Sick of Suffering
-by D. Nentwig

This book is a collection of quotes, poems, parodies and politics on the subject of Cannabis as a medicine. This book will be of interest to not only medical cannabis patients, but also carers, advocates and anyone else who is interested in learning the truth about this much maligned medicine and plant genus that provides it, plus the sufferers who benefit from it. 

                                   “To alleviate suffering for those
                                    who either are forced to suffer all
                                    of their lives, or suffer acutely, is     
                                    justice. Medical Cannabis is about
                                    medical necessity, not recreational
                                    frivolity. Please do not confuse the                            
                                    two”.
                                                     -  D. Nentwig

                                    email: coffsmedcan@yahoo.com 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher.(See contact page).

      At the time of putting together this book of Poems, Parodies and Politics, it is the year 2008. This means that even though medical cannabis has proven itself to countless millions of people throughout history, and has been documented as medicine since before 2,700 B.C., it is still denied. Up until the late 1950’s it was still listed as a medicine in the British Pharmacopeia. In the U.S. it was a little different. 

       True, it was still listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia up until 1941, but after 1936 they started completely discriminating against it, and instead of stating all the positive things that they used to state in both the Pharmacopeia itself and in Pharmacies all over the United States, the statement was changed to, “A narcotic poison, producing a mild delirium. Used in sedative mixtures but of doubtful value. Also employed to colour corn remedies”.

 This complete back flip and attack on such a proven beneficial, medicinal herb (as well as the active ingredient drug contained within… Tetra-Hydro-Cannabinol) was fuelled not only by the paranoia now flooding through America to do with racism, prejudice, phobia and discrimination, but also was mastered under the highly destructive, non-beneficial war that was starting to be waged by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics.  

       This is why by 1942 Cannabis, one of the most beneficial herbs and fibre plants in history was eradicated from the U.S. pharmacopeia. What a shame. What a crime. And, as usual in any crime, it’s always the sick, the injured, the suffering and the innocent that pay the price, and a high price it is too.

In Oct. 1999, Dr. MacDonald Christie. Head of Pharmacology, University of Sydney stated:
 
     “Several overseas studies have shown that compounds of cannabis can alleviate nausea and stimulate appetite. This yields ENORMOUS QUALITY OF LIFE BENEFITS for some individuals who suffer from diseases or disease treatments (i.e. chemo and pharmaceuticals) that produce impaired appetite or nausea….It was also useful in reducing chronic pain.”

    Also in 1999 Dr. Kerryn Phelps, former A.M.A. Pres.stated, “Cannabis was sometimes the only thing that helped people deal with the pain and intractable nausea of diseases such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and certain AIDS-related conditions and treatments.  Yet, such people faced arrest and prosecution for using an ‘illegal’ drug. “The bottom line is, we are talking about PEOPLE who, on compassionate grounds, need a medical treatment……

….I would challenge any politicians to look any person in the eye who has intolerable symptoms and say, We know there is something that might work for you, but we are not going to make it legal.”

   She stated this in the year 1999, which means that our Local, our State and our Federal politicians have known for at least 8+ years that medical cannabis is a proven fact, and
for them (and others like them) to deny medical cannabis from those who would otherwise gain benefit from it, is a criminal act, a breach of human rights and a neglect of care.
                                           
     But don’t take our word for it…… here are factual statement from Australia’s National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (N.D.A.R.C.), taken from their website:

    “The medical uses of cannabis have been recognised for thousands of years. Physicians in Ancient China used it to relieve constipation, loss of appetite, & pain during childbirth”.

    “What are the medical conditions which cannabis or cannabinoids might be of use”?

    “Cannabis and cannabinoids are useful to relieve symptoms of illnesses but do not cure the underlying disease. Many of the uses of cannabis for medical purposes revolve around its ability to reduce pain and nausea, stimulate appetite and perhaps reduce muscle spasms.”.

    “It has been agreed that cannabis or cannabinoids may be useful for some persons with the following conditions:

• HIV related and cancer related wasting

• Pain unrelieved by usual pain treatments

(QSTN : - But what if you don’t want the ‘usual’ treatment due to side effects, including toxicity and death?)

• Neurological disorders incl. (but not confined to) multiple sclerosis, Tourette syndrome and motor neurone disease.

• Nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy”.    http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au

   A great number of experts, scientists, drug bodies etc, all agree that medical cannabis ‘may’ (the majority of them now agree that it does) be useful/ beneficial for people with the above conditions, as well as many other conditions not mentioned above but mentioned throughout this book.

    Just to prove this, when it comes to medical cannabis and the rights of the individual to not only have access to their natural herbal medicine, but to have access and the individual right to provide oneself with that vital, essential herbal medication, let this speak for itself.

     The Therapeutic Goods Association, (TGA), Australia  - “It is impossible for any medical intervention to be entirely risk free. Therefore, the benefit and the risk must be evaluated in the use of all Pharmaceutical  (drug) products. NO medicine (drug) can be made completely safe”.                                  

     “ANY drug that acts on the brain can have potential side effects”. (Dr. Murkesh Haikerwal, A.M.A. President at the time, Australia). 

      This makes me wonder what delusional mentality Dr. Haikerwal and others are under when it comes to their bigoted belief of, “Our drugs good, your drugs bad”, “Our drugs' side effects are normal, while yours should not be tolerated” and “Our drugs are essential for human survival, while yours are ‘medicus cannabis nullius’ - no medical benefit whatsoever ”. What they should be saying is, “Your natural non-toxic herb is of no money, power, manipulation and dominating personal benefit to us whatsoever”.

     As you can plainly see from the previous statements, as long as therapeutic greed replaces therapeutic good, we will never be allowed our human rights to choose a safe and effective medication that benefit’s the individual, as no matter whether a drug is a proven killer or has never killed anyone in its entire existence, if it’s legal - that’s it, you can have it. But if it’s got the burning cattle brand ‘illicit, (which to a medical cannabis user means ‘slave’) then “no matter the benefit, you can’t have it. Take our drugs only”.  

     How long do we have to put up with medical social segregation, discrimination and mastery policies in our country and worldwide, while people are crying out….S.O.S. (Sick Of Suffering)?
                                             _______________________

     The 1999 U.S. Institute of Medicine report states on pages 126-127:
"Marijuana is not a completely benign substance. It is a powerful drug with a variety of effects. However, except for the harm associated with smoking,  the adverse effects of marijuana use are within the range tolerated for other medications.  Thus, the safety issues associated with marijuana do not preclude some medical uses."

(NOTE: Even though some of this statement showed merit, to call cannabis (a.k.a. marijuana) a powerful drug and not Tetra-hydro-cannabinol, which is the psychoactive drug contained in some forms of the Cannabis genus, is a mis-representation.
                                               -------------------

    Ms Margaret Hole (Pres.of the NSW Law Society at the time) stated in 1999:
“The illegality of cannabis for people for whom it was the only workable palliative treatment was a human rights issue. IF I HAVE A DISEASE, I HAVE A HUMAN RIGHT TO BE TREATED WITH THE BEST MEDICINE POSSIBLE”.

                                               ---------------------

       On Dec. 1st 2005, “The Australian” newspaper stated, “Australian researchers believe Cannabis, a drug believed to increase the risk of psychosis (through excessive THC
bombardment) may also be able to reverse psychotic behaviour.  

         “Scientists at Monash University, Melb. say they have found a chemical compound in cannabis -Cannabidiol (CBD) - that reverses drug induced behavioural disturbances in mice”.

(NOTE: They didn’t find it at all.  Cannabidiol has been mentioned over 100 years ago as an anti-psychotic, and it is a compound that has been applied successfully in combating mental, neurological and psychotic illnesses. Scientists have known for years that excess THC bombardment and its side-effects, including dysphoria, politically known as acute psychosis that disappears as soon as the THC wears off, can be easily removed with CBD application.

     They don’t want it because they want the negative side effects manifested from the cannabis herb, that are due to abuse, to keep the fear/phobia of it ‘alive’. The same ‘reason’ why they don’t allow ‘illicit drug testing’, even though it can save lives).

Lenora Long. - Researcher at Monash Univ. stated:
    “The interesting thing is that you have these two compounds in the Cannabis plant that produces opposing effects. One is liable to produce psychotic symptoms (rarely), while the other may be protective against psychosis……Cannabidiol may also help alleviate the symptoms of epilepsy and also pain associated with inflammatory disorders such as multiple sclerosis”. 

……..(NOTE: For well over a century, Cannabis Indica, which contains the CBD, has been known as a neuro-protective, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anodyne, anti-convulsant, anti-spasmodic, and anti-epileptic etc.  CBD and THC have been known about for decades when it came to one balancing out the other, but the truth has been suppressed).

    In 1997, Dr. Roger Pertwee (Professor of Neuropharmacology at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland) carried out a survey of MS patients who use medical cannabis. The patients reported that Cannabis helped the following conditions: spasticity; chronic pain of extremities; acute paroxysmal phenomenon; tremor; emotional dysfunction; anorexia/ weight loss; fatigue states; double vision; sexual dysfunction; bowel and bladder dysfunctions; vision dimness; dysfunctions of walking and balance; and memory loss. 
                                              ___________________________

 Former Premier of NSW, Mr. Bob Carr, (Hansard, 20th May, 2003) -  “This (medical cannabis) is something practical we can do to reduce the sum of misery in the World. The duty is imperative when it comes to as complex an issue as the use of Cannabis.

As legislators we should be able to rise to this challenge. The complexity of an issue does not provide a license to walk away while ordinary people suffer and acquire criminal records simply for treating their illness and relieving their suffering in the only way that works for them.

     With a sensible mixture of compassion and common sense, we can make a Medical Cannabis regime work in this State as it works in other jurisdictions around the world.” 
                                                ___________________________

Sarah Price - The Sun Herald (19th Dec. 2004)
   “After suffering from bone cancer for 5 years, and having two bone marrow stem cell transplants, Edward, 55, decided to try Cannabis after hearing how it could ease pain. Edward, who lives in regional NSW and asked for his surname not to be revealed said, “I got a much better sleep and felt better in my stomach”.

     Since then, he uses it at night to help him bear the disease for which he has refused the latest round of chemotherapy because he says his body “just would not take any more”. - “I was hesitant to do it, but when you’re sick in the belly from the morphine, there’s nothing else”, he said.

     Mr (John) Della Bosca said, ‘The Government has a responsibility to look to other solutions (like medical cannabis) to help patients suffering from those conditions, as soon  as possible’.”
                                                   _________________________

    It is truly sickening that a 55 year old Australian bone cancer sufferer is not only denied the only medicine that works for him, but also lives in fear of persecution and choice eradication in the same way that the Jews feared the Nazis, knowing their surname and coming to hunt them down. To force a sufferer to live in fear (not only of their disease, but of their Government's extremist policies) is a criminal act and a violation of human and civil rights, especially when that same Government and Law Enforcement Body takes drugs, advocates drugs, stands up for drugs, drowns every medium in their drugs only, and protects and backs drug dealers, traffickers, advocates, cartels, drug lords and the entire collective, known as Drug empires (albeit 'buzzword' legal ones). 

    Meanwhile,                                          

                                           IT IS NOW 2008, 3 years later,
                                           and Medical sufferers are still
                                   BEGGINGfor their medical cannabis rights.  

                                                They are still asking

                     'WHAT ABOUT ME?"....AND OTHERS LIKE ME".

                            (Parody of ‘What About Me?’ - by Moving Pictures)

Well, there’s a little sufferer waiting at the counter of the ‘Fair Go’ Shop.
He’s been waiting for them to care, waiting for the day
But Govvy never respects him from the top.
He gets pushed around, knocked to the ground,
He falls to his knees and he pleads, (….along with cancer, pain & neuro sufferers),

“What about me? This just isn’t fair,
I deserve a ‘Fair Go’, I deserve my share.
Can’t you see, we just want to live,
But ’you’ choose hate instead of live and let live.

Well, some are dying while waiting at the counter of the ‘Fair Go’ shop,
Others are waiting back there, waiting for the dream,
The dream walks out while in comes a ‘cop’.
How much of a crowd must cry out loud,
And run through the streets and SCREAM….

“What about us? This isn’t ‘just’ or fair,
We deserve a ‘Fair Go’, We deserve our share.
Can’t you see, we just want to live,
But ’you’ choose hate instead of live and let live.
Bridge:
So take a step back and see us all as equal,
We may be different, but we’re the ones that help make
up the ‘fair go’.                           
So listen as we whisper,
What about us?

Right now we’re standing on the corner of apartheid’s home.
No body (…Gov’t bodies, Research bodies etc…) has changed,
Nobody’s been saved.
We’ve been put out in the cold, all alone.
I guess we’re sort of lucky, though we get hunted a lot.
Other countries line ‘us’ up against a wall….TO BE SHOT.

But still, what about me? This just isn’t fair,
I deserve a ‘fair go’, I deserve my share.
Can’t you see, we just want to live,
But ‘you’ choose hate instead of live and let live.

What about me? This isn’t ‘just ‘ or fair,
I deserve a ‘fair go’, I deserve my share.
Can’t you see, we just want to live,

But some choose hate instead of……some choose hate instead of…..
Some choose hate, instead of live and let live.
But what about me….and others like me?
                                                        (D.Nentwig - COPYRIGHT 2006)

STATING  THE OBVIOUS…..

When wealth is placed before health, there is a problem.
When greed is placed before need, there is a problem.
When supremacy is placed before suffering, there is a problem.
When revenue is placed before respect, there is a problem.
When politics is placed before patients, there is a problem.
When media is placed before medicine, there is a problem.
When brutality is placed before benefit, there is a problem.
When apartheid is placed before acceptance, there is a problem.
When discrimination is placed before deliverance, there is a problem.
When control is placed before compassion, there is a problem.
Lots of problems - one solution………….
A FAIR GO FOR ALL.

The true meaning of ‘a fair go’ for all      
is “a just, equal and balanced journey                         
in life for every individual”.                                          

                                      - D. Nentwig - (copyright 2006)

                                               ___________________

                        Cannabis (all herbs) equals medical sustainability.
                Plant a seed - get a living plant/medicine/herb.
                              Plant a pill - get nothing.

      Which one is sustainable? And which one only sustains the Drug Cartels that manufacture and deal it, while the Drug Cartels sustain our Politicians and every other medium they can get their hooks into.

   For those who criticise and/or disagree with an individual’s right to choose the medication that best suits them, the individual, and not just the Drug Cartel, or the Politician, or the Celebrity or Media Personality that pushes it, this statement by the legendary guitarist B.B. King rings true, “Critics must have a job too, so they can go ahead and criticise”.

      Nature’s P.B.S.  - The Plant Benefit Scheme.
      Government’s P.B.S. - The Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme.

The differences being that:-
1) when it comes to true herbs, the plant benefit scheme cannot kill but when it comes to the Government’s/ Pharmaceutical Drug Lord P.B.S. we have found it very hard to find one that can’t kill you through side effects and/or overdose. (NOTE: Pharmaceutical drugs kill an average of 13,000 per year in Australia - 10,000 prescriptions; 2,000 NSAIDS; 1,000 OTC's).

2) Nature doesn’t want your money, just your RESPECT.
                                                   _________________________

 This next statement was taken from the A.M.A. website for 2006.

    15.4 “The Australian Medical Association considers that smoking or ingesting a crude plant product is a harmful way to deliver cannabinoids. The AMA supports more research into other ways of delivering cannabinoids as well as their safety and efficacy in proven medical treatments”- end quote

…….Smoking may be harmful, but for them to state that the ingestion of a natural herb - that the A.M.A. call a ‘crude’ plant product - is a harmful way to deliver cannabinoids, shows that they have no respect for it whatsoever. Crack cocaine, heroin and buzzword legal pharmaceutical, psychoactive drug cartels also call their drugs ‘products’ after they have ripped apart and abused the natural herb or medicinal plant that it came from.

    They (the A.M.A.etc.) also believe that the ingestion of something non-toxic is harmful while the ingestion of their neurotoxic, haemo toxic, organ damaging and destroying ’essential for human survival’ pharmaceutical drugs are safe, and “no matter the side effects… don’t stop taking them”.
      ___________

 NOTE: An average sufferer has to consume 5-10 different, toxic, side effects causing, psychoactive drugs that are proven to not only work for all, but clash with each other, just to get the same non-toxic benefits that the Cannabis genus provides through natural plant medicine.

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