THE TRUTH ABOUT MARIJUANA

During my teen years, I was surrounding by friends who smoked marijuana and drank excessive alcohol.  I have seen much more damage caused by those who drank alcohol than by those who smoked weed.  

Let’s take a look at some  facts about alcohol:

• Drunk driving causes approximately one-third of all traffic fatalities in the United States*
• In 2007, alcohol-impaired driving was responsible in the deaths of nearly 13,000 Americans**
• On average, someone in the U.S. is killed by a drunk driver every 40 minutes*
• Nearly 75% of drunk drivers involved in fatal collisions are not wearing safety belts**
• Approximately 75% of fatal crashes occurring between midnight and 3 a.m. involve alcohol***
• The highest rates of drunk driving occur among drivers aged 21-24.  This age group makes up 35% of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal collisions***
• Men are about twice as likely as women to drive under the influence of alcohol and to be involved in a fatal collision**

References

*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  “Motor Vehicle Safety: Impaired Driving.”

**National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  “Traffic Safety Facts: 2007 Traffic Safety Annual Assessment-Alcohol-Imparied Fatalities.

***National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  “Traffic Safety Facts: Alcohol-Impaired Driving.”

facts about marijuana:

• Marijuana is created from the dried, shredded flowers and leaves of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa*
• The international and scientific name for marijuana is cannabis.  However, the substance is most commonly called marijuana within the United States*
• The first law in the American colonies regarding marijuana was a 1619 law that actually required farmers to grow the hemp plant.  Once harvested, hemp was useful for clothing, sails and rope*
• During the temperance movement of the 1890’s, marijuana was commonly recommended as a substitute for alcohol.  The reason for this was that use of marijuana did not lead to domestic violence while alcohol abuse did*
• Prior to its ban, hemp was a staple cash crop of the family farm in early America.  The first two drafts of the United States Declaration of Independence were written on paper made from hemp**
• The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 made it illegal to possess, use, buy, sell, or cultivate marijuana in the United States***
• Current supporters of medical marijuana believe the drug has significant medical value for patients who suffer from AIDS, glaucoma, cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and chronic pain.  Several studies have been published to support and document this belief****

References

*Booth, Martin. 2003.  Cannabis: A History. London, England:  Doubleday.

**Robinson, Rowan. 1996.  The Great Book of Hemp: The Complete Guide to the Environmental, Commercial, and Medicinal Uses of the World’s Most Extraordinary Plant. Rochester, VT: Park Street Press.

***U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy. “Marijuana Facts & Figures.”

****Chapkis, Wendy and Ricard Webb. 2008. “Dying to Get High: Marijuana as Medicine. New York, NY: New York University Press.

For additional random facts about alcohol or marijuana, please visit the following website:

http://facts.randomhistory.com/2009/02/27_marijuana.html

I have experienced and used both alcohol and marijuana and have concluded that alcohol has had much more of a negative effect on me than marijuana.  I found that marijuana eased some anxiety issues and provided a more relaxed environment while alcohol caused me to become more aggressive and argumentative.

It has been documented that cannabis has relieved emotional and physical pain for people who suffer from alzheimers, anxiety, arthritis, cancer, Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis and AIDS.

The primary active ingredient in marijuana is THC (delta 9 tethydrocannabinol) – this is the chemical that produces marijuana’s mind-altering effects.  Hemp is a variety of cannabis that is grown for the fiber and seeds.  Hemp is a very hearty plant and grows very quickly in very diverse soil conditions.  Cultivation of hemp for industrial purposes has been done by many civilizations for over 12,000 years. 

For more on the history of hemp and some of the extraordinary uses of hemp, please visit:  http://www.hemp.com/what-is-hemp/

Still not satisfied regarding the benefits of hemp or cannabis, here are some amazing statements people have made:

With proper knowledge – individuals can make their own decisions in relation to whatever health issues they face.  Why must there only be one way?  We continue to hear the negative outcomes of chemotherapy and how other pharmaceutical drugs create life-altering dependencies or even death, why not have other more positive alternatives than what government and BIG PHARMA insists works? 

Knowledge is power.  Don’t debunk something just because CNN tells you to.  Do the research, read the case studies, watch videos and do what you feel is necessary without the distractions of those who are only looking out for their bottom line.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

CANCER – MODERN MEDICINE vs NATURAL WAYS TO HEAL

I can’t imagine how I would feel if I was told that I had terminal cancer.  There would be much to think about in terms of preparation to fight for my life.  I am very adamant about using natural foods and remedies to cure any ailment but would I feel the same if I was told that the only way to live would be to have chemotherapy and radiation – I would have to say yes.

My sister has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.  She is emotionally strong but has indicated that the diagnoses and treatment was very hard to deal with.  She recently had her last chemotherapy session and is gearing up for the onslaught of radiation.  I know that both these treatments are hard on the body and the immune system but I am also aware of the power of the mind.  Chemo and radiation may not be a good alternative for myself and many others but if people (like my sister) believe that it will help them heal or even cure them, so be it.  I am also aware that cancer (even terminal) can be cured through natural and holistic methods. 

One of my favorite stories of cancer survival is the story of one of my favourite spiritual writers – Louise L. Hay, who is a cervical cancer survivor.  Here are two other cancer surviving stories where both individuals refused modern-day treatments (chemo/radiation) and opted for a more natural and holistic way to battle their terminal cancers:

CHRIS WARK (survived stage 3 colon cancer)

You can find out more about Chris and how you survived cancer by visiting his website/blog at:  http://www.chrisbeatcancer.com/

CARL HELVIE (longest living lung cancer survivor)

What we put into our bodies will have either a positive or negative effect on our health.  I hear so many people who say “I know someone who was very healthy, exercised everyday, didn’t eat meat, never drank alcohol and never smoked and passed away”.  My only rebuttal is “that is very rare”.  People who live a healthy lifestyle are not dropping dead without cause and not nearly as much as those who engage in behaviours that is not healthy for the body.  

We should also never under-estimate the power of our minds.  If you think and believe that you can beat or overcome something – you will!  If you think positively, meditate, chant, say positive affirmations, exercise and eat foods that are healthy and nutritious, the body will respond in kind. 

***Please note:  This blog post is not meant as a deterrent for chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  This is only meant to educate people on different and more holistic treatments to cancer.  I am not offering any medical advice what-so-ever.  Treatment for cancer is a personal choice and individuals should consult with medical physicians, holistic health-care practitioners or other health-care professionals to make an informed decision on what treatment would be best for them.***

For more about Louise L. Hay, please visit her website at:  www.louisehay.com

 Together we can make the world a more positive one!