Ganja Vibes Blog

OM

Closing the eyes, sitting and meditating, ouuvvvvm closing the hands, opening the mind, searching peace to find, circles of light, velocity of pace, of Almighty`s grace, stop thinking, loud voices in the ears, mingling of finite to infinite ooouuuvvvm

© A POEM BY DR. RAM SHARMA MEERUT, INDIA

 source: http://foreverlive777.wordpress.com/

OM.

A BEGINNERS GUIDE FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS

20 JANUARY 2011 This is intended for those of you who are interested in using cannabis therapeutically but who are not fully familiar with what’s involved in becoming a patient in California. Whether you have been advised to try cannabis by your physician or, if you are wondering if medical cannabis could work for you — this guide will (hopefully) help you understand: How to become a medical cannabis patient; how to navigate the California dispensary framework; and various ways to use cannabis that you may encounter on your journey to better managing your health. Let’s begin by talking about what cannabis is and how it works on the body. Cannabis is one of the oldest forms of medicine that exists in the world, with evidence dating back to 4,000 B.C.  The word cannabis is used to describe the fresh plant and dried buds used for smoking/vaporizing (we call food made with cannabis extracts, “edibles”).  Although the effectiveness of medical cannabis has been disputed by most governments (please visit this link to find out why and how cannabis became illegal in the first place), medical cannabis/compassionate use programs now exist in 15 states nationally. Modern research suggests that cannabis is a valuable aid in the treatment of a wide range of clinical applications. These include pain relief – particularly of neuropathic pain (pain from nerve damage), migranes – nauseaspasticity, glaucoma, and movement disorders like Arthritis. Marijuana is also a powerful appetite stimulant, specifically for patients suffering from HIV, the AIDS wasting syndrome, or dementia or anorexia. It has been shown to assist with gastro-intestinal disorders and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Emerging research suggests that marijuana’s medicinal properties may actually protect the body against some types of malignant tumors and are neuroprotective. There are also a wide range of mental health problems that our patients have found relief from.  Depression,anxietyinsomniaADD, and lack of libido come up frequently at the dispensary as reasons for medical cannabis use. How can cannabis work so well in treating many illness’ and symptoms? Cannabis’ efficacy has been well-proven by using our own endocannabinoid system, which is involved in a variety of physiological processes including appetite, pain-sensation, mood, and memory; it also mediates the psychoactive effects of cannabis.  The cannabinoids from the cannabis plant fit nicely into human cannabinoid receptors. Thus, the cannabinoids from the cannabis plant can be utilized by the human cannabinoid system. For more detailed info Public Medical.gov ,has many articles illustrating the role of our own endocannabinoid system, find them by searching “endocannabinoid system” in the search box. One of the most abundant cannabinoids in cannabis – THC – creates a euphoric effect. The other cannabinoids in cannabis do not. CBD is another cannabinoid in cannabis. CBD has medicinal applications both in conjunction with THC, but also independently of it. Other cannabinoids also have likely medicinal applications though there is less data available. Once you and/or your physician decide to look into cannabis as treatment, you must obtain a “recommendation” for medical cannabis use from a licensed California MD. This is a little different from a traditional prescription written by your doctor and must include the language “I recommend” rather than “I prescribe” or, “I am aware of cannabis use”, as written in the California compassionate use act enacted in 1996, Prop 215.  The statement may include, but does not have to, a reason for treatment or any limits, exceptions or guidelines for the patient.  The letter MUSTinclude: the Dr.’s signature, the date the statement was written and a phone number or website where cannabis dispensaries can call the doctor’s office to verify the date of expiration or re-evaluation of the cannabis recommendation, usually one year. If your physician is unsure how to format the recommendation, find a PDF file of a BLANK PHYSICIAN’S STATEMENT here. This letter can be written by ANY LICENSED CALIFORNIA MD and does not have to be made by your primary physician. Many doctors offices now exist that only see patients for medical marijuana evaluations and do not perform other medical doctor duties in that office (let’s call them Medical Cannabis Doctors). Although I would still suggest you attempt to talk to your primary physician/oncologist, etc first — Sometimes those doctors, who do not deal with cannabis evaluations daily, can be unclear on the legality of what you are asking them or, in the case of Kaiser Permanente, have their legal managers forbid them from writing the note properly (Kaiser Dr.’s cannot use the word “recommendation” even though the law explicitly asks for it) – even for the terminally ill. Mother Jones magazine recently wrote an article, How to get a Pot Card (Without Really Trying). In it, the author and his wife had a competition to see who could obtain a medical marijuana recommendation the fastest – the author, for “writer’s cramp” a vague, undocumented pain in his wrist, went to a Medical Cannabis Doctor; his wife, for the treatment of painful, rheumatoid arthritis with complications found from prescribed pharmacy meds, went to her rheumatologist.Who do you think became a medical patient first? Even a quick search pulls up dozens of articles regarding medical cannabis and treating the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis but still, her rheumatologist and a GP she saw afterwards, were not willing to write her a letter of recommendation for cannabis treatment.  The author obtained a recommendation for his writer’s cramp quite easily, costing him $70 and not covered by his insurance. Going to a doctor who specifically evaluates for cannabis use will certainly mean that cannabis will be considered for your case. Also, Medical Cannabis Doctors often have systems in place that make it very simple for dispensaries to contact them at any time for verification of the physician’s statement, like a website or 24 hour phone number.  California NORML has compiled a list of medical cannabis evaluators by city, find it here. Others can be found by searching with Google. Verification can sometimes be more difficult for patients who’s physicians keep shorter hours or are harder to reach. For those patients we recommend obtaining a verified Patient I.D. Card from thePatient I.D. Center in Oakland (suggested) or a Patient I.D. from the Public Health Department of your county- in addition to your recommendation.  Theses ID cards can help stream-line the registration/verification process when you visit dispensaries for the first time because you have been pre-verified by one of these agencies. Usually, each dispensary you visit will verify your letter of recommendation once when you first register and again each year when you renew your patient status – so it is important your doctor is reachable. To clarify: the additional I.D. is not mandatory – as long as your doctor can be reached by phone or online, PCC will accept and try to verify any recommendation from any licensed California MD.  Aone-time-basis visit will be allowed pre-verification if  the patient has provided an original letter with an embossed seal with either a California ID/DL or photo I.D and proof of CA residency.  Once verified, please bring your valid patient information and a valid California I.D or driver’s license each time you visit. Once you receive your recommendation, you are a qualified medical cannabis patient, protected by Prop 215 to possess, consume, transport and grow cannabis. If you aren’t planning on growing your own medicine you will be visiting a medical cannabis dispensary. Here at Berkeley Patients Care Collective we strive to make the first time visit to our dispensary as comfortable and educational as possible.  First time patients come in every day that, because of changes to their health, have decided to try cannabis – sometimes for the first time in decades. For these patients, the cannabis they remember from their teens is often quite different from the quality and potency of cannabis that dispensaries carry these days, and with many more choices available. The registration process at Berkeley Patient’s Care Collective includes a complete introduction to all types of medicine by one of our extremely informed consultants. When you approach the security at the door, save time by having your physician’s statement and California ID or driver’s license out and ready to be examined.  As a first time patient, security will direct you to the front office where you will fill out our membership registration form.  You will also be informed of our guidelines and hours of operation, etc. From there, front desk staff walks you to a personal consultant who will acquaint you with how our counter is set up and guide you through your entire experience with information and recommendations, answering any questions you may have along the way. The first time you visit a dispensary, it’s likely there will be a lot of phrases, strains and products you are not familiar with. Take your time, ask questions and look at different things. A lot of patients enjoy smelling a variety of strains before they make their decision –”The nose, knows!”.  For the new user however, this method isn’t always helpful, as new patient’s aren’t used to judging the smell for quality or taste.  Share your desired effect – like whether you’re using cannabis for pain or for mood; maybe you’d like to try edibles or using a vaporizer- with your consultant, and a little experimentation of your own, is the best approach to learning about cannabis as medicine. Coming soon,… Part II of A Beginners Guide to Medical Cannabis… manager David will clearly explains how to go about choosing the right strain and an easy formula for finding what you need when confronted with a sea of foreign strain names. It’s important, for a certain level of comfort, to feel assisted yet in control of your dispensary experience. Do your own research to find the best dispensaries or doctors in your area.  User-based resources like Yelp and Weedmaps can help you find the very best products and service just by reading other patient reviews. Dispensaries should be happy to talk to potential new patients on the phone about what to expect on your first visit, so feel free to call ahead if a phone number is provided. Expect high quality service and if you don’t get it, take your business elsewhere. There are steps you can personally take to make your dispensary experience more comfortable – this interesting article in East Bay Express called Medical Marijuana Dispensary Etiquette – 101 is a useful tool in helping to cultivate the right attitude and in being prepared. Our own David Bowers is quoted several times within! source: http://berkeleypatientscare.com/2011/01/20/a-beginners-guide-for-medical-cannabis/

Alkaline Foods, do a body good!

  source: https://twitter.com/supergreendani/status/207625420865159169/photo/1

Proportionate Body Building

  When sculpting your body into the ideal image you've always dreamt of, remember to focus on the whole picture. Proportionate body building is so important to your over all health and longevity. Bodybuilding.com - Know Your Measurements For Bodybuilding Success.. Be healthy, look good, live long!

Freedom

All of the hard work our service women and men do allow us the freedoms we exercise every day in our great country, the United States of America. Collectively, we remember and honor these amazing people who looked beyond themselves for the greater good today. Without them, we the citizens would not be able to live with minds and hearts wide open, so full of love and abundance. Since they do such a fantastic job, as we coexist together, expand in ways you've always wanted:

Become a Freedom Fighter

May 27, 2011 By 
When I think back, sure there were decisions I made and steps I took – but it all really began with starting to fight for my freedom. Read on carefully because this could mean the difference between living your life always feeling like you have missed your best or living life to your full personal potential…..and beyond.People often ask me, how did I transform myself from an everyday, conservative executive into being super fit, a surf chic, world traveler, fitness model and business owner?
The dictionary defines a freedom fighter as anyone who fights for the cause of freedom. Usually we hear the term in reference to armed forces or resistance movements fighting for political freedom. But today, we are talking about your personal freedom; the right to live out your life as the real person you are, free from past bad experiences, stifling social expectations, physical limitations, materialism and debt. Maybe sitting where you are today this sounds like a pie in the sky dream. Maybe you are at work in a job you hate, at home in your baggies listening to the kids watching TV, maybe it’s late at night after getting home (again) from a long exhausting day, maybe you just got dealt a big disappointment or maybe you just can’t shake that feeling…there must be something better. I am here to tell you there is. It all starts with simply realizing – no matter where you are today you have the freedom to think how you wish. No one “owns” what goes on inside your head; your thoughts are your property. And the right thoughts will lead to better decisions and then to life changing actions. So get ready to starting thinking a little differently. Emotional Freedom
You have the right to be happy, enjoy good feelings, be loved and love. Begin to let go of past bad experiences that are undermining your sense of self-worth. Refuse to allow doubt and fear rule your life. Don’t let the past keep stealing from your present and your future. You don’t have to accept controlling and manipulative relationships as “normal”. You are valuable and important and believing someone that tells you any different is allowing yourself to be emotional imprisoned. There are many people who have come through horrific experiences and gone on to lead tremendously fulfilling lives. Be inspired by them, be courageous.

Physical Freedom

Whether it’s being overweight, unfit or unwell you don’t have to accept your current condition. You deserve to feel great, full of energy, strong and alive! Start where you are at today by taking one small step. Maybe you need to see your doctor about that nagging problem or just getting a check up for the first time in years. Maybe you need to cut back on the alcohol or give up smoking. Get that gym membership you’ve been thinking about and sacrifice a little in other areas so you can afford it. You will thank yourself for it down the track.

Sexual Freedom

It’s doesn’t matter if you’ve been married 20 years or been single 20 years – we all have a deep need to express ourselves sexually. Just “going through the motions” isn’t good enough. And sex just isn’t about your body, it’s about what goes on inside your head. What turns you on……no I mean, really turns you on. The answer for each of us will be different, but just thinking about it will start to make you feel…..free. Sexual freedom just isn’t about “sex”..…it’s about getting in touch with the real you at your deepest level, your erotic self. It may be scary expressing those feelings and desires for the first time but it will be exhilarating. And you may be surprised where it may lead. At a minimum you will feel a new level of empowerment that will flow into other areas of your life.

Financial Freedom

Many of our financial systems are designed to imprison you with debt and very little savings. Credit cards, loans, taxes and disincentives to work harder. And we allow bad financial habits to dominate; emotional spending, keeping up with the Joneses, being wasteful for no reason (which is different to enjoying luxury) and refusing to sacrifice something today to save up for something better tomorrow (delayed gratification). Start with just one area of your finances and make a change. Begin keeping a monthly budget to track where your personal spending goes. Start a special savings account (just for you). No matter what your status, single, married, divorced or widowed, you need your own personal financial plan and resources. It is a very important part of your freedom fighter journey. Freedom for Life Being a freedom fighter means resisting the forces at work in the world that are trying to imprison you. It may be past bad experiences, a current abusive relationship, feeling miserable at work, being a slave to a secret bad habit or allowing people tell you what to do and who you should be. But fighting for your freedom doesn’t just mean freedom from bad influences and situations. It also means, fighting for your right to be happy, feel amazing, be physically fulfilled on all levels and free to follow your own life path, your aspirations and dreams. Your personal life happiness is worth fighting for no matter who you are, where you are or what your circumstances. Start being a freedom fighter today. Become a Freedom Fighter | Belinda Benn.
« Previous 1 21 22 23 24 25 29 Next »