CBD OIL

I am not going to be distracted from what I promised “the next post” would be about, particularly as it is something of a hot topic at the moment.  But, after a weekend of the whole bunch of snakes behaving themselves – relatively speaking (think snakes with socks on) boy, are they making up for it tonight?  I got as far as 1.30am and pythons and cobras and electric eels have been having a party.  The last few days have not been without the odd squeeze or sting;  but controllable in that I was able to breathe my way through them and apply mind over matter.  So what did I do wrong yesterday?  I don’t know but it was only through moving about, standing and stretching have I been able to find any relief.  And holding onto the thought that the pains will go, eventually.  Until the next time.

I had been keen to draw attention to my use of CBD oil in an attempt to reveal the problem of finding pain relief from Multiple Sclerosis.  During the past few days of revived “Cannabis Control” interest in the media, it is perhaps an apposite moment to bring the subject up.  One reason for my reluctance to raise this subject is because I am not entirely sure I am fully in possession of the necessary facts to write about it, but working on the premise that the House of Commons has ducked the issue for so long, I am reluctant to follow suit.  

Two young boys with a severe form of epilepsy have been denied a form of Cannabis, which offers them relief from the severe fits that affect them on frequent occasions on a daily basis.  You will be aware of the stories, having been headline news for some while.   Therefore, you will also be aware that there is a difference of opinion amongst the powers that be, as to whether sufferers of epilepsy and in particular these two boys should be granted a licence whereby they are allowed to import a drug which, it has been proven, not only gives them relief from their condition, but could save their lives.

I find it difficult to write about this subjectively but I am relying on you all having some knowledge of this topic.  

I use a mid strength CBD oil which my herbalist has located for me.  To my knowledge it does not have any THC in it.  That’s the interesting fun part that is illegal.  To be honest I’m not sure of its efficacy:  in the same way I have no proof that all the supplements, oils and vitamins are doing me any good.  But when I’m not in pain I am far more accepting of my condition, I think better natured and more relaxed.  Therefore my muscles don’t stiffen (sea snakes) or spasm (pythons), and the nerve endings jangle (electric eels).  But the past 12 hours have not been nice.  And without sleep it makes everything worse. 

To look on the positive side I did get 3 baskets of ironing done whilst watching a programme about Kazakhstan!

 Back to the CBD oil.  It comes in a bottle with a dropper so the idea is you can carefully administer and control your intake.  As far as I can see there are no ingredients listed but I’m pretty sure it’s THC free.   Before I spoke to my herbalist about getting some, as I didn’t want to just buy off the internet, I had read an article in The Telegraph about GW Pharmaceuticals, a company in East Anglia who provide 44.9% of the world’s legal cannabis for medical use.  And it cannot be used in the country it is grown in.  

By coincidence, we have a man staying who is about to start building yet another plant and commercial space for the production of Cannabis Oil for G Pharm, all of which I think is exported as it cannot be used here.  The CE of GW Pharmaceuticals (of which G Pharm is a subsidiary) was on Today yesterday morning (Radio 4) talking about what they supply and how it is available, but only through GPs.

I have talked to somebody at G W Parmaceuticals who has told me that I can only get their version of CBD oil through a doctor.  When I next see my GP I will ask her again about the possibility of getting their version of this oil.

Of course I could hang around in the middle of our village and see what I get offered – which would more likely be Skunk, the other version of hash (Cannabis) which is harvested from unpollinated plants and has a higher level of THCs  which may lead to psychosis and more.  No thank you. 

I can see the arguments both ways but to me, one by far out weighs the other.  There seems to be a very fuzzy area between recreational and medical usage.  I don’t mean one can become the other but is it the media who have leapt onto that particular band wagon?  Therefore making the argument less compelling.  I am sure the legal brains out there will have a succinct solution, although controlling that allowance is another matter.

If you are interested in reading more about G W Pharmaceuticals just google that name and a whole host of media articles are there for your selection.

So I’m gulping oxygen again, and the pains have eased up.  I’ll know more when I get up.  So I’ll sign off when I’m in Waitrose with my cappuccino.

Postscript

Ive made it to Waitrose and here is a new and interesting conundrum.  I went down to the basement to park and took advantage of my blue badge privilege, right beside the lift.  Got out, wobbled to the trolley park thence to the lift.  Which is broken.  As is the one beside it.  So I made it up the stairs and only then did I realise I wouldn’t be able to carry my shopping down the stairs – even if I was fit and able.   “Never mind” said the happy helper “I’ll carry it down the stairs for you”.  Now I remember, whilst having my cappuccino, I haven’t got any bags………….