Ohio Patient Network

Main Menu

Home

Donate

Interactive

OPNews

OPNews - July 2007 edition

A Publication of Ohio Patient Network (OPN)

From the President of OPN

Dichotomies

It's odd how unrelated events become intertwined. On June 9, the New York Medical Examiner concluded that a high school track star died suddenly from an accidental overdose of methyl salicylate, the anti-inflammatory agent in Bengay, Icy Hot, and other over-the-counter topical creams. That same day, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis might not only be useful for pain relief, but also safe to apply topically to treat skin allergies. It was a good news day for cannabis, but sad one for a young New York athlete.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS

OPN Helping WAMM

Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM) needs your help.

WAMM is in trouble and OPN has committed to help WAMM by matching your generous donation. When WAMM opened its doors 14 years ago to people dying of cancer and AIDS, they realized that sick people could not afford the high cost of medical marijuana. WAMM has established a communal garden where medicine is grown for terminally ill people with a doctor's recommendation. Patients take what they need and give what they can--even if that is nothing. If WAMM dies, this model dies with it. Please make a donation to keep WAMM alive; perhaps someday we will have a WAMM-type facility here in Ohio.

OPN's Hempfest Report

If you checked the Weather Channel or your local weather radar on Saturday, June 2, you probably asked yourself if you really wanted to venture out in the rain on a hot and humid morning. There is a logic to that thinking, but the less-venturesome do miss special days. Such was the Ohio Hempfest annually held on the South Oval of The Ohio State University. The rain may have dampened attendance, but the event came off as well as any in the last six years of OPN's existence.

Comfest Success for OPN and All!

Well, I have to say, I have never been to a street party quite like this one. I remember all the little block parties back in 1970-1972. Those were the years that got me started with civil rights, women's rights (yes-I burned my bra!), no more war, 4 dead in OHiO and so on. Of course the biggest issues at that time were civil rights and the Vietnam war. Back then, any sort of uprising would bring in the National Guard, weekend warriors, local police and fire trucks spraying crowds of people with fire hoses. We could tolerate that. But when the guns came out on innocent students and protestors and when a black man is dragged by a chain tied to the back of someone's pickup as it races down the road, that goes beyond understanding.

Upcoming Meetings

Online meetings represent one of the primary ways OPN and OPAN conduct business. It's a great feeling to speak with like-minded people from all over Ohio in real time and, in the process, plan how we're going to make a big difference in this state.

Please Join OPN

Now you can make your voice heard in Ohio's medical marijuana debate while helping to fund a great cause. OPN is rolling out paid memberships. We have two introductory membership levels: Individual ($15) and family ($25). We're temporarily keeping these fees as low as possible so that everyone who can afford to join or wants to join can do so. Membership are good for one year. You will be notified as your membership is due to expire.

STATE NEWS

Cleveland may re-criminalize marijuana possession

Right now, a person who gets caught in Cleveland with a small amount of marijuana is charged with a minor misdemeanor, which is only a ticketable offense, and is fined $100. However, Councilman Zachary Reed has introduced an ordinance that would increase the penalty to three days in jail in addition to paying the $100 fine.
TAKE ACTION

NATIONAL NEWS

AL: POT FOR PAIN?

MONTGOMERY -- Supporters of medical marijuana, including a Butler man suffering from two forms of cancer, asked a House Judiciary subcommittee Wednesday to approve a bill allowing doctors to prescribe the drug to patients.

Researchers Press DEA to Let Them Grow Marijuana

by Marc Kaufman, Washington Post (May 24th, 2007) - Armed with a legal decision in their favor, scientists and advocates of medical research on marijuana pressed the Drug Enforcement Administration yesterday to allow them to grow their own, saying that pot supplied by the government is too hard to get and that its poor quality limits their research.

Riverside police raid pot dispensary

by onja Bjelland, Press-Enterprise (CA) (May 23rd, 2007) - Riverside police raided a medical-marijuana dispensary Tuesday that was filled with prepackaged pot stored in a 6-foot-high safe with humidity control.

AL: Medical marijuana gets panel hearing

by Jamie Kizzire, Montgomery Advertiser (May 24th, 2007) - Michael Phillips, 37, of Millbrook has sought surgery and medical treatments to curb the seizures caused by an inoperable brain tumor.

'GANJA GURU' RE-CONVICTED

A federal jury in San Francisco convicted Oakland "Guru of Ganja" Ed Rosenthal on Wednesday of three of the five marijuana-growing felonies of which he stood accused.

Cannabinoids Enhance Analgesic Activity Of Opiates In Inflammatory Pain, Study Says

Richmond, VA: THC, when administered in combination with morphine, acts synergistically to reduce symptoms of chronic pain, according to preclinical data to be published in the European Journal of Pharmacology.

Proprietors of Hayward medical pot club face federal drug charges

by Henry K. Lee, San Francisco Chronicle (June 1st, 2007) - HAYWARD -- The owner and manager of a Hayward medical marijuana dispensary were charged in federal court today with using the business as a front to sell pot for profit.

CA: Canna case set for July 24

by K. Kaufmann, The Desert Sun (May 26th, 2007) - The outcome of a criminal case against CannaHelp owner Stacy Hochanadel could hinge on a much-anticipated opinion from the California attorney general on the legality of medical marijuana dispensaries.

CT: CANNABIS MEASURE PASSES SENATE

Seriously Ill Would Be Allowed to Grow Pot

After five years of on-again, off-again debate, Connecticut lawmakers Friday passed landmark legislation allowing seriously ill people to grow marijuana at home to ease their pain or reduce unpleasant side effects of treatment.

RI: CARCIERI VETOES MEDICAL MARIJUANA

PROVIDENCE - As expected, Governor Carcieri yesterday vetoed medical marijuana legislation. And Democratic House leader Gordon Fox said he believes state lawmakers will override that veto.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA SUIT COULD BREAK NEW GROUND

A Superior Court case heard in Chico is raising the question whether a medicinal marijuana case can be tried in civil court -- a step that would open up law enforcement to fighting lawsuits from people who have plants confiscated or destroyed.

Study: THC improves appetite and reverses weight loss in AIDS patients

Researchers at the Orlando Immunology Center in Florida investigated the long-term effects of THC (dronabinol) on 117 patients with HIV/AIDS, who lost weight. Subjects who received dronabinol for 3 to 12 months were included in a retrospective analysis. THC was shown to improve appetite and weight and to reduce nausea.

More charges in Hayward pot-club bust

by Josh Richman, ANG Newspapers (June 6th, 2007) - Federal authorities have added more charges against the two people arrested in the December raid of a Hayward medical marijuana dispensary, claiming the storefront operation's purpose was avarice, not altruism.

A MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW GAINS MOMENTUM IN ALBANY

ALBANY -- Following in the footsteps of Connecticut's Legislature, New York State lawmakers are expected to approve legislation allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

LTE: MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS A KEY ALTERNATIVE

Mayo Clinic endocrinologist Victor Montori's comments that his patients must choose medications on the basis of "the least painful poison," rather than by the benefit, exposes a plight affecting all patients ("Diabetics face risk on drug choices," News, June 5).

NY: LEGISLATORS GRAPPLE OVER HOW TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE

ALBANY - Gov. Eliot Spitzer and legislative leaders said this week that the use of marijuana for medical purposes should be made legal in New York State.

Medical Marijuana: PTSD Medical Malpractice

by Dr. Phillip Leveque for Salem-News.com (MOLALLA, Ore.) - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is like a camouflaged elephant in the living room. Those who want to see it do so; those who don’t want to see it, do not.

LEO'S STORY LOOKING FOR RELIEF, MORE TIME

Editor's note: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reporter and videographer Leo Greene was diagnosed with ALS - Lou Gehrig's disease - on Aug. 16, 2006. In a monthly column and through videos available at www.dailybulletin.com, Leo explains his thoughts and feelings as he confronts this terminal illness.

Medical marijuana could buy me time. Time to see my two younger sons graduate. Time to see another grandchild born.

Time, perhaps, for a cure to come along.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA MEASURE FALLS WITH CONNECTICUT GOVERNOR'S VETO

Stamford, Conn. -- After struggling with what was described as one of the most difficult decisions in her three-year tenure, Gov. M. Jodi Rell vetoed a measure today that would have legalized the use of marijuana for certain medical conditions.

ACTIVISTS PETITION FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN MICHIGAN

Rochelle Lampkin of Detroit doesn't drink alcohol, smoke tobacco or use drugs for recreation. But about once a month, she takes in a substance that she says benefits her quality of life - even though it's against the law.

Rhode Island Resoundingly Endorses Permanent Medical Marijuana LAW

(JUNE 21, 2007) PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND -- With the U.S. House of Representatives expected to consider a medical marijuana amendment within weeks, Rhode Island legislators have resoundingly overridden a gubernatorial veto to make that state's medical marijuana law permanent. Today's 58-11 House vote follows a 29-4 Senate vote to override on Wednesday.

THE FREEDOM SIDE OF THE CANNABIS CURTAIN

My landlord called the other day to tell me that a neighbor had complained about me starting a "marijuana factory" at the house.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Study: Sensitization by THC

Recent evidence has provided support for the incentive-sensitization model of addiction, where repeated stimulation of the brain reward system leads to a long-lasting sensitization of this system and stimulates further consumption of the drug. This phenomenon has been demonstrated with many drugs. In this study the effects of repeated intermittent (every 3-4 days) treatment with THC or methamphetamine to mice were investigated. Later this study was repeated with rats. A robust dose-dependent sensitization was observed by methamphetamine but not by THC. (Source: Varvel SA, et al. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2007 May 12; [Epub ahead of print]).

Canada: Cannabis court rolls on

BC News Group (May 23rd, 2007) - Eight days of hearings on a medical marijuana case in the B.C. Supreme Court ended May 18 with plans for several more days in court in June and August.

Canada: Medical marijuana patients threatened by collection action

by Brennan Clarke, Saanich News (June 1st, 2007) - Any other terminally ill patient in Canada would have all his prescriptions covered by the Canadian health care system.

UK: THE DRUGS DO WORK?

They cause widespread misery and suffering, as well as mental and physical illnesses, and they destroy thousands of lives, but recreational drugs may have health benefits.

Study: Ointment with THC reduces allergic skin reactions in mice

According to animal studies by researchers of the University of Bonn (Germany) the topical administration of THC in an ointment is able to reduce allergic skin reactions. Their research was published in the journal Science on 8 June. Endocannabinoids were shown to play an important role in regulating inflammation processes. Increased endocannabinoid levels reduced inflammatory reactions in the skin of mice, which were made allergic against a certain allergen, while the absence of cannabinoid receptors increased these reactions.

Germany: CANNABIS HELPS TREAT ALLERGIC REACTIONS

A cannabis folk remedy has been resurrected by scientists who found that active ingredients in the drug reduce allergic reactions.

Study: Vomiting

Toxins of a certain bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) cause vomiting, which can be combatted by activation of the CB1 receptor, Japanese researchers demonstrated in animal studies. Toxins of this bacteria are the major cause of food poisoning in humans throughout the world. Both antagonism at the 5-HT3 serotonin receptor and activation of the CB1 receptor by cannabinoids were effective in reducing the symptoms. (Source: Hu DL, et al. Cell Microbiol 2007 May 21; [Electronic publication ahead of print]).

Canada Grants Preliminary Approval For Cannabis Extracts For Cancer Pain

Ottawa, Ontario: Health Canada granted preliminary regulatory approval this week to Sativex, an oral spray consisting of natural cannabis extracts, for the treatment of advanced cancer pain.

Germany: Federal Institute for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Products concedes exemption

In letters of June 2007 to some patients the Federal Institute for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Products (BfArM, Bundesinstitut fuer Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte), an institution of the Federal Health Ministry, in principle concedes their right to use cannabis for medicinal purposes. The presented medical documents would show, that a treatment with the available medicinal drugs "turned out not to be successful so that the use of cannabis can be recommended from a clinical point of view" and that "an approved drug that would at least be as effective as cannabis for the treatment of your illness is currently not available," respectively.

Switzerland: Patients with ALS in clinical study with THC not allowed to continue to use drug after study

Until summer 2007 a clinical study on the use of THC in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is being conducted at a hospital of St. Gallen. Study leader Dr. Markus Weber noted that patients suffering from this degenerative disease of the nerve system profit from the treatment, but he is not allowed to continue the treatment his patients after completion of the study.

REGULAR FEATURES

OPNews Disclaimer

OPNews, a publication of Ohio Patient Network (OPN), provides medical cannabis news that affects Ohio patients, caregivers, and health professionals. Articles are intended for information purposes and do not reflect an official position by OPN or the OPN Board of Directors.

YOU ARE INVITED TO OPN MEETINGS

The OPN Board of Directors invites you to participate in OPN/OPAN meetings, which are held at 7:30 p.m. (Eastern time) every Wednesday. Electronic voice/text meetings are held at the DrugSense MAP sponsored chatroom in Teamspeak. More information about meetings and using Teamspeak is available at http://www.ohiopatient.net/v2/content/view/435/160/.

HELP THE OPN SUPPORT PATIENTS

The Ohio Patient Network's goal is to provide a voice for Ohio's medicinal cannabis patients and create an environment where this vital medicine becomes an accepted and legitimate therapy. To do this, we need your help. We'd like you to personally become involved in OPN by donating your time. Please check out our various committees on our website.

If you'd prefer, you can also support medicinal cannabis and what we are doing by contributing monetarily to OPN. Please note that the Ohio Patient Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in the State of Ohio. Donations to OPN are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Please visit our website (http://ohiopatient.net) and click on the Donate button on any page to make a contribution using your credit card. Please note that these donations will be processed through Paypal.

If you would prefer to donate by check or money order, please make them payable to the "Ohio Patient Network" and mail to P.O. Box 26353, Columbus, OH 43216.

Thank you for supporting the Ohio Patient Network

HOW TO SUBMIT NEWS

You may submit news items via email. To have your information considered for publication, submit your story to feedback@ohiopatient.net with NEWS SUBMISSION in the subject. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ATTACHMENTS.

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR

Find your Representative in the Ohio House at http://www.house.state.oh.us/jsps/Representatives.jsp

Find your Ohio Senator at http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/

Write to your officials care of their district office, or send your letter to their Columbus office at:

The Honorable (name)
Ohio House of Representatives
77 South High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43266-0603

-or-

The Honorable (name)
Ohio Senate Building
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Telephone calls and emails are also persuasive, especially when the constituent contacts the district office.

To Unsubscribe from this Newsletter

You can remove yourself from this list at any time. Please go to http://ohiopatient.net/v2/content/view/169/95/ to unsubscribe.

[ Back ]

Join/Donate

Ohio Medical Marijuana Act
Please contact your legislators regarding the Ohio Medical Marijuana Act!

The Zoretic Patient Defense Fund
To donate to the Zoretic Patient Defense Fund, OPN's patient legal defense fund, simply click the above button. Before entering the amount, please indicate that your donation is for the Zoretic Patient Defense Fund in the Payment For: text box. Thank you for your contribution!

Who's Online
We have 251 guests online

Polls

War on Junk
A riotous exploration of prohibition policies, told through the narrative lens of a future America in which the government outlaws junk food in response to widespread obesity. Click on the image to buy this book now. 10% of the purchase price will be donated to OPN.

Mambo is Free Software released under the GNU/GPL License.