To those who want to ban cannabis production here in Santa Barbara County: Medicinal cannabis is slowing the growth of my incurable cancer.
Three and half years ago, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I’ve had two surgeries, 14 rounds of chemo and immunotherapy. These traditional treatments are not curative, only giving me more time, but I remain hopeful. Research from labs all over the world is showing cannabinoids slow some cancers in three distinct ways. With nothing to lose, while I was in remission and on no other treatment, I took high-dose THC for five weeks and saw my tumor shrink by 50 percent.
A local grower, dedicated to producing medicinal cannabis, produces the high-THC tincture I take. Among other things, medicinal cannabis helps glaucoma patients; controls otherwise intractable epilepsy; manages nerve pain; mitigates the side effects of chemo; and shows promise for its anti-tumor properties.
The science is clear: Cannabis is medicine. A search of Google Scholar shows peer-reviewed science papers announcing the anti-tumor properties are being published every week. This amazing plant, which was vilified for 80 years, is finally getting attention as medicine.
I don’t want to dismiss the real effects people living near cannabis farms are experiencing. Certainly, there should be regulations that protect neighbors. But before you say, “Ban cannabis here,” consider what that means for your friend, neighbor or family member whose life may depend on it.
