First of all, Patrick Stewart is still fostering that beautiful pit bull, Ginger, and he keeps posting sweet photos and videos of her to Twitter. (Some videos are below too!) He said in a recent Variety interview that he would only have Ginger for a few days but I think most of us are expecting him to ultimately adopt her. Foster parents often get first dibs on the adoptable dogs in their care so it wouldn’t be surprising if Ginger had a forever home with Patrick. Fingers crossed!
Since there’s not a lot of news about Stewart other than those cute videos of Ginger, below, here’s an interview he gave touting the benefits of cannabis oil and spray to treat his arthritis. Stewart explained that arthritis runs in his family and is often so painful in his hands that he has trouble sleeping. Using topical cannabis products keeps it under control so that he is comfortable enough to sleep. He also says that it’s better than over the counter medications, typically NSAIDs, which have adverse effects like stomach upset and acid reflux:
Two years ago, in Los Angeles, I was examined by a doctor and given a note which gave me legal permission to purchase, from a registered outlet, cannabis-based products, which I was advised might help the ortho-arthritis in both my hands.”
“This, it would seem, is a genetically based condition. My mother had badly distorted and painful hands. I purchased an ointment, spray and edibles. The ointment, while providing some relief from the discomfort, was too greasy to use during daytime and so I only use it at night. It helps with sleep as the pain was reduced.”
“The spray, however, is much more usable and I spray my fingers and particularly my thumb joints several times a day. The spray very quickly evaporates and leaves my hands quite dry, though with a slight burning or tingling sensation, which is not unpleasant.”
“I believe that the ointment and spray have significantly reduced the stiffness and pain in my hands. I can make fists, which was not the case before I began this treatment.”
“I have had no negative side effects from this treatment and the alternative would have been to continue taking NSAIDs, Advil, Aleve and Naproxen, which are known to be harsh on the liver and to cause acid reflux.”
“As a result of this experience, I enthusiastically support the Oxford University Cannabis Research Plan. I believe this program of research might result in benefits for people like myself as well as millions of others.”
I don’t know much about topical cannabis oil however my doctor has mentioned it to me. She’s definitely more experimental than most although cannabis oil is legal in my state for epilepsy treatment and it’s also close to being made legal for other conditions like chronic pain and multiple sclerosis. This sounds like a godsend for people with arthritis and a no-brainer for pain treatment, especially considering how risky other treatments, especially opiates, can be. I like that Stewart is advocating this cause.
Let’s check out some more videos of Ginger!
Evening walkies with #GingerGurl @ASPCA @WagsandWalks #AdoptDontShop #fosteringsaveslives #pibbles pic.twitter.com/x3UwEKkTah
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) March 16, 2017
This is #GingerGurl's favorite morning spot. Look at the sun on that gorgeous coat. @ASPCA @WagsandWalks #AdoptDontShop #fosteringsaveslives pic.twitter.com/LJhjcBVMlw
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) March 14, 2017
Sunday snores (not mine). #GingerGurl @ASPCA @WagsandWalks #AdoptDontShop #FosteringSavesLives #pitbull pic.twitter.com/0YOUKd4vNm
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) March 12, 2017
The power of cannabis-based treatment is nothing short of amazing.
I agree completely but we need to begin to move the conversation past medicinal marijuana and into legalization for recreational use on a Fed level. We need to talk about rescheduling and we need to be really persistent about this. I know it’s hard to think about theses things, knowing we have Sessions in the White House but we have to try if we want to make progress.
My BF and I went to AG Healy’s town hall last night and the first question asked was about legalization of marijuana. Her answer was not satisfactory and the crowd let her know. We need to continue to push our local reps to represent their constituents properly on this matter. The majority of Americans are for legalization-let the politicians know how you feel. Last night we talked a lot about the opiate crisis here in Mass as well as the incarceration of low-level offenders for marijuana possession.
Things need to change but in order for that to happen we have to shift the conversation one step further from medicinal to recreational legalization. Keep on it, Shamby!
ITA.
I use marijuana recreationally and for medicinal purposes, so I’m all for shifting the conversation. There’s no logical reason marijuana shouldn’t be legal for recreational use if alcohol is too. In NO way should it be schedule 1. Equating MJ to heroine is ludicrous.
It’s a f*cking plant, plain and simple. It’s been used for meditative and spiritual purposes in ancient cultures for centuries. There’s just no reason for it to be considered a narcotic.
I was just casually commenting on the awesomeness of medical marijuana based on the story, and on my own experience using it for pretty much instant relief for everything from nausea to excruciating period pain. At the same time, I definitely feel strongly about legalization of recreational use. Stoned yoga all day, baby.
My BF is a huge yogi and always smokes before class. 😏
But yeah you said it all. Last night Healy started in with “gateway drug” and “public safety issue” in response to the first question and the crowd reacted with a lot of groans and thumbs-down signs. No booing thankfully but I think the message was clear: the majority of Americans are for recreational legalization. It’s sad to me that we’re still demonizing marijuana even here in Mass where we recently legalized it. Nobody in the state house seems to be in favor of it, which I still don’t understand.
Oh, and she never answered the question really-she definitely didn’t give a cogent, concise explanation as to why she’s against legalization for recreational use. SMDH.
“It’s a f*cking plant, plain and simple.”
So is hemlock, oleander…………!
omg @ Shambles! you sound exactly like me! but the truth about why weed(marijuana is actually a derogatory term) isn’t legal is because people are evil. Shockingly back in the day weed was not only legal but it was used in so many products that farmers were REQUIRED to plant it. oil companies actually started a propaganda to make sure this miracle plant was made illegal… feeding on the fear of the people that did not know any better. i say LEGALIZE IT 150%!!!!
“The power of cannabis-based treatment is nothing short of amazing”
Eh, the claims for it certainly are, the studies, not so impressive. While I think it should be legal for recreational use I take issue with the people that push it with an almost evangelical devotion. I worked in a pharmacy next to a marijuana “dispensary” and they would tell people it would cure everything, without any medical knowledge. I agree it has some constituents that are medically promising, but there’s so much unethical quackery surrounding it.
YES was coming here to say this. I have literally read that cannabis oil cures EVERYTHING. I’m not joking. I’ve had relatives swear up and down it cures, depression, cancer, etc. I think legalizing is the way to go but I really hate that people are calling it a cure for EVERYTHING with no backing science whatsoever. I hate that people seem to forget the placebo effect is ‘a thing’ and that’s why we need scientific data and not just anecdotal evidence. Not too mention people in Amsterdam where it’s completely legal STILL have these diseases!!! I also hate that there are so many refuted studies that people will post. My cousin is on a one-woman campaign to constantly post this ‘study’ that shows MJ kills cancer. Um, even soap kills cancer in a petri dish FYI. But seriously these people are like trump-supporters in their blind devotion. They don’t want real science and just cite unreputable alternative websites all the time.
I also hate that there are so many people that say you can safely smoke it. There is no way to safely breathe in smoke, ever. ALL smoke is bad for you. Be it from a candle or a camp fire. Breathing in smoke on a regular basis is harmful. I don’t think it should be illegal, but I hate that people think it’s completely risk free and a miracle cure. Com’on, be realistic. So yeah it bothers me that so many pregnant women are smoking it or people are smoking it around their children. All substances produce various toxins when burned. That’s never going to be good for you. Just like alcohol isn’t good for you, but again, alcohol is legal so should marijuana.
Sorry rant over. Again, for the legalization, but against all the BS.
Patrick Stewart stoned must be a trip, in a good way.
James McAvoy told a story of Sir Patrick and Sir Ian offering him fishcakes on the X-men set and from how he described it, you could totally tell that they were baked af xD.
Marijuana isn’t the harmless little pick-me-up some pro-cannabis activists make it sound like, but there is a lot of potential in its use that isn’t documented enough, and I absolutely agree with the people who say that if alcohol is legal, MJ should be too.
@ichsi maybe for you mj isn’t a “harmless little pick-me-up”, but for me it is. different strokes…
also different brain chemistry.
When the cannabis oil Charlottes Web was created, it was for a toddler with uncontrollable seizures. Since medical marijuana was approved in Florida this year, I was happy,but found out I won’t be able to start it until next year. My boyfriend who has muscle spasms will start this year. Not fair! It was created for my problem, not his! I’m glad it’s been made legal and works for so many people
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and edibles are sometimes the only way I can sleep. It’s frustrating that the government is trying to crack down on its use even in states where it is approved. Pot = bad but the hard-core prescription pains meds that make me terrible sick are just fine and handed out like candy.
Yeah weed is my miracle cure for insomnia.
My friend has RA as well; quite badly actually. But she agrees that it really helps for sleep for the same reasons you say. Not only nausea and stomach upset — but the constipation!!
I’m 30 and suffer terribly with it. Too bad it’s totally illegal in my state
Still illegal here in the UK so I don’t think any chance of topical cannabis products soon but I really must investigate this. My dad vapes it for his arthritis and swears blind that it’s better than any prescription he’s had from the doctor. He finds it infuriating that it’s illegal – especially given his old codger, non-recreational intent.
I just want to say, as someone that does dog rescue- any good home for a dog is wonderful BUT every dog adopted by their foster takes up a spot for another dog that could be fostered and not euthanized. I personally hope he doesn’t adopt, he looks like a great foster home.
I agree, but as someone who had a foster fail, it doesn’t mean you won’t foster another dog.
I will be very surprised if Ginger goes anywhere.
well, I say that as a three time foster-failer so, no judgement here 😉 Just devil’s advocating for people who may not have thought of that.
I still foster, even though I’ve been a foster fail with 2 of my pups. It’s fairly common for first time fosters to fail. It does get easier to place after you’ve done it for awhile. We just placed a scottie that we were fostering and it was SOOOOO hard because I loved that little fuzzyhead..
the one for period pains were amazeballs too. but my friend had to put them in unmarked tubs when she come to my country to visit just to be safe on both sides of the ocean.
(to government wiretappers: don’t worry, she doesn’t do it anymore!!)
It’s a godsend for fibromyalgia. Oh, and he’s keeping Ginger. ❤
While all of this is vital info (I support pretty much all of his causes), I NEED to know why Patrick Stewart hasn’t yet been nominated for People Mag’s Sexiest Man Alive?
That last video of him just made my day. I often wake up and my dog is sprawled across my head, my legs, wherever his 90 pound self feels like it. Cracks me up. And I’m a recent foster fail. I lasted 3 days. But even though I won’t be fostering for a while, it got me involved with the shelter we adopted our sweet girl from. I take my kids to go walk the dogs, and my kids have been giving their allowance to the shelter too, so it’s a win-win for all of us.