CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta: I was wrong about weed

[The Lizard King]

http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/08/health/gupta-changed-mind-marijuana/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

I didn't start this thread for debate, obviously there's been a ton on the subject here already, it's really just to alert those interested of the program coming up this Sunday at 5:00 Vancouver time on CNN and most of all, what appears to be a compelling change of opinion on the subject coming from a very visible, high profile individual.

As someone who not only consumes on occasion for what I feel are medicinal reasons but also facilitates consumptions as a caregiver and POA for someone in a very painful long-term battle with a degenerative neurological condition which will ultimately result in their death (by the way, my brownies are awesome!) I'm hoping this helps continue with the movement to rid us of the ridiculous laws that prevent people from gaining access to something that could assist them in the name of padding profits for the drug companies.

Enjoy.

 

[VanessaofBC]

Good to hear it from respected Dr. Gupta.

 

[Ratbert_2008]

Generally speaking I am a huge fan of Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

But in this case, I really have to wonder how it took him so long to understand that there are legitimate medical uses for marijuana.

 

[PreacherMan]

Watermelon girl may have a few tips for you, if
you are into the culinary arts when it comes to
baking with bud.
http://www.pot.tv/taxonomy/term/3201

I have never tried the brownies. Does it have to be ground really fine to use it for baking?

 

[The Lizard King]

Thanks for posting.

I have never tried the brownies. Does it have to be ground really fine to use it for baking?

Yes or you can use cannabis butter. I use the bud, bought a $5 coffee grinder at XS Cargo, and use Better Crocker's low fat instant brownie mix. I have a couple good brownie stories but I've told them to a few people lately so posting here wouldn't be a good thing anonymity wise.

 

[sensualsixty]

The link shown by the OP should be forwarded to every MP and cabinet minister, in hopes that one or two of them might read Gupta's thoughts and "disclosures". I know that it is tough to open a closed mind, but we need to try.

 

[Smilf]

Has anyone heard of or had any experience with Phoenix Tears?

I have and used hemp oil for treatments, worked wonders for me.

 

[bananasplit]

you ever see those American advertisements for newer pharma drugs where they list like 30 potential side effects up to and including death, lol, and
they're still concerned about pot, I just don't get the policy behind it anymore, get over it please, ty.

 

[The Lizard King]

Ontario doctors want to launch clinic devoted solely to medical marijuana

An Ontario doctor and his partner are testing the waters for what could become Canada's first medical clinic devoted to treating patients with pot.

The National Post reports Dr. Danial Schecter and a colleague are taking careful steps to develop a practice that would assess patients for the suitability of medical marijuana prescriptions. The clinic would also act as a pot dispensary, the Post says.

Schecter currently operates something called Georgian Bay House Calls, which as the name suggests, sends doctors to the homes of people who can't come into to their office. The Cannabinoid Medical Clinic isn't open yet, though it does have a web site. Schecter told the Post he and his partner are moving slowly. “At the moment, we’re reticent to go full steam ahead … until we can get our lawyers to be more confident that we won’t be putting our licences and careers and livelihoods in jeopardy,” said Schecter, whose current practice is based in Midland, Ont. “If physicians are seen making lots of money off of cannabis, that’s not going to look good.”

Schecter only has to look at what happened to Dr. Rob Kamermans and his wife, Mary, of Coe Hill, Ont., who have been charged with issuing bogus medical marijuana licences to patients from Ontario to as far away as British Columbia and New Brunswick, the Hamilton Spectator reported last November. The charges apparently are linked to a larger investigation of reputed Hamilton crime boss Andre Gravelle. Mary Kamermans told the Spectator they signed medical marijuana endorsements for some people named Gravelle but did not recognize the name.

The Post said Kamermans signed 4,000 medical pot approvals in just over a year and extra-billed for the service. Schecter told the Post he's seen some of Kamermans' patients and would not have prescribed pot to them. “He went about it in the wrong way,” Schecter said. “I respect the fact he really put himself out there and tried to help people … [But] it’s too bad he didn’t take better care of himself.”

Schecter's move comes at a time of transition in the still-controversial field of medicinal marijuana. The federal government has introduced new rules governing medical pot that will be fully implemented by next March. The biggest change is the phasing out of home grow-op licences for medical marijuana in favour of licensed commercial producers. Presumably, Schecter's clinic could dispense pot bought from one of these new commercial operations or apply to become a producer, cutting out the middleman.

Medicinal marijuana remains scientifically controversial. Although proponents tout the "evil weed" in treatment for everything from cancer to multiple sclerosis, the mainstream medical establishment remains skeptical. A study done by Dr. Harold Kalant of the University of Toronto's Pharmacology Department and posted on the Parliament of Canada web site concluded cannabis has a long history as a therapeutic drug but more studies are needed to say conclusively that it has the benefits its advocates claim.

The Canadian Medical Association remains resolutely opposed to pot as a medicinal drug, the Post said.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/ontario-doctors-want-launch-clinic-devoted-solely-medical-200722011.html

Unfortunately Harper will stand in the way. As for big pharma, just look at today's report on the MS Liberation therapy and how the media are quoting or using Dr Ian Rodger from McMaster University in interviews. Rodger used to be Executive Medical Director at Merck (http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/medicine/respirology/faculty_member_rodger.htm). In February of 2013 Merck announced a $225 million MS drug deal with Opexa (http://www.pharmatimes.com/article/13-02-06/Merck_KGaA_signs_225_million_personalised_MS_drug_deal.aspx).

Do you really think they make that deal if the Liberation study comes back with anything but a negative result as to it's effectiveness? Do you think the media are doing the long suffering public any favours not reporting ALL the facts? Don't you think the Feds, similar to weed, are doing big pharma a huge favour by not allowing people to at least try it on their own free will, even if they have to pay $10,000 out of their own pocket to do it? How evil is that?

The system is so polluted, it makes me sick.