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Twelve-Year Old Sues to Legalize Cannabis

I Stand with AlexisCould it be that twelve-year-old medical cannabis refugee from Texas, Alexis Bortell, will win her lawsuit against the US government and legalize cannabis nationwide?  We sure hope so!

Alexis is one of four individual plaintiffs in the law suit against US Attorney Jeff Sessions along with Marvin Washington, a former NFL lineman; Jose Belen, an Army veteran; and Jagger Cotte, a 6-year-old Georgia boy with Leigh syndrome. The case will be heard Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 11 am at the federal courthouse located at 500 Pearl Street in Manhattan, NY and is open to the public. Monitor #IStandWithAlexis for posts about the case.

Alexis started having seizures when she was seven years old. After trying every medication available to her to no avail, she and her family moved to Colorado so she could use cannabis safely.  Now, Alexis has been seizure free for three years.

Alexis’ seizures cannot be controlled by cannabidiol (CBD) alone.  She requires tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).  In fact, she carries with her a rescue spray with THC just in case she feels a seizure emerging. The move to Colorado has made it possible for Alexis to live a fairly normal life.  However, she cannot travel to see relatives, visit national parks or go to Disneyland!  The same is true for others who require cannabis for their survival!

Cannabis is currently a Schedule I drug as defined by the Controlled Substances Act.  Schedule 1 drugs are considered to have no known medical use, be highly addictive and have a high potential for abuse.  This is the same classification as heroin.  Interestingly, synthetic THC is sold under the brand name Marinol and classified as a Schedule III drug (the same class as Vicodin).

To date, twenty-nine states and DC have medical cannabis laws and nine states and DC allow adult use.  An overwhelming majority of Americans – now over eighty percent – support the legalization of medical cannabis and over sixty percent support legalization for adult use. And, for the first time legislation has been filled in the U.S. House and Senate to legalize cannabis.  Click here to learn more about this important legislation called the Marijuana Justice Act.

Alexis BortellRegardless if you are a kid who needs cannabis to manage your chronic illness to lead an almost normal life, or one with a debilitating disease, if you are a veteran with PTSD, an NFL player trying to manage the effects of repeated head trauma and general wear and tear on your body, or if you are battling cancer, depression or have an unmet need for relief from a chronic ailment, safe legal access to cannabis should be available to us all!

One way to help raise awareness for this case and support Alexis (and her fellow plaintiffs) is by changing your profile picture across social media to the downloadable picture at the top of this post.  And follow Alexis at https://www.facebook.com/HealAlexis.

 

UPDATE: February 14-15, 2018 the Judge heard arguments from the federal government lawyer and the plaintiffs to consider the federal government’s request to dismiss the case.  After testimonies were heard from both sides, the judge acknowledged that medical cannabis had improved the lives of the plaintiffs and decided to postpone a judgement in the case. For additional coverage see:

Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/sites/monazhang/2018/02/14/a-lawsuit-against-sessions-could-be-the-one-to-legalize-marijuana/#d03453d7f352

Reuters – https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-lawsuit-marijuana/u-s-judge-weighs-challenge-to-federal-marijuana-prohibition-idUSKCN1FY35S

 

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Sessions Anti-Cannabis Crusade

By Nishi Whiteley

Attorney General Jeff Sessions once said, “Good people don’t smoke marijuana.” And more recently tied it to violent crime and contributing to the opioid epidemic. How is it possible that such an educated individual is so grossly uniformed, out of touch, and flat wrong about this topic in this age of science and information?

Sessions The Anti-Cannabis Crusader

Sessions Goes After Legal Cannabis Market

On January 4, 2018, AG Sessions rescinded the Obama-era Cole Memo (2013) that offered protection for businesses and patients operating legally within states that have enacted medical cannabis laws.  This is a direct attack on the will of the American people who have voted to legalize cannabis in their states. Known as a state’s rights guy and one with a disdain for all things “marijuana” (more accurately called cannabis), Sessions’ new war on the legal cannabis market could be the pathway to national legalization for the benevolent herb. According to Arcview, the leading cannabis industry investment and market research group, North American consumers spent $6.7 BILLION on legally purchased cannabis products in 2016, up thirty-four percent from the previous year. What is going to happen when the millions of Americans with safe access to cannabis have to go back onto the black market to buy cannabis to relieve their chronic health issues – or worse, turn to opiates?  What is going to happen in states that have experienced millions in increased tax revenue no longer have it?

While not Mr. Sessions’ intent, his hypocritical about-face on a state’s right to legalize cannabis and his likely strict enforcement of federal law may back fire.  His actions could put enough tax money and economic benefit at risk in legal markets that he might get the fight of his life from Congressmen, governors, state attorneys general and those who voted for cannabis legalization and are benefiting from it. Consider that:

  • 60% of Americans now live in legal cannabis states
  • 29 states and the District of Columbia have some sort of medical cannabis law
  • 8 states allow adult use (20% of the country live in these states)
  • A 2016 Gallop poll showed that 13% (1 in 8) of American adults currently use cannabis

Sessions claims his goal is to protect the people from violence, organized crime, and the gateway to hard drug use.  However, his position is not supported by legitimate data.  In fact, medical cannabis states have seen reduced crime rates, a twenty-five percent reduction in opioid overdose deaths, reduced teen use and a significant increase in tax revenue.  Additionally, states that allow medical cannabis use have experienced significantly lower Medicare prescription expenses and a reduced use of opioids.

In a recent press conference shown on the PBS News Hour, Sessions said, “I am afraid the public is not properly educated about marijuana.”  It might be time to look in the mirror Mr. Sessions.  The public is becoming increasingly educated about cannabis and over sixty percent of us support its federal legalization for adult use and over eighty percent support medical legalization!

We can longer overlook the vast amounts of scientific evidence that indicate cannabis is a safe, versatile, and efficacious medicine which should be de-scheduled. While I disagree with Sessions on his opinions about cannabis, believe he is misguided, and willfully ignorant on the subject, it is more important to change these bad laws than change his mind. His job is to enforce the law – even if it is a bad one. Our job as citizens is to speak up and demand that our policy makers do better!

Our current cannabis laws are antiquated benefiting private prison corporations, law enforcement budgets, organized crime, pharmaceutical companies and anyone who receives financial support from those organizations – not you and me.  If you believe cannabis law needs reform, speak up and be a part of the solution!

Two Things You Can Do Now

A democracy requires citizen participation.  Our elected officials need to hear from us if they are going to find the courage to make the needed changes to federal cannabis laws!  The following are a list of things you can easily do that will make a difference:

  1. Let your members of Congress know you Support of The Marijuana Justice Act of 2017 which is now pending in both chambers of Congress. Click here to send them a letter.
  2. Become a member and donor to one of these important national organizations:
    1. Americans for Safe Access
    2. National Organization of Reform of Marijuana Laws
    3. Marijuana Policy Project
    4. Drug Policy Alliance

The ridiculous War on Drugs has been a failure! Let’s create cannabis policy based on SCIENCE, instead of fear and ignorance. Cannabis is a safe, effective and versatile medicinal herb.  It’s time we dissolve the cloud of shame, secrecy and controversy around the use of this safe, medical herb and legalize its use to help Americans live and die better!

 

Excellent Articles About Sessions & His War on Cannabis

Houston Chronicle – https://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/gray-matters/article/Why-Sessions-war-on-weed-won-t-work-12485462.php

High Times – https://hightimes.com/news/attorney-general-jeff-sessions-dazed-confused-american-marijuana-law

Politico – https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/12/16/jeff-sessions-marijuana-216109

 

Nishi Whiteley is the author of the 2016 book, Chronic Relief: A Guide to Cannabis for the Terminally & Chronically Ill and is the founder and curator of the website www.MyChronicRelief.com. As a cannabis educator she tries to bridge the gap between the vast amounts of cannabis science and safe, practical application for medical users.

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Cannabis Guide Book Now Available

guidebook to cannabisFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2016

Nishi Whiteley
(512) 658-3836
lane at mychronicrelief dot com

Medical Cannabis Guide Book Bridges the Gap between Science and Safe Use

Austin, Texas – The newly released book Chronic Relief: A Guide to Cannabis for the Terminally & Chronically Ill serves as a great resource for the cannabis curious. After seeing the relief cannabis provided her mother at the end of her battle with lung cancer, author Nishi Whiteley was inspired to share what she learned so others would benefit from her mother’s experience.

The book bridges the gap between science and practical application translating medical science into layman’s terms in a way that patients and their caregivers can understand and use to decide if cannabis is right for them and if so how to use it safely.  Whiteley says, “The book explains the reason cannabis is such a versatile and effective medicine is chemical components of the cannabis plant mimic chemicals produced in the human body that are critical to human health performing major biological functions including neuroprotection, regulating pain and inflammation, stimulating and regulating appetite, controlling nausea and vomiting and more.”

The book will help the reader:

  • understand how cannabinoids work in the body
  • decide if cannabis is a fit for you
  • choose intake methods
  • understand risks and harm reduction strategies
  • decide where to start in terms of establishing an effective dose

Over 12 cannabis experts have contributed their knowledge to this book! World renowned medical cannabis expert Ethan B. Russo, MD served as the final medical editor for the book and wrote the foreword. Dr. Russo is a board-certified neurologist, psychopharmacology researcher, and former Senior Medical Advisor to GW Pharmaceuticals. He served as study physician to GW Pharmaceuticals for three Phase III clinical trials of Sativex, the world’s only whole plant cannabis pharmaceutical drug.

Dr. Russo says of the book, “Nishi Whiteley has provided a great service in delivering a clear and refreshing voice and orientation to the subject of cannabis, born of necessity, and answering the critical questions: If I or my loved one suffer from an illness that ‘conventional medicine’ has failed to treat adequately, might cannabis help and if so, how would I go about using it properly? In addressing these questions, she has accurately portrayed the scientific literature on cannabis and ‘brought down to Earth’ in a very heartfelt and person account that will be accessible to a much wider audience beyond the academic world.”

Twenty-eight states now have medical cannabis laws and eight states allow for adult use.  This represents a tipping point in the mainstream acceptance of cannabis as medicine.  Cannabis is one of the most pharmacologically active plants on the planet and one of the safest.  Humans have used it for medicine, sacrament and as an intoxicant for thousands of years with NO reported deaths – unlike the situation with opiates.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over half of American adults report suffering from one or more chronic health issues – most of which may be benefited by use of cannabis or cannabis therapeutics.  Whiteley says, “It is time we remove the cloud of shame, secrecy and controversy around the use of this safe and legitimate medicine. This book is intended to help the sick and suffering and their caregivers gain the knowledge they need about cannabis to help them live better and die more comfortably.”

Chronic Relief: A guide to Cannabis for the Terminally and Chronically Ill, is part research paper, personal narrative, guide book and cookbook. It is 333 pages, heavily referenced, and provides considerable resources for the reader who wants to go deeper.  It is available for $19.99 at www.mychronicrelief.com/cannabis-book or on Amazon.

 

-END-

(585 words)

 

Nishi Whiteley (pronounced Nee-sha) is a business development and marketing consultant turned cannabis educator, speaker and author. After seeing the relief cannabis provided her mother at the end of her battle with lung cancer, Whiteley was inspired to share what she has learned so others would benefit from her mother’s experience.  She is also the curator of the website MyChronicRelief.com.

A high-resolution file of the cover is available at https://mychronicrelief.com/press-files.

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The Endocannabinoid System is Boosted by Cannabinoids

The American public is beginning to discover what scientist have know for 20+ years: Cannabinoids boost the endocannabiod system for the relief of many diverse ailment.  The growing knowledge that cannabis is in fact a safe medicinal agent for many under treated conditions is causing a push for medical cannabis legislation across our great country.  This is playing out in hearings around the nation where states are entertaining legalizing the use of medical marijuana.  This includes the state of Texas where testimony for HB 3785, legislation that would make it legal for patients who have a doctor’s recommendation to acquire and use cannabis, was heard on April 28, 2015.  67  people testified in favor of the bill. More people were prepared to testify but the committee asked that unless people had something new to offer that they pass on their turn in the interest of time. Not one person testified against the bill.  The brave testimonies ranged from heart-breaking and gut-wrenching to scientific, including four different doctors.

Testifying for HB 3785
Patients, doctors, and advocates testifying for HB 3785 in Texas.

Here is my testimony given for HB 3785 that briefly explains why cannabis can be such an effective medicine:

Why Is Cannabis Good Medicine?

Cannabis is a highly versatile herb that provides relief for many different ailments with a high degree of safety.  There are few cannabis receptors in the part of the brain that control heartbeat or breathing (Donald Abrams 2009).  This is why no one has died from its over consumption – unlike the situation with opiates.

The reasons that cannabis benefits so many different ailments boils down to the fact that a class of chemicals produced in the cannabis plant  – known as cannabinoids – mimic chemicals in the human body called endocannabinoids – or the cannabinoids within.

The Endocannabinoid System

These endocannabinoids along with a series of enzymes and receptors throughout the body make up the Endocannabinoid system or the ECS, which serves as a primary biological harm reduction system tasked with bringing the body back into balance or homeostasis whenever it is challenged by stress, infection, injury or lifestyle.

It regulates, modulates or plays role in every major biological function of the human body including but not limited to:

  • pain control
  • mood
  • immune function
  • newborn suckling
  • appetite reward
  • temperature regulation
  • memory
  • inflammation regulation
  • neuroprotection

(Marzo 1998)

The ECS is critical to human survival. 

Cannabinoids Boost the Endocannabinoid System

When it is no longer able to regulate itself, cannabinoids and other chemicals from the cannabis plant, when properly used, may help stimulate the ECS in a safe, therapeutic and non-toxic way.

The country’s foremost expert in cannabis science, and my mentor is neurologist Dr. Ethan Russo. He explains in the document I am providing for you, that the ECS has a network of chemicals that when coupled together result in what is known as an “entourage effect” or a boosting effect that provides an enhancement for the management of pain, inflammation or other problem (Russo 2015).

The same is true for cannabis.  The major and minor chemical components of the plant are vastly more therapeutic together than when isolated and together have fewer side-effects (John M. Mcpartland 2001).

It is for this reason that whole-plant cannabis is almost always a more effective medicinal agent than a single isolated product such as CBD-only products or the synthetic THC drug, Marinol® (Russo 2001).

Most pharmaceutical drugs are designed to address a primary problem and bring comfort.  Cannabis is much more dynamic, stimulating the ECS to address many problems at once in multiple biological layers, not only bringing comfort but restoration in many cases. And, its safety profile is superior to any modern pharmaceutical medicine – including aspirin. We have more scientific data about cannabis than 95% of all FDA approved drugs (Carter 2014).

It is time that we bring science to the forefront of our cannabis policy and dissolve the cloud of shame, secrecy, and fear around the use of this potentially SAFE and legitimate medicine.

Please vote YES for HB 3785.

This blog was written by Nishi Whiteley marketing consultant, cannabis educator and author to the upcoming book, “Chronic Relief: a guide to cannabis for the chronically and terminally ill.”  Learn more at https://mychronicrelief.com/bio-nishi-whiteley-author-speaker/

Testify for HB 3785Read more of the testimonies given that day: http://txcann.com/2015/04/28/texans-hear-tearful-testimony-on-behalf-of-medical-marijuana-bill/#more-3947

Watch video of the testimonies for HB 3785 with Nishi Whiteley’s testimony starting at 9:54: http://tlchouse.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=37&clip_id=10993

 

Bibliography & Recommended Reading

Carter, Gregory T. “Cannabis in the Management of Neuromuscular Disorders.” The Eighth National Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics – The Endocannabinoid System and Age-related Illness. Portland: Patients Out of Time, 2014. NA.

Donald Abrams, Andrew Guzman. “Cannabinoids and Cancer.” In Integrative Oncology, by Andrew Weil, Donald Abrams, 147-170. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.

Ethan B. Russo, Jo. “Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects.” British Journal of Pharmacology, 2001: 1344-1364.

John M. Mcpartland, Ethan B. Russo. “Cannabis and Cannabis Extracts: Greater than the Sum of Their Parts?” Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, 2001: 103-132.

Marzo, Vincenzo Di. “‘Endocannabinoids’ and other fatty acid derivatives with cannabimimetic properties: biochemistry and possible physiopathological relevance.” Biochemica et Biophysica, 1998: 153-175.

Russo, Ethan B. Introduction to the Endocannabinoid System. subject overview, Los Angeles: PHYTECS, 2015.

 

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Wellness is Winning

At the end of March, Americans for Safe Access hosted the 2015 National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference in Washington, DC.  I was fortunate enough to attend this conference with doctors, researchers, activists, and patients from around the country. We came together to discuss the future of medicinal cannabis policy reform and learn about advances in medical cannabis science. The quality of speakers and the amount of information shared in such a short time was stunning.

ASA Lobby DayOne conference day was dedicated to lobbying.  After learning useful tips about how to effectively run community meetings and events to create legislative change, we traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with our state Representatives and Senators in support of the CARERS Act (see below).  Over 250 patients, caregivers, and researchers from 38 states met with the offices of their federal elected officials to discuss safe and legal access to medical marijuana.

Who Represents YOU in the U.S. Congress?

The CARERS Act

Congress took an historic step last month with the introduction of comprehensive bipartisan medical cannabis legislation in both houses.

On March 10, Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States (CARERS) Act (S. 683). A bipartisan companion bill (HR 1583) was introduced in the House on March 24 by Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) and Don Young (R-AK).

If enacted, the sweeping new legislation would amend the Controlled Substances Act to explicitly allow states to set their own medical cannabis policies without violating federal law. The bill would also change federal law to allow banks to provide financial services to licensed medical cannabis businesses, allow Veteran Affairs physicians to recommend medical cannabis to their patients, and enable the cannabis extract cannabidiol (CBD) to be imported to states that have legalized its use.

In short, the CARERS Act would help reshape federal medical marijuana law in six important ways:

CARERS Act Reshapes Law
Click here for more details on the CARERS Act.
  1. End federal interference
  2. Reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II
  3. Remove CBD from Controlled Substances Act
  4. Enable access to banking services
  5. Eliminate federal research barriers
  6. Ensure quality for military veterans

While each of these provisions may not be ideally crafted from the patient perspective, the bill creates an opportunity that never before existed with the U.S. Senate. Previously when patient advocates have tried to bring up the issue of medical marijuana with their Senators, many offices have avoided taking an official position because there was no legislation in the Senate on the issue. Now we have something substantive to discuss with them.

In addition, the CARERS Act would reclassify marijuana from its current Schedule I status as a highly dangerous drug with no medical value to Schedule II, recognizing it as a medicine, as well as removing bureaucratic barriers to research and allowing for more production of research cannabis.

“The time has come for the federal government to stop impeding the doctor-patient relationship in states that have decided their own medical marijuana policies,” said Senator Dean Heller (R-NV), who has signed on as a fourth sponsor. “This bipartisan legislation puts Americans who are suffering first.”

The CARERS Act is endorsed by several advocacy groups, including Americans for Safe Access (ASA), which helped the Senate authors develop the legislation.

Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia have adopted medical marijuana laws. Another 13 states have adopted laws allowing for the consumption of cannabis extracts that are primarily CBD, a non-psychoactive component of the plant that has been used to treat seizures and other maladies.

Currently, a one-year budget amendment prohibits the Department of Justice from interfering in the implementation of state medical cannabis laws, but the DOJ continues to prosecute individuals and pursue forfeiture cases.

The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States Act (CARERS Act) is the first comprehensive medical marijuana bill introduced in the U.S. Senate (S.683) along with its companion bill in the House (H.R. 1538).

I was part of a delegation of 5 citizens from Texas that met with staff from Senator John Cornyn’s office and Representative Michael McCaul’s office.  What struck me the most about these meetings were the misconceptions and lack of knowledge about cannabis laws and at the same time, the staffer’s desire to learn more about the issue.  I was especially heartened by the interaction with Senator Cornyn’s office.  They were eager to see the science!  It helped considerably that Dr. Sue Sisley, respected cannabis researcher and physician with expertise in internal medicine and psychiatry, joined our meeting to share her personal experience of challenges in getting medical cannabis research approved to study cannabis as a treatment for PTSD in treatment-resistant Veterans.

What can you do to support this legislation?

Read more about the CARERS Act here: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/senators_booker_paul_and_gillibrand_introduce_unprecedented_comprehesive

Sign the petition urging the US Senate to take action on the CARERS Act: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/senate_carers_act_petition

Contact your US Congress members: http://www.contactingthecongress.org/

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Worldwide Marijuana March on the Texas Capitol

Worldwide Marijuana March on the Texas Capitol Set for Saturday May 3 at 4:00 PM

April 30, 2014 Austin, Texas – The annual Worldwide Marijuana March occurs on the first Saturday of May across the globe to raise awareness for the need for global cannabis law reform.  The Austin chapter of Texas NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), will host one of approximately 300 marches occurring on Saturday May 3rd throughout the world.  Austin participants will assemble at 4:00 pm at the Austin City Hall and walk up Congress Avenue to the Texas Capitol.  Speakers are scheduled to begin at 5:45 pm and will include: Bill Norton, Co-Founder of Texas NORML; Heather Fazio, Marijuana Policy Project; Vincent Lopez, Texas NORML’s Director of Patient Outreach and the founder of the Patient’s Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics. Music will be provided by Jessica of The Love Leighs.

Worldwide Marijuana March 05.03.14Cannabis possession is illegal at the federal level based on policies that have NOTHING to do with science but instead are based in fear, greed, ignorance and racism.  Current cannabis laws are a drain on our tax dollars for a war on drugs that is not working, retards economic growth, promotes black markets, stresses our criminal justice system diverting attention from serious crime and makes criminals out of otherwise productive citizens.  Twenty-one states have established medical cannabis laws that allow access to cannabis for medical use with Colorado and Washington voting also for legalization of recreational use. However, federal law trumps state law, leaving every patient, grower, cannabis business and cannabis user vulnerable under federal law. The U.S. Attorney General has the authority to change the schedule classification of cannabis and has ignored the recommendations from three Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Administrative Law Judges, that recommended that they do just that.  The AG has abdicated responsibility to the President who has yielded to Congress on the issue – thus far.  In Texas, cannabis laws must be changed at the legislative level. A public ballot initiative is not an option as it has been in many other states.  Thus, it is important for cannabis advocates to let their state and national elected officials know that cannabis law reform is a critically important issue to them so lawmakers can carry out the will of their constituents.

Currently, cannabis is a Schedule 1 drug which is considered by the DEA to be highly addictive and have no known medical use.  Yet, the science shows that cannabis is less addictive than caffeine, has no serious side effects and has tremendous versatility to treat a wide variety of chronic symptoms such as pain, inflammation, nausea/vomiting, depression and more.  Science also indicates that components of the cannabis plant have strong anti-cancer properties including slowing tumor growth and in certain cancers it has created cell death in human cells.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services currently holds patents on cannabinoids – one category of active components of the cannabis plant – for their neuroprotectant and antioxidant properties. How is it possible that one branch of government sees the medical value of the cannabis plant for not only its ability to manage many chronic symptoms of disease but also the possibility of using cannabis to change progression of diseases like diabetes, cancer and Alzhiemer’s, and another branch says that it has no known medical use?

Polls done by the Marijuana Policy Project (9-2013), the Texas Tribune (2-2014) and the Austin Business Journal (2-2014) show that a majority of Texans support the legalization of cannabis.  The March on the Capitol is a great opportunity for the public and the media to get educated about this issue and show their support for cannabis law reform.  Many well informed people will be on hand to answer your questions including cannabis educator and author, Nishi Whiteley, the author of the forthcoming book, Chronic Relief: A guide to cannabis for the terminally and chronically ill.

*If you live outside of the Austin area, contact your local NORML chapter for their march details.