Greetings,

My name is ***** ********, 35 years old,  and I'm writing to you from Vantaa, Finland. The reason for this is as follows:

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 5 years ago after having quite "typical" case history until that point (depression since childhood, that after the tumultuous time of divorce progressed into first truly manic episode). I have been on every medication that the Pharmaca Fennica describes for the illness - and more. With less than salutary results.

Few years ago I ran into BBC article that claimed that cannabinoids might have positive effect on the condition, and since the 5 x different meds regime my doctors prescribed to me seemed only to make things worse (and fat), I saw no reason why not to test this thesis out.

Summa summarum of the results of this self-imposed illicit medication : I felt better. Much better.

But then the illegal nature of the subject came to play. The vaporiser that I used to intake my nightly smallish dose of the herb was faulty and the aroma of the plant spread to the stairway of the apartment complex - resulting in overprotective neighbor calling in the men in blue costumes.

Long story short: Fines, revoking of drivers licence (I'm an entrepreneur that installs hospital equiptment for living) and one year urine inspection regime to have it back.

Now I'm quite versed in verbal output but I cant even start to find the words to describe how Wrong this situation feels. I'm oscillating between hatred and depression in a way that feels very unhealthy.

Now while cannabis is illegal in Finland, patients suffering from multiple sclerosis have been given prescriptions of up to 1 gram per day (which is much more than I found necessary to improve my mental condition) - without any restrictions to their drivers licences. I have been trying to get my doctors to consider that maybe these anti-psychotics and SSRI:s and benzodiazepines they want to prescribe me are really as ineffectual as they seem and more earthly substitutes might be better. To no avail. The decades long frightening campaign performed by the state about cannabis and drugs in general is so firmly seated that they dont want to put their professional careers in jeopardy.

Then I found the study "Opposite relationships between cannabis use and neurocognitive functioning in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia" - which sort of makes my point that this plant really can improve the condition of bipolar patients as my personal experience seems to affirm.

Do you know if there is any study happening in Finland about this subject, or have there been any subsequent studies that I might use to persuade the medical field here to re-consider the use of this plant to alleviate bipolar condition?

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

With finest regards,