Medical Marijuana 101

I am a Medical Marijuana Patient who was asked by a Curious Friend (CF) to see if its facts in this book were correct. My CF knew nothing about Medical Marijuana (MMJ) when he gave me this book, except what he knew about my usage: That I take a teeny squib of concentrate orally, and that I'm never stoned. Apart from that, he knew nothing about MMJ. My CF was not familiar with the fact that the National Institute of Health (NIH) already does clinical studies with cannabis-based (marijuana-based) medicines, and that they are achieving seriously good results. CF didn't know cannabis-based drugs are already on the market and doctors can prescribe them. The only thing my CF knew about MMJ is that it exists and that it is a "thing". ((And, Fellow Reader, if you can identify with my CF's lack of knowledge, and you needed the extra explantions I put in parentheses, then you'll learn a few things from this book.))Yes, the information Mr Martin presents is correct. A bit simplistic, but it's supposed to be that way because this is a beginners book. I gave it 3 Stars because he often introduces a subject, and then only writes one paragraph about it. Then he tells you to look for more information on the Internet. But, unless you know how to separate the informational wheat from the garbage chaff on the Internet, the firehose of information is daunting and overwhelming. In that case, this book lets you dip your toe in the water. You don't have to "need" medical marijuana to have to read this book. But it might help you understand why others are using it as medicine.And for those of you who think MMJ patients are really just 'stoners' in disguise, I hope you continue to read things critically and don't let the stoner stereotype get in your way. MMJ is not cheap and we cannot afford to use our medicine that way. MMJ patients don't gather on street corners to buy from gangs. MMJ patients want to get healthy; not high. You'd be surprised how many "straights" are in the closet about their use of MMJ because they're afraid of the backlash from friends, families, co-workers, and employers. Thanks for all who are at least trying to understand a little bit about this phenom. It's not going away.

Medical Marijuana - 101 gives an excellent introduction for people who want to know about medical cannabis. It's an easy read, laid out with brief responses to questions set up in logical topics. Useful information helps readers make smart choices about using cannabis.The authors have world-class backgrounds. Ed Rosenthal is a horticulturist with 30 years of professional experience with the biology and genetics of cannabis. It's obvious in the sections describing how cannabis works and the different types of cannabis. Mickey Martin is an activist with expertise in legal and socio-economic issues, a big concern for the medical marijuana user. Dr. Carter, a medical specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation, has researched the benefits of cannabis in managing degenerative neurological diseases, which has lead to its acceptance as a valid medicinal choice.It's clear the book's concerns go well beyond medical issues to the impact of cannabis on the overall well being of people in distress. Throughout the book are short pieces written by individuals with different medical conditions, giving their stories on the choices they made in dealing with life-changing conditions.This book describes how access to current, medically accurate information on cannabis remains critical. Decades of prejudice by our government about cannabis research led to public ignorance about current information on nearly every important social, scientific, or medical development. No doubt this ignorance contributed to numerous, widely held misconceptions about cannabis among physicians, and hampered its acceptance by the medical community.I think Medical Marijuana-101 is the best single source of medically accurate information to help people learn about conditions that respond well to cannabis, the ways it can be consumed, and to compare its safety with a broad range of prescription drugs and other agents used to relieve pain.

Really liked it, although I thought it would be a little more in-depth as to what types of plants/strains I could use to pinpoint what type of medicine would help my chronic pain from the injury that knocked me out of my trade. That said, it takes the beginner from the first step (if you've never smoked or used pot before) right up through it's history, how it does what it does (with pictures and drawings, too, if you're more a visual learner), including how science, doctors, lawmakers, law enforcement, et. al., see it's benefits and problems. There are chapters on how to grow it (basic level), different types and what they mean, how it stacks up against certain pharmaceuticals, the mj business aspect, and even tips on...ssshhh...growing it illegally. Anyway, for an easy to read, 110 pg book, it sure crams a lot of great information into a small package! And for people like me, who have been around it for most of my life, but now see it as a way to rid myself of the opiates that I have to take all day/every day due to my injury, I welcome all the information this book has to offer. Nicely done, and I plan on passing it on when I find somebody that needs the same. If your looking for a place to start your studies in medical mj, this is a very good place to begin.

This is a great read for those who are touchy on the marijuana subject or those who do not know enough and want to know more. Very well written and made book.