Legalising Cannabis for medicinal purposes ??

[C~Q]

Hi guys, i've been under the radar for a bit for many reasons but decided to pop back with this little pearler lol.

But seriously i'm after some opinions. I have my thoughts on the topic but they are very much my initial thoughts without research or solid facts. So here I am asking you guys what you think?

The main thing that blows me away is that DP (yes, yes I know...I may post about it later but not now. Just please be happy for me and know that it fills the aching hole that was left when we split), who is now on palliative care list, has been given Ocycontin 100mg. These drugs are shocking, they are one of the most controlled drugs in Aus and they make him a mess, literally knocks him out and he lies on the sofa in a big mess...he's unfunctional (is that a word?). Yet when he has a vapour, this is the way he smokes weed...as far as I know its heats it so he gets the effect from steam and not smoke, he is functioning...it doesn't take away all the pain but it makes it managable.

So why is it unavailable here? I've also heard (please correct meif i'm wrong) that it's legal in Canberra? What are the reasons behind making it unavailable for medicinal purposes?

Opinions??

TIA guys...ps it's good to be back

[Phteven]

I think they should legalise it for recreational purposes too.
Makes no sense at all that alchomohol is legal but other drugs are illegal.

[PumpkinZulu]

I think they should legalise it for recreational purposes too.
Makes no sense at all that alchomohol is legal but other drugs are illegal.

Agree 100%. And this is coming from someone who has a family member who screwed up his life because of cannabis, and I still feel that way. In fact, if it were legal, he wouldn't have had to resort to some measures that he did. So silly that so many other drugs are legal yet cannabis is not.

[Phteven]

The other stupid thing is that they have done a lot of research into using marijuana as medicine and it is really effective for a few things yet it is still illegal but synthetic drugs that are less effective are legal.

[C~Q]

The other stupid thing is that they have done a lot of research into using marijuana as medicine and it is really effective for a few things yet it is still illegal but synthetic drugs that are less effective are legal.

And the worse thing is the side effects of the other drugs...awful side effects where as the weed...for him...nothing (except me having to drive to the shop because he decided he does want those Paddle Pops after all )

ETA I would like to hear opinions from the other side too...anti legalising...

[Arimeh]

I'm all for legalising it!!!

It's been shown to work on many things - medicinally speaking - in other countries so why not here?

We've always told my fil he should smoke up cos he suffers terribly with arthritis and I've seen shows that it's extremely helpful for helping arthritis sufferers.

[Junglemum]

I agree with Onyx and PZ. . I remember doing a debate about it in year 11 (hmmm about 17 or so years ago. ) We were arguing for legalisation and we whipped the opposition's butts, the argument for is so strong imo.

ETA- Welcome back.

[C~Q]

So what is stopping it do you think? Is it because Big Pharma can't monopolise it and cash in??

[PumpkinZulu]

So what is stopping it do you think? Is it because Big Pharma can't monopolise it and cash in??

Yep, and ignorance and misinformation about it. It is an amazing plant, medicinally it is amazing! DF and I have even considered making cookies for my labour, as no pain relief will be available at home - I'd rather have nothing, but it if came between me having to transfer for synthetic drugs or stay home and munch on a few cookies, I know which one if prefer...

[briggsy's girl]

So what is stopping it do you think? Is it because Big Pharma can't monopolise it and cash in??

i'd say you have half your reason there

there is no way they can regulate and cash in on cannabis use so the big money players would be fighting to have it banned so they can continue to sell their expensive and often ineffective drugs.

[Phteven]

So what is stopping it do you think? Is it because Big Pharma can't monopolise it and cash in??

That and conservative Australia is too scared that if they legalise marijuana it will unleash a zombie apocalypse.

Also most of our politicians have got no balls so they won't do anything that will upset the conservative constituents.

[AnyDream]

CQ, I know there is a cannibis (I think) based mouth wash that is used by some patients to treat severe ulceration side effects, but I'm not sure whether there are any other derivative, pharmacologically-dosed products also available here. It might be worth enquiring about via his pal care team, in case there are any clinical trials going on, or other related info that might be helpful to DP about getting maximum mileage from his meds, prescribed or otherwise.

BTW - on the oxycontin side of things - often once a pain control point is reached, it's possible to reduce the meds gradually until a balance is struck between pain relief and being more 'with it'. Some of the BC ladies have said they achieve much better pain control with more functioning by rearranging the times and dosages.

You might find this interesting reading (sets out hte cannabis laws from state to state).

Been wondering where you got to and how it was all going .

[Pandora]

I guess until your best friends dead mate starts calling him up on the telephone, you don't know or think to investigate the full range of psychological problems that it can bring out. And many people don't knownthey were predisposed to a mental illness until it's too late.
I'm sorry but this one is really close to home for me. There's no way I could be convinced to support this to be legalized under any circumstance.

[Sopdet]

I had clients in the past that used to have it in tablet form for management of pain. His palative care specialist should be able to give him alternative drug therapy options.

[AnyDream]

There is another page from the same website I quoted with links to articles specifically about medicinal cannabis use.

[Phteven]

I guess until your best friends dead mate starts calling him up on the telephone, you don't know or think to investigate the full range of psychological problems that it can bring out. And many people don't know they are predisposed to a mental illness until it's too late.

I think that the psychological issues are well worth mentioning because drug induced psychosis is a real risk for some users but many other popular drugs that are legal also have psychological side effects. I know of a woman who had psychosis caused by her implanon, the weight loss drug (can't remember its name) can cause huge issues and so on.
The reality is that people know it is effective so many people who have never used it before turn to it for medicinal reasons. If a drug is legalised as a medicine and administered by doctors that means that Drs can also keep an eye out for psychological issues and cease treatment if needed. While it is illegal people will self-prescribe and self administer without a Dr to keep an eye on side-effects.

One of the interesting things about marijuana as medicine is that synthetic compounds that mimic it aren't as effective.

[Junglemum]

I guess until your best friends dead mate starts calling him up on the telephone, you don't know or think to investigate the full range of psychological problems that it can bring out. And many people don't knownthey were predisposed to a mental illness until it's too late.
I'm sorry but this one is really close to home for me. There's no way I could be convinced to support this to be legalized under any circumstance.

I too have seen first hand the devastating effects of cannabis use. But the reality is, it is so widely available now that legalising it probably wont change how many people use it, but it will make how it is grown and sold more regulated. If it wasn't illegal, seeking advice and information and support would be much easier. If it was legal then there wouls probably be more education around about the risks of mental illness and cannibis use.

I do think, like alcohol, it can be a dangerous drug, but i don't think it being illegal helps anyone.

[Pandora]

Duromine?
I don't know enough about the psychological side effects of other drugs. Are they permanent or temporary?
I think I'd be less singleminded about this if I thought they were, but schizophrenia isn't something that just goes away because your doctor picks it up early and treats it. But, I also know I'm to emotionally vested in this topic to argue it rationally.

ETA in no way am I implying the laws pertaining to different drugs are equitable. I still don't see how alcohol is freely available when it kills so many people.