Marijuana May Be Effective For Neuropathic Pain

[Joanne98]

ScienceDaily (June 29, 2008) — The growing body of evidence that marijuana (cannabis) may be effective as a pain reliever has been expanded with publication of a new study in The Journal of Pain reporting that patients with nerve pain showed reduced pain intensity from smoking marijuana.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080626150628.htm

[bemildred]

1. Another "No shit, Sherlock!" candidate.

It's only been medicine for thousands of years.

[Octafish]

2. That's why Big Pharma fears its, em, popularity.

Bushco doesn't like the way it makes users feel, ah, peaceful-like.

[Phred42]

3. Not just Big Pharma -

Also fearing the Hemp family:

Big Chemical
Big Agra: Corn especially
Big Timber
Big Fossil Fuel

any others folks................?

[Mabus]

5. The liquor industry is afraid of pot

They're afraid that people will go home and light up rather than have a beer or mixed drink. Personally, I don't find them mutually exclusive but then I'm a rebel. ;)

[WilyWondr]

6. Police unions

Prison guard unions, Private prisons(Corrections Corporation of America), Drug Testing clinics, Mexican drug cartels, DEA, FBI(would you rather arrest a pothead or a murderer if you were the one going into the house).

They all stand to lose if people remove their heads from their asses.

[Phred42]

7. Good list - but I don't get prison gurad unions

Pot would keep the prisoners very mellow

I'd think the Guards would be all for it.

[havocmom]

9. Nah, there would be fewer jobs

and lots of people in those jobs are really criminals themselves. They just look for a socially and financially acceptable way to harness violent energies. If the prison population is more aggressive, they get to be EVEN MORE AGGRESSIVE. If the prison population is calm and peaceful, they got no cover for bashing heads, and it guard to prisoner ratio can change big time.

[WilyWondr]

10. The CCPOA

http://igs.berkeley.edu/library/htCaliforniaPrisonUnion.htm

The California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) is the California prison guards' union. In recent years the CCPOA has become a major player in California politics. Its political influence has grown to the point that it is widely considered to be one of the most powerful political forces in Sacramento. Its lobbying efforts and campaign contributions have greatly facilitated the passage of legislation favorable to union members.

The CCPOA takes the position that correctional personnel perform a vital public service that puts them under great danger and stress, and therefore makes no apologies for its aggressive promotion of member interests and its high-profile role in California correctional policy. CCPOA's critics argue that the union has become too powerful in California politics, that it has used its power to unfair advantage, and that it has been an impediment to constructive debate and openness about the state of California prisons.

The foremost opponent of legalized marijuana in California is the Prison Guards' union: without pot busts, there's not as much need for Guards. There's never gonna be a better example of the synergy of the corporate state.

Want to see more?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=california+prison+guard+political+contributions

[Phred42]

11. Before I was only Depressed

It's nothing personal - it's just business.

tx for the update though

[havocmom]

8. Big Medicine, Big Cotton, Big Clothing (Hemp wears damned near forever)

Big Law Enforcement: take away their war on 'drugs' and they don't need as much $$

Big Prison: pot smokers taking up a lot of beds are an easy population to control, AND they make a malleable work force for prisons to create a nice, cheap labor pool prisons bid out to corporations that still wanna use a MADE IN USA label but not really pay even minimum wage for.

Big Manufacturing and Big Call Centers that use REALLY CHEAP prison labor.

Big Entertainment... enough pot users around and we are pretty well entertained by their interesting subject matter. We don't need no stinking movies. If we are relaxed, we don't need constant entertainment.

Big Hate Radio: Enough pot in use = those fuck-heads get laughed right off the air!

The industries that we need to get on board would be Big Ice Cream, Big Cookie, Big Chip! THERE is where the growth will be.

BIG BIG BIG Military Industrial Complex. Hell, peace would break out all over the place!!!!11!!!1!

[Mabus]

4. Well, duh

When people are relaxed they feel less pain. I have arthritis in my knees and my spine. When I smoke pot I have greater mobility than when I don't. I can go for walks, I can mow the lawn, heck, I can even sit comfortably through a movie at the theater or go out dancing with my husband.

In other words, when I smoke pot the muscles in my back and neck are able to relax. They aren't in knots which means I don't have headaches and my legs and back don't freeze up in pain. When I smoke pot I can make it through the day without taking other medications. On my worst days, I can get by with something simple like white birch bark (or aspirin) instead of meds that cause nasty and long-lasting side effects.

For years I was able to keep my pain under control because of pot. Since we've moved I've been in a world of hurt. Right now, nothing would make me happier than to find some pot from a regular source at a reasonable cost. Instead I am chomping down meds, using heating pads and taking hot showers and baths. I am unable to walk more than a couple of blocks at a time and I have afternoon headaches because my muscles are knotted. I am also unable to dance with my husband any more.

[Napoleon Bonaparte]

12. It also helps prevent cancer

Studies have found marihuana helps prevent cancer as well. Legalize the damn thing.