Hemp/Cannabis and all about it

[BlueMoon]

Hello everyone! :love:

There are no hemp threads on this forum yet so I felt like starting one out and outlining some basic facts about this wonderful plant. I hope this thread will clear many misconceptions and help whomever wishes to understand this whole plant a bit better. I also hope to inspire you to grow it and get to know the plant yourselves! Growing plants in general is good for grounding - connecting with the Earth - and is often meditation-like. If you're not growing any plants yet, do it now!!

Before I start talking about its uses I feel like it's important to point out the differences between so called "weed :hippie:" aka cannabis/marijuana/pot, "industrial hemp" and " medicinal hemp". They are all essentially the same plant from the Cannabis genus, with 3 main species being recognized: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis. Each one of them could be labelled as industrial hemp, medicinal hemp or weed. The only difference between these labels is the content of cannabinoids in the plants. Industrial hemp contains very low amount of the main psychoactive compound THC and is not psychoactive. Medicinal weed contains lower amounts of THC than the "regular weed" and contains higher percentage of other cannabinoids, mainly CBD. Weed has high amount of THC and was continuously bred and selected with the intention to increase its potency - to increase the THC ratio. There are many different strains of hemp, each having its own cannabinoid profile.


http://shrani.si/f/2l/Hz/3jXZOp23/sativa-indica-ruderalis.png http://shrani.si/f/2P/zS/zqp2hpG/4200.jpg

Now that we cleared some things up, where to start? There are countless ways to use hemp, and each and every part of the plant can be used. Yes, literally.
Hemp is a dioecious plant, which means that hemp plants have male and female organs on separate individual plants. Some of the plants can be hermaphrodites but that's quite rare.
Why am I telling you this? Female plants and male plants have different uses, to a certain degree. The female flowers, or buds, are what's most commonly used as an ingredient in many ailments, medicines and cosmetic products, and blunts/joints. Female buds are what is being smoked when someone smokes weed. They contain the highest percentage of cannabinoids, such as THC, CBD, CBN and many many others.


http://shrani.si/f/2v/Mi/3UJoSgTX/cannabis-flowers.jpg

Cannabinoids, along with terpenes, are the main substances that are used to treat many diseases or conditions, such as cancer, asthma, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, Alzheimer's, Crohn's, epilepsy, glaucoma, helps to relax the mind and the muscles, helps to sleep, ...
The most famous cannabinoid is THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol. It is the main psychoactive ingredient in hemp. Some other cannabinoids are psychoactive as well, some are not. There are currently over 110 known different cannabinoids, the number getting higher every year. The second most famous cannabinoid is the non-psychoactive CBD. It can lessen the psychoactive impact of THC and if used together, THC and CBD have shown to have a bigger (positive) impact on fighting cancer cells - and using a broader set of cannabinoids has even better effects, not just on cancer, but on muscle relaxation for example, and many many other things, out of which I'm sure some still remain unknown, mainly because of the lack of research conducted on THC, but even more so on all the other cannabinoids (the fact that we're still discovering new cannabinoids gives you an idea of where we're at).
In short: Using a broad set of cannabinoids is better than taking synthetic THC or CBD extracts.

Male flowers that produce pollen can also be used as they too contain cannabinoids (pollen included), but in lower quantities. The leaves of plants also contain small amounts of cannabinoids, but they also contain essential oils. The simplest and most efficient way of using leaves, in my opinion, is making a tea out of them (add some fat, like milk or butter in the tea if you want to benefit from the cannabinoids in the leaves, as they're fat solluble but not solluble in water). You can also make a tincture, or a hydrolat/hydrosol if you want to get the essential oils, but you need larger quantities of leaves for that of course. When making a tincture, you can put every single part of the plant into the alcohol - even the roots, which have been used by the chinese 5000 years ago already, as they has numerous benefits. Putting every part of the plant in your tincture ensures you'll get the most out of the plant and its medicinal properties.

If you want to use hemp for cosmetics you can use its essential oil, or some oil macerated with hemp buds (you can easily do that yourself).

Oil made from hemp seeds is very healthy. The seeds contain all of the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids, the latter being in a perfect ratio for human nutritional needs!
It is also possible to make biodiesel out of the seeds for example, but I suggest we just eat the seeds or give them to the birds.

Hemp fibers are the strongest natural fibres on Earth. You can make durable, high quality paper from these fibres, or textile, which has better heat insulation properties than cotton, meaning these clothes will keep you warmer than cotton clothes would when it's cold. It is also considerably more durable than cotton and can be used as clothing that needs to withstand harsh conditions and will not tear apart (like jeans that were used for miners). Hemp fibres were also used to make durable ropes (for ships, for example). Heat insulation is also good when making building materials out of hemp stalks - called Hempcrete (stalks mixed with lime, sand, cement). It has good insulation, will not burn but only char on the surface, and is very breathable. Hemp stalks can also be used to make beer or other types of alcohol - hemp stalks being an addition and not the main source of sugar.

To produce things like hempcrete, ropes or textile, a lot of stalk material is needed (and a production line as well). If such production is not possible, one can always use stalk material as a healthy livestock feed.

Cellulose is also used to make some plastic materials, and yes - it's possible to make biodegradable plastic from hemp as well.

How about growing hemp? No problem! Hemp needs no pesticides as it doesn't have much natural "predators". It grows faster than other weeds and it outgrows them. It will not grow in high grass though, because it will not have the chance to outgrow it. Hemp does not need much nutrients so there is no need for much fertilization. It can also withstand harsh conditions, like draught for example, and can grow in high altitudes as well. Hemp can also be used to replenish soils, contaminated by heavy metals. It is generally easy to grow and does not require much attention, if any at all. Yields depend on what variety you pick and how you choose to sow it.
If you want to have as much stalks and fibre as possible, you can sow hemp seeds very densely. If you want to have many leaves and buds, sow less seeds and give the plants more space. Most importantly, pick the right variety. Some strains grow in height (good for stalk and fibre), some focus most of their energy into seed production, some will have nice and big flowers. The pollen comming from the male flowers will pollinate the female flowers, meaning the female plants will focus on seed production and not on producing the buds, which would be filled with resin and cannabinoids, if there was no seeds to be produced.

If you want to grow hemp for yourself in small quantities, you can make tea or tincture out of it, cosmetic products, you can make hemp oil out of seeds if you manage to get big enough quantities, you can collect roots and use them for medicinal purposes. Planting just a few plants in your garden will keep some of the bad insects away.


Well then, why is hemp illegal? I'm sure you can see why. Numerous benefits in many different areas would prevent many industries from keeping their nasty profits. It can also be psychoactive and can expand your consciousness, just like all the other illegal entheogens. It all started with the War on drugs in the USA (read more about it here (http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/23/politics/john-ehrlichman-richard-nixon-drug-war-blacks-hippie/index.html))and then it spread throughout the world.
Ask your parents or grandparents, or the older people on this forum: they will remember large hemp fields being grown, both in the USA and throughout Europe, about the other parts of the world I'm not so sure. The legislation in Europe allows to grow industrial hemp, but only if the percentage of THC is less than 0,2% (find some information for EU here (http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/system/files/publications/4135/TD0217210ENN.pdf)). This is, basically, awful, as the plants themselves benefit from higher percentage of THC. Raising the limit up to 0,5% would have many many benefits and the plants would still not be psychoactive. THC offers protection from the sun (and if there is a lot of sun, THC levels in the plant will rise). THC is not here for us people, it is a part of the plants' system. The farmers are also not allowed to grow their own seeds for planting but must buy certificated seeds, which means the plants will never adopt to some particular environment through acclimatization and selection of best seeds by the farmers themselves. There are no varieties which have been bred in conditions I live in, with the same type of climate, same type of soil. And so the farmer depends on the quality of the seeds and their adequacy for the particular environment in which he/she will grow hemp.


There is a lot more of detailed information out there on the internet about the things I mentioned here. If there's any questions, feel free to post them here and I'll do my best to answer them. The purpose of this thread is to shed some light on this topic and spread awareness about hemp.


I encourage you to grow it, get to know it, and benefit from it (but don't get yourself in trouble!). Find out what the legislation in your country is like. Some countries allow you to grow industrial hemp, some countries even permit growing small amounts of hemp for medicinal purposes (medicinal hemp) or for your own consumption and recreation (weed). If there's anyone who wants to try growing it, send me a message (or post it here for everyone to see, so we all benefit) and I'll do my best to help you out.



http://projectavalon.net/forum4/images/smilies/0708%20Flower.gif Happy growing! https://i.imgur.com/VbTy16y.gif

[seehas]

in the past ive had a paraglider accident and i lost a vertebrae, after 2 surgerys they put me on morphine and later morphine based pills, my body was addicted already.

it was cannabis that helped me to get rid of the morphine.

since i dont want to take pills against the pain (got a vertebrae missing now and its bridged with titanium) i needed some time to find the right cannabis-strain for myself, most cannabis out there is bred to get a maximum % in THC, for pain issues its better to get 1:1 THC/CBD.

the CBD (Cannabidiol) has a strong effect on the body and reduces the psychoactive substance of THC, that makes you feel realy relaxed and happy but still clear in the mind :bigsmile:

im sorry pharmaindustry but i found something better !

[Rhah]

One thing I feel I have to add, is that although it is absolutely true that cannabis is a natural drug that can have a lot of (both physical and mental) health benefits, and which could indeed even be used as a highly effective medicine; those will never be valid reasons to abuse the drug.

The reason I'm saying this is because I have personally recovered from a cannabis addiction, and the above were exactly the things I kept telling myself as to why there was no reason for me to quit smoking. "It's natural, not some synthetic drug like LSD so it's harmless", "It's a medicine", "The Jamaicans smoke it constantly, so why should I stop if I only smoke it during the evening?", etc. etc.

That's basically how it went for a good 9 years of my life. Eventually I just had to convince myself of the fact that, just as with any other drug, it is all fairly fine and harmless so long you use it occasionally; but as soon as you start using it every single day for years on end, it should be clear that it's no longer beneficial for you. At that point you're abusing the drug and therefore abusing yourself. You become a slave to your own passions.

So to everyone reading this; please do be careful and use it responsibly. I know cannabis is a great drug, and a relatively mild one at that, but don't tell yourself that it can't become addictive. That's what I thought for the majority of those 9 years, but when you eventually do realize that you can no longer function without it, it'll be incredibly difficult to give it up.
The only people I hung out with all those years were pot smokers, so when I finally made the decision to quit I was basically forced to shut myself in and live a reclusive life for well over six months; because I knew that if I would meet my friends the temptation would simply become too high, that I would start postponing it again and tell myself things like "tonight will just be my last then, I'll quit tomorrow.", and that I'd be telling myself the exact same thing the next day.
I'm glad to say that I did eventually manage to quit entirely and I haven't touched the stuff for over a year and a hallf now. But it sure wasn't an easy task and I am sad to say that I have lost most of my friends in the process.

In any case, my apologies for this rant, I hope I haven't in any way derailed this thread as that was not my intention. I just felt I had to speak up a little due to my personal experiences with cannabis, and because when I do occasionally socialize with people that smoke pot, and someone happens to bring up a negative point about it, I notice that they almost always immediately bring out the "it's a natural herb" and "it's a medicine" arguments to vindicate their behavior. So I just felt the need to emphasize the fact that there's a difference between using and abusing.

All in all, I admittedly still have a love-hate relationship with the drug. During those years of active usage it has provided me with the best moments of my life, but also the absolute worst. And what initially started out as my greatest friend eventually turned into my greatest adversary.

[The Moss Trooper]

I'll add my approval of this subject matter.

It had been many, many years since I had used cannabis, right up until about two weeks ago. I had to undergo 7hrs of emergency surgery about a month ago, it was quite violent. I discharged myself after two weeks because I could bare to be in hospital no more, pumped full of morphine and God knows what else. When I enquired about diet and exercise to aid my recovery, the consultant and surgeon just gave me a blank look...... and two large bags of PILLS. Morphine, codeine, tramadol, etc, etc. I took them for 2 days and then binned the lot of them. My surgery was on my abdomen, stomach and lung so appetite was a problem, also sleeping. On my third day back at home I had a 'lightbulb' moment.

I am now two weeks further down that road, putting on weight (I lost 6.8kg after the operation) and getting back into a good sleep routine. If anyone is interested as to the beginnings of the persecution of this plant, there is one name, and one name only that you need to look into. That name is Harry Anslinger, and the whole, ridiculous war on drugs falls firmly at that man's feet.

[Bubu]

Food is beneficial in right amounts. cannabis is no different. In my case although I'm an adventurist I am a careful adventurist. I will go where people dont but not without a good understanding. In the case of marijuana. 5 to 10 days of continuous use will slow down my brain and body. I get the most benefit when I use 3 or 5 days in succession then stop for 6 to 10 days. then repeat the cycle. I think most people that gets into trouble is using this as a form of escape. I use it as a booster. and yes it does boost my overall health. Just as the case in almost anything you can reap benefits or get into trouble depending on how you use it. There are things that can be use often and there are things that should be use less and then there is also the individual diversity factor. The irony is that once you cross that line and find yourself in the low side you tend to make decisions that push you lower while the opposite is true when you are on the opposite side of the line. That is why it is very important to take time out ever as often and asses the situation.

[Bill Ryan]

There are no hemp threads on this forum yet

We do have two, though many thanks to you for this new contribution. :thumbsup:


Hemp / Cannabis (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?6654-Hemp-Cannabis)



Hemp - a plant with many glorious offerings (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?88151-Hemp-a-plant-with-many-glorious-offerings)

Here's how to search:


http://projectavalon.net/hemp_title_search.gif






Mod note — I remind everyone of this from time to time: btw, do be aware that many members use the default background, which is near-white. That means that very pale font colors may be very hard for them to read. Unfortunately, the safest non-default colors to use for all background preferences are really only red, blue and green.

[BlueMoon]

I agree with what you guys are saying about cannabis/weed - I don't to refer to it as cannabis in my text, as cannabis is the Latin name for the plant and could mean the whole plant and all the varieties of hemp, while weed clearly stands for the THC-rich female flowers only.
In this thread I mainly wanted to bring attention to numerous benefits of HEMP plant as a whole. Many people still think that hemp has one use only - getting high. It can be great food for humans, food for animals, textiles, paper, plastics, insect-repellent, and vast potential in medicine, again, as a whole plant, not just the flowers. Hemp is literally the best plant on the planet Earth and we should grow it, use it, and explore its potential.

I encourage anyone and everyone to start growing industrial or medicinal hemp and gather the seeds, leaves, flowers and roots, and use it as your food and medicine.

Peace :flower:

[BlueMoon]

We do have two, though many thanks to you for this new contribution. :thumbsup:

Oh sorry, my fingers were faster than my brain. I did notice the threads but I wanted to put as many useful information into one single post/thread and really talk about hemp as a whole.
And I will avoid using pale colours in the future :blushing:

[Chester]

All in all, I admittedly still have a love-hate relationship with the drug. During those years of active usage it has provided me with the best moments of my life, but also the absolute worst. And what initially started out as my greatest friend eventually turned into my greatest adversary.

Thank you greatly, Rhah for a very honest and personally revealing post sharing your experience with smoking weed.

In rare cases, some people (like myself) who have habitually used high doses of high quality marijuana (I almost always bonged it), eventually experience dark psychosis events. I have experienced this 10 times, the last time "ended" in early 2012. Fortunately I have almost six years without that drug (or any other drug including alcohol). I have to stay away from all mind altering substances including alcohol because when I use anything, I eventually become weak and revert to my favorite - marijuana.

My opinion is that this drug should be legal and that, just like alcohol where those who figure out they are alcoholics cannot drink and should never drink, folks like me who eventually enter into serious psychotic episodes should "get the message" and never smoke it or imbibe it in any form to "get high."

I am also a major fan of "hemp" overall and agree with the OP that there are very many beneficial uses and likely those are all still being discovered.

I think this thread as a new thread on its own is a good thing, Thank You, BlueMoon.

[enigma3]

Big pharma has done their level best to prevent research at American universities. Up to now they have done a pretty good job. Now, however, things are changing. Slowly we will discover many uses for the over 200 active ingredients in cannabis. Two recent findings are interesting. It halts AND reverses cognitive decline that naturally happens with aging. And, people who ingest the stuff regularly actually experience increased lung function! That's a wowser. Smoke it and get increased lung capacity.

[Cidersomerset]

I 've been looking on the headline pages and saw these article , also by coincidence I
was posting some Jesse Ventura vids on the 9/11 thread and then noticed his
interview on the Joe Rogan show and at the beginning they talk about Cannabis
oil/pills for medical relief to serious ailments to close acquaintances .....

Interesting exchange aprox 6mins in to 18mins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2P1L_7uHrY
Streamed live on 13 Oct 2016
Jesse Ventura is a former Navy SEAL, professional wrestler, actor,
political commentator, author, and politician who served as the
38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003.

==============================================

Wisconsin To Be First State Ever To Nullify Federal Cannabis Prohibition

By Andrew Cheetham on 12 September 2017 GMT

https://www.naturalblaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/NBlogo1.jpg

Wisconsin to Be First State Ever to Nullify Federal Cannabis Prohibition

Posted on September 11, 2017

https://www.naturalblaze.com/2017/09/wisconsin-first-state-nullify-federal-cannabis-prohibition.html

==================================================

THC from cannabis found to dramatically slow memory loss by protecting brain cells

By Andrew Cheetham on 12 September 2017 GMT Health, Medical/Health

NATURAL NEWS....

THC from cannabis found to dramatically slow memory loss by protecting brain cells

Monday, September 11, 2017 by: Rhonda Johansson


‘Despite the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) still classifying marijuana as a
schedule 1 drug (similar to heroin, ecstasy, LSD, and peyote), a new study
confirms that the active compound in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can
benefit the elderly — particularly in preventing memory loss. Researchers from
Germany studied THC’s effects on the brains of older mice and found that these
animals regained mental clarity after being given pot.

To be more specific, the scientists found that the neural connections within the
hippocampus, which is responsible for memory and emotions, were firing at a rate
comparable to younger adults. These findings, if proven similar among humans,
could signal better and more affordable treatment options for adults suffering from
dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.’

Read more: THC from cannabis found to dramatically slow memory loss by protecting brain cells
https://www.naturalnews.com/2017-09-11-thc-from-cannabis-found-to-dramatically-slow-memory-loss-by-protecting-brain-cells.html

https://www.davidicke.com/category/268/medicalhealth

Theres another longer early thread....
Medical Cannabis / Marijuana ....http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?534-Medical-Cannabis-Marijuana&highlight=cannabis

[BlueMoon]

Big pharma has done their level best to prevent research at American universities. Up to now they have done a pretty good job. Now, however, things are changing. Slowly we will discover many uses for the over 200 active ingredients in cannabis. Two recent findings are interesting. It halts AND reverses cognitive decline that naturally happens with aging. And, people who ingest the stuff regularly actually experience increased lung function! That's a wowser. Smoke it and get increased lung capacity.

Not only in the US but throughout the world also, it has been very difficult to get the funds and/or samples for further research.

Big Pharma is also trying to push their synthetic extracts in the market, like 100% THC which is of course less beneficial than a natural plant extract (but anyone can do that, so they made it illegal). The DEA has made CBD extracts illegal as well, because any natural hemp extract will also contain some amounts of THC, which is illegal. Yeah.

Some of the "doctors" in Slovenia became suddenly very interested in helping patients with their hemp extracts. You need a prescription and you need to buy it at a pharmacy, of course. One of their arguments against growing your own plants was "One does not go into nature and gather some poisonous herb (which can be used as medicine) and makes medicine out of it, because it's dangerous! Same with hemp! You need a professional to tell you how to use such plants". Sounds great!


Also, thank you for the links Cidersomerset, I'm glad there's more and more hemp-related research, destroying the mainstream ideas of it, spreading knowledge and offering new possibilities.


To be more specific, the scientists found that the neural connections within the
hippocampus, which is responsible for memory and emotions, were firing at a rate
comparable to younger adults. These findings, if proven similar among humans,
could signal better and more affordable treatment options for adults suffering from
dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

There's actually plenty of research out there but it's all being hidden. I will try to find the page I once stumbled upon with about 400 links to various researches. We just have to talk more about it!

[Matt P]

Everyone is different. My mother, now 71, has been pretty much a daily smoker since her mid twenties. She was always a professional woman who has directed many different non profits. She "retired" about 6 years ago but works more than ever running a horse farm tour business. She plays in a USTA league religiously and plays tennis almost every single day. She's the most active person I know. All while smoking every day. On business trips, vacations and during family gatherings she has absolutely no problem or ill effects from not smoking for several days at a time. Many people like to say marijuana is dangerous and addictive. I prefer to think it's the individual's addictive nature, not the plant.

Matt

[Lifebringer]

Thanks very helpful. I know someone that has eld seeds for the last 12 years. Only the top shelf ones that can be cloned or grown or hydroponicly grown. When the buds on the female begin their Canabinoid processing, the smell is pungent and the males should not be kept in the same soil or it will homapho and it's hard to grow. I've got to get some more plastic for outside green house...;)
These plants were the bitter herbs used for depression and disease for centuries, until the controllers stuck their greed driven hands in it. Wasn't nothing for Granpa's back pain or rhumatismic arthritis to be ailing and they would light a corn cob pipe, to relieve pain. Telling stories handed down and dream of a better day tomorrow. NOT just dream it, but DO IT.:clapping:
It helps with toleration of pain, to continue being productive. Whereas without it, you can't bare or tolerate the pain.What I like about it is it's not a opiod, but cannabinoid.
Some people used coca leaves when working long hours with bad backs. WE aren't robots, so... we used Cannibis and never got addicted. In fact a tolerance can develop if you have chronic back disc pain and you can still open a more light duty/small business/dream and work it at your own pace. Our elders were productive in old age and looked great. AND they didn't have high rates of cancer.

[BlueMoon]

Everyone is different.
Thanks for pointing this out. I think this is THE MOST important thing when we're talking about health and the effect of various substances on your body and mind. The effect of smoking can also impact the same person differently in different stages of life. And, of course, not everything is for everyone. Some might benefit greatly from smoking, some might get a negative experience.



These plants were the bitter herbs used for depression and disease for centuries
Thanks for your input, Lifebringer. I can't believe I forgot to mention depression. Works better than anti depression pills, I'm sure.

Also, by "homapho" you meant hermaphrodites? Females turning into hermaphrodites if male plants are around? I haven't heard that before, I know stress can make them grow some male flowers, which in turn pollinate the plants and make themn produce more seeds instead of flowers only ...

[Bubu]

Everyone is different. My mother, now 71, has been pretty much a daily smoker since her mid twenties. She was always a professional woman who has directed many different non profits. She "retired" about 6 years ago but works more than ever running a horse farm tour business. She plays in a USTA league religiously and plays tennis almost every single day. She's the most active person I know. All while smoking every day. On business trips, vacations and during family gatherings she has absolutely no problem or ill effects from not smoking for several days at a time. Many people like to say marijuana is dangerous and addictive. I prefer to think it's the individual's addictive nature, not the plant.

Matt

Yes Matt I've been preaching this "everyone is different " and "listen to yourself" mantra. I have also experimented with everyday use but only one or 2 puffs depending on the strain. Actually when you stop after continuous use that's when you get a boost of physical and mental activity and then it will level off and then when you smoke again you get another boost that's of more relax in nature. And when I wanted a real boost I will stop for say a month puff a good dosage climb up my hammock up a mango tree and try to solve the problem mostly my innovations. And yes its not addictive. I've been out of it for almost a year now due to crackdown on "drugs" by our ignorant government but its also perfectly fine. no withdrawal issues and all. actually in out in out my whole life starting from when I was 19. And if I am only allowed to plant I would be using it as a tea probably more benefit.

[shaberon]

What strikes me as odd about the U. S. "medical" push is that--at least so far--I don't see any acceptance by traditional medicinal herbalists of cannabis. And, I have not seen anything from the medical cannabis crowd that shows acceptance of the other herbs.

That missing bridge may be out there somewhere, if anyone is aware of it, please post it!

In India, Ayurveda, I am pretty sure it is all together as it has been for ages, but not in the West.

I cannot consider it a drug, as in "a narcotic", which an opium poppy would be: something that rapidly induces physical dependence, with the options of either a very sick withdrawal phase, or increasing the dose until you die.

The underlying theme of herbalism, is that, beyond a superficial level, human constitutions are quite varied, and so the "things to take" become highly tailored to the individual. Very little concept of oh...just extract compound x to treat symptom y. I mean, for some simple and general things, there can be standards, but for anything long term or complicated, no herbalist or Ayurvedic practitioner would be comfortable making an "automatic prescription" as, it seems, can be expected from allopathic doctors.

However, cannabis is a lot more interesting than a lot of those other plants, in part because of the huge variation within the species, and also in being an annual which produces a lot of usable stuff fairly quickly. With herbs, you use some "aerials" (flowers, leaves, etc.)...but with root medicine, that's 2+ years of growth needed, or some things call for bark, which either you would have to take very little, or grow a plant for a long time and take the whole thing.

[Ernie Nemeth]

I've just met a real pot wizard. He has over twenty varieties on his 'menu' - all grown by him. Fresh, aromatic oils, too, of every type. It was a pleasure. It has been many years since I have been in the presence of such a master.

Brought home my supply...tasty and such a treat from my usual fare - no comparison.

[Justplain]

My mother-in-law has been kept alive by medicinal cannibis oil. She had a couple of heart attacks and then was diagnosed with breast cancer. The heart attacks meant she couldnt be put under general anaesthetic for breast removal surgery, otherwise she risked death. The allopaths had no other solution to offer. We heard of several cases from people we knew who had friends or relatives whom cannibis had helped. So we got some medicinal oil, lower thc to cbd ratio, and she started taking it. She had been bedridden for a month, lost tens of kilos and her haemoglobin count was dangerously low. About six weeks have transpired and she is now going outside, cooking the occasional meal and feels much better. Her tumor has shrunk to such an extent she is going in for surgery next week using only local anaesthetic.

People should know that cannibis can cure cancer. And it costs peanuts compared to the alternatives, in both physical and financial cost.

[Bruno]

I smoke almost daily. My ritual is to have a few puffs after dinner and the evening chores are completed.

I don't think I am addicted to it. I can easily go days and have gone weeks without it.

I am excited about legalization coming to Canada next summer. As a gardener I can't wait to grow my own! I am planning on learning to make oils. I think my Mom who has had numerous surgeries could really benefit.

[Ernie Nemeth]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/marijuana-ontario-price-market-sales-1.4298311

The above is an article about marijuana legalization in Ontario, Canada.

It shows how out of touch the bureaucrats are about the pot industry as it stands today. Those that consume marijuana in its current illegal capacity are not going to spend more for pot than they are now spending. And that price point is well below the $10/gram price point the bureaucrats are spouting.

For example: my price point per gram for my most recent purchase, of a quality the buraucrats can only wish for, cost me $2.80/gram! That's right, an ounce for $100!
The oil, which will not even be part of legalization, cost more: $11/gram.

My point is that government, since it is a group of uncreative, parasitic, authority-hungry, unproductive, greedy, ivory-tower neophytes, will screw up this initiative just like they make a disaster out of everything they touch.

The black market won't even take a hit; they will keep on like they always have. And the true masters of pot, the ones that did the research, learned the trade, and mastered the crossing of strains to produce some of the greatest weed on earth have not been consulted - like usual the ones that know the most are exactly the ones the government ignores as if they don't even exist!

Shame on the government for its monetization of marijuana. It is a crime to make pot an expensive, merely recreational stimulant when it is so obviously more than that.

[Bubu]

As is the case here the experts are the ones who have never been there and done that.

[Ernie Nemeth]

There are other important issues with legalization.

For one, policing and upholding pot laws. Marijuana cannot be tested for levels of saturation, unlike alcohol. This means that the litmus test that will be used to test for the presence of marijuana in the system can only give a positive or negative reading. It cannot tell the level of impairment. Couple that with the proposed standard 3-day suspension and $500 fine and we have a great potential for unjust verdicts. Refusal to submit to swabbing will result in the driver's car being confiscated, double the fine and one month in jail! Sound fair? You might not have smoked since the night before or even the morning before but residuals in the saliva would still register a positive reading! If you don't agree to be tested you get thrown in jail, we don't even do that to drunks. Or you might have to go to the nearest clinic for a blood test.

The repercussions for selling without a license will result in severe penalties still to be hammered out, but even here there is a major issue. Since the public will be allowed to grow their own dope, many citizens will routinely have large quantities of processed cannabis in their possession, about 8 ounces (one plant can produce about 4 ounces, average, maximum yield depends on season and strain, 16 ounces plus can be attained). Most dealers have less quantity on hand, around 4 ounces for a small time dude. How will the police know who is selling and who merely has just their own legal harvest on hand?

The other consideration is exactly what is the effect of marijuana? Does it impair function like alcohol so obviously does? Is it safe to assume the worst and over-regulate to err on the side of caution? This is the fed's stance. Especially in the states where cannabis is a class A substance along with heroine and angel dust. Even cocaine is rated lower there. So where are the comprehensive studies to support their assumption. And while we're at it where are the numerous health benefit studies? Should a beneficial substance like cannabis be monetized and withheld from mass consumption due to income?

The way the feds are going about all this seems to be to trivialize the great beneficial effects of cannabis to both physical and psychological health. That is of major concern. Marijuana is not just a recreational drug, it is an inexpensive miracle health supplement and should be treated as such. Emphasis on inexpensive. Toss some seeds out the window of your car into the ditch in spring and come back in early fall to a half dozen mature plants ready for harvest! That is how easily cannabis grows. It is a weed - like dandelions here in North America, they cannot be stopped because they are marvellously adaptable and extremely hardy plants. But like the dairy market, they aim to control the production and then control the price.

Finally, consumables. The consumable market is a contentious issue as it crosses into the jurisdiction of health Canada, a very powerful and influential arm of government. So for now consumables are off the table along with other derivatives like oil, hash and crystal. Many people cannot smoke marijuana for various reasons, and a safe alternative in a consumable form would serve those folks well. In many cases these are the very people that cannabis could help with the alleviation of symptoms and even a return to a healthful state. It is also useful for those that are wasting away from disease as it improves overall mood, reduces nausea and increases appetite. It is imperative to keep the overall price down if for no other reason than this.

As it stands today, the legalization of marijuana is merely a cash grab from those with the means to afford it and a psi-op to discredit or trivialize the health advantages of this already marginalized plant.

As my friend says, "What do you care, you have access to the best dope on the planet - from anywhere on the planet?" He's right. It won't affect me in the least. But I am a product of this society and I feel it is my duty to at least try and help make clear and rational decisions based on the good of all.

[Omni]

Hemp/Cannabis is a revolutionary solution to so many things. It is a testament to the corruption of the world that it is illegal. It is a miracle plant, I use it every day for many purposes.

[Blacklight43]

Medical use cannabis has been legal here in California since 1996. I never gave it a thought until I hurt my back and was in a wheel chair for nearly a month before having surgery. I am extremely sensitive to chemicals and mostly to pharmaceuticals. I couldn't handle the side effects of all the drugs pushed on me in the hospital, even refusing some. It was recommended I try MMJ. I got a referral and was issued a license to use and grow. It was a miracle! I was able to sleep through the night without pain! It has been basically my only medicine for a little over 2 years now.

When it was put to a vote to legalize it for adult use I voted NO because I didn't want my meds to be taxed! So now in order to avoid paying tax on my meds I grow it. I was blessed with the cannabis growers bible for Christmas last year and have really gotten an education about the many strains and uses and effects of the sacred plant.

With trial and error over the past 2 years I finally figured out my proper dose for daytime pain and night time pain. My error a few times was taking too much and having to just wait out the over dose...whew! sure glad it isn't lethal. I don't like being high. Apparently my brain isn't wired for being high. So my go to for daytime is Harlequin which is high CBD, low THC. At night I use a blend of both. I grow and make my own medicine. I have had to buy from my dispensary several times but since I live on Social Security I can't afford to buy what I need for maintenance.

At the moment I am growing in my yard. I can't afford to grow indoors under lights. Now my city officials think they can ban outdoor growing (we'll see about that) and they want to have everyone who does grow to be inspected on a regular basis(we'll see about that too) I'll not have "officials" trekking in and out of my personal domain to check on my crops! I guess I'm feeling my personal liberties diminishing by the day! I don't like being told what I can and cannot do on my own private property.

This is my longest rant on this forum so I'll stop here.

P.S. the only way I see changes being made in this area is if we make them ourselves...which I am doing on a personal basis.

[Blacklight43]

B5oQ2zHCR2I
Not sure I did this right. The truth is out there and needs to get to the public. Start the video from the beginning. It is a terrific interview with Rick Simpson.

[Ernie Nemeth]

Rick Simpson is a genuine hero

[Blacklight43]

Rick Simpson is a genuine hero

Yes in my book too!

[MrBlack420]

I look at smoking cannabis from another perspective. I like smoking it like described on https://cannasos.com/news/cannabis-101/joint-vs-blunt-vs-spliff-whats-the-difference. The best thing about it is that you can do it anywhere.

[petra]

Ha ha, I had no idea joints, spliffs and blunts are not the same thing.... :D Thanks MrBlack420 with the 420 in your name :)

I read something about marijuana killing cancer cells a while back, and mentioned that to my friend - he said "kills brain cells too!" and I laughed. I don't think so, ha ha. We both smoke, but I don't think it's killing our brains.

There's been a bit of interesting research in regard to blindness too, I just can't find any of the articles I am thinking of. This one stood out to me though because of the animal testing: http://naturalsociety.com/new-study-finds-marijuana-prevents-blindness/

Here's a snort snip from the middle of the article:



Over a study period of 90 days, the rats treated with HU210 experienced far less damage to their photoreceptors. As a matter of fact, they had 40 percent more of these light sensors left in their eyes when compared with the untreated rats. In addition, the rats treated with the synthetic cannabinoid had “improved connectivity between photoreceptors and their postsynaptic neurons,”—the neurons that receive and process the light signals.

Although the researchers could not identify how the cannabinoid worked and stressed more research is needed, they did say their findings were promising.

[shaberon]

Some of the "doctors" in Slovenia became suddenly very interested in helping patients with their hemp extracts. You need a prescription and you need to buy it at a pharmacy, of course. One of their arguments against growing your own plants was "One does not go into nature and gather some poisonous herb (which can be used as medicine) and makes medicine out of it, because it's dangerous! Same with hemp! You need a professional to tell you how to use such plants". Sounds great!


I know that was a doctor's advice, but there are plenty of those, generally called "Baneful Herbs". A common one being Poke Weed. A not-so-well-known one, the eye doctors use to dilate your pupils--I'll let you guess what that is. Even Poison Ivy is used in Homeopathy, which is nothing other than repeated dilutions.

They are dangerous, but don't require a professional. Many modern medicines are these plants sent through further and further modifications. Valium and lots of anti-depressants are an imitation of Valerian, which is very safe and non-addictive.

Nothing in cannabis is particularly poisonous that I can think of. There could be a one in a million allergy, as some believe that Bruce Lee was allergic, but more people are allergic to peanuts. In some places you cannot bring a peanut butter sandwich for lunch at school. Too dangerous, not handled by a professional.

Bitters (edible) are for digestion, such as Gentian, main ingredient in the old Moxy.

Blunts are fairly disgusting, I can't see the attraction, and that could arguably be sort of bad for you.

[onawah]

The worst destruction I saw caused by drugs was from LSD, speed and downers.
I think a lot of the pot smoking was the result of unconscious attempts to heal the damage done by the stronger, manmade drugs.
And of course, we all know now that the CIA was doing a great job of pushing a lot of people to the brink, and then making sure there were plenty of drugs for them to take once they went over the edge.

[CurEus]

My understanding is that plant medicines are best used with guidance from wisdom keepers, they are not to be "played" with. They are not "recreational".
It is called "drug abuse" for a reason.....perhaps some are balanced and wise enough to explore independently......but Shamanic and Traditional Knowledge is not getting stoned out of your gourd. It is supposed to be purposeful and intentional....and not a daily thing.

Perhaps others have a better understanding than I do.....but I tend to believe they are medicinal and not toys for idiot stoners to play with....

[Bubu]

The dangers of cannabis is no different than the dangers of driving a car. Learn first before you drive. Start with a question "what is cannabis". Its much better than a car if you know how to use it but is also more dangerous if you dont.

From someone who had been there. Dont take more than one deep puff each day. Hold your breath as long as you can. But before you do so think of the things and people that makes you happy, in other words put your self in a place of calm and good energy. Cannabis is an enhancer it enhances you or the state in where you are including fear and anger You can use cannabis everyday if you stick with this dosage and get the benefits. If you lost the high then its time to pass. Never increase dosage or you are on your downward spiral because an increase will lead to another increase and another then you realize its become a burden and not an asset. But I dont think its addictive. Addiction comes with the person. Its not difficult to stop. Just focus your energy on many things just anything. When I stopped after 3 months of doing 3 puffs or more each day I have to do a looott of exercise. The good thing is that I became physically fit.

Cannabis is medicinal on all aspects of man. Mind, emotion and physical. As per my experience. I am my mentor I seek my own wisdom. But of course its much better to learn from someone who have been there and done that. Thats why i am sharing my experience. Its just that I dont find a mentor in our place. Cannabis is illegal in our place. At least to those who dont know how to use it and create problems.

Cureus is correct dont venture into it if youre not balance. Unless you have a mentor watching over you.

[Sunny-side-up]

4 things:
1st,
the world is full of people who wan't it all for them selves, complete with those who go along with them.

2nd,
what do you mean by Cannabis?
In my day there was many levels of strength, most of which no longer exist as far as I hear.
mainly left with high strength 'Skunk's'
I experienced a lot of cannabis in my day.
I used it on an shamanic type path, as a mind opener, doing daily (day long breathing exercises)

3rd,
Cannabis is a truly remarkable plant, if used wisely.

4rd,
Don't smoke it, it really damages your lungs O/0

[Bubu]

4 things:
1st,


4rd,
Don't smoke it, it really damages your lungs O/0

apparently not mine. I can still hold out my breath with men half my age. Today we worked 6 hours under the sun at 34 to 40C ambient no break my son 20 yo is visibly tired losing his alertness and stealing some shades. But be careful though if you think your lungs is fragile. The thing about exercise is it strengthens you or whatever part of you. punishment is exercise overdone. So exercise depends really on individual condition. I'll say dont baby yourself or your body, its not going to reach its full potential if you do. smoking strengthen my lungs.


simply saying that smoking damage you lungs is wrong. Because it depends on what kind of lungs you have.

By the way we did a roof job.

[DeDukshyn]

4rd,
Don't smoke it, it really damages your lungs O/0

Its certainly not great for your lungs, but it is nothing like smoking tobacco in any stretch of the imagination. I used to smoke tobacco so I have compared them, and cannabis doesn't do near the damage commercial cigarettes do. Again I'm not saying its good, but as far as smoking substances go, Cannabis probably ranks one of the safest. My lungs 100% cleared up and got back to good health after quitting tobacco but continuing to use cannabis (mind you I'v never smoked 20 joints in a day before so qty probably has a little to do with it :))

I do smoke it but don't smoke it in a joint or pipe or vaporizer - I have a very efficient method that allows you to get the substance without having to burn very much at all.