Monday, November 9 at 12:09 PM:
Andi Bowe from WA & CA wrote:
" I am willing to help on this documentary. I was a seven year independent producer at communitytv.org in Santa Cruz CA, with a two year half-hour weekly series called The Energy Crisis: Fact or Fiction? with my mentor, Dr. Fred Bernard Wood (fredbernardwood.org) as the star and peace as our goal using music and compassionate democracy. I am in my last year of a Walden online PhD program in Education & Leadersgip, Self-Designed, have been a medical marijuana recipient in WA and CA since 2003, have five children, am a Reverend in God's Living Words Ministries in WA, and am dedicated to healing all humans and all species.

I gave the author of The Emperor Wears No Clothes in Bellingham WA at a book signing after the hempfest last year a haiku crystal pouch made of hemp from Romania and a quote he did not have from a Bible written before 1600, where Isaiah 42:3 says "There comes the son of man so gentle, he will not harm the broken reed nor quench the smoking of HEMP, till He bring Peace of Earth and Death is swallowed up in Victory" This has been changed in King James Bibles and New Jerusalem Bible to he will not quench the smoking of flax, or he will not quench the smoldering reed." What do you think of that? Anyway, I have a MacPro and HD digital cameras. I have an IBook and teenagers who also want to help do the videos and digital editing for you movie on PTSD.

We were exposed to the Cantarra spill in 91 one week before my 18 year old daughter was born in Mt. Shasta, and the only thing that helps her lifetime health problems is smoking hemp. I believe in the benefits of wheat grass juice, helped a large business in Mt Shasta, Life Foods, now out of business, in 1984-7.

I started the Spritual UN in 1994,and have had many years of being a guitar, flute and piano teacher dedicated to Native crafts and music preservation and an online information sharing College of Synthesis and am launching MOM'SOS, a Science of Open Systems Learning Centers. I graduated OSU in 1974, and now have a Master's in Education in Instructional Technology from GCU.

I am Director of CSIRI.ORG in WA, a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation. csiri.org has links to featured artists and musicians dedicated to healing victims of domestic violence (my family are included because of a violent dad. We ourselves feel like PTSD victims of the war on the poor on the streets of America, where homelessness is illegal, poverty is a dis-ease on society, and compassionate democracy has never had a greater need for revival."

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 10:25 AM:
pudgeynuts from southeast new mexico wrote:
"can i get medical cannabis in new mexico for ptsd? "

Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 10:54 PM:
J. F. A. from Bend, OR wrote:
" i GROW MED MJ FOR PATIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN ISSUED LEGAL PATIENT CARDS BY THE STATE. i HAVE OBSERVED, JUST BECAUSE OF THE LARGE AMOUNT OF MENTALLY ILL OR DEPRESSED/PTSD PEOPLE I HAVE KNOWN, THAT MARIJUANA IN GENERAL ON A REGULAR BASIS HAS OBVIOUSLY BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL FOR THEIR MENTAL CONDITIONS. i DO FEEL THAT IT SHOULD BE LEGALIZED HERE AS IS IN OTHER STATES FOR A REASON FOR A PRESCRIPTION FOR MARIJUANA SO THEY DO NOT HAVE TO RELY ON PILLS ISSUED BY THE DOCTORS WHICH ALWAYS HAVE SOME KIND OF SIDE EFFECTS."

Received this email - serving, active soldier needs help for using cannabis for PTSD.

ANY ideas will be gratefully accepted, passed on and posted for future public consumption.

thx!

Perry
MERCY
-------------

Monday, May 4 at 8:31 AM:
a Person in the US wrote:
" In Aug '06, on leave from Iraq I had a flashback of an IED from being a Driver, Gunner and TC on convoy missions. This caused me to wreck leading me to be incapable of furthering in my loved career, the military. I have a TBI and feel I have been misdiagnosed saying I do not have PTSD. The medication i was on in '08 lead to me flipping out and trying to kill my mother, which triggered my heart, now i'm horrified to try any more medications for my mind. Specially if I am trying to kill the people I love. A friend of mine was shoot right in front of my eyes Nov.'08 here in the US sending my mind frame back to Iraq. Making it unable to part ways between War and Peace I started self medicated with Marijuana.

I have received 2 article 15's reducing me to a pvt and now facing a chapter for self medicating to maintain in my hostile settings. The military has only one problem with me: They do not know how to except my medication. I know for a fact Cannabis works for particular soldiers when it comes to TBI and PTSD. I find it hard to understand I am getting punished for trying to help myself when they can't. My neurologist try and prescribe THC form pills to me but wasn't able because I don't have cancer. I have to be on the verge of death? If high quality pill medications are taken from severally wounded soldiers and replaced with cannabis I feel less suicides and possibly happier soldiers, I know I am. I probably be chapter out on a dishonorable discharge but if any way I can prevent any other soldier from the trial I have gone through I will do whatever i can.

I find it mind blowing injured soldiers returning home are neglected. I had to change units because mine was still in Iraq. I turned in my promotion points on several occasions in '07 but the unit i was in didn't care enough to correct them. Which lead to me not getting my e-5 and e-6, i made points for both grades but did not receive them for i was broke up soldier and i did not deserved it in their eyes. TBI soldiers can only take so much punishment ! before they jump for the end. We are like little big kids that no one understands. TBI is a new injury to the world, so what better way to treat a problem is there than listening to the people with the problem.

an American Soldier "

Is there are any Military Legal Resources we could suggest?

    Per

Military Legal Resources are tough.

The law on suing the VA and winning has not changed since the civil war. $10/hr attorney fees.

The National Lawyers' Guild, both nationally and in Portland, have been counseling military folks caught up in the 'stop loss' enlistment (where the gov't required national guard soldiers to do extra tours) but I'm unaware of the Guild, or any other progressive legal organization working on issues relating to med mj and vets.

Am guessing the ACLU's Drug Law Project in Santa Cruz may have some suggestions, or ASA in Oakland.

    Lee B.

Dear Soldier,

First...Thank you for your sacrifices on behalf of this country.

Have you considered seeing a doc outside of the military for Marinol (synthetic THC pills)? They're very expensive, but having a prescription for Marilol will explain a positive urine test for marijuana, and aviod getting into more trouble for using marijuana. The military,like the U.S. Government, does not recognise marijauna as medicine.

My neighbor uses marijauna as treatment of PTSD; he's a Vietnam Vet. Generally, Indicas seem to work better than Sativas.

There has been a plan by the military to deny PTSD, and, instead, diagnose TBI. This allows those with TBI to remainin active duty. Also less disability payments. Some have gotten a "second opinion" by a psychologist or psychiatrist outside of the military, again, at their own expense.

Sincere best wishes,
    Clifford

I honor you for self medicating, you are right no one knows better than the people experiencing tha problem what helps best. If you've truly accepted leaving the military because of the Chapter, than my suggestion to you would be to get a civilian lawyer and sue the gov't for abuse. You could talk to others and possibly go for a class action on behalf of all those not being listened to. We have the same problem with lies from the Fed. Gov't concerning no medical benefit, supposedly.

Or write the Pres. and express your story to him, asking for help and accountability from the Military just like the accountability we are looking forward to from him. Empower yourself bro or sis as the case may be.

This is just another front we have to deal with in order to take care of each others back. I have found a lacking from most of our military out here in making a difference, please do not let this dissuade you from taking care of you and yours. Anything I can do to help, please let me know. I have no monetary resources yet I will generate whatever energy needed to do all I can, you matter, you matter to me.

    Rev. Will I. Am Winget
    Church of the Caring

Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 06:45 PM:
somebody wrote:
"Ample anecdotal evidence suggests that cannabis enhances ability to cope with PTSD. Many combat veterans suffering from PTSD rely on cannabis to control their anger, nightmares and even violent rage. Recent research sheds light on how cannabis may work in this regard.

Neuronal and molecular mechanisms underlying fearful memories are often studied in animals by using “fear conditioning.” A neutral or conditioned stimulus, which is typically a tone or a light, is paired with an aversive (unconditioned) stimulus, typically a small electric shock to the foot. After the two stimuli are paired a few times, the conditioned stimulus alone evokes the stereotypical features of the fearful response to the unconditioned stimulus, including changes in heart rate and blood pressure and freezing of ongoing movements. Repeated presentation of the conditioned stimulus alone leads to extinction of the fearful response as the animal learns that it need no longer fear a shock from the tone or light. visit - http://davidbearmanmd.com/docs/ptsdccrmg.htm "

Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 09:48 PM:
Joe Mungai from Illinois wrote:
"Are there any video documentaries on medical marijuana for treating PTSD? "

Friday, November 28, 2008 at 08:30 AM:
Walter from Hawaii wrote:
"am an ex service member, i serviced in iraq an was woundring if i can recived a card for ptsd? i serviced 5 years, and suffer form ptsd, i have all my medical records supporting this but dont want to take pills, cos side affacts. any info would be of great use thank you."

Friday, November 12, 2008 at 08:28 AM:
Justin from Oregon wrote:
"I'm a returning Vet from 2 tours in Iraq. I currently use marijuana because it helps with my PTSD. I recieve 30% disabilty from the VA for PTSD. I would like to get a marijuana ID card if possible.

I just don't know what steps I have to take to get one. I also suffer from chronic back pain in which the VA has given me 0% for cervicalspine sprain and 0% for lumbarspine sprain.

The VA has prescribed me multiple kinds of pill that just don't work. So I would like to go this route if possible.

Any information is appreciated.

Thanks for your time,
Justin"

Monday, July 21, 2008 at 08:05 PM:
"Post-War Suicides May Exceed Combat Deaths, U.S. Says

Insel echoed a Rand Corporation study published last month that found about 20 percent of returning U.S. soldiers have post- traumatic stress disorder or depression, and only half of them receive treatment. About 1.6 million U.S. troops have fought in the two wars since October 2001, the report said. About 4,560 soldiers had died in the conflicts as of today, the Defense Department reported on its Web site. visit - www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124amp;sid=a2_71Klo2vig&refer=home "

Monday, July 21 at 06:20 PM:
"This has been an ongoing coverup....see Truthout link on the VA's denial of PTSD and cover up of vets needs... -Pickle-

Veterans Attest to PTSD Neglect by VA. visit - www.truthout.org/docs_2006/052108J.shtml"

Monday, July 21 at 06:19 PM:
"MARIJUANA AS A TREATMENT FOR PTSD

Does the VA Care?

U.S. District Judge Samuel Conti will rule any day now on a suit brought by Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth. The vets want the judge to order the Department of Veterans Affairs to upgrade its mental-health services. Some 500 vets are committing suicide every month. There is a backlog of 600,000 disability claims, half of them involving post- traumatic stress and depression. The wait to have your claim adjudicated can be five years or more. Lawyers for the VA state that 1,300 therapists have been hired to solve the problem; and anyway, they contend, a judge can't tell the VA how to conduct itself, only Congress can.

see more at - www.counterpunch.org/gardner05262008.html "

July 4, 2008
"As we remember those who have fallen both in defense of our freedom and as a result of questionable wars; my thoughts are of those who could have survived, or could have better treatment or a better quality of life, if medicinal marijuana was a medicine available in military and Veterans Administration hospitals.

That is why I support the work being done by Veterans for Medical Marijuana Access www.veteransformedical marijuana.org/

Richard Lake "

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 07:25 PM:
anthony esquibel - combat marine viet-nam 68-69 from nm wrote:
"why are they so againest something that works? "

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 08:54 PM:
steven from Sacramento, California wrote:
" I have been diagnosed with ptsd since 1991. I have the common PTSD symtoms anxiety, depression, insomnia, nightmares, racing thoughts, flashbacks. About 4 years ago I was in a study for Medical marijuana for pain. and it worked for pain. The interesting thing is that not thinking that it might help with ptsd. I am happy to say that I have had only a couple of nightmares in the last 4 years in contrast i use to have nightmares at least once a week. it also helps with anxiety and helps alot with depression. It also help me center myself and now i can manage my life without much help from others. I do go to regular psych treatment and do still take meds for ptsd along with Medical Marijuana. I would recommend it to anyone who suffers from PTSD. Thank you and god bless "

Friday, March 28, 2008 at 12:28 AM:
Scott from Washington State wrote:
"I am a (medically) retired firefighter/paramedic who was diagnosed with ptsd. I am also an army veteran. After nearly 20 years I was diagnosed with PTSD. As my apathy, anxiety, depression, insomnia, nightmares, etc...increased I started using marijuana to curb some of these problems ... it was the only thing that seemed to make me feel relaxed and able to cope. Since then - for the past 2 1/2 years - I have not smoked ... I have only taken the expensive prescription drugs that my psychatrist gives me and honestly they do nothing - I still have all of my symtoms. He wont even give me Valium for my severe anxiety. I regulary meet with my psychatrist and my psychologist (for the past 5 years now) and I honestly do not think they have helped at all ... nothing seems to help, like the marijuana did. I just wish I could get it legally...the laws are ridiculous. If I could get a medical marijuana card, I truly believe I could get some relief from my symtoms. Hang in the best you can brothers, Good luck to you all, I know how tough it is! "

Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 09:33 AM:
Nicholas from Maine wrote:
"I have been using marijuana (in conjunction with traditional therapy) to treat PTSD symptoms since 2006. After experimenting with different strains of marijuana, I have determined which types of marijuana work best for treating my symptoms (chronic anxiety, feelings of sudden rage, anxiety related disorders such as OCD). This is a truly effective means of relief for me, yet PTSD is not one of the conditions that warrants a prescription for medical use in the state of Maine- only seriously physically debilitating conditions such as AIDS, cancer, epilepsy, and the like may be treated with medical marijuana. As it stands, what I am doing is considered to be illegal. I am wondering if anybody here has any experience/advice with regard to advocating to local/state officials the implementation of medical marijuana for the treatment of PTSD. Also, if you know of any groups or organizations that would advocate for myself and others like me, that information would be very helpful.

Many thanks, and be well!"

Thursday, April 5, 2007 at 02:11 PM:
green trooper from 'bama wrote:
" it makes me wanna cry. when i think that it was ok for me to go kill ppl. but if i get caught with weed i go to jail. maybe one day our medical comunity will open thier eyes, and recognise how bad some of us are hurting everyday. "

Sunday, March 18, 2007 at 12:20 PM:
Randy from Oregon wrote:
" Iraq vet......ptsd. insomnia, nightmares, anxiety......how do I locate a presciber ?"

Thursday, January 4, 2007 at 08:05 PM:
Sgt. Greenbud/USMC (fmr) from Long Beach, CA wrote:
"Dr. Eidelman recommended cannabis for my injuries, to include PTSD. I served in a constant-combat environment. We sent hundreds home from my unit alone. Semper Fi, Marines! Medical Cannabis was the ONLY thing that helped my condition and made me feel happy instead of agitated, alert, or emotional. The cannabis helped me to feel like it was going to be ok again. I took all the drugs the psychs supply, but they messed me up, so bad I couldn't function or drive. I lost my license do to constant speeding. The cannabis would allow me to slow my whole life down, so that I could manage it again. Life didn't feel like a race against time, which was a common feeling for me at the time. Thanks to all you freedom fighters who are fighting for our right to use medical cannabis. There are many veterans like myself who want to thank you for helping the defenders of the Republic when we needed it. At a time when we need the most help, they are working against us by raiding dispenseries and legitimate medical facilities. Visit: www.myspace.com/p7m8 "