Monday, August 3, 2009
Effort Underway to Legalize Medical Marijuana in Florida
A group of Floridians organized as People United for Medical Marijuana (PUFMM) has begun an effort to put a medical marijuana initiative on the November 2010 ballot, according to a report from PUFFM. The group needs some 687,000 valid signatures of registered voters in the next nine months to qualify.
The group is not affiliated with any national organization and says it needs $5 million for the signature gathering drive and the election campaign. Unlike more traditional initiative campaigns, PUFMM is relying heavily on Internet-based activism. The group's Facebook page already has 4,800 members, and PUFMM is counting on cascading new memberships to gather what it hopes is 1.2 million signatures, providing a very comfortable cushion at validation time. PUFMM is also hoping for each signatory to kick in $5. That way, the group could meet its self-imposed budget goal."Patients need a safe, affordable and effective medication. We hope Florida will lead the nation in marijuana research to further its uses as a medicine," PUFMM head Kim Russell, whose father suffers from Parkinson's Disease, told the Cape Coral Daily Breeze.
"There is absolute support, we just have to get everyone organized," she said, citing favorable national polling data.If approved, the petition would create a constitutional amendment that reads as follows:"(a) No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property or otherwise penalized for the cultivation, purchase, use or possession of marijuana in connection with the treatment of Alzheimer's, cachexia, cancer, chronic pain, chronic nervous system disorders, Crohn's disease, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, diseases causing muscle spasticity, or other diseases and conditions when recommended by a physician."(b) This section shall be self-executing. The legislature, however, may provide by general law for the voluntary registration of persons intending to exercise their rights hereunder and for the regulation of the distribution and sale of marijuana to persons intending to exercise their rights hereunder."(c) Nothing herein, however, shall be construed so as to prevent the legislature from enacting laws penalizing the operation of motor vehicles, boats, watercraft or aircraft while under the influence of marijuana or regulating the use of marijuana by minors.
Similarly, all laws in effect at the time of adoption of this section penalizing the operation of motor vehicles, boats, watercraft or aircraft while under the influence of marijuana or regulating the use of marijuana by minors shall remain in force."The proposed amendment does not create limits on the number of plants or the amount of usable marijuana patients may possess. It appears to leave that up to the legislature.
In fact, PUFMM would prefer that the legislature just went ahead and passed a medical marijuana bill and is asking people to write to their representatives in the hope of achieving just that. "We are hoping they will submit a bill rather than a ballot initiative," Russell said. "The Internet is a huge resource for us.
"While the effort is just a week old, it has already been denounced by the Florida Sheriff's Association and by Bill Janes, director of Florida's Office of Drug Control. "When we increase the availability of marijuana we increase the availability for young people," Janes said. "What this petition doesn't address is how the marijuana will be controlled. Will we just allow random growing of marijuana?"
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Osiris Prochymal Stem Cell Transplant Update and XBP1 Info
-Scottie
PS - Intersing info here exploring the genetic link to Crohn's
A team of scientists have discovered that the XBP1 gene is a risk factor for developing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The investigators created a mouse model in which they deleted XBP1within the epithelium. They found that the mice spontaneously developed an intestinal inflammation that resembled IBD. The lack of the XBP1 gene disabled the normal communication between intestinal epithelial cells and gut bacteria, resulting in dysfunctional immune response and disease, the researchers explain.
The researchers then reportedly demonstrated that alterations in this gene in the intestinal-lining cells represent risk factors for development of Crohn's and colitis. The study was conducted by scientists from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and institutes in Germany, The Netherlands, and Austria. Results appear in the September 5 issue of Cell.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Smoking and Crohns Disease
Hey Guys - I found some interesting new info on Smoking and Crohn's Disease. Alot of people ask me about the realtionship between smoking and Crohn's, so here you go ( from April 2007):
A new study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology suggests that smoking may determine which part of the intestinal tract is attacked in those who suffer from Crohn’s disease. Where the disease is located often determines whether the patient will eventually require surgical treatment.
“In patients who smoke, Crohn’s disease tends to appear more frequently in the small intestine, rather than the colon,” says study author Dr. Marian Aldhous. “Our data shows that when Crohn’s disease is located here, it tends to cause more penetrating or obstructive damage, which would have to be treated by surgery.”
The results of this study raise interesting questions about why smoking would affect different parts of the intestine in different ways.
“Fundamental differences in small and large bowel physiology may explain the differences in location of Crohn’s disease in smokers,” says Aldhous. “The effects of smoking should be further investigated, to understand why smoking has a differential effect on different parts of the bowel.”
Personally my worries skew more towards the link between alcohol and Crohn's!
Smoking and Crohns Disease
Hey Guys - I found some interesting new info on Smoking and Crohn's Disease. Alot of people ask me about the realtionship between smoking and Crohn's, so here you go ( from April 2007):
A new study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology suggests that smoking may determine which part of the intestinal tract is attacked in those who suffer from Crohn’s disease. Where the disease is located often determines whether the patient will eventually require surgical treatment.
“In patients who smoke, Crohn’s disease tends to appear more frequently in the small intestine, rather than the colon,” says study author Dr. Marian Aldhous. “Our data shows that when Crohn’s disease is located here, it tends to cause more penetrating or obstructive damage, which would have to be treated by surgery.”
The results of this study raise interesting questions about why smoking would affect different parts of the intestine in different ways.
“Fundamental differences in small and large bowel physiology may explain the differences in location of Crohn’s disease in smokers,” says Aldhous. “The effects of smoking should be further investigated, to understand why smoking has a differential effect on different parts of the bowel.”
Personally my worries skew more towards the link between alcohol and Crohn's!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Scott Roy is Going to See Dr. Shafran
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Crohn's Disease in NYC
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Stress has a Tremendous Impact on Crohn's
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Good Article on Diet and Crohn's Disease - Foods to Avoid
The role of diet and nutrition is very important in Crohn's disease and should be considered as an important add-on treatment to medical therapies. Although there is no evidence to show that the condition is caused by nutritional factors, the food you eat can affect the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease.
Dietary guidelines for Crohn's disease vary depending on the severity of the disease, location of the inflammation, and symptoms. As crohns disease is characterized by inflammation along the digestive tract it is often difficult for the body to absorb enough of the essential nutrients that it needs to function well. In addition, people with Crohn's disease often experience a decrease in appetite.
During an acute phase of crohns disease, bulky foods, milk and milk products may increase diarrhea and cramping. Generally, the patient is advised to eat a well-balanced diet, with adequate protein and calories. Diet may have to be restricted based on symptoms or complications.
Because Crohn's Disease affects the area of the intestines where a lot of the absorption of nutrients takes place, taking supplements is usually advised. The greatest amount of digestion takes place just beyond the stomach in the small intestine. An inflamed intestine as in the case with Crohn's Disease is not able to fully absorb and digest the nutrients from food. As a result Crohn's Disease sufferers are often unable to properly digest and absorb carbohydrates, fats, proteins as well as many vitamins and minerals. Over 40 percent of individuals diagnosed with Crohns Disease showed that they can eat enough food but can’t absorb it adequately, especially carbohydrates. A high quality nutritional supplement can provide the nutrients the body needs for proper health.
Here are some general dietary guidelines for Crohn's disease:
Eat a well-balanced diet
Drink plenty of fluids to offset losses from diarrhea
Consult with your doctor if you need to take vitamin, mineral or herbal supplements
Limit high-fiber foods (whole grains, raw vegetables and fruits, beans and nuts)
Avoid foods that seem to worsen the symptoms
Limit dairy products
What is the best Diet for Crohns Disease?
Unfortunately there is no single effective Chron's disease diet which will reduce symptoms for all patients. A Chrons disease diet may vary from individual to individual and may need to be changed, depending on symptoms or complications.
Most dietitians with experience of Crones disease simply recommend a healthy balanced diet free of any foods that aggravate the symptoms. Generally, foods that make Crohn's disease symptoms worse are processed products, gas-forming fruits and vegetables, alcohol, lactose, caffeine and foods high in fat.
Choosing a proper diet for Chron's disease is important. The detection of foods that seem to worsen the symptoms and the introduction of foods that help ease them is a slow but essential part of overcoming Chrones disease.
written by Robert Hill

