PHYSICAL BENEFITS

The Physical benefits of marijuana are far-reaching, widespread, and long-term. Because of the way marijuana impacts the Autonomic Nervous System which expands the breath and relaxes the body, its potential for health and healing are enormous, and have been completely unrealized by Western Medicine. The following passages are excerpted from The Benefits of Marijuana: Physical, Psychological, & Spiritual: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The simultaneous opposing action of marijuana is akin to balancing our entire system. Such balance in the ANS can be understood as a charged equilibrium, which is defined as “well-being” experienced as physiological expansion and psychological contentment and responsible for health. (p. 29) The net effect is a highly functioning, yet relaxed, system with better fuel. This is why, with marijuana, the feeling is both relaxed and alert, which explains, in part, the experience of being “stoned.” Normally the body vacillates between the two opposing modes of being. The effects of the complicated marijuana molecule somehow actually integrate these two modes, simultaneously, as absolutely nothing else does. (p. 30) Although specific effects of marijuana in the body are well known, each has been taken in isolation without noting that both sides of the Autonomic Nervous System are conjoined. Instead of a perspective that sees the whole person and the simple holistic effect of marijuana, a myopic and reductionistic method of measurement has been employed, and marijuana’s profound meaning for health has been lost. (p. 31) Marijuana, by its effect on the ANS, enhances both sides of the brain. Through increased Sympathetic action, left brain perception is heightened, while, at the same time, right brain reception is enhanced. This is a physiological fact. More blood, and cleaner blood, is sent to the brain, as in the “fight or flight” reaction. And because of Parasympathetic dilation of capillaries, which signifies relaxation, the blood supply to the entire brain is increased. More blood means more oxygen and consequently clearer and broader thinking. Since marijuana works on both sides of the brain, the most noticeable effect, in our fast-paced mind set, is one of slowing down, which blends the thrusting competitive attitude with the contrasting viewpoint of nurturance to arrive at a more cooperative balance. This experience is, however, not innate to marijuana, but to the mental set of the subject. When we are mellow, tired, and relaxed, marijuana is energizing and affords alertness, determination, and even strength. This variation in the physiological effects has caused great confusion from an either/or framework. And the balancing nature of marijuana (both/and) has not been understood. It both stimulates and relaxes, simultaneously, which equates to an unpredictable variation in effect that is solely dependent on the state of its subject. When the system is sluggish, as with natives in warm climates (Africa, India, South America), marijuana has been used extensively and for centuries to energize it: A common practice among laborers... have a puff of a ganja (marijuana) pipe to produce well-being, relieve fatigue, stimulate appetite. (Chopra and Chopra, 1939, p.3) When the system is hyper-aroused, as in today’s lifestyle, marijuana calms. The significance of this fact cannot be ignored. It explains the increased creativity reported as a part of the marijuana experience, because when both sides of brain processes are heightened, both types of brain activity are greater. The left brain notices more, while the right brain receives more. This is the unification of logic and intuition. The term “expansion of consciousness” is explained physiologically as a “shifting of brain emphasis from one-sidedness to balance” (Sugarmena and Tarter, 1978), which fits precisely with the feeling called “high.” (p. 35) Marijuana ingestion has been shown to change the worried state by producing alpha waves, experienced as well being. (p. 36) When we ingest marijuana, the heart swells through capillary enhancement and is fueled more by more fully oxygenated blood, while, at the same time, its contractions and expansions are greater, allowing for stronger pumping action to the rest of the body (p. 37) As rigidity in the body is released or reduced by the action of marijuana, there is a corresponding reduction of mental tension that translates into a feeling of expansion and well being and explains the reverential attitude commonly expressed by marijuana lovers. (p. 39) As the body’s workings can become more harmonious with marijuana, the functioning of the five senses can be noticeably improved ....In our discussion, the trigger to the high experience is marijuana, but many other activities can also produce it, such as jogging, chanting, fasting, isolation, meditation, and prayer. (p. 41) The marijuana experience itself does not miraculously cure. Instead, it allows the body a respite from the tensions of imbalance, while exposing the mental confusion of the mind. The marijuana experience of balance becomes a learned and, over time, somewhat permanent response as the essential human tendency to homeostasis is reawakened and the natural healing process restored. (p. 49) For a serious psychosomatic disease such as cancer, the benefits to be derived from marijuana cannot be overstated: 1. The causal element of unconscious (repressed) pain can be ferreted out. 2. The breath can be restored to fullness, thereby eliminating directly the built up toxicity and, at the same time, enjoining balance throughout the whole organism. A depressed system is a weakened system, and since it works holistically, marijuana gives strength where weakness exists, and expansion and relaxation where there is contraction and nervousness. 3. The more richly oxygenated blood that is in effect with marijuana can help to cleanse the poisons at the cellular level. 4. And a broader perspective through activation of the entire brain leads to positive feelings and thus eliminates the usual and debilitating attitudes so common in cancerhelplessness, depression, fear, resignation, and dread. (p. 60) Application of Marijuana: In a Costa Rican study, it was found that chronic marijuana smokers who also smoked cigarettes were less likely to develop cancer than cigarette smokers who didn’t use marijuana. Since marijuana (smoking, as well as ingestion by other methods) dilates the alveoli, toxins are more easily eliminated with cannabis use regardless of its method of application. Nicotine, on the other hand, constricts the alveoli, so it is likely that the use of cannabis neutralizes, or even overwhelms the constriction, by its own tendency to dilation ...As an aid for all psychosomatic disease, marijuana can benefit the participant, generally because of its health-restoring effects... The fear of marijuana... stems from its limitless potential for treating illness, in that both the pharmaceutical industry and the medical monopoly would lose billions of dollars if marijuana became the non-drug of choice. (p. 61) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS When we balance the Autonomic Nervous System, there is an effect on the mind that is both energizing and relaxing SIMULTANEOUSLY. In other words, we can think more clearly and more efficiently. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following are excerpts from The Benefits of Marijuana: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Natural feelings of expansion that correspond to favorable perceptions, such as a sense of accomplishment, are experiences common to us all, What makes marijuana unique and beneficial is its ability to summon these states of well-being at will (p. 44) We might suggest that those hundreds of millions of people around the world who face marijuana to experience higher levels of life, do so specifically because of the great import they ascribe to being “ high,” i.e., feeling better, happier, more expansive, and therefore more tolerant and compassionate. (p. 4545) Whereas marijuana results in an “altered state of consciousness,” the depressant drugs have been described as producing “altered states of unconsciousness” (Sugerman and Tarter), allowing for relaxation without awareness. (p.45) Marijuana exposes things. When used over a period of time, it allows us to witness our many subtle motives which, under normal consciousness, are usually not noticeable. (p 46) It was just this catalytic effect of marijuana to expose the unconscious and increase the patient’s vulnerability, while maintaining awareness and understanding that prompted psychologists (in the 1960s and 1970s) to utilize marijuana extensively in the therapeutic studies before the government ban (P. 47) With the expansiveness that occurs with marijuana, the subject may begin to notice infinite possibilities to raise the quality of his/her life that would otherwise have remained hidden from normal, defensive consciousness. And feelings of health and happiness naturally lead to hope, which of itself can be curative. (p. 49) Marijuana can act as the loosening agent, so that whatever has been banned from consciousness may come cascading forth. To uncover our deceptions without our usual rationalizations can be unpleasant, an experience that has turned many psychologically fragile individuals away from marijuana despite its therapeutic catharsis. (p. 50) Regardless of the model used, marijuana resolves conflict by de-emphasizing extreme aggressiveness and stroking the receptive sides of human nature. This unification or balance, however, may be responsible for changes in goals and values. It Is the healthy balancing nature of marijuana that is most beneficial to the individual and most threatening to modern society. (p. 51) When it first became popular in the West, marijuana was imported mainly from tropical zones, where the sativa strain of cannabis is indigenous. This type of marijuana is known for its “cerebral high,” having little noticeable body participation. No studies concerning the different effects of sativa vs. indica have been done, but from the lack of physical sensation, it is reasonable to assume more Sympathetic or stimulant qualities in sativa than indica (a cooler climate type). This is compatible with the notion that in hotter climates, less calming is desirable from a recreational substance, since hot climates in themselves cause lethargy. Many connoisseurs of marijuana prefer the sativa high, although in the last decade it has become very scarce due to domestic cultivation of strains that thrive in temperate zones (and indoors). “Cerebral highs” are experienced as lightness of thought beyond usual concern with self esteem. In relationships, a cerebral high attunes the participants to a less separate sense of themselves. Conversation is animated and a general feeling of camaraderie is in the air. The indica strain of cannabis offers more of the “body high.” Depth rather than height best describes the subjective experience. Rather than freedom in the mind, the felt sensation is freedom of the body. This state more closely mimics deep relaxation. Thought patterns do not approach the clarity of thought of a “cerebral high.” In contrast, the “body high” is similar to the reverie that precedes sleep. While thinking may be diminished, more sensitivity to nonverbal experiences, such as music and color, comes into play. Physiologically, a true “body high” probably is the result of more Parasympathetic input. Participants ofen become quieter, since internal silence predominates. Indica thrives in temperate areas, and as such it has become more popular with the American marijuana farmer. It is a shorter variety, thus it is more suited for the limits of indoor gardens and comes to fruition earlier in outdoor gardens. In less tropical zones, recreational substances are compatible with tempering the bustle usual to cooler climate cultures. As horticultural interest has grown, a cross between the indica and sativa species of cannabis has given the modern marijuana user the subtleties of both strains. Nowadays quality marijuana, grown in the US, is usually a hybrid of the indica and sativa varieties. (p. 56) Marijuana will not tolerate repression. Tranquilizers and depressants relax the body and release tension, but the state of mind associated with these drugs is “unconsciousness” whereby we escape rather than resolve our dilemmas. Alcoholism is an extreme need of both the body and personality periodically to release the nervousness that has accumulated and continues to accumulate to an unbearable degree. It serves the same function for the collective personality for the society, as well A culture in which alcohol and tranquilizers are the prevalent form of release prefers not to witness internal confusion and actually choose to act without conscious participation, maintaining a semi-numb condition. (p. 56)

Marijuana Legislation

"It is only February, and already more people have died from peanut butter than from pot" This quote explains the purpose of this website. Supporters of legalizing marijuana are not neccessarily "tree-hugging" liberals, nor are they "drugged up". Scholarly scientists as well as intellectuals are convinced that marijuana is by no means as dangerous as most crack it up to be. This site is dedicated to the ongoing movement for reform in Marijuana Legislation. Quick Facts about Marijuana Marijuana has been around since ancient times. It wasn’t considered a problem until America launched a campaign against it in the late 1930's. Billions of dollars each year are spend on marijuana just in the United States. Nobody has ever died from an overdose of marijuana - can't say that about alcohol. Recent Scientific Studies have proven: 1. Cannabis, unlike Alcohol and Cocaine, does NOT cause violent behavior. 2. Marijuana helps with stress relief, pain relief, meditation, as well as eating disorders. 3. It is proven that driving under the influence of marijuana is NOT DANGEROUS. (More Information: http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/1775.html) 4. Marijuana helps prevent Alzheimer's disease. (More Information: http://www.livescience.com/health/061005_alzheimers_marijuana.html)

History of marijuana

Marijuana has been used as an agent for achieving euphoria since ancient times; it was described in a Chinese medical reference traditionally considered to date from 2737 B.C. Its use spread from China to India and then to N Africa and reached Europe at least as early as A.D. 500. Marijuana Plants / Cannabis The first direct reference to a cannabis product as a psychoactive agent dates from 2737 BC, in the writings of the Chinese emperor Shen Nung. The focus was on its powers as a medication for rheumatism, gout, malaria, and oddly enough, absent-mindedness. Mention was made of the intoxicating properties, but the medicinal value was considered more important. In India though it was clearly used recreationally. The Muslims too used it recreationally for alcohol consumption was banned by the Koran. It was the Muslims who introduced hashish, whose popularity spread quickly throughout 12th century Persia (Iran) and North Africa.

Is medical marijuana an effective treatment for depression, bipolar disorders, anxiety, and similar mood disorders?

PRO (yes) D. Mark Anderson, PhD, Assistant Professor of Economics at Montana State University, Daniel I. Rees, PhD, Professor of Economics at the University of Colorado Denver, and Joseph J. Sabia, PhD, Assistant Professor of Economics at San Diego State University, stated the following in their Jan. 2012 study "High on Life? Medical Marijuana Laws and Suicide," published by the The Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) in its Discussion Paper Series: "Our results suggest that the legalization of medical marijuana is associated with a 5 percent decrease in the total suicide rate, an 11 percent decrease in the suicide rate of 20- through 29-year-old males, and a 9 percent decrease in the suicide rate of 30- through 39 year-old-males. Estimates for female suicide rates are generally measured with less precision and are sensitive to functional form... The strong association between alcohol consumption and suicide related outcomes found by previous researchers... raises the possibility that medical marijuana laws reduce the risk of suicide by decreasing alcohol consumption." PRO (NO) Gregory E. Simon, MD, MPH, Senior Scientific Investigator in the Center for Health Studies at the Group Health Cooperative, stated the following in a Jan. 2012 column titled "Ask the Doctor Q & A," published on the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance website: "Using marijuana can certainly contribute to or worsen depression. Low motivation, fatigue, and withdrawal from positive activities are central features of depression and marijuana can worsen each of those problems. Some people do say that marijuana dulls anxiety or negative feelings. But it also dulls energy and motivation. And we know that activation and engagement are key parts of recovery from depression. Marijuana can be even more troublesome for people—especially younger people—who live with bipolar disorder. In addition to worsening depression, marijuana can increase the likelihood of experiencing symptoms of psychosis—like hallucinations or paranoid ideas. In younger people who are at higher risk for bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, using marijuana increases the chances of developing a severe or disabling mental illness."

Heavy Marijuana Use Doesn't Damage Brain

Long-term and even daily marijuana use doesn't appear to cause permanent brain damage, adding to evidence that it can be a safe and effective treatment for a wide range of diseases, say researchers. The researchers found only a "very small" impairment in memory and learning among long-term marijuana users. Otherwise, scores on thinking tests were similar to those who don't smoke marijuana, according to a new analysis of 15 previous studies. In those studies, some 700 regular marijuana users were compared with 484 non-users on various aspects of brain function -- including reaction time, language and motor skills, reasoning ability, memory, and the ability to learn new information. Surprising Finding "We were somewhat surprised by our finding, especially since there's been a controversy for some years on whether long-term cannabis use causes brain damage," says lead researcher and psychiatrist Igor Grant, MD. "I suppose we expected to see some differences in people who were heavy users, but in fact the differences were very minimal." The marijuana users in those 15 studies -- which lasted between three months to more than 13 years -- had smoked marijuana several times a week or month or daily. Still, researchers say impairments were less than what is typically found from using alcohol or other drugs. "All study participants were adults," says Grant, professor of psychiatry and director of the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research Center at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. "However, there might be a different set of circumstances to a 12-year-old whose nervous system is still developing." 10 States OK Marijuana Use Grant's analysis, published in the July issue of the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, comes as many states consider laws allowing marijuana to be used to treat certain medical conditions. Earlier this year, Maryland became the 10th state to allow marijuana use to relieve pain and other symptoms of AIDS, multiple sclerosis, cancer, glaucoma, and other conditions -- joining Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Medicinal marijuana is available by prescription in the Netherlands and a new marijuana drug is expected to be released in Great Britain later this year. In the U.S. and elsewhere, Marinol, a drug that is a synthetic form of marijuana and contains its active ingredient, THC, is available by prescription to treat loss of appetite associated with weight loss in AIDS patients. Grant says he did the analysis to help determine long-term toxicity from long-term and frequent marijuana use. His center is currently conducting 11 studies to determine its safety and efficacy in treating several diseases. "This finding enables us to see a marginal level of safety, if those studies prove that cannabis can be effective," Grant tells WebMD. "If we barely find this effect in long-term heavy users, then we are unlikely to see deleterious side effects in individuals who receive cannabis for a short time in a medical setting, which would be safer than what is practiced by street users." Grant's findings come as no surprise to Tod Mikuriya, MD, former director of non-classified marijuana research for the National Institute of Mental Health Center for Narcotics and Drug Abuse Studies and author of The Marijuana Medical Handbook: A Guide to Therapeutic Use. He is currently president of the California Cannabis Medical Group, which has treated some 20,000 patients with medicinal marijuana and Marinol.

U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag Can't Deal With Marijuana Protesters, Ditches Public Event

Medical marijuana is not making U.S Attorney Melinda Haag's life easy. Among Bay Area cannabis advocates, she's become a loathed figure, scorned and mocked in unflattering effigy. All of this due to her role in the Justice Department's crackdown on state-legal medical marijuana clubs. Haag has shut down more than a dozen taxpaying "pot shops" in the Bay Area since October 2011, and is working to add the scalp of Harborside Health Center -- the state's biggest pot club -- to her list. Haag -- who, we have been told, is actually a likable person -- was scheduled to take time out of her busy day Wednesday to participate in an educational panel at Golden Gate University's law school. Then the medical marijuana folks got wind of this event and quickly organized a protest in her honor. Then Haag got wind of this protest and a few hours before she was scheduled to speak, she bailed. Mission accomplished? Haag was scheduled to moderate a panel, The Role of the 21st Century Prosecutor, along with San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón and Philadelphia DA Seth Williams. Haag was a "last-minute" cancellation, after cannabis advocates made clear their intentions to take over the panel's Q&A session with such gems as, "Why are you making life more difficult for AIDS and cancer patients?" And connoisseurs of Sour Diesel, but we digress. No word on who filled in for her. Recall that the administration of President Barack Obama signalled an early acceptance for state-legal medical marijuana. That helped usher in a veritable boom, a "Green Rush" of growers and sellers getting into the business in California. But it was the licensed, taxpaying dispensaries that fell to Haag's axe, after the prosecutor informed all involved that marijuana was still illegal under federal law and would be treated as such. Under protests from local governments, dispensaries in Fairfax, Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco all shut down under threat of prison terms for their landlords. "I'm disappointed that Ms. Haag was a no-show for this event," said Caren Woodson, a spokeswoman for the San Francisco chapter of Americans for Safe Access, a marijuana users' lobby. "Twenty-first century prosecutors ought to have the courage to show up and account for their actions. When Ms. Haag is ready to come out of hiding, SF ASA with be right there to defend state laws against her continued rogue attacks." Haag's press people have long greeted every inquiry related to the pot crackdown with a "no comment." So just like Haag, SF Weekly didn't even bother.

Becoming a Patient in California

Summary Patients and their caregivers are permitted to legally use, have, and grow cannabis for medical purposes. The law also protects not-for-profit collective and cooperative grow operations and allows primary caregivers to be reimbursed for the costs of their services. To be a legal medical cannabis patient in California, all you need is a valid doctor's recommendation. There is a medical cannabis ID card system run by the state and several privately issued patient ID cards. A state-issued ID card is not required to be a legal patient, but it does look more official to the police. If you are on probation or parole, it's up to your probation or parole officer whether or not to allow you to use medical cannabis. What's Allowed The state limits are: six mature or 12 immature cannabis plants plus eight ounces of dried cannabis per patient. Cities and counties can set limits that are higher than this limit, but cannot set lower limits. For a listing of known guidelines for localities across California, see http://www.safeaccessnow.net. Also, the doctor's recommendation can specify that you need an amount of medical cannabis that exceeds the limits. Eligigble Conditions Eligible conditions include: AIDS, anorexia, arthritis, cachexia, cancer, chronic pain, glaucoma, migraine, persistent muscle spasms, seizures, severe nausea, and any other serious chronic or persistent medical symptom. Access You or your caregiver can grow your medical cannabis. Also, California's law allows for cooperative grows and dispensing businesses, as long as they are not a for-profit entity. See this user-maintained list of dispensaries. For more on dispensing collectives and cooperatives, including information about how to start one, read these FAQ. Consumption Don't be dangerous (i.e., don't drive under the influence). That is still illegal. Also, don't use cannabis within 1000 feet of a school, rec center, or youth center. Don't smoke on a school bus. Paraphernalia The law does not specifically address the legality of paraphernalia. Caregiver Your primary caregiver must be at least 18 years old and should consistently assume responsibility for your housing, health, or safety. They can be the primary caregiver of more than one patient only if the patients live in the same city or county as the primary caregiver. Application Process There are both public and private entities that issue ID cards. It usually takes at least 24 hours for them to verify your doctor's recommendation and produce the card. ID cards are valid for one year, then should be renewed. Contact your local Department of Public Health or one of these private organizations: Oakland Cannabis Buyers Cooperative (Bay Area) - (510) 832-5346 Medicann (Statewide) -866-632-6627. Again, you do not need an ID card to be a legal patient. Doctor Get a written recommendation from your doctor. Here is a sample doctor's recommendation and here is the form used by San Francisco Department of Health Services. It's best to work with your primary care physician, but if they are unwilling or you don't have one, you can find a list of doctors familiar with medical cannabis at http://canorml.org. Under California's law, your doctor cannot be punished simply for having recommended medical cannabis. Confidentiality Your medical information is confidential and protected under HIPPA. The medical cannabis ID cards do not show your name, address, or other sensitive information, though they do have a photo. Police and government agents can verify the legitimacy of the card. Housing Jails and other penal institutions do not necessarily have to accommodate your medical use of cannabis. Employment Employers are not required to accommodate on-the-job consumption of medical cannabis. Patient status outside of work is not protected either. See Ross v RagingWire. Insurance Health insurance providers are not mandated to cover medical cannabis expenses. Reciprocity Montana, Rhode Island, and Michigan should recognize your medical cannabis card issued by government entities. For more information If you have more specific questions, talk to a local attorney. You can also contact the California Department of Public Health: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/mmp/Pages/Medical%20Marijuana%20Program.aspx California Department of Public Health Office of County Health Services Attention: Medical Marijuana Program Unit MS 5203 P.O. Box 997377 Sacramento, CA 95899-7377 Phone: 916-552-8600 Fax: 916-440-5591 mmpinfo@dhs.ca.gov

Potency of Marijuana

How strong is marijuana? The main ingredient in marijuana that is responsible for the psychoactive, or mood altering, effects is a "cannabinoid" called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or "THC" for short. In combination with other cannabinoids the amount of THC in marijuana determines the strength of the effect of the drug. The level of THC in marijuana is not always the same. It can vary depending on the strain or variety of the plant, the way in which the plant is grown, the part of the plant that is used, and the way the plant is prepared for use and stored. Strain and Cultivation technique The way in which marijuana is grown can affect the amount of THC in the plant, and therefore the potency. Cannabis sativa is the species of plant that most commonly produces the drugs known as marijuana, hash, or hashish. Normally, the male cannabis plant fertilises the female plant. If female plants are grown in isolation, then the flowering tops of the plant remain unfertilised. These unfertilised flowering tops, known as sinsemilla, have particularly high THC levels. Crossbreeding and genetic modification can also produce strains of the cannabis plant that have particularly high levels of THC. Some argue that cannabis grown hydroponically, which refers to the method of growing plants under artificial light, is stronger than "bush weed," which refers to cannabis grown out doors in natural light. It is argued that the plant has a greater chance of reaching its full genetic potency potential when grown in this way. Users of the drug say they can tell when they are using "hydro" cannabis versus bush weed because the effects are so much stronger. However, some people do not believe that hydroponic cultivation itself makes cannabis stronger. Large scale hydroponic cultivators may be more likely to use more potent strains and grow plants to their full potential. The only published Australian test of the differences in potency between cannabis that was naturally grown, hydroponically grown and cannabis grown indoors in soil used ten plants and showed great variation. In that small study no growing technique was clearly more capable of producing more potent plants. Part of plant used The flowering tops, or "buds" of the female cannabis plant have the highest concentrations of THC, followed by the leaves. Much lower THC levels are found in the stalks and seeds of the cannabis plant. Preparation for use The cannabis plant can be prepared in different ways for use, and these different forms have different potency. The strongest preparation is known as "hash oil," which is made by extracting THC from the cannabis plant in oil. Hash oil has been found to contain 15% to 30% THC. The resin secreted from the plant can be dried to make "hash," which is the second strongest preparation. Hash has THC concentrations ranging from 10% to 20%. The form with the lowest THC level is the dried buds and leaves of the plant, commonly known as marijuana. Marijuana is the most common form of cannabis available in Australia and can vary in potency from less than 1% to 20%. Has marijuana become stronger? Some people say that the marijuana that is used nowadays is a lot stronger than it used to be. There have been media reports of marijuana being up to 30 times stronger today than during the 1970s. It would be concerning if marijuana was a lot stronger because this could lead to more negative side-effects of marijuana use. There has been an increase in health problems related to marijuana in Australia over the last 20 years but it is not clear whether this is because marijuana has become stronger. It cannot be definitively determined whether the marijuana used here in Australia has become more potent over time because there is no data on this. The increase in health problems is more likely to be due to the increased popularity of using stronger parts of the plant. While marijuana users in the 1970s were most likely to smoke the leaves, marijuana users today prefer to smoke the more potent flowering tops, or buds of the plant. Furthermore, there is good evidence that the age at which people commence using marijuana has, until recently, been going down. Research shows, that young regular (daily or near daily) users are most at risk of many of the adverse effects of marijuana including mental health problems and dependence. In the USA, THC levels of marijuana have risen over the last 25 years. According to data recently released, marijuana potency has risen from about 4% to 9% since 1983. In New Zealand, the potency of THC has not changed. In Europe, cannabis potency appears to have remained the same in most places, except the Netherlands, where an increase has occurred. Certain varieties of cannabis such as sinsemilla have also recorded increased potency in the UK. So what's the story? Long-term users of marijuana in Australia report that cannabis appears to be stronger than in the past. On the available evidence it would appear that the strength of marijuana has increased to some extent over the last 25 years, but is not 30 times stronger as is sometimes claimed. It would appear that the main difference nowadays is the part of the plant people smoke and the age at which people commence regular use. It is more common for people today to smoke the flowering heads of the plant which are much more potent than the leaf product. In addition, people are more likely to smoke cannabis in a "bong." These changes in the patterns of use may result in users of today taking in higher levels of THC than in the past. Additionally, the younger people start and the more regularly they use, the more likely they are to be adversely affected by marijuana. Simply focusing on marijuana potency may obscure the fact that young regular users are most at risk of marijuana related harm

"Good For Back Pain"

Strain Name: The Black Grade: A Type: Indica Looks: Very black and very purple with some dark green spots. Crystal coated flowers Smell: strong earthy smell. Taste: very purple. super smooth hits. Effects: instant feeling, very heavy and very euphoric, really good night time cannabis. Potency: Super heavy, Guaranteed to make you relax. Not for the light hearted Reviewed by: bluemangrewp Good Strain For: Appetite, Arthritis, Back Pain, Body Pain, Cachexia, Cancer, Cramps, Crohns Disease, Fibromyalgia, Gastrointestinal Disorder, Glaucoma, Headaches, Hepatitis C, HIV/Aids, IBS, Inflammation, Insomnia, Joint Pain, Migraine, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscle Pain, Muscle Spasms, Nausea, Neck Pain, PMS/PMDD, RLS, Seizures Similar Medical Marijuana Strains: SFV OG Kush Snoop’s Church Blue Dragon OG Kush Organic Purple Kush LinkWithin Strain Type: IndicaComments (1) SFV OG Kush traits: appetite stimulant, appetite stimulation, Arthritis, Cancer, Epilepsy, Fuel Smell, Fuel Taste, Gastrointestinal Issues, gets rid of back pain, Good an an Anti-Inflammatory, Good For Arthritis, Good For Asthma, Good For Back Pain, Good For Body Aches, Good For Body Pain, Good For Cancer, Good For Cancer Patients, Good For Cramps, Good For Epilepsy, Good For Gastrointestinal Issues, Good For Headache, Good For Insomnia, Good For Joint Pain, Good for Migraines, Good For Multiple Sclerosis, Good For Muscle Aches, Good For Nausea, Good For Neck Pain, Good For Neck Tension, good for seizure-related illnesses, Good For Sore Joints, headache, Hybrid, increased appetite, insomnia, lemon smell, lemon taste, lemony smell, lemony taste, Migraines, Nausea, nausea reduction, Stops Lower Back Pain, stops muscle spasms, stops nausea -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strain Name: SFV OG Kush (San Fernando Valley) Grade: A+ Type: Hybrid 30% Sativa 70% Indica Looks: Smell: Lemony and Fuel Taste: A lot like it smells Effects: Very heady with heavier body effects. Strong sativa at the beginning and wears into a heavy relaxing body high that can be good for night time sleeping. Potency: Decently Strong Reviewed by: Bluemangrewp Good Strain For: Appetite, Arthritis, Asthma, Back Pain, Body Pain, Cachexia, Cancer, Cramps, Crohns Disease, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Gastrointestinal Disorder, Headaches, Hepatitis C, HIV/Aids, IBS, Inflammation, Insomnia, Joint Pain, Migraine, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscle Pain, Muscle Spasms, Nausea, Neck Pain, PMS/PMDD, PTSD, RLS, Seizures Similar Medical Marijuana Strains: The Black Snoop’s Church Blue Dragon Pure OG Kush OG Kush LinkWithin Strain Type: Hybrid, Indica, Sativa Blue Dragon traits: anti-depressant, appertite stimulant, appetite stimulant, appetite stimulation, Arthritis, Cancer, deep green, depression, diesel, diesel smell, Epilepsy, euphoria, euphoric, Gastrointestinal Issues, gets rid of back pain, Glaucoma, Good an an Anti-Inflammatory, Good For Anxiety, Good For Arthritis, Good For Asthma, Good For Back Pain, Good For Body Aches, Good For Body Pain, Good For Cancer, Good For Cancer Patients, good for depression, Good For Epilepsy, Good For Gastrointestinal Issues, Good For Glaucoma, Good For Headache, Good For Insomnia, Good For Joint Pain, Good for Migraines, Good For Multiple Sclerosis, Good For Nausea, Good For Neck Pain, Good For Neck Tension, good for seizure-related illnesses, Good For Sore Joints, headache, increased appetite, increases appetite, Indica, indica dominant, insomnia, Migraines, Nausea, nausea reduction, sticky, stops muscle spasms, stops nausea, strong, strong taste, sweet, sweet smell, very sticky -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strain Name: Blue Dragon (Sour Diesel x Blueberry Grade: A Type: Indica Dominant Hybrid 60/40 Looks: Deep green, really sticky, Smell: Sweet with hints of Diesel Taste: Very strong tasty delicious flavor Effects: Strong head high from the sour d mixed with a very intense body Euphoria. Potency: Strong Reviewed by: Bluemangrewp Good Strain For: A.D.D, A.D.H.D, Anxiety, Appetite, Arthritis, Asthma, Back Pain, Bipolar Disorder, Body Pain, Cachexia, Cancer, Cramps, Crohns Disease, Depression, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Gastrointestinal Disorder, Glaucoma, Headaches, Hepatitis C, HIV/Aids, IBS, Inflammation, Insomnia, Joint Pain, Migraine, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscle Pain, Muscle Spasms, Nausea, Neck Pain, Phychosis, PMS/PMDD, PTSD, RLS, Seizures Similar Medical Marijuana Strains: