Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Update: Medical Marijuana & What Works for Me

Cali, I would go with a vaporizer for 'safe' inhalation. It really is better and affects us slightly differently because there's no asphyxiation component.

The place you get it might have baked goods and such. I get nature squares. They're small and not affordable on a daily basis, but I have found that eating it has an even better effect for me.

If you got a glass pipe, they should have given you little thingmees to put in the bowl that stop the leaf getting into the stem. Really, you don't want to accidentally inhale a leaf or ember of some kind. Mine are kind of shaped like daisies. If that helps.

Hugs,

I've checked into the medical marijuana laws for the state of Michigan. It seems we have the right to smoke it(with doctor's approval and $100 registration fee to the state) but we can't possess it. We can grow it ourselves, but they have no legal ways to distribute the seeds.

The state law does not protect us from the federal gov. coming in and taking everything and then prosecuting. Now if the gov has our info, which they promise to keep confidential, what's keeping them from causing problems for us?

Second,there are no legal places to buy the pot, but somehow we are supposed to be able to "obtain" 2.5 oz. How and from who, our friendly neighborhood drug dealer who the cops are watching anyway?

What good is this law anyway? We have to do something illegal to get the pot and then hope the federal gov doesn't interfere. It almost seems easier to go the illegal route, which neither one of us wants to do. The gov just makes me want to scream!!!!!

Jeanne

You need to use caution if you buy from a dealer. They have been known to lace the pot with other drugs so they can get you hooked on the stronger stuff. Here in CA it is legal to grow your own as long as you have a Dr. note. They are trying to get a law on the Nov ballot to make it legal for everyone so the State can tax it. We have a neighbor who grows it for his bad back. The seeds are out there, if you ask around.
Donna

We've considered growing it ourselves. Next problem, five of our eight kids are over the age of 13. They know what it looks like. It would be real hard explaining that one to them. Once they found it, would there be any left over for my husband?

Am I over thinking this issue?

Jeanne

This is extremely unlikely and would not actually work, the few recorded cases are probably caused by idiot dealers hearing this urban myth and seeing if it will work (it won't!). The only drugs addictive enough to potentially leave you wanting more after a few regular smokes are crack, crystal meth and heroin. in every one the dealer would have to add $50-$100 worth of product to a gram of cannabis to have any likely effect, so rather than profiting (a dealer's sole aim) they are LOSING 2-4x their original investment on every sale. That doesn't sound like a logical business model if you ask me.

what often causes these rumours is high-sativa breeds of cannabis that have been grown indoors with large amounts of synthetic fetilizers and nutrients, which have not been flushed out of the plant properly prior to harvest. this gives a very 'chemically' feeling high and often causes headaches, jitteryness, etc.
if someone offers you some 'dank as hydro sh**', this is not much use in terms of pain relief. the anxiety it can potentially cause may even make muscle tension worse. high indica strains grown outdoors in real soil and real sun are best. unfortunately, these are rarely grown except by people growing specifically for this purpose.

Ah yes, but street dealers might also lace with other, less fun stuff. I've heard of airplane glue, for one. May be an urban myth, but especially for medicinal use, I'd rather get it from a safe source so I know what I'm getting - right down to the blend of indica/sativa and the percentage of each in that blend.

Sativa is more head and energizing and can offer pain killing properties. Better for daytime use. Here is a list of its properties:

Effects (high THC, low CBN/CBD):
- more stimulating and uplifting
- energizing and thought provoking
- increases focus and creativity
- supports immune system
- best for use in daytime

Benefits:
- reduces nausea
- stimulates the appetite
- fights depression
- positive, uplifting, cerebral effect
- energizes and stimulates
- promotes creativity
- relieves headaches and migraines
- relaxes muscles, relieves pain
- acts as an expectorant

Indica is more body and calming/sleep inducing. Good pain killer and great for insomnia. Here is a list of its properties:

Effects (lower THC, higher CBN/CBD):
- generally more physical than cerebral (however, the relief of physical symptoms can have a positive psychological effect)
- sedation, pain relief and relaxation
- best for later in the day and bedtime
- perhaps better for anxiety than depression

Benefits:
- reduces pain
- muscle relaxant
- relieves spasms, reduces seizures
- reduces inflammation
- aids sleep
- reduces anxiety and stress
- reduces nausea
- stimulates appetite
- relieves headaches and migraines
- reduces intra-occular pressure
- bronchio-dilator and expectorant

Most people find that a mix of the two types is best, depending on the time of day you might want more indica (evening) or more sativa (daytime).

You never know what you're getting on the streets.

Hugs,

thank you all for your comments.

your breakdown on the indica v. sativa is particularly helpful kat. thanks. i was a bit clueless about what to order off the 'menu' when i visited my dispensary so this really helps.

Generally, most of what you'll get is a blend of the two. I think it's pretty rare to get pure of one or the other. Try different ones and you'll figure out what works for you. I find that a mostly sativa blend works very well for me during the day and early evening should I need something then. However, for sleep, I use a mostly indica blend.

And do see if you can get something edible. I find it has a very different effect on me and I think it actually works better in my case. Too expensive to buy edible all the time, however.

Hugs,