Experts Testify about Medical Marijuana at Oklahoma State Capitol

[championofreason]

Emotional testimony from a mother and grandfather whose young family members suffer from forms of epilepsy led off the hearing on medical marijuana and were effective examples that tugged at the heartstrings. It showed that medicinal marijuana can change lives and that without it these children were destined to live wretched lives, or worse die. This in and of itself was effective in revealing the absurd rhetoric espoused by many within the state legislature.

However, it was the testimony of two experts on the use of the plant cannabis to treat diseases ranging from epilepsy to cancer that was the most effective in negating any counterarguments a person could possibly mount. Josh Stanley along with his brothers are famous for developing, a strain of marijuana, which is high in CBD (cannabidiol) and low in THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), known as “Charlotte’s Web.” He was the first expert to speak...

During the special hearing inside the Oklahoma State Capitol Stanley stated, “The guessing is now over. The science is here and the proof is here. Regulated, responsible, statewide structure is here and it is available to provide security and safety measures as well as economic benefit to many different states, especially Oklahoma right now. And I can assure you it is not about getting high.”

A plea was being made to Oklahoma lawmakers to look at the science of the matter. This appeal was being made in order to ensure that those who needed help could receive it. It was about objectively looking at the results and acting accordingly.

Stanley went on to say, “The benefits are really not surprising as the endocannabinoid system happens to be the most prevalent receptor system found in all mammals. The cannabis plant has over 120 compounds called cannabinoids. These cannabinoids match the cannabinoids that are produced in our own human body and this plant acts to replenish these compounds in our body whenever we have a deficiency. It is essentially a lock and key system, currently through observational research and clinical studies we are finding that the use of this plant is providing incredible dramatic impacts in areas like cancer, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, lupus, diabetes, arthritis, AIDS/HIV, chronic pain, heart disease, among many other conditions.”...

He also went on to outline the positive effects that THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, has on certain health conditions. Stanley stated that “THC has proven incredibly effective in modern cancer therapy, from the eradication of cancer cells, to being able to combat the effects of chemotherapy by providing an appetite and reducing nausea as well as aiding with mood disorders including PTSD.” ...

Neurosurgeon and CNN’s chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta, who in 2009 wrote an article for TIME Magazine entitled “Why I would Vote No on Pot” publicly admitted this past year that he was wrong and has now become an advocate for its medical use. It is okay to be wrong; it is whether or not one adapts with the times that is important. As more information surfaces and compelling evidence appears, it is the prudent thing to shift opinion.

After Stanley finished speaking, Mark J. Rosenfeld, Ph.D. Founder and CEO of ISA Scientific, a center for “responsible phytocannabinoid therapy”, gave a very detailed presentation. He revealed that there are over “3,000 published medical and scientific works that indicate profound therapeutic potential for treating pain, sugar metabolism, heart health, immune system function, cancer control, epilepsy, and more.”...

Read More at http://www.reddirtreport.com/red-dirt-news/experts-testify-state-capitol-medical-marijuana

[tridim]

1. "That being said, it is quite doubtful the Oklahoma State Legislature will have a change of heart."

Expert: Facts, facts, facts, facts, facts, and more facts.

Regressives: We don't care. No.

[Jesus Malverde]

3. I don't disagree with your sense on the outcome.

It's clear to me that these moments are historic and important.

The conversation has changed that much, that people are treated seriously on this topic. In Oklahoma of all places.

Colorado going first was so much better than "wacky" California going first.

[tridim]

5. It's not my sense of the outcome, just the article's conclusion.

Anyway, I believe Cannabis will be federally legal before anything happens in the regressive states.

[mike_c]

2. while I agree with and support ending cannabis prohibition...

...I'm a bit disappointed in the constant attempt to diminish the importance of "getting high." In fact, the psychoactive qualities of cannabis are among its most appealing. The "high" is mildly euphoric, without degrading judgement and physical performance like alcohol, it's non-toxic, and it helps to relieve stress. It's also a signal that cannabis has been ingested and absorbed, even when the psychoactive compounds are not the primary drug delivery.

If cannabis is good for us generally-- and I certainly think that it is, based on my own anecdotal experience-- then the recreational psychoactivity is just another side of it's beneficial use. I can understand that there are circumstances when low psychoactivity is better, of course, e.g. for treating seizures-- but the general disdain for recreational psychoactivity is disingenuous, I think.

[tridim]

4. A safe, natural stress reliever like Cannabis will hit big pharma's bottom line hard.

Therefore a happy, low-stress America is their worst nightmare.
Big pharma doesn't know that laughing and smiling is good for you.

Totally agree that the high is very important for health, and too often diminished.