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Nishi Whiteley

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Vicente Fox: Against Cannabis Prohibition

Vicente Fox, the Former President of Mexico – and one of my all time favorite politicians/global leaders – has been on the speaking circuit urging a reversal of cannabis prohibition in Mexico and the United States.  In the attached video, Fox makes a compelling argument for why cannabis prohibition has failed and how changing this could positively impact the U.S. and Mexico economies and reduce violence.

Since the early 1990’s I have followed closely the Mexican economy, politics and culture. Much of my graduate work was focused on agricultural trade with Mexico.  After graduation, I spent several months there learning the language and traveling around the country.  While I bleed red, white and blue and get teary-eyed at the sound of the Star Spangled Banner, I also love Mexico.

When I joined the working world, I landed a private industry job that had me working closely with the Consulate of Mexico in Houston helping develop trade relationships between businesses in Texas and Mexico.  This work led me to travel in some fairly interesting circles which resulted in meeting then Governor Fox and later President Fox.  He is impressive, dynamic and a powerful force for change for whatever he deems a priority.  Among his many positive traits, I most admire his resolve to speak openly about difficult and often controversial topics.  As you can see in this video he does so with grace and eloquence.

 Thank you to High Times Magazine for this excellent video

Drug Violence

President Fox has declared that his highest post-presidential priority is to reduce violence in Mexico.  He believes that ending U.S. and Mexican cannabis prohibition would do that. He says that “the war on drugs [began] by President Nixon over 40 years ago has been a total failure.” He continues to say that the policies set forth by Mexico’s former President Calderon did nothing to reduce the killing, crime or usage of cannabis. “Every day an additional 40 kids being are killed.  This has to be stopped.  We need to get out of the idea and paradigm that prohibitions works and the paradigm that violence defeats violence,” said Fox.  He views current American and Mexican drug policy as totally mistaken and wants to help lead the effort to find new and better solutions.

Cannabis Prohibition Creates a Black Market Economy

He estimates that $50 billion USD are generated on the U.S. black market by the Mexican cartels and then taken back to Mexico to fuel the violence.  While cannabis is not the cartel’s only business, it is an important part of their business.  Legalizing cannabis would create a shift in the U.S. economy turning a significant portion of that $50 billion cartel income from criminal activity to legitimate businesses generating important tax revenue at the local, state and federal level while increasing the safety for people who choose to purchase cannabis and reducing drug related violence.

Regulation not Cannabis Prohibition

Mr. Fox advocates moving from cannabis prohibition to regulation.  His strategy also includes funding for medical research  medical.  He says, “not only God created us free, the founding fathers of this nation are committed to freedom but at the same time with the idea that governments do not have the right to intervene in my consciousness, to intervene in my behavior, to intervene in my decisions unless I affect a third party. Then, the states and government have the right to intervene.   But if not, it shouldn’t happen. So again, ethical and moral reasons sustain the idea of moving up prohibition and start working on the road of information and regulation.”

My years of work in U.S./Mexico trade taught me that our economies and cultures are inextricably linked.  Cannabis prohibition and violence go hand and hand.  An enormous opportunity to reduce violence and stimulate the North American economy exists if the U.S. and Mexico can work together to create thoughtful cannabis policy.

 This blog is written by  Nishi Whiteley. Nishi is a business development and marketing consultant and a cannabis advocate. Please visit www.MyChronicRelief.com for more information about medical cannabis.

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Speak Up About Cannabis

For the last two weeks, vigorous debate on a law that would greatly restrict abortion and women’s health has unfolded in my home state of Texas.  Watching the debate and legislation unfold has me thinking about the power of the voice of one person.  Regardless of the issue, your voice counts. Even when the outcome does not go your way.

At this time, our current cannabis laws do not reflect the desire of the majority of the people.  I would like to think that elections and legislation reflect the will of the people, but that is not always the case.  I’m not even sure that is the case the majority of the time.

Speak Up About Cannabis – Why It Matters

Part of the group that choose to testify in support of Texas House Bill HB594 that would make it legal for doctors to discuss cannabis with their patients and for a judge to have the option to dismiss marijuana possession charges for people with a medical marijuana defense. The bill did not get out of committee. Regardless 18 people found the courage to speak in support of the bill. No one spoke in opotion. At the least we educated many people who may have previously been unaware of the medical efficacy of cannabis.
Part of the group that testified in support of Texas House Bill HB594. The bill would have made it legal for doctors to discuss cannabis with their patients & for a judge to have the option to dismiss marijuana possession charges for people with a medical marijuana defense. The bill did not get out of committee. Regardless 18 people found the courage to speak in support of the bill. No one spoke in opposition. At the least we educated many people who may have previously been unaware of the medical efficacy of cannabis.

Why is that?  My hypothesis is that is all boils down to the difference between apathy and action.  The old adage, the squeaky wheel gets the grease is true.   Elections and legislation reflect the will of the entity with A) the loudest voices (read best organized and effective as messaging) and B) the one with the deepest pocket books because they are the squeaky wheels.

Abortion, gay marriage, cannabis, the environment, welfare, health insurance and immigration are hot issues of our time.  The minority of the population passionate about these issues are driving the debate and the outcome.  If you want a different outcome, speak up. The more people who speak up, the closer to the middle we move as a society – which I think is good.

Maybe you are afraid of how you will be judged if you speak up about cannabis.  What will be the repercussion of using your voice?  Will you be persecuted actively or passively in some way?  Will you be labeled?  I was silent on many of these issues for a long time.  Who did that serve?  NO ONE!  Finding your voice and using it for what matters to you is empowering. 

When did we become so afraid of disagreeing?  Discussing our point of view is how we come to understanding one another.  This is the only way we can find middle ground and poke holes in each other’s thinking.  Without such discourse how do we come to some type of an agreement?

3 Simple ways you can exercise your voice to speak up about cannabis:

  1. Talk to family and friends.  Start a conversation with people about the topic with the intent to understand their position.  When we understand what is important to people and where their fear originates we can begin a meaningful discussion.
  2. Support an organization.  There are many well organized cannabis groups that lead organized efforts at the local, state and national levels to raise awareness about cannabis laws and cannabis science.  Supporting them financially, signing their petitions and sharing their newsletters and social media are easy things to do.  They make it easy for your voice to be heard.
  3. Communicate with your elected officials.  Most elected officials want to hear from you.  Go see them in person, meet with their aide, call them and state your position on a certain issues and ask for their support of your position (they track those calls to know what their constituents want), write them, message them on social media!  They should be working for you.  If they don’t hear from you how can they effectively represent you?

3 Tips for Successful CommunicationSpeak Up About Cannabis

Unfortunately it can be easy for people to get highly emotional when speaking about a topic for which they have great passion.  This often gets in the way of effective communication.  Here are a few things, I have found along the way that have helped me speak up about cannabis and engage people in discussion. These three basic principles have made it possible for me to successfully open a dialogue with people about cannabis and made it easier for them be willing to listen to my position:

  1. Be well informed.  When you have the facts straight people respect that.  Vague or not well researched information quickly destroys your credibility. If you are sharing anecdotal information don’t be afraid to call it that.  Your observations and experiences count as being well informed.
  2. Share personal stories.  You personal story makes you relatable.  When someone can put themselves in your shoes, they may hear what you have to say more openly.  It is at that point that you have a higher likelihood of helping someone understand your position and maybe change theirs.
  3. It is OK to disagree, but don’t be disagreeable.  Civility is critical to successful communication.  We can attack a person’s view point without attacking them.  Once you attack the person, they likely can no longer hear you.

Taking a position on an issue such as cannabis can be a bit scary if you have not done so before.  It is especially the case if you feel like taking a stand could harm you professionally or socially.  Although it has taken me a year to work through this for myself, I have come to the conclusion that if I don’t stand up for what I believe in, who will?

What do you believe?

The blog is written by Nishi Whiteley the creator of www.MyChronicRelief.com.  The website is intended to curate the most credible information about medical cannabis as a resource for the terminally and chronically ill.  Nishi is a business consultant and a cannabis advocate.  She can be reached at lane@mychronicrelief.com .

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Cannabis PTSD Treatment

You would likely be willing to try anything to relieve your discomfort if you lived in a constant state of debilitating fear and anxiety – especially when you were safe.  People fighting the ravages of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) will often tell you that the medication they are taking for PTSD treatment, does not work or does not provide an adequate amount of relief – but medical marijuana does.

What is PTSD?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health approximately 7.7 million Americans suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which is the feeling of being stressed or in danger when one is no longer in danger. PTSD is most widely associated with war veterans but can include anyone who has suffered a significant trauma such as rape, abuse, surviving a natural disaster, being in a terrifying accident, torture or kidnapping.  PTSD occurs in people of all ages and walks of life.  For the sake of this post, we refer to PTSD as it relates to adults.

Cannabis PTSD treatment

PTSD is characterized in adults by fear, anxiousness, night terrors, night sweats, night crying, rapid heartbeat, flashback, scary thoughts, guilt, depression, emotional numbness, emotional outburst, rage, social disassociation and being easily startled. In the research I have read, PTSD has been linked to inflammation in the brain as well as a misfiring or under/over production of different brain chemicals that affect one’s ability to let go of traumatic memories.  While PTSD is generally considered an anxiety disorder, I hypothesize that it is also closely associated with adrenal exhaustion.

Adrenal exhaustion occurs when the “fight or flight” response is constantly engaged.  This response is in large part controlled by the tiny little adrenal glands that sit on top of the kidneys.  The hormones they produce are intended to help the body manage stressful situations. When the hormones they produce are depleted, other hormones produced in the body and brain try to support the adrenals by doing the job adrenaline was supposed to do.  Over time if the body is unable to rest and recharge. The adrenal glands become exhausted.  And so will the other supporting hormones from the pituitary, hypothalamus and the thyroid glands. An imbalance in brain chemistry will result simultaneously.  That ultimately leads to a variety of symptoms including fatigue, headaches, heart palpitations, addiction, weight gain or loss, poor immunity, lack of quality sleep, physical pain, depression and more.  For more information about adrenal exhaustion visit http://www.adrenalfatigue.org.

Cannabis for PTSD Treatment

The use of cannabis for PTSD treatment has been and continues to be hotly debated.  Like all areas of cannabis research, we have more anecdotal evidence than scientific evidence. However, the knowledge we do have clearly indicates that there is a key role for cannabis to play in PTSD treatment as outlined in the late Dr. Tod Mikuriya’s article from O’Shaughnessy’s Spring 2006 issues. 

The father of cannabis science, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam. gives a clinical explanation, on the Veterans for Medical Marijuana website, of why and how cannabis may work in the brains of PTSD suffers and the potential for healing PTSD with cannabis.

One of the points he makes is that cannabis works with our own endocannabinoid system to bring homeostatis or balance back to the mind and body. The endocannabiniod system (internal system that produces compounds that mimic those in the marijuana plant)  is an intricate system present throughout the entire human body and brain that helps regulate every major physiological function including  the regulation of pain, temperature control, memory and inflammation. When something goes wrong in the body our endocannabinoid system goes to work to try to right the wrong and bring the body back into balance. 

In the case of PTSD, the endocannabinoid system which usually helps us forget or deal with painful memories, is somehow overloaded and unable to do that. Because the patient is unable to get space from their trauma, they are unable to relax and interact normally releasing a cascade of detrimental stress chemicals in the body. Medical cannabis helps modulate these memories and stimuli enough that the patient can make sense of the memories, begin to integrate them in a healthier and more emotionally sustainable way, and relax the body enough to begin the healing process.

While cannabis may not work for everyone with PTSD, it deserves serious consideration as a piece of an integrated PTSD treatment including counseling, meditation, exercise, diet, nutritional supplementation and cannabis.  The problems associated with PTSD are as unique as the individuals who suffer from it.  Cannabis for PTSD treatment is not a one-size-fits all, but no treatment is.

While the VA doctors are prohibited from writing medical marijuana prescriptions in medical marijuana states, the VA will not deny care for a veteran who is using medical marijuana. For many veterans the cost of going outside of their VA doctor is prohibitive.  And for those living in non-medical cannabis states, they resort to buying it in the black market or trying to grow their own.

One Veteran’s Story of PTSD Treatment

I continue to be amazed by the stories war veterans share with me about cannabis. Many have told me it has been the most effective part of their PTSD treatment.  The most compelling story I have heard to date is that of cannabis activist Clif Deuvall, who was severely wounded in Vietnam.  He lost one eye and sustained other serious injuries to his skull.  Over time, the pain from these injuries took over Clif’s life. From 1975-2005 he took heavy opiate drugs.  Eventually, they were not enough. In 2005 they changed his prescription to Methadone (a very nasty drug).  That same year, he was declared 100% disable.

The result was a different kind of pain.  Clif will tell you that he became a shell of a human being as a result of methadone.  He felt drugged all the time and spent large amounts of time bedridden and unable to function. To be clinically correct, Clif has all of the symptoms of PTSD but has not been officially diagnosed.  His diagnosis is for neurological and intractable pain which makes it possible for the PTSD issues to be wrapped into his treatment.

Clif wanted his life back.  After researching alternative treatments he discovered that cannabis was an effective substitute to methadone.  He decided to give it a try. The effects were felt immediately as his pain levels were much better managed, he was able to spend time with his family again, and he no longer needed the methadone that took his quality of life.

Realizing just how well his new treatment was working for him, Clif approached his doctors at the VA about the use of cannabis as medicine. They all agreed that cannabis was the best medicine for his injuries, but since it is illegal to possess they could not prescribe it to him and were not supposed to recommend he consume it. It is important to note that when Clif began his cannabis regimen he had many lesions on his brain.  Those lesions have steadily been shrinking with the continued use of cannabis.  Yet, it was (and still is) his doctor’s responsibility to steer him in another direction.

The Benefits of Cannabis for PTSD

Clif’s story is one of millions that linger in the shadows diagnosed and undiagnosed.  Veterans and other PTSD sufferers have shared that cannabis has made it possible for them to function in their daily lives, manage pain and control their depression as well as help manage rage, anxiety and sleeplessness. It is possible that the greatest benefit that cannabis provides PTSD sufferers is much needed peaceful sleep.

Dr. Mechoulam writes in his post on the Veteran for Medical Marijuana page:

So what should all this mean to the individual? Anecdotal evidence says by and large the use of therapeutic cannabis provides a significant improvement in quality of life both for those suffering from this malady and for their family and friends. Whether or not this is taking the fullest advantage possible of the eCB system in the treatment of PTSD is yet to be seen. Mostly the use of cannabis and THC to treat PTSD in humans appears to provide symptomological relief at best. In and of itself, there is nothing wrong with symptomological relief. That’s what taking aspirin for a headache, a diuretic for high blood pressure, opiates to control severe pain, or olanzapine for rapid-cycling mania is all about. We do have the potential, however, to do better than just treating symptoms of PTSD via activation of the cannabinoid receptors. With the right combination of extinction/habituation therapy and the judicious administration of a FAAH inhibitor like KDS-4103 we have the potential to actually cure many cases of PTSD. For the time being though, symptomological treatments are all we have for more generalized anxiety and depression disorders.

Veteran’s Deserve Better

According to an old article in the National Institute of Health’s magazine MedLine Plus returning veterans suffer from PTSD as follows: Vietnam 31%, Gulf War 10%, Afghanistan 11%, and Iraq 20%.   It is morally reprehensible to me that the people who serve this country – and are willing to die for it – are not receiving better diagnosis and treatment for the very real condition of PTSD.  And, for that matter, they should be receiving better health care period!  How is it possible that it is ok to send someone to war but not provide them the BEST mental, physical and emotional care possible when they return affected by their experience?  And, do so quickly and swiftly.  We can do better!  At the very least our government should be researching how cannabis could work as a PTSD treatment!

NOTES:

This post was inspired by a conversation with the veteran who wrote this article http://soldiersforthecause.org/2012/02/07/treating-ptsd-with-marijuana/. Thank you Karol for your help!

To connect with Clif Deuvall visit www.normlwacoinc.org.  Clif is the founder of NORML Waco in Waco, Texas.  Thank you, Clif, for allowing us to share your story.  We are also grateful for all you do to educate people about cannabis and change cannabis laws.

 www.mychronicrelief.com is a website dedicated to providing credible information about cannabis for the terminally and chronically ill.

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76% of Doctors Support Medical Cannabis Use

The New England Journal of Medicine recently reported that 76% of doctors surveyed said that they would approve of medical cannabis use.

The authors of the article write, “We were surprised by the outcome of polling and comments, with 76% of all votes in favor of the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes — even though marijuana use is illegal in most countries. A total of 1446 votes were cast from 72 countries and 56 states and provinces in North America, and 118 comments were posted. However, despite the global participation, the vast majority of votes (1063) came from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.”

Doctors-Recommend-Medical-CannabisThe vigorous debate among those who commented for and against the use of medical cannabis is fascinating to read.  Three things really have emerged from this article for me:

Lack of Information on Medical Cannabis

Most doctors are not well educated about cannabis.  They have been trained that cannabis has no therapeutic value.  Thus, many are skeptical about cannabis – especially when smoked or vaporized.  To be fair, there is a gross lack of scientific information about cannabis dosing, real risks, benefits and side effects.  This is a new field of study that has more questions than answers.  The Schedule 1 classification of cannabis profoundly hampers the ability to get research approved to answer such questions.

Because of the Schedule 1 classification research must be approved by the  National Institute Against Drug Abuse. The word “against” in their title indicates that they are not generally inclined to fund projects to help understand cannabis as a therapeutic .  They prefer to fund things that could prove the opposite.  As an aside, what if their name was National Institute of Drug Discovery?  Maybe that would make it easier for research to take place so we can get some tangible answers to all the important question needed to help effectively treat disease with cannabis – or not.

Demonization of Risks & Side Effects of Medical Cannabis

Many of the negative comments cited the possible risks and side effects associated with cannabis.  That is an excuse not a good reason to consider it especially given that many of the drugs they prescribe have potentially horrible and life threatening side effects.  There is no drug or food or supplement that comes without risk or possible side effects.  Even breathing has risks – but I have to do it anyway to stay alive.  Yes, cannabis has risks.  Yes, it may have side effects.  But name anything else you might prescribe or suggest that doesn’t.  You cannot.  Cannabis is one of the safest drugs available.  The side effects are minimal and generally go away quickly.  Persons who have had a previous bad experience with cannabis, elderly who risk fracture from a fall as a result of dizziness and those with cardiac or psychotic issues should take extra precautions or avoid cannabis.

The Double Edge Sword – Prescribing Medical Cannabis

Cannabis is widely used as an anit-emetic, sleep aid, pain killer, appetite stimulant and anti-depressant.  Most of what we know about medical cannabis is as a therapeutic agent to help relieve a chronic symptom.  In this regard I think patients should be able to visit with their doctor openly and vice versa (without fear or retribution) about the benefits, risks and possible side effects of cannabis.  From there it is the patient’s choice to move forward or not.  I do not think a prescription is necessary for purchase. I support full scale legalization.

The other side of this sword is that fighting a disease is much more complicated than managing symptoms.  When the goal is to change disease progression we are going to need more information. Anecdotal evidence as well as lab and animal research indicate that cannabis could change disease progression for many different diseases. But little has been to prove or disqualify this in human trials. Thus, we need good science and research on medical cannabis that has been proven in humans.  Quality plant derived pharmaceuticals will surely follow.  Either way patients need to be empowered to take a bigger role in their own healthcare to help make decisions that are good for them.

Help Educate Your Doctor

Doctors are being pulled to a fro.  Their responsibilities and stresses are great.  It is difficult for them to be all knowing in their field of medicine.  For most doctors, medical cannabis was not part of their medical school curriculum. If it was it was not likely positive.  That means that doctors are relying on medical journals, their peers and patients for their information or they are doing their own study.  We can all appreciate that our doctor’s time is limited.  You can support your doctor by sharing your own views and experiences with cannabis, and by providing links to important websites like www.MyChronicRelief.com and medical literature and articles pertinent to their expertise.

In Conclusion

The authors raise a great point at the end of their article “Common in this debate was the question of whether marijuana even belongs within the purview of physicians or whether the substance should be legalized and patients allowed to decide for themselves whether to make use of it.”

This blog was written by Nishi Whiteley of www.MyChronicRelief.com – an online guide to cannabis for the terminally and chronically ill.