Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Frustrated, nauseous and terminally ill, Nishi Whiteley's mother turned to medical marijuana in 2010, towards the end of her fight with lung cancer.
"The pharmaceuticals she was taking were not doing what she needed them to," Whiteley said of her mother's vomiting. Acquiring edible cannabis butter, the family incorporated it into "whatever she was hungry for," from pizza to pasta to peanut butter cookies.
"We were stunned what it did for her beyond just addressing the nausea and the vomiting," Whiteley said of the marijuana, which helped her mother to manage her apprehension about her impending death, decreased her neuropathic pain and stimulated her appetite, all of which "made it possible for her to be fully present for the last couple weeks of her life."
Now an advocate for the benefits of medical marijuana and its legalization in Texas, Whiteley -- who has written a book on the subject -- will host a "Cannabis 101 Seminar" at Bryan's First United Methodist Church from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. July 15. Registration will begin at 12:30.
"We need to inform the people in the community, both the church community and the Brazos Valley community, so they understand how the use of medical cannabis can bring relief to people who suffer from chronic illnesses," said the Rev. Rick Sitton, the church's senior pastor.
John Delaney, a senior district judge and former 272nd District Court Brazos County judge, said the seminar is "all about education."
"Americans have had it hammered into their heads that marijuana is evil and immoral," said Delaney.
A University of Texas and Texas Tribune poll conducted in February showed that 30 percent of respondents believe medicinal marijuana should be legalized, down four percentage points from February 2015. Multiple bills in the state legislature concerning medical marijuana did not get passed, so supporters of medicinal legalization will have to wait until the next legislative session to continue their fight.
Whiteley said the goal of her seminar "is to provide a basic understanding of how and why the components of the cannabis plant are such a safe and effective medicine."
Topics covered will include plant chemistry, intake methods, risks and how to reduce harm, and the three common denominators of disease -- inflammation, oxidation and pain relief -- and how marijuana plants work to address them, among other topics.
Research on the effects of cannabis is limited -- the federal government classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, in the same category as heroin and methamphetamines, and considers it a highly addictive substance with no medicinal value -- but existing studies suggest it could help people suffering from migraines and epilepsy. And, non-scientifically, a quick YouTube search shows video of people with Parkinson's Disease, epilepsy and autism using some form of marijuana to manage their symptoms.
Whiteley said the range of people who could benefit from medical marijuana is broader than just a few illnesses.
"Any disease or ailment that has anything to do with inflammation potentially could be benefitted by cannabis," Whiteley said, suggesting those with autoimmune diseases, lupus or diabetes, among other ailments, could benefit from medical marijuana.
"Almost every single age-related disease you can think of," she said of which diseases could potentially be better managed by medical marijuana.
Sitton said he took an active role in helping organize the seminar because, as a Christian pastor, he wants to aid those suffering in silence who aren't getting the relief they need from traditional treatment options.
"I want to help," he said.
Still, Sitton said he's aware of the relatively controversial nature of the seminar and that many may remain skeptical of legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes.
"I'm not saying that everyone in the congregation is going to agree," Sitton said, but "I think compassionately we have to reach out to people who have few real options."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana advocates hope to woo skeptics with informational seminar about drug's benefits | Local News | theeagle.com
Author: KELAN LYONS
Contact: Contact Us | Site | theeagle.com
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Website: theeagle.com
"The pharmaceuticals she was taking were not doing what she needed them to," Whiteley said of her mother's vomiting. Acquiring edible cannabis butter, the family incorporated it into "whatever she was hungry for," from pizza to pasta to peanut butter cookies.
"We were stunned what it did for her beyond just addressing the nausea and the vomiting," Whiteley said of the marijuana, which helped her mother to manage her apprehension about her impending death, decreased her neuropathic pain and stimulated her appetite, all of which "made it possible for her to be fully present for the last couple weeks of her life."
Now an advocate for the benefits of medical marijuana and its legalization in Texas, Whiteley -- who has written a book on the subject -- will host a "Cannabis 101 Seminar" at Bryan's First United Methodist Church from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. July 15. Registration will begin at 12:30.
"We need to inform the people in the community, both the church community and the Brazos Valley community, so they understand how the use of medical cannabis can bring relief to people who suffer from chronic illnesses," said the Rev. Rick Sitton, the church's senior pastor.
John Delaney, a senior district judge and former 272nd District Court Brazos County judge, said the seminar is "all about education."
"Americans have had it hammered into their heads that marijuana is evil and immoral," said Delaney.
A University of Texas and Texas Tribune poll conducted in February showed that 30 percent of respondents believe medicinal marijuana should be legalized, down four percentage points from February 2015. Multiple bills in the state legislature concerning medical marijuana did not get passed, so supporters of medicinal legalization will have to wait until the next legislative session to continue their fight.
Whiteley said the goal of her seminar "is to provide a basic understanding of how and why the components of the cannabis plant are such a safe and effective medicine."
Topics covered will include plant chemistry, intake methods, risks and how to reduce harm, and the three common denominators of disease -- inflammation, oxidation and pain relief -- and how marijuana plants work to address them, among other topics.
Research on the effects of cannabis is limited -- the federal government classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, in the same category as heroin and methamphetamines, and considers it a highly addictive substance with no medicinal value -- but existing studies suggest it could help people suffering from migraines and epilepsy. And, non-scientifically, a quick YouTube search shows video of people with Parkinson's Disease, epilepsy and autism using some form of marijuana to manage their symptoms.
Whiteley said the range of people who could benefit from medical marijuana is broader than just a few illnesses.
"Any disease or ailment that has anything to do with inflammation potentially could be benefitted by cannabis," Whiteley said, suggesting those with autoimmune diseases, lupus or diabetes, among other ailments, could benefit from medical marijuana.
"Almost every single age-related disease you can think of," she said of which diseases could potentially be better managed by medical marijuana.
Sitton said he took an active role in helping organize the seminar because, as a Christian pastor, he wants to aid those suffering in silence who aren't getting the relief they need from traditional treatment options.
"I want to help," he said.
Still, Sitton said he's aware of the relatively controversial nature of the seminar and that many may remain skeptical of legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes.
"I'm not saying that everyone in the congregation is going to agree," Sitton said, but "I think compassionately we have to reach out to people who have few real options."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana advocates hope to woo skeptics with informational seminar about drug's benefits | Local News | theeagle.com
Author: KELAN LYONS
Contact: Contact Us | Site | theeagle.com
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Website: theeagle.com
