Disclosure: Marijuana Dangers Overstated and Public Intentionally Mislead-CNN

[thorfourwinds]

CNN-8pm EST-11 August 2013 TONIGHT: Dr. Sanjay Gupta changes mind on weed


TV doc Sanjay Gupta says the public has been misled about marijuana.

The haze surrounding Sanjay Gupta's stance on medical marijuana use has cleared.

The TV doctor says he just wasn't looking hard enough.

CNN's chief medical correspondent announced his change in heart Aug. 8 in an online op-ed, Why I Changed My Mind on Weed, promoting his special Weed, a documentary premiering tonight at 8 p.m. on CNN.

Gupta says he used to oppose the use of medical marijuana. But after more research, he says he has changed his mind, and has apologized for earlier statements, including his 2009 TIME magazine article Why I Would Vote No on Pot.

Sanjay Gupta attends the 'Weed: Dr. Sanjay Gupta Reports' screening on Aug. 6 in New York.(Photo: Larry Busacca, Getty Images for Time Warner)

"I have apologized for some of the earlier reporting
because I think, you know, we've been terribly and
systematically misled in this country for some time,"

Gupta told Piers Morgan on CNN. "And I did part of that misleading."

A man displays marijuana on Nov. 4, 2010, in Tempe, Ariz. (Photo: Matt York, AP)

Mason Tvert, the director of communication for the Marijuana Policy Project, a national group promoting the legal use of medical and non-medical marijuana, says the situation illustrates the establishment's misinformation and scare tactics for the past 70 years.

"Most Americans are recognizing that marijuana is not as harmful as they were led to believe," he says. "There's so much evidence out now that any person looking at it objectively would have to call our current marijuana policies into question."

The often-cited health risks associated with marijuana, he says, are not as malignant as previously conceived. And, like Gupta, he points out that alcohol and nicotine are just as unhealthy and cause a larger number of deaths compared to cannabis.

But Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse says the issue isn't whether marijuana is less harmful than alcohol or nicotine, it's whether society is willing to deal with the harm legalizing another drug could cause.

"If you look at the data ... the costs associated with drugs in our country, which are gigantic, are driven mostly by legal drugs because they're so accessible. (The legalization of marijuana) will immediately increase the adverse affects."

Though some compounds in marijuana may be beneficial, she says it's difficult to determine if they can be extracted for treatment, to avoid the drug's harmful effects.

Also, she says, marijuana poses an even more unique challenge, because each plant and its chemical levels, including THC, vary.

Volkow says marijuana is very harmful to the developing brains of adolescents, who may have more access to the drug if legalized, and may interpret it as less harmful or dangerous because doctors condone its use. She notes that prescription medications, while legal, are the leading cause of drug-related deaths for adolescents.

Gupta's proclamation, and the growing movement to legalize marijuana and medical marijuana, "definitely make the work we do more difficult," says Jamison Monroe, founder and CEO of Newport Academy in California, a drug treatment program for adolescents. "I don't think you could say just because one drug is legal something else should be legal. If it does become legalized though, there should at least be an age limit."

Volkow also questions the use of the term "medical marijuana," because the medicinal use of the drug or its chemical contents has yet to be assessed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration, which is required for all medicines used in the USA.

Though Gupta's comments may be well-meant, she says, he may be jumping the gun.

"I wish I could stand up and say to people 'Yes, this will help.' I want to help, but it would be irresponsible on my part," Volkow says.

"The evidence is not there and if we look at what has happened in the past with cocaine and even methamphetamine, doctors also believed these drugs would be beneficial, until they realized the (negative) effects."

[thorfourwinds]

The Pot Book: A Complete Guide to Cannabis



EDITED BY JULIE HOLLAND M.D.

The Pot Book contains the work of over fifty contributors, primarily MDs and PhDs, each writing (or being interviewed) about their areas of expertise. After three years of putting this book together, I'm convinced that cannabis can be re-introduced to physicians and patients as the multifaceted medicine it once was.  I think we will see in the next decade or so an explosion of research into the therapeutic use of cannabinoids as medications.  

Exploring the role of cannabis in medicine, politics, history, and society, The Pot Book offers a compendium of the most up-to-date information and scientific research on marijuana from leading experts.  The Pot Book also examines the risks associated with cannabis use, and puts them in the context of potential benefits.




? Julie Holland, MD discusses The Pot Book - YouTube


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Before pot was illegal, it was a medicine used for thousands of years to treat everything from muscle spasms to insomnia.  Cannabis has powerful anti-inflammatory activity, it can act as a free-radical scavenger, and most importantly, cannabis has anti-cancer properties.

Cannabinoids can kill cancer cells by apoptosis (triggering programmed cell death) while sparing healthy cells, and can also prevent tumor blood supplies from forming, which is called angiogenesis.

Cannabinoids also have a pro-metabolic effect, meaning they may be helpful in stopping the progression of diabetes (partially through its anti-inflammatory action on the cells of the pancreas), as well as helping to normalize blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Cannabis is a medicine that can slow the prevention of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries, the cause of many heart attacks and strokes) and can modify autoimmune diseases including arthritis, Crohn's disease, and Multiple Sclerosis. (Cannabis doesn't just relax the spasming muscles and bladders of MS patients; it actually seems to modify the course of illness and may slow neurodegeneration through its neuroprotective effect.) 

The United States has taken out a patent on the use of Cannabis as a neuro-protectant, though they continue to keep the plant in Schedule I, reserved for drugs with the highest potential for abuse and no medicinal use. Groups of physicians and nurses including the American Medical Association have requested a review of this scheduling.


There are other important uses of this plant.

Cannabis seeds are a complete vegetarian protein and can be used as food for people, livestock, and birds. Hempseed oil not only provides the exact ratio of essential fatty acids our bodies need, but it can also be used as a fuel.

Hempseed oil is a renewable fuel source, which could decrease our reliance on foreign oil. 


Hemp (the non-psychoactive stalk of the cannabis plant) can make many consumer goods including paper (decreasing deforestation that complicates our climate maintenance) rope, canvas, and clothing more absorbent than cotton.  Importantly, with compostable cellulose, hemp can replace our current plastic bag and Styrofoam "plastic vortex"/landfill crisis.

Cannabis was made illegal in 1937, soon after alcohol prohibition was repealed. 

We are currently imprisoning more people
than any other country on the planet,
with nearly half of our prisoners serving time for drug offenses. 

New York City, where I practice medicine, arrests more people for marijuana offenses than any other city in the US. Although Caucasians constitute the majority of pot smokers, African-Americans and Latinos experience a disproportionate number of marijuana-related arrests.

Renewable bio-fuel, food, clothing, paper, and medicine--and America can't have any of it.  Because it makes us laugh. As a psychiatrist,

I have to tell you: This is insanity.

The Pot Book is a not-for-profit project, with all proceeds from book sales funding research into the therapeutic uses of cannabis and cannabinoid-based medicines. If you'd like to donate to the Holland Fund for Therapeutic Cannabinoid Research, please
click here.

[ArMaP]

I don't know this doctor, but he was not in a position of being "misled", he was in a position in which he could misled others, and this, to me, sounds more like he is trying to gracefully change sides, probably because the other side is going to be more profitable.

[thorfourwinds]

Amazon.com: Marijuana Gateway to Health: How Cannabis Protects Us from Cancer and Alzheimer's Disease (9780983426189): Clint Werner: Books

Reviewed By Mary Pat Jacobs of the Sonoma Alliance for Medical Marijuana

Once started, reading Marijuana Gateway to Health is hard to stop.

Clint Werner's training in journalism is evident throughout, making his book a definite smile to read. It may seem difficult to find humor in the egregious assaults against this benign and beneficial substance, but Werner has done it. Readers will laugh often at the factoids he places in ironic juxtaposition to the ridiculousness of the drug warriors' actions.

One need read only a page or three of this book to be well armed with information. Author of many books on wellness, Andrew Weil, M.D., wrote,

"This book should be required reading
for all medical professionals, elected officials
and everyone interested in health and wellness."

The 'End Notes' are invaluable, as Werner's association with Dr. Donald Abrams gave him access to world class researchers, medical professionals and long-time activists. It is also obvious that he went much further on his own to dig out the history and truths in the book.

Werner begins by explaining how the endocannabinoid system was discovered and how it interacts with receptors throughout the body, then describes exciting evidence that cannabinoids, especially THC and CBD, counteract a variety of diseases in ways that conventional drugs have not.

Study cascades into study proving that marijuana can actually impede and even stop cancer-cell growth. It augments the protection of brain cells from Alzheimer's, stroke, traumatic injury, the effects of MS, Parkinson's and other cerebral disorders, and actually stimulates the formation of functional new brain cells.

He recounts how these findings were discovered in spite of obstinate federal obstruction — from NIDA, the DEA and policymakers. The book reads much like an adventure mystery, complete with heroes and villains.

Werner ends on the upbeat, chronicling "The Marijuana Renaissance" as attitudes change incrementally throughout society and government. It is more like a glacier than an avalanche to be sure, but moving in a positive direction.

"Should you use marijuana?
If you're an adult,
and you want to be healthier,
the answer is probably yes,"

concludes the author.

He makes it hard to disagree.

Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum





Recommended by The Seeker's brother.   

[Amaterasu]

Oh I busted up laughing:

But Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse says the issue isn't whether marijuana is less harmful than alcohol or nicotine, it's whether society is willing to deal with the harm legalizing another drug could cause.

Uhhhh.  $40 Billion in drug war costs gone, uh... People less fearful...  Uh...

She makes it sound as if, should We legalize it, suddenly 250 million of Us would start using.  Being novice, We might create problems.

There are few who would smoke/use who don't "because it's illegal."  Make it legal and not much will change except We won't be paying $40 Billion a year to fight it.

[petrus4]

For the record, I am not one of the individuals who considers marijuana a miraculous substance.  From a herbalist point of view, it is another tool in the box; it has its' indications and contra-indications, like any other plant.  I consider stoners who claim that it cures everything, and has no possible drawbacks, to be among the most annoying and obnoxious individuals on the face of the Earth.

With that said, at the end of my last stay in Nimbin, I was smoking a relatively small amount, probably three times a week.  Marijuana is something which I enjoy in moderation, but which I actually find leads to seratonin depletion and irritability if I have too much of it.  I think it can have some health benefits, and is also appropriate for people with certain medical conditions, such as cancer; but again, it isn't a magic bullet.

I want to see it legalised, but after that, I'd truthfully like to see all of the heat and noise about it go away.

[Amaterasu]

I also think that all this media reversal means They have found a way They think They can control it, and Us THROUGH it.

[robomont]

thankyou thor for starting this thead.i ended up oversleeping and missed the show.gupta has been one of the paid shill doctors for about ten years now.doing all the typical medical topics that the msm needed to promote whatever big pharma agenda.as bayer now controls most of the pot patents through theft of growers seed using the dea as the thief.its time for bayer to start making money on their investment.
this is also to appease the mob of pro pots that invaded the republican national party last election.the media wants to call them t partiers but i bet alot are there for pot even if they are falling under different lables.the next ellection may be more heated than the last presidential.we are already seeing the hillary and christie crap three years out.

[Elvis Hendrix]

Fourwinds,
Rather excellent thread sir, some shiny for you me thinks.
This is why we are here, so we can discuss a subject with impunity, a subject that frankly needs discussing.
And this is another reason why ats can kiss my shiny metal ass.

Elvis

[zorgon]

I also think that all this media reversal means They have found a way They think They can control it, and Us THROUGH it.

Well Dang it...

1) if its legal they can tax it like cigarrettes and booze. It will still be cheaper than the street price

2) it will kill the drug cartels because if its legal they won't need to smuggle it from Mexico or Colombia and and people will use that more than meth etc because it is legal

3)  Since most people I have seen that are heavy users are always in a state of silly stupor... THEY will have control of the sheep. Just keep em doped up and they won't be messing with politics etc

4) it will  boost the economy with Hemp products ( I can finally get good hemp rope again at a decent price )

Now one thing... I see all this noble talk on the web about medical use and hemp products being bantered about...

but fess up now... yawl are ONLY interested because you can smoke it...  and get wasted

[Elvis Hendrix]

     "but fess up now... yawl are ONLY interested because you can
smoke it...  and get wasted".

  Lol, well yeah

But the whole point of seperating weed from other nasties IS  the whole point.

Leave folk alone to grow and smoke it responsibly for gods sake.

Take it out of the hands of the criminals.

If you dont like it then dont smoke it.
Elvis.

[Elvis Hendrix]

       



                      "3)  Since most people I have seen that are heavy users are always in a state of silly stupor... THEY will have control of the sheep. Just keep em doped up and they won't be messing with politics etc."

            I However slightly disagree on this point.
             When smoked imo in conjunction with booze!
the partisipant is as you say " in a silly stupor" or as i say "monged" .

    However when used in moderation on its own folk will question EVERYTHING.


Just look at your record collection. No smoke means no good music.
And that is a fact.

      Hey i like this colouring in business

Elvis.

[zorgon]

    However when used in moderation on its own folk will question EVERYTHING.

I will agree that used in moderation it is no worse than having occasional drinks..

But all my years in high school everyone that smoked was in a constant state of giggling insanely at everything and reaction times were slow...

Then recently in the convention business where a lot of the teamsters smoked regularly... reaction time was causing dangers

Smoking it for recreation is the same as going to a bar... but smoking at school or on the job is the same as drinking on the job

We all know that is wrong but more people smoke on the job then drink on the job

As for music...  That depends... The music I listen to does not require smoking to create

But then I am a little Medieval



And just as an FYI  Zorgon's full name is  Sir Zorgon of Shalott (duly registered with coat of arms )

[Elvis Hendrix]

  I wouldnt suggest smoking while in control of a 747, or while performing heart surgery.

I do however belive it is on our good earth to help us.

        " And on the seventh day, god stepped back and said "There is my creation, perfect in every way... Oh, dammit I left pot all over the place. Now they'll think I want them to smoke it... Now I have to create republicans."

   Bill Hicks.




Elvis.

[zorgon]

Well it is said Jesus was the First Hippy