“Cannabis is just way too healthy for a sick health care system”
Sebastian Marincolo
Cancer in our modern world is rampant. According to cancer.gov “approximately 39.5% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes.”
There are many causes for disease, some are hereditary, some unknown, and some are absolutely lifestyle driven. Since statistics show that more than one-third of the adult population will be diagnosed with some type of cancer in their lifetime, should we not do all we can to help people with cancer have options? We would want options if a loved one was diagnosed with cancer. Our options as patients and caregivers should include pharmaceutical, over-the-counter, holistic, or a combination. Simply because when we don’t feel good, we just want to feel better!
Cannabis helps in crucial ways. Cannabis, marijuana, weed- whatever you call it – it helps. The cannabinoids in cannabis including THC, CBD, CBG, and CBN are medicine. Patients who consume cannabis along with their conventional treatment report benefits in pain management, nausea & vomiting relief, anxiety & depression symptoms are dampened, sleep is improved, and appetite is stimulated.
It seems like a no-brainer, every patient should have the option to use cannabis in their treatment arsenal. However many cancer patients don’t. The reason for this is that cannabis is stigmatized and federally illegal. Unfortunately, there are as many reasons for the stigma as there is greed around cannabis. Yet today we will only address the current Federal classification issue and the hypocrisy around it.
As we know, the Federal Government has marijuana/cannabis categorized as a Schedule I drug.
“Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are: heroin, lsd, marijuana, ecstasy, methaqualone, and peyote.”
dea.gov
Why is it that a plant which goes through no chemical process other than drying out a bit, and with absolutely no overdose cases, is still classified with the likes of opioids? Opioids are responsible for thousands of deaths each month. In fact, according to cdc.gov, “Nearly 841,000 people have died since 1999 from a drug overdose. In 2019, 70,630 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States.”
With such a harsh stance taken by the Federal Government, you’d be surprised to learn that the government currently holds cannabis patents.
U.S. Patent 6,630,507 is for the cannabis treatment of certain medical conditions and the patent ownership belongs to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The patent was applied for in 1998 and approved in 2003. Yet the DEA reaffirmed the Schedule I classification of cannabis in August of 2016.
According to statista.com as of 2019, there were 285 U.S. cannabis-associated patents. These patents are mostly to pharmaceutical companies such as Abbvie, Sanofi, Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GW Pharmaceuticals, and Pfizer. In addition, as of 2019 the U.S. Health and Human Services held a total of 13 U.S. Patents for medical cannabis.
This is unjust, dishonest, and immoral on so many levels. The Government is fully aware of the medical and medicinal properties of cannabis. They research it, grow it, and analyze it. So why can’t we the people? It’s not like cannabis provided by big pharma is the only medical cannabis option. Personally, I’d rather someone I know (with a green thumb) cultivate my cannabis.
If the government holds patents for the medical use of cannabis then why shouldn’t we medicate with cannabis? For many, this is a more natural and holistic medicine. It shouldn’t be illegal for someone to grow cannabis any more than it is for them to grow or medicate using chamomile or lavender- all of which can be inhaled, vaporized, or smoked.
For many, cannabis improves their quality of life. Because it’s not just about getting through the day, it’s about looking forward to tomorrow.
Join me – let’s advocate for the normalization, decriminalization, and legalization of cannabis. Research your local laws, reach out to local representatives, get involved in ways to educate yourself and others about cannabis. Cannabis helps with many other conditions too such as Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, and glaucoma. You never know when you’ll reap the benefits of it!
Remember, I’m not here to promise that cannabis is a miracle cure, but I sure as hell am going to share the many wonderful qualities of it! It may or may not be right for you specifically, and that’s totally okay too. If you have questions though, ask them! I am here for you.
As always, the information provided on Mary J’s Apothecary, LLC is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you’re seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.
Until our next sesh, stay well and stay elevated!
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