Imagine that there is an effective treatment for dozens of serious ailments—from cancer and Parkinson’s disease to headaches and depression. Now imagine that the government is preventing you from using it because it is derived from a controversial herb. Cannabis, more commonly called marijuana, is still looked upon by many people as a social evil; yet, scientific evidence clearly shows the compounds it contains can reduce, halt, and in many cases, reverse some of our most serious health conditions. In Healing with Medical Marijuana, best-selling author and medical researcher Dr. Mark Sircus has written a clear guide to understanding the power of the cannabis plant in combating numerous disorders.

In the early 1930s, cannabis extract was legally available throughout the United States. However, as the public’s perception of marijuana was often linked to violence, crime, and deviant behavior, the Federal Government outlawed its use in 1937. From that point on, using marijuana was considered a crime—an illegal offense that carried stiff penalties, including jail time. And yet, although the United States had deemed cannabis an illegal narcotic, many other countries began doing scientific research on this herb, studying its remarkable medicinal qualities. Healing with Medical Marijuana provides a fascinating look at these studies, showing just how effective the compounds found in cannabis can be in treating a wide range of illnesses and conditions. It also examines the laws that continue to prevent its use in the United States.

While more and more states are now legalizing medical marijuana as a safe and effective treatment method, the controversy continues to block its use for the majority of the population—in spite of the relief it can provide. For those who may be unable to obtain medical marijuana to treat their individual conditions, this book is designed to provide options that can offer the much-needed help they are seeking.

Mark Sircus, Ac., OMD, DM (P), was trained in acupuncture and Asian medicine at the Institute of Traditional Medicine in Santa Fe and the School of Traditional Medicine of New England in Boston. He also served at the Central Public Hospital of Pochutla, Mexico. He is part of the Scientific Advisory and Research Development team of the Da Vinci College of Holistic Medicine. Dr. Sircus’ articles have appeared in numerous journals and magazines throughout the world. In addition, he is the best-selling author of several books, including Sodium Bicarbonate, Healing With Iodine, and Anti-Inflammatory Oxygen Therapy.

"Dr. Sircus has written a clear guide to understanding the power of the cannabis plant in combating numerous disorders . . . [e]xceptionally well researched, written, organized and presented . . . a timely and informative contribution to the on-going national discussion which has seen more and more states are now legalizing medical marijuana as a safe and effective treatment method. Especially recommended reading for those who may be unable to obtain medical marijuana to treat their individual conditions in their particular state of residence . . . specifically designed to provide options that can offer the much-needed help they are seeking . . . unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and academic library Medical Marijuana reference collections."

"A great big handful. That's how many pills you take each day. Two for symptom relief. One for pain now, one later. Some to stave off anticipated maladies, and one for . . . well, you don't know what for. It'd be simpler if you only had one medicine to take, so read Healing with Medical Marijuana by Dr. Mark Sircus . . . and you might find relief . . . [the book] show[s] that marijuana is useful in treatment of allergies, dementia, ALS, appetite loss, inflammation, Parkinson's Disease, pain of all sorts, AIDS, epilepsy, PTSD, and other afflictions . . . it's about time that nation-wide laws and lawmakers catch up with what marijuana users and medical personnel already know."

Introduction

There is a quiet revolution occurring in this country. State by state, people are being given the right to use medical marijuana as a legitimate treatment against a wide variety of health disorders. More and more doctors are now prescribing the various forms of medical marijuana to help their patient. However, this revolution is not without its critics. They argue that there isn’t any proof that it works; they say that its production is unregulated; and they even liken it to the use of a highly-addictive narcotic. The problem with their arguments is that they are untrue. Dig a little deeper into these opposition groups and you discover that many them are being funded by large private interests that feel threatened by the introduction of a safer alternative to many drugs.

As you will read, the fact is that there many scientifically-conducted studies that show the use of medical marijuana works. Unfortunately, because of a lack of Federal funding, the majority of these studies are conducted outside the United States. And while this seems to be a bone of contention from the opposition, that doesn’t make the studies any less legitimate. The studies that have been carried out over the year are conducted by top researchers in their fields and at state-of-the-art hospitals and laboratories. Their findings have been published in peer-reviewed medical journals that provide the very evidence that medical marijuana is effective.

MY APPROACH

Based on the scientific work of so many others, I have put together this book to help you first understand the basics behind the use of these marijuana compounds and then how to appropriately use them.  Although it is principally about medical marijuana, it is also a book on general medicine or what I call “Natural Allopathic Medicine.” As you will see, I have developed a comprehensive protocol around cannabinoid medicine where medical marijuana can be prescribed (or simply just taken) in combination with certain other substances (like magnesium oil) to amplify its effectiveness across a broad spectrum of disorders.

Magnesium chloride and cannabinoids blend together magnificently in harmony and I like to think of them as the “Batman and Robin” of the medical world. Cannabinoid medicine is one strong part of the universal protocol I have created. This book is dominated by the presentation of cannabinoid medicine but it is in the context of what could someday be known as the heavyweight gang of four medicinals that should be used together for best medical results.

It explains how my Natural Allopathic Medical approach combines cannabinoid medicine with magnesium medicine and then with pH and iodine medicine. Hopefully, Healing With Medical Marijuana makes it clear how the safest and least expensive medicines can outperform most pharmaceuticals by an extremely wide margin. As a medicine, marijuana is without equal carrying less danger than aspirin or any other pharmaceutical on the market. One can use it safely for decades and not suffer anything near the damage of using alcohol or most pharmaceuticals. Life is difficult enough on our planet and it is about to get even more difficult. Marijuana can help us endure.

WHAT’S IN THIS BOOK

Healing With Medical Marijuana is divided into two parts. Part 1 is divided into 8 chapters and in those chapters you will learn the fundamental science behind the use of medical marijuana. In chapter 1 you will discover what makes up the cannabis herb and its benefits as a therapeutic drug. In the next three chapters you will be provided with material explaining why medical marijuana can be considered an essential medicine; its safety for adults as well as children; and how it is being used as a pediatric medicine. Although there are no existing fixed dosages for medical marijuana, Chapter 5 and 6 provides safe therapeutic dosages and possible delivery systems. The importance of hemp oil as a therapeutic drug is discussed in Chapter 7 as well as instructions for home production of hemp oil, and Chapter 8 takes you through the laws and the campaign against medical marijuana through the years.

Part 2 acts as a guide, providing you with a listing of health conditions, their symptoms, and their triggers. You will learn how one will benefit from using medical marijuana to treat the disorder, the conventional medicine usually recommended and their side effects, and how to use medical marijuana as a treatment for the diseases or health disorders.

I am a great proponent of medical marijuana as well as its use for relaxation, recreation, and de-stressing. However that does not mean it is a perfect substance. It does have its downsides. For people with breathing disorders, such as COPD, they should never smoke marijuana. In addition, some marijuana leaves contain cadmium contaminations as well as fungal contaminations which can be very harmful. Care must always be taken with any medicinal. As with any medicine there are warnings, precautions and contraindications. To this end, I have included important information on such precautions as well as a discussion of addiction.

WE HAVE A CHOICE

As you read this book, consider the following: We have become victimized by the pharmaceutical industry. In many cases, all you have to do is pay attention to any drug advertisement you hear on TV. It usually ends with the long citation of warnings, in many cases ending with “unexpected deaths have been reported.”  Then there is the practice of superficially jacked up pricing making some drugs almost impossible to buy a needed drug---not because it cost more to produce, but rather to increase the company’s bottom line.

It is my hope that Heal With Medical Marijuana can offer you a sane and safer alternative--a product created by nature.  The most important thing to remember as you read this book is the more you know, the better decisions you can make about your health and the ones you love.