Marijuana, Foxglove and the statute of limitations

Thank God for the statute of limitations! I am able to relate some experiences from my past without being in fear of legal repercussions. This is a good thing, in part because I am a different guy now and don't get involved in drug deals. It also allows me to speak freely.

The Foxglove is a flowering plant that is native to Europe but is often found in North American gardens and grows wild in the Pacific Northwest.

"Many of the common names of this plant pertain to its toxic nature (Witches' glove, Dead Man's Bells, Bloody Fingers). Foxglove belongs to the Figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) and the whole plant is toxic. It contains various cardiac glycosides. Symptoms include dizziness, vomiting, irregular heart beat, and delerium or halucinations.

Digitonin is a Digitalis drug derived from D. purpurea. It is used in modern medicine to increase the force of the systolic contractions and prolong duration of the diastolic phase in congestive heart failure. Digitalis drugs lower venous pressure in hypersensetive heart ailments, elevate blood pressure in a weak heart act as a diuretic, and reduce edema. However, the theraputic dose is dangerously close to the lethal dose. Historically, Foxglove was employed by herbalists for a variety of purposes, fom an ointment used for cleansing wounds and reducing swelling to boiling it and using it as an expectorant."
(see above link)

Foxglove can obviously be dangerous and yet it has its uses. In the case of one of my daughters, it helped save her life. She had to take a pediatric form of Digitalis, Lanoxin, in order to live as a little baby and took the medication until the age of four years. Even though Foxglove is poisonous, the extract is a lifesaver for some.

Pot

Marijuana has been promoted as a medicinal herb in treating cancer patients, HIV patients, those with migraines, nerve ailments and other possible uses as well. A fairly recent study, Marijuana and Medicine concluded that clinical trials could be beneficial in certain cases, leading to the common use of marijuana in such cases. There are many organizations devoted to the legalization of marijuana and some of them concentrate solely on the use of marijuana as medicine (most want it legalized, period).

CNN.COM has additional information. Included is this list:

Possible hazardous effects of marijuana

* Reduced ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination such as driving a car

* Increased heart rate

* Bloodshot eyes

* Dry mouth and throat

* Altered motivation and cognition, making the acquisition of new information difficult

* Impairments in learning and memory, perception, and judgment - difficulty speaking, listening effectively, thinking, retaining knowledge, problem solving, and forming concepts

* Intense anxiety, panic attacks, or paranoia

* Breathing problems

* Long-term use can result in smoking-related problems such as bronchitis and asthma

* Heavy use of marijuana can affect both male and female hormones.

Animal studies have found that THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) can damage the cells and tissues that help protect people from disease.

* Extended use increases risk to the lungs and reproductive system, as well as suppression of the immune system.



60% of children who smoke marijuana before age 15 move on to cocaine!

Me and my Marijane

My own experience does tend to add to the accusation that marijuana is a "gateway drug". I was offered the stuff often enough as a kid but finally tried it when I broke up with my first serious girlfriend. A drug dealer and his buddy threw me a party to "celebrate" breaking up with Kathy and after a couple of beers I tried some pot. I fell asleep. But they convinced me to try again later and I liked the sensations I felt. Soon I was a regular pot smoker. It seemed to add a bit of absurdity to life and flavored all my impressions of the world around me. It made me giddy. I felt more artistic. It made me horny. It gave me the munchies.

Now I'm not so sure that marijuana led me to try anything else anymore than beer made me susceptible to marijuana usage. The practical aspect here is the legality of the drug. Since it was illegal, I had to deal with crooks in order to obtain it. These guys were drug dealers and naturally most of them dealt other drugs, too. I began trying "angel dust" (which can be several things) and uppers like white cross and pink hearts. Later I got into hashish and LSD (and some other hallucinogens) and cocaine and cystal meth. I also found that my friends would ask me to obtain drugs for them, since I had connnections. I segued into becoming a dealer. I eventually became part of a drug gang that manufactured meth as big business, and I became a needle user. Drugs were destroying my life and my health and I just missed finding myself in prison. I certainly found myself in the gutter. I had to change.

Marijuana can free you from inhibitions and color your perceptions. Unfortunately, it is likely more dangerous to your health to smoke pot than it is cigarettes. It is certain that in many individuals the use of marijuana causes them to "blow off" important aspects of their lives and they will lose jobs and families as a result.

I know a guy whose life was ruined or nearly ruined by illegal drugs? No way, man, I know dozens of them! Heck, I'm one of them.

NEVERTHELESS

There is somewhat of a hysterical viewpoint held by many that marijuana must not be legalized for medicinal purposes. Now that, to me, is foolishness! That extract of Foxglove that saved my daughter's life? OD on that and you may well die! OD on marijuana and you pass out and/or get a massive case of munchies.

If marijuana can help a cancer patient keep food down, or alleviate a migraine headache in someone, etc, then what right has the government to keep doctors from treating their patients simply because there are forces out there who are afraid of any kind of legalization whatever.

Therefore this reformed pothead, who will never toke again, is in favor of the medicinal use of marijuana as prescribed by doctors, just as doctors may prescribe tylenol with codeine or a patient may be treated with morphine during and after surgery.

On the other hand, I am adamantly opposed to legalizing such a substance for recreational use. There are already enough legal ways to kill yourself slowly without adding to the list. There are already enough ways to ruin young lives, cause automobile crashes, and so on. I've seen so many people who have had lives ruined by alcohol abuse. As a society, we owe it to ourselves to avoid making another way to disaster legally obtainable.

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Thanks for the prayers and best wishes. I am weakly going forward!