Cannabis / Marijuana
Legal in Italy for Medical consumption - see the news:
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/news/news...sp?newsid=3126

Paolo

Now here is a subject that is close to my heart. I have seen the benefits Medical Marijuana can have on people suffering from a variety of illnesses first hand. A good family friend has recently lost his battle with cancer, but the use of his "Volcano" allowed him what little comfort he could get while on several intensive Chemo treatments.

A distant relative of mine who is HIV positive, uses Marijuana to help her deal with the stomach pains she gets from taking her drug "cocktail"

Lastly, the use of Marijuana has helped my own condition known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) when an array of anti-spazmodics, anti-diarreheal and anti-depresants left me feeling even worse. In the end it seems to be the only thing that can time and again stop the intense cramps and pains that have plagued me for over five years.

I'm glad the Italian government has done what so few other countries are willing to do - Ignore US anti-drug pressure and allow people to use what works for them.

It seems that the US has given me the impression that marijuana is a horrible gateway drug. But like alcohol, if you know your limit and use it recreationally, it isn't such a horrible thing.

Remember, "marijuana supports terrorism", anyone remember that commercial? Yeah right. Marijuana supports companies that make junkfood when the hunger hits.

Apparently Italy doesn't have the same view of weed as we do. Those legal papers here would be worth quite alot to people who are using marijuana for the wrong reasons, selling it and making people chronic users of weed so as to make a buck off them...rather than those who use it recreationally...

Justin, isn't there a limit as to how much you can hold at one time, so as to cut down on people using it for illegal purposes? I know for those who have the same rights here, to use medical marijuana, have very severe and strict policies to abide by.

If Italy uses the Dutch system then yes, there will be limits to how much a person can posses. Limits on possesion are important in order to keep some people from selling their "legal" stash instead of using the system the right way. However I don't know what shape the marijuana laws will have in Italy just yet. So far it will only be for medical purposes and not full decriminalization like in the Netherlands so it will probably be highly regulated and distributed by the government.

What gets me is that here in the US, even in States that have approved medical marijuana, you can still face federal charges. The most famous being Ed Rosenthal who at one time faced a 100 year sentence for helping medical pot growers in Oakland . He ended up winning a victory for medical pot with his sentence reduced to a day in jail and a $1000 fine - but he is a marked man.

Any update on this situation? Have they declared any sort of rules and regulations?

I don't know about new rules/regulations, but a friend just emailed me this link.

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/1...eut/index.html

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This title reads; When drugs become a Relief. I kind of thought that marajuana was always used for a relief...

I read all about this the other day..if it works it should be legal to use for the sick..it's used by people who aren't sick! Some want to feel relief from life's pains, so its use should be very legal to those who need it for medicinal purposes. I never tryed drugs and I approve!

I once saw a cow, in downtown Rome, writing on a wall: "Legalize grass!!".

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Interesting the article pointed out by Theresa:
Here is the beginning :

Marijuana may stave off Alzheimer's

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) -- Good news for aging hippies: Smoking pot may stave off Alzheimer's disease.

New research shows that the active ingredient in marijuana may prevent the progression of the disease by preserving levels of an important neurotransmitter that allows the brain to function.

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in California found that marijuana's active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, can prevent the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from breaking down more effectively than commercially marketed drugs.

THC is also more effective at blocking clumps of protein that can inhibit memory and cognition in Alzheimer's patients, the researchers reported in the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics.....

By the way any of you saw the Video from Michel J Fox for stem research for a cure for Parkinson ?

Now if only they could do something for the short-term memory loss..