Don't Get High….. Get Well

Posts Tagged ‘medical marijuana’

As we all know, “stoners” are considered to be dumbed down by cannabis. Well, as most of us already know, this is not the case. Here is another article published in a mainstream medical journal that states what I believe to be closer to The Truth.

I will be speaking more on this in a future blog, but the attached article on the critical important and synergy between cannabinoids and terpenoids is just being uncovered.

Terpenes are ubiquitous in nature. They are present in all plants and give them their essence; flavor, scent, taste, as well as acting as plant communicators to other plants and to animals. There are certain terpenes that are emitted from a plant when it is being eaten by a herbivore which attract a carnivore to eat the herbivore! Pretty amazing. Just think of what non-verbal communications must be going on with us humans. It must, just must be way beyond posture and eye contact.

In the cannabis plant, the terpenes are in abundance and in addition to giving strains their character, scent, taste, etc, act as active neurotransmitters within us! I once smoked some Beta Kariophylline, with a couple of lab guys. There were no cannabinoids present; no THC/CBD. We all were very “effected”. :

Since that experience a couple of years ago, I have been studying more plant medicine. As I came across this great article by Dr. Ethan Russo, it reminded me to blog on the subject and of course post the article.

As you all know, I work as a consultant for various groups helping to develop dosable medication. Terpenes have been an exciting and still much unknown field. I will keep you posted. In the meantime, check this out and try stay awake.

Dr. Ethan Russo on Cannabinoids and Terpenoids -Terpenoid Entourage Effects Brit J Pharmacol 2011

I am a board certified internist working in the Santa Monica, CA area for 32 years. For the past 5 years I have become a pro-cannabis physician and have learned much on how the cannabis plant can be very helpful to millions of patients.

I am not talking about “pot clinics”. I am not speaking about “brownies” and “hash bars”. I am talking about dosable cannabis medications which come in both tincture and capsule form. These organic medications are made to extremely rigorous standards and are already helping many people.

Further federal intrusion into our ability to create these very exceptional medications just seems harsh and entirely unwarranted. I have a list of several questions that I would like to be addressed publicly. These are going to appear as pretty straightforward questions, but any honest answers would be incredibly helpful for me to understand the current federal standing on medical cannabis.

The DEA just released it’s “updated” opinion regarding the scheduling of cannabis. Not surprising, they are leaving it as Schedule I; useless and dangerous. This is despite a number of incredibly hypocritical actions.

Mr President, I would very much appreciate answers to the following quesitons:

1. Dronabinol, or Marinol, is pure THC. THC, as we all know, is the most psychoactive and side effect ridden molecules in the cannabis plant. By side effects, I am referring to the ability of THC to cause agitation. So, the most psychoactive and the most side effect prone molecule in the plant is Schedule III. This means that a physician can phone in a verbal/oral order for Dronabinol, but that same doctor, according to the Feds (and occasionally the California Medical Board), cannot smoke weed!

So, please explain to me why cannabis is Schedule I and it’s main psychoactive molecule can be phoned in and is not controlled?

2. In 2003, the Feds patented CBD, Cannabidiol. This is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid as discussed in a number of my prior blogs. Now, the Feds would clearly not have patented CBD if it were dangerous and useless. Right? Who would patent something that is both illegal and useless?

So, please explain to me why cannabis is Schedule I but CBD is patented by the Feds?

3. How/why are the feds giving grow licenses to various Pharmaceutical companies, yet to be named?

Please explain this to me as well?

4. CBD, approximately 10 months CBD ago just dropped off Schedule I. Why? Is it legal or not? I really don’t know. CBD is a truly magical molecule, certainly while acting as a complete medicine within the plant’s molecular environment. I.e. I believe, as an aside, in whole plant medicine. Apparently so do a number of international pharmaceutical companies, as a handful are being released around the world.

Please explain what the legal status of CBD is now? Is it different if it is Pharma based??

Sativex (GW Pharma/Bayer Pharma), will be passed all clinical trials in a few years and be a legal drug in the USA, but only by controlled prescriptions. Am I correct? It is a whole plant tincture. It has approximately balanced THC and CBD, it is completing State II trials in the US AND the DEA and FDA are having meetings concerning this.

Pharmaceutical based cannabis medicine will end up in a different schedule that the identical medicines produced outside of Pharma. The issue is no longer about morales and evil weed. It is about Pharmaceutical companies working with our government to get rid of any competition to their own weed products. At least this is how it seems. Please explain how and why I am incorrect?

Thank you for your time,

Allan I Frankel, MD
310-821-9600

Try imagine what a 1960′s type cannabis cooperative might have looked like if Proposition 215, the California initiative legalizing Medical Cannabis in 1996, was passed in the 1960′s. You might have seen a huge number of patients growing one or two plants and sharing them with the community. The “collective” would have no store, but might have meeting places for patients to exchange their medications.

One patient might bring their Sativa strain and swap it out for some Heavy Indica. One or two of the members might make tinctures or edibles and trade them at this “growing commune” of sorts. No money would change hands, there would be no commercialization and it would be the ultimate compassionate “collective”. One patient might get “credits” for helping other patients or teaching. Many values related to growing and creating medications would all be shared and as we know from the “Open Source” community, it is the best way to get top products created.

Although plentiful right now, the storefronts are at risk in many people’s opinion. What if the Feds really get what they want? It is not impossible that all retail stores will be closed to make way for the new $Trillion dollar CBD and Tincture based Pharmaceutical medicines. These medications are coming and it will be sooner than you think. This will be a huge market and the pharmaceutical companies and related interests in Washington, are clearly quite aware of what is happening. I would not be surprised if some pharma $$ is used by the Feds for raids.

Last week I spoke about thoughts I wanted to begin sharing with all my readers and patients. My concern is again outlined above and I would like to begin suggesting actions we all might take to help protect our real medication. I am not concerned regarding available of “smokeable” cannabis and I doubt the government is really still that concerned about it, barring some extremists. However, I am extremely concerned that just as the non-pharma “medical cannabis” community is beginning to produce very professional level tinctures and other dose-able medications, Pharma and the Feds will steal back cannabis.

So, how could “one patient, one plant” work and deal with protecting our newly evolving high-grade medications? There are some that argue that this is not important. They argue that if Pharma is creating the medicines and doctors can prescribe it, we are done! Well, this could not be further from the truth. The pharma based cannabis medications will have several issues, regardless of how great they are.

1. They will be very expensive, while non-pharma is pretty reasonable.
2. They will be controlled, watched and only available for limited diagnoses. It will be a LONG time before pharma based cannabis medications will be used for anxiety and muscle spasms.
3. Pharma cannot get away with a large variety of tinctures or other medications. The way it works is that they make ONE medication, with ONE fixed dose. This helps people, but is extremely limiting.
Wouldn’t you want to have a choice of various capsules and tinctures with differing THC/CBD/TERPENE ratios and amounts? Having a selection is always good and why should Pharma decide what the
correct ratios are for everyone?

These are real issues, and IF we lose entire control of cannabis medications to Pharma, we will sorely regret it. So, let’s explore a new and very old concept as stated at the start of this blog. What if we had a true State-Wide Collective?

What if many of these patients, including YOU, grow a single plant? What if the collective can provide a pretty automated manner in which to grow this one plant?
What if the strains/genetics could be controlled by the Collective?
What if any/all diversion is avoided as this collective would not keep any patient who diverted one bud for anyone else or for smoking.
What if these genetically controlled plants are processed by the collective into professional tinctures and capsules/elixers?
What if some of these patients grow and the plants are processed and the tinctures/other meds are shared at a great discount with any non-growing patients?
What if this “community”/collective/co-op begins purchases of group health insurance or cannabis friendly cruises, etc etc etc?
What if this became a sacred and protected source of high level cannabis medications at fair and compassionate prices?

Please tell me why this cannot happen?

The DEA just released it’s “updated” opinion regarding the scheduling of cannabis. Not surprising, they are leaving it as Schedule I; useless and dangerous. This is despite a number of incredibly hypocritical actions.

I would LOVE, truly LOVE to hear from someone, anyone, who can explain the following facts:

1. Dronabinol, or Marinol, is pure THC. THC, as we all know, is the most psychoactive and side effect ridden molecules in the cannabis plant. By side effects, I am referring to the ability of THC to cause agitation. So, the most psychoactive and the most side effect prone molecule in the plant is Schedule III. This means that a physician can phone in a verbal/oral order for Dronabinol, but that same doctor, according to the Feds (and occasionally the California Medical Board), cannot smoke weed!

So, please explain to me why cannabis is Schedule I and it’s main psychoactive molecule can be phoned in?

2. In 2003, the Feds patented CBD, Cannabidiol. This is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid as discussed in a number of my prior blogs. Now, the Feds would clearly not have patented CBD if it were dangerous and useless. Right? Who would patent something that is both illegal and useless?

So, please explain to me why cannabis is Schedule I but CBD is patented by the Feds?

3. How/why are the feds giving grow licenses to various Pharmaceutical companies, yet to be named?

Please explain this to me as well?

4. CBD, approximately 10 months ago just dropped off Schedule I. Why? Is it legal or not? I really don’t know. CBD is a truly magical molecule, certainly while acting as a complete medicine within the plant’s molecular environment. I.e. I believe, as an aside, in whole plant medicine. Apparently so do a number of international pharmaceutical companies, as a handful are being released around the world.

Please explain what the legal status of CBD is now? Is it different if it is Pharma based??

Well, with Sativex (GW Pharma/Bayer Pharma), in a few years it will be passed through clinical trials and be a legal drug in the USA, but only by controlled prescriptions. I would bet anything on it. It is a whole plant tincture. It has approximately balanced THC and CBD, it is completing State II trials int he US AND the DEA and FDA are having meetings.

Pharmaceutical based cannabis medicine will end up in a different schedule that the identical medicines produced outside of Pharma. The issue is no longer about morales and evil weed. It is about Pharmaceutical companies working with our government to get rid of any competition to their own weed products.

Hypocrisy to the max.

Can someone out there get someone from the administration to explain this? Should I draft this as a letter to the president? Can anyone help me get someone’s attention. I would love to speak with someone to help me understand these confusing issues. I need help.

Let's help Bill

House Bill 2306 appears to be our best hope to avoid Federal closing of most of California’s store front collectives. Please read it carefully and send an email to your congressman.

If the Federal Government will treat Cannabis as it did alcohol at the end of prohibition, it is pretty clear that most states will adopt Medical Cannabis legislation as well as begin legalizing Cannabis in some states. Remember, Proposition 19 this past November did get 46% of the vote and would likely easily pass if we all knew the Feds would be staying out.

I am praying this passes, but I am not overly optimistic as the financial/pharmaceutical forces are so great. I believe the religious right has lost it’s stronghold on Cannabis as the evil weed, so IF the Feds stay out, it will be a major relief.

In the event HR 2306 passes, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. However, in the meantime, I will return in a day with a further thoughts on how to protect our medication.

The political leaders and the “People” must decide upon legalization and social cannabis; medical professionals must be responsible for the creation and preservation of the true medicine of this incredible plant, regardless of the “policy of the day”.

So, have a great 4th of July and let’s return on Tuesday to continue to work towards the Independence of Medical Cannabis.

I was just thinking, what if we knew what we currently know and were deciding how to run with Proposition 215, the 1996 Medical Cannabis Proposition, how would we do it? Let’s call it a “do-over”. How would it look? How SHOULD it look? This is an academic question to the max, since most of what we currently know regarding CBD was not even known in 1996, but still, a “do-over”. Let’s start today. I know I will certainly irritate a lot of people on both sides of the fence with this next series of blogs, but I suppose that since it is my blog, I get to do whatever I want. I also understand the reader has the right to make comments and question everything. I truly hope my next series of blogs does stimulate a lot of discussion. I really do, because I think medical cannabis is in very serious trouble and we need a new model pretty quickly.

I am actually more concerned, in some ways, regarding social or recreational users of cannabis than I am regarding “real patients”. I think I have a rough model on how we should move forward on the medical front. I am concerned, however, that whatever I personally believe, the dispensary or store model of cannabis “sales” is in serious jeopardy by the Federal Government, but not for reasons we have previously believed. For social cannabis use, it needs to be done through legalization. It just can’t any longer weigh on the shoulders of the crumbling Medical Cannabis System in California. If Cannabis were legally and freely available, the overwhelming number of patients would use it without any doctor’s help – at all. Getting stoned or just feeling better does not require any physician input – at least in my opinion.

So, my concern must focus on medical cannabis and as time goes by, I will repeat that I favor legalization at every possible level for cannabis. I have never been a physician who “dreaded” legalization. I have always spoken out in favor of it. I am just concerned that I need to solely focus on helping to develop safe and effective medicines as well as helping to reshape the face and perceived face of Medical Cannabis in California. I understand that this appears quite grandiose. I know I cannot accomplish this alone, but in this blog and blogs to follow, I will be outlining a new/old/very old path we might consider. This path would be a parallel path to the store front model. I do have some concerns for the long term viability of the stores due to Federal pressures triggered entirely by Pharmaceutical $$$.

These Federal pressures are no longer morale,legal, ethical or even political issues; it is all about Pharmaceutical profits and what the government can make in taxes and re-elections. The reality of medical cannabis tinctures from the international Pharma market has landed quite well and our own Pharmaceutical companies are purchasing shares of these other companies as well as receiving grow licenses from the federal government. Yes, you are hearing me correctly. I will separately publish all the references regarding my current blog series on “Starting Over Again”.

So, despite only 20% of US Citizens being against Medical Cannabis, Medical Cannabis is in a lot of trouble due to the Feds, supported by Pharma, having a huge financial incentive to shut down any stores that might market competing medications. The competition will be very fierce as the “Medical Cannabis” can be marketed for less than $1/day while the Pharma tinctures will be in the $20 range and up.

So, in upcoming blogs I will discuss:

1. Where do the new or existing patients come from for this Statewide Collective?
2. What Medical Cannabis products will be provided by this Collective?
3. How and growing work and who will grow?
4. How medications will be ordered and delivered by patients.
5. What the collective can do with any excess professionally made medicines.

I am hoping, that with this blog series a starter platform can be generated from which many of you can help sort this out. Perhaps we can create a forum? Anyone know how to do that? Should I just leave it as a train of comments?

Thanks so much,
Allan I Frankel, MD

Patient:
Has anyone read more about this on other sites? I am looking for more info as it relates to CBD and the potential that it may limit other medications efficacy. I have smoked pot for years and prefer high CBD strains to high THC but this article concerns me. I’ve been on a cocktail of medications for years and am worried the CBD strains may prevent my medications from being properly absorbed.

Additionally I completely agree with T’s comment about the possible whiplash effect on medical cannabis should this actually be true and come to light. All of it concerns me but I haven’t heard anything more on this topic. If anyone knows of other articles please reply and point me in the right direction. Thanks all, be safe.

Dr. Frankel responds:
First of all, how do you know you are smoking rich CBD strains? Are they labelled as to what percent CBD they contain? Do you know which strains they are?

A lot of people still hold on to the rumor that indica strains are more CBD and sativa strains are more thc: THIS IS NOT TRUE AT ALL!! Please tell your friends this is not true. If CBD were so easy to find, I have wasted an awful lot of time. In fact, the richest CBD strains I have recently seen have all been sativa strains!

Now, assuming you really are using a rich CBD strain or tincture, that has been tested at an independent qualified lab, then the question I believe you are referring to is what effect can CBD have on the metabolism of other drugs. CBD interferes with the metabolism of a number of drugs, including THC. This means that if you take a “lot” of CBD, your THC and other drugs will hang around longer at higher levels in your serum and brain. This means that if you are taking any medications metabolized by the P-450 Cytochrome Oxidase system in the liver, such as Lipitor, you MIGHT need to LOWER your dose. So, please do monitor your meds with your physician IF you are taking a medication that is in fact metabolized through this specific hepatic (liver) pathway.

It should be noted that GW Pharmaceuticals in England and soon to be in the US studied this issue and in typical CBD doses did not show any clinical problems.

Check this out:

ONLINE PACKAGE INSERT FOR CANNABIS TINCTURE C3.7T1.9_0001

ALERT!
The CBD and THC concentrations should read:
CBD 3.9mg/cc
THC 1.7mg/cc

A cannabis tincture is an extract of the medicating molecules. All plant material is removed using CO2 under pressure and is extremely efficient. The extract is combined with glycerin and water to reach the desired dilution. 4% alcohol is added for preservative value at the very end. Product ID C3.9 T 1.7_0001, has 3.9% CBD and 1.7% THC. Terpenes were not measured, but future products will have terpene values.

TINCTURE OF CANNABIS DIRECTIONS
All tinctures released will have this format. The “C” tells you the level of CBD and the “T”, THC. The number after the “_” is the internal ID number.
This product is grown in accordance with California State law and is Clean Green certified. This product is the property of and produced exclusively for the members of WFX Collective and it is not for sale or resale. Diversion or distribution of this product for non-medical purposes is forbidden under California State and Federal laws.
CBD-Rich Tincture of Cannabis
Use as Needed
A. General Statement on Dosage
This tincture of cannabis is made available to qualified patients in the State of California in accordance with the laws of the State of California. It is provided as a tincture manufactured in compliance with the guidelines of the State of California. An oil of cannabis is created without the use of alcohol or chemical solvents. It is then diluted and emulsified to a stable state at which point an approved analytical laboratory tests it. It is then blended and further diluted with purified water and organic vegetable glycerin to a consistent concentration. A small amount of alcohol is added as a preservative only after all other processes are complete. Patient is to use a dosage that is appropriate to their circumstances. It should be taken as needed to treat the condition for which medical cannabis is recommended.
The details of the formulation are as follows.

THCA ND
THC 1.7 mg/mL
CBDA ND
CBD 3.9 mg/mL
CBNA ND
CBN ND
ND = None detected during analytic testing.

B. Preparation and Administration.
Remove the bottle containing the tincture of cannabis. Shake the bottle in an up and down motion for 5 to 10 seconds before each use. Open the bottle, smell the contents by inhaling deeply through the nose. Using the dropper withdraw a amount of tincture for administration as directed by your care provider. Administer the tincture under your tongue. It is important not to swallow the tincture. ORAL USE OF A TINCTURE AT THIS CONCENTRATION WILL BE UNPREDICTABLY INEFFECTIVE. Spread the liquid around the mouth using the tongue. Replace the dropper assembly and refill the dropper by pinching the plunger. Shake again after use before storing in a cool dark location. DO NOT REFRIGERATE.
C. Storage
Store in a cool dark place away from sources of heat or light.
D. Shelf Life
Cannabis Tincture should be used within 12 months of date listed on the bottle.
E. Caution
The most common side effects with cannabis tincture are dizziness and tiredness. Some people may also feel depressed or confused, may feel over-excited or lose touch with reality, may have difficulties with memory or trouble concentrating and may feel sleepy or giddy. For most people taking cannabis tincture, these side effects are mild to moderate, last only a few hours and can be managed by changing the dose, taking a short break from using the medicine, or using an alternative formulation. Side effects are most likely to happen when you start treatment and will often decrease as you become more used to cannabis tincture. Patients should not drive a car or operate machinery until an initial tolerance has developed. Patients should also not to take cannabis tincture with other CNS depressants such as alcohol, opioids and benzodiazepines.

Who should not use this medicine?
patients with a psychotic disorder not under a doctors care
patients with a history of drug addiction or the “potential to become addicted”
pre-existing “serious” cardiovascular disease
under 18 years of age absent a the approval of a parent or legal guardian
pregnant/nursing women or in women of childbearing years and not on reliable contraception

In the 1930′s, when cannabis was initially ex-communicated, there were a number of known reasons and probably many still unknown reasons for it’s demise. For certain, The world of Pharmaceuticals had plenty of reasons to see it go, despite their having many, many tinctures and elixers of cannabis available on their own formularies. They were big then and were growing fast as they were learning how to manufacture pills at about this time; there was much more profit in the new generations of medications to follow and they easily went along with destruction of cannabis tinctures approximately 80 years ago.

Opium and cocaine, which were removed from cannabis tinctures in the early 1900′s, were on there way back into the pharmaceutical formularies and we all know what happened with narcotics from there. Addiction to pharmaceutical pills now is the countries’s number one drug issue! This is truly pathetic.

So, Medical Cannabis comes on the scene in 1996 but falls into dis-repair due to the People’s great desire to have social or recreational cannabis. If you keep something people really want away from them, they will get it.

So, Yes, I do think the Medical Cannabis System is sadly broken and to a large extent a joke. this does not mean, however, that the medicine is problematic. The newer levels of quality and certified medical cannabis tinctures are just beginning to get out to patients and the Feds are serious about shutting down every dispensary, if possible, to allow Pharma to open the new Trillion $ CBD market. Trust me, this will be huge…very huge and we are in the way.

What are we to do to protect ourselves?

1. Of course we should continue to fight for our rights to medicate and we should fight for the rights of legitimate collectives.

2. We need to begin clearly separating the medicine from the social aspect as best we can. This can only be done thru development of medicinal grade cannabis medications as well as truly focussing on “real” patients; patients who desire dosed and verified medication. Where will these patients come from? Well, there are millions of them out there seeing their primary care doctors. Their primary care doctors should and WILL begin writing recommendations. This is a good new business for these doctors and it fully legitimizes medical cannabis. Their patients should join this “mega” collective and obtain very reasonably priced medication. While on this subject, it is anticipated that pharma based/sold cannabis tinctures/sprays/capsules will cost upwards of $20/day. The current medication grade cannabis tinctures are approximately 50 cents/day. The pharmaceutical based tinctures will be highly regulated and controlled for very limited diagnoses while the non-pharma tinctures, at least in California, can be used for any condition deemed appropriate between the physician and patient.

3. In planning for the worst, the shutting of all dispensaries, we need to build a state-wide collective where many patients grow a plant or two. With this, we can internally convert the individual plants into medicinal grade medicines to distribute to the entire collective. Perhaps the growers would get their medication for no charge and all the other members would pay a reasonable fee.

This collective should have thousands and thousands of patients; perhaps hundreds of thousands of members. It should begin offering not only great and inexpensive medications, but begin offering health insurance plans to cannabis cruises. We can do it, but it means a lot of different factions beginning to pull together and that sadly rarely works.

if we fail, we will lose everything. Cannabis medicine will be over-run by the government and the pharmaceutical companies and controlled in a way to greatly limit access and allowed conditions. It will be legal, but HIGHLY restricted.

We really must do something. How can I help?

This blog title was the lead question in a North Carolina medical news wire. The point was that smoking cannabis and gambling were two behaviors that led to “poor decision making”. WOW!! This is really a news flash. They are actually going out on a limb and saying that gambling your money away and getting stoned all day compromises ones decision making ability!!

I must re-think next weekend. :)

We have known about the patent for neuroprotection and anti-oxidants related to CBD for years now. The Federal Government patented CBD for this and other potential health benefits. The US Patent # = 6630507

There are also many OTHER patents on cannabis that I recently found on:
2304669 1942 Isolation of cannabidiol – 20110217.005017
2354492 1944 Marihuana active compound – 20110217.005419
2419934 1947 Optically active tetrahydrodibenzopyrans having marihuana activity and process for .. – 20110217.010128
2419935 1947 Marihuana active compounds – 20110217.010934
2419936 1947 Preparation of compounds with marihuana activity – 20110217.011517
2509386 1950 Dibenzopyran marihuana-like compounds – 20110217.012129
2509387 1950 Dibenzopyran marihuana-like compounds – 20110217.012513
3668224 1972 Process of producing 6a, 10a-trans-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydrodibenzo (b,d)-pyrans – 20110217.013244
3728360 1973 Ester derivatives of tetrahydrocannabinol – 20110217.013646
3734930 1973 Direct synthesis of (-)-trans-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol from olivetol and (+)-tr.. – 20110217.005434
4025516 1977 Process for the preparation of (-)-6a,10a-trans-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydrodibenzo[b,d]-p.. – 20110217.022419
4116979 1978 Process for the preparation of (-)-6a,10a-trans-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydrodibenzo[b,d]-p.. – 20110217.030800
4126694 1978 Composition and method for treating glaucoma – 20110217.031302
4126695 1978 Anti-glaucoma composition and method – 20110217.031624
4179517 1979 Novel tetrahydrocannabinol type compounds – 20110217.032121
4189491 1980 Tetrahydrocannabinol in a method of treating glaucoma – 20110217.032351
4195078 1980 Nabilone granulation – 20110219.131638
4279824 1981 Method and apparatus for processing herbaceous plant materials including the plant .. – 20110221.005824
4315862 1982 Process for preparing cannabichromene – 20110219.132528
4327028 1982 Composition of matter – 20110219.132854
4464378 1984 Method of administering narcotic antagonists and analgesics – 20110219.134318
4476140 1984 Composition and method for treatment of glaucoma – 20110219.133925
4758597 1988 Carenadiol and derivatives – 20110220.235422
4837228 1989 Antiinflammatory and antimicrobial compounds and compositions – 20110219.135422
4847290 1989 Delta 1-thc-7-oic acid and analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents – 20110219.140914
4876276 1989 (3s-4s)-7-hydroxy-delta-6-tetrahydrocannabinols – 20110219.141600
4933363 1990 Method for effecting systemic delivery of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol – 20110219.144031
5227537 1993 Method for the production of 6,12-dihydro-6-hydroxy-cannabidiol and the use thereof.. – 20110221.005135
5237057 1993 Tetrahydrocannabinol derivatives and protein and polypeptide tetrahydrocannabinol d.. – 20110219.144538
5292899 1994 Synthesis of 11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid glucuronide – 20110219.145249
5302703 1994 Tetrahydrocannabinol derivatives and protein and polypeptide tetrahydrocannabinol d.. – 20110219.145809
5338753 1994 (3r,4r)-delta-6-tetrahydrocannabinol-7-oic acids useful as antiinflammatory agents .. – 20110219.150617
5342971 1994 Process for the preparation of dibenzo[b,d]pyrans – 20110219.150655
5389375 1995 Stable suppository formulations effecting bioavailability of delta-9-thc – 20110219.151015
5440052 1995 Compositions useful as a cannabinoid receptor probe – 20110219.151453
5508037 1996 Stable suppository formulations effecting bioavailability of delta-9-thc – 20110219.151931
5532237 1996 Indole derivatives with affinity for the cannabinoid receptor – 20110219.152606
5538993 1996 Certain tetrahydrocannabinol-7-oic acid derivatives – 20110219.152901
5596106 1997 Cannabinoid receptor antagonists – 20110219.153207
5605906 1997 Cannabinoid receptor agonists – 20110219.153325
5605928 1997 Antiemetic compositions – 20110219.153523
5631297 1997 Anandamides useful for the treatment of intraocular hypertension… – 20110219.160906
5635530 1997 (3s,4s)-delta-6-tetrahydrocannabinol-7-oic acids and derivatives thereof, processor.. – 20110219.154139
5688825 1997 Anandamide amidase inhibitors as analgesic agents – 20110219.161202
5716638 1998 Composition for applying active substances to or through the skin – 20110219.161548
5747524 1998 Cannabinoid receptor antagonists – 20110219.161846
5804592 1998 Method for improving disturbed behavior and elevating mood in humans – 20110219.162419
5847128 1998 Water soluble derivatives of cannabinoids – 20110219.162859
5872148 1999 Compositions useful as a cannabinoid receptor probe – 20110219.163222
5874459 1999 Anandamide amidase inhibitors as analgesic agents – 20110219.163805
5925768 1999 pyrazolecarboxamide derivatives having cannabinoid receptor affinity – 20110219.164326
5932610 1999 Tumor necrosis factor alpha (tnf-alpha) inhibiting pharmaceuticals – 20110219.164744
5939429 1999 Cardiovascular uses of cannabinoid compounds – 20110219.164958
5948777 1999 Cannabinoid receptor agonists – 20110219.165232
5977180 1999 Anandamide analog compositions and method of treating intraocular hypertension usin.. – 20110219.165507
5990170 1999 Therapeutic use of mono and bicarboxylic acid amides active at the peripheral canna.. – 20110219.165901
6008383 1999 Method of preparing delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol esters – 20110219.170127
6013648 2000 Cb2 receptor agonist compounds – 20110219.170359
6017919 2000 Compounds and pharmaceutical use thereof – 20110219.232239
6096740 2000 Dexanabinol derivatives and their use as neuroprotective pharmaceutical compositions – 20110219.232844
6100259 2000 Cannabinoid receptor modulators – 20110219.233213
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Read more: http://xcannabis.com/2011/05/low-and-behold-they-want-to-reschedule-cannabis/#ixzz1PkGqO0Zm

We all keep hearing these words, as well as pot, ganja, weed, pot, etc etc but I believe we should try stick to “Cannabis” when speaking in any professional setting. I am well aware that many in the cannabis world believe it is our right to use the term Cannabis and that it “should” be just fine, but I disagree.

The term Cannabis, as many of you know, was a hispanic slang term for cannabis. Congress in the late 1920′s and early 1930′s was very familiar with cannabis and it’s benefits. They were aware that help was critical for the war they were considering entering. The Navy itself produced a film named “Hemp For Victory”. When the vote occurred in Washington to criminalize cannabis, they were instead voting on Cannabis and didn’t realize they were getting rid of cannabis and hemp. I am not saying they had NO idea, but I do believe that this was certainly a part of the reason cannabis became “illegal cannabis”.

So, the term cannabis, the name of the medicine we are studying, was taken from “us” and replaced with cannabis. Currently, the pharmaceutical industry is actively pursuing creation of CANNABIS medicines. Personally and professionally, I don’t want to be calling the medicine Cannabis while the Pharma companies are calling it cannabis. They took it away and are now taking it back. I believe we will look foolish with “Cannabis Tinctures” while Pharma makes Cannabis Tinctures.

Something to think about.

Here is a comment from a blog reader that I felt I should share and comment on regarding Medical Cannabis use and Alcoholics Anonymous.

“This is a very interesting topic. I was sober in AA for 13 years and very active in the program. I moved to NorCal and started working with medical Cannabis. I was going to AA and had a sponsor and still very leary about crossing the MJ divide. I was making MJ cookies and just had to taste them. What happened was it started a whole experimentation period. I now use cookies about once a week and smoke a little a few times a week. I no longer go to AA because I feel conflicted. I do not consider myself sober as I have gotten hella stoned at times and I DO think it affects me from the neck up big time. I have been using MJ for about 7 months now and have not had a drink. I feel as if my time in AA has been fantastic and I have a clear picture of what an alcoholic is and that I am one. I know that to drink for me is suicide. I thank AA for being there when I was in serious trouble and changing my life, however, after 13 years of being deeply entrenched in AA recovery, I feel I’ve got it now. I am not happier or living a more productive life now than I was in AA, and am considering getting back to basics. But one of the things I do like is that I am no longer steeped in judgements, I feel as if I am finding my own way and not living in fear.

I have written a few times regarding medical cannabis and AA. I personally believe that if “Bill and Bob” the AA founders were alive and aware of the harsh judgements being made against physician and medication involvement in AA, they would feel sad. Addiction is currently defined as the ongoing use of a substance or behavior whose SIDE EFFECTS are ruining ones life. It does not matter how frequently someone uses a medication; it matters how it effects them and those around them. If all is good and the person is productive the behavior is not be considered an “addiction”. To the best of my understanding, this is the new/current definition of addiction and using medical cannabis under the direction of a physician, can be positively done in AA.

We now know that patients with substance use, nearly always have an area of their pre-frontal cortex that “lights up” differently that others. Substance “USE”, has many facts, but much is biological and this must always be remembered. Judging these patients just pushes them away from support and care. Placing patients in jail who have a medical condition they are struggling with, of course will be seen in the future as being a very, very dark time.

It is not a simple issue; I am not saying it is. We just don’t know all the answers and ANY group that believes they know it, I believe is fooling themselves. I am also not saying that AA has not helped millions of patients, such as the one above, but perhaps it is again time to review?

How about us at least TRYING to get a small group of AA members who wish to have a meeting that includes discussion of how cannabis has helped them stay sober? Why not check it out?

To this end, if I ever receive a small handfull of cannabis patients in the LA area that would like to have a meeting that does not judge medical treatments, but just openly discusses them, write me and I will set one up and provide juice and cookies.

Just to be very clear, this will not be a smoking meeting.

I just heard a great story from a patient of mine. He was pulled over for a minor registration tag issue and the officer noticed a small contained of cannabis on the passenger seat. There was no odor and no “open cannabis”. The officer asked if the driver had a cannabis recommendation, to which the patient said “Yes, but I insist you issue me a parking ticket!”. The patient reminded the officer that as of January 1, 2011, having less than one oz is a parking ticket and the patient tried to push the issue.

The officer became frustrated, refused to issue a parking ticket and finally just left the patient/driver.

Funny story, but also important for all of us to remember. Our recommendations and patient rights DO protect us, but so do the new laws in California making it a minor parking level offense.

I love this guy for insisting upon a parking ticket.