In February of 2010 investigators the
University of California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research publicly announced the
findings
of a series of randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials on the
medical utility of inhaled cannabis. The studies, which utilized the
so-called 'gold standard' FDA clinical trial design, concluded that
marijuana ought to be a "first line treatment" for patients with
neuropathy and other serious illnesses.
DEA Director, Asa Hutchinson, recently stated, "We all have sympathy for folks
that need medication, but we have to listen to the scientific and
medical community, and they're saying that marijuana has no legitimate
medical purpose."
The fact of the matter is that their are many in those specific communities who have called for patients to have immediate access to medical marijuana as a FIRST LINE TREATMENT.
Here are a few:
AIDS Action Council,
AIDS Treatment News,
American Academy of Family Physicians,
American Medical Student Association,
American Nurses Association,
American Preventive Medical Association,
American Public Health Association,
American Society of Addiction Medicine,
Arthritis Research Campaign (United Kingdom),
Australian Medical Association (New South Wales) Limited,
Australian National Task Force on Cannabis,
Belgian Ministry of Health,
British House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology
British House of Lords Select Committee On Science and Technology (Second Report),
British Medical Association,
Canadian AIDS Society,
Canadian Special Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs,
Dr. Dean Edell (surgeon and nationally syndicated radio host),
French Ministry of Health,
Health Canada,
Kaiser Permanente,
Lymphoma Foundation of America,
The Montel Williams MS Foundation,
Multiple Sclerosis Society (Canada),
The Multiple Sclerosis Society (United Kingdom),
National Academy of Sciences Institute Of Medicine (IOM),
National Association for Public Health Policy , National Nurses Society on Addictions,
Netherlands Ministry of Health,
New England Journal of Medicine,
New South Wales (Australia) Parliamentary Working Party on the Use of Cannabis for Medical Purposes , Dr. Andrew Weil (nationally recognized professor of internal medicine and founder of the National Integrative Medicine Council)
Alaska Nurses Association, Being Alive: People With HIV/AIDS Action Committee (San Diego, CA)California Academy of Family Physicians ,California Nurses Association, California Pharmacists Association ,Colorado Nurses Association,
Connecticut Nurses Association,
Florida Governor's Red Ribbon Panel on AIDS,
Florida Medical Association, Hawaii Nurses Association,
Illinois Nurses Association,
Life Extension Foundation,
Medical Society of the State of New York,
Mississippi Nurses Association,
New Jersey State Nurses Association,
New Mexico Medical Society,
New Mexico Nurses Association,
New York County Medical Society,
New York State Nurses Association,
North Carolina Nurses Association,
Rhode Island Medical Society,
Rhode Island State Nurses Association,
San Francisco Mayor's Summit on AIDS and HIV ,
San Francisco Medical Society,
Vermont Medical Marijuana Study Committee,
Virginia Nurses Association ,
Whitman-Walker Clinic (Washington, DC),
Wisconsin Nurses Association
For a more complete and detailed list please visit NORML.org.
Even though the public outcry for legal access to medical marijuana grows louder every day, the government pretends they haven't heard it.
THREE POPULAR PRESCRIPTIONS FOR EASING PAIN THE GOVERNMENT ENDORCES
PERCOCET
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS:
Constipation; dizziness; drowsiness;
flushing; light-headedness; nausea; vomiting.
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives;
difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth,
face, lips, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); burning,
numbness, or tingling; change in amount of urine produced; confusion;
fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or
persistent sore throat; hallucinations; hearing loss; mental or mood
changes (eg, agitation, anxiety, depression); seizures; severe or
persistent constipation; severe or persistent dizziness, headache, or
light-headedness; shortness of breath; slow or difficult breathing;
stomach or back pain; symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of
the skin or eyes, pale stools, dark urine, persistent loss of
appetite); tremors; trouble urinating; unusual bruising or bleeding;
unusual tiredness or weakness; vision changes.
Serious adverse reactions that may be associated with Percocet
tablet use include respiratory depression, apnea, respiratory arrest,
circulatory depression, hypotension, and shock.
The most frequently observed non-serious adverse reactions include
lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness or sedation, nausea, and
vomiting. These effects seem to be more prominent in ambulatory than
in nonambulatory patients, and some of these adverse reactions may be
alleviated if the patient lies down. Other adverse reactions include
euphoria, dysphoria, constipation, and pruritus.
Hypersensitivity reactions may include: Skin eruptions,
urticarial, erythematous skin reactions. Hematologic reactions may
include: Thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, pancytopenia, hemolytic
anemia. Rare cases of agranulocytosis has likewise been associated
with acetaminophen use. In high doses, the most serious adverse
effect is a dose-dependent, potentially fatal hepatic necrosis. Renal
tubular necrosis and hypoglycemic coma also may occur.
Other adverse reactions obtained from postmarketing experiences
with Percocet tablets are listed by organ system and in decreasing
order of severity and/or frequency as follows:
Body as a
Whole: Anaphylactoid reaction, allergic reaction, malaise, asthenia,
fatigue, chest pain, fever, hypothermia, thirst, headache, increased
sweating, accidental overdose, non-accidental overdose
Cardiovascular: Hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, palpitations, dysrhythmias
Central and Peripheral Nervous System: Stupor, tremor, paraesthesia, hypoaesthesia, lethargy, seizures, anxiety, mental impairment, agitation, cerebral edema, confusion, dizziness
Fluid and Electrolyte: Dehydration, hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, respiratory alkalosis
Gastrointestinal: Dyspepsia, taste disturbances, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, sweating increased, diarrhea, dry mouth, flatulence, gastro-intestinal disorder, nausea, vomiting, pancreatitis, intestinal obstruction, ileus
Hepatic: Transient elevations of hepatic enzymes, increase in bilirubin, hepatitis, hepatic failure, jaundice, hepatotoxicity, hepatic disorder
Hearing and Vestibular: Hearing loss, tinnitus
Hematologic: Thrombocytopenia
Hypersensitivity: Acute anaphylaxis, angioedema, asthma, bronchospasm, laryngeal edema, urticaria, anaphylactoid reaction
Metabolic and Nutritional: Hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, acidosis, alkalosis
Musculoskeletal: Myalgia, rhabdomyolysis
Ocular: Miosis, visual disturbances, red eye
Psychiatric: Drug dependence, drug abuse, insomnia, confusion, anxiety, agitation, depressed level of consciousness, nervousness, hallucination, somnolence, depression, suicide
Respiratory System: Bronchospasm, dyspnea, hyperpnea, pulmonary edema, tachypnea, aspiration, hypoventilation, laryngeal edema
Skin and Appendages: Erythema, urticaria, rash, flushing
Urogenital: Interstitial nephritis, papillary necrosis, proteinuria, renal insufficiency and failure, urinary retention
OVERDOSE:
A Percocet overdose can occur when an individual accidentally or
intentionally takes more of the drug than the body can process.
Percocet is a narcotic that is combined with acetaminophen for the
synergistic effect on pain. Some brand names for Percocet are Roxicet
and Tylox; these medications are dispensed in tablet form in doses to
be taken orally; chewing or crushing the pills so that the drug can
be snorted or injected, sill greatly increase the risk of a
potentially fatal Percocet overdose.
Although Percocet is often praised by the medical community
because of its ability to relieve pain, it is also one of the most
widely abused prescription drugs in the United States. Ordering the
drug illegally over the internet increases the risk of a Percocet
overdose, because medication amounts are not regulated. Percocet
should never be combined with alcohol or other types of certain drugs
that include antispasmodic drugs such as Cogentin and Donnatal;
tranquilizers such as Thorazine and Mellaril; other types of narcotic
painkillers such as Demerol and Darvon; sedatives such as
Phenobarbital and Seconal; and tranquilizers such as Xanax and
Valium, just to name a select few. Combining this medication with any
of these various types of drugs could result in a potentially fatal
Percocet overdose.
VICODEN
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS:
Blurred vision; constipation;
difficulty breathing; dizziness; drowsiness; flushing;
lightheadedness; mental/mood changes; nausea; vomiting.
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty
breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips,
or tongue); anxiety; change in the amount of urine; change or loss in
hearing; fear; interrupted breathing; mental or mood changes; unusual
tiredness.
Central
Nervous System: Drowsiness, mental clouding, lethargy, impairment of mental and physical performance, anxiety, fear, dysphoria, psychic dependence, mood changes.
Gastrointestinal
System: Prolonged administration of Vicodin
Tablets may produce constipation.
Genitourinary
System: Ureteral spasm, spasm of vesical sphincters and urinary retention have been reported with opiates.
Respiratory
Depression: Hydrocodone bitartrate may produce dose-related respiratory depression by acting directly on the brain stem respiratory center.
Special
Senses: Cases of hearing impairment or permanent loss have been reported predominantly in patients with chronic overdose.
Dermatological: Skin rash, pruritus.
The following adverse drug events may be
borne in mind as potential effects of acetaminophen: allergic
reactions, rash, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, Stevens-Johnson
syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis.
General: The adverse effects of hydrocodone are generally similar to the
adverse effects observed with other narcotic analgesics.
Acetaminophen is generally well-tolerated when administered in
therapeutic doses.
Nervous System: One study has suggested that the respiratory depression caused by hydrocodone may be of benefit in the treatment of dyspnea related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and restrictive lung disease. However, the potential for the precipitation of respiratory insufficiency makes such use of hydrocodone hazardous and such use should be undertaken, if at all, only with extreme caution.
Nervous system side effects of hydrocodone include: mental
depression, dizziness, lightheadedness, respiratory depression (which
is sometimes fatal), stupor, delirium, somnolence, agitation, and
dysphoria.
Other: Other side effects have included withdrawal symptoms, after either abrupt cessation or fast tapering of narcotic analgesics. Such symptoms may include agitation, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, tremor, abdominal cramps, blurred vision, vomiting, and sweating.
Hepatic: Alcoholic patients may develop hepatotoxicity after even modest doses of acetaminophen. In healthy patients, approximately 15 grams of acetaminophen is necessary to deplete liver glutathione stores by 70% in a 70 kg person. However, hepatotoxicity has been reported following smaller doses. Glutathione concentrations may be repleted by the antidote N-acetylcysteine. One case report has suggested that hypothermia may also be beneficial in decreasing liver damage during overdose.
OVERDOSE:
Vicodin overdose occurs when an individual accidentally or intentionally ingests more of the drug than their body can sufficiently process. Vicodin is a combination of two pain relieving products, hydrocodone and acetaminophen, which are used in combination to relieve moderate to severe pain. The hydrocodone found in Vicodin is a semi-synthetic opioid that is a narcotic pain reliever and cough suppressant. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer commonly found in non-prescription over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol. The effects of Vicodin are similar to that of morphine and like most opioid narcotics, Vicodin produces feelings of euphoria, lessens anxiety and gives the user a pleasant experience. The drug is commonly used in medical settings, but has a very high risk of abuse, dependence and other related serious problems.
Vicodin overdose can occur both in individuals who have been
legitimately prescribed the drug, and in individuals who have been
abusing the drug recreationally. Overdoses can occur under a variety
of circumstances. For instance, an individual may accidentally take
too much of the drug because they are not getting pain relief from
their normal dose. Vicodin overdose is also common in individuals
addicted to Vicodin who may be trying to beat withdrawal symptoms,
and unintentionally take too much of the drug. Vicodin overdose could
also occur in individuals who are using it to achieve a "high"
and have not yet built up a tolerance to the drug and unknowingly
take a potentially fatal dose.
On its own, the hydrocodone component in the drug can cause
Vicodin overdose. This opioid component is known to cause respiratory
depression and other severe adverse reactions including heart
failure, heart attack, pulmonary failure, liver or kidney failure,
jaundice, amnesia, seizures, blackouts, and coma. Individuals who
combine Vicodin with other substances such as alcohol, cocaine,
amphetamines, methylphenidate, benzodiazapines, barbiturates, and
other medications are at higher risk of Vicodin overdose and the
resulting consequences.
The acetaminophen component in the drug can also by itself put the
user at risk of Vicodin overdose. The acetaminophen that is part of
the chemical mixture of Vicodin is metabolized solely by the liver,
so there is a risk of fatal overdose due to hepatotoxicity, which is
basically chemically-induced liver damage. This is especially true
when mixed with alcohol or other substances. Mixing acetaminophen and
alcohol can alone cause serious damage to the liver, kidneys, and
stomach wall.
MORPHINE
The side effects that are related to this powerful opiate can be
severe and life threatening, as in a potentially fatal Morphine
overdose.
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS:
Constipation; warmth, tingling, or
redness under your skin; nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea,
loss of appetite; dizziness, headache, anxiety; memory problems; or
sleep problems (insomnia).
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS:
shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
seizure (convulsions); cold, clammy skin; confusion; severe weakness
or dizziness; or feeling light-headed, fainting.
The adverse effects of hydrocodone may be more likely and more
severe in patients with liver disease.
Hepatic side effects including severe and sometimes fatal dose
dependent hepatitis have been reported in alcoholic patients.
Hepatotoxicity has been increased during fasting. Several cases of
hepatotoxicity from chronic acetaminophen therapy at therapeutic
doses have also been reported despite a lack of risk factors for
toxicity.
Gastrointestinal: Gastrointestinal side effects with the use of acetaminophen are rare except in alcoholics and after overdose. Cases of acute pancreatitis have been reported rarely.
Gastrointestinal side effect including
nausea, vomiting, constipation, and dry mouth are relatively common
effects of narcotic analgesics.
One study has suggested that acetaminophen may precipitate acute
biliary pain and cholestasis. The mechanism of this effect may be
related to inhibition of prostaglandin and alterations in the
regulation of the sphincter of Oddi.
Genitourinary: Genitourinary side effects including ureteral spasm, spasm of
vesicle sphincters, and urinary retention have been reported.
Dermatologic: Dermatologic side effects including narcotic-induced rashes have been reported. General erythematous skin rashes associated with acetaminophen have been reported, but are rare. A rare case of bullous erythema associated with acetaminophen has been reported.
Renal: Renal side effects of acetaminophen are rare and include acute tubular necrosis and interstitial nephritis. Adverse renal effects are most often observed after overdose, from chronic abuse (often with multiple analgesics), or in association with acetaminophen-related hepatotoxicity.
Acute tubular necrosis usually occurs in conjunction with liver
failure, but has been observed as an isolated finding in rare
cases.
The adverse effects of hydrocodone may be more likely
and more severe in patients with renal insufficiency.
Hematologic: Hematologic side effects including rare cases of thrombocytopenia
associated with acetaminophen have been reported. Acute
thrombocytopenia has also been reported as having been caused by
sensitivity to acetaminophen glucuronide, the major metabolite of
acetaminophen. Methemoglobinemia with resulting cyanosis has also
been observed in the setting of acute overdose.
Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity side effects to acetaminophen have been reported
rarely.
Respiratory: Respiratory side effects have included a case of eosinophilic pneumonia which has been associated with acetaminophen.
Metabolic: In the case of metabolic acidosis, causality is uncertain as more than one drug was ingested. The case of metabolic acidosis followed the ingestion of 75 grams of acetaminophen, 1.95 grams of aspirin, and a small amount of a liquid household cleaner. The patient also had a history of seizures which the authors reported may have contributed to an increased lactate level indicative of metabolic acidosis.
Metabolic side effects including metabolic acidosis have been
reported following a massive overdose of acetaminophen.
OVERDOSE:
A morphine addiction occurs when an individual accidentally or intentionally uses more of the drug than the body can process. Morphine has long been reported to be one of the most effective analgesic and narcotic drugs that is used by physicians for the treatment of severe pain, and is often used as the standard by which the effectiveness of the newer analgesics are measured. Morphine is available in both generic and brand name products, such as MS-Contin, Oramorph SR, Roxanol, and Kadian. Morphine is available in a variety of forms which include oral solutions, immediate and sustained-released capsules, suppositories, and via injectable preparations; morphine is normally injected when it is used for preoperative sedation, as a supplement to anesthesia, or as analgesia. Morphine is reported to be an extremely effective pain medication, when it is used properly.
The abuse and addiction potential for morphine has been reported
to be among the highest as compared to a large number of other types
of similar drugs that are currently being used for the treatment of
chronic pain; additionally, morphine drug overdose rates have
increased dramatically in comparison to other similar types of opiate
based drugs. Drug researchers at Brown University have conducted
studies in relation to morphine that have indicated that as little as
a single dose of the drug of the drug could potentially contribute to
addiction; additionally, in a study that was conducted by Japanese
researchers concluded that mice that received just 10mg. of morphine,
twice a day for as little as five days, exhibited withdrawal
symptoms.
Unfortunately, there are many downsides to morphine that should be
considered prior to the drug's use. Morphine is an extremely powerful
narcotic that directly affects the central nervous system. Although
morphine has been reported to be one of the best medications for the
treatment of severe pain, it can also impair a person's mental as
well as physical performance. Many individuals have reported than
morphine use has significantly decreased their sex drive;
additionally many women who take morphine have reported an
interruption in their menstrual cycles. The most dangerous downside
to the use of the drug is the risk of a morphine overdose, which can
occur when a person takes more of the medication than has been
prescribed.
The withdrawal symptoms that are commonly associated with morphine
addiction can be experienced shortly before the time of the next
scheduled dose, and in many instances, are reported to occur within a
few hours of the last administration of the drug. Morphine withdrawal
symptoms can include, but may not be limited to: watery eyes, severe
depression, insomnia, diarrhea, runny nose, restlessness, loss of
appetite, body aches, severe abdominal pain, nausea, tremors, and an
even more stronger and intense craving for the drug has been reported
to occur as the withdrawal syndrome further progresses. Morphine
withdrawal symptoms will usually peak between 48 and 96 hours after
the last dose of the drug and will usually begin to subside after
about a week.
Resources:
http://norml.org/, http://www.drug-overdose.com/, http://www.drugs.com/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia
All photos are believed to be in the public domain.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA VIDEO LINKS 
