I would like to hear all the reasons that people are using Mj for medical reasons.
We all have a reason that we use, there are only a few truely documented uses according to the medical community. I use cause it makes me feel better and relieves my anxiety and some symptoms of my ADHD.

I'd like to hear yours.

Mo,

Mo, this is an interesting issue you brought up.

Personally, I use cannabis sometimes in social contexts, mostly to relax. My main use of cannabis is to help me sleep through the night. I have no problems falling asleep, but wake up briefly at least 5-10 times during the night, for maybe 10-20 minutes each time. I'm a very light sleeper and smoking seems to ease this, helps me to sleep better, wake up fewer times.

Though my use of cannabis in appearance could be considered therapeutical, thus defined as med use, I've always had much difficulty in calling myself a med user...I don't consider myself such, and if asked I answer that my use is recreational. I've thought about this a bit and I believe its my respect for that enormous population of med users who use cannabis to relieve terrible pain, tremors, nausea from chemotherapy....people who are suffering, sick...which keeps me from declaring myself med user. I'd feel like some kind of terrible hypocrite, disrespectful of others. Of course my need for a good night's sleep is just as imperative as another's need to ease their pain...but I just can't bring myself to consider my own needs on the same level as those of others (med-users).

I'm still trying to hash this issue out with myself, and haven't come to any conclusions yet...possibly I'm too hard on myself, possibly I am overestimating others, or possibly my reasoning is just and correct. I don't really feel the need to fit into a category of marijuana users as I live in a country where there are no laws allowing for med use, but I'm positive that if I lived in the U.S this debate with myself would be of vital importance.

I hope that I didn't take your thread out on a tangent different from what you intended it to be...but I find it interesting and it poses some issues and questions which many people other than myself have been considering.

Not at all ... in fact you hit the proverbial nail on the head. That is exactly the way I feel and my true reason for this thread. I have a hard time calling myself a MedUser also, I don't want to take away from people that have to use it just to get through the pain or nausea ... etc.

There are not enough distinctions. I am not sure if this is a result of the system of just me. You also seem to share one of the same problems as me, not being able to sleep through the night. I often wake up wet with sweat and have to get up for awhile just to feel normal. I am not overweight, but really can't afford to go to the doctor for all of this.

Thanks for the your comments Blue.

Mo,

so I'm not the only one who has these qualms...and these problems with sleep. Do you know if insomnia and anxiety are considered in the issueing of med permits in the US? Which brings me to another question:

if so, just because the doctors will issue you that permit because you can't sleep, will that allow your conscience to consider yourself a med user? I don't think so, at least speaking for myself. But neither would that stop me from seeking the med permit, nor would I feel to be a hypocrite in requesting it. Which brings me full circle, if I don't have qualms to seek the permit, and don't feel a hypocrite for having done so, then conscience allows me to think of myself as a med-user...but only in terms of myself, and not in relation to the conditions of others...I think I can deal with that :smile:

Sigmund Freud can't hold a candle to me LOL

No I do not know if Doctors issue scripts for anxiety or insomnia. I remember having read that they do. Since I do not live in a state that recognizes it for medical uses, I would not know. I also ask who actually makes these distinctions. It can be argued that it has uses far beyond what is currently accepted for Med use. I mean aspirin has a multitude of uses, the only difference is the pharma companies say it does. Who are we to believe. I for one do not have any faith in Big Pharma.

Mo,

[MsHerbalivation]

BlueVelvet you are definately not alone. I have what's called Hormonal Induced Insomnia. I smoke for that reason and alleviate depression, and anxiety. Not to mention I use it for meditation and creative visualization. My GYN had me on BC for years even though my tubes are tied to try to regulate my hormone imbalance. Once I stopped taking them, I was left with the insomnia and frequent bouts of depression. My hormones are balanced now, but now I can't sleep. I can lay in bed until 5 am fall asleep and wake up at 6 am tired as hell. Doesn't matter how tired I am, I can't fall asleep on my own and if I do, I wake up nearly every hour on the hour. I moved from my regular fruit source, so I've been without it for almost 5 months now. Unfortunately I've had to resort back to sleep aids to fall asleep and I feel like crap. I have no energy, I'm cranky because I have to force myself to wake up now. They give me headaches too. I never considered myself a med user, but that's basically why I use it. Not to mention that I just feel better when I'm faded.

[nattynattygurrl]

yes, it's a fine line...for myself, tho not an "offical" med-user, (b/c of my state of residence), would still consider myself to me a "med-user" for a few reasons...1st, my med. "problems" r often considered for "med-use" & meets whatever "criterion" "they" use to consider whether "bestowing" the title "med-user" upon u: [including, FMS, Mycofascial pain, TrPs...(all fall under the category of "chronic pain"), as well as, anxiety/panic attks, insomnia, nausea, to keep me from throwing up, (especially my Rx's), & to "stimulate" my appietite.]

2ndly, it very much increases my "quality of Life".

but, it's definately a quandry...the qualified med-users in the US hv a huge responsibility...not to "ruin" or "take advantage" of the opportunity that has befallen them...it's these med-users who will either "make or break" this for the rest of us, not living in a place w/ "compassion laws". (as well as the Sup. Ct.)

often wonder tho, if some of the ppl given "med-user status", rn't taking advantage of the system. hv read a couple articles, that go this very issue & mention ppl taking advantage of CA's med laws, that it's "too easy" to receive "med-user" status & that many of the "co-ops & clubs", seem more like "bars", than a place where the sick seek refuge. (again, not my opinion, just articles that go into this very issue.) if too many ppl, who rn't real "med-users", obtain this distinction, it will only make it harder, in the long run, for those not living in 1 of the "compassion states"...& will become reason #1 for "them" not to create a "med-user" distinction in other locales.

if it doesn't "work" in CA, OR, etc., it will not make it to the rest of us who need it...& we'll go back to where we all were, b4 CA started this "experiment". (as it is often refered.)

it's up to all of us, to keep a good thing going!! :smile: & it appears that all of u, hv this in perspective & can see the "thin line" we walk upon.

it really made me respect all of u, even more, Bigmo, Blue, Ms Herb, reading u'r posts & feelings about this...u'r all sooo considerate!! if every1 was as considerate as u 3, we wouldn't hv to worry that ppl would take advantage of the "med-user" label & wreck what we've all worked to achieve, some respect & understanding, in regards to our 'med or theraputic-use'.

IMHO, u'r use, Ms Herb, Blue & BigMo, would be considered as "theroputic" use, & in my eyes, makes u more than qualified!!! of course, if it were me, making this distinction, we'd all hv "cards" & "med-user" status, & it'd be decriminalized, for those who didn't/don't "qualify"!!! :wink: IMHO, if u receive any relief from MJ, & u'r "quality of Life" is improved in some fashion, u'r a "theroputic med-user". but, that's just 1 gurrl's opinion!!! :smile:

hv gone round & round about this myself, & am glad some1 posted on this topic!! (thx BigMo!!! :wink tho, if we lived in CA, or another "compassionate state", it would be easy for me to obtain a "recomendation"...but since we don't live in a "compassion state", does that still make me a "med-user"??? it is a quandry indeed!! not only that, but if u enjoy this "medical-use", is it still "med-use"??? lol... cuz, it sure is enjoyable..."medicating"!!! lol!!


Hope dis finds every1 doin' & feelin' well!!!
Have a beautiful day, my friends!!!!

Take care, stay safe & be peaceful~
~natty natty gurrl

[Babbabud]

My recommendation is for Eczema a skin disease . I do know other ppl that have been recommended MJ for anxiety here in California.
MrsB has her recommendation for pre- menopause symptoms, which Im sure include anxiety among many other things . Hope this helps. I feel so lucky to live in California .

To all that have responded ... this thread has taken the exact direction that I had intended and all the responses are very intuitive to me. You make some very good points Natty. If love and compassion could save the world then we would be Golden.

Thanks for the responses.

Peace All ... Mo,

[mentalmarijuana]

I am a medical user and I use it for depression and anxiety. I am also on ssdi for these reasons as well. I am in California but will be moving to Oregon in the next few months. They do not allow medical use for depression or anxiety. If I were to get caught growing I would, more than likely, win in court though. We do what we have to do for our pursuit of happiness.