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Its been in the news. it was brought into the federal election, a provincial election is coming up. Just wondering where people stand on this issue and why

Medical Marijuana is no longer an issue in Manitoba as the doctors who once prescribed no longer do because of the pressures from the medical field .

I know several medical users who use all the different products from pill form to smoke able product. Of those most were chronic pain sufferers who were on high pain management treatments that had worse side effects. I'm unsure about how "easy" it is to procure the prescriptions at this point but people have been getting medical prescriptions from doctors for a range of problems. I think that this will always be a hot topic but from what I can see it's a win win for most.

I'm not asking how to get it or if its available. I've been using it legally for quite some time now and its very effective for pain management.  
My curiosity is how community members feel about it. Is it acceptable at this point? Does anyone care? Curiosity mostly  

on board, it is far less damaging than prescription medications. I wish I could switch my in laws to use this for pain management rather than the prescription drugs that are also helping to kill them and not really helping with pain anyways! And BTW are highly addictive what they are on.  
I feel like most people I talk to aren't up tight about it being legalized. Alcohol is also way worse and it is legal. So in my opinion anyone who is making a stink about medical marijuana is likely ignorant to the facts.

Sorry I meant the second person to post saying no one is getting prescriptions.

Kdm said "Medical Marijuana is no longer an issue in Manitoba as the doctors who once prescribed no longer do because of the pressures from the medical field . "

There is a Dr in Winnipeg from what I have heard but she is VERY difficult to see. I was also told by my family Dr. that in order for a Dr to prescribe it they must be licenced to do so - I am not sure what the process is but any local Dr should be able to obtain it.  
 
I don't agree with having to pay $450+tax annual fee for the Dr to provide a prescription. I also do not like that it is not covered under my health plan although it IS a legitimate limited deduction from income tax.  
 
I am glad to see the supreme court of Canada has ruled that anyone with a medical marijuana prescription will be allowed to grow their own - starting in August I believe. That will save a lot of money if a person has the facilities.  
 
I could not find a local Dr so I went online www.greendoctornetwork.com  
 
My prescription replaced highly addictive and mood altering drugs. I haven't touched them in years and feel MUCH better for it.  
 
 
 
 
 
Edited by Cee Jay 55, 2016-03-18 14:03:27

I think it great, about time!

I am for it in the treatment of chronic pain management, or to increase appetite in cancer care patients, or as an anxiolytic in conjunction with counselling/therapy.  
 
However, I do not support cannibis use in 'curing cancer' or other unsubstantiated claims, as the scientific literature does not support this.  
 
Legalize it? sure. Regulate it? Yes. Should we be allowed to grow it in our backyards? Why not?

I've heard of and seen it's benefits with chronic pain. I think it's a good option. I take a lot of pills for my chronic pain and am still always hurting...it would be nice to give it a try!

It is obvious by how quickly this thread died that the Brandon area is not as progressive as some other parts of Canada in the medical marijuana arena. It's unfortunate and a blessing at the same time as lack of available information leaves people to have to find it for themselves.  
We have to take a bit more responsibility for our own well being, and make choices based on ALL the information at hand be it western/Chinese/naturopathy medicine.  
Wether you are for it personally or not, the science supporting it IS there, unlike previously suggested. There are more and more health care professional engaging in this conversation with their patients. Medical marijuana is here....it is helping....it isn't going away. Educate yourselves and everyone wins, you don't have to use it to realize it most definitely helps people dealing with serious and chronic conditions.  
More resources for folks would strengthen the community on this divided topic

Compared to the alternatives that I have been on over the years Morphine , Demoral , Tylenol 3 all constipate you so add more pain and also damage the kidneys and liver. I say heck yes bring it on.

Big pharmaceuticals...cant over charge for it so the have such a big hand in health care that they think they can control Dr. and Gov. But I think those days are coming to an end...I just had to go through a detox with my wife after a stoke because they loaded her up with so much she couldn't function, she is now on a synthetic version and doing much beter

This is NOT true....we live in rural Manitoba and my MSer has Medical Marijuana prescribed to him and is carded for use.  
 
What people have to realize is that there are a lot of steps than one needs to go through before your Dr will even consider it. You can't just walk in and ask for a prescription. You have to go through a process. There are forms that must be filled out from a grower and your Dr must fill them in.  
 
It is not a simple case of saying "Hey Doc, I want a prescription for Medical Marijuana" It just doesn't work that way...for good reasons.  
 
Until I saw the difference in pain management that Medical Marijuana makes I would have said horse pucky....but....I have seen the difference so ....yes....there are times when it helps...and I would rather it than oxy!

I teeter on the edge of this debate, I like to believe I'm a supporter of people making choices for themselves and government allowing them to do so, on the other hand I absolutely hate the smell of weed smoke.  
 
If everyone else has the right to smoke it, don't I also have the right to not be subjected to its rank scent ?  
 
Case in point, a few summers ago a couple of potheads moved in a few houses down and it seemed like every day in the summer that I chose to go out and work in my garage and do yard work, they also chose to sit in their backyard smoking like a chimney.  
 
I found myself getting sick of the smell and putting projects off to another day, hoping the air would be clear.  
 
So where do we draw the line, I say legalize it in pill/edible form but is that as effective as smoking it ?

I wonder if people are so quick to call people that enjoy alcohol, "drunks"...you are confident those "potheads" we're not medicating?  
I know that seems like a laughable comment, but we need to remember that some MS patients wouldn't be able to get out of bed without the nerve relaxing properties of "pot", some cancer patients would never keep even the smallest meal down without smoking some "weed"... Some PTSD sufferers may not control their anger or ease their depression without marijuana.....  
I think you having to tolerate the smell, or waiting for a bit to continue your hobby while these patients try to exist in their own lives, is a small price to pay for the well being of your community.  
Yes, there is ABSOLUTLY the recreation users that have no regard for common courtesy, but that is not specific to marijuana smokers. Lack of manners is a human trait, not a "pothead" one.  
And PS.....are you really stating that in the GREAT BIG OUTSIDE WORLD, you can't find one drop of clean air to breath....?....  
OR: did you ever politely speak to the neighbors and work out an agreement? Maybe they would have moved to a different side of the yard where it would not have been so noticible to you and the breeze blew it in another direction. There was nothing you could do? No fans? I hate the smell of curry, but I'm not going to ask a neighbor not to cook with it or eat it.  
I guess they could have gone indoors where their (possibly) children are? And don't even bother with the "high around kids" song and dance.... To many adults go home to a beer or glass of wine daily for that argument to carry any weight whatsoever.  
My point is: awareness/tolerance/compassion makes us all get along better than demanding "MY" needs be considered over everyone else.  
 
Edited by Sandra O, 2016-03-19 10:46:31

 
 
Edited by 0133, 2016-03-19 11:28:03

hutchster said "I teeter on the edge of this debate, I like to believe I'm a supporter of people making choices for themselves and government allowing them to do so, on the other hand I absolutely hate the smell of weed smoke.     If everyone else has the right to smoke it, don't I also have the right to not be subjected to its rank scent ?     Case in point, a few summers ago a couple of potheads moved in a few houses down and it seemed like every day in the summer that I chose to go out and work in my garage and do yard work, they also chose to sit in their backyard smoking like a chimney.     I found myself getting sick of the smell and putting projects off to another day, hoping the air would be clear.     So where do we draw the line, I say legalize it in pill/edible form but is that as effective as smoking it ? "

Better ban diesel vechicles , pesticide use , fire pits , composting ,scented candles , burning barrels wood stoves , Porto potties, tabacco smoking, city storm sewers I guess !

My take on the whole thing is if it isn't bothering me I don't care... I live in an apartment and the people upstairs smoke weed in there apartment, I personally hate it. I leave my house smelling like weed which is very unprofessional when I'm going to work. If they'd smoke it outside I wouldn't care at all. Same would go for medical marijuana, don't smoke it where smoking isn't legal (inside restaurants, inside the car with kids, etc), clean up your roaches, and I couldn't care less. It doesn't effect me how you choose to medicate, as long as your respectful about it.

The rank smell of the lagoon on the low road, makes me have to take the #1, and KOCH sure smells bad....we should close that too, it's offensive....  
 
YES IM JOKING....see the point?

I wish there was a smokers lounge that you could go and smoke weed legally. Think of the 'Get Better Together' health care model....  
It's already proven that smoking has many benefits to health, why not give people a place to smoke together and get stronger together!

whoa now everyone, take a hit and relax, just not next to me ok :p  
 
I simply stated weed smoke is a smell I don't particularly like, and on the other hand I still support peoples right to smoke it whether or not it's medicinal or not.  
 
In my case, I referred to them as potheads as all they seemed to do was smoke weed and trash the place they lived in, getting evicted a few short months later all the while making my yard stink.  
 
0133, I happen to like the smell of almost all of those things, well except the smoking...and the porta potty...and the pesticides...and maybe the city sewers, maybe you're onto to something with this ban idea, good thinking  
 

Has there been any conclusive studies or tests done regarding the different ways of ingesting the thc and which one is more effective?  
 
Is physically smoking it more effective than say condensed pill form, or any other option ?  
 

hutchster said "whoa now everyone, take a hit and relax, just not next to me ok :p     I simply stated weed smoke is a smell I don't particularly like, and on the other hand I still support peoples right to smoke it whether or not it's medicinal or not.     In my case, I referred to them as potheads as all they seemed to do was smoke weed and trash the place they lived in, getting evicted a few short months later all the while making my yard stink.     0133, I happen to like the smell of almost all of those things, well except the smoking...and the porta potty...and the pesticides...and maybe the city sewers, maybe you're onto to something with this ban idea, good thinking     "

If they were simply "potheads" they would not have trashed their place.  
 
Now, if they were on alcohol that statement would make more sense. You probably meet several people a day who are "potheads" and you don't notice they are high.  
 
How many drunks do you see that you know right away are drunk?  
 
I respect the fact you cannot tolerate the smell of weed but come on, saying "potheads trashed their place" is like saying "drunks never cause trouble".  
 
Edited by Cee Jay 55, 2016-03-19 14:10:36

hutchster said "Has there been any conclusive studies or tests done regarding the different ways of ingesting the thc and which one is more effective?     Is physically smoking it more effective than say condensed pill form, or any other option ?     "

Edibles are favoured by a lot of people over smoking it. There is no smell and no smoke.  
 
I find edibles have more of a pain relief/tranquilizing effect than smoking it. The drawback is knowing how much to take as it takes about 45 minutes to fully take effect. If you ingest a little too much you will fall quickly to sleep. Far superior to sleeping pills though.  
 
I have heard there are patches available now, as well.

Most medical marijuana contains low THC levels so the "high" effect is reduced or non-existent. There are other chemicals at work besides the THC molecules.  
 
My dispensary carries about 14 strains with THC levels ranging from 2% to 21%. CBD levels are also variable but they have no euphoric effects.  
 
Edited by Cee Jay 55, 2016-03-19 14:20:37

The psychological effects tend to be different, most pill forms from what friends/ relatives have said are okay for pain and good for digestive issues. From the research done it has to do with receptors throughout your system.

The artificial pills called Nabilone does NOT have the same results as the natural plant for my MSer....leaves his legs feeling like cement.....again it boils down to choices and what works for the sufferer...

I am for it. better then the pain meds friends of mine are using to treat back issues.  
 
I am by no means an advocate for drugs or alcohol use. I abstain from that myself. proud that I never touched "pot" but if I was in terrible chronic pain I would want the best option available and it seems like legalized medical pot is

the use of cannabis for medical purposes. I am not on medical cannabis but I take some pretty strong pain killers and would like to know of a doctor that would look into my case and see if I am a candidate for medical cannabis. If anyone knows of a doctor please tell me.