Marijuana, medicine, and miracles
My fellow brothers and sisters, have you ever lost a loved one to cancer or some other disease? Have you ever wished that there were something you could have done to help them live longer and still be with you today? Just the thought of fighting and surviving such a deadly disease is nothing short of a miracle. Cancer does not discriminate. Its main mission is to take lives. First, here are some facts: We have one of the highest rates of cancers and other debilitating cases per capita, with cancer, heart attack, and stroke being the Top 3 of the five leading causes of death in the CNMI. In 2005, there were 256 cancer-related cases. Cancer is responsible for nearly 12 percent of deaths in 2005 and is the third leading cause of death among CNMI men and second for women. The fatalities among women is also double that of men. According to a public health official, “every seven weeks a woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer.” In 2007, there were 565 medical referrals for off-island treatment, with cancer-related cases totaling 183 or 32 percent of referrals. According to a source, we now have about 300 active cancer-related cases, but the numbers could be higher as there are those that are not registered. The statistics are not only alarming but very disturbing. However, I do find it encouraging seeing family and friends do what they can to help a loved one for their off-island treatment. Some will have fundraisers and roadside solicitations or even mortgage their homes or sell their land to raise money. What is disheartening is when the patient falls short to pay for their first treatment, and even worse, when the patient has to go back for another round of treatment but has more difficulty to be properly taken cared of due to the painful treatment process with chemo and lack of money to be treated effectively. With the rise in cancer cases and other life-threatening diseases in the CNMI, including the high cost of conventional treatment or the lack of treatment itself, we are further challenged and obligated as a society to reduce the pain and to find alternative solutions in taking care our loved ones, just so they may be able to be with us a little longer. There are those that continue to march against cancer. And there are patients who have survived and are fighting cancer in a very painful battle. Together, we must unite for a mission to treat and kill diseases, and ultimately, to kill cancer head on with medical marijuana.
Now, we have an opportunity to address a very important issue that focuses on those who are suffering and terminally ill through the medical marijuana bill proposed by the Senate. The Senate bill states: “Medicinal marijuana can be beneficial to those who suffer from illnesses such as cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy among other illnesses.” Let us also not forget that marijuana is used to treat chronic pain, arthritis, autism, stroke victims, Parkinson’s and Crohn’s disease, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder—a disease that seriously affects many of our returning soldiers from battle, or even ALS (remember the ice bucket challenge?). This is a bill of compassion as it only involves the sick and it should be treated as a medical matter alone and not as a social-economic issue as others may expect, perceive, or make it out to be. We simply cannot be ignorant of the matter. All patients in the CNMI will not be able to generate millions of dollars in revenue to justify an economic standpoint. In fact, there are many that are currently struggling with making ends meet, especially when it involves treatment. A sick and dying person couldn’t care less about money when their life is at stake, especially when time is of the essence and time is what they do not have. The main goal of the medical marijuana bill is realistic and logical as it focuses on its intent: to offer an alternative (safer, accessible, and effective) option for treatment (with medical marijuana) and to make sure that those who will provide and use the treatment will be protected (from arrest). Nothing more, nothing less. The global scientific and medical community, and ultimately, the medical marijuana patients themselves keep testifying in favor of the potential benefits of marijuana, which has gained widespread acceptance in other countries and with more U.S. states passing medical marijuana laws. Public support for marijuana as a medicine is rapidly growing as evidenced by the 24 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Guam and continues to grow by 2016 with even more states supporting medical marijuana initiatives. You may be surprised to know that the federal government continues to grow and supply medical marijuana to a select number of patients for the past 37 years through the Federal Compassionate Use Investigative New Drug program. By this program alone, they have acknowledged marijuana’s medical value. Marijuana has a very low toxicity level and is non-fatal. In fact, marijuana is considered “to be the safest therapeutic substance known to man” to alleviate pain and treat those suffering from serious medical conditions with little to no side effects. It is with this evidence that we must take a chance in making a positive difference in the lives of the sick.
Fortunately, we will have a chance to speak at the public hearings on Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. Before the hearings, it is best we educate ourselves a little on how marijuana is related to the sick to gain a better understanding of the medical marijuana bill being proposed and its purpose. This will allow us to ask the better questions or to state our case. Please, Google “cannabinoids and cancer” and the “endocannabinoid system” and you will see the research and findings of what marijuana can do to treat a person’s suffering and possibly cure not just cancer but other serious medical conditions. In fact, our bodies create cannabinoids through the endocannabinoid system, which strengthens and regulates our immune system to fight infections and diseases. Cannabinoids is what we use to heal and restore balance. However, environmental factors and today’s lifestyle have greatly contributed to the pollution and weakening of our system to heal itself quickly, which is why people fall victim to life-threatening diseases. It is also a fact that marijuana is the only plant in the world that produces cannabinoids. Cannabinoids is what our bodies and our lives depend on. It is with this evidence that we must use this knowledge and apply it to our livelihood, especially to treat the sick and dying.
I always ask people who are confused about medical marijuana: If costly and painful modern treatment and medicine does little to nothing to help your loved one’s pain and suffering, and you were given an option that is safer and beneficial, and that may possibly “cure” their disease, what would you really do? Would you base your decision on your belief or medical science? Would you deny them their wish to live a healthier, longer, and happier life? If we simply deny them this wish, then we are ultimately granting them a death sentence. We should not allow this to happen. We will not allow this to happen. We can never allow this to happen.
As a compassionate society, we must help end suffering and save lives. By doing so, we will have our loved ones around longer—to live, laugh, and love. Isn’t this what we wish for after all? Let us not only think with our minds but to give with our hearts in granting the sick and dying patients their God-given right to life. With medical marijuana, let us grant them their wish for a second chance to live again. Biba Marianas!
Gerry Palacios Hemley
Garapan, Saipan
Cannabis Saves Lives! It is about time that we place focus on the sick and dying by providing them with optional relief and treatment for their sicknesses. Medical marijuana is the basis for them to getting back their lives.
Buenas,
The intention to help the sick and suffering via MJ in the CNMI is promising, but the problem is the abuse that would follow afterwards. The so call medicinal marijuana would end up in our streets and we would end up paying the price via the criminal enterprises. We don’t have any law legalizing marijuana in the CNMI at the present time, but the consumption of such product is rampant within our youth.
Awe’ common on Jun! You support allowing private citizens handguns in CNMI while pointing out that our CNMI youth have issues with pot? REALLY! On top of that, its not only “our” youth that is hung up on pot. Where do think they got the idea from? Think about it CNMI!
Buenas,
We have different outlook in our lives. I guess seeing my buddies getting incarcerated or being send six feet under for drug related behaviors was the turning point in my life. And I don’t do drugs and I stay away from such substance at all cost. My attitude towards drugs is learned behavior and I stick to such principle.
But as for hand guns, I believe I won’t be writing my opinions on this blog these days if it was not for my access to hand guns in the past. Maybe for you, it’s okay for others not to own a piece because you maybe a federal agent and you have access to hand guns for your protection. For people like us, it is a matter of survival to possess guns legally or illegally, we don’t know when would we encounter life threatening situation and at least we have the opportunity to save ourselves. When your vehicle or vehicles were pepper with 12 guage pellets in the middle of the night, that was a sign that you had pissed off someone else and you would do anything to live another day in our earthly world. So packing is the norm on any streets within no man’s land. Such attitude is learned behavior mainly for survival.
http://www.news10.net/story/news/local/stockton/2015/03/18/shooting-at-madison-market-in-stockton/24943253/
Your concern is just. However, the current state of drug prohibition already guarantees the free enterprise for not just marijuana but other more dangerous drugs like ICE that is a scourge in our little paradise, coupled with addiction-based crimes. These criminals already make it readily available to any person, including our children, due to the lack of any enforcement and control in a pragmatic sense. What is most disturbing here is that some drugs are laced with other volatile chemicals that could even result in a permanent chemical imbalance of the brain, coma or even death due to the underground market of doing business.
As for medical marijuana, it would be controlled and regulated and only to be provided and used by the patients themselves. Testing for impurities and contaminants will be the deciding factor in classifying and releasing the medical marijuana to be safely used by the patients. There will probably be no homegrown cultivation allowed for the patients just to keep the medical product properly grown and distributed accordingly and for product safety purposes for the patient.
For added information: Majority of the debilitating medical conditions today are treated mostly with CBD – a cannabinoid compound from the marijuana plant that is non-psychoactive – that does not get the user high although there are some conditions that do benefit with THC – the psychoactive compound. One thing is for sure. The medical marijuana will be tested for safety and the medicine will only be for the patients themselves. Any type of behavior not in compliance with the medical marijuana act and the rules and regulations given, will be deemed a violation of law, and all other matters pertaining to marijuana will still be in effect.
We have to be sensible in this regard if we are to find effective solutions that have been proven worthy for our intent in helping the sick and suffering. We have to start with a base of reasoning.
Buenas,
Please don’t get us wrong, we are reasonable people and we are airing our concerns relating to the medicinal marijuana. It is a violation of the law to grow and in the possession of marijuana at the present time, but such statue doesn’t curb the illegal activities growing marijuana in the CNMI. Our concern is legalization would make marijuana more accessible to our youth and the criminal elements.
Hafa adai Jun,
I too, am part of the People. I too have my concerns. Right now, my concern is to make sure we can effectively take care of our sick and dying people. We are burying too much every year. And if there is a chance that we can do something to help them from suffering and dying, then we will do just that.
It will be my pleasure to inform you that the federal government will not interfere with states and territories’ medical marijuana programs as long as they have regulations in place. There are also guidelines that the Department of Justice uses in enforcing these laws. The U.S. Congress also passed last year a bill that prevents the DOJ from interfering with states that have medical marijuana programs. Medical marijuana is not going away. It has been 78 years since it has been demonized, and only recently, the truth about its beneficial attributes are being recognized officially by the feds. Although, most of the rest of the world already knew this. There are two types of facts: Belief-based and Science-based. Science and medicine favors marijuana no matter how many times they run the tests. The results will always be the same in benefits over consequences compared to all other types of legal and illegal substances.
As to you other concern on access. Prohibition already makes all types of drugs accessible to anyone. A drug dealer is not bound by any law or regulation on how to conduct his business, including, introducing and selling other drugs that are more dangerous such as ICE. A greedy drug dealer also does not care about the harms he will place on the user, even if the dealer laces the marijuana with a dangerous chemical to create a better “high” so the user will eventually become “addicted” and come back for more.
I did a study called, “Teen Drug Survey” at Hopwood Jr. High School and Marianas High School a while back. The survey asked teens about accessibility of drugs, drug usage, if they had received drug education, what they thought of drug education programs and what they expect from drug educators and drug education programs etc.
The most compelling statements were:
*They can get drugs anytime, as it is everywhere in the black market.
*Drug education is one-sided- only talking about harms and evil and not about any good in them and to “Just Say No”. And that many times the teens will eventually “experiment” as it is their “rites of passage” of being a teen.
*They acknowledge the hypocrisy from the educators and society as “liers” telling them one thing but they see the truth in real life being done by the people themselves.
*They want people to stop lying to them about drugs and to just speak to them honestly regarding drug use in society. Whether it is beer or marijuana. And that if they cannot say “no” all of the time, that they at least know the real truth to the true dangers so they will be able to make better and well informed decisions to protecting themselves from their actions such as educating them about the importance of a condom to prevent STDs and pregnancies, even though we do not want them to have early sex.
*They do not want to be told, but they do want to be taught. Properly. They are smart to know the difference.
The above findings is evidence showing why the war on drugs will never be won if we as a society fail to take responsibility in acknowledging where current policies have failed.
You can have a loaded gun placed on the kitchen table before your child eats his breakfast. If he is taught properly and respected accordingly, the gun will still be there when he leaves for school. That is trust.
Please keep an open mind on the bill’s intent as a medical issue and speak your mind during the public hearings, whether you support the bill or not.
Hafa adai. I just hope people will have an open mind on the bill’s intent as a medical necessity issue. I have read, researched, grew, sold, bred and advocated Cannabis since 1995. Now I only focus on the latter of my position. The tables have been turned. From what I do know now with the science and medicine based facts, the burden is now placed on the opposition of marijuana to prove the facts are wrong. It would be like trying to prove the earth is flat. I wish them luck.
Looking at the comments, my first thought is to have this put on a ballot for the people to vote on.
Looking at other areas that have medical and/or recreation pot available, there are some things to look at if this is legalized. (as many have stated)
According to periodic news stories over the years just concerning Cal. The Feds and State, have on many occasions stepped in and closed down and arrested many involved with illegal shops dealing with medical MJ due to no licensing, no accountability, and no “quality control” this along with “patient’s” that have a prescription with no illness.etc. This even though the the legalization is a State law and officially not recognized by the Feds.
Recently in Wash. State they have experienced much the same problem with there being an over abundance in the amount of MJ available for sale by the licensed dealers but the availability it being cheaper on the streets provided by the illegal growers that do not have a license or any quality control or accountability.
Colorado is also experiencing it’s own difficulties and there is a movement to rescind the new law on the MJ.
Among all of this there are many derogatory various news items in many areas concerning the “edibles” involving both adults and children
This along with various lawsuits from surrounding States due to their added drain on their own resources due to the smuggling and prosecution of MJ across the borders.
I personally have my doubts about the medicinal value of MJ as I tried it against my doctors advice (even though it was illegal in the place) it almost killed me and put me back in the hospital.
I had stage IV-A Cancer and was considered terminal and not even a candidate for medical treatment as I was not expected to live out the year.
I was going through Radiation treatment at the time and was in much discomfort.
BTW, there were 23 people in my immediate area that were receiving treatment in our group time for various types and stages of Cancer. Many were using MJ especially the foreigners, None had expressed any “changes” or improvement in ‘comfort’ and stated that it was about the same as drinking alcohol (or prescription drugs) but much more expensive. (They all have died during or within months after treatment)
I am a survivor and have just past my fourth year post treatment. I also do counseling and would not recommend MJ to any Cancer patient due to my observations and experience.
The BIGGEST problem in the NMI will be the accountability and enforcement of any laws and regs, This is due to the fact of the DPS and other Govt. agencies personnel are now involved with sales of this and the serious drugs. If legal it will take away their income and put more underground due to the cost of licensing and other regs. It also will not be any enforcement of the new laws.
Hafa Adai Captain. It took 59 years to get MMJ accepted starting with California and now we have almost half the U.S. with MMJ laws in place and continues to grow. Currently, there has been a stand-down approach from the U.S. Attorney General and POTUS as well as a U.S. law that prevents the Feds in interfering with states MMJ programs implementation. This will give more flexibility in doing more research in finding better applications with cannabis and its compounds to effectively treat medical conditions and allows those who currently need treatment.
I believe there has been too many cultivation/distribution licenses given throughout the sates that should have been limited to avoid the burdensome monitoring and controls of the MMJ product and testing for cannabinoid ratios and impurities. With a limit placed on licenses, and the proper guidelines for enforcement, regulations and controls in place and with the right team, the MMJ program can be a success with very little negative impact.
With all the medical data that has been and continues to be gathered as well as the current use of MMJ by patients to alleviate their symptoms of pain and to treat their medical conditions, we can both agree that MMJ has medical value to a degree of science and medicine. Cannabis may not treat and cure all medical conditions. There are some who may be adversely allergic to MJ while others may reject the treatment with MJ entirely, similar to a placebo with no effect at all. I guess what matters is, if a person is suffering immensely and is diagnosed with a medical condition that is terminal, and given that all other options of conventional medicine have been exhausted, or they are just not financially capable to paying and receiving conventional treatment, they desperately look for alternative options that may indeed help them cope and, hopefully and ultimately, be given their lives back.
As a cancer survivor and counselor, you have been blessed and given the opportunity in helping those who are affected by such a deadly and unforgiving disease. You have a great heart as you give what most people lose when they are faced with such a situation. YOU GIVE THEM HOPE. HOPE TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE SO THEY MAY GET TO SEE ANOTHER DAY.
I do have some questions to get a better understanding of your past situation regarding MMJ if you could possibly answer as I could learn more about its limitations and applications:
How did you medicate yourself with marijuana and in what form was the marijuana processed when you had used it for your treatment?
Was there any individual to assist you in the processing and dosage of marijuana?
When you were medicating yourself with marijuana, were you being treated with chemo simultaneously?
With the current MMJ bill being proposed, we can only hope for the best in finding effective and optional solutions to treating those who are sick and suffering. We can start with cannabis.
To answer your questions, I got the MJ from other patients, presumably from off the streets. There was no processing as I know of. (The MJ was illegal, with great consequences if caught buying or using it )
I tried to smoke it as did the others. I had oral Cancer and a Tracheotomy. (as did some others)
I was not at that time on Chemo, only Radiation. Some other were on one or both.
I could not afford the Chemo in conjunction with the radiation as I paid for treatment and collateral expenses on my own.
My one time MJ experiences put me in the hospital. It is lucky that we were in the back of the hospital at the time I tried it and I had others around me.
BTW, I only tolerated one Chemo treatment after the radiation. I had little discomfort to the Chemo as I was given a “cocktail” with other medication to make the Chemo tolerable.
The chemo treatment did much damage to my kidney and other internal problems so i refused any more Chemo and took my chances rather than being on Dialysis the rest of my life.(or worse)
I was also given medication to keep my appetite along with other “liquid formula) for weight gain, which worked.
My immense pain and discomfort to my oral cavity during the radiation is something that I will never forget. Made more so due to the time span as it was during the holiday season.
I had already researched and found out ways and set in to motion plans to take my own life when the time came that I could not bear it any longer.
Certain prescribed medication was not available in the area.
Lucky my Doctor found some on his trips to Manila through his sources. This relieved much of my pain and suffering and kept me as an outpatient.
BTW my many Doctors I was involved with had specialized training individually in different places such as the US, Germany, France and one also in Japan.
Hi Captain,
Thank you for your responses. I am guessing that you probably had a “bad trip” given your first experience with marijuana, or you had a bad or tainted product to begin with that sent you to the hospital. If others around you had smoked but had no bad reaction, then the product was not tainted and you either had an allergic reaction or as I had said, a bad “trip”. If you had smoked alone, then we cannot rule out tainted weed as drug dealers are not bound to comply with any rules or standards regarding how drugs, or weed is cultivated or laced as to preventing the consequences to the user. They only care about making the deal and getting paid. Unfortunately, it was a chance you had taken due to what you had heard of marijuana being used to treat cancer.
Some take marijuana to stimulate appetite due to the nauseating effects of cancer treatment. Most hospitals use synthetic THC that come in pill (Marinol) or oral spray (Sativex) form for this approach as the drug is FDA approved. These are solely used to counter the negative side effects of treatment and not to fight or “cure” the disease in any way.
However, there are ways to process marijuana for treatment to try to fight cancer as there are ways to administer the medication as well. The most effective method is to take the medication orally such hemp oil/hash oil that looks like a paste or thick liquid and the newest technique now being tried is by a suppository as the effectiveness is delivered quicker into the system.
I am not a doctor nor do I claim to be an authority in cannabis science. I just know information as to what cannabis can do not just in medicine but for the entire planet in general with all its uses- medically, recreationally, industrially and agriculturally – as I have a deep respect for this “miracle” plant to which I passionately want to know everything about.
If you want to know a little more about what cannabis can do or is being studied for regarding medicine, please go to You Tube and search for “clearing the smoke: the science of cannabis” to get a better understanding on the topic. It is about 57 minutes of documentary featuring the best doctors and scientists in their field of expertise and how they see marijuana’s beneficial attributes to health and life. It may help you with your counseling sessions for those that request your inputs on alternatives. If you think it has validity of course.
Please let me know what you think of the documentary as I intend to use it to educate the people of the CNMI and want to know if it is worthy for screening on the MMJ topic to compliment the current senate medical marijuana bill being proposed.
You take care and I hope to hear from you soon. Peace.