Arthritis and Autoimmune Issues, Can Medical Marijuana Help?

Contest post by Rick

If you had asked me 50 years ago where I would be today, most likely, gone would have been my response. At the age of 16, 30 was ancient, and so far away, let alone half a century.

But the early 70’s was a tumultuous time in history, with the war in South East Asia raging on, I remember hitching to a college town (Plattsburgh) north of us, for an Alice Cooper Concert.

The day was filled by marching along with others against the Viet Nam war, and since there is strength in numbers, openly smoking weed in the street, past the police and National Guard.

At the time, as a member of NORML, I dreamed about, decriminalization or outright legalization, especially with the previously released Shafer Commission report to Congress which recommended decriminalization (National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse).

Back in those days an ounce of weed was about $20.00, with a pound at $250. or so. Sounds cheap but I think I got $1.35 per hour in 1972 at my minimum wage job at a greenhouse/nursery.

And contrary to what you kid’s today see, just big buds, most of ours was filled with seeded buds and stems galore.

Even today, at the federal level there has been slow action for decriminalization and the Presidential Pardons have still not materialized.

Well with employment, marriage, and a hobby involving firearms, I stopped smoking marijuana. Raising my children I discouraged its use, although I was still for the cause in my heart.

Fast-forward 40 years, add old bones, arthritis, and autoimmune issues, and my doctor suggests Medical Marijuana.

Tincture, powder, Wow, I didn’t hurt as bad, but so expensive and not covered by insurance. At the time, my doctor sort of whispered under her breath, “you’ll be growing it in a year”, and she was correct.

However, although New York “legalized” recreational marijuana in March of 2021, legally, even medical marijuana patients are not able to grow yet, and the first actual store just opened, now nearly two years later.

But enough of the legal mumbo-jumbo, Control and Cash is the name of the game for The State.

Self preservation always requires one to take charge of their life and actions and naturally I started growing at home. Unfortunately, my spouse does not like the smell so everything is grown outside, but with six feet of a large bushy plants still casts its odorous nature about the neighborhood.

But, it also can provide so many health benefits…including relief from my arthritis and and autoimmune issues!

This year I grew several varieties of CBD hemp, one CBG, and then a couple different Sativa’s and Indica’s to provide a variety and quantity so that I could have bud/herb to use.

Smoking takes a toll on the lungs so being able to make a tincture, decarb for use in cooking or food preparation, is a healthier option and less expensive than purchasing raw materials.

Having a large quantity to harvest, trim, and then cure was a daunting task for one person, as I also harvested roots from many plants to use in formulating a salve with CBD, CBG, and THC extracts along with an extract of the roots which contain several tri-terpenes which are effective against pain.

Combined with shea and cocoa butter this is also an excellent skin protectant and softener.

Winter and the new year provide the opportunity to plan for next year, dream about new varieties, and pace ourselves so the stash doesn’t evaporate.

I may even automate watering this year with a Raspberry Pi, if only I could automate trimming….more sun…..