Cancer, Cannabis Me

There was another reason for trusting in cannabis. As a long-term cannabis user, I knew that the UK government had been and still is lying about the effects of cannabis. Like its American counterpart, the British government placed cannabis as the star in the doomed 'war on drugs' that took place during the later half of the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries. Numerous people were criminalised for using a medicinal plant because it was demonised as being dangerous and addictive, when nothing could be further from the truth (places such as California have cancelled criminal records for cannabis). 

At the same time, scientists were reporting the existence of our endocannabinoid system (1993), followed by a wealth of research showing its medicinal potential. I was astounded that there was so much information out there. Although I knew cannabis had medicinal value (I used it for depression, anxiety, and sleep, prior to my cancer diagnosis), I had questioned its ability to treat so many different health conditions and diseases. How could that be? But then I discovered the answer - we have an endocannabinoid system that they forgot to tell us about - and everything switched into place. 

For those thinking that perhaps the British government was unaware of this research, the founding of Britain's first cannabis laboratory  (GW Pharmaceuticals) occurred during Tony Blair's leadership in 1998 - just 5 years after scientists discovered the endocannabinoid system. This was despite the fact that it was highly illegal to do so. Nevertheless, the company 'obtained a cultivation license from the UK's Home Office and the MHRA, [which allowed] the company to cultivate, possess and supply cannabis to conduct scientific research.' Then, despite not having a license to do so, GW Pharmaceuticals (GWP) began exporting cannabis medicines abroad. 

This situation continued until Theresa May became the Home Secretary (2010-2016). Mrs May, who along with her husband, has a significant investment in the UK's cannabis industry, backdated GWP's export license, which meant they were not lawfully charged for their illegal trading, and then changed the laws surrounding cannabis in a way that favoured the pharmaceutical giant and ignored the public interest. Indeed, Britain has been the world's largest exporter of medical cannabis since at least 2016, and while cannabis medicine is now available privately, you have to pay. Even worse, you can't get RSO.

Government lies and deception is nothing new, but the implications of withholding this information from the public, while simultaneously investing in the cannabis industry, is inhuman. People have died needlessly because of their lies and duplicity. When have you ever heard anything via any UK outlet or authority about the discovery of the endocannabinoid system? Never. I even wrote to the BBC's Panorama about it, asking them if they would consider covering it, but they never responded (no surprise there!). 

The Road to Health

It was this situation that reinforced my belief that the rumours about cannabis treating cancer were true. There were several YouTube videos that really convinced me, including ones from medical professionals abroad, but also testimonies from other UK patients that were having success with the oil. It was this mix of personal testimony and peer-reviewed scientific research that convinced me to go with the oil.   

Now it's six years down the line and everything appears to be okay. Although some people use the word 'cure,' I use the word 'treat' because I live with the knowledge that at some point it could come back. Cancer always does, and my specific cancer has a reputation for doing exactly that. However, as long as I continue taking the oil, I'm as good as I can be. 

Although I no longer seem to have cancer, I know from the testimonies of others that I will need to take a daily dose of RSO for the rest of my life. There have been people who's cancer returned when they stopped using the oil. Also, Olivia Newton-John, who used RSO when her cancer returned, subsequently lived for more than a decade because of the oil. She is my role model. So, although I am healthy now, I'm aware that my cancer will return at some point, just like Olivia's did.