Cannabis Beneficial for Multiple Sclerosis Patients, Study Finds

I second Gustolingo's comments below. Pretty amazing story about the raid, but I guess I shouldn't be too amazed. I do think legislation is slowly coming around though to legalizing medical marijuanna, a few states at a time, but it is happening. If I'm not mistaken, New Jersey is the latest. My own story: I smoked pot for many years when I was younger, but quit cold turkey a number of years back because in the beginning, as an artist, I thought it inspired my creativity, but toward the end, I felt it was blunting my motivation to complete projects, and hemp, er, excuse me, hence, making me lazy. But then along came MS at age 48 (although it had been simmering on the back burner for several years); the volcano erupted in '06 though, and after Rebif failed to halt continuous exacerbations & MRI lesions, I opted to go on Tysabri, PML risk be damned, & am due for infusion #18 tomorrow. MRIs have appeared better since the switch, & can't say I've had a full blown exacerbation either; nevertheless I've continued to decline, that is, existing disabilities have gradually worsened, and new ones have developed, so maybe I'm no longer RR & have graduated to 2ndary progressive (but can't tell Insurance that, shhh). Among the worst of my symptoms, one of the most painful, is the so-called "MS Hug", which is constantly with me, and only feels better when I'm either lying down or reclined. The various meds I've taken to try to help this & spasticity have been only moderately helpful, at best. But this past Xmas, when I flew to TX to be with family, one of my brothers who still smokes asked if I wanted to try some. In fact he'd asked me the past several Xmases, but I'd always declined. This time, however, after reading so much about the medicinal benefits and testimonials from other MSers, I took him up on it. And... OH MAN! I felt better than I had in the past three years, It not only relaxed my MS Hug (I hate that moniker, but I suppose it's stuck), but anesthetized my entire body, all of my neuropathic pain subsided, & I was able to RELAX, even mentally, my anxiety took a nap! I took a couple of tokes each day the week I spent there, and it had the same effect. I told my MS Neuro about it after the New Year, and he prescribed Marinol, which does help, but not quite as much. But here's the thing: let me just say that not only my MS Neuro told me "off the record", so did my general Neuro, my Psychiatrist, and Speech & Occupational Therapists--all of whom I shared this information with--that I should just go ahead and buy some weed to smoke. Now that was surprising. So the Medical community really is coming around and supporting this. I relocated an old connection a few days ago & made a purchase. I've decided not to toke until after I've had my infusion tomorrow & actually will be seeing my MS Neuro again just prior to that. But all systems are go; and I'm going for it. To other MSers in pain who don't happen to live in states that have legalized it yet for medical purposes, I'd reco (as have my docs) buying it illegally & just be cautious & smart about it in the meantime. I do believe the other United States will come around through legislation--one by one. Okay, there may be a few ornery hold outs, but they will be a minority.
Best wishes & good luck,
Xopher

sorry i voted this down on accident. it's a good story though.

Legalize it. To criminalize a medicinal plant is nothing less than diabolical. Criminalization only leads to increased crime and violence, to support drug prohibition is to be a champion of death, violence, and greed.

it is beneficial for a lot of people medically, and others socially, but unless/until obama keeps his campaign promise, the DEA and others will keep it shut down. it only takes one piece of paper with his signature,

cool now how many of theses motherfuckers who goes and buy this miracle cure actually suffer from "Multiple Sclerosis"...

those weak minded morons actually makes it bad for people who actually have "Multiple Sclerosis"..

My fathers M.S. showed up after he stopped using. He lost tons of weight and was diagnosed later that year. I have convinced him to continue his doctors treatment but as well incorporate medical cannabis. He has said it does help but its so hard because its still illegal. When you can supposedly grow medical grade cannabis now in Michigan. Hell my sociology teacher advised the whole class to grow pot in Colorado if all else fails. And last week the DEA raided a medical cannabis grower that was following the guidelines and had all medical cards for the plants. He showed his legitimate operation to the public with news cameras and he was raided by the feds the next day, when the locals laws were being followed. The federal government under Obamas administration if I'm not mistaken stated that they would not prosecute marijuana offenders if they follow state laws. And for your information Minnesota for what I understand has legal cannabis but its only if you are dying from aids or cancer. What about a slow deaths like MS. Or kids who suffer from ADHD.And dont tell me speed pills fixed that problem. Glaucoma, lung cancer, brain tumors and Alzheimer's all have been proven to have great recovery rates with treatment of medical marijuana. So what is holding back this process. Christ sakes CNN was debating weather or not fake pot k2 should be made illegal. When it is proven to have adverse affects on your heath. You have to be kidding me. Am I dreaming cuz I'm sure as hell not stoned. . Give some real feedback if you have some thing to say please.