veterans
August 28, 2012 blogger Alzheimer’s disease, cannabis, Dr. John J. Halpern, Harvard, Iraq War, medical marijuana, Medicial Marijuana, national Institute on Drug Abuse, News & Articles, Oregon, Oregon Health Authority, Oregonlive, pot, PTSD, returning soldiers, Stop Smoking Marijuana, Stop Smoking Pot, The White House, veterans, weed,
As the 2012 presidential election nears, we will hear two men in suits talking quite a bit about our soldiers. They will congratulate and praise them, but they will also ignore their basic needs. Returning home after enduring the daily struggles of a foreign military conflict is not an envious position. Our government has a responsibility to help who protect our country. Integrating back into civilian life has proven difficult for many soldiers and with cuts to veteran hospitals and benefits the future does not appear to hold an easier path.
Of course there is an affordable and accessible plan by many to help our soldiers. Instead of addicting prescription pills that ultimately prove less effective, medical marijuana has been crucial to many returning soldiers. If we are unwilling to tax, regulate, and stimulate the economy with our antiquated marijuana laws, then of course we would be willing to make an exception for those who ensure our own comfortable lives. That assumption could not be further from the truth as many states, and The White House have ignored the pleas of veteran organizations.
Recently we did learn there was hope for those soldiers living in Oregon. Oregonlive.com published an article that describes the efforts of veteran groups and activists seeking to add PTSD to list of conditions that qualify for medical marijuana use. The article describes the situations of several struggling veterans including Jared Townsend. Mr. Townsend is an Iraq war veteran and recently said that cannabis use can “balance life out a little bit better.” He also went on to say “If I get racing thoughts and real worked up, it can break a panic attack pretty quick.” While there is considerable momentum for attempting to change the law, precedent is not encouraging. In the 14 years of Oregon’s medical marijuana program only new condition (agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease) has been added to the list of permissible uses. In order to get the law changed, a petition will have to be submitted. Then the Oregon Health Authority will select who sits on a panel to review the submission. Veteran and marijuana advocates claim that past panels have included many anti marijuana members.
Research is still not conclusive on just how effective cannabis is toward treating complications associated with PTSD. Dr. John J. Halpern, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School said there is an “overabundance of case reports” that suggest that marijuana helps PTSD sufferers. However he cited political reasons for a lack of research. Cannabis is the only schedule 1 substance that requires additional review by National Institute on Drug Abuse in order to conduct research. Many are incensed that the least destructive substance in the schedule 1 category requires so much additional red tape navigation. Many analysts have noted that a lack of research seems to be a convenient answer as that line can be used over and over by the same lawmakers who simultaneously block the research. Although research is needed to determine the future of PTSD treatment, we at marijuana.net trusts the tens of thousands of soldiers who have no reason to coordinate a large scale conspiracy. Our heroes need relief and we cannot arm them to fight foreign wars but simply take away any tools that would help with reintegration.
Alzheimer’s disease, cannabis, Dr. John J. Halpern, Harvard, Iraq War, medical marijuana, national Institute on Drug Abuse, News & Articles, Oregon, Oregon Health Authority, Oregonlive, Pot, PTSD, returning soldiers, The White House, veterans, Weed
July 23, 2012 blogger anxiety, Arizona, Arizona Department of Health Services Director, cannabis, Governor Jan Brewer, medical marijuana, Medicial Marijuana, migraines, New Jersey, News & Articles, pot, PTSD, soldiers, Stop Smoking Marijuana, Stop Smoking Pot, veterans, Vietnam War, weed, white house, Will Humble,
While it is usually a difficult time to be a veteran integrating back into civilian life, last week was especially difficult. First the White House denied a petition to allow PTSD to be legally treated with marijuana. The petition was signed by thousands of war veterans though the White House maintains there is not enough …continue reading
anxiety, Arizona, Arizona Department of Health Services Director, cannabis, Governor Jan Brewer, medical marijuana, migraines, New Jersey, News & Articles, Pot, PTSD, soldiers, veterans, Vietnam War, Weed, white house, Will Humble
January 1, 2012 blogger Americans For Safe Access, ASA, constitution, frank barney, ganja, happy new year, iphone app, marijuana, marijuana policy project, medical marijuana, Medicial Marijuana, News & Articles, Ron Paul, Stop Smoking Marijuana, Stop Smoking Pot, veterans, weed,
A New Year’s Resolution from the Medical Marijuana community
This year we resolve to be more responsible members of the medical marijuana community. For many of us, our pro-MMJ stance has been all-talk and no-walk. We’re in favor of legalizing it to treat the millions of people who it can help, but are we doing enough? 2012 is the year for action! There are so many ways to get involved on both local and federal levels.
Some states, like California, already have programs underway and they need our support to continue and to progress forward. Americans for Safe Access is one of the leading advocacy groups and they offer so many ways to get involved that it is ludicrous for us to sit on the sidelines. They even have an iphone app so we can help out while sitting in traffic. Don’t want to join a group? Then let your voice be heard individually. Call, write or email your local government officials. Start with your state senators since this movement has to come from the states. Tell them you support changing marijuana from a schedule 1 to a schedule 2 substance. Tell them you want growers held accountable for the medication they provide. Let people know about labs that can help grower’s ensure safety.
The Federal government has proved to us that it is static and unwilling to move on it’s own. The Marijuana Policy Project is yet another resource for us to work with and provides clear directions to contact your representatives. Our nation is supposed to have a “government of the people, by the people, for the people” yet it seems to be slipping away from us. This year we can reclaim it! First with medical marijuana, but it doesn’t stop there! We can move on to so many other important issues. We can because we have to. Our country should, and will change. It’s a part of the Constitution; we need to be active to do it. 2012 is an election year; take the time to follow those politicians like Barney Frank, Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich and Jared Polis, who believe that marijuana is something that can help people.
As the clock counts down to midnight and a new year begins, We must set aside our champagne and say together, “This year I resolve to make the US government listen to the people who need help in our country. This year I resolve to make my country a better place for people who are sick and suffering. This year I will not be a spaced-out couch potato staring at girls with pot-leaf pasties selling me the next great herb grinder. I’m going to get involved with groups like The Drug Policy Alliance and change these laws for a healthier tomorrow.”
Happy New Year!
All of us at Marijuana.net
Americans For Safe Access, ASA, constitution, frank barney, Ganja, happy new year, iphone app, marijuana, marijuana policy project, medical marijuana, News & Articles, Ron Paul, veterans, Weed
October 12, 2011 blogger back pain, cannabis regulation, marijana regulation, Medicial Marijuana, News & Articles, PTSD, soldier, Stop Smoking Marijuana, Stop Smoking Pot, veterans,
If there’s any occupation that stands to profit the best from marijuana’s medical qualities, it might be soldiers. Chris Quick, a U . s . States Marine Core member coming back from military action in Afghanistan, needs cannabis regulation to ensure that he is able to treat his severe back discomfort and Post traumatic stress disorder. Employment is really a major concern for Quick, as his back discomfort is stopping him from locating a job. He and the family (wife, and 2 kids) are battling financially and, based on Quick, wouldn’t pay the bills without the aid of his in-laws and regulations. Quick is just collecting $500 monthly through his disability benefits, also is just how much the rent is perfect for his apartment. Based on Quick, marijuana continues to be the only real effective strategy to him.
To learn more, see:
SourceNewspapers.com Marine wants marijuana controlled correctly so patients may use it to help ease discomfort
back pain, cannabis regulation, marijana regulation, News & Articles, PTSD, soldier, veterans
July 20, 2011 blogger Medicial Marijuana, News & Articles, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, soldiers, Stop Smoking Marijuana, Stop Smoking Pot, stress, treatment, veterans,
A persons psyche is delicate and it is frequently influenced deeply by distressing occasions. We reside in a world where daily occasions can push the tolerance of the items the brain can effectively handle. Experts estimate that approximately 7 to eightPercent of People in america will cope with publish-distressing stress disorder (Post traumatic stress disorder) within their lives.
Research released within the Journal of Neuroscience discovered that an artificial cannabinoid much like THC can prevent stress-caused Post traumatic stress disorder in rats. The research was carried out by Dr. Irit Akirav who mentioned, “The outcomes of our research should encourage psychological analysis into using cannabinoids in publish-distressing stress patients.” Clearly, testing on human behavior will have to be carried out, however the foundation and rationale for future scientific studies are now here.
Coming back soldiers typically are afflicted by Post traumatic stress disorder for apparent reasons. A current article on world wide web.starsandstripes.com describes Jimmy Raines, a soldier who found marijuana is the only effective help with dealing with his Post traumatic stress disorder. Raines isn’t unique in the declare that cannabis helps Post traumatic stress disorder, as other soldiers have reported similar encounters. When soldiers get home they frequently have a problem reassimilating into American culture. Finding and looking after employment can be quite difficult, particularly if Post traumatic stress disorder is a concern. If there’s any possibility of supplying soldiers with an inexpensive treatment with virtually no unwanted effects, then any link between Post traumatic stress disorder and marijuana ought to be analyzed.
Regrettably, military conflicts won’t be disappearing in the near future. The U . s . States alone is involved with three major conflicts which leaves 1000’s of yankee soldiers prone to Post traumatic stress disorder. The U . s . States along with other nations must accept this fact and do more when it comes to aiding coming back soldiers. Furthermore, you will find millions of others who are suffering out of this problem also seeking relief, making the requirement for action that rather more important.
To learn more, see:
Blog.USNavySeals.com Marijuana For Dealing with Post traumatic stress disorder
HealthLand.Time.com Dude, Where’s My Trauma? Marijuana Could Treat Post traumatic stress disorder
Medicine.internet Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Post traumatic stress disorder)
News & Articles, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, soldiers, stress, treatment, veterans