Spliff Twister
New Member
1. What are the primary effects of using medicinal marijuana?
The most obvious effects of marijuana are on the brain and nervous system. The immediate effect is a dulling of the senses, blunting of memory and concentration, changes in behavior. Pain perception is altered, nausea is calmed, appetite is stimulated. There is some debate over how much, if any, actual changes occur in the brain with chronic use.
2. What are the benefits of using medicinal marijuana?
The National Institute of Health has come up with a list of conditions that marijuana appears to be of most benefit.
Stimulate appetite and relieve cachexia (the physical wasting away of AIDS and cancer sufferers).
Control nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy.
Decrease intraocular pressure inside the eyeball for relief of glaucoma.
Analgesia for chronic pain due to a variety of conditions.
Neurologic and movement disorders, such as muscle spasticity and seizures.
3. What are the side effects of using medicinal marijuana?
The intoxication and effects on the nervous system lead to slowed reaction time and loss of coordination which last for hours after ingestion. These effects make driving a car or operating machinery hazardous, and these activities should be avoided while under the influence of marijuana.
Cannabinoids and THC also produce cardiovascular effects. Immediately after inhalation the heart begins to beat faster, the blood vessels dilate and blood pressure drops. This can cause dizziness and the sensation of palpitations in some people, and may cause problems for older people with cardiac conditions.
Smoking marijuana is the most common form of ingestion, but is not the only one. The lungs do suffer from this method. There are hundreds of chemical compounds in the marijuana plant, and smoking delivers all of them along with the desired ones. Smoke of any kind suppresses the natural defense system of the lungs. The airways of the lung are lined with tissue that has microscopic cilia, or little fingerlike extensions that 'wave' upwards from the lungs, to the mouth and nose. The purpose is to push mucus filled with foreign toxins back up and out of the lungs to the mouth and nose, where they can be swallowed or sneezed out. These cilia stop working with any kind of smoking, which means that the toxins (or organisms) trapped in the mucus have no way of escaping the lung. This means that, bottom line, smokers are at higher risk of chronic lung conditions, infections and cancer.
The risks of using marijuana during pregnancy are unknown. However there is a study using monkeys that demonstrates a withdrawal syndrome in the infants of mothers who have THC in their system at the time of delivery.
4. What are the long term effects of using medicinal marijuana?
There is a documented withdrawal syndrome associated with the cessation of marijuana use after as little as a week. However this is not a common reaction and does not occur in the majority of users. The body does not become physically dependent. The symptoms of the withdrawal syndrome are; irritability, insomnia, mood swings, mild depression.
Long term marijuana use can cause some mood disturbances, depression, and apathy, even in otherwise healthy individuals. A 'drug holiday' of at least 3 weeks every 3-4 months is a good idea. This can help the patient differentiate side effects of marijuana from the possible symptoms of an illness. The apathy associated with marijuana use can contribute or worsen other processes, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social isolation, and obesity.
5. What are the laws that allow the use of medicinal marijuana in California?
Proposition 215 Compassionate Use Act of 1996, also known as the Health and Safety Code Section 11362.5 and State Bill 420, passed in 2003.
6. Can a physician legally recommend marijuana in California?
Yes. Physicians are legally allowed to recommend, but not issue, medicinal marijuana to qualified patients, as specified under prop.215 and SB 420. As stated by Chief Judge Walters in Conant vs. Walters, in Opinion, section II second paragraph, a physician may not aid and abet in " . . .the purchase, cultivation, or possession of marijuana . . ."
7. Is it legal if I have a physician's recommendation to use/carry/smoke medicinal marijuana?
SB 420 states that: "(e) No person or designated primary caregiver in possession of a valid identification card shall be subject to arrest for possession, transportation, delivery, or cultivation of medical marijuana in an amount established pursuant to this article, unless there is reasonable cause to believe that the information contained in the card is false or falsified, the card has been obtained by means of fraud, or the person is otherwise in violation of the provisions of this article." However, under federal law possession of medicinal marijuana is a misdemeanor.
8. What medical conditions can medicinal marijuana be legally recommended for in California?
According to prop 215 Compassionate Use Act of 1996 Health and Safety Code Section 11362.5, Physicians may legally recommend to qualifying patients, medicinal ". . . marijuana in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief. . ."
9. Can physicians provide medicinal marijuana for patients?
No. Physicians may legally recommend medicinal marijuana for qualifying patients, but they may not issue it.
10. Can I grow my own marijuana if I have a physician's recommendation?
SB 420, section 11362.77. states that qualified patients and primary caregivers may " . . .maintain no more than six mature or 12 immature marijuana plants . . ." However, the physician may legally recommend that certain qualified patients need more. Counties and cities may set guidelines exceeding, but not reducing, the state limits.
11. If I have a physician's recommendation, can I sell or distribute marijuana?
No. Patients and caregivers may be legally arrested and prosecuted by state officers for selling and/or distributing marijuana.
12. Is a physician's recommendation legal throughout California?
Yes. It is legal under prop. 215 and SB420. However different cities and counties have their own guidelines regarding dispensaries and the maximum amount of medicinal marijuana patients may possess and cultivate. Medicinal marijuana is not legal under federal law.
13. Is a California physician's recommendation legal in other states?
No. However, certain other states have their own medicinal marijuana laws.
14. Is a physician's recommendation legal federally?
No. Under federal law, possessing medicinal marijuana is a misdemeanor.
15. Where can I legally ingest medicinal marijuana?
SB 420, section 11362.79. states that patients may not ingest medicinal marijuana:
In any place where smoking is prohibited by law.
In or within 1,000 feet of the grounds of a school, recreation center, or youth center, unless the medical use occurs within a residence.
On a school bus.
While in a motor vehicle that is being operated.
While operating a boat."
16. What does the U.S. Supreme Court verdict in Ashcroft vs. Raich mean?
The decision in favor of the U.S. Government does not change state laws. Approved medical marijuana use within those states that have medical marijuana laws will continue to be "legal" under state laws and "illegal" under federal laws.
The most obvious effects of marijuana are on the brain and nervous system. The immediate effect is a dulling of the senses, blunting of memory and concentration, changes in behavior. Pain perception is altered, nausea is calmed, appetite is stimulated. There is some debate over how much, if any, actual changes occur in the brain with chronic use.
2. What are the benefits of using medicinal marijuana?
The National Institute of Health has come up with a list of conditions that marijuana appears to be of most benefit.
Stimulate appetite and relieve cachexia (the physical wasting away of AIDS and cancer sufferers).
Control nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy.
Decrease intraocular pressure inside the eyeball for relief of glaucoma.
Analgesia for chronic pain due to a variety of conditions.
Neurologic and movement disorders, such as muscle spasticity and seizures.
3. What are the side effects of using medicinal marijuana?
The intoxication and effects on the nervous system lead to slowed reaction time and loss of coordination which last for hours after ingestion. These effects make driving a car or operating machinery hazardous, and these activities should be avoided while under the influence of marijuana.
Cannabinoids and THC also produce cardiovascular effects. Immediately after inhalation the heart begins to beat faster, the blood vessels dilate and blood pressure drops. This can cause dizziness and the sensation of palpitations in some people, and may cause problems for older people with cardiac conditions.
Smoking marijuana is the most common form of ingestion, but is not the only one. The lungs do suffer from this method. There are hundreds of chemical compounds in the marijuana plant, and smoking delivers all of them along with the desired ones. Smoke of any kind suppresses the natural defense system of the lungs. The airways of the lung are lined with tissue that has microscopic cilia, or little fingerlike extensions that 'wave' upwards from the lungs, to the mouth and nose. The purpose is to push mucus filled with foreign toxins back up and out of the lungs to the mouth and nose, where they can be swallowed or sneezed out. These cilia stop working with any kind of smoking, which means that the toxins (or organisms) trapped in the mucus have no way of escaping the lung. This means that, bottom line, smokers are at higher risk of chronic lung conditions, infections and cancer.
The risks of using marijuana during pregnancy are unknown. However there is a study using monkeys that demonstrates a withdrawal syndrome in the infants of mothers who have THC in their system at the time of delivery.
4. What are the long term effects of using medicinal marijuana?
There is a documented withdrawal syndrome associated with the cessation of marijuana use after as little as a week. However this is not a common reaction and does not occur in the majority of users. The body does not become physically dependent. The symptoms of the withdrawal syndrome are; irritability, insomnia, mood swings, mild depression.
Long term marijuana use can cause some mood disturbances, depression, and apathy, even in otherwise healthy individuals. A 'drug holiday' of at least 3 weeks every 3-4 months is a good idea. This can help the patient differentiate side effects of marijuana from the possible symptoms of an illness. The apathy associated with marijuana use can contribute or worsen other processes, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social isolation, and obesity.
5. What are the laws that allow the use of medicinal marijuana in California?
Proposition 215 Compassionate Use Act of 1996, also known as the Health and Safety Code Section 11362.5 and State Bill 420, passed in 2003.
6. Can a physician legally recommend marijuana in California?
Yes. Physicians are legally allowed to recommend, but not issue, medicinal marijuana to qualified patients, as specified under prop.215 and SB 420. As stated by Chief Judge Walters in Conant vs. Walters, in Opinion, section II second paragraph, a physician may not aid and abet in " . . .the purchase, cultivation, or possession of marijuana . . ."
7. Is it legal if I have a physician's recommendation to use/carry/smoke medicinal marijuana?
SB 420 states that: "(e) No person or designated primary caregiver in possession of a valid identification card shall be subject to arrest for possession, transportation, delivery, or cultivation of medical marijuana in an amount established pursuant to this article, unless there is reasonable cause to believe that the information contained in the card is false or falsified, the card has been obtained by means of fraud, or the person is otherwise in violation of the provisions of this article." However, under federal law possession of medicinal marijuana is a misdemeanor.
8. What medical conditions can medicinal marijuana be legally recommended for in California?
According to prop 215 Compassionate Use Act of 1996 Health and Safety Code Section 11362.5, Physicians may legally recommend to qualifying patients, medicinal ". . . marijuana in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief. . ."
9. Can physicians provide medicinal marijuana for patients?
No. Physicians may legally recommend medicinal marijuana for qualifying patients, but they may not issue it.
10. Can I grow my own marijuana if I have a physician's recommendation?
SB 420, section 11362.77. states that qualified patients and primary caregivers may " . . .maintain no more than six mature or 12 immature marijuana plants . . ." However, the physician may legally recommend that certain qualified patients need more. Counties and cities may set guidelines exceeding, but not reducing, the state limits.
11. If I have a physician's recommendation, can I sell or distribute marijuana?
No. Patients and caregivers may be legally arrested and prosecuted by state officers for selling and/or distributing marijuana.
12. Is a physician's recommendation legal throughout California?
Yes. It is legal under prop. 215 and SB420. However different cities and counties have their own guidelines regarding dispensaries and the maximum amount of medicinal marijuana patients may possess and cultivate. Medicinal marijuana is not legal under federal law.
13. Is a California physician's recommendation legal in other states?
No. However, certain other states have their own medicinal marijuana laws.
14. Is a physician's recommendation legal federally?
No. Under federal law, possessing medicinal marijuana is a misdemeanor.
15. Where can I legally ingest medicinal marijuana?
SB 420, section 11362.79. states that patients may not ingest medicinal marijuana:
In any place where smoking is prohibited by law.
In or within 1,000 feet of the grounds of a school, recreation center, or youth center, unless the medical use occurs within a residence.
On a school bus.
While in a motor vehicle that is being operated.
While operating a boat."
16. What does the U.S. Supreme Court verdict in Ashcroft vs. Raich mean?
The decision in favor of the U.S. Government does not change state laws. Approved medical marijuana use within those states that have medical marijuana laws will continue to be "legal" under state laws and "illegal" under federal laws.
