I know an elderly couple (one a former police inspector) and they make a tea for blood pressure. Neither can smoke due to problems with their lungs.

I have to say, it makes my life better in every way.

I recently wrote to Obama and my senators about this. Never heard back from them, big surprise. I'd love for our state to become the next, as I've said our house passed it and it's now up to the senate. I hope they do something soon.

bump...from the past

I have read that pulmonary fibrosis is a possible complication of AS, so it seems counter-intuitive to smoke anything. Is there any other way to ingest it safely, and still do the little bit at a time method? Does anyone know?

Hi Erika, the quick answer is, yes there is.

The long answer is:

You can eat it, which can be more effective and doesn't give you the head rush (mainly beccaue you aren't asphyxiating yourself). Nature squares and rice crispie squares are very good, as are s'mores.

You can buy (or make, depending on the legalities where you are) a salve that is phenomenally effective. The one I have kills pain in 5 minutes flat. It lasts almost 2 hours, but that's long enough to get you through the moment, doing what you need to do and often I don't have to reapply. There is no high associated with this.

Or, you can buy a vaporizer, which bakes it rather than burning it. You aren't inhaling the smoke at that point, just the vapours, which aren't as toxic. The high is similar to edibles, mainly because, again, you aren't asphyxiating yourself.

You can, in places where medicinal MJ is legal, often buy pills or tinctures. I've never tried these, so can't say whether they give you a head buzz. I've heard, however, that the pills aren't quite as effective. Again, I can't speak to that.

It is one of the best pain killers out there and depending which strain you get, is an awesome muscle relaxant and sleep inducer as well. Indica is the muscle relaxant/anti-inflammatory/sleep inducer. It can also depress the mood a little, unfortunately. Sativa is more positive in nature, good pain killer. Usually, anything you buy will be a blend of the two, often a 50/50 or 75/25, but you can also get 60/40 and 80/20. The type you buy will depend on what you need to achieve. If you want an equal mix of pain killer and muscle relaxant, but don't want your mood to dip, then a 50/50 would be good. Or a 60% Sativa/40% Indica.

Hope that helps.

Hugs,

The Toronto Star had an article on Medicinal MJ yesterday that I thought I would post here. Erika's last post makes it especially germaine.

Treat Marijuana as you would any other drug

One thing to bear in mind along with the exceptionally good health warnings they make is that they are talking about heavy users, people who are doing 3 or more joints a day. Now a joint is subjective, for one thing. Some people roll litttle weeney ones, others roll cannons. I don't suggest rolling cannons. Also, if you are using it correctly, a few puffs to get rolling and then maintaining, you won't be using that many joints a day. If you use a pipe, you can keep the amount reduced as well. But taking it internally or in pill/tincture/salve form would be the healthiest way.

This is not stuff to be played with. If you wouldn't drive on oxycontin or even Tylenol 3s, you probably shouldn't on MJ either. That kind of thing.

Love and hugs,

I live in Texas. I'm sure it will never be legal here; not during my lifetime. I envy those of you in MJ friendly states/countries. Several people who care about me (and know what kind of pain I'm in) have offered to get some for me, but I just can't risk losing my rheumy over it (blood tests every other month).

I wish it was legal here to buy it, grow it, ingest it, smoke it, whatever. To all of you who CAN, have one for me, okay?

Puff, puff, pass...

combustion is old school. http://www.australianvaporizers.com.au/

"virtually no exposure to harmful combustion products using the vaporizing device" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaporizer_(cannabis)