Well, I got my medical marijuana card yesterday. I’m still unsure of what I’m going to do, or even if I think it’s for me.
I’ve been hearing a lot about medical marijuana, and have decided to investigate it for myself. This subject might make you flinch. It’s something I’m not even sure what I’m going to do about. So I let the researcher in me go wild recently. Below are some resources I’ve found to be helpful as I learn more as I decide if this medicine is even for me.
Stuff I’ve Been Reading:
Time Magazine (Special) : Marijuana Goes Main Street
“Dr. Sanjay Gupta: It’s time for a medical marijuana revolution” – This is a fascinating read. If you’ve ever seen Dr. Gupta on CNN (and other places) he’s an incredibly well-spoken and informative writer and TV personality. Oh, and he’s a doctor. His thoughts on marijuana were also eye-opening. He has some of the same questions I did. After reading this article, I found the 3 videos he speaks of (which he appears in), and learned even more. I found it a little bit assuring that he believes things should change.
“American Weed” on Netflix – This series based in Colorado, following a handful of marijuana dispensary owners, patients (which is a term they use and took a while to wrap my head around) and customers of theirs. It also features the ups and downs with regulations an strict rules (rightfully so), protestors and a ballot measure in Colorado. It was interesting to hear from and see the business operations of the featured dispensaries, including one run by a group of brothers famous for the Charlotte’s Web strain that was in the news this year. There were some things I didn’t like about this series (the whole Cannabis Cup thing, and the “culture” that is the stereotype around weed), but all in all I learned a lot about medical marijuana and those who sell it.
Update 1/17: Congress quietly ends federal government’s ban on medical marijuana – Wow! A huge step forward.
It’s a learning process, because knowledge is power.
I’m still learning about all of this. There are also some interesting articles on the website, Whaxy, which I found last night (you need to be 21 or over to enter). Articles on strains (types of marijuana and what conditions and illnesses they are suited for), political viewpoints, etc. There was some fascinating information on research coming out of Israel on the medical cannibas (another word for marijuana) uses they are exploring with great success in some patients.
I believe knowledge is power, so I’m learning all I can. The next step is to go visit some dispensaries in my area and learn more from them. I want to learn more about using cannibas to help with sleep (I’m currently taking Ambien or Benadryl), and also about oils that sound like they can help treat cancer. (Hey, I’m considering all options.)
I don’t know where you stand. I’m not sure I know where I stand.
You might be offended at my even mentioning this, and I’ll be honest that I was nervous about posting this in such a public way. But, this journey and “situation” I am in with the “C” word is what I am exploring in this space. So I’m being as honest as I can be. Maybe this will help someone else.
I grew up in an area that was one of the highest per capita of marijuana grows in the nation. I’ve smelled the stuff (ew), and been around others who were using it, but never used it myself. It was illegal then. It’s now legal in my state of Washington. And it’s an option to me as a cancer patient. So, I’m exploring the option. Thanks for keeping an open mind.
I’ll let you make your own decision for yourself if it’s the medicine for you or someone you love. I’m still undecided. But the research will continue.
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Disclosure: There is an affiliate link to Amazon in this post. This means if you buy the product I link to, I will get a few cents. I could maybe by 1/3 of a latte. 
Brandie you know what I do for work. Since November 30 I talk to med growers who are looking to start growing for the rec market in Oregon. Based on my discussions it sounds pretty amazing as medicine I really hope it helps you.
I have a friend that used it during her breast cancer treatment and even grew her own. She’s local and I’d be happy to connect her with you. She may even have some samples😉.
I hope it helps you and don’t forget there are so many healthy ways to use marijuana besides smoking it. Do what is best for your body and conscience.
I think when you go to a dispensary and chat with the folks you will find it all quite normal, every day, nothing weird. Staff at mediacal places are trained to consult with patients suffering with many different ailments. There are strains to accomplish everything … strains that take care of pain but don’t get you high. Strains that will put you to sleep in less than 10 minutes, strains that will make you eat a horse … And if smoking is not your thing, edibles & oils are the way to go. Good luck. There is a significant body of evidence that it helps immensely for cancer patients.
Brandie, you might want to read Xeni Jardin’s writings on how medical marijuana helped her:
http://boingboing.net/2014/12/23/cancer-and-cannabis-how-i-lea.html
Brandie, there are two (maybe more?) dispensaries downtown. The one on Main at about 23rd is usually a zoo. Instead, go into the one a couple blocks away at 1906 Broadway, which is small, quiet, and the staff is really friendly and knowledgeable. It’s called High End Marketplace and they have a website. I would go there and ask away. You need not feel obligated to buy. You may want to try a tincture or one of those vape-like devices rather than using a pipe. My ex uses the indica in a vape to help alleviate anxiety and to sleep.
Are you kidding me? Do it. If it helps you, not only will you be helped, but you can help others by starting a whole division of Spoon and Saucer devoted to edibles!
Brandie I was just in an alcohol and drug training class today. What I learned is it is important that the cbd and the thc levels should be as close to 1:1 as possible. What growers are doing is trying to reduce cbd levels as much as possible which makes the thc be stronger so people get a higher rush. This is not what you want. Some marijuana now days is made 800 x stronger than in my era.
There is a new cannabis extract to keep an eye on it is called Sativex which will be in a spray form. It has been approved in canada and Europe. It does not cause a high it just keeps the pain down.
Hope this information helps. I will read more from the.handouts I got.today. take care.
Brandie, I also have my medical marijuana card, and have done a fair amount of studying myself. I’m now making my own high-CBD coconut oil supplements myself (after buying them at dispensaries for the past few months) and I strongly recommend that you do some reading on cannabinoids and the endo-cannabinoid system we all have in our bodies.
You’re probably thinking of RIck Simpson Oil as the concentrate many cancer survivors have successfully used over the years. While RSO can be fairly expensive, it’s also been used with amazing results over a short time.
Contact me if I can provide more information or support! Also look at Leafly.com for more information on the various strains, local dispensaries, their menus & specials as well.
Thanks Betsy!