Ironically enough despite cannabis being labeled a schedule I drug with “no medicinal value” the government-funded National Cancer Institute seems to beg to differ.
According to the NIH’s National Cancer Institute, there are many studies showing strong anticancer properties of THC and CBD. On the government-backed website, a number of studies show properties that benefit those undergoing cancer treatment.
On the NIH website, many studies show signs of antitumor activity in animal and in vitro studies. Also, THC reduces nausea and vomiting that aid those going through chemo. It also has the well-known effect of stimulating the appetite of users. Pain relief is also provided by THC/CBD use. It’s a whole other subject, but opioid use is declining in states with legal cannabis.
THC and CBD are both Cannabinoids, there are many others besides just THC/CBD.
Some possible effects of cannabinoids include:
The National Cancer Institute states that cannabis has been used medicinally by many cultures going back at least 3000 years. Until the U.S. made possession and use illegal, cannabis was a large part of the U.S. Pharmacopeia.
Cannabis is classified as a schedule I drug. This means the U.S. does not accept any medicinal benefits and that there is a high risk for abuse.
It’s pretty clear that the federal government has some catching up to do when it comes drug scheduling
So the question remains does cannabis cure cancer?
The parent of a 7-year-old Washington medical marijuana patient is seeking to be allowed to give medical cannabis in school to their child.
At present, although it’s legal in Washington to use cannabis it is not legal to use on school property.
This leaves patients, parents, and caregivers in an awkward position when deciding how to handle their child’s health issue.
Currently, the parent (John Barclay) has to pick up his daughter from school at lunchtime in order to take her home and give her cannabis oil.
He argues this is bad for her education and unfair to her and others like her. Mr. Barclay simply seeks equal treatment for kids suffering from conditions treated by cannabis.
The cannabis oil is “liquid gold,” according to Barclay. River, his daughter, suffers from seizures and cannabis has been the only thing that reliably treats them. River takes non-psychoactive CBD edibles in order to treat her seizures, but she needs a second dose at noon.
The legislature introduced a bill in Olympia that would allow giving medical cannabis in school. All children that are medical marijuana patients are covered.
The last thing a child facing serious medical issues needs is difficulty getting their medicine.
Science Daily recently reported on a new study looking at cannabis for pain relief. The study was done by Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).
The study shows that cannabis may be helpful for chronic pain. And with fewer side effects and a lower risk of addiction than with opiates. Susan Ingram, PhD., an associate professor at OHSU’s School of Medicine, said, “[cannabis] may be an avenue where we can get better pain medicines that are not addictive.” A reason for this is that our bodies use their own endocannabinoid system. In or in other words our bodies come with a built-in cannabis system.
In states with legal cannabis opiate addiction rates have dropped. Data suggests in some cases by as much as 35-55%. For years doctors have pushed opiates from drug companies on patients. Now our nation is seeing record overdoses from opiates.
Additionally, those using cannabis for pain relief vs opiates generally have a better quality of life. With many users reporting feeling more in touch with their surroundings. Opiates generally leave users in a disconnected stupor.
Read the full article here
Access the original study here
Find more articles related to cannabis here
Migraines are very painful, issues that many people deal with on a regular and ongoing basis. Migraines often include headaches. But there are other symptoms as well including nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, loss of coordination, and problems with vision.
Many people who suffer from migraines have “hangovers” for days. This is due to the severity and duration of the symptoms during episodes. Treatments can include a variety of medicines. Some of which have nasty side effects or the potential for addiction.
However, it may be possible for sufferers to find some relief through cannabis, according to Leafly.
Cannabis is used to treat pain and nausea. Many sufferers try THC or CBD as an alternative to addictive opioid painkillers. Perhaps cannabis could prove to work for many people with migraines that are looking for other remedies.
Many people are unaware that until the outlawing of cannabis. it was a major part of the medicine chest and doctors of the day would have been aware of the healing powers of this plant.
Patients with this condition may try either low dose edibles or vape pens. One might try the vape pen first to determine if it provides any relief. If so then perhaps longer release time of edibles might control baseline pain. Then during periods of extreme pain, the patient will use a vape pen.
The Weed Blog reported on a change.org petition. Asking Obama to force the DEA to tell the truth about cannabis.
It states it’s “illegal for federal agencies to distribute false information.”
The DEA admits that certain negative claims about cannabis not fact based. Notably the gateway drug theory. And cannabis leads to mental illness or brain damage. The DEA’s website continues to distribute “facts” that they admit are false. 25 instances of conflicting on the remain on the DEA’s website.
These are the same facts that have been used for the last several decades to convince the world that cannabis should be illegal.
Firstly fixing cannabis rules was one of the mayor’s campaign promises. At present Mayor Wheeler is making slow progress towards his goal.
Secondly Wheeler has stated that the bureau most need of reform is the Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI). And has already replaced ONI’s previous head.
The bureaus previous head of ONI was Amanda Fritz. Who was unfriendly to cannabis business’ needs. Now the industry is hoping for better relations with ONI.
Newly elected Chloe Eudaly is hoping improve relations with cannabis business’. Moreover she has appointed David Austin to the position of director of ONI and BDS.
Mr. Austin has made progress but still has some work left to do with cannabis rules.
In Conclusion this city is growing rapidly and there are new issues every day. It’s hard to create new rules with a building boom and serious issues in the city.
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As discussed in The Cannabist, strains are lumped into two categories: Sativas, which are better suited to daytime use; and Indicas, which are better for nighttime use and are more sedative.
Most strains are hybrids of the two, but will still tend to fall more on the indica or sativa side. Max Montrose from Trichome Instutute came on The Cannabist Show to discuss the chemistry behind different kinds of highs. Because of the high degree of hybridization, terpenes may play a bigger role in what kind of cannabis high people experience. At least according to Montrose: “It’s terpene-dependent. It’s the terpenes that will dictate the experience from cannabis, not really the cannabinoids”. Some terpenes are more common in indica than in sativa, however. Each strain has a unique effect, which is why having a good budtender is of value when selected the correct strain.
In stark contrast to the DEA’s recent ruling that CBD should be included as a Schedule I drug.
The UK has decided to reclassify the drug and allow the use of the drug. With new rules comes oversight, health, and safety standards.
The Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) director of inspection and enforcement told Sky News. “The change really came about with us offering an opinion that CBD is, in fact, a medicine.That opinion was based on the fact that we noted people were making quite stark claims about serious diseases that could be treated with the compound”.
This is great news for those with conditions that can be treated by the compound. Many find relief from seizures and other central nervous system disorders. Now that CBD is legal in the UK hopefully there will be more research on the compound.
Currently, cannabis containing THC will remain illegal in the UK with no recognized medical value. Once the benefits of CBD are widely seen research on THC will certainly begin.
With more and more countries legalizing cannabis and doing research it’s only a matter of time before prohibition ends. The benefits are clear at present and more will certainly be found over time.
Former Philadelphia Eagles lineman Todd Herremans recently opened up about his NFL cannabis use during his career.
As reported in Ganjapreneur, Herremans used it to manage pain. NFL cannabis was used as an alternative to opioid painkillers, which are highly addictive.
“I saw a lot of friends of mine throughout the years that I played that would end up with opiate addictions and it was kind of a scary thing,”
Herremans said. Many athletes share the view that cannabis may be a safer alternative to opioids. Herremans’ admission comes on the heels of a NFL recent statement. The NFL plans to spend $100 million to explore new ways to protect their players. A group of physician-advocates led by Dr. David Nathan think the NFL should consider cannabis as a part of that plan. Dr. Nathan said, “I think that that’s a moral obligation on the part of the NFL”. Furthermore, Dr. Nathan added, ” I don’t believe that any of us at this point really think that marijuana is a drug without some medical use”.
Bruce Barcott recently wrote an article for Leafly that looked in to the DEA’s decision to establish a new drug code for cannabis extracts that includes the substance CBD.
This ruling will not affect states that have already legalized cannabis. As these states are already ignoring cannabis’ status as a Schedule I drug.
It is a concern for states that allow for hemp-derived CBD products, however. There are 16 states that allow for THC-free CBD products not derived from “marijuana,” but instead made from hemp.
The DEA cannot create rules for substances that are not within their domain. The DEA doesn’t have the authority to decide what is and isn’t a “drug”. That would be a legislation issue and falls to Congress. Problem is the DEA cannot create laws. Not only that, but it is not the first time the DEA has tried something similar.
In 2001, the DEA created a rule for hemp that would have banned hemp seed and hemp seed oil products . A popular ingredient in many food and cosmetic products. Finally the ruling was successfully challenged in court, led by Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps.
The judges found that a substance not already scheduled by Congress, then the DEA has no authority to regulate it.
In other words the DEA CBD ruling may be a court case waiting to happen. Perhaps the results of such a case may force the DEA to stop any enforcement actions.