DUID and Cannabis…….Fox 31 News weighs in

When it comes to impaired driving a study conducted by Fox 31 News in Denver has blurred the lines when the topic is cannabis and blood ng levels.

The DUID Bill presented in Colorado’s legislative session was quite the roller coaster ride as it moved through the committees and houses. At some points it seemed legislation was competing with Elitch Gardens with all the ups and downs, twists and turns.

The bill was defeated during special session on a 17-17 tied vote, with one Senator not present. This Senator’s failure to return for special session is believed to be what killed the bill, as they would have been a deciding vote, and had voted in favor of the bill previously.

This report from Fox 31 News was released just a few days after the DUID bill was killed.

Part I KDVR http://kdvr.com/2012/05/16/your-questions-answered-driving-under-the-influence-of-marijuana/

I have pulled some screenshots from the news story to highlight a few points.

First – let’s look at the ng blood levels of the subjects in the study. The subjects were asked to not medicate at all previous to test the day of testing. Blood samples were drawn prior to any testing, and after medicating.

First up – meet “Max”

Now – Max is stated to be a daily user of cannabis for his Psychomotor agitation. As seen in the report from Fox 31 News, Max’s ng blood level for THC was at 6ng prior to any cannabis use for the day.

After medicating – Max’s blood levels for THC went up to 32ng, well over the 5ng level proposed by lawmakers.

Next up is Fran – a 63 year old Fibromyalgia sufferer.

Remarkably – Fran failed her driving test with absolutely no cannabis in her system. The fact that she claims to be a user of cannabis and arrived with product to use, it is quite apparent Fran suffered a placebo effect while driving, and she was actually failed for this test by Officer Ashby. More disturbing is the fact that the product she consumed left her with no cannabis in her system to treat her condition.

Please folks – test your products – and test them regularly. Make a habit of it. The hugest concern is for the patient. As they treat themselves, they need to know they are taking a reliable product that will help them. As more interest is shown to our industry -and trials are conducted – I suspect we will see much more of these type studies. PLEASE test your product.

Patients lives depend on it.

Next is Robert:

Robert – yet another medical cannabis user who passed the driving test. Robert passed his exam even after medicating with a 10ng blood level.

Fox 31 News did a pretty extensive study – and this was actually a two part series. This is the link to the second part – and we will break down the shocking results as we go.

Part II KDVR http://kdvr.com/2012/05/17/web-poll-driving-high-vs-driving-drunk/

Brian and Justin are the subjects in the next study – comparing driving under the influence of alcohol to marijuana.

Now – Brian clearly failed his exam – and pegged his Blood Alcohol Content at .08. Many studies have been conducted on alcohol and impaired driving. With how alcohol is metabolized in the body, it is much easier to study and have quantified answers.

Justin is the final subject – with the most shocking results.

No age was ever given for Justin – so please forgive that omission. It is not remarkable to myself to see the results of Justin’s first blood ng level. For any chronic pain patient out there  I would expect them to be very high. Cancer as well.

Justin started out at 21ng before medicating at all for the day -and went to 47ng post medication.

Yet – he was deemed a good driver – and passed his driving exam with flying colors.

Next – Fox 31 News decided to ensure the driving abilities of both, and as they put it “See if Justin is just a better driver than Brian”. So – Justin imbibed in alcohol and reported a BAC of .04.

This time – when Justin took the driving test – he failed miserably. Alcohol most certainly caused impairment – YET – under Colorado DUI law Justin was still under the .08 BAC limit and would have passed a breathalyzer test. If the 5ng limit were to have been imposed with a DUID law – he would have failed for THC levels, which when he was only under direct influence of cannabis – he passed the driving test with a 47ng blood level.

So – when you mix alcohol and cannabis – is it a fair judgement to state the person is impaired and “guilty” because of the cannabis in their system when even slight amounts of alcohol can completely skew results?

Please keep in mind, cannabis facilitates other drugs within our bodies. Folks who utilize cannabis AND pain medications find they can decrease their pain med intake as the cannabis facilitates the opioids and makes them work better – thus reducing consumption.

Also – did any of these subjects have ANY other medications in their systems? Opioids? Muscle relaxers?

Granted – the Fox 31 News story is not the greatest example of scientific, empirical evidence, but it does bring many issues to light, and exposes many issues in the thought processes of legislators when they try to impose a law with no science behind it.

I stated in an e-mail to Colorado politicians this past session that they should kill the DUID bill and apply to NIDA for funding monies to conduct a truly scientific study funded by NIDA to prove the harm of driving with cannabis in your system. We have to prove harm to get the monies – but it is possible. In Irvin Rosenfeld’s Federal protocol – it is stated he can drive and operate heavy equipment as long as he is not impaired. After years of driving and a few stops as officers smelled cannabis coming from his car – Irvin has never been deemed to be impaired – or been cited with impairment.

Irvin has been smoking cannabis over 40 years. The man should bleed green.

In addition – shouldn’t the Federal government hold some responsibility for helping to determine impairment? A NIDA study could do just that – and the Federal government has the subjects to study as well – if they ever choose to.

There have been Federal medical marijuana patients for 35 years – and the Federal Government has YET to study their own patients.

Please see the poll from Fox 31 News here – and be sure to go vote in the poll. It is located at the bottom of the second story link comparing alcohol and cannabis.

Poll screenshot pulled on 6/2/12 – stats will change over time with additional votes.

The TV Show “The Dr’s” also did an impaired driving study

http://www.everydayhealth.com/addiction/0518/is-pot-safer-than-alcohol.aspx

I have left this link for people to go look at – but please note – I do not condone utilization of this study for anything other than showing the differences of the studies. In this study by The Dr’s no blood ng levels were drawn – and personally – I take issue with any driving exam that affects a drivers peripheral vision. It’s great to be sitting in a real car – but take out peripheral vision or impair vision in any way – and the test is just not very effective or representative in my mind. I was also very disappointed in The Dr’s for not having a more empirical study. One would figure a show named “The Dr’s” they would want to know what the blood levels are.

Well….that’s my breakdown folks. Please be sure to share this information, write your politicians and encourage them to pursue NIDA monies for a study, and BE SAFE out there! Please do NOT mix alcohol with cannabis – and if you are too impaired to drive – DON’T!

Please feel free to share this post and my e-mail – and save this little kernel for the next time DUID and cannabis comes up. With how Senator King pursued it this session – I can pretty much guarantee this issue will not be going away.

When your child is dying of cancer, you’ll do anything

This is what it’s all about.

Welcome to the front lines of Cancer treatment.

I would like to introduce you to my little motivator, and real life hero.

Please meet Cash Michael Hyde.

Cashy was born June 21, 2008 to Mike and Kalli Hyde in Missoula Mt. He came into the world with an older brother, Colton.  Today, he is due to become a big brother in April.

The Hyde Family - Mike, Kalli, Colton and Cashy

Cashy is very lucky to be where he is at today. You see, at 22 months of age Cashy was diagnosed with a Stage IV PNET brain tumor on his optic nerve.

It was May 3, 2010. Cashy had been sick for a couple weeks, and his mother and father became very concerned. They had been told that Cashy simply had mononeucleosis, and that it would go away.

It didn’t go away. As a matter of fact, it had gotten worse. Cashy was sleeping 18 hours a day, vomiting morning and night, and his left eye had started drifting and drooping. It felt to his parents like he was dying in their arms.

On May 3 2010 the Hydes took their son in for a second opinion, and an MRI. The doctors at first thought they were over reacting but consented to the testing. Thank heavens Mike was so persistent. The Dr entered with the devastating news of the tumor that was 4.5 centimeters in diameter, located directly behind his eyes, and wrapped into his optic nerves. Cashy was immediately life flighted to Salt Lake City.

Not two days later, they performed surgery on this sweet boys brain. They could only get 10% of the tumor and Cashy was left blind and terrified for about 6-8 weeks after this surgery.

It took a few stitches to sew his lil noggin back together.

Cashy was started on chemotherapy.

During Cashy’s first round of chemotherapy, he had his first seizures from the meds. They lasted 10 hours, and damned near killed his parents to witness it.

This sweet little child was OD’d at one time on Fentanyl, in the hospital.

The drug cocktails they give these children for cancer treatment are unbelievable!

Cashy celebrated his 2nd birthday in the hospital, blind, but happy to be alive with his family.

Slowly, Cashy regained his vision.

After the third round of chemotherapy another MRI was conducted. They found Cashy’s tumor to be completely gone, with only some remnants of cancer cells left at the base of the skull where they had been eroding his skull.

Poor lil blind kid.....

June 2, 2010

On to the high dose chemotherapy with 3 stem cell transplants on August 18, 2010.

This is where things got really ugly.

This process takes three “rounds” of treatment. The first round, Cashy fared well. The second round is when there started to be problems. It started with a few up and downs, extreme nausea, vomiting, chills, peeling of skin and diaper area, leaving severe diaper rash.

This was too much for Mike. Mike had become a caregiver in Montana to help sick folks, and now his son needed him. He had witnessed the success in his clients.

How could he deny the same remedy to his precious son?

Please see the Virtual Tour here. You will completely understand when you see Cashy.

Mike had some cannabis oil made…..and Cashy has been on it ever since. They started Cashy on his oil in September of 2010.

Within hours, Cashy transformed with the cannabis oil’ on board. At this point in September, Cashy had not eaten in 40 days. He had suffered cardiac arrest, and a stroke. The pain and anti nausea meds had taken their toll on Cashy. Pharmaceutical drugs were killing him.

Within hours of administering the cannabis oil, Cashy improved. He started eating almost immediately, and was again able to sit up, laugh, and play. Mike had insisted to the doctors to stop the anti-nausea and pain meds. In October while waiting for his counts to rise from the damage the chemotherapy had done, Cash developed septic shock and was immediately admitted to the ICU where he suffered stroke, pulmonary hemmhorage, pulmonary hypertenision, and 4 episodes of cardaic arrest which required full CPR, and was placed on full life support. Doctors told the Hyde’s numerous times that they didn’t think cash would make it and gave them the option to remove the life support and let him go.

Cashy’s parents didn’t give up hope and continued on with the life support. After 7 weeks of Cashy being on life support they were able to remove him completely from it and only needed a little bit of oxygen. He was out of Hopsital on December 17th, right before Christmas where they got to spend the holiday with Mike’s loving and caring family until their return home 6 weeks later.

Happy Boy

Cashy's a FIGHTER!

They returned home to Missoula on January 31, 2011 after 10 long months away. Cashy was excelling, and healthy and happy again.

On March 17, 2011 Cashy went to the Montana state capitol to meet Irvin Rosenfeld, and share his story with the politicians.

They displayed their Reggae Racers, IV poles attached to cars for kids in Cancer units. The family makes them and donates them to cancer hospitals for the children, so they can play, and have fun without wires and IV lines impeding their joy.

January 12, 2012

As Cashy charmed the politicians, they all smiled and laughed at the precious boy. Cashy was so charming and adorable!

Then, they went into session and pushed the green vote button to repeal medical cannabis in Montana, and voted to kill Cashy. The very same day they met him.

In April of 2011, Cash Michael Hyde was deemed cancer free. The boy of steel battled on.

April 6, 2011 Cancer FREE

Cancer Fears Me!

On July 1, 2011 Montana’s “blackmarket bill” aka “repeal in disguise” went into effect. SB 423 is very prohibitive.

In my opinion, no matter how you operate under SB423, you are a criminal.

To try to comply with the law, Mike Hyde cut down his garden of 16 strains and kept one. They never knew which plant had the cannabinoids that helped Cashy. They had dialed back his dosage. Cashy was cancer free.

It was a busy summer of advocacy for the Hydes, spreading the message of Cashy’s success, how the cannabis oil had helped this precious boy. Preaching a responsible message.

In October 2011, Cash went in for his routine every 3 month check up of brain and spine scans.

In July Cashy was still cancer free.

The family was devestated by the news that Cashys tumor had returned despite his energetic and playful ways, he displayed no signs of his cancer being back.

But it was back ,and the tumor was half as big as it was the first time at 2.5cm in the same place, wrapped around his optic nerves.

December 1, 2011 we find the young Hyde Family at Loma Linda Campus in California starting a serious series of chemotherapy. They are squashed into a Ronald McDonald house in a room with two twin beds, for 4 people. Keep in mind, Kalli is pregnant too. The family is undergoing serious, life-threatening treatment for Cashy through a second Christmas in a row.

Thank heavens they have the world-wide support system to keep them elevated through this time, and in good spirits. Shortly after arriving, they were blessed to be part of a fundraiser for Cashy in Beverly Hills. Tommy Chong even made an appearance.

The Hydes and Tommy Chong

Now….let’s talk about fundraisers. This is my opinion here, so please do not feel this is the Hyde’s opinion whatsoever. They were ever so grateful for the support.

The problem I have with the fundraisers is this, the benefactor walks away with very little after thousands are raised, and all the party costs eat up all the profits. Yay, we have a big party and raise awareness. Boo, the benefactor gets very little money in the end, and they are on the front lines fighting cancer. Fighting for their child’s life. Fighting to keep their family afloat, and happy and safe during such trying times.

I really hope folks think about this in the future, as fighting cancer is SO expensive! If you have a fundraiser for ANYBODY, get those expenses covered before you open the door. Sacrifice “Primo spot” for lower cost. When those parents are sitting next to a sick child receiving radiation, party location is the LAST of their worries. They still have all the regular costs of maintaining a home at home, as well as travel costs, and there is no magic money fairy there, handing over bills.

Shall we talk about medical bills?

Nah….I’m sure you get my drift.

Back to Cashy’s story……..

We were all transfixed, yet horrified to watch Cashy go through the next series of chemotherapy. Mike and Kalli kept everybody updated daily on Facebook, and eventually started Cashy’s Blog, as folks wanted to stay tuned, and follow the Boy of Steel’s progress.

Please join Team Cashy - http://www.cashhydefoundation.com

Cashy was undergoing full spinal and cranial radiation therapy. In the blog, you will be privy to all Cashy had to endure. They actually use a mask for what they had to do with Cash, and he had to be intubated and completely knocked out for the procedure each time, as it was done with him on his belly, lashed down to the table and secured so he could not wiggle and move. The radiation beams were very focused, and dialed in.

Radiation mask

Now, do you suppose ol Mike Hyde allowed those Doctors to give Cashy any of the anti-nausea cocktails or pain meds this round? He most certainly did not. Cashy Hyde went through SERIOUS full spinal and cranial radiation therapy with absolutely NONE of the pain meds, or anti-nausea cocktails. Only his cannabis oil, and a strict regemin developed by his Father.

June 2011 Cashy gets his oil

As other children lie suffering in their beds, Cashy got out of his every day, and left with his family on days he was checked out of hospital. The entire family came down with the flu in the end of it all, and cashy dropped a lot of weight.

As far as cancer treatment?

He ROCKED it!

Even with the flu and a very low white count, Cashy excelled compared to the other children. He could eat. He could play. He enjoyed his family and a much better quality of life.

These treatments could have left this child blind, or at the least brain damaged for the rest of his life. Myself and the Hydes believe the cannabis oil, with it’s neural protectant abilities, cancer fighting cannabinoids, and anti-bacterial aspects, saved Cashy.

We sincerely believe we will be changing how cancer is treated in America with Cashy’s story.

On December 29, 2011, the family celebrated with dinner at TGIFriday’s.

Celebrating tumor shrinkage 12-29-2011

Cashy’s tumor was shrinking, and the Boy of Steel was doing very well. The tumor had shrunk by over half, and the radiologists could see Cashy’s optic nerves on the MRI scans again. There was a light at the end of the tunnel, and it was not suspected to be a freight train.

Have any of you ever been through radiation treatments? Ever had a close friend or family member go through it? It’s not pretty. Their skin is literally fried off of them in some instances by the radiation therapy.

So, how did Cashy do with burns? He had very slight burns, no more than a light sunburn actually. Why? Well, his parents, yet again, see the magic in the medicine. A local man in California had heard of their story, and brought them a hemp lotion for Cashy’s head. They applied it multiple times every day, Cash even asked for it. There was no severe peeling, and shedding of skin, as the hemp lotion handled the damage to the skin beautifully. There literally was none.

The radiologists reduced the beams, and dialed in smaller to focus tighter on the shrinking tumor.

The Hyde’s hunkered down, and made it through the holidays in a hospital, for the second year in a row.

So, where are the Hyde’s today? How is Cashy?

January 17, 2012 the Hyde Family completed Cashy’s last radiation treatment at Loma Linda, waited for Cashy to recover, and piled into their van to drive back to Montana.

I called Mike shortly after they got home, to welcome them back, and inquire about Cashy. I adore the little fighter man so much.

I was so pleased to hear Mike say “He’s a Rock Star Hiedi, eating like a horse and getting his weight back from the flu. He is doing very very well!”

I cried when we hung up the phone. It’s been a long two years, a long fight, and it ain’t over.

We still have a long way to go.

Cashy IS beating his cancer, and one day I will watch that boy play Griz football. I’ll fight to my dying day to see that.

Griz Nation Loves Cashy

I sincerely believe that.

That’s not the problem.

The problem is the laws, and the Federal Government. In Montana, we have a very prohibitive law now. The politicians didn’t even have the respect to call our new law medical. It’s “The Marijuana Act”, and it is SO prohibitive that I am of the opinion that anybody operating as patient or provider in Montana is at risk. No matter how one interprets the law, in one way or another, they are a criminal.

Period.

They even took away affirmative defense……we had 36 raids in 9 months. That’s roughly one per week. The media is not good to us either, and we never receive an iota of positive press.

That’s a daunting situation for a desperately ill young boy who relies on cannabis oil to survive his cancer.

That’s also why the entire issue of the next Montana Connect is dedicated to Cashy, and his cause. We will be focusing on the Plight of the Patient. Enlisting more Warriors in the ranks of Team Cashy.

We must protect this family, and share the news of the success. We must help other children, and give them support. We must preach a responsible message, and follow through.

Children’s lives depend on it. Children just like Cashy.

I swore two years ago I would be here in 20 years smacking politicians in the forehead with my magazines, and educating them.

I meant it folks. I hope you will join me in my smack-fest, because that’s ultimately what it is. We’re waking folks up to realities mainstream media never lets them see. We’re promoting it with a responsible message. One that respects the patient. The sickest of the patients deserve respect, and rely on it to save their lives. We’re reaching outside of our industry, outside of the choir.

What is more compelling than a child? A child who knows nothing of law, social stigma, or even medicine. He only knows he wants to live, and play with his brother, cars, and puppy dog. Love his parents, and relish their embrace and love.

Please respect the patient.

Lack of respect is what cost us our law in Montana, and threatens Cashy’s life daily.

Which team are you on?

Me?

Team Cashy…..until I die.

I hope you will join us in our fight.

Please folks, realize, every day, you are fighting cancer too. Your clients who walk in the door may never share with you why they are there, many do, but many do not.

It’s personal, and it’s very frightening.

You may have a Cashy walk in one day, or parents. Desperate, seeking help.

Please, help empower your patients today. Share Cashy’s story, and give everybody a little strength from the Boy of Steel.

Love you Cashy!!!

Please be sure to go on Facebook and Like the Cash Hyde Foundation page. Tune in for Cashy’s Cupids! A fundraiser in Missoula for the Foundation.

Subscribe and donate at http://www.cashhydefoundation.com

The Hyde’s head to Salt Lake next week for another MRI. We’ll see what that tumor is up to.

I bet it’s GONE…..or danged close.

Stay tuned and find out.

Meet your Charter Issue Colorado!

Let's Connect!

We’re gettin her ready to roll!

There’s still folks out there who owe me content……get it to me please!

We can use all the support we can get – Advertise today!

Let’s Connect and showcase our industry.

We are Pioneering a new industry, making history.

Represent! Walk Proud!

We invite you to walk with us.

We want your feedback folks……give us a call.

Management Team:

Hiedi – 720-326-6577

Irvin – 954-536-9011

Randy – 720-840-5028

Let’s Connect!

Irvin Rosenfeld and Colorado Connect

Greetings!

As discussed in an earlier post, Irvin and I had many discussions with many of you over the past week.

We have made six small videos outlining Irvin’s support of Colorado Connect, and why it is important we need your support too. They are all under 2 minutes….easy viewing.

We sincerely hope you will take the time to view, and provide feedback, or any concerns you may have. We value your opinion.

Irv Rosenfeld introduces Colorado Connect

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

Part VI

We hope to hear from you soon!

The Silver Tour | Teaching Seniors the Benefits of Medical Marijuana

http://thesilvertour.org/

One day we’ll run the Silver Tour across Colorado. Please be sure to stay tuned in folks, and if you like what you see, contact Bobby Platshorn.

Let’s coordinate it though……we can run them through a ton of nursing homes this summer folks!

The elderly are on the most prescription meds of all….they SO deserve a safer alternative!

For you “old timers” out there……before Bobby’s black tuna adventures…..he was THE original pitchman for Ginsu knives…..way back when.

The things ya know huh?

Tune in! I bet you love it!

Visualization of the endocannabinoid signaling system on Vimeo

http://vimeo.com/27272870

Hey folks. This is a GREAT video on the endocannabinoid system. Please share it with all your patients and politicians.

It is imperative we educate as many folks as we can about the endocannabinoid system, as it was discovered only recently as far as medicine goes, and is not part of the educational curriculum in medical school.

I put Irvin on the plane back to Fort Lauderdale this morning. We had a very good week in many ways, and very frustrating in others.

Hours of discusssion were put into talking about Colorado’s medical cannabis industry, and some things we see that need repair, and quite honestly, business concerns.

After the financial horsewhipping you folks have taken over the past year, it is imperative your businesses run as smoothly and efficiently as possible, and that goes for paperwork and policy too.

Compliance, Compliance, Compliance!!

In addition, what message are you sending? By message, I mean, look around…….look at your exterior of your building. Is it painted nicely, and within neighborhood guidelines? Is it neat and clean, no garbage? Are the windows clean, even despite the bars?

Are you a medical facility? Or are you what I call a “weedslinger”?

I came up with that lil term back in December of 2010 when Irv and I were here for KushCon. We had walked into a few shops to check them out…..see what was happening. How was business?

Well……we were pretty taken aback by quite a few of the shops we had been in at that time, and are very happy to see that things have improved greatly. Those folks back then were simply “slingin weed” and had no clue about any medical application whatsoever, or care to expand their knowledge.

Colorado medical cannabis has improved greatly since then, and since regulation has been placed into action.

Thank heavens! It was pretty frightening.

Anyway folks….I have had Irvin in state 6 times now, with more planned in the future. We have a pretty good grasp on Colorado’s industry, and some suggestions, and ideas for you folks over the next few weeks.

Irvin and I made some videos too, and we will be posting those soon.

Please call us folks, we want your feedback. We’re here to help you.

Hiedi 720-326-6577
Irvin 954-536-9011
Randy 720-840-5028