What is keeping marijuana from being a common herbal medicine? Cannabis is a very safe substance. It is a very effective medicine. It is useful for treating many common conditions. We now have over a million medical marijuana patients in the US. Why are the police still concerned with these people?

Our federal marijuana laws are based on false assumptions. Marijuana is an herbal medicine. The assumption that medicine must be single molecules has been the basic assumption underlying our current laws. The Controlled Substances Act lists single molecule substances in five categories. A synthetic THC molecule is listed as a medicine while the herbal THC in marijuana is listed as not a medicine. We know that THC has medicinal uses. The fact that herbal marijuana also contains CBD, CBN, THCV* and other medicinal molecules does not fit the assumption that medicine must be single molecules. However, marijuana was used as medicine long before we knew that there were molecules of THC, CBD, CBN, THCV, etc. in it.

Who are medical marijuana patients? I’ve heard police officers say that the people they see buying marijuana at dispensaries don’t look sick and that most people who use it for chronic pain are just faking. Why do they think that?

Some people who use marijuana don’t have physical pain. But their pain is just as real. Some people simply like marijuana. But they use it for fun just as they use alcohol for fun. Most medical marijuana patients are really in need of relief from the symptoms of their condition.

Multiple sclerosis patients may be visible because they use a wheelchair. But they also may not be that disabled. Fibromyalgia patients look like normal people but their pain is very real. Cancer patients can look normal too. Some medical marijuana patients don’t have physical pain. Marijuana is effective in the treatment of Post-traumatic Stress, Bipolar depression, and other psychiatric conditions. Emotional pain can be debilitating and is often difficult to treat. Medical marijuana has been successful in the treatment of emotional pain when other medications don’t work.

Cannabis works by regulating cannabinoid receptors in the body. Two types of cannabinoid receptors have been found, CB1 and CB2. These receptors are located in the nervous system and peripheral tissues and organs. CB1 receptors have been found to be responsible for the psychotropic effects of THC. They are also responsible for the pain-relieving properties of THC. CB2 receptors are found in T-cells of the immune system and may be protective against heart and vascular diseases.

Modern scientific methods have given us the tools to measure chemical components in marijuana. The American Alliance for Medical Cannabis is working to establish certification standards for dispensaries and producers using this technology. It is time for the federal government to recognize the medical uses of marijuana and stop it’s unrelenting war on all uses of this herbal medicine.


*THC - delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD – cannabidiol, CBN – cannabinol, THCV – tetrahydrocannabinvarin

Who's Who in Medical Cannabis - Arthur Livermore - by Gradi Jordan

In a recent interview with Legalize Utah, one of the foremost medical marijuana leaders is AAMC (The American Alliance For Medical Cannabis) National Director Arthur Livermore. The AAMC is headquartered in Arch Cape, Oregon and has developed a website over the last 10 years which is a source for current medical/scientific literature, patient resources, recipes and educational materials. They have a monthly newsletter which has covered the people who have contributed to medical cannabis knowledge and the organizations that are working together to change how medical cannabis is viewed.

He became the National Director of AAMC in 2007 and has been adding state directors as well as developing the AAMC website and monthly newsletter. Current states involved with AAMC include 19 states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin).

AAMC's Mission Statement is:

“AAMC represents a fellowship of Health Professionals, patients, educators, clergy, caregivers, and community members. Included in AAMC membership are experts in the field of cannabis medicine including clinical applications, cultivation, history, and medical preparations.

The Primary Mission of AAMC is patient advocacy, patient rights, and support. Additional aspects of the AAMC Mission include clinical research and educating decision makers”.

According to Mr. Livermore, the biggest challenge is finding a way to get the federal laws to respect medical marijuana and stop interfering in the states that have medical marijuana laws.

AAMC funds their activities by accepting donations on our website and is currently looking for a director for fund-raising who will expand their efforts to recruit membership and support from organizations all across the country.

Mr. Livermore wants to present a popular source of accurate information about cannabis medicine. He indicates that AAMC's goal is to assist in education of medical cannabis patients in the many uses of medical marijuana and have cannabis recipes that are often used by patients.

AAMC is also working on promoting quality standards for cannabis medicines and has recipes for edibles and other methods of utilizing the many benefits of cannabinoids.

It is groups like the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis and Legalize Utah that are working together towards the common goal of legalized medical marijuana for any cannabis patient who uses it responsibly.

What's New

Alabama: Considering a medical marijuana law.
   HB642 - The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act of Alabama

Arkansas: Considering a medical marijuana law.

Connecticut: Considering a medical marijuana law.

Florida: Medical marijuana petition drive underway.

Idaho: Considering a medical marijuana law.

Illinois: Considering a medical marijuana law.
   Bill Status of SB1381

Indiana: Considering a medical marijuana law.

Iowa: Considering a medical marijuana law.

Kansas: Medical marijuana petition drive underway.
   Marijuana Bill Reaches House
   Cannabis Compassion and Care Act

Maryland: Considering a medical marijuana law.
   Bill Status of SB 627

Massachusetts: Considering a medical marijuana law.

Minnesota: Considering a medical marijuana law.

Missouri: Considering a medical marijuana law.
   HOUSE BILL NO. 1670 - An Act relating to the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes
   Cottleville Mayor Don Yarber hopes Missouri legislature passes medical marijuana law

New Hampshire: Considering a medical marijuana law.

New York: Considering a medical marijuana law.

North Carolina: Considering a medical marijuana law.
   North Carolina Medical Cannabis Act

Ohio: Considering a medical marijuana law.
   HB 214

Pennsylvania: Considering a medical marijuana law.
   HB 1393

South Carolina: Considering a medical marijuana law.

South Dakota: Medical marijuana petition drive underway.

Tennessee: Considering a medical marijuana law.

Texas: Considering a medical marijuana law.

Wisconsin: Considering a medical marijuana law.
   The Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act



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