Fox’s Bones Gets It Half Right on Medical Marijuana

Fox’s Bones Gets It Half Right on Medical Marijuana

Everything I know about “Bones” I learned from this American Dad clip (thanks, YouTube). Warning, there: will be spoilers, but this will have little to do with drama, relationships, and contrivances that might be familiar to regular viewers.

How to Choose a Medicinal Cannabis Strain?

How to Choose a Medicinal Cannabis Strain?

Choosing to use medicinal cannabis (also known as medical marijuana) can be a very easy decision to make. Choosing which variety of cannabis is best for a particular individual or condition can be more complicated. 

Many patients have never tried or grown cannabis before discovering it as a medicine. Even for those who have, knowing what works for recreational and social purposes does not always translate into knowing the most suitable variety of cannabis for specific medical needs.

5 Differences Between CBD and THC

5 Differences Between CBD and THC

Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two main ingredients in the marijuana plant. Both CBD and THC belong to a unique class of compounds known as cannabinoids. 

While many strains of marijuana are known for having abundant levels of THC, high-CBD strains are less common. But CBD has recently started to draw attention from the medical community, who seem to prefer CBD over THC. Here, we explain the differences between these two compounds.

Study: Cannabis May Suppress Epilepsy-Linked Genes

Study: Cannabis May Suppress Epilepsy-Linked Genes


Marijuana may be able to reduce seizures by suppressing genes related to epilepsy, according to new research out of Britain.

Published last month in the open-access journal PeerJ, investigators at the University of Reading say the findings strengthen support for chemicals in marijuana as seizure treatments.

5 Must-Know Facts About Cannabidiol (CBD)

Chemical structure of cannabidiol. 

(Photo:Wikimedia Commons)

5 Must-Know Facts About Cannabidiol (CBD)

CBD, or cannabidiol, is quickly changing the debate surrounding the use of marijuana as a medicine.

Most people have heard of a chemical called THC, which is the ingredient in marijuana that gets users high. But recently, attention has shifted to another compound in marijuana called CBD — and for good reason.

Because while doctors can’t seem to look past certain side effects of THC, CBD doesn’t seem to present that problem. On the other hand, evidence of CBD’s medical benefits continues to grow.

Here are five facts that you should know about this unique compound:

Marijuana May Turn Off DNA Linked To Skin Cancer And Other Diseases

Marijuana May Turn Off DNA Linked To Skin Cancer And Other Diseases

Marijuana may be the key to treating a wide range of skin diseases at the gene level, according to new research from Italy.

Study: CBD May Reduce Pain, Slow Disease In Breast Cancer Patients

Study: CBD May Reduce Pain, Slow Disease In Breast Cancer Patients

(Photo: nextnature.net)

A new study suggests that a compound in marijuana could help manage pain as well as slow disease progression in patients undergoing breast cancer treatment.

While cannabidiol (CBD) has shown anti-cancer effects in previous studies, recent research from Temple University’s School of Pharmacy in Philadelphia and the California Pacific Medical Center points to a more comprehensive role of CBD in cancer therapy.

Study: Cannabidiol May Improve Sleep In Parkinson’s

Cannabidiol May Improve Sleep In Parkinson’s

(Photo: Ian MacKenzie/Flickr)

An ingredient in marijuana may help Parkinson’s disease sufferers overcome sleep problems, a new study has found.

In a small 6-week case series, investigators from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil administered cannabidiol (CBD) to four patients with Parkinson’s disease who also showed symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder.

Published last month in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, all four patients experienced a significant reduction in symptoms following treatment.

Marijuana, REM Sleep, and Dreams

Marijuana, REM Sleep, and Dreams

(Photo: cblue98/Flickr)

Marijuana can affect how often you dream by rearranging your sleep cycle.

People who smoke marijuana before bed often struggle to recall their dreams the next morning. Yet, when these individuals stop smoking, they tend to experience more vivid dreams than before.

Marijuana is known to affect various aspects of sleep, including activities that are not involved with dreaming. But there’s a simple reason why marijuana users tend to have less dreams.

Drug Made From Cannabis Could Treat Schizophrenia

Drug Made From Cannabis Could Treat Schizophrenia

(Photo: GW Pharmaceuticals)

A drug made from chemicals found in marijuana has now entered human trials as a treatment for schizophrenia.

GW Pharmaceuticals announced on Monday that it has started Phase 2 clinical trials on a drug made from the marijuana compound cannabidiol (CBD).

The company, which holds the only license for growing cannabis in the UK, says the new drug features “purified CBD” as its active ingredient. Early findings show promise for improving symptoms of schizophrenia and suggest the drug can reduce the side effects of current antipsychotics when used together.

While marijuana is known to cause temporary psychosis-like effects, it is not CBD, but THC, that’s responsible. THC is the chemical in marijuana that causes the high. However, studies suggest CBD has an opposite effect.

“CBD is a constituent of traditional cannabis”“CBD is a constituent of traditional cannabis and tends to counteract the effects of THC,” explainsRobin Murray, professor of psychiatric research at King’s College London. Some varieties of cannabis have higher CBD levels than others, he adds.

So far, a single trial has been conducted on CBD as an antipsychotic. The study, published in the journal Translational Psychiatry in 2012, compared CBD with the traditional antipsychotic amisulpride and found CBD was just as effective, but caused far less side effects.

Now the challenge for GW Pharmaceuticals is to prove its effectiveness in a larger group of patients.

The company says the Phase 2 trial will enroll 80 patients and will investigate the drug, temporarily known as GWP42003, as an add-on to currently prescribed antipsychotics. Results are expected by the second half of 2015.

GW Pharmaceuticals also makes a marijuana-derived pharmaceutical called Sativex, which is being trialed for cancer pain, and Epidiolex, which is being trialed for children with treatment-resistant epilepsy.

Sativex is already approved in 24 countries for treating spasticity symptoms in multiple sclerosis, and is distributed through agreements with a number of large pharmaceutical companies.

GW Pharmaceuticals is also developing new cannabis treatments for brain cancer, ulcerative colitis, Type 2 diabetes, and adult epilepsy.

5 Ways Cannabis Could Help Fight Alzheimer’s

5 Ways Cannabis Could Help Fight Alzheimer’s

(Photo: poporin/Flickr)

Medical marijuana may provide a number of advantages in treating Alzheimer’s disease, according to a recent paper from researchers in Spain.

The idea of using marijuana to treat Alzheimer’s is still not widely recognized. But treatment options for Alzheimer’s are currently limited, and research over the years has now led scientists to believe cannabis, or components of the plant known as cannabinoids, could be the answer.

This month, two scientists with the Spanish Biomedical Research Networking Centre (CIBER) published a review in Frontiers of Pharmacology highlighting the potential benefits of cannabis-based treatments and calling for clinical research to be conducted.

1. Combats inflammation.

Inflammation of the brain plays a major role in Alzheimer’s disease. Inflammatory activity of the brain’s immune cells is thought to contribute to the progressive loss of neurons that underlies the disorder.

As it turns out, compounds in marijuana act on targets found on immune cells called CB2 receptors. Several studies have found that activation of CB2 receptors can reduce neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease models.

Besides CB2 receptors, THC also acts on CB1 receptors. CB1 activity may also interfere with the inflammatory process, according to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

2. Protects against Alzheimer’s plaque.

(Photo: National Institutes of Health)

The accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaque in the brain is a primary hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. These plaques are highly visible in brain scans of patients, and are believed to play a role in the loss of neurons.

Studies have shown that certain cannabinoids can protect neurons against Aβ plaque and its effects. For example, researchers have found that THC can prevent memory deficits in Aβ-injected rats.

Cannabinoids may also be effective at preventing the formation of plaque, according to a 2006 study published in Molecular Pharmaceutics. The study concluded: “Compared to currently approved drugs prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, THC is a considerably superior inhibitor of Aβ aggregation.”

3. Can be taken without causing a ‘high.’

The main concerns of health professionals regarding the use of marijuana-based treatments are related to the ‘high’ caused by certain cannabinoids, mainly THC. While it’s true that THC’s effect on the brain can disrupt memory and attention, this is not as big of a barrier in treating Alzheimer’s as some might think.

In fact, studies conducted so far suggest the therapeutic effects of psychoactive cannabinoids, including THC, can be achieved at low enough doses to avoid causing a high.

What’s more, cannabis contains a number of other potentially useful compounds that are not psychoactive. For example, a 2014 study published in Psychopharmacology found the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD to be effective at reversing memory deficits in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Promotes growth of brain cells.

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Neurogenesis is the growth of new brain cells that occurs throughout adulthood. A disruption of this process is thought to be an early event in Alzheimer’s that prevents neurons from regenerating once progressive cell loss begins.

Various cannabinoids, including CBD, have been shown to promote neurogenesis in response to disruption caused by Aβ plaque.

Also, a 2004 study published in the European Journal of Neuroscience found that cannabinoids could increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This protein is known to play a key role in promoting neurogenesis and brain plasticity.

5. Mimics current treatments.

Most drugs used for treating Alzheimer’s work by preventing the breakdown of a signalling molecule called acetycholine. Interestingly, in addition to their unique benefits, studies show cannabiniods can affect acetycholine in the same way as current medications.

THC has been found to inhibit AChE – the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetycholine – as well as the accumulation of Aβ plaque associated with AChE activity. AChE inhibitors are commonly prescribed to treat symptoms of dementia.

67% of U.S. Doctors Say Cannabis ‘Should Be A Medical Option’

67% of U.S. Doctors Say Cannabis ‘Should Be A Medical Option’   (April 2014)

More than two-thirds of doctors in the U.S. believe cannabis can be used to treat certain conditions, according to a new survey by WebMD/Medscape.

Findings from an online survey of over 1,500 doctors in 48 states reveal strong support for marijuana as a medicine.

Despite the fact that marijuana is federally classified as having no medical use, 69% of doctors surveyed by WebMD/Medscape said that it “can help with certain treatments and conditions.”

67% of doctors also agreed that cannabis “should be a medical option for patients.”

“The medical community is clearly saying they support using marijuana as a potential treatment option for any number of medical problems. In fact, many doctors already prescribe it,” says Dr. Michael W. Smith, chief medical editor of WebMD, an award-winning online health portal.

“In fact, many doctors already prescribe it”Support was highest among oncologists and hematologists, with 82% agreeing that marijuana offered legitimate benefits, such as easing pain and nausea related to chemotherapy.

Rheumatologists showed the lowest level of support, with only 54% saying cannabis offered benefits to patients. Despite a lack of clinical data, patients with arthritis represent the largest portion of medical marijuana users in Canada.

Pain relief is also one of the most commonly reported reasons for using medical marijuana, notes Dr. Smith. “Medical marijuana may be a better painkiller than narcotic painkillers, like oxycodone, with less potential for addiction,” he says.

“More research will help us better understand how best to use medical marijuana in the treatment of many conditions that cause chronic pain.”

In a similar survey conducted last year by the New England Journal of Medicine, 76% of readers said they would support the use of medical marijuana in specific cases.

Laws allowing doctors to prescribe medical marijuana have been passed by 21 states and the District of Columbia.

Cannabis May Be Best Treatment For Fibromyalgia, Survey Finds

Cannabis May Be Best Treatment For Fibromyalgia, Survey Finds

(Photo: Andrea Guerra/Flickr)

A new survey from the National Pain Foundation suggests medical marijuana may top currently available pharmaceuticals for treating fibromyalgia.

The survey, conducted online, asked more than 1,300 patients with the chronic pain disorder to rate the effectiveness of treatments that they’ve tried. Medical marijuana was compared with the only three drugs approved by the FDA for fibromyalgia: Savella, Lyrica and Cymbalta.

Just 8% of patients that tried Cymbalta and 10% that tried Lyrica or Savella found the drugs to be “very effective” for managing symptoms of the disorder.

For each of the three drugs, over 60% of patients reported that it “does not help at all.”

On the other hand, 62% of patients who tried medical marijuana found it to be “very effective.” Another 33% said it “helps a little,” and only 5% felt that using cannabis for fibromyalgia “does not help at all.”

“I’ve found nothing that has worked for me, apart from marijuana,” explained one patient in the survey. “Nothing but medical marijuana has made the greatest dent in the pain and mental problems,” wrote another.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects 2-4% of the population, predominately females. But while scientists still puzzle over the true cause of fibromyalgia, the latest findings shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

In a 2011 study conducted by Spanish researchers, patients who used cannabis showed improvements in pain, stiffness, relaxation and perception of well-being.

“The use of cannabis was associated with beneficial effects on some fibromyalgia symptoms,” noted the authors.

Likewise, a 2012 survey found that 1 in 8 Canadians living with fibromyalgia relies on marijuana to cope with their symptoms.

“We think that there’s probably a role for that class of compounds, the cannabinoids in general,” explains Dr. Mark Ware, associate professor of anesthesia at McGill University and co-author of the Canadian survey. “It’s just a question of working out how that’s going to be put into practice,” he adds.

An earlier study by Dr. Ware and his team revealed that nabilone, a pill containing marijuana’s active ingredient, THC, could help fibromyalgia sufferers sleep better. Nabilone has also been shown to reduce pain and improve quality of life scores in patients with the disorder.

Still, some patients prefer natural cannabis over synthetic versions, which are known to have more potent side effects.

“I have patients with a range of pain syndromes who have failed all their other treatments and for whom herbal cannabis has been the only reasonable option that they have that controls their symptoms,” says Dr. Ware.

Cannabis May Protect The Aging Brain, Say Experts

Cannabis May Protect The Aging Brain, Say Experts

(Photo: Isabella Bello/Flickr)

New research from a pair of neurologists at the University of Dublin claims cannabis could be the key to fighting disorders of the aging brain.

As the brain gets older, it becomes more susceptible to degenerative disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Although different areas of the brain are affected, what underlies both conditions is the progressive death of brain cells.

While a number of therapies can be prescribed, scientists have yet to develop treatments that can slow or cure these disorders. However, researchers now believe compounds that target the body’s marijuana pathways, known as the endocannabinoid system (‘endo’ stands for endogenous), could lead to the development of such treatments.

“Modulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system is emerging as a potentially viable option in the treatment of neurodegeneration,” wrote University of Dublin researchers Veronica Campbell, PhD and Steven Fagan, PhD last month in the British Journal of Pharmacology.

“The endocannabinoid system has been identified as a possible therapeutic target against neurodegeneration as a number of alterations in the endocannabinoid system have been noted in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease,” they continued.

According to the pair, studies have already demonstrated the promise of THC, the main compound in cannabis, in managing a number of Alzheimer’s related symptoms:

“Dronabinol, derived from the phytocannabinoid THC, is beneficial in reducing anorexia, increasing body weight and improving behaviour in elderly Alzheimer’s disease patients. Dronabinol has more recently been assessed in a pilot study with Alzheimer’s patients where it improved nocturnal motor activity and reduced agitation and aggression, without undesired side effects.”

What’s more, previous studies found THC could prevent the loss of dopamine neurons in animal models of Parkinson’s. “The endocannabinoid system is believed to be a promising therapeutic target for delaying disease progression and ameliorating Parkinsonian symptoms,” the researchers note.

“The endocannabinoid system is believed to be a promising therapeutic target”Likewise, Dr. Fagan and Dr. Campbell say that studies point to “the alteration of multiple components of the endocannabinoid system in the progression of Huntington’s disease,” a movement disorder that shares a number of similarities with Parkinson’s.

Although trials involving herbal cannabis as a treatment for Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s are lacking, the authors highlight research on a cannabis-based pharmaceutical, Sativex, as an example of its therapeutic promise.

“Preclinical studies have investigated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities of the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD), combined with THC, in the form of the cannabis-based medicine Sativex, which is already used as a therapeutic agent for multiple sclerosis,” they wrote.

Sativex has been studied in patients with multiple sclerosis and is currently available in 25 countries for the treatment of MS-related symptoms. However, the drug’s potential to treat Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease has been noted as well.

Previous research has suggested both the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of marijuana as key factors in its protective effects.

The special science of marijuana making

The special science of marijuana making

by Ray Still, reporter for the Bonney Lake/Sumner Courier Herald

Washington's Smoke Signals

Image Credit: The Reporter & Courier-Herald
Artist: Brandy Pickering

With the passage of I-502 in 2012, development of marijuana legislation and marijuana research has surged to unprecedented levels. In an attempt to clearly translate new laws and research, the Reporter and Courier-Herald will examine these issues in a four-part series. Part four of this series addresses information about the cannabis plant and the chemicals it produces.

While research on the long-term health effects of marijuana use and Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC have only just begun, the cannabis plant itself has been thoroughly studied. The anatomy of the plant is well-known; the iconic five-leaf plant is easily recognizable in popular culture. The science of growing and processing the cannabis plant is also well documented and studied, giving both businesses and medical dispensaries innumerable ways to utilize the plant. On a chemical level, we know how THC affects the human brain and can even synthesize those same chemicals in a lab. Consider this your Cannabis 101 class - the science behind the plant.

The cannabis plant

One of the first things people learn about cannabis and marijuana is there are countless different strains of marijuana. 

However, there are three general subspecies of cannabis: cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, and cannabis ruderalis. The current cannabis market for medical cannabis and recreational marijuana focus on cannabis sativa and cannabis indica for their chemical content. 

Cannabis sativa tends to grow closer to the equator and in warmer climates. The plant is tree-like, growing tall and thin with thin leaves.

When the sativa plant is dried and smoked, it is reputed to give users an uplifting or energetic high.

Cannabis indica is naturally grown further away from the equator in colder climates. The plant is shorter and bushier than its cousin with wider leaves.

Highs from the indica plant tend to be more relaxing and calming, and may induce the stereotypical stoner “couch lock”.

While many cannabis and marijuana users will stand by the various effects of cannabis sativa versus cannabis indica, marijuana producer and processor Jonathan Swartz of Sylica Phoenix would dispute this. 

“Indicas and sativas have a reputation for producing a certain effect,” Swartz said. “But I would challenge anyone to prove and demonstrate an indica or sativa that is purely an indica or sativa, so they can say this is what the effect is.”

The confusion, Swartz said, comes from the fact many cannabis plants have been mixed genetically, crossing sativa genes with indica genes. 

“We have Grape-Wreck; Grape Ape (an indica strain) and Train Wreck (a sativa strain) mixed together,” said Swartz. “People think it is an indica but no, it’s a hybrid with apparently indica characteristics.”

Peter Pessiki of Integrity Labs, which tests cannabis and marijuana products for quality control, said that it is not yet known why sativa strains and indica strains produce different effects, although researchers guess there are secondary chemicals in the plant may cause the different effects. 

Products sold in stores or dispensaries typically come from the female plant. In order to control cannabis sub-strains, which in turn controls the THC and chemical content of the plant, male plants have to be carefully controlled in order to prevent the accidental pollination of an entire female batch. 

According to Swartz, when a female plant is pollinated, it ends the plant’s flowering process early, halts THC production and produces seeds, all of which the market would prefer to avoid in plants meant to be used for products.

The female flower buds are typically harvested from the terminal cola, which is located at the top of the plant. However, buds can be found at many sites along the plant. 

The buds themselves are composed of tight bunches of small leaves and calyxes, tear-shaped nodules that contain the glands that secrete THC and other chemicals, known as cannabinoids. 

These glands, or trichomes, are found in abundance in the buds, but can also be found on the stem and leaves of the cannabis plant as well. 

Processing the plant

The cannabis plant can be processed several different ways to get it ready for consumption.

Many do-it-yourself websites, like Marijuana Growers HQ, explain that drying the cannabis plant after harvesting it is extremely important.

One way to dry the plant is to hang it on a line, use mesh screens, or a drying cage. 

A different process is needed for extracts and edibles.

According to CannLabs, another cannabis testing company, many cannabis processors soak the plant in a solvent, such as butane, isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, to begin the extraction process. 

THC and other cannabinoids in the cannabis plant bond to the liquid solvent and are pulled off the plant. 

The plant materials, sans cannabinoids, are then filtered out of the solvent mixture. 

The solvent is also removed, leaving only the cannabinoids from the plant ready to be mixed into food products like chocolates or brownies, or even put into gel capsules for consumption.

Sylica Phoenix uses butane for their extraction process, and their end-product is 80 percent plus THC extract. 

Other methods for extracting cannabinoids from the cannabis plant include using carbon dioxide (CO2), water and dry sieves, each resulting in different potency and chemical content.

Cannabinoids and other chemicals

Cannabinoids are the active chemicals in cannabis. The University of Washington Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute has said there are 66 classified cannabinoids, although several cannabis information websites claim there are more than 85 cannabinoids in the plant. 

The most commonly-known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive chemical many researchers believe is responsible for the high users receive when consuming marijuana. 

However, you can’t just chow down on a raw cannabis plant to get buzzed. 

The cannabis plant creates a chemical called tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or THCA.

According to Pessiki, THCA is not psychoactive because the chemical is attached to a carboxylic acid. 

“With that group on there, it does not have any of the psychological effects,” Pessiki said. “It doesn’t get you stoned.”

Pessiki said THCA must undergo a form of combustion in order to activate the chemical.

“By heating it, you lose carbon dioxide, CO2, and once it spits out that CO2 molecule, it is now active and ready to interact with your brain,” he said.

When THCA becomes active, it turns into THC delta-9, which is a more specific way to refer to psychoactive THC. 

Swartz said consuming cannabis and THCA without combustion, “is like eating grass.” 

A lesser-known cannabinoid is cannabidiol. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, cannabidiol (CBD) has been used for medical treatments and for treating epilepsy. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning it won’t get a user high like THC, and has been used to treat pain, psychosis and addiction to other substances.

When THC and CBD are consumed, these cannabinoids affect the endocannabinoid system in a person’s brain. 

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, human brains already produce cannabinoid chemicals naturally.

These natural cannabinoids and cannabis cannabinoids are very similar in shape on a molecular level, which is why THC and CBD can affect the human brain. 

The natural cannabinoid that is similar to THC is called anandamide.

The natural cannabinoids, however, are weaker versions than THC and CBD, and are broken down in the brain more easily. 

Because THC and CBD are stronger chemicals, they affect the brain for longer than the natural chemicals.

Other chemicals found in cannabis include terpenes. According to scientific staff at Integrity Labs, terpenes give cannabis strains specific odors, which range from typical skunk smell of marijuana to the citrus scent of Night Train, according to the Medical Marijuana Strains website.

Flavinoids are also found in cannabis, and when smoked, can give the user unique tastes, from a woody and earthy taste to key lime pie.