Rachel Bongiorno

 The use of cannabis at least as a fiber dates back approximately 10,000 years ago in Taiwan  Evidence of cannabis being inhaled dates back to 3000 B.C by the Romanians at burial sites.  Cannabis was introduces to the Scythians and Thracians whose shamans burned cannabis flowers to induce a state of trance.  Cannabis has been theorized to be used as a religious sacrament to early Jews and Christians.  In 1619, Jamestown Colony, Virginia passed a law that required farmers to grow hemp and could be jailed for not growing it.  The banning of cannabis began in the early 20 th century around the world.

 In 1972, the US Congress placed marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act because they considered it to have "no accepted medical use." Since then, 20 of 50 US states and DC have legalized the medical use of marijuana. FB

 One common question associated with medical marijuana is why use it when so many other legal medications are available? Supporters respond that patients don't simply use cannabis to feel good. Instead, laws that authorize marijuana use for medical purposes work on the belief that certain symptoms and diseases can be best treated with marijuana just as two Tylenol may help someone's headache.

 Marijuana has been shown to decrease nausea and increase appetite, which can be essential for patients who are having difficulty keeping down food or maintaining adequate nutrition.  For glaucoma sufferers, marijuana helps to lower intraocular eye pressure. Also some types of pain, such as peripheral neuropathy, respond better to marijuana than conventional pain relievers.  For some cancer and AIDs patients, drugs that are supposed to boost appetite simply don’t work. Other patients are tired of using medications that can be considered narcotic, addictive, or dangerous, or produce unpleasant side effects and want to go with something natural such as marijuana.

 The body of research surrounding the medicinal value of marijuana is extensive. Much of it concerns THC, one of the cannabinoids in marijuana.  THC is what causes people to feel "high" and also what gives cannabis some of its medicinal properties, such as increased appetite. The human body produces endocannabinoids, its own natural version of cannabinoids.  The body will produce endocannabinoids when needed, but sometimes the effect is very brief. Endocannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body but are especially prominent in the brain. The cannabinoids in marijuana, like THC, bind to these receptors, producing various effects, some medicinal, such as reducing pain or anxiety, but also the feeling of being high.  Research has also shown that cannabinoids slow the development of certain cancers

HAS A DEBILITATING MEDICAL CONDITION: Cancer, Glaucoma, HIV Positive, AIDS, Hepatitis C, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Nail patella HAS DEBILITATING SYMPTOMS FROM CHRONIC ILLNESS:  Cachexia or wasting syndrome;  Severe and chronic pain;  Severe nausea;  Seizures (similar to epilepsy)  Severe and persistent muscle spasms (similar to multiple sclerosis)

 Butter or cooking oil- This method is utilized by many patients suffering from pain and spasticity, and sometimes, sleep disorders. Although not the preferred method for patients suffering from nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite, is is sometimes used to supplement their other delivery methods, or used by those unable or unwilling to smoke or use a vaporizer.  Oil-This can be used for most symptoms for which cannabis is recommended, and the patient can choose whether to inhale for quick relief, or add to liquids or foods for different results.  Tinctures & Tonics- This can be used for most symptoms for which cannabis is recommended, and the patient can choose whether add to liquids or foods or under the tongue.  Vaporizer- This is the non-smoked method most often recommended as an alternative to smoking. Patients can utilize it for most of the symptoms/conditions for which marijuana is recommended.

 83% of Americans favor allowing doctors to prescribe small amounts of marijuana for patients suffering from serious illnesses, the poll shows - up from 77% a year ago and 62% back in A majority of Americans of all ages as well as most Republicans, Democrats, and independents favor allowing this.  Even though marijuana use remains illegal under federal law, most Americans don't think this is a matter that should involve the federal government.  59% percent of Americans think whether or not to legalize marijuana should be left up to each individual state government to decide - including 49% of those who oppose legalizing marijuana in general.

 Support for legalizing marijuana is much lower among Republicans than it is among Democrats or independents. One in five Republicans (21%) say marijuana should be made legal in this country, while 37% of Democrats and 44% of independents share this view.  The legalization of medical marijuana has repeatedly passed the Democratic-led Assembly, but has failed in the Republican-controlled Senate.

 New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced plans to legalize medical marijuana through an executive order. Cuomo is expected to legalize medical marijuana on a limited basis at 20 hospitals for specific conditions. ALSO…  Colorado began allowing the sale of recreational marijuana on January 1 to anyone age 21 or older.  Residents can now buy marijuana like alcohol -- except the cannabis purchase is limited to an ounce, which is substantial enough to cost about $200 or more.  It's a big moment: Colorado became the first state in the nation to open recreational pot stores and became the first place in the world where marijuana will be regulated from seed to sale.