The formula for a healthier body is not magical. Stay fit (maintain a normal body mass index and weight) and eat healthy foods. Burn more calories than you take in. There have been thousands of books and diet plans to get in shape. If you are looking for a magic pill forget it. THE BEST FITNESS PROGRAM TO STAY IN SHAPE IS CROSSFIT

Yesterday in my Irvine office I evaluated a 27 year old male for medical marijuana who complained of pain secondary to Behcet’s Disease (Pronounced Bah-shets) He had been using medical marijuana for the past 12 months to reduce the pain as a result of joint disease in his knee’s and ankles and also to help him eat when he gets painful ulcers in the mouth.

To all my amazing patients: this is just a friendly reminder that if you are not going to be able to make your appointment to PLEASE PICK UP THE PHONE AND LET US KNOW. We understand that things come up and your schedule changes but by letting us know aren’t going to make it we can book another patient for your time slot. It really helps our office and staff to get that call!

Word on the street is that the court of appeals is about to rule in an Anaheim Medical Marijuana lawsuit which challenged the City of Anaheim’s outright ban on medical marijuana collectives. This case has been ongoing for the past three years and should send shock waves throughout the State of California.

As medical director for medical cannabis of southern california I have dedicated my professional life to evaluating patients to use cannabis legally for medicinal purposes. For the past two and a half years I have taken care of thousands of patients who qualify under CA Proposition 215 and helped them find relief from whatever ailment they suffer from. It has been an incredible journey and each day I am inspired by my patients stories of healing and humbled by their suffering. I truly feel honored and blessed to have this opportunity each day.

It is almost unspeakable what the drug industry has become: one huge profit driven monster! If you think this statement is radical consider what has taken place in the past decade alone with drug companies. On at least three occasions, drug companies have IGNORED AND DELIBERATELY SHELVED DATA which showed their miracle drugs had significant safety risks and never should have received FDA approval. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I often evaluate patients who had used cannabis extensively for a long period of time prior to using is as a medication. Many of these patients do in fact discuss similar withdrawal symptoms if they abruptly stop medicating. Common complaints are irritability, anxiety, insomnia and difficulty focusing. Although cannabis as a medication is generally very safe I think these withdrawal symptoms warrant discussion.

Today I spoke with two female patients who were taking anti-depressants (SSRI’s) for depression and experiencing significant sexual side effects. In both cases, their lack of libido and inability to orgasm were causing significant challenges in their relationships. They came to me to use medical marijuana to help their depression and anxiety and also in turn repair their sex lives.

Yesterday in my Long Beach office I evaluated a 45 year old man with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. He came in requesting an evaluation to use medical marijuana for constant muscle pain and to help with his appetite. He was wheelchair bound and his speech was unintelligible because his disease was progressing rapidly over the last nine months. Unfortunately once ALS progresses to this point life expectancy is only months to a few years. It is with my utmost compassion that I assist him in any way so that the rest of his life can be a little bit more comfortable.

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California (MCSoCal) I regularly evaluate patients with chronic pain for a medical marijuana recommendation. (approximately 65% of the patients I see are for pain) The question that many patients ask is: How does marijuana reduce pain? Although cannabinoids (medically active ingredients in marijuana) effects on pain have been studied there is a lot of research left to do. My goal of this post is to break down “barney-style” how cannabis reduces pain. I am not going to bore you with the specific scientific details as you will most likely fall asleep like I often do reading typical double-blind placebo studies!