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What are your thoughts about Medical Marijuana? And the dangers?

By May 5, 2008 - 11:49am
 
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I'm wondering about medical marijuana and the complications it can give patients waiting for transplants.

Doctors believe that medical marijuana may relieve pain, and increase appetite, amongst other benefits, but because it is still a drug with some risks, is actually preventing patients on organ waiting lists from receiving a transplant.

They believe that marijuana can affect the immune system and may hinter recovery in the crucial days after surgery. And being a natural plant, it may contain germs like aspergillosis that can cause respitory distress and pneumonia.

Doctors also fear that some patients may find it hard to quit once they get their new organ and continued use may be dangerous.

I think it's a sad Catch-22. I think anyone with the kind of chronic pain that cancer, MS, HIV/AIDS and other illnesses cause should be perfectly entitled to use medical marijuana that is legal in their state and prescribed by a doctor.

But these findings are very troublesome. There are nearly 100,000 on organ donor waiting lists.

What does anyone here think about the use of medical marijuana?

Add a Comment5 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I have to agree with the most comment, I have grown up with Marijuana. My parents use it, my husband uses it and this usage has gone on for years. I can tell you from experience that none of the people I have seen have had any problems with their immune system. In fact is has truly enhanced their lives. I myself prefer wine and only occasionally smoke Marijuana. This is one drug than deserves to be legalized or at the very least decriminalized. My comments are from years of observation of this drug. I would be interested to hear other people's thoughts on legalizing or decriminalizing Marijuana.

October 10, 2009 - 11:00am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

As a frequent user of cannabis, I can only say positive things about it. I'm not sure about the statement that it lowers immune system functioning, but I know for me and my group of friends who use regularly, when we stop smoking, we are more likely to get sick. I haven't been sick in several years, despite living with three other people and attending a large university. Marijuana is an amazing plant that everyone should enjoy. It can enhance your life so much. Just give it a try and don't believe the "dangers" people will tell you. You deserve to be happy and full of life! Marijuana helps you along the way ;)

October 10, 2009 - 6:45am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

This is very interesting. I agree with the fact that smoking pot can hurt an already strugling immune system because of the germs and the harshness it has on the lungs. I think there are a few ways to avoid this though. One is to make "pot food" like cookies, cake, tea, etc. Because it is baked into the food at a high temperature the risk of infection because of germs isn't as high, and you won't have to deal with the harshness on your lungs. Not to mention the smell of it creeping over to your neighbors house.

I also saw this other stuff called liquid THC (THC is the stuff that gets you high), and believe it is also available for medical use. I'm not sure of how you are supposed to use it (probably consuming or injecting, or either). You could ask your doctors about it, and they would probably have some very helpful information.

P.S.

Consuming pot gives you more of a body buzz anyways, so would probably work better for pain reliefe than smoking it.

October 9, 2009 - 10:19pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Actually, in response to consuming pot and the body buzz, it depends on the strain and species of cannabis plant, indica or sativa.

October 10, 2009 - 6:46am

If someone can receive a potentially a life-saving organ, I say hold off on the medical marijuana until an organ can be found. I know in some cases, someone who is very much indeed may not receive it. For those who are not candidates for organs, I'm fine with allowing them some comfort in the form of medicinal marijuana.

May 5, 2008 - 3:31pm
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