Medical Marijuana Doctor Answers Viewer's Questions (VIDEO)

This is the 17th segment in our ongoing medical marijuana education series with Dr. Phillip Leveque, noted physician, toxicologist and pharmacologist.

(SALEM, Ore.) - In our ongoing series about medical marijuana in Oregon and the rest of the world, Salem-News.com's Bonnie King and Dr. Phil Leveque address a number of questions sent in by email from our visitors.

Many subjects are closely related to medical marijuana, and one of those is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many combat veterans suffer from this and so do other people who survived or endured a situation that greatly impacted their lives. In many cases, victims of PTSD find relief from marijuana, Leveque says. More in his opinion in fact, than any other single treatment or medicine. Unlike prescription hard drugs, marijuana is natural and nobody has ever died from it.

One question is from a Vietnam Veteran who believes he suffers from PTSD and considering filing a service connected disability.

This individual never fought directly in battle, but he witnessed what he described as horrible things, while operating convoys through areas controlled by the Republic of Korea's soldiers, "firing squads execution prisoners, dead VC strung on poles like deer taken during a hunt" Before this gentleman files for PTSD, he wants to make sure that what he has described is not an insult to a combat infantryman who actually dealt with combat conditions. Dr. Leveque saw major combat during WWII, and he says you do not have to be the person pulling the trigger to experience the horror of war.

One question for the Doctor from a man named Danny regarded a Congressional code from 1939 that in his opinion, made marijuana use technically legal. He wanted to know if it was something Dr. Leveque was familiar with and whether or not he thinks sharing this information with patients would be useful.

Another person who wrote in asks about options for her elderly parent who suffers from among other things, Fibromyalgia. Dr. Leveque offers pointers and advice for people who have never used marijuana that include options for cooking with it several ways.

And on that note, Dr. Leveque and Bonnie also talk about a book that he recommends called How - To Marijuana A Step-by-Step Guide to Medical Marijuana by Carol S. Bott RN, who is a chemical dependency nurse.

This is an example of the type of work that is coming forward as the medical aspects of marijuana quickly continue to reveal new potential for the treatment of multiple afflictions, up to and including cancer.

Orders for How - To Marijuana A Step-by-Step Guide to Medical Marijuana can be placed online with Barnes & Noble, Amazon, direct from the publishers Bookstore at iuniverse.com, Booksamillion and through Carol's website at carolsbott.com. They are in the process of getting Carol set up with a blog so she can answer questions and write more about medical marijuana. We'll let you know more about that when it is ready.

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Got a question or comment for Dr. Leveque?
Email him: Newsroom@Salem-News.com

More information on the history of Leveque can be found in his book, General Patton's Dogface Soldier of Phil Leveque about his experiences in WWII.
Order the book by mail by following this link: Dogface Soldier.
If you are a World War II history buff, you don't want to miss it.

Watch for more streaming video question and answer segments about medical marijuana with Bonnie King and Dr. Phil Leveque.

Click on this link for other articles and video segments about PTSD and medical marijuana on Salem-News.com: Dr. Leveque INTERVIEWS & ARTICLES

Salem-News.com Marijuana Coverage

Where and How to Smoke Legal Marijuana without Fear of Arrest in the U.S.

Eulogy of a Great Warrior: Hoss Plourde

The Ripple Effect How Marijuana Laws Are Impacting Society

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weed April 20, 2008 11:16 pm (Pacific time)

Marijuana has saved my life. Rosebud=LIAR

Julie April 1, 2008 12:23 am (Pacific time)

Rosebud, are you sure you smoked weed? I've never heard anyone say that this pain reliever made them hurt. Maybe you're allergic. That shouldn't make you completely unsympathetic to people that it helps. Are you at all informed regarding the damage prescription drugs have done? There is NO comparison.

Oregonians in particular should absolutely have the right to use the medication that helps them. Your picture of people using marijuana is really skewed. This is not about a bunch of teens smoking oregano behind the lunchroom (you). This is about PATIENTS, with certification of their illness and proper treatment by a full-fledged medical doctor. It's good enough for the State of Oregon, and the majority of it's citizens. Why not you?

Do you really prefer to judge your neighbors rather than give them care? Take a look inside yourself, this shouldn't be such a tough subject for you to understand.

Danny March 30, 2008 9:43 pm (Pacific time)

Marijuana is gods medicine,I really believe that. They need to leave people alone and realize that this is not a "demon" weed but something with real benefits!the second biggest doctors group came out in favor of medical marijuana,..what does that tell you,..and Rosebud,..ever heard the saying "differant stokes for differant folks?? what doesnt work for you will work for someone else! LEGALIZE IT! WAKE UP AMERICA!

Rosebud March 30, 2008 9:24 am (Pacific time)

I don't know why anyone would wnat to promote using this. I tried it when I was a teen and all it did is make me hurt all over. I hated it.

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