As the Obama team begins deciding how to handle the Cannabis situation, we all need to review what we really want to happen. Naturally, many of us would want total “legalization”. This will just not happen as there would be way too many people upset that it is being handled even looser than alcohol. People will not tolerate seeing weed in every grocery store.

So, perhaps “decriminalization”? This would be similar to alcohol. Age and access restrictions would apply.

What about the re-scheduling of Cannabis into Schedule II? Then it could be written on a typical MD “triplicate” form and every MD could prescribe it.

The final option is for the Feds to just stay out of the states and allow the states to decide about distribution and related details. Also, this would also allow scientists to study Cannabis – a major issue for all of us.

Complete legalization is not going to happen. What happens if it is re-scheduled but all Cannabis products would probably be produced by Pharma and controlled by the Feds since they control the triplicate Rx’s of physicians.

Personally I would be most content with a Federal hands-off approach and de-schedule Cannabis and classify it as a Herb. In this manner, both Pharma and “organic” solutions can be pursued.

For more than 2 years I have been cautioning patients regarding edibles. The time of onset is delayed as compared with tinctures or smoking/inhaling and the Cannabinoid dosage is often “higher” than expected.

So, frequently a very intense and sedating “indica” type feeling overcomes the patient for many, many hours – i.e. way too stoned. A 91 year old patient of mine manages her pain strictly with edibles. She came in recently for a renewal and during the visit, I asked her how she was using her edibles so successfully. She told me she nibbles on her edible often over a two day period. After speaking with her further and then discussing the same issue with a number of patients I have come up with an “Edibles for Dummies” suggestion list:

1. Regardless of how you are told how strong the edible is, it is generally best to ignore what is said.

2. Take a very small morsel or nibble – dime size or a bit less at a time when you have the entire day available…just in case.

3. Wait 90 minutes and see how you are feeling.

4. If you are feeling medicated or probably medicated, do nothing more and wait another hour and re-evaluate.

5. If you feel nothing, take 2 nibbles and wait a couple of more hours.

6. Continue a similar version of the above until you begin to learn what works best for you.

I would appreciate feedback on this one??

BBC Interviews Dr. Frankel