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Oklahoma Compassionate Care Campaign |
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 Hear Florida activist Kay Lee's views on medical
marijuana here.
Why medical marijuana saved Kay Lee's life.
Oklahomans voice experiences with medical marijuana. Medical Organizations Endorse Medical Marijuana. 
The Science of Medical Marijuana Prohibition
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"I am going to be an activist. It is up to us to change these laws. And it is going to take money, because if we don't put in the money we aren't going to win. That is the bottom line." Former Oklahoman Will Foster after his release from prison. He was convicted of cultivating marijuana, used for his own medical purposes. |
On April 19, we had an opportunity to learn about the medical aspects of marijuana (cannabis) at a pubic meeting in Edmond sponsored by the Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma. Two health care professionals gave informative talks and two potential candidates for medical use (if it were legal) discussed their points of view.
Dr. Morton Skorodin discussed for a lay audience the scientific background regarding benefits, risks and side effects of Cannabis. Bill Humphries, R. N., who specializes as a hospice nurse, discussed the clinical condition for which it its indicated (in those states in which it is legal[12 states]). He also discussed some of the legal intricacies involved.
Some of the scientific findings are amazing, and it seems likely that cannabis and its derivatives will be used extensively as medicine in the future. It has been used since Bible times for symptoms such as nausea and pain. Many people are aware that cancer patients use it to relieve nausea from chemotherapy. What was really surprising was to learn that it actually can fight cancer itself, as has been shown in lab animals with a wide variety of cancer types. In Spain they put the major compound, HTC, in the actual brain tumors of people with the highly malignant glioblastoma.
Another recent finding is that cannabis blocks the same enzyme that standard Alzheimer's drugs do, but more efficiently. In the next few years, we may find out that those aging hippies unknowingly protected themselves from dementia by smoking pot.
There are many other illnesses for which cannabis may be helpful; this subject can not be fully discussed in a brief letter. Although remarkably safe as medications go, with no reported fatalities, smoking it promotes chronic bronchitis and it is habit-forming. Not to be forgotten, the drug war vastly increases the dangerousness of cannabis. It is illegal under federal law even where specifically legal for medical use under state law.
A Federal Medical Marijuana Bil (HR-5842 has been introduced by Rep. Ron. Paul. This Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act would make federal authorities respect states' current laws on medical cannabis and end DEA raids on facilities distributing medical marijuana legally under state law. Please call you representative to ask him to support this bill.
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