysseus´ Voyage of Recovery The story of Odysseus is about more than just a Greek guy in a boat. About 3000 years ago, the poet Homer told a story about a man called Odysseus and his voyage home to Greece following the Trojan Wars. Odysseus and his men met up with many exciting adventures along the way, but the most relevant to us is the story of his landing on the Island of the Lotus Eaters. The island was so beautiful that Odysseus wanted to stay there awhile and rest up. So he sent out some scouts to determine if the natives were friendly. Odysseus waited and waited, but the scouts never returned. What had happened was this: the scouts had indeed met up with the locals, the Lotus Eaters, who turned out to be very friendly. The Lotus Eaters even shared their food with the scouts. But t…

Dual Disorders Recovery

Dual Disorders – Third Edition A recovery book. Depression Bipolar Schizophrenia. Post-traumatic stress disorder. Millions of individuals diagnosed with psychiatric or emotional disorders must battle an equally menacing and powerful disease–chemical dependency (alcoholism, addiction, marijuana). First published in 1993, Dual Disorders is the leading text on the biological and psychological relationship between mental illness and addiction. New this spring, the third edition of this Hazelden best-seller has been updated to include the latest research, information about new medications, and an explanation of new diagnostic criteria. Key features and benefits outlines the relationship between chemical dependency and psychiatric disorders contains important resources for …

Life under Prohibition

By David BoazWashington, D.C., has the highest percentage of marijuana smokers in the nation, reports the Washington Post. “More than 11 percent of Washingtonians older than 26 reported smoking marijuana in the past year — the highest percentage of any state in the nation, according to a 2007 survey by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.” Is that a problem? Well, back around 1990 a satirical revue described the city government as “the nation’s first work-free drug zone.” But the people described in the Post article seem to work pretty hard, as scientists, businessmen, and so on. One problem is inadvertently described by D.C. Assistant Police Chief Peter Newsham: “People don’t feel marijuana is dangerous, but it…

12 Rewards of Recovery

Sobriety disc Twelve Step fellowships such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-anon, Cocaine Anonymous and others don’t just address the substance or overt behaviour. In progressing through the 12 Steps other benefits will be realized. These are know as the rewards of recovery. One example is; THE TWELVE REWARDS OF SOBRIETY By Searcy W., 55 years sober as at 2001 aged 90. Faith instead of despair. Courage instead of fear. Hope instead of desperation. Peace of mind instead of confusion. Real friendships instead of loneliness. Self-respect instead of self-contempt. Self-confidence instead of helplessness. A clean conscious instead of a sense of guilt. The respect of others instead of their pity and contempt. A clean pattern of living instead of a hopeless existence. The love…

Chemical Dependency and the Family

Everything You Need to Know about Chemical Dependence – Addiction, Alcoholism Alcohol Heroin Amphetamines Tobacco Inhalants Cocaine Marijuana Medications By Vernon E. Johnson, D.D., founder of the Johnson Institute. Former faculty member of Rutgers University Summer School for Alcohol Studies Dr. Johnson compiled the most popular Johnson Institute literature on chemical dependence for this complete family guide. It includes answers to these important questions: How can I recognize chemical dependence? How can I avoid it? How can my family solve the problems that come with it? How is chemical dependence different for men, women, teenagers, children, and the elderly? How can I prevent my child from using drugs? Designed for easy access, this practical guide to prevention, interventi…

Anger & Recovery

Adapted from “Learning to Love Yourself: Finding Your Self-Worth” by Sharon Wegscheider-Cruse; Health Communications, Inc., 1987. Anger is a word we apply to a wide range of feelings. . . Anger can be as simple as a minor irritation. We frequently feel angry when we’re frustrated or when our plans are thwarted. Annoyances may be barely noticeable at first, but if annoyances continue, they can generate considerable wrath. We feel a form of anger when we’re disappointed and let down–most often it takes the form of resentment. When we’re angry, but don’t want to make a deal of it, we use a euphemism, “I’m really teed-off.” Anger is frequently a response to being hurt or suffering loss. Even so, we may not recognize it as such. For …

Anger & Recovery

Raising a Peer Pressure-Proof Child

This article has some excellent proven strategies and can be found at; Raising Peer Pressure Proof Teens. See also; Adults give booze to kids Alcoholic Family Roles Is Your Teen Using Drugs or Drinking? Family & Parenting Books A Teen’s Guide to Living Drug Free Alcoholism, Addiction & Codependency Recovery Bookstore Hazelden Books, DVD s & Medalions (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com)

Pot, Protectionism, and Unions

By David BoazLobbying reporter Tim Carney notes that some California marijuana growers are worried that a proposed legalization initiative could drive down the price of the product and adversely affect their incomes. They’re holding meetings to deal with the threat. Some growers are just talking about creating an official Humboldt seal of approval. Maybe they could even get legal restrictions on who can use the Humboldt name, like Champagne and Roquefort. But some local stores sport bumper stickers reading “Save Humboldt County — keep pot illegal.” The story reminds Carney of this Reason.tv video featuring a spokeswoman for the purported American Marijuana Growers Association, who urge smokers to buy only American-grown bud: And that video reminds me of this classi…

Recovery in Marijuana Anonymous

Social Networks: Teen Drug Use & Sleep Loss

(Source: Sleep Education)

My Three Shrinks Podcast 50: More About Geeks

In this show we continue with our guest Dr. Pat Barta of the Adventures in Telepsychiatry blog.We talk about electronic health information systems and Clink continues her rant which she started in her post Rage Against The Machine. Roy mentions the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which provides funding incentives for doctors who use health information technology. We cover developing standards for behavioral health information technology, including personal health records which allow patients to store their own information voluntarily in the cloud , on a server. Dr. Pat Barta talks Open source health record systems and information security.Health Data Rights is an organization that developed a proposed declaration of…

Spiritual awakening

Spiritual Awakening is a process that happens within us. It is recognizing that a power greater than ourselves exists and can assist us if we will just ask for help and guidance. We do not have to “do it on our own.” Part of the awakening includes a new way of internally and externally handling events as they occur. We can learn to internally process the event differently so that it has a different meaning (thought), followed by a different internal action (emotion), and a different external action (behavior). The process of this “event-changing” happens within us. The events do not change, my relationship to the events changes. Therefore, the challenge becomes about overcoming the internal conflict between the false self that is creating the misperceptions, and the Real Self that …

How Sick Do I Have to Be to Legally Smoke Weed?

Cast of "Weeds" on Showtime (photo: Wenn) This year, New Jersey joins the ever-increasing ranks of legalized medical marijuana states. With the count now up to 14 states, the qualifications for toking up are basically the same: a severe ailment. However, each state has a different idea of what malady means. The majority of the time, a person must suffer from a serious condition such as terminal cancer, AIDS, epilepsy, glaucoma, or multiple sclerosis in order to legally smoke pot. But in California, the state that first fired up in 1996, your GP could potentially prescribe a legal Marley for your migraine. Michigan will let you grow ganja (in a locked facility, of course) if you have chronic muscle spasms. And New Jersey’s qualifications are pretty sweet: If you live with Cr…

Marijuana Anonymous

Overview of Marijuana Anonymous Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana. There are no dues or fees for membership. We are self-supporting through our own contributions. MA is not affiliated with any religious or secular institution or organization and has no opinion on any outside controversies or causes. Our primary purpose is to stay free of marijuana and to help the marijuana addict who still suffers achieve the same freedom. We can do this by practicing our suggested twelve steps of recovery and by being guided as a group by our twelve traditions. Mariju…

The 12-Steps of Millati Islami Recovery

What is Millati Islami? Millati Islami is a fellowship of men and women, joined together on the “Path of Peace:. We share our experiences, strengths, and hopes while recovering from our active addiction to mind and mood altering substances. We look to Allah (G-D) to guide us on Millati Islami (the Path of Peace). While recovering, we strive to become rightly guided Muslims, submitted our will and services to Allah. Islam tells us clearly that the status of man in this world is that of an “Abd” (servant or ’slave’). We know that we must learn to be slaves and servants only to Allah and not slaves to mind and mood altering chemicals. We must also learn not to be slaves to people, places, things, and emotions. Allah tells us that man is “Khalifa” (age…

The 12-Steps of Millati Islami Recovery

Marijuana Helps Ease Muscle Spasms

Certain disorders, like multiple sclerosis, can cause muscle spasms. These muscle spasms can be very painful and they’re not easy to relieve. New research may give hope to those who have these muscle spasms because the answer for some people may be cannabis – medicinal marijuana. In 2000, the state of California established the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research. The center’s existence came about so researchers could determine if medicinal marijuana really was useful in helping manage certain illnesses. According to the article, Clinical Trials: Pot Can Ease Muscle Spasms, study findings showed that using study-approved marijuana helped relieve the spasms caused by multiple sclerosis and other nerve diseases or disorders that could also cause them. It is important to …

Medical Marijuana: Putting Together California’s Research

After California became the first state to allow medical use of marijuana, legislators decided in 1999 to fund research that was supposed figure out what the drug was good for therapeutically. Now we have an answer: a report issued today says it seems to ease some types of pain, and maybe muscle spasticity from multiple sclerosis. Of course, lots of state residents have found their own, much more varied, answers, since Californias law is one of the most open-ended about whos eligible for medical marijuana. Anyone who can get a doctor to write a recommendation, based on just about any medical condition, can buy marijuana in California. But this is the official report from the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, based at the University of California, San Diego. Since its 2000 found…

Marijuana Likely No Help in Alzheimer’s

Medicinal marijuana is finding its way into many areas of medicine. It’s a big help for some people with AIDS, providing them with a much-needed appetite. Marijuana is helpful for some people with cancer, helping them manage their side effects, and it’s also been found to help people with glaucoma, just to name a few. There was hope that medicinal marijuana would provide help for people with Alzheimers because earlier animal studies had shown that marijuana could reduce the plaques in the brain that are the hallmark of Alzheimers. Although this new study, from the University of British Columbia, is also an animal study, it was done with mice, which are considered to be a better match for human studies, while the previous ones were done on rats. The researcher used the same meth…

Finding Love When Over 60

This article from PsychCentral tells the story of an elderly women who found love again and gives some pointers. Want to find love again? There’s no reason to think that you can’t find someone to love. A few simple pointers may help. Start with giving yourself a pep talk. Don’t try to replace someone you’ve lost. Let friends and acquaintances know that you are open to meeting someone special. Be honest about what you’re looking for. Consider online dating services as a way to enlarge your pool of eligible singles. Be reasonably cautious Trust your instincts. Know what you want. When you find yourself wanting to spend more time with someone who seems promising, please remember that you both already have pretty full lives. Don’t expect your adult kids to love your new love ̵…

Avoiding Chemotherapy Side Effects

Filed under: Cancer CaregiversAfter passing a bill that allows marijuana use for medical purposes, New Jersey is the fourteenth state to have legalized its use. Although the federal government still regards marijuana as illegal, it is becoming a popular drug at the state level. What most people don t realize is that a synthetic version of marijuana is already legal and available by prescription in all states. Marinol, a synthetic THC, received FDA approval in 1985. Doctors who prescribe the drug generally use it to treat chemotherapy side effects like nausea and vomiting, among other conditions. If you don t live in a state that allows marijuana to be used for medical purposes, there are other ways to curb side effects. Before starting chemotherapy, make sure that you have a friend o…