While CBD and THC certainly can’t take over the entirety of a pain management regimen, studies on cortisone treatments are bringing the conversations of cannabis to greater light.
From joint pain to the often debilitating effects of arthritis, corticosteroid injections have been a staple in managing pain and inflammation for the almost 30 million Americans that suffer from osteoarthritis (OA). With new research showcasing the long-term effects of one of the most used treatments for OA, doctors and researchers are concerned about the risks of injections and the potential risks involved with cortisone.
A Boston University study published this month found that patients who had been given the medicine by injection found a risk for “accelerated OA progression or adverse joint events after treatment.” Meaning, when a patient was treated for osteoarthritis via a shot of cortisone, it may have accelerated the progression of the disease, including complications, joint destruction, and bone loss.
Interestingly, the study found that certain preexisting conditions, such as older age and Caucasian race seemed to increase the risk for the outcome even more. Researchers recommended MRI pre-screening before injections were given to identify the area better and find if the danger could be accurately assessed before the dose was given.
Understanding the Effect of Cannabis on OA
Long cited and used for inflammation and joint pain, cannabis and CBD oil have helped with not only chronic pain conditions, but managing symptoms of OA. In a 2018 study published in the Current Opinion in Pharmacology, researchers stated, “There is a growing body of scientific evidence which supports the analgesic potential of cannabinoids to treat OA pain.” To dive deeper, Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia found that since OA pain is multi-faceted, cannabis can help trigger the body’s own endocannabinoid system (ECS) to block pain receptors and potentially offer relief.
Photo by Ake via rawpixel.com
Even the Arthritis Foundation is taking notice, releasing its first guide to CBD for those that suffer from the condition. According to Dr. Daniel Clauw, a contributor to the guide, “Right now, it (CBD) appears to be fairly safe and might help certain types of pain.”
While CBD and THC certainly can’t take over the entirety of a pain management regimen, studies like the one conducted on cortisone treatments are bringing the conversations of cannabis and CBD to greater light and offering less stigmatization, which opens the door for better education for all.
Disclaimer:The views expressed in this article solely belong to the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Fresh Toast.
In 2005, GW hired a vociferous medical marijuana opponent to help them distinguish their version of THC from medical cannabis. Here’s why that’s a problem.
Let me make clear that I do not have any problems with the “pharmaceuticalization” of cannabis. If the pharmaceutical companies can manipulate the molecules and/or combine cannabinoids with other substances and thereby help sick and dying people, or just make healthy people feel better and make a profit doing it, everyone wins.
However, when a company uses marijuana prohibition and the Drug War to lobby for state violence against sick and dying people to try to monopolize medical access to a plant that has been used medically for millennia, I have to object.
After GW Pharmaceuticals developed “Sativex”, its version of THC, it met with “skepticism” in the U.S. drug war establishment, basically the entire U.S. government, because if it was approved for use in the U.S., that would suggest that “marijuana” might actually have medical use. Heresy!!
So, in 2005, GW hired former deputy drugs czar and vociferous medical marijuana opponent, Dr. Andrea Barthwell, to help GW distinguish its products from medical cannabis.
Hiring a professional prohibitionist to represent GW in the U.S. was a perfect way to sell Sativex to the U.S. pharmaceutical bureaucracy. Instead of proving that the government was killing people by denying them access to a plant, it could proclaim that medical marijuana wasn’t really necessary.
GW’s CEO, Justin Gover, said that Barthwell “understood the tension between concerns about cannabis being used as an herbal material, even for medical purposes, and the potential for the plant to be exploited in a pharmaceutical way.”
And they definitely got what they paid for. Talking about medical marijuana Barthwell, in a speech given in Belleville, Illinois on Feb. 8, 2005 said, “It is not a medicine. You don’t know what’s in it. If there were compelling scientific and medical data supporting marijuana’s medical benefits that would be one thing. But the data is not there.”
Barthwell told PBS’s NewsHour on Oct. 14, 2003: “[T]he constituent part of marijuana, which is useful in the treating of HIV wasting, nausea associated with chemotherapy, and potentially pain, is available to physicians to prescribe in the form of Marinol…
What we’re saying is that 21st century medicine dictates that we pursue the avenues that would allow us to develop the medications that would be useful in these disorders rather than turning our medical care system back to the 19th century where plant products were in fact distributed by snake oil salesmen for the treating of a number of symptoms…
Physicians who are compassionate and practicing scientifically based, evidence based 21st century medicine would much prefer to use Marinol, which is available to them, than suggest that their patients smoke a plant. They would not want to engage in asking a patient to smoke opium to treat pain or to chew deadly Nightshade to stabilize their heart beat.”
Now think about this for a moment. Why would a cancer patient or someone with AIDS, or whatever, use marijuana, and run the very real risk of arrest if their doctors were telling them about Marinol? And if it actually worked??
And how did GW get the idea that this plant really had medical potential? Because it was being used by the very patients who Barthwell’s former employer wanted arrested.
And where did it get its cannabis genetics? “In 1998 GW Pharmaceuticals entered into a contract with HortaPharm B.V., a cannabis research and development corporation based in Amsterdam. The company was founded by two expert horticulturists from California, Robert Connell Clarke and David Paul Watson, and grew and developed specialized strains of cannabis with permission from the Dutch government.”
Ironically, Watson is reputed to be the developer of the “Skunk” strain of cannabis, which is the focus of much hysteria in the UK.
“Dr. Dope’s Connection, David Watson, the CEO of the Dutch RD company Hortapharm, has assembled what is arguably the world’s most comprehensive cannabis-seed library.”
Photo by ulleo via Pixabay
Watson talked about meeting Dr. Guy:
“We grew plants that were 98% THC, or 98% CBD. And that’s what Geoffrey Guy [founder of GW Pharmaceuticals] was looking for. He wanted different cannabinoids — THC, CBD, CBC, CBG — which he could then blend in different ratios and explore them for their medical efficacy. We were the only ones in the world who had what Geoffrey badly needed.
FC: How did you meet Dr. Guy?
DW: We had sent a representative to a meeting of the Multiple Sclerosis Society in England, which Geoffrey attended. We were the only people there that were supporting the U.K. government’s position on medical marijuana, which was to take a step-by-step approach to studying the issue. Everybody else just wanted to legalize medical marijuana tomorrow. We felt it was better to test the materials first and put them through a normal drug-approval process. Our colleague impressed Geoffrey, and he contacted us.
When Geoffrey came over here in 1998, we were getting close to our financial limit. We’re an R&D company — we didn’t have a product that was making an income. The problem for Geoffrey is that all cannabis experts have backgrounds — they’ve built their expertise by working with an illegal material. But Hortapharm was fully licensed by the Dutch government. So Geoffrey got a legal supply of pharmaceutical grade germ-plasm. And he got me and Robert Clarke to pass along our knowledge. We gave him at least a five-year head start.”
So American “marijuana refugees” who fled Barthwell’s Drug War provided her future employer with a five year head start???
Meanwhile, on October 18, 2006, a few months after Dr Barthwell went to work for GW, Charlotte Figi was born in Colorado. “At 3 months old, she had her first seizure. Due to her Dravet syndrome, at age five, she used a wheelchair, had up to 300 grand mal seizures a week, and had trouble speaking.”
In 2012, Figi’s mother searched for “CBD marijuana oil” for her daughter’s treatment. Figi began taking oil from the marijuana plant, “Hippie’s Disappointment,” which contained low THC. With the use of Charlotte’s Web, Figi experienced an immediate reduction in her epileptic seizures, down from 300 a week to two or three per month.
In 2014, GW patented Epidiolex. That was two years after Charlotte Figi’s mother found the ironically named CBD. So, should the Figi’s have been arrested for giving their child a drug that would not be approved by the FDA for another four years?
As the prohibitionists like to say, “Think of the children!” How many children and their families suffered because Dr. Barthwell’s former employer opposed medical marijuana?
Meanwhile back in the U.K., is GW still supporting marijuana prohibition? GW has a market value over $2 billion, which is around twenty times its revenue. On the other hand, they have huge greenhouses full of some of the world’s best genetics that they got from American marijuana refugees. I wonder what Dr. Barthwell would say about that.
Richard Cowan is a former NORML National Director and author of the nationally syndicated column, Marijuana Weekly News.
Social media brings us closer to others, but it can also bed addictive and isolating. Here are 3 signs you need a break from it.
The existence of social media has resulted in a double life for many of us. While it provides us with connections to people from all over the world and keeps us informed on important events, it also makes it difficult to stay present. Some people are skilled at disconnecting from their phones and laptops, but the vast majority of us have some form of strained relationship with social media.
This year has been a particularly grueling one. A limited amount of options for going out, the forced separation between loved ones, and the constant toxic news cycle make it very difficult for us to take a break from our devices. Still, going on a social media break is a big ask, particularly when spending large chunks of time at home.
“Seeing others’ curated, polished images of only happy moments or attractive photos can set up an unrealistic expectation of ourselves and the destructive experience of constantly comparing oneself with others,” psychiatrist Christine Moutier tells Self. The constant use of social media can increase symptoms of isolation, anxiety, depression and people’s self-esteem. While it may feel like social media is making you feel connected when you need it most, the opposite is what might be going on.
Fortunately, you can control your social media breaks . There’s no wrong way to do them. While you can choose to eliminate all social media profiles and apps from your phone, setting up some basic boundaries is enough. Try this change for a week or two, and see how you feel. Adapt as you go along.
When something is consuming your attention, it’s very difficult for you to focus on your work and relationships. If you’re finding it difficult to do the things you have or want to do because you’d rather scroll mindlessly through your feed, it might be time to ask yourself what’s going on. Social media is a great distraction, but it’s one that leaves you feeling empty, like you wasted your time on stuff you already knew.
Your downtime is consumed by social media
Most of us spend our downtime on our phones, so it’s difficult to know if you’re going overboard with your social media habit. But some alarm bells should be ringing if you find yourself constantly drawn to your phone, even when you’ve just checked your timeline or you’re trying to do something else. Set some parameters for your social media usage, either by using your Screen Time settings or by controlling your impulses.
The pandemic has robbed a lot of us of the inspiration and pleasure we gain from our hobbies. Now that we’re some months (or is it years?) into the pandemic knowing that it’s not going away anytime soon, it’s important to prioritize the stuff that makes us feel happy and fulfilled. Start off slow, challenging yourself to small chunks of time focused on doing something you enjoy without having any phone time, whether it’s a sport, reading a book or indulging in a hobby. Or, hey, turning your mind off completely and meditating is also a great option!
Just as some wine aficionados seek wine based on terroir, some cannabis consumers like to explore the subtleties of individual strains. Which type of cannabis works best in this situation?
When recreational cannabis consumers examine the array of flower available at their local dispensary, they’ll notice that cannabis buds may have the same strain name and potency but they look and smell differently. So how do they know which ones to purchase?
Outdoor-grown cannabis (Outs) tends to have a more weathered look as these plants have to deal with the elements such as wind, rain, bugs, and sunlight, not to mention the squirrels, deer and other animal that enjoy munching on these plants. As a general rule of thumb, cannabis grown outdoors tend to feel lighter and look darker than their indoor-grown cannabis (Ins). Because of these factors, Outs will not have the same strong pungent smell and dank as the Ins. Cannabis consumers who place a high value on strong smelling sticky beautiful looking buds will probably prefer indoor-grown cannabis.
In terms of taste, some cannabis connoisseurs like to play with terroir, which refers to the geology, geography, and climate where a particular plant is grown. Just as some wine aficionados seek wine based on terroir, some cannabis consumers with sensitive palates like to explore the subtleties of individual strains to discover the tastes that works best for them. They are most likely to find that cannabis grown outdoors works best for this kind of experimentation.
Photo by skodonnell/Getty Images
As any plant grown outdoors is contingent on the sun, outdoor-grow cannabis tend to work best in places with longer growing seasons. Consumers who live in areas with a limited outdoor growing season will find that indoor grows enable the dispensaries to carry their preferred strains of cannabis year round instead of only having these products available during the short harvest season.
Also, as growing conditions can be more carefully controlled indoors, the Ins tends to have a more consistent profile. This factor matters to those who need their particular strain to deliver the same results with each use.
In terms of potency, there doesn’t appear to be a sizable difference in the THC and CBD levels between the Ins and Outs. Here consumers are advised to check the lab results listed on the product packaging and not the growing conditions when assessing how potent they want their cannabis to be.
For those cannabis users concerned about their carbon footprint, Nathan Howard of East Fork Cultivars points to the issue of sustainability in growing cannabis. As he observes, “When we think about indoor cannabis farming compared to sun-grown cannabis farming, sustainability is at top of mind.”
Even through sustainability can be a relative term — and there’s a lot of indoor cultivation that’s done more sustainably than a fair amount of sun-grown farms — Howard notes that outdoor cannabis tends to perform better. “Gram for gram and pound for pound, sustainable sun-grown cultivation methods and farms significantly outcompete the most sustainable indoor farms.”
Photo by FatCamera/Getty Images
Jake Browne, founder of the national cannabis growing competition The Grow-Off, concurs with Howard’s assessment. “In Grow-Off competitions, we’ve seen outdoor-grown cannabis outperform indoor-grown cannabis from a sheer numbers perspective.”
Having said that, Browne encourages consumers to experiment. An event like the Grow-Off allows one to try an identical strain grown by different farms and then figure out which farms produce the kind of cannabis they like. As Browne notes, “Want to try a veganic strain? Something grown in living soil? Something only grown under LEDs? Our growers give you that ability to find what you like and why you like it. We’re at a point where there’s so much flower on the market, consumers need to think about what they want to see from the industry and vote with their dollars.”
In addition to hydrating yourself, it’s important that you toke just until you feel the calm and uplifting effects. You want to meditate, not go back to bed.
Our lives are inundated with noise, from Inboxes bursting at the seems, to social media apps that have left us feeling lonelier than ever, and incessant stimuli of just about every kind. It’s why having a meditation practice firmly in place is one of the healthiest things you can do for your mind, body and soul. When you add a relaxing cannabis strain to the mix, the synergy it creates reaps many additional benefits.
Marijuana can help control our mind from wandering and keep us focused on our breathing technique, which is central to meditating. Incorporating cannabis into our meditation practice also helps reduce stress so we can more easily slip into the trance-like state that many practitioners are aiming for. Some microdose to meditate, some take in a little more, but it doesn’t take too much cannabis to enhance the experience.
The mornings are the ideal time to meditate, when our minds are not yet racing and cluttered with thoughts of checking off our mental “to do” list. In addition to hydrating yourself, it’s important that you toke just until you feel the calm and uplifting effects. You want to meditate, not go back to bed. Sit for as long as you can and then begin the day with a clear mind and heart.
Photo by kosal ley via Unsplash
Sometimes a certain strain or head space can turn smoking marijuana into a paranoia fest. Now THAT is the time to meditate, whether you feel capable of sitting still or not. There is no right way to meditate, so pull up a chair, a zafu, sit cross legged in your back lawn or even use a specialized meditation bench. Whatever puts you most at ease and helps you practice mindfulness is the right answer.
A wonderful side effect of meditating with cannabis is that the bliss you find while on your journey can last throughout the day. Keep in mind that this is not a chore, but a tool for holistic well being. There’s no reason to feel overwhelmed, even if you’re going into the meditation with anxiety and a busy brain.
There is also no length of time that is set in stone for you to meditate. Many suggest starting off a practice with five to 10 minutes per day and then working your way up to a longer set. However, in truth, working up to 15 to 20 minutes a day will make a world of difference in your life, especially with the enhancement of cannabis and its healing properties.
Given the history of the DEA, especially when it comes to cannabis, we should not give the agency the benefit of the doubt.
Last week the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a bad interim hemp rule. I wrote that it was dangerous because I viewed it as making most hemp processing activities illegal if, at any point in processing hemp, the level of delta-9 THC increases beyond 0.3%– even if the hemp was remediated before it left the processor’s premises. My colleague Nathalie Bougenies wrote about how this interim rule could have devastating impacts on the burgeoning hemp-derived delta-8 THC industry. North Carolina attorney Rod Kight raised these concerns as well and he and I both spoke to Kyle Jaeger of Marijuana Moment about why we think are concerned about the DEA’s interim hemp rule.
According to LA Weekly, who contacted the DEA, the DEA has heard the concerns:
The DEA’s spokesman, Special Agent Sean Mitchell, kept it brief and first spoke to the general panic of the last week. “The DEA is aware of the concerns of the CBD industry, and is evaluating policy options,” he told L.A. Weekly in a phone interview.
Special Agent Mitchell went on to downplay the concern by stating that the DEA has much more pressing priorities:
We asked if things went the way the industry feared, what would enforcement even look like? Specifically asking about the idea of the agency shutting down machinery in the middle of processing material to check if the contents had spiked over the legal THC threshold.
“The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic fueled by fentanyl and is seeing a strong resurgence of methamphetamine. DEA is focusing its resources on disrupting and dismantling the Mexican cartels that are trafficking these deadly substances into and across the nation,” Mitchell replied to the question.
I do not buy this misdirection for a minute. The DEA can talk the talk when it comes to the opioid crisis but it does not walk the walk. There is no doubt that the opioid epidemic is a more pressing issue than the legality of hemp derivatives. Despite this, the DEA has not aggressively gone after opioid manufacturers in the U.S. The Washington Post and “60 Minutes” provided a joint report on the DEA’s inability to prosecute major pharmaceutical companies. “After two years of painstaking inquiry, DEA investigators built the biggest case the agency had ever made against a drug company: McKesson Corporation, the country’s largest drug distributor.”
In the end, the DEA dropped a case that could have resulted in a $1 Billion fine against McKesson in favor of a $150 Million fine. In addition, ProPublica went to great detail in reporting on how the DEA chose to drop a massive criminal case against Wal Mart over the sale of opioids.
The DEA is not going to just ignore hemp because it’s too focused on cutting sweet settlement deals to opioid manufacturers and distributors. In fact, the DEA is actively looking to expand its jurisdiction. As Buzzfeed News reported, the Department of Justice temporarily granted the DEA jurisdiction over the protests that erupted when police murdered George Floyd, regardless of whether there was any suspicion of drug activity.
Photo by Mark Wilson/Staff/Getty Images
Long before the DEA used the murder of George Floyd to obtain broad policing power, it tried to expand its jurisdiction to all parts of cannabis– not just varieties designated as marijuana. In October 2001, the DEA enacted an Interpretive Rule banning hemp seed and oil products containing “any amount” of tetrahydrocannabinol. The Hemp Industries Association, along with other industry groups, sued the DEA to stay the DEA interpretive Rule. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted HIA’s stay finding that the DEA did not have authority under the CSA to ban otherwise legal products. This meant that naturally occurring THC found in legal parts of the cannabis plant was not covered by the CSA and the DEA could not assert its jurisdiction over THC through its interpretive rule. Hemp Industries Assoc. v. DEA, 333 F.3d 1082 (9th Cir.2003).
Shortly after, in March 2003, the DEA published two new Final Rules regarding industrial hemp products. The DEA issued a Final Clarification Rule banning hemp seed and oil food products that contain any amount of trace residual THC and issued a Final Interim Rule exempting hemp body care and fiber products from DEA control but prohibited the US manufacturers from importing hemp seed and oil. The HIA again sued the DEA in an attempt to stay these two rules.
The Ninth Circuit again found in favor of the HIA:
The DEA’s Final Rules purport to regulate foodstuffs containing “natural and synthetic THC.” And so they can: in keeping with the definitions of drugs controlled under Schedule I of the CSA, the Final Rules can regulate foodstuffs containing natural THC if it is contained within marijuana, and can regulate synthetic THC of any kind. But they cannot regulate naturally-occurring THC not contained within or derived from marijuana-i.e., non-psychoactive hemp products-because non-psychoactive hemp is not included in Schedule I. The DEA has no authority to regulate drugs that are not scheduled, and it has not followed procedures required to schedule a substance.
The DEA’s definition of “THC” contravenes the unambiguously expressed intent of Congress in the CSA and cannot be upheld.
The Ninth Circuit’s decision turned on the fact that the CSA defined marijuana not to include certain parts of the cannabis plant including seeds incapable of germination. If you are interested in reading more about how we thought about the definition of marijuana, including what was and was not covered by the CSA prior to the enactment of the Farm Bill, you can check out this previous Canna Law Blog post. In May 2018, the DEA issued an internal directive restating the holding in both HIA v. DEA cases.
Given the history of the DEA, especially when it comes to cannabis, we should not give the agency the benefit of the doubt. This is an agency that exists to fight the War on Drugs. In order to justify its existence, the DEA must ensure that the fight continues. The DEA may bow down to high powered pharmaceutical companies manufacturing opioids, but I doubt that many of the individuals making a living in the hemp industry have the political connections or money to intimidate the DEA.
That said, as the HIA has proven in the past, the DEA does not have unchecked authority. If you want to use your voice to halt the DEA’s attempt to stymie the hemp industry don’t forget to submit comments by October 20, 2020.
Researchers describe THC as a “potent anti-inflammatory agent” against acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus.
University of South Carolina researchers now believe marijuana’s THC could be effective against battling symptoms caused by the coronavirus based on a trio of studies. In each study, THC helped prevent a deadly immune system response that causes acute respiratory syndrome (ARDS) and boosted healthy lung bacteria.
The studies were published in Frontiers in Pharmacology,the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, and the British Journal of Pharmacology. ARDS is considered a serious, potentially deadly illness and causes the lungs not to provide enough oxygen to the body’s organs. This results in fluids entering the lungs, compounding the lack of oxygen throughout internal systems. The mortality rate of ARDS is 38.5%.
But when scientists injected THC into mice with ARDS, they were shocked to find how effective the cannabinoids was in reducing inflammation and related symptoms. Over the three studies that included over a dozen of experiments, 100% of mice given THC survived.
“We have been working on cannabinoids for over 20 years and found that cannabinoids such as THC are highly anti-inflammatory,” study co-author Prakash Nagarkatti said. “Thus, our studies raise the exciting suggestion to test THC against ARDS seen in COVID-19 patients.”
Photo by TravelCouples/Getty Images
When a coronavirus patients suffers from ARDS, it can produce the body to flood the organ with cytokines, or “communication molecules.” These “cytokine storms” can cause rapid onset inflammation and provide multi-organ failure resulting in death. But South Carolina researchers described THC as a “potent anti-inflammatory agent” and prevented potential lung damage.
Currently, there are no FDA-approved drugs to treat ARDS because of which the mortality rate is close to 40%,” said study co-author Mitzi Nagarkatti. “Our studies suggest that THC is highly effective to treat ARDS and thus, clinical trials are critical to investigate if this works.”
This is the first work by American researchers that positively notes the cannabis plant’s therapeutic value against COVID-19. Previous studies from Israel, however, reported in early clinical trials that a combination of cannabis terpenes and CBD were outperforming the leading COVID-19 treatment in reducing coronavirus-related inflammation.
THCA is the acid form of THC that’s found in the raw cannabis plant. What does all this mean though, and how can THCA have a positive impact on one’s life?
The cannabis plant contains over 400 chemical entities and more than 60 of them are cannabinoid compounds. What is THCA and what can it do for you? It is one of cannabinoid compounds which contains its own variety of medicinal properties and therapeutic effects.
THCA is a unique compound because it’s not only non-psychoactive and medically beneficial, but it’s the acid form of THC that’s found in the raw cannabis plant. What does all this mean though, and how can THCA have a positive impact on one’s life?
About THCA & Its Link To THC
As mentioned, THCA is the acid form of THC that’s found in the raw cannabis plant. In general, cannabis produces all cannabinoids in acid form. One of the most abundant of all cannabinoid acids is THCA, which is a precursor to THC. On its own, cannabinoid acids don’t make users high. Instead, these acids deliver a variety of health benefits minus changes in consciousness.
When one consumes THC, a decarboxylation process normally takes place first. Decarboxylation is the term that’s used to describe the heating of a compound via smoking or vaping. To convert THCA into THC, raw cannabis first needs to be dried, aged, and heated via smoking or vaping. Overall, THC is a breakdown of THCA, and it doesn’t deliver psychoactive effects until it’s heated through decarboxylation.
Photo by TorriPhoto/Getty Images
Medicinal & Therapeutic Benefits Of THCA
Although research on THCA is in its infancy stage, a great deal of research findings has emerged regarding several of its medicinal benefits. After learning about THCA and its link to THC, let’s discuss the medicinal and therapeutic benefits of this compound. Different studies have been performed on THCA in recent years, which discovered the following potential benefits of the compound:
Anti-inflammatory properties for treating arthritis, lupus, menstrual cramps, muscle spasms, pain, and various auto-immune condition.
Neuroprotective properties for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s Disease and dementia
In addition, there’s also much promise in consuming THCA to treat epilepsy and seizures. In one particular study, two milligrams of THCA administered daily resulted in the subject experiencing a 90 percent seizure reduction. Similarly, when specific terpenes are combined with THCA in a cannabis strain, this combination can significantly contribute to the anti-seizure and anti-epileptic effect THCA has on patients.
On the same note, recently, a publication was released by Dr. Dustin Sulak and Dr. Bonni Goldstein regarding the usage of THCA in the treatment of epilepsy. Dr. Sulak reported that a higher THCA dose (two milligrams) combined with THC can be effective in treating seizures, pain, and arthritis. Then, Dr. Goldstein reported that daily THCA consumption of 10-20 milligrams proved to be effective in pain reduction in some patients with arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Photo courtesy of Trail Blazin’
Additional Medicinal Benefits Of THCA
Furthermore, medical cannabis patients who have been diagnosed with seizures or epilepsy may benefit more from consuming multiple cannabinoids and whole plant compounds rather than just CBD on its own. However, each individual case is different. In addition to the medical benefits listed above, there are more uses for THCA. For example, it has been found that THCA has a significant impact on the endocannabinoid system. Thus, reports indicate THCA’s ability to deliver anti-spasmodic, anticonvulsant, and anti-insomnia effects to users while also being immune supportive.
Moreover, regarding THCA’s anti-proliferative properties, one study conducted in 2013 found that in animal models and cell structures, THCA inhibited the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. Additionally, a study that was conducted one-year prior (2012) discovered that THCA neutralized damage caused by oxidative neurotoxins. Although more research should be conducted to confirm this finding, this discovery represents the potential of consuming THCA to help treat neurodegenerative diseases caused by oxidative stress.
Lastly, at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, Erin Rock and other scientists found that extremely low doses of THCA were able to prevent nausea in rat subjects. It was also discovered that THCA successfully synergizes with CBDA, thus, acting as a strong antiemetic compound.
Overall, the medicinal and therapeutic effects of THCA should be researched and studied more. However, the effects and properties that have already been discovered point to the significant potential of this compound, which shouldn’t be dismissed. If you’d like to consume THCA, it’s suggested to look for high-THC strains that haven’t been decarboxylated yet. You could also juice or blend raw cannabis parts such as leftover fan leaves, buds, and/or stems to reap as many benefits of THCA as possible!
Columbia lawmakers say the regulated sales of cannabis could help counteract the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As many of our readers will know, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on nationwide decriminalization of marijuana this month under the MORE Act. If legislators in Colombia and Mexico have their way, the House’s counterparts in two important Latin American economies could be following its steps.
In Colombia, Reps. Juan Carlos Losada (Liberal – Bogota) and Juan Fernando Reyes (Liberal – Valle del Cauca) have introduced a bill to permit recreational cannabis use. Currently, Art. 49 of the Colombian Constitution prohibits the possession and consumption of narcotic or psychotropic substances. The bill would amend Art. 49 to exclude cannabis from its prohibitions.
The bill’s sponsors are bold, not mincing words in the way many U.S. politicians do, even when they support legalization efforts. According to Losada, cannabis “is not a dangerous drug,” citing the World Health Organization. By contrast, even Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (who has “earned top marks—an ‘A’ grade—from NORML“), stresses the need to “talk to kids about why marijuana isn’t safe.”
Losada and Reyes argue in favor of legalization drawing from a range of arguments. One is economic, noting that regulated sales of cannabis could help counteract the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo by Olena Ruban/Getty Images
In addition to tax proceeds, the country’s budget would benefit from savings on law enforcement activity relating to cannabis. They also point out that a legal market for cannabis would divert proceeds away from criminal syndicates, a consideration that is likely to resonate with many Colombians, given the country’s bloody struggles with drug cartels. In addition, legalization would facilitate research. The sponsors also highlight the implications for individual freedom of giving adult Colombians a choice when it comes to cannabis.
Meanwhile in Mexico, the Senate majority leader, Ricardo Monreal (MORENA – At-Large), announced cannabis legislation was “one of the priorities” of his parliamentary group once legislative sessions resume. His declarations came after his colleague Jesusa Rodríguez (MORENA – At-Large) brought a cannabis plant into the Senate chamber. The plant was a gift from members of the Mexican Cannabic Movement, who are engaged in an indefinite sit-in on Senate grounds in favor of cannabis legislation. According to Monreal, this was probably the first time a cannabis plant was brought into the Senate building.
For more on Mexico and cannabis, check out the following:
Everybody’s favorite moody vampire is making headlines again for coming down with COVID. Is he smoking weed to help him heal?
Robert Pattinson, who many know as Edward Cullen in “Twilight”, is making a switch from pale vampire to dark knight in the latest Batman sequel. He’s also making a name for himself in another way: as the latest celebrity to be diagnosed with COVID-19. According to CNN, the actor tested positive for coronavirus, temporarily halting the production on “The Batman,” one of the most anticipated movies of 2021.
We all know Pattinson is considered a total smoke show to many fans, but does he smoke weed?
Pattinson is a prolific actor, one who’s made a name for himself while working in both independent and critically acclaimed films. After his involvement with the Harry Potter franchise and the Twilight movies, he’s steered clear of blockbuster films. Lately he’s been linked with bigger budget films, like “Tenet,” which is enjoying a limited release in theaters (if you can’t get to a theater, you can stream the score!), and, of course, “The Batman,” which is expected to be a huge hit.
Still, Pattinson appears to be private when it comes to his personal life, never discussing his relationships or habits, only making appearances for press junkets. There’s not a lot out there when it comes to his marijuana use (or lack thereof).
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In 2013, Pattinson was spotted at Coachella with his then girlfriend Kristen Stewart. According to a tweet, they were smoking weed together. While it could be a lie, the tweet gained some traction and everyone smokes weed at Coachella, so it would make sense.
While Pattinson and Stewart broke up a few years ago, Stewart has always been open about her marijuana use. In 2012, paparazzi took a photo of her smoking weed on her front porch. “The next day, it was like I was a delinquent, slimy idiot, whereas I’m kind of a weirdo, creative Valley Girl who smokes pot,” she said. “Big deal.” The more the years have passed, the more open and laid back she’s been about her drug use.
But as far as whether or not Pattinson smokes marijuana regularly, we can only assume that he has smoked weed occasionally. So he may not be a pothead, but he’s definitely smoked weed.
