Marijuana

I have never tried marijuana, except if you include the time when I was 10 yrs old and 2nd hand smoke was continuously blown in my face, while I was pinned down….I don’t remember much of an effect though.

I have to admit.   When I think of pot...I remember images I have seen from the movies of what being "high" looked like.   Glazed eyes, slurred speech and the unmistakable urge to eat Doritos.   "Pot Heads" was always what they were referred to and these people were reckless and irresponsible. (And they usually had to 'do their business' illegally)

Don't stop reading and get angry -- Like I have said before, I am a work in progress.

Recently, in Colorado, the buying and selling of Marijuana has become legal.   I wasn't shocked that our news has reported "record sales" and "lines around the block" from people who can finally use this stuff, without worrying about going to jail.  

All the reports and studies taken from people who smoke weed, indicated the stuff is safe.   FAR better (and safer) than alcohol, and much more preferred than prescription medication.

I have a lot of friends that use marijuana...I thought I understood why they used it....But it wasn't until I REALLY began reading about it, that I understood the real reason.   It isn't about just some relaxing - stress-relieving side-effect...Although, that is a bonus.

Every-Single-Person I have talked to, told me about how marijuana relieves their pain...Reduces their headaches...and helps them get better sleep.

Below you'll find a sampling of responses from several of my online friends – most, but not all, claiming or hoping marijuana, medical or otherwise, can help with NF symptoms, including headaches, tumors, and better sleep. Some say it reduces tumors, but I hesitate to sign off on that without more medical studies to back it up.

I can't say I'm ready to run down to the local MJ Shop and plop down $250 for a few ounces of weed, and I'm not sure I'd even go after a medical prescription. At least not at this point in my life.

But my husband asked me if I'd accept a medical marijuana prescription for our oldest daughter, who, now 18, suffers more than any of us, between back pain, headaches, and frequent nausea. It made me think, and think that I just might.

In the end, of course, I can only judge for me and my family. And with only two states on board with marijuana outside legitimate medical usage, I certainly won't advise you to do anything that will land you behind bars.

But perhaps the time for the old Cheech & Chong stereotype is over – and we need to recognize that correct usage by responsible adults may be no more harmful than having a beer as you watch the game, and may be dramatically more helpful than the medicine cabinet worth of prescriptions doctors seem to have little problems prescribing.

Thrive On – and inhale if you must :)

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So many responses:

Anonymous - My son is about to turn 12 and has NF1. He has had multiple surgeries and has twitches and stings up and down the body plus most all other NF symptoms. He uses the whole Marijuana plant dried and ground and put into capsules. I have a medical card for myself this is how I get it for him. It helps him not have nerve stings and helps him stop his pain. instead of taking oxy, hydro, or Neurontin that he is prescribed. I also use an oil high in CBD and low in THC which is medicinal without the "high" involved. He likes his plant medicine above the pharmacy meds.

Anonymous - My son tried it and said that it made the pain worse. He is in chronic pain all the time and is also requesting that the nerves in his spin be severed to stop the pain in his legs.

Anonymous - I have NF1, and I was just diagnosed with RA/PsA and Raynauds Disease/Erthromelalegia all things that are very painful and progressive. I really can't do Narcs for the type of pain it causes me these new diagnosis on top of all the NF, BS hasn't left me with a very good prognosis and a family member recently started me on smoking a little here and there. Not a lot to lose my brain but just enough to try and take the edge off and maybe be able to relax. I do think they should make it a legal medicine as they do for cancer and some other diseases. I do feel ashamed and sometimes guilty about it at times and I would hate for my 13yr old son to ever know and my boyfriend even asked my DR in front of me if it would be ok if he got some for me and the DR said just don't tell him about it when we do...I don't do it all the time and I never drive when I do so at least I try to be responsible about but still struggle feeling guilty.

Anonymous - Its really amazing for pain. Better than other pain killers. I find that I can function more than with painkillers

Anonymous - I am trying like mad to get a medical marijuana permit here in Vermont. I have never touched the stuff until my husband convinced me about 3 months ago. He had a guy at work make me a "choc" candy (like a Reese's cup I could only eat part of it.. it took about 1/2 hour to work. will have to tell you something, this is the best sleep I have gotten in years. It was able to take the pain off -so that I was able to relax. I have had 3 choc. since and a candy like a life saver. We know how to make our own choc. so if we want to we can. I want to get legal as I am afraid to go to jail I have so much pain for a straight week at a time only 1 time a month.

Anonymous - I personally use it and it does help with my pain more than medication-- it does not relieve all the pain but it definitely helps more the medication.

Anonymous - Hey Kristi.......I treat myself with marijuana for NF pain. I've been going to a Pain Clinic in NH (I live in VT, and am closer border wise to NH than VT). NH won't give me a prescription, b/c I live in VT and they are in NH. If I were to go to a VT pain clinic, I would have to travel 1 1/2 hours.........IT DOES HELP!!!! I wish I could get people to understand this.

Hetty - My hubby uses cannabis and amino acids to manage chronic pain as a result of 20 plus surgeries due to NF1.

Michelle - here in VT we can apply for a medical permit, I am trying got get a permit as I speak.. you don't have to smoke it you can make it into candy, choc. or anything. For me, well lets just say I hope I can get legal. I have never gotten better rest and relief of pain

Amber - If I could use it for medical use I would. I've never heard bad things about it unless you abuse it – duh - lol

George - Weed is a magical herb it helps with pain, anxiety, depression, glaucoma, eating disorders, anger issues, insomnia, Yeah this shouldn't be legal but you got cigarettes that kill people, alcohol that makes people violent and over dosing on it all the time, pills that people take a hand full of and go to sleep and not wake up. It's impossible to over dose on pot you'd have to smoke like 10,000 blunts good sized ones at that and even then you'd over dose on carbon monoxide not THC. Who knows maybe if processed properly weed can help cure cancer and aids... it helps everything else why not give it a shot.

Lisa - It helps me a lot I had spinal cord surgery to remove tumors off my spine- I have ten more tumors in and out of my spine. Surgeries to remove them are dangerous and only be done when critical doctor took me off of pain meds. Afraid when I decline nothing will work, then pain meds have messed up my stomach so weed helps a lot with stomach and chronic pain

Curran - In California you just pay a doctor hundred bucks and they give you a green card - it's real simple here

Derek - Definitely helps with pain and muscle spasm. I am not sure but maybe have shrink in tumors.

Kivalina - I know someone who swears it keeps the tumors from growing.

Cindi - My daughter has NF and uses--she said it helps with the pain of NF

Ayanna - If I knew it would help my NF I would get a card and take it in medical form like candies.

Suzie - I used to smoke quite a bit and then stopped when I moved to a new country and didn't have a source. This coincided with the time that all my tumors grew on my back and chest, when I turned 30. I was symptom-less until then (apart from cafe au laits) and was only diagnosed at that point - suggests to me it may help defeat tumor growth.

Thank You all for your responses...