Do you FEEL like a criminal?

[Nailhead]

I don't know what kind of reaction you guys and gals get from your friends/family, but the only people that seem to be cool with it for me are my pot head friends, (no offense, but I just wish I had some unbiased support). I have told my mom and step-dad about it, but they always get real quiet and try to change the subject pretty quickly. Same goes for my sister, it just seems like they are trying to think of something to say to get me to stop, as if this is a problem for me. My dad looked like he was going to pass out when I showed him my recommendation, and I haven't yet said anything to my pro-Bush Christian grandparents. I've also told my friends as well, but most are already pot heads and their only concern is that I'm paying way too much.

But what is starting to really bother me is that of all the questions some of these people ask me, they almost never ask how it treats me with Crohn's disease. They are usually questions like "how do you become legal?" "where do you get it?" "How much does it cost?" or "What about your job?" (my job tests at random).

It just seems like everybody, whether they support me, or have their reservations, act as if I'm doing something wrong. I keep finding myself more and more depressed during my daily routine of grinding and packing a bowl after work because I feel like something about all of this is wrong. Then, of course, I realize I can't dare talk about this depression to any of my concerned family members because they will just say "marijuana causes depression, bla bla bla" But it's not the marijuana, it's that none of the people who's opinions I actually consider meaningful seem to give a rats ass if marijuana is making me feel better, because they think I'm on my way towards becoming some criminal loser.

Anybody else having similar issues like this?

[Marco Renda]

Well for the family members and friends who are not supportive I would gather as much information about medical marijuana and how it helps patients with your ailment and give it to them to read. There are a couple of patient stories in our magazine TREATING YOURSELF that actually will help

Take Care and Peace
Marco

[Mamahawk6]

Chin up Nailhead. People fear what they don't understand. I believe it has been that way forever. I concur with Marco, get the literature, show em' what counts. Just knowing Yourself and what works for YOU is the key!

[Storm Crow]

Dad was fairly open minded, didn't really like the idea of his baby girl toking pot, but he said I was an adult and able to make my own decisions. Mom shared one with me on my wedding day, sadly she preferred her Johnny Walker and it killed her. My brother is into, sometimes, using drugs I won't touch. I wrote off the in-laws long ago- very Christian and "no way". They didn't approve of me. Their loss!

Have you hit your family with the medical evidence? Here's what I've found- it's in the New Year's post I did, in case you ever need it again.

*Cannabis-based drugs could offer new hope for inflammatory bowel disease patients
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/28584.php

*Cannabis may soothe inflamed bowels
http://www.chanvre-info.ch/info/en/Cannabis-may-soothe-inflamed.html

*In the Human Colon: Cannabinoids Promote Epithelial Wound Healing
http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/PIIS0016508505009297/abstract

*Crohn's Patients Report Symptomatic Relief From Cannabis
http://www.thehempire.com/index.php/cannabis/news/4650

*Cannabis Helps Ulcers And Crohn's Disease
http://www.thehempire.com/index.php/cannabis/news/cannabis_helps_ulcers_and_crohns_disease

*Bowel Study Backs Cannabis Drugs
http://www.thehempire.com/index.php/cannabis/news/bowel_study_backs_cannabis_drugs

*Cannabis use by patients with inflammatory bowel disease
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WKH-4NH15FJ-CK&_user=10&_coverDate=04%2F30%2F2007&_alid=654077552&_rdoc=143&_fmt=summary&_orig=search&_cdi=6907&_st=13&_docanchor=&view=c&_ct=1476&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=20cf4aea80fd25df12dcc522e0951943

*Endocannabinoids and the gastrointestinal tract: what are the key questions?
http://www.nature.com/bjp/journal/v152/n5/abs/0707422a.html

*MARIJUANA AND IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) (anecdotal)
http://www.rxmarihuana.com/christine.htm

*Marijuana and Crohn’s Disease (anecdotal)
http://www.rxmarihuana.com/chrohns3.htm


Print them up and dump the evidence in their laps. If they aren't convinced by the end of their reading, I don't know what to do! Some folks (like my in-laws) are just wrong-headed!

[Binky]

Get some of the literature that our friend Storm Crow suggests amd drop it off in the bathroom reading rack:) If you catch them alone they will be more willing to at least hear you out. If they are of the type "show me the facts" show it to them! especially when nobody has died from its use compared to pharma or hard drugs.

[TwistedSister]

HERE HERE!! I so agree about spread the word about why we use! Oh Yes Years ago there were poeple who called me a pothead or druggie! But when My health got bad and all I was using were the pills the doctors all have me on! Those people didn't like what I had befcome! A druggie to pills! I hated who I was too! But now That I have added Mj into the picture of helping my health! Those people started noticing that I was me again! I also learned that I needed to be honest with them and myself too!

Peace
twisted sister

[Pain Pal]

Hell no I don.t feel like a crimnal just the opposit.Using something natural to help my problems is far better then using prescription drugs that have a lot of bad side affects and not much help for the problems that affect you.Like it has been sugested in this thread,Show them the truth and if they still disagree with you ,to bad because that makes them look uneducated.TY mag. has lots of stories of how much it helps people and without the danger of side affects.I hope they take the time to learn for your sake.
Peace & puff
____John

[Buffalocannabis]

Nail head, I encountered the same problem with my family. They knew how much I adore indulging cannabis for medical use and that it helps me to pick up sounds better due to the capacity of hearing loss I have. Everytime I bring up the subject, my sister would immediately attack me, "Gosh, you are always talking about pot.. pot this .. pot that... " then the whole family would go on ranting about how it is illegal and how they could lose their job if I get caught while I was living under their roof temporarily.

Thanks to Treating Yourself magazine. After I showed my first article in the Treating Yourself magazine, they are really cool about my cannabis consumption because they knew I was serious about it, but just like any good parents, they are worry about the consequences of me getting caught with it. After they read a few articles in written by different patients, my mother took Treating Yourself magazines and shared it with the other nurses at her work, plus with her friends and some well known doctors as well. THAT'S THE RIPPLE EFFECT WE WANT TO CREATE, MY FRIEND. :)

Shine on, bros and sis. We may not be completely safe from the consequences, but people like us will continue to educate to make the world a safer place for us. Sometimes, it is a good idea to start with your family and friends. They may never understand it or refuse to understand it, however it is still a good start.

Pack that bowl . :)

[carl]

just be yourself my friend and there can be no fault in that :)

[pflover]

I feel for you. I can understand how hard it must be to be in your possition. Thankfully by and large I have not had this issue with my friends and family. When it comes to the actual medical benefit they have no question that it is beneficial.

I know tho I am doing nothing wrong, immoral, or unethical. I live my life as good person and try to help others. Cannabis does not change this and I know it and no one can take that away from me.

The support of friend and family in general is critical tho for proper mental health and proper mental health improves the prognosis for conditions like crohn's where as stress exasserbates them. You are absolutely right about what is going on. Hang in there. Make new friends. ;)

Hugz!

[twoguysupnorth]

no i dont feel like a criminal ever. i guess i was blessed with some understanding parents and family. the ones that dont want to talk about it dont, even some of the older ones that dont agree dont say anything derogatory about it. my partners parents are the not really talk about it type. they once came over and saw a flat of seedlings, they were like is that what i think it is? their only concern was, yes its illegal and it might affect their sons job. both parents and partner work in a hospital setting. give them some knowledge and i think for the most part they will get over it.

[Max Toby]

I feel for you. I feel like I just read one of my first posts. I also have Crohn's and am a newly liscensed MMJ user/grower. Everyone wants a card, like its a Boob inspectors card or something. Even my father, a science teacher, who I thought would support it more now that I have a card (like a prescription)still gives me a hard time.
I'll argue with anyone who has ever taken pain pills (they are poison) if they want to poopoo my pot. It allows me to work and to live.
I am happy to have the card, but I would be much happier without the disease, while I kicked back and smoked some weed. Legalize it.

Someday...
while I'm dreaming I want to win the lottery.

Peace
Max:cool:

[sevens]

The Problem Is Ignorance .when Not Informe Family Member Can Be A Bit Of A Problem .i Do Not Feel Like A Criminal But ..some Member Of The Family Do Not Want Me Or My Wife To Contact Them On Th Pc . They Do Not Want To Be Associate With Us ....who Is Loosing In That Deal ..them Not Me ....i Am Not A Criminal .happy Valentine All ....7....:)

[Buffalocannabis]

this may sounds a bit strange, but my perspective on criminals in this case are the regular closet cannabis smokers who do absolutely nothing to change the medical/recreational cannabis laws.

I understand the fear of getting backlashed or caught, but if more cannabis users speak up, the prohibition itself would get backlashed, not likely them. :)

:confused:

[cheryl9608]

I understand the fear of getting backlashed or caught, but if more cannabis users speak up, the prohibition itself would get backlashed, not likely them.

Unfortunately, many people risk their livelihoods by coming out. All of my friends smoke, but just about all of them are professionals who could well lose their jobs if arrested. Sad, but true. Thank god, I now have a profession where I can openly admit to cannabis use, and I never am apologetic about it. I used to try to cover the smell coming from the back of my store, but now, if someone mentions it, I just say, "Yes, I medicate." Most people, even the non-smoker customers, seem okay with this. In fact, it has opened up many conversations about medical marijuana.

[hollowpoint]

pain pal has it right. we have basic human rights and one of them is to be able to live without constant pain, whatever the cause.
I just wrote to every senator in our upper house of parliament (canada) because the conservatives are trying to force through a new crminal bill that virtually gurantees that, if caught, med users could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years.and we have a federally approved medical marijuana program, BS. we have 2000 permits issued for all of canada, in 6 years of the program's existence. the doctors in my province won't sign the permit but some are willing to sign a form for a compassion club which means you're still illegal and have no protection from the law. what a horrible joke on our sick and dying who could benefit so much from its use as I have.
I identified myself in the letter and even provided my phone number so they could verify any details, realizing it could out me big time. I'm just too pissed off to care anymore.
this has to be challenged in court to find out who is the major blockage to our permit program and maybe a class action suit will get them listening. it's gone on far too long.
if all of the med users could just write one letter to their mp or senator it would do fantastic things to wake up the politicians to the large voting block we actually control. sitting quiet while waiting for some miracle to take place is what has allowed this to carry on for the last 50 years.
remember, a lot of folks are still relying on the bs of the 50's to formulate their opinion of marijuana and they still envision the hippy culture of the 60's when you mention weed for any purpose.
so stock up on the tons of research available on the net supporting medical use for a variety of diseases and when asked next time, you can dazzle em with what they don't know about the subject. of course this didn't mean a dam to my gp who is my age as he is governed by the demands of the pharmaceutical monster who stand to lose millions is this ever gets off the ground as a viable choice for many.

[Hammer]

Well keep trying.. alot of good ideas in the posts here. I for one, am lucky to have the support of my wife. She seen first hand how it helps me. Best Wishes..

And no I dont feel a criminal though the court system would..what.. they gonn arrect all 1 million peep ewho have tried marijuana in USA?

[Buffalocannabis]

I agree that livelihood are at risk for coming out as cannabis consumers. I think it is getting easier to come out right now than it was twenty years ago. I think we are seeing less major risks involved in changing the cannabis laws, except for conservative states such as Oklahoma, but I would not be surprised that once it is legalized in the whole country, we still will have to clean up many little messes left from prohibition. In most of the states that already passed medical uses, there are still obstacles for them to maintain enough supplies, such as being restricted to the limited numbers of plants to grow. Funny thing that even New York hasn't legalized medical cannabis yet, a few states who already legalized medical marijuana did take the next step forward to allow their patients and caregiver grow or possess more cannabis for themselves. Those friendly states realized that it is hard to produce edible cannabis food for those who cannot puff on regular basis without exhausting the cured supplies quickly on a dozen plants or less. It is too bad that Californians with medical card could still be fired from their job for using cannabis. Those little things need attention and changes in order to improve the livelihood of medical cannabis consumers. It would be nice if everything is changed overnight. It will be a little awhile before we feel that it did change overnight.

Like what you are doing, I am open with the medical cannabis conversation. A lot of people around here feel the same way about allowing medical use and most are okay with responsible recreational use, so it is good to know. :)

[Buffalocannabis]

Well keep trying.. alot of good ideas in the posts here. I for one, am lucky to have the support of my wife. She seen first hand how it helps me. Best Wishes..

And no I dont feel a criminal though the court system would..what.. they gonn arrect all 1 million peep ewho have tried marijuana in USA?

Yeah, having a girlfriend/wife/boyfriend/husband that respects medical/recreational cannabis use is great to know. It makes life a lot easier for those who needs it medically. :o

I hope to have a girlfriend/wife that will tolerate it, because I know I will be making a lot more vegan food for the house and get more housework done, too. Yummy. :p

[benwire]

Our culture is hard to defend when theres constant lies coming at us steady. It never suprizes me how much misimformation that the corporation puts out there to keep the movement off balance, and thereby entrenching prohibitionist views with junk science such as the mental concerns we've seen lately. When you see how much money is involved keeping the status quo, its makes me angry. I have been very inspired lately watching Rick Simpsons documentry (Run from the Cure) at phoenixtears.ca an amazingly inspiring look at hemp oil (hash or weed oil) and how he cured many cancer patients, it is spreading this information to the dieing and thier families that will start a wave. please get the Documentary at his site
make dvd copies and distribute, its free and he wants this knowledge outthere.

[gelu65]

I dont feel like a criminalbut I have to act a bit like one because the wife is made paranoid by the threats of the feds here in california. I am legal but that does not calm her one bit. At one time before I was legal if I had some thing growing and the heicopter was searching for someone there went my plants.

[Nailhead]

I'm feeling better today, I kinda' left a big part of the story out when I posted this and I think this is why I was feeling the way I was.

I just recently quit a job that does drug tests at random, and even though I know the smart thing to do would be to get a job before quitting my current one, I just wasn't able to do this. I have enough money to get by without a job for a while, but I think it was because during my last week of work I was really in a deep funk because I felt like I was making a HUGE mistake, I still get those thoughts at times, but I keep trying to remind myself that this is something I've wanted to do for some time to explore a career I would enjoy. I didn't hate my old job, actually.....(and since I'm anonymous I can say this; I couldn't help but ball up when walking to my car on the last day)...but the constant stress of knowing any day I could be called up for a drug test and possibly loose my job was just getting to be too much to deal with.

So the combination of being somewhat reckless, and dealing with people's ignorant attitudes put me into a week of depression. I'm still very anxious about what I will do for a job, but I do feel much better and certainly don't feel like a criminal anymore, (at least not for now), but thanks for all the words of support! :)

I'm feeling a little excited about what I might do in the future, I'd LOVE to work at a medical co-op but I figure since I don't know anyone personally working at one I probably won't be able to do that....but someday I'd sure love to do that! I'm hoping I can get a job with flexible hours so I can start attending local community meetings regarding medical marijuana, there were a couple I missed last year that I really wanted to go to, but couldn't because of my work. I finally feel free to talk publicly about medical marijuana, I just hope I can find a job that allows me to freely talk about my medical marijuana situation without the fear of being fired. So for this reason, I'm excited.

But of course, sometimes I just have to stop and think...."Dude, what are you doing?" I do make really stupid choices from time to time, I just hope this isn't another one of them :(

[neutrino99]

...to follow your dreams or your heart to find work. We spend many hours of our life at toil and the only ones that I find are happy are those that truly love their work.

For Marco though this mag can drag him down and people can make assumptions about his finances and how hard the work can be - it is a labour of love for him and I'm certain what keeps him going when things seem bleak and thankless.

There is no greater joy than feeling a sense of purpose and belonging and it was something I never found in previous work. I found there were only two places I could be accepted (work wise) and even then it was debateable. Writing - can do this from home and no one sees me and a fitness instructor for seniors and disabled folks. No one understood me better than my senior clients. (who wouldda thunk it??)

My mother loves me and accepts my use but still fears this (even with my card) and makes very unhelpful comments and assessments. At least she still loves me. My use has been a bone of contention with the man in my life as his job has been on suspension for going on two years now for MY cannabis use. He wont agree to leave me and they wont lay down his punishment so he is in limbo with no pay raise and only allowed to work part time till they hand down his sentence. Card or no he would likely want me to quit. Bless him for never saying so - but understandable why our relationship is under strain. He is still with me and I am grateful for that - even with the distance.

My brother wont even tell his kids that I am sick. I am not allowed to mention pain or Crohns or the bathroom and have been thrown out of his house for saying I had a bad day. He is merely trying to protect his kids but one day they will be old enough to know me and to know I use and then they can decide for themselves if they want to see me. I am not allowed to drive the kids anywhere either.

Meh - their loss - some of those judging me could be helped by what I use so I just feel sorry for them that they are so closed that they cannot think for themselves.:cool:

[Nailhead]

Sorry to hear about that neutrino99, is that even legal what your husband's work is doing? How can they punish him for something you are doing? Sucks about what your brother is doing too, that's pretty crazy he won't let you even talk about your condition around his family, I wonder if he realizes sheltering his kids like that will only backfire in the long run. My sister doesn't have any requirements like that when I'm at her place, but I still avoid talking about medical marijuana in front of her kids just because I feel a little weird about it. I guess if someone believes marijuana really is a gateway drug or a dangerous health concern I could understand people being afraid of even talking about it.

[Buffalocannabis]

Ignorant is the gateway drug. :D

[Buffalocannabis]

my mistake with the spelling... it should've been Ignorance. oops. namaste.

[Angus]

..feel like a criminal. but it's so difficult sometimes. Having just moved here from a country where cannabis is not only a lot easier to come by, but attitudes towards it are a lot less maniacal (for want of a better term) than they are here (U.S.) and I must admit the amount of ignorance and religion flying around in this country has kind of taken me by surprise. I expected much less of that kind of crap these days.

As for the drug test thing. I dont and have never understood this kind of carry-on. What business of anybody's is it what the hell we do with our bodies at the weekends ? I think this kind of personal invasion of privacy is un-constitutional at best. I have actually just signed with a company who wanted me to agree to random drug tests, which I agreed to, and has not happened yet. Right now if they tested me they'd find nothing as I havent been able to find anything to smoke here yet, but it's only a matter of time. I certainly dont want to work for any company which tries to dictate how I live my personal life, so, I will be telling them where to stick their job if they have a problem with me smoking anything that they detect in my urine. I guess it'll just depend on how much they really want me as an employee. I have no shortage of offers of work from other companies.

Hang in there. We all know who the real criminals are. The bloody plant police.

[average joe]

There are some people I know that look at me sideway about smoke but my kids and my immediate family are ok with it. Its your business, it works for you. pain- approval its an easy choice.

[neuroherb]

Well since I have four convictions & have to list them for all various reason job offers, entry to countries etcc.. I guess I know I am a criminal although I have never felt like one.

[kenbev40]

Myself I feel trapped I smoke to control back pain do to spinal damage while in the Navy. I've been on naurctic for so long now they do nothing more then make me sick and cause me to throw up. There is still pain relief at doses high enough to kill anyone else but what I have to pay in craps vomiting and the blank noods. They can keep it I totally sick of it I don't sleep when using my pain medication I nood then awaken nood and awaken. The only relief that I truly know is Cannbis the only peace of mind.While I would never dream of hurting a fly, stealing anything or braken any law included traffic laws but one. The DARE program has all ready started to cause me problem. Now have worry about the small thing my son might say. You might think I'm crazy but it's happened already I've had cop show up want to search our home because of something my son said. I haven't heard back from them in 7 months now after telling the cop you'll need more then that to search here. However I've live in fear of there return ever since waiting for the last shoe to drop. Praying everyday that they'll leave me peace just another day.

[Buffalocannabis]

Yeah, Dare program stinks. It is our tax dollars at work. It's another form of entrapment. The cops could do just about anything they want after sons' and daughters' give confessions about parents smoking cannabis. I would not feel safe at all. tThis is something where concerned parents and citizens are encouraged take actions to legalize medical/recreational cannabis in their hometown, so no one, especially with people in pain, do not need to deal with this kind of paranoia.

[average joe]

The cannibus helps me too. However, I'm on a waiting list for something they call dry needle therapy. They desensitize cetain muslces in the back. I don/t know much about it but I'm hoping it will help.

[neuroherb]

I'm guessing the DARE program is when the cops go into the schools. We have similar here & again its just another disengenious move by the police. The government goes on & on about how they want to educate the children about drugs however when the police actually get the chance to go into the schools they use it as a fishing expadition to find out where to raid. The simple question of "This is a piece of cannabis resin who has seen this before?" seems inocent but I can assure you is anything but.

[kenbev40]

Dare program has a cops at each every school there full time. We tell our kids to trust police and teachers so when the cops from DARE say to our children we're only looking to help your mommy & daddy by the way we have some gifts for you for being so good just tell us what you've seen at home. The kids fall for it dad and mom go to jail the child loses there family. Then the state comes in a steals everything you own by saying that it was bought with drug money. The home the cars and everything in the home are sold to pay for many more family's being destroyed for a "leaf rolled in a cage".

[average joe]

Is this dare program in Canada. It sounds like gestapo tactics. The real crime is the Orwellian mentality that we are teaching are children. I'm actually shocked. If people are coming to this country to be free then freedom is a matter of perspective.

[kenbev40]

Nope Joe Dare is something force on us in the land of free(the free what ? is something I would like anwered).

[Angus]

You have to question the mentality of some of the little brats that would rat their parents out like that. But having said that, its still mindbending that the powers that be are allowed to twist simple posession laws into this kind of nazi law enforcement. It has never been their business what we do in our own homes. Bastards.

[kenbev40]

Hey Joe did you happen to see what Mccains responce to a question about MMJ ? Mccain told her that he didn't believe that smokeing pot could ever help relieve pain that it was just in her head. You think the Bush years was hard on MMJ Mccain will have us all in jail. He's another one of the empty heart and head narrow minded old drunken man who can't keep there pains zipped up the ones who thinks he know want best for all of us.
I just pray Obama gets the office he's from one of the free states (or those with MMJ laws). He said he would stop the Damned Evil Assholes from busting the sick and injuried.

[Purple Power]

When I told my parents (this was several years ago) I'm a mmj patient, my mom was quiet and my dad went threw the roof. I asked them to think how I was 6 months ago. I was on Bextra, vicodin, carisoprodol, promethazine, protonix, alprazolam. I took at least 18 pills a day, but I still had migraines, memory loss (from pills), my pain was out of control, vomiting, I had wild mood swings (usually short tempered/aggressive), I couldn't sleep, just to name a few of the problems. I didn't want to live, but I had too for my kids.

My mom told me, 'I'm sorry to say this, but you were a bitch while you on the pills.' although she said roughly 6 months ago she got her baby girl back. My mom is still quiet to this day about mmj.

My dad calmed down and thought about my question. He agreed that mj had helped me and may have medical use. Later when one of his employees was injured in a motor accident, he suggested mj and again he saw mj help that person.
The only problem my dad has with mmj is it's not legal at the federal level.


Do I feel like a criminal? no, It's my choice what I do with my life, not my medical conditions.

Have I been treated like a criminal? Yes
I had to fight child protective service, and I won. I didn't stop growing or medicating while I fought. I went threw their "druggie classes" They let me graduate after the 4th new counselor. they usually lasted 2 week before they'd quit. A short example, they would try "it's a gateway drug" I replied no its not, the true 'gateway' drugs are legal- tobacco and alcohol. "it stays in your system longer so when you drive, you're a drugged driver" That counselor went to the bar and had a few drinks the night before. My reply was alcohol is still in your system since it takes a couple of days for alcohol to leave your body, therefore according to your own theory you' re a drunk driver. That counselor was trying to quit smoking (tobacco), she had achieved 1 week before meeting me. When she called for break ( supposed to be 15 minutes), she smoked 1 1/2 packs in 45 minutes. :D

[kenbev40]

Hello Miss Purple The VA was feeding me Vicodin for 8+yrs then just last year they stopped because they were afraid I might become addicted to them. To tell you truth I really don't miss them I long past get relief from them they just made me sick just the foolishness behind the VA's fears. I hate all that stuff they can keep it any more it just makes me sick. I'm still on 32mg of Morphine twice a day to control the the back pain hell that I've been left with from the navy.
The only thing that brings peaceful relax to my days of pain hell is MMJ it's the only relief that still works after 20+ years of pain meds.