Late Entry

 

I love My wonderful Doctors at UVA even though they wouldn’t sign a Medical Cannabis Certificate. They don’t do that. I hired a Doctor at @Veriheal ❤️
I explained I have “Otherworldly Pain” from Multiple Sclerosis.
I was approved. I have to hire Veriheal every year to obtain… pic.twitter.com/E23i4SmVc4

— Mary Gerdt Parler:Alvarita1 (@marygerdt) August 6, 2024

Travelogue Special Edition

 Posting an Extra Edition Blog…

Thread by @marygerdt on Thread Reader App https://t.co/Ghe9br9r4x

— Mary Gerdt Parler:Alvarita1 (@marygerdt) April 21, 2022

Cannabis, How Will They Vote?

 In the Land where Laws are made, Senators will 

Vote 🗳 on 

Federal Cannabis Legislation.

I wrote my Senators about

Reasons I’ve needed a Medical Cannabis Card in Virginia 

And

I’ve had No access ⛔️ to A Source.

That Hurts.

To My Virginia State Senators,

We moved to this fair State 3 years ago. We wished we’d come sooner. When I moved here, I was relieved Virginia had Legalized Medical Cannabis.

I have Extraordinary Pain from Multiple Sclerosis. I have Spasticity, Angst.

I can’t buy one bud.

Right now.

3 years after being approved for Medical Cannabis and I could access at a dispensary  in Burlington, Vermont.

I have no connections. Growing is not realistic.

I found Delta 8 Hemp based Low THC products have really helped my pain and thus my mood. It was one therapeutic Cannabis form I could access.

Then I heard some lawmakers want to stop sending Delta 8 by mail.

I believe Less regulation is better among consenting competent adults. My Neurologist said She would rather I take Cannabis for Pain, than OxyContin. 

I am writing as your constituent to ask that you support the forthcoming efforts of Senators Cory Booker, Ron Wyden, and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to finalize and advance legislation to repeal the federal prohibition on marijuana and to eventually regulate cannabis commerce.  

On July 14th, 2021, these three Senators released their proposal and are taking public comment until September 1st, when they will go through stakeholder feedback and work on their package for a formal legislative introduction.  

It is my hope that you will work in good faith with these offices on a package that you can VOTE YES on when the Senate Majority Leader brings it to the floor later in the legislative session. 

Public support for marijuana policy reform is at an all-time high, with Gallup reporting a supermajority of Americans supporting its legalization, including outright majorities of Democratic, Independent, and Republican voters. 

Now is the time for your office to commit to supporting an end to the failed and cruel policy of marijuana prohibition. 

Thank you. 

Mary Gerdt 

#TBT

 40 Years ago

Sometimes feels like Yesterday.

Today I am posting both a Modern Neurologists look at 

Medical Cannabis and my thoughts afterwards.

From Dr. Beaber’ s YouTube Channel

My Comments:

Letter to Representatives Federal Law on Cannabis

 If you’ve spent any time here, you know how I feel about Cannabis.

The Federal Legislation proposed has my full support.

Normal sent me a link to contact my representatives and a form letter.

I added my 2 cents…

I am a 63 year old Woman with Multiple Sclerosis and other Health Problems. I have Pain, Sometimes Constant, That I call “Otherworldly” 

I have discovered the Best pain relief is good old Cannabis (Please don’t call it Marijuana, it’s proper name is Cannabis ).

It was legalized for Medical use in Vermont just before we moved. I thought Virginia had Medical Cannabis. The Ultra Micromanaging Legislation called for only low THC oil (consumed orally). I had to hire a Doctor because UVA doctors didn’t know how to certify me. Then found out the regulations were so prohibitive that there was none available. A bureaucrat I talked to said having the card afforded me a legal defense in case I possessed cannabis and got caught.

I’m a 63 year old woman. I don’t even drive anymore.

Virginia’s new law quasi legalizes cannabis to an arbitrary limit.

Complicated so business people will become the new dealers.

Users will learn to grow, fast, even though not botanically possible.

Medical Cannabis users like me cannot afford nor obtain ideal strains and forms, tincture, flower, gummies. Can’t cross state lines. Can’t get home delivery.

End all this now.

And scrutinize all these individual state regulations that drive costs up for people like me, on a fixed income and in pain.

I am writing as your constituent to ask that you support the forthcoming efforts of Senators Cory Booker, Ron Wyden, and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to finalize and advance legislation to repeal the federal prohibition on marijuana and to eventually regulate cannabis commerce.  

In a joint statement released on February 1st, the Senators pronounced:  

“The War on Drugs has been a war on people—particularly people of color. Ending the federal marijuana prohibition is necessary to right the wrongs of this failed war and end decades of harm inflicted on communities of color across the country. But that alone is not enough. As states continue to legalize marijuana, we must also enact measures that will lift up people who were unfairly targeted in the War on Drugs.

“We are committed to working together to put forward and advance comprehensive cannabis reform legislation that will not only turn the page on this sad chapter in American history, but also undo the devastating consequences of these discriminatory policies. The Senate will make consideration of these reforms a priority.

"In the early part of this year, we will release a unified discussion draft on comprehensive reform to ensure restorative justice, protect public health and implement responsible taxes and regulations. Getting input from stakeholder groups will be an important part of developing this critical legislation.”

In the final days of the 116th Congress, House members historically voted to approve legislation (The MORE Act) that would have repealed federal marijuana prohibition. It is time now to build upon this momentum and advance similar language in the Upper Chamber

Public support for marijuana policy reform is at an all time high, with Gallup reporting a supermajority of Americans supporting its legalization, including outright majorities of Democratic, Independent, and Republican voters. 

Now is the time for your office to commit to supporting an end to the failed and cruel policy of marijuana prohibition. 

Cannabis Legalized in Virginia, Well, Sort of 🤔

After I read this Great article: 

https://www.virginiamercury.com/blog-va/what-virginias-marijuana-legalization-bill-actually-says/

I sent this letter to the Newspaper Reporter 📰 😎

A Bill with What a lot of Crazy Details!

I’ll check FAQ’s later or probably just go to a head shop and find out their interpretation.

I have a few issues already just skimming through the laws.

1. They should Not have referred to Cannabis as “Marijuana “ or “Mary Jane” or other Reefer Madness terms.

2. I have pleaded with legislators to legalize Medical Cannabis which I had access to when we lived in Vermont. https://traveloguefortheuniverse.blogspot.com/search?q=Cannabis+ 

3. The Legislation is not kind to patients with severe pain like myself, living with Multiple Sclerosis. I had to renew my useless Patient  “low THC Oil “ card again. Fee plus I paid Dr Jordan Tishler to certify me because UVA Doctors we’re not ready for this. For 2 years, I’ve had a card: $300, no product. They said, oh, I have a defense if I get busted. Wot?

I thought I wouldn’t need a card anymore but found out I can’t  access Medical Cannabis at an outlet without the card.

4. GLeaf is a dispensary in Richmond. Nice products!

Prices untouchable to me. I could use up a $50 cartridge (on sale) in no time.

Access will not be easy nor cheap.

Add A Few More Regulations in LawyerSpeak!

Researchers Wanted

 I follow a great blog about Multiple Sclerosis 

Recently the Doctor posted about Cannabis use and the unfortunate lack of Research,

Convincing Research.

Any Takers?

Article with comments...

https://multiple-sclerosis-research.org/2021/01/this-is-not-a-drug-a-leaf/

Pain/Symptom Control and Medical Cannabis

Guten tag, there is your unroll: Thread by @marygerdt: I appreciate your gradual and cautious acceptance of #MedicalCannabis. There is research out… https://t.co/HmIxPcU46a. Talk to you soon. 🤖

— Thread Reader App (@threadreaderapp) February 4, 2020

Happy New Year 2020!

Hallo, the unroll you asked for: Thread by @marygerdt: The name Marijuana has a “reefer madness “ association. I’ll use the name Cannabis. Cannabis has… https://t.co/YdoszB5l1L. See you soon. 🤖

— Thread Reader App (@threadreaderapp) December 31, 2019

OPINION: Decriminalize Marijuana

I woke up in pain 
.. Again 
meg 


OPINION: Decriminalize Marijuana: The criminalization of marijuana is needlessly punitive and has lasting consequences on the lives of offenders.

A Patient Pleads, NHS Listens,

Baby steps...

Today, Sativex was approved on the NHS England for muscle spasms in MS.

We've been campaigning for access to Sativex across the UK. Hundreds of you have shared their experiences with NICE - and NICE has finally listened!

Paul is one of them - watch our video ⬇️📽️ pic.twitter.com/THw0p03ALw

— MS Society UK (@mssocietyuk) November 11, 2019

A Letter

I just wrote a @NORML letter in support of legalizing marijuana in Congress - will you join me and send a message to your elected officials? https://t.co/XHD2Z6qQRt

— Mary Gerdt (@marygerdt) July 27, 2019

I wrote this one:

Dear Representatives,
I am a Retired Disabled Registered Nurse who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis which causes Extraordinary  Pain, Depression, Fatigue, And so much more. My husband and I moved to Virginia from Vermont due to Financial And Social Reasons. I am very happy I did. I am, however, unable to access Medical Cannabis and even the recently legalized oil in Virginia is neither available nor are my Doctors at UVA able to certify my need because the process for approval is so complicated. Apparently the UVA Neurologist And Primary Care Doctors Don’t Understand they have to be certified to say I have extraordinary pain from Multiple Sclerosis. Ironically, Washington DC Has Medical Cannabis available and legalized but only fro residents. Last fall I was swindled out of $500 Bitcoin on Twitter by a Twit who said he would mail me some. It was foolish I know but I have had such pain. After I paid, he blocked me. Twitter really didn’t care. I guess I learned let the buyer beware. I am still in pain. Piecing together CBD products which are partially effective. I consulted with Dr. Jordan Tishler, an expert on Cannabis and he asked if I could get to Colorado. I cannot. I hope you can change these laws which force me to either suffer or seek Opioids. It’s hard to explain how badly I hurt. Please help.

As your constituent, I am writing to urge your support for the Marijuana, Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act, which would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act.

The ongoing prohibition of marijuana financially burdens taxpayers, encroaches upon civil liberties, engenders disrespect for the law, impedes legitimate scientific research into the plant's medicinal properties, and disproportionately impacts communities of color.

Never in modern history has there existed greater public support for ending the nation's nearly century-long experiment with marijuana prohibition. According to nationwide polling data done by Gallup in October 2018, 66% of US voters endorse regulating the adult-use of marijuana.

The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act is supported by voters and comports with the changing legal, cultural, and political status of marijuana and those who consume it responsibly.

If passed, this bill would decriminalize the substance at the federal level and enable states to set their own policies. The MORE Act would also allow the existing state-legal marijuana industry to no longer be barred from accessing financial services or standard tax treatment as every other legal business. Similarly, veterans will have better access to medical marijuana with VA doctors no longer risking federal prosecution for filling out state-legal medical recommendations.

Please sign on as a cosponsor of the MORE Act.

Comments to @FDA

Opioid comments...

My Pain Level is 15/10 some days. I don’t want Opioids. I have Multiple Sclerosis and am a Disabled Registered Nurse with 35 years of clinical experience. My Pain is Tolerable using THC/CBD. First it was illegal, stressing me out but I had no choice. I needed pain relief without all the side effects of Opioids like drowsiness and constipation. Then, as a Vermonter, legalized medical cannabis allowed my Neurologist to write a letter, every year to say I have intractable Pain from Multiple Sclerosis and Seizures. Then we moved to Virginia. I am unable to obtain Medical Cannabis. CBD is Legal but not consistent in quality and not as effective for my pain. I was so desperate I tried to buy some with bitcoin and a guy ripped me off for $500. I’m still desperate. Virginia has a Medical Cannabis Law, sort of. In this state, Pharmacy People are guiding. I got a license but my Doctor doesn’t know how to recommend me by explaining I have intractable pain from Multiple Sclerosis. Even if I completed the application process, there isn’t any available and Virginia has arbitrarily limited the THC and mode of administration. Please Deschedule THC/CBD, Allow evidence based research, Allow Compassionate Approval For THC/CBD for Patients like myself who suffer intractable Pain and do Not want Opioids.


For a link...

FDA seeking comments from those who have been affected by opoid prescribing limitations. Link in the article, search FDA-2019-N-1646. #opoidhysteria #spoonies #opoidcrisis #opioids https://t.co/IT13eAafUO

— Jessica Layman (@artemis_selena) May 17, 2019

A Patient Pleads Letter to Virginia Lawmakers

This morning I woke up to excruciating pain in my left thumb 
It feels like razor blades, or a hatchet, 
Sometimes like a Nail, 18 penny at least
I was hoping to make an illicit purchase of cannabis 
Legal in the State of Vermont, my home of 35 years
The state we were taxed out of, we moved to Virginia 
Here, where Cannabis is Illegal 
Medical is sort of legal, plans for low thc oil to be sold once Dispensary’s Open
If you have a license, card, Doctor’ Note
Saying you have excruciating pain of Multiple Sclerosis 
I couldn’t get all that right now
Right
Now
When a Sledge Hammer is pounding my thumb.
So I got Scammed
By a Scumball
Thanks to my Stupidity 
And Vulnerability 
To Laws that keep me from obtaining 
Relief, as a Responsible Adult Disabled Retired Nurse
With a railroad spike in my thumb.
To that scumball who scammed me,
There’s a special place in hell for you.
For my mission to obtain access to pain relief,
I wrote a letter to my new congressman 
Thanks to NORML for a link.
I added my two cents at the end of the form letter
Meg

As your constituent, I urge you to support Senate Bill 1557, to expand the limited medical cannabis oil program.

The measure would allow Virginia’s licensed practitioners to recommend and pharmaceutical processors to dispense full therapeutic-strength medical cannabis oil.

Previously enacted legislation that sought to provide patients with access to a small subset of medical cannabis oils with limited therapeutic potential is not sufficiently addressing patients’ needs. Many patients will still resort to federal interstate drug trafficking or to the illicit market to obtain medical cannabis therapies with the required cannabinoid ratios. Current law provides no in-state, standardized source for full therapeutic-strength cannabis medicines and leaves far too many patients suffering needlessly. Virginia patients deserve safe, regulated access to full therapeutic-strength medical cannabis medicines at our licensed pharmaceutical processors.

Please support SB 1557.
Addendum: I have Extraordinary Pain from Multiple Sclerosis.
I moved to Virginia from Vermont where I was allowed to use Medical Cannabis
I have been dry since October
I find myself in extreme pain some days
I have begun application for Medical Cannabis in Virginia but the Application process is very difficult. I need to get Virginia drivers license and convince my Doctors that Medical Cannabis helps my pain. Virginia apparently not ready for Medical Cannabis, available just north of the Virginia Border in Washington DC! But Not to Me.
I’m suffering.
So bad I just tried to buy Cannabis online and was just scammed out of about $500 to a fake pot salesman. He used my Vulnerable stupidity to rob me of bitcoin.
I’m still in pain and now $500 is gone.
Yes, I’m that desperate.
Why do I have to suffer?
Food for thought.

Crossroads

Pain Control in The Current U.S.

Opioids killing people 

Medical Cannabis at a Crossroads 

Some States have Legalized Medical Cannabis 

Some States have Legalized Recreational Cannabis 

Some States Illegal and All States Federally Illegal 

Patients in Pain

Searching for answers

Research badly needed 

Good research 

Research Illegal 

Patients in Pain

That hurts.

Surgeon General Advocates for Rescheduling Cannabis https://t.co/gk0STRePPb

— Mary Gerdt (@marygerdt) December 10, 2018