Questions about MM

[ktp112]

I know it's probably not okay for me to post this here, and I apologize and will be totally okay if it gets deleted... But I figure it'd be the best way to get a response...

Could someone who's well versed in the ways of Crohn's Forum please direct me to some threads about dealing with the negative stigma that comes with MM for Crohn's, bringing up the topic with your parents/doctor and potential problems with getting a MM prescription, being a student? Also, does anyone know how it would work if I were to get a prescription, even though I go to school out of state (in Idaho where MM is illegal)

 

[ctrl z]

Your post is fine where it is. No worries :smile:

I don't know if there are any threads that have already been created that address these things specifically but I can share my opinion and hopefully others will chime in.

My parents died before I was diagnosed so I don't know how to help you there. When I was caught with it as a teen, I was afraid to vocalize about how it helped my nausea (and just afraid in general and didn't communicate how badly I felt) so, I didn't have that conversation. Maybe you could print out the studies linked HERE and share them with your parents?

As for talking about it to your doctor: It's a personal choice. Ideally, you should be able to share that with your doctor and they could give an unbiased opinion of the benefits and risks (especially if you are still a teen). If I lived in a compassionate state, I would tell my doctor with confidence. I'm not sure what the legal age to get a MM Rx is though.

If you live in a compassionate state, obtain an Rx for MM there, and travel to another state where it is illegal, they will not care if you have an Rx for it in another state where it is legal and you will be punished according to the local laws.

 

[FullM3lt]

Do you live in WA, OR, or CA when you aren't at school? If so you can easily get a recommendation for IBD. As for using it in Idaho...be careful. They do not recognize MMJ licenses, regardless of your medical condition.

Here is a post I made in another thread with some information.

I've used it on quite a few occasions and make my own. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of cannabis to produce a little bit of oil. It is VERY effective though.

Rick Simpson oil is highly potent cannabis extract with a good ratio of THC:CBD. That is the key here....most oil is very high in THC and low in CBD. A good ratio of CBD to THC is the key for healing. CBD, in my opinion, CBD is the future of treating all digestive issues like Crohns and Colitis. Unfortunately, it's difficult to isolate CBD.

Not all cannabis strains are created the same. While THC is a decent anti inflammatory, the psychoactive effects can be unpleasant to some users. CBD is also an anti inflammatory (among other things) and balances out that unpleasant feeling (CBD is also a anxiolytic). Heavy indica strains have a better THC:CBD ratio and some strains are being bred now to have a 1:1 ratio. One can consume a lot of high quality cannabis over a long period of time and build up CBD into your system (I speak from experience and found remission until I stopped for a month), but the Rick Simpson type oil is much faster acting.

Here is a chart of the medical uses for THC, CBD and other cannabinoids found in cannabis.

Just imagine what would happen to big pharma if we could isolate CBD.

Here is the US Department of Health patent on cannabinoids and their use in many medical ailments.

Patent 6630507

Here is another patent owned by a British company that specifically states the benefits of cannabinoids in anti inflammatory conditions such as Crohns and Colitis.

Patent 6410588

Hope this helps

Here is another post I made with some studies you could show your doctor/parents

It's definitely not for everyone, but I disagree with your statement. Plenty of scientific and anecdotal evidence out there. I've experienced its healing power first hand....and I was on every other drug out there before I even tried it.

It takes time to build up in your system, just like most medications (example: LDN)

Cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors coupled to cholinergic motorneurones inhibit neurogenic circular muscle contractility in the human colon.

Neural contractions in colonic strips from patients with diverticular disease: role of endocannabinoids and substance P.

Endocannabinoid overactivity and intestinal inflammation

Cannabinoids promote survival of normal human colonic epithelial cells

Science: Cannabinoids reduce inflammation of the bowel in animal model

ACG: Cannabinoid Activator Mellows Out Colon

Increased endocannabinoid levels reduce the development of precancerous lesions in the mouse colon.

Cannabinoid CB2 receptors in the gastrointestinal tract: a regulatory system in states of inflammation

The role of the endocannabinoid system in the pathophysiology and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

Cannabinoids in intestinal inflammation and cancer.

Cannabidiol Reduces Intestinal Inflammation through the Control of Neuroimmune Axis

Cannabinoids mediate opposing effects on inflammation-induced intestinal permeability.

I have dozens of these links to legitimate scientific studies....

Hope that helps a bit.

For the record, every doctor I tell about my MMJ use has no issues with it at all since I don't smoke it. They know it helps with IBD, they just can't prescribe it. They can only recommend it.

 

[ktp112]

I had actually originally posted this in the General forum, and it did end up getting moved to here, which is fine. Thank you guys so much for the links!

My parents are very, very much against marijuana use, I think it's because they don't know much about it and haven't had any experience with it or being around it like I have. They also have that preconceived notion that it's just another addictive, terrible drug. So, I'm really leery about bringing it up with them. I'm a big fan of vaporizing, so even the "smoke is bad for your health" argument isn't something they could bring up. I just don't know how they'd take it. Although I'm 20, I'm still on their insurance, and they pay for all my medication, so they really have the last say on what prescriptions I'm buying with their money.

I live in Washington when I'm home, but that's only a few months out of the year, so it might be pointless to get a prescription for MM if I can only use it when I'm home. Moscow, ID, where I go to school is really close to the border, though, so I could technically go across the border and get my prescription, and then just be really careful about smoking it in Idaho...

Another concern of mine is the negative stigma that comes with MM use. I don't want to be discriminated against for my use and I don't want it to cause any troubles with my schooling or with finding a job in the future.

 

[ctrl z]

It definitely will hinder your ability to land a job if they require drug testing. I can't use it right now because I'm looking for work.

I used it pretty regularly for a long time (and built up a large tolerance) and it took a little over a month to get it out of my system. Keep that in mind when it's time to start putting in those job applications.

Now that I've been clean for a while, if I use cannabis one night, it will only take a week to leave my system.

 

[Coltoncc]

I agree on the job thing and if you're receiving any help financially from the school you need to be very careful about getting in trouble with the law when it comes to marijuana. Enough of the bummer now...

So, it seems that we are in the exact same situation here! I'm 20, college student in southern california and was curious about mm and crohn's. I had all the concerns you had (parent's insurance, talking to them, dr...) and it all ended up much simpler. Here in Ca they call it a dr recommendation. I went to a pretty sketchy part of a downtown hospital in a mostly empty medical building at the end of a long empty hallway to get mine, not even kidding. It was a real dr and after taking my vitals and asking me about my condition and symptoms I was approved! There was no talk about insurance, proof of my condition, or anything other than my personal information and nothing to do with my parents. I went straight to a dispensary (cash only) and bought my first gram and a crappy little pipe.
So four months go by and my parents have no idea of my supplementary medication. I got smart and started vaporizing with an Arizer Solo. Great vape, pricey but portable, bigger hits than the cheaper alternatives, and cheaper than a volcano (someday). I've felt great for so long using the mm for symptoms and stress which does a lot of damage for my Crohn's. Here's where it gets funny!
Coming out of a heavy sedation after a colonoscopy I decided(apparently in my stupid haze) to tell my Dad about my use of MM. His response was, maybe we shouldn't tell your mom. Hah! My parents have some wild ideas about marijuana due to just plain ignorance so they think it's the worst. A later, more level headed talk with my dad led to him telling me it takes away all ambition, he's seen people ruin there lives from it, blah blah blah and he wanted me to talk to my dr about it and maybe alternatives for the minor symptoms and stress.
I'm gonna be careful about what I say here, so if it sounds odd sorry! I emailed the dr explaining my experience with mm and how I felt it helped and wanted to know his thoughts. He may or may not have said that there is no literature stating that marijuana benefits ibd and that I should try yoga or meditation for stress, wtf? Hmm, am I totally confused about what the words literature, benefit, and IBD mean? So I told dad about the yoga and meditation idea and said I would give it a shot. So that's where I'm at. Moral of the story is you're probably just going to have to live a lie with your parents and keep that one to yourself. I don't plan to outlive this stigma, it's a sad world we live in. Be honest with your doc tho!

Ahh and your awesome state just legalized recreational use so you're good there if a recommendation won't help in your school's state anyway.

 

[FullM3lt]

He may or may not have said that there is no literature stating that marijuana benefits ibd and that I should try yoga or meditation for stress, wtf?

There is TONS of literature stating that marijuana benefits IBD :rof: :rof: :rof: They just can't make any money prescribing it.

I brought a dozen studies to my last GI appointment and he wouldn't even look at them.

 

[ktp112]

It's terrible that there's such a negative stigma about marijuana. I'm thinking I might try to ease my parents into it and talk to my doctor about it over the summer. Right now, though, I've got too many other issues to deal with, so I'm content finding my own ways to get my marijuana...