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Locals Explain How Medical Marijuana Helps Them


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In August 2016, a Linden man was told he may not live to see this upcoming summer because his cancer was so bad. John Lance, 51, was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in March 2015.

 “I had surgery to remove a tumor the size of a baseball, and started chemo every other week,” he said. “Of course, my wife and I were scared to death, and went looking for any alternative treatments that we could find.”

 One of those treatments was cannabis oil.

 “We found a lot of great information, and positive stories surrounding it,” he said. Lance started taking medical marijuana oil made specifically to treat cancer and other medical issues. This past March, he had a clean scan.

 “I use the oil for treatment, and smoking. It helps with nausea and appetite,” he said. “I’m only doing a maintenance chemo now, along with the oil. I know that there are other things to treat, including chronic pain. People need to move past the stigma of it. It is saving lives.”

 In order to get his medical marijuana card, he obtained a form through the state of Michigan. He took it to his doctor and had it filled out. He sent it back with a fee, which Lance said was around $50.

 Lance said the oil does get him high.  

 “I only take it before I go to bed. I don’t really care for the high. I am a casual drinker, but haven’t done marijuana since college. I don’t have anything against casual use of it. From the research that I’ve done, alcohol is probably worse for you,” he said.

 What is medical marijuana?

 According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the term medical marijuana refers to using the whole, unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts to treat symptoms of illness and other conditions.

 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine.

 Although, there are two FDA-approved medications that contain cannabinoid chemicals in pill form, more than 20 states have approved the plant medicinally, including Michigan.

 One benefit of medical marijuana legalization could be a decrease in opioid use and overdose deaths, although not enough studies have confirmed this, according to the NIDA.

 Cancer is only one reason people have medical marijuana cards. Cannabidiol (CBD) is gaining traction because scientists have seen the chemical effectively treat children with violent seizures. Breeding marijuana plants only for CBD oil is popular for medical use, but not for recreational use, because it lacks the intoxicating effect.

 THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the other recognized chemical in marijuana because of its ability to increase appetite and reduce nausea, as well as decrease pain, inflammation, and muscle control problems. THC does contain the intoxicating effect.

 According to the National Institute of Health, recent animal studies have shown that marijuana extracts may help kill certain cancer cells and reduce the size of others. Scientists are also conducting studies about using marijuana to treat diseases like HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, seizures, substance abuse disorders and mental disorders.

Lisa’s story

 Lisa Smith, 42, a resident of Tyrone Township, started using medical marijuana about two years ago after she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in 2013.

 “I did a lot of research and decided to try it for my pain and no appetite,” she said. “I’m on opiates for pain, but it’s not working enough. The CBC/THC helps. It’s a natural plant. So much better than the manmade drugs that cost a fortune.”

 Smith wasn’t one to smoke when she was a young adult, but now she’s thankful for it. She said people who have negative views on medical marijuana aren’t aware of the benefits, and that if they got cancer, they would research getting their medical marijuana card.

 Smith currently visits a place called Bloom in Ann Arbor for her marijuana.

 “It’s a very comfortable, clean, enjoyable experience,” she said.  “I do hope in the future Fenton will do their own research on it. I would love to go to a place local and invest my money there.

 But until that changes, I’ll be going to Ann Arbor.”

How do police handle marijuana?

 Argentine Township Police Chief Daniel Allen said when they pull someone over who is impaired, police first conduct a field sobriety test without the preliminary breath test. If impaired, the person is taken into custody and police take them to the hospital for a blood test.

 “We do a chemical test with a blood draw to ascertain what’s in their system,” he said. Allen said police are allowed to do a breath, blood, or urine test under state law.

 Driving under the influence of marijuana is classified as an operating while impaired (OWI) or operating while under the influence of drugs (OUID).

 “If they get stopped and they have their card, they think they’re good to drive. They’re not,” he said, adding that it’s illegal to drive while under the influence of marijuana with or without a medical marijuana card.

Different ways of ingesting marijuana

The most popular method of consuming marijuana is smoking, but there are other options.

Edibles

Cannabis can be infused with food as a means of consuming marijuana. While pot brownies are stereotypical, cannabis can also be infused with suckers, candy bars, cookies, gummies, and other foods.

Concentrates

You can find cannabis concentrate in dabs, oil, hash, and wax.

Vapor pen

Smoking concentrates from a vapor pen is a popular way to consume marijuana.

Beverages

Cannabis-infused drinks are available to purchase in certain states.

Topical

Topical cannabis solutions, like lotions and salves, are also popular options.

Pills

Consumers can buy cannabis capsules as a way of consuming marijuana.

Source: extract.suntimes.comleafscience.com

Getting the green light to get the green

 In order to be approved for a medical marijuana card in Michigan, individuals must print out the MMMP application packet from michigan.gov. There are forms for people over 18, with an application fee of $60, and under 18, with an application fee of $85.

 On the form, you must include your name, address, date of birth and other legalities. You must include information about your physician and what medical condition you have that could allow you to use medical marijuana.  

 One of the following conditions must apply in order to be accepted: cancer, glaucoma, HIV positive or AIDS, Hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn’s Disease, agitation of Alzheimer’s Disease, or nail Patella.

 If those conditions do not apply, an individual might also qualify if they experience cachexia or Wasting Syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe or and persistent muscle spasms.

 Applicants can also write down their condition, which must be approved by the Medical Marihuana Review Panel.

 Once the form is finished, applicants must mail it to the Michigan Medical Marihuana Program. The address is PO Box 30083, Lansing, MI 48909.

 

 

http://www.tctimes.com/news/locals-explain-how-medical-marijuana-helps-them/article_abe8d84e-373d-11e7-bf54-3bd9badf7c75.html

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