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At Alternative Care Clinics we believe in serving our patients in a safe, comfortable and professional environment. Patients can be evaluated by a reliable, qualified and compassionate CA licensed physician to see if medical marijuana is right for them. Our goal is to provide patients with access to alternative therapies and accurate information regarding medical marijuana.

Friday, February 26, 2010

The Straight Dope: Time to recognize real benefits of medical marijuana

A bud of super silver haze.Image via Wikipedia

The Straight Dope: Time to recognize real benefits of medical marijuana
by William Brigham / Press-Banner
Feb 25, 2010

The recent proposal for a medical marijuana outlet in Scotts Valley raises many questions, most of which I leave to those who know best about law enforcement, zoning, liability and other legal considerations. But underlying all of this is the question of the application of marijuana (Cannabis sativa) to the treatment of medical problems.

The timing is propitious in this case, as the Center for Medical Cannabis Research at the University of California — established in 2000 as a result of Senate Bill 847, the Medical Marijuana Research Act — submitted its most recent report to the governor and the Legislature earlier this month.

The center has conducted 15 randomized clinical studies, and its conclusions in five of those studies are quite clear: Smoked cannabis has clear and positive benefits in the treatment of pain secondary to injury (e.g., spinal cord injury), disease (e.g., HIV disease) or injury to the nervous system due to infections, stroke or other causes, as well as to the treatment of muscle spasticity resulting from multiple sclerosis.

In those controlled studies, patients who previously did not receive sufficient relief from pain by taking prescription analgesic medication did obtain pain relief from cannabis. To assure validity, the control groups in the studies received cannabis cigarettes with the active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, removed. So, while they looked and smelled like marijuana cigarettes, they were in fact placebos.

Studies of people with cancers were discontinued because of procedural problems, but it has been reported elsewhere that relief from the nausea associated with chemotherapy is commonly attained by the use of cannabis.

There are side-effects from the use of smoked cannabis, of course, and in the center’s studies, those included respiratory problems, dizziness, sedation and changes in cognition. But those can be measured against the side effects of opioid pain medication (e.g., Vicodin or OxyContin), which can include some of those from smoked cannabis, as well as others.

The use of vaporizers to ingest cannabis is one solution to avoid some side effects of smoking, most notably respiratory problems. The CMCR has undertaken studies comparing the effects of vaporized to smoked cannabis and found that, while the levels of THC were initially higher in those using vaporized cannabis, over a several-hour period levels were similar to that from smoked cannabis. Importantly, carbon monoxide levels were much lower in those who used vaporized cannabis.

Unfortunately, all of the scientific research one can muster is often not sufficient to counter the social and moral arguments leveled against the use of “medical marijuana.” We can trace this back to the modern stigmatization of marijuana following the end of alcohol’s prohibition in 1933.

A huge federal bureaucracy was left with little to do at that point, and its leader, Harry Anslinger, set about to demonize and criminalize marijuana, leading to the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. The use of marijuana was associated with “undesirables” and deviants, such as musicians, artists, “Negroes” and common criminals.

Notwithstanding the widespread use of marijuana today — about 18 million Americans report having used marijuana at least once in the past month — American society is far from accepting of this drug.

But whether Scotts Valley is ready for medical marijuana remains to be seen.

• William Brigham, M.S.W., M.A., of Scotts Valley is administrator of the National Football League Program for Substances of Abuse and father of five daughters. Contact him at wcberm@gmail.com.

Check out the original article here: http://www.pressbanner.com/view/full_story/6469058/article-The-Straight-Dope--Time-to-recognize-real-benefits-of-medical-marijuana?instance=home_community
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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Marijuana use up for seniors as Boomers age

The U.S. baby boom generation is seen here as ...Image via Wikipedia

Marijuana use up for seniors as Boomers age

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

(02-23) 04:00 PST Miami --In her 88 years, Florence Siegel has learned how to relax: A glass of red wine. Some classical music, preferably Bach. And every night like clockwork, she lifts a pipe to her lips and smokes marijuana.


Long a fixture among young people, use of the country's most popular illicit drug is now growing among the AARP set, as the massive generation of Baby Boomers who came of age in the 1960s and '70s grows older.

The number of people aged 50 and older reporting marijuana use in the prior year went up from 1.9 percent to 2.9 percent from 2002 to 2008, according to surveys from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The rise was most dramatic among 55- to 59-year-olds, whose reported marijuana use more than tripled from 1.6 percent in 2002 to 5.1 percent.

Observers expect further increases as 78 million Boomers born between 1945 and 1964 age. For many Boomers, the drug never held the stigma it did for previous generations. Some have always used it, while others are revisiting the habit in retirement, either for recreation or as a way to cope with the ailments of aging.

The drug is credited with relieving many problems linked to aging: aches and pains, glaucoma, macular degeneration. Patients in 14 states enjoy medical marijuana laws, but those elsewhere buy or grow the drug illegally to ease their conditions.

But there's also the risk that health problems already faced by older people can be exacerbated by regular marijuana use. Older users could be at risk for falls if they become dizzy, smoking it increases the risk of heart disease, and it can cause cognitive impairment, said Dr. William Dale of the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Siegel, who finds marijuana has helped her sleep better than pills ever did, was well into her 50s before she tried pot for the first time. She can muster only one frustration with the drug.

"I never learned how to roll a joint," she said. "It's just a big nuisance. It's much easier to fill a pipe."

This article appeared on page A - 7 of the San Francisco Chronicle

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/22/MNLP1C5C7Q.DTL#ixzz0gO03AZB0
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Friday, February 19, 2010

Medical Marijuana Has Merit, Research Shows

Medical MarijuanaImage by dumbeast via Flickr

Medical Marijuana Has Merit, Research Shows
Although Research Shows Medical Mariuana Works, Critics Say California Center's Research Is Flawed
By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Feb. 18, 2010 -- Marijuana can be a promising treatment for some specific, pain-related medical conditions, according to California researchers who presented an update of their findings Wednesday to the California Legislature and also released them to the public.

''I think the evidence is getting better and better that marijuana, or the constituents of cannabis, are useful at least in the adjunctive treatment of neuropathy," Igor Grant, MD, executive vice-chairman of the department of psychiatry at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and director of the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at the University of California, tells WebMD.

''We don't know if it's a front-line treatment. I'm hoping the results of our studies will prompt larger-scale studies that involve a much more varied population."

''This [report given to the Legislature] sets the stage of larger-scale studies,'' he says.

Some experts who reviewed the report say some of the studies are flawed and that they worry about the long-term health effects of marijuana smoke.

Perspective: Medical Marijuana Research


Some observers speculated that the researchers presented their report to the Legislature to call attention to marijuana research because an initiative to legalize marijuana for general use is expected to be on the California ballot in November 2010.

But Grant says that's not the case. "We sent it to the Legislature because our report was due," he says.

The program Grant directs was launched in 1999, when the California Legislature passed (and the governor signed) SB 847. Since then, the center has completed five scientific trials, with more in progress.

Medical Marijuana: The Research Scorecard

Five studies, published in peer-reviewed medical journals, show the value of marijuana for pain-related conditions, the researchers say in the report.

* Smoked cannabis reduced pain in HIV patients. In one study, 50 patients assigned either to cannabis or placebo finished the study. Although 52% of those who smoked marijuana had a 30% or more reduction in pain intensity, just 24% of those in the placebo group did. The study is published in the journal Neurology. In another study, 28 HIV patients were assigned to either marijuana or placebo -- and 46% of pot smokers compared to 18% of the placebo group reported 30% or more pain relief. That study is in Neuropsychopharmacology.
* Marijuana helped reduce pain in people suffering spinal cord injury and other conditions. In this study, 38 patients smoked either high-dose or low-dose marijuana; 32 finished all three sessions. Both doses reduced neuropathic pain from different causes. Results appear in the Journal of Pain.
* Medium doses of marijuana can reduce pain perception, another study found. Fifteen healthy volunteers smoked a low, medium, or high dose of marijuana to see if it could counteract the pain produced by an injection of capsaicin, the ''hot'' ingredient in chili peppers. The higher the dose, the greater the pain relief. The study was published in Anesthesiology.
* Vaporized marijuana can be safe, other research found. In this study, 14 volunteers were assigned to get low, medium, or high doses of pot, either smoked or by vaporization delivery, on six different occasions. The vaporized method was found safe; patients preferred it to smoking. The study is in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

A sixth study, as yet unpublished, found marijuana better than placebo cigarettes in reducing the spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis and the pain associated with the spasticity.

Medical Marijuana Research: What's Next?


Grant's researchers will finish two more studies, with results expected by 2011, he says. What happens then, when the initial allocation of nearly $8.7 million, awarded back in 2000, runs out?

"We're going to act as a kind of shell or organizational structure to help investigators apply for funding with the NIH [and others]," he says. Grant says he is expecting no more funding from cash-strapped California.

Although 14 states have legalized medical marijuana, he says, California is the only state that has ''stepped up to the plate'' to do research.

Medical Marijuana Research: Other Opinions

The California center's studies are flawed, says Joel Hay, PhD, professor of pharmaceutical economics and policy at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and a vocal critic of medical marijuana.

"It's not medicine," he says of marijuana. "It would never be approved by the FDA.

''I certainly concede that cannabinoids may have a very valuable medical role," he says. But the danger is in the smoking of marijuana, he says, citing health effects.

Isolating the active ingredient is a better approach, he says, and has actually already been done. "If you want a cannabionoid, it's here," he says, referring to Marinol, available and FDA approved. The active ingredient is THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, the same as found in marijuana.

''Marijuana contains a huge variety of compounds, some of which have not even been thoroughly identified," Hay tells WebMD. The studies, he says, are all short-term, with small groups.

Another flaw, he says, is that it's difficult to have a true placebo when studying marijuana. "People know when they are consuming a psychoactive product," he says.

Another flaw is that patients were allowed to continue on their pain medicine, says Kevin Weissman, PharmD, director of drug information services at Los Angeles County+University of Southern California Medical Center. That may have affected the results.

Grant counters that it was not humane to take patients off pain medicines that were providing any degree of relief.

Like Hay, Weissman says marijuana does have an analgesic effect. But he worries about the long-term effect of marijuana smoke and says research is needed to find a safer delivery system that works, such as vaporization.

Here is the link to the actual article: http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20100218/medical-marijuana-has-merit-research-shows

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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Medical Marijuana: Putting Together California’s Research

potAfter California became the first state to allow medical use of marijuana, legislators decided in 1999 to fund research that was supposed figure out what the drug was good for therapeutically. Now we have an answer: a report issued today says it seems to ease some types of pain, and maybe muscle spasticity from multiple sclerosis.

Of course, lots of state residents have found their own, much more varied, answers, since California’s law is one of the most open-ended about who’s eligible for medical marijuana. Anyone who can get a doctor to write a recommendation, based on just about any medical condition, can buy marijuana in California. But this is the official report from the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, based at the University of California, San Diego.

Since its 2000 founding, the center has funded 15 clinical studies, including seven trials. The results include some fodder for medical-marijuana supporters who argue for the drug’s unique importance, particularly the finding that it worked as an add-on to more standard treatments for pain stemming from nerve damage.

The report argues marijuana may have a “novel mechanism of action not fully exploited by current therapies.” The drug may also have an effect on multiple-sclerosis patients’ spastic motions “beyond the benefit available from usual medical care,” the report says. Other research hasn’t shown this effect consistently.

The report also flags some mild side effects, including dizziness and, ahem, “changes in cognition.” Marijuana opponents will probably say that the studies weren’t long-term enough to show the potential downsides of chronic use.

The center has made these findings public before — they can be found on the center’s Web site. Still, the report is important because it pulls together the results in a document that is supposed to reach the general public.

And now that 13 other states have followed California in adopting medical marijuana laws, the research is likely to play a role as the Golden State once again tries to take the lead in marijuana policy: a California ballot measure that would attempt to legalize the drug’s use by adults 21 and older is likely to come to a vote later this year.

The WSJ took a recent look at marijuana research here.

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2010/02/17/medical-marijuana-putting-together-californias-research/

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Health Insurance and Medical Marijuana in America

Health Insurance and Medical Marijuana in America

Health Insurance and Medical Marijuana in America

Demonstrators rally for legalization of marijuana

Politicians and decision makers seem to be worried that if we make cannabis legal for medicinal use, then it will become in higher demand and people would abuse the drug more than is happening now. The Institute of Medicine (someone I’d be highly included to trust based on name alone) released a report in 1999 on medical marijuana examining whether the medical use of marijuana would lead to an increase of marijuana use in the general population and concluded that, “At this point there is no convincing data to support this concern. The existing data is consistent with the idea that this would not be a problem if the medical use of marijuana were as closely regulated as other medications with abuse potential.” The report also noted that, “this question is beyond the issues normally considered for medical uses of drugs, and should not be a factor in evaluating the therapeutic potential of marijuana or cannabinoids.”

This reminds me of the drinking age here in the United States versus other countries around the world, and rates of death and accidents caused by minors abusing drinking. If you look at statistics, young people under the legal drinking age of 21 here in the US tend to drink more excessively than youth in other countries, and I believe that is because alcohol consumption is considered to be so much more taboo here. In European countries, for example, wine will be served at family dinners, and it doesn’t seem that teenagers having a glass is a big to-do at all. This may be true for some American families, but I don’t feel it’s the norm across the board. I digress, but this example is meant to show that I think that legalizing cannabis can actually help take the taboo and stigma off of using the drug, and hopefully make people less likely to try and get their hands on it illegally.

The Health Insurance Angle

Although we’re certainly not there yet, seeing as there are still 35 states which have yet to legalize medical marijuana, it does make you wonder if cannabis can and will ever be covered by health insurance plans. This is an interesting pickle, and doesn’t seem like it could be feasible unless cannabis was legalized at the federal level. This is because health insurance plans usually cover a specific service area within the country (for example, Health Net offers coverage in California, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Arizona, and Connecticut), so if even one of the states an insurance company offered plans in didn’t have legal cannabis at the state level, then the plan couldn’t cover the drug at all.

A more radical way to get cannabis covered by health insurance plans would be for insurers to change the way their plan worked. Assuming that cannabis legalization stays at the state level and a health insurance company feels very strongly about giving medical marijuana coverage to its patients, they could choose to alter the states in which they offer coverage to coincide with states where it is legal.

There are always so many things to consider when thinking about health insurance. Some things are covered, others aren’t, and navigating the mess can seem like a hopeless pursuit. Special insurance is also something to learn about the particular types of special coverage and the conditions you may find yourself in. Arming yourself with knowledge around your health is crucial, so treat your body and mind well.


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Friday, February 12, 2010

10 Signs You May Be Addicted to Painkillers-Wellness.com



To read the full article at Wellness.com click here:
Wellness.com - The Best of Health and Wellness


10 Signs You May Be Addicted to Painkillers

By Jesse Cannone

Each year, more than 2 million Americans are given powerful prescription painkillers that contain opiods (sometimes called narcotics) for the relief of pain and discomfort brought on by injury, surgery, menstrual cramps, and even headaches. But a growing number of people taking these medications are becoming addicted to them. And it's not hard to understand why.

Drugs such as Vicodin, Percocet and Methadone block pain all the way from the nerve endings in the skin to the spinal cord to the brain. Once these drugs reach the brain, they open the floodgates for the chemical dopamine, which triggers feelings of well-being. Dopamine, in effect, rewires the brain to become accustomed to those pleasant feelings. So when you stop taking the pain-killer, your body will still have a strong craving for the dopamine. This is what makes it so hard to quit. Symptoms of withdrawal can include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps (which is the origin of the term "cold turkey"), and involuntary leg movements. Better to avoid getting hooked in the first place.

Chemical dependency can happen to anyone, and it can easily sneak up on you. Here are 10 things you should look out for if you or someone you know is currently taking prescription painkillers:

1. An increase in usage
As time goes by, the effects of the initial dose will lessen, prompting a desire for stronger or more frequent doses of the prescribed medication. This is a clear indication that whatever amount they have been taking is no longer providing the same level of relief.

2. Personality changes
Changes in a person's normal behavior can be a sign of dependency. Shifts in energy, mood, and concentration may occur as every day responsibilities become secondary to the need for the relief the prescription provides.

3. Withdrawing socially
This is one of the clearest signs of a dependency problem. Spending more time alone and away from friends and family and social gatherings is a cause for concern.

4. Continuing meds too long
Extending the prescription beyond the initial period, especially after the condition has improved, can be the beginning of an endless cycle. The patient may even believe he or she is still in pain and simply needs to stay on the meds for a few more weeks or months. He or she might even express anger toward a doctor who questions the need to renew the prescription.

5. Too much time spent getting meds
There are no lengths to which a chemically dependent person will not go to obtain the drugs they think they need. This can become an all-consuming obsession, including traveling long distances and visiting many doctors. When getting the drugs seems to be the number one priority, the situation is getting out of hand.

6. Habits and appearance changes
A deterioration in physical appearance and grooming--including not bathing or shaving regularly--is a common result of drug addiction. There may be a general look of unhealthiness, such as persistent coughing and red eyes. Sleeping and eating patterns often become irregular.

7. Failure to meet responsibilities
Sudden changes in work or school attendance and a decline in quality of work or grades are common, as well as forgetting to pay bills and missing appointments.

8. Becoming oversensitive
One consequence of using potent drugs is that the body's response to any sort of stimulation is heightened. For example, a person may have an overly emotional reaction to traffic noise or bright lights--possibly including hallucinations.

9. Forgetfulness and blacking out
A person who is suffering from chemical dependency will forget things that have happened and may even experience memory gaps of several hours.

10. Denial and becoming defensive
Presented with even a hint that they may be addicted, those hooked on drugs will vehemently deny it. The harder you push, the more defensive they are like to get. They might even react to simple questions with an angry outburst.

Additional signs of chemical dependency include an inability to relax or have fun, talking incoherently or making inappropriate remarks, and expressing feelings of exhaustion, depression, and hopelessness.

Remember that painkillers are a blessing that can turn into a curse. And that it is a lot easier to avoid becoming addicted than it is to recover from drug addiction. As long as you follow your doctor's instructions (and you have others around you to make sure you do), these prescription medications will what they were designed to do--and nothing more.

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Monday, February 8, 2010

Beneficial Effects of Marijuana

According to the National Institute of Health, when medical marijuana is consumed properly, patients can find relief from a number of medical conditions:

1. Marijuana is an excellent analgesia for chronic pain due to a variety of conditions.
2. It controls nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy.
3. It helps with neuralgic and movement disorders, such as muscle spasticity and seizures.
4. Bon appetit-Marijuana stimulates appetite and relieves Cachexia (the physical wasting away of AIDS and cancer sufferers).
5. The drug decreases intraocular pressure inside the eyeball for relief of glaucoma.
6. Marijuana has sedative effects to reduce anxiety and depression.

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