Pubdate: Thu, 29 Oct 2015
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Column: The 420
Copyright: 2015 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Ngaio Bealum

CAN MARIJUANA CAUSE WEIRD ALLERGIES AND SKIN RASHES?

Can pot cause skin rashes? I recently returned to pot smoking after a 
40-year absence. Weird red rashes have broken out in the most unusual 
places-behind my ears, on the palms of my hands, in the creases 
beside my nostrils, behind my knees. And they itch like crazy.

I've swapped out all of my soaps, skin lotions, shampoo, after-shave, 
etc. (all of which I have been using for years) but nothing seems to 
help. I don't think I'm having a typical allergic reaction to any of 
those types of things.

I went to my doctor and he said it was psoriasis, but gave no 
explanation why it would come on so suddenly and in such weird 
places. I told him I recently started smoking pot again and he 
pooh-poohed it. I left his office feeling totally frustrated. Could 
it be a reaction to something in the weed?

- -PE

The answer is yes. Pot can indeed cause skin rashes. IANAD (shorthand 
for "I Am Not A Doctor"), but marijuana allergies aren't uncommon. I 
have a few friends who break out in rashes and hives when they are 
around pot. They are mostly folks who have been in the industry for 
years as growers and trimmers, so they have become overly sensitive 
to the pot plant. But someone who hasn't used marijuana in a while 
could also be allergic. Bummer.

Listen, marijuana use isn't for everyone. If your body freaks out 
when you use weed, I don't think there is much you can do about it 
except not use weed. You have my condolences. Maybe you can try it 
again in a year or two, or start small with a tiny dose and build up 
your immunity like Wesley did with the iocane powder in The Princess Bride.

Is Canada really going to legalize weed?

- -Tim Horton

If I was a Magic 8 Ball, I would say, "All signs point to yes."

The newly elected Liberal Party majority (they got 184 out of 300-odd 
seats) in the lower house of the Parliament of Canada ran on a 
platform that included the words "We will legalize, regulate, and 
restrict access to marijuana," and it goes on from there. But you get the gist.

Now that the election is over, they get to have hearings and hold 
regulation meetings, and meetings to set up the meetings about 
regulations and community input and backlash and all that good shit 
that makes democracy great and infuriating at the same time. It will 
probably be a few years before you can legally buy some B.C. bud, 
although you could go to Vansterdam, er, Vancouver, and buy some weed 
right now with no real trouble.

The election in Canada proves again that running on a platform of 
marijuana legalization is no longer a detriment to winning elections. 
In fact, being pro pot gives you a better chance at winning. Someone 
tell Hillary and Bernie. Hell, tell Trump too, just in case.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom