NOTE:
We
sincerely apologize to Dr. Willem
Scholten from the Office of Medical
Cannabis in the Netherlands, and to
Ms. Fran Klass from the Drug Information
Journal who holds the copyright. In
edition #4 on Page 14, in the article,
"Licensing in The Netherlands"
by Allen Town, quotes were taken fromÊthe
article "Dutch Measures To Control
Medical Grade Marijuana: Facilitating
Clinical Trials", by Willem Scholten
(Drug Information Journal, Vol. 35,
pp. 481-484, 2001)Êand we did not
interview Dr. Scholten, nor give proper
credit to Drug Information Journal.
Editorial:
Brian
Taylor Editor
In
this issue CHJ covers one of the most
important medical and ethical issues
of the century, an emotional battle
ground of conflicting beliefs, the
topic of pain. We have chosen to take
a substantial journalistic risk and
publish an edited, and slightly modified
version of a "White Paper" by
Dr. Ethan Russo. Although substantially
shorter, the content has been retained.
We have not tried to change the scientific
language and we are convinced that
our cannabis consuming readers will
make sense of the report regardless
of whether they understand every medical
term or not. We hope and expect our
readers will keep this edition as
a reference document and possibly
share it with their physicians.
Our
gratitude to Dr. Russo for sharing
this risk and for making available
to our readers and to the general
public, this timely and concise information.
Working with our advertisers and writing
the article on home growing options
in "Growing your own medicine
at home", I was struck by several
commonalities. They are owner-operators,
hands-on with products and involved
with their customers and suppliers;
your basic grass roots entrepreneurs.
They are optimistic, creative and
talented and have a long-range vision
of the future of the industry, some
have gotten there a bit early, some
are new, some are survivors from the
hemp movement. Watch out when they
get organized and look out for Canada's
newest trade association, the Cannabis
Bio-products Trade Association coming
to your province soon.
Interesting reaction from the US over
the Canadian Government same sex marriage
decision, and the pot law changes,
after we refused to go to war. Is
the philosophical gap widening, are
we truly the new "hippie nation"?
The Bush Administration and the new
drug Czar, Karen Tracy continue to
search for new ways to undermine the
authority of California and other
states that have approved the use
of medical marijuana, and now in a
new offensive are seeking the power
to investigate physicians who advised
seriously ill patients that medicinal
marijuana may be a legitimate treatment
for debilitating illness. As discouraging
as it may be to watch the second US
civil war unfold, I am heartened by
two events. The first was a recent
vote in congress that would have ended
the attack on the State medical marijuana
movement. The vote was lost 152 to
273, but the movement was substantial.
The debate that followed was as interesting,
as some of the "nays" admitted
that they were voting against the
bill not because they did not support
the medical user, but because their
constituents would not be comfortable.
At least this was acknowledging that
the vote was cultural political, not
scientific.
The
other event, not to be overlooked,
was a report from the International
Cannabinoid Symposium held in Canada
in June. Participants reported a new,
more positive attitude. No longer
was the DEA asking science to find
the damage that marijuana is wreacking
and researchers were more open-minded
and even enthusiastic over identifying
the positive impacts of the plant.
Finally on a hemp note. Recently Jason
Finnis,
Hemptown's chief operating officer
announced that he is looking to raise
$25 million to build mills in Canada
and a market for fabric-grade hemp,
which he is now forced to buy in China.
The reception that Jason received
from the same experts was at best
reserved. Well, let me change that
reception. You have my personal support
and that of many other Canadians.
Indeed a Canadian fabric operation
is possible and economically viable.
Are they unaware that this is the
guy who bounced back and has made
his hemp company Hemptown a "dizzying
success"? Yes you can, Jason!
LETTERS
Professional
compliment
"Congratulations
to Matt Elrod for his concise article
in the May/June issue of Cannabis
Health. As someone with extensive
first-hand knowledge of both HortaPharm
and GW Pharmaceuticals, I can attest
to the accuracy of the story, and
applaud his balanced and distinctly
unsensational presentation of the
issues. Consistent journalism of this
caliber will serve to promote your
magazine as a publication of serious
intent." Sincerely, David W. Pate,
Ph.D., M.Sc.
I'm
productive now!
This
is just a quick letter to say two
things. Firstly, I love your magazine.
Second, referring to issue #4, the
article on GW Pharmaceuticals.
I was addicted to heroin, then I put
myself on Methadone. I must just say
that marijuana is the ONLY way I was
able to succesfully get off Methadone.
The sweating disappears, the stomach
settles, and your appetite comes back.
I only smoke pot now, and will do
so forever. It honestly saved my life,
and I believe it still is! Also, I
found that smoking oil was the complete
"cure" for withdrawals. I found your
article so interesting, I faxed a
copy to my old "methadone" doctor.
I
am today a productive gardener and
a student andÊI am very interested
in the work that GW Pharmaceuticals
does. Any follow-up articles would
be great. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! Thanx
- Carol
Hippie Nation Invites:
Representatives
of the "Hippie Nation" From
left to right- Gordon Taylor - Librarian
Brian Taylor - Editor, Brian McAndrew
- Production Glenda Hordos - Store
Manager Barb Cornelius - Accounting
Lisa Smith - Sales Mandy Nordahn -
Distribution
Hello
from business-friendly B.C. Canada.
The staff of Cannabis Health Journal
and Cannabis Research Institute are
ready to help your company find a
home here in the beautiful Kettle
River Valley or any other part of
our fair nation. The Hippie Nation,
Land of the Free, Canada.
Grow Seminars Available:
Cannabis
Health Foundation in partnership with
Cannabis Research Institute, employees,
volunteers and friends offer the seminar
series "Growing a personal supply
of cannabis at home".
Level #1 (1.5 hours) Introductory
Cannabis Gardening covers the basics
and is suited to the person with some
gardening experience but no cannabis
experience.
Level #2 (1.5 hours) Intermediate
Cannabis Gardening expects participants
to understand the basics, and will
concentrate on the issues of volume
and quality of the finished product.
The
presenters are experienced, well seasoned,
entertaining, fun and informative.
Presentations include lecture, power
point, hands-on learning, and demonstrations.
Where possible, real cannabis plants
will be included in the sessions.
Cannabis is a fascinating phenomenon
in today's culture. The Cannabis Health
sessions are ideal for groups interested
in learning how cannabis is grown.
For
bookings and information call Cannabis
Research Institute Inc. Toll free
at 1-866-808-5566 and ask for Brian
Taylor
Production
Notes:
Brian McAndrew
Production Manager
Production
Notes Here we are at the end of our
first year and the Journal has gone
through quite an evolution in content
and design. It has been the job of
the editor to make sure that what
you are reading is going to capture
and keep your interest, with the sales
people finding the financial support
through the advertisers.
My job as production guy is to take
the stories that our editor gathers,
take the ads that the sales team gathers,
(some come in "camera ready"
and others I design) and lay it out
in a way that everyone likes. It has
to reflect the content of the stories
as well as everyone else's wishes.
We all discuss the kind of things
we want the cover and content to reflect,
and then it is up to me to do the
rest.
Since
the first edition and in every one
of them since, we have been incorporating
small changes to help make the magazine
more appealing visually as well as
easy to read. It also has to keep
up with the dynamic nature of the
cannabis issue. Some things go in
at the last minute. One thing we do
is to try and keep all the stories
in a continuous format to keep you
from jumping all over the place to
finish a story. It is impossible to
do it all the time, though. We play
with picture and colour to make it
more visually appealing. These small
changes help us improve the quality
of the Journal in either content,
design, or both. These changes have
been made with an evolutionary reaction
to our readership and advertisers.
It is with this in mind that I get
to be the one to announce a new cover
design for our First Anniversary Issue,
#7, November/December - the next one.
Not only a new cover, but a whole
new look and feel for our website
at cannabishealth.com.
We
have been maturing and feel this new
look and feeling with the cover and
web will reflect the way we have evolved
in this first year.
I
must say that I get a lot of freedom
to be able to create and do my thing.
I even get to write sometimes, but
I don't get my way all the time. Among
other things, I wanted to have a different
pic for the Hippie Nation, and I was
out voted...unanimously... oh well,
win some - lose some.
Cannabis and
Pain Management
The
following article is an edited composite
of a Policy Paper on Cannabis in Pain
Treatment presented to the American
Academy of Pain Management by Dr Ethan
Russo, MD
Effective
treatment of
acute, chronic and intractable pain
is a critically important public health
concern in the world today. Despite
a vast array of analgesic medicines
including anti-inflammatory and opioid
analgesics, countless patients continue
to suffer the burden of unrelieved
pain. Opiate addiction, and the recent
OxyContin¨ controversy underline the
importance of newer effective and
safe alternatives.
For
over a century, international commissions
have studied the issue of cannabis,
and virtually uniformly recommended
its decriminalization and provision
for medical applications, specifically
including the treatment of pain.
Cannabis has been employed as an analgesic
for thousands of years, and was utilized
in this country as well, particularly
for neuropathic pain, prior to its
effective removal from the American
market 65 years ago. Historical cannabis
supporters have included such physicians
and scientists as Galen, Dioscorides,
Parkinson, Linnaeus, Gowers, Weir
Mitchell, Osler, Solomon Snyder, and
many others. Cannabis remains a frequently
employed ethno-botanical agent in
pain management among indigenous peoples
of the world.
Modern
research on endogenous cannabinoids
and the cannabinoid receptor system
has demonstrated a scientific basis
for the efficacy of synthetic and
phytocannabinoids in pain management
based on serotonergic, dopaminergic,
Substance P, and glutamatergic mechanisms,
interactions with the endogenous opioid
system, as well as antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory effects. These mechanisms
have been demonstrated in both central
and peripheral systems. Adjunctive
effects of cannabis and cannabinoids
on depression, anxiety, spasticity,
tremor, nausea and anorexia also contribute
to treatment benefits in chronic pain
patients. Whole cannabis and its extracts
provide an entourage of cannabinoids,
terpenoids, and flavonoids that combine
to create a synergy of benefits in
holistic treatment of chronic and
intractable pain.
Systematic
examination of the toxicology and
side effect profile of cannabis and
cannabinoids on long-term cognitive,
other nervous system, endocrine, hematological,
and immunological function demonstrate
little documentation of significant
detrimental effects, and suggest a
safety margin well within that of
most prescription medicines. The sole
area of demonstrable concern surrounds
chronic pulmonary issues attendant
with smoked cannabis. These problems
are possibly avoidable with harm reduction
techniques such as vaporization, and
are totally so with alternative delivery
methods such as sublingual or nebulized
cannabis-based medicine extracts.
Fears of cannabis-induced psychosis,
addiction, and cognitive impairment
and deterioration have been largely
exaggerated.
Oral
synthetic THC (Marinol¨), a synthetically
derived THC dissolved in sesame oil,
was developed by Unimed Pharmaceuticals.
It is available in capsules of 2.5,
5 and 10 mg and is marketed in the
USA, Canada, Australia, and some areas
in Europe, and has proven quite disappointing
as a pain management tool. Cannabis
proper, and a variety of synthetic
agents are in various stages of clinical
investigation. Development and FDA
approval of synthetic cannabinoids
will require many years. In contrast,
cannabis-based medicine extracts have
proven safe and effective in a large
variety of pain conditions, and are
expected to attain governmental regulatory
approval in the UK, Western Europe
and Canada within a very short time.
The
History of Cannabis in Pain Management
Traditional
knowledge of cannabis in China may
span 5000 years, dating to the legendary
emperor, Shen-Nung. Julien (1849)
wrote of the physician Hoa-tho in
the early 2nd century and his use
of a cannabis extract in anesthesia
for major surgical procedures.
The
Atharva Veda of India (dating to between
1400 and 2000 BCE) mentions a sacred
grass for anxiety, bhang, which remains
a modern term for cannabis. Medical
references to cannabis date to Susruta
in the sixth to seventh centuries
BCE. Dwarakanath (1965), described
a series of Ayurvedic and Arabic traditional
preparations containing the herb indicated
for migraine, neuralgic and visceral
pains.
Similar
proof of the medicinal use of cannabis
exists in records and artifacts from
ancient Egypt, Assyria, Israel/Palestine/Judea,
and the Greek and Roman Empires.
In
common use throughout the Medieval
world and Renaissance Europe, the
medical use of cannabis, or "Indian
hemp" was reintroduced to the West
by O'Shaughnessy (1838-1840). His
treatise on the subject dealt with
the apparent utility of a plant extract
administered to patients suffering
from rabies, cholera, tetanus, infantile
convulsions, but also a series of
painful rheumatological conditions.
Of particular note, even patients
that succumbed to their illnesses
were greatly relieved by cannabis
with convincing palliative benefits.
Shortly thereafter in England, Clendinning
(1843) described his results of treatment
of 18 patients: 3 with headaches,
one with abdominal pain secondary
to tumor, one with pain secondary
to a laceration, two with rheumatic
joint pain, and one with gout. In
each case, the tincture of Indian
hemp provided relief, even in cases
of morphine withdrawal symptoms.
In Ireland, Donovan (1845) extensively
described his own extensive trials
with small doses of cannabis resin,
mainly in patients with various types
of neuropathic and musculoskeletal
pain. Effects were almost uniformly
impressive, with few side effects.
He also described the benefits of
local application of hemp leaf oil
on hemorrhoids and neuralgic pains.
Over
the next decades, numerous authorities
recognized cannabis as helpful for
painful conditions. Sir John Russell
Reynolds was eventually to become
Queen Victoria's personal physician.
He successfully treated her dysmenorrhea
with a cannabis extract throughout
her adult life (Reynolds 1868) and
used it extensively to treat migraine
and neuropathic pain.
Hobart
Hare (1887): I have found the efficient
dose of a pure extract of hemp to
be as powerful in relieving pain as
the corresponding dose of the same
preparation of opium... During the
time that this remarkable drug is
relieving pain a very curious psychical
condition sometimes manifests itself;
namely, that the diminution of the
pain seems to be due to its fading
away in the distance, so that the
pain becomes less and less, just as
the pain in a delicate ear would grow
less and less as a beaten drum was
carried farther and farther out of
the range of hearing.
In the French literature, See (1890)
submitted a detailed report on use
of cannabis in the treatment of various
disorders producing gastric and intestinal
pain, and found it preferable in efficacy
and side effects to opiates and bismuth.
Suckling (1891) noted the ability
of cannabis to allow migraine sufferers
to return to work.
An
American drug handbook stated the
following: (Lilly, 1898) "Antispasmodic,
analgesic, anesthetic, narcotic, aphrodisiac.
Specially recommended in spasmodic
and painful affections."
Hare (1922) still advocated use of
cannabis noting "For the relief
of pain, particularly that depending
on nerve disturbance, hemp is very
valuable."
An editor of the Journal of the American
Medical Association, as late as 1930
noted the ability of cannabis to achieve
a labor with pain burden substantially
reduced or eliminated, followed by
a tranquil sleep (Anonymous 1930)
without sequelae.
Despite
its political disenfranchisement,
Fishbein (1942) still advocated oral
preparations of cannabis in treatment
of menstrual (catamenial) migraine.
Cannabis
remained in the British armamentarium
somewhat longer, and was extolled
above opiates and barbiturates in
the treatment of the pain of hospitalized
patients with duodenal ulcers (Douthwaite,
1947).
In
Tashkent in the 1930's, cannabis or
nasha was employed medicinally, despite
Soviet prohibition (Benet 1975) for
headache and pain of defloration.
In Southeast Asia, cannabis remains
useful (Martin 1975). Everywhere it
is considered to be of analgesic value,
comparable to the opium derivatives.
Moreover, it can be added to any relaxant
to reinforce its action. Cooked leaves,
which have been dried in the sun,
are used in quantities of several
grams per bowl of water. This decoction
helps especially to combat migraines
and stiffness.
In
a book about medicinal plants of India
(Dastur, 1962) Charas [hashish] ---
is a valuable narcotic, especially
in cases where opium cannot be administered;
it is of great value in malarial and
periodical headaches, migraine, acute
mania, whooping cough, cough of phthisis,
asthma, anaemia of brain, nervous
vomiting, tetanus, convulsion, insanity,
delirium, dysuria, and nervous exhaustion;
it is also used as an anaesthetic
in dysmenorrhea, as an appetizer and
aphrodisiac, as an anodyne in itching
of eczema, neuralgia, severe pains
of various kinds of corns, etc.
In Colombia the analgesic effects
of a cannabis tincture were lauded
(Partridge 1975) "the knowledge
that cannabis can be used for treatment
of pain is widespread." Rubin
documented extensive usage of cannabis
in Jamaica for a variety of conditions
(Rubin, 1976; Rubin and Comitas, 1972),
including headache.
In
Brazil, Hutchinson (1975) "Such
an infusion [of leaves] is taken to
relieve rheumatism, "female troubles",
colic and other common complaints.
For toothache, marijuana is frequently
packed into and around the aching
tooth and left for a period of time,
during which it supposedly performs
an analgesic function".
Cannabis
and Cannabinoids as Medicine.
Cannabis Proper Cannabis is traditionally
employed therapeutically by smoking
or ingestion. Grotenhermen has produced
an excellent summary of "Practical
Hints" (Grotenhermen, 2002),
as have Brazis and Matthre (1997)
and Russo (2002).
Dosing
of therapeutic cannabis must be titrated
to the patient's need. In general,
5 mg of THC content represents a threshold
dose for noticeable effects in the
average adult (Grotenhermen 2002).
Whereas tolerance to cardiovascular
effects (tachycardia) and psychoactive
effects ("high") are achieved
after some days to weeks of chronic
usage, observed clinical and "anecdotal"
reports support retention of analgesic
efficacy over the long term. Occasionally,
upwards dose titration is necessary,
as is true for any agent.
Allergies to cannabis are rare, although
some may experience rhinitis symptoms,
particularly when exposed to the smoke
of the unrefined product. People employing
cannabis therapeutically must be warned
of the usual caveats assigned to any
potentially sedative drug: due care
with operation of machinery, motor
vehicles, etc., which are analogous
to the industry warnings for Marinol¨
(synthetic THC).
Acute over-dosages of cannabis are
self-limited, and most frequently
consist of panic reactions. These
are uniquely sensitive to reassurance
("talking down") and are
quite unusual once a patient becomes
familiar with the drug. Cannabis has
a unique distinction of safety over
four millennia of analgesic usage:
No deaths due to direct toxicity of
cannabis have ever been documented
in the medical literature.
Some
cannabis-drug interactions are apparent,
but are few in number. Additive sedative
effects with other agents, including
alcohol, may be observed. Similarly
however, additive or synergistic anti-emetic
and analgesic benefits may accrue
when combining dopamine agonist neuroleptics
and cannabis (Carta, Gessa, and Nava
1999). Cannabis may accelerate metabolism
of theophylline, while slowing that
of barbiturates. Anticholinergic-induced
tachycardia may be accentuated by
cannabis, while this effect is countered
by beta-blockers (Grotenhermen 2002).
Indomethacin seems to reduce slightly
the psychoactive and tachycardic effects
of cannabis (Perez-Reyes et al. 1991).
As discussed above, synergistic analgesic
benefits may accrue with concomitant
usage of cannabis and opioids (Cichewicz
et al. 1999; Hare 1887). CBD is a
powerful inhibitor of cytochrome P450
isozymes 3A4, 2C19, and 2D6 (Bornheim
et al. 1994; Bornheim and Grillo 1998)
indicating the need for caution in
cannabis patients taking that component
in conjunction with fentanyl, sildenafil
(Viagra¨), tricyclic antidepressants
and anti-arrhythmic drugs.
Crude
cannabis contains most of its THC
in the form of delta-9-THC acids that
must be decarboxylated by heating
to be activated. This occurs automatically
when cannabis is smoked, whereas cannabis
that is employed orally should be
heated to 200-210ûC. for 5 minutes
prior to ingestion (Brenneisen 1984).
Contrary
to disseminated propaganda in the
USA, average cannabis potency has
varied little over the last 3 decades
(ElSohly et al. 2000; Mikuriya and
Aldrich 1988). It is true that the
maximum potency has increased through
applied genetics, cultivation and
harvesting techniques. This goal is
achieved through production of clonal
cultivation of the preferred female
plants and maximization of the yield
of unsterilized flowering tops known
as sinsemilla (Spanish for "without
seed"). In this manner a concentration
of glandular trichomes where THC and
therapeutic terpenoids are produced
is effected. Resultant yields of THC
may exceed 20% by weight. This is
potentially advantageous, particularly
when smoked, because a therapeutic
dosage of THC is obtained with fewer
inhalations, thereby decreasing lung
exposure to tars and carcinogens.
As noted by Professor Wayne Hall (Lords
1998).
Indeed, it is conceivable that increased
potency may have little or no adverse
effect if users are able to titrate
their dose to achieve the desired
state of intoxication. If users do
titrate their dose, the use of more
potent cannabis products would reduce
the amount of cannabis material that
was smoked, thereby marginally reducing
the respiratory risks of cannabis
smoking.
A
considerable concentration of THC,
other cannabinoids and terpenoids
may also be achieved through some
simple processing of crude dried cannabis.
Techniques for sieving or washing
of cannabis to isolate the trichomes
to produce hashish are well described
(Clarke 1998; Rosenthal, Gieringer,
and Mikuriya 1997), and may produce
potential yields of 40-60% THC. Clarke
demonstrates a simple method of rolling
the resultant powdery material into
a joint of pure hashish, termed "smoking
the snake" (Clarke 1998), providing
a relatively pure product for inhalation.
Cultivation
techniques are beyond the scope of
this review, but emphasis should focus
on potent medicinal strains, scrupulous
organic cultivation of female plants,
clonal selection and augmentation,
and appropriate processing with a
high degree of quality control throughout
the process. It deserves emphasis
that clinical cannabis patients benefit
from consistent quality and dosing.
This is extremely difficult to achieve
on a practical basis, unless cloned
cannabis strains or standardized extracts
are employed. Additionally, although
cannabis is often touted as relatively
"pest-free," it is subject
to predation by a number of insects,
bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. (McPartland,
Clarke and Watson 2000).
Cannabis
strains in the USA are THC predominant,
almost uniformly devoid of CBD content
(Gieringer 1999). While this may be
appropriate for certain medical conditions,
patients with concomitant muscle spasm,
anxiety, seizure disorders, or susceptibility
to psychoactive effects may not achieve
optimal results.
The
labor required to manage cannabis
genetics, culture, maintenance of
"organic" technique without
contamination, processing and quality
control are likely beyond the ken
and capabilities of most patients,
particularly those with chronic pain.
It remains the case that smoked cannabis
is a crude delivery system with some
inherent respiratory risk. This fact,
taken with the inability to develop
smoked cannabis into an FDA-approved
medicine in the USA, makes the development
of alternative rapid-delivery cannabis-based
systems mandatory.
Oral
use of cannabis
A variety of issues attend oral cannabis
administration. The most important
concerns bioavailability. Oral absorption
of cannabinoids is slow and erratic
at best, often requiring 30-120 minutes.
In HIV positive or chemotherapy patients
and in acute migraine, nausea and
emesis may preclude oral usage altogether.
Additionally, oral THC is subject
to the "first pass effect"
of hepatic metabolism yielding 11-hydroxy-THC,
considerably more psychoactive than
THC itself. Thus, some patients become
Òtoo highÓ even on low doses of medicine,
such as 2.5 mg of THC as dronabinol.
Advantages
of oral usage are its avoidance of
lung exposure in those who are immunosuppressed
or have impaired pulmonary function,
and its prolonged half-life. This
may be of advantage for nocturnal
complaints where sedation is less
of an issue.
Grotenhermen suggests dose titration
beginning with the equivalent of 2.5
mg of oral THC bid with increases
as needed and tolerated (Grotenhermen
2002). Most painful clinical conditions
require tid dosing of cannabis.
THC,
CBD and terpenoids are all highly
lipophilic. Gastrointestinal absorption
is markedly enhanced by inclusion
of lipids in the cooked preparations.
Therapeutic tincture extraction in
alcohol is also possible.
Smoked
cannabis
Techniques of smoking cannabis are
legion. Pharmacodynamically, smoking
would be an ideal method of application
of clinical cannabis, but for the
attendant pulmonary issues. Clinical
effects are noted within seconds to
minutes after smoking. Inhalation
avoids the first pass effect that
hampers oral use, and allows effective
dosage titration. When symptoms return,
repeat dosage is achieved quickly
and easily. Overdosage is frequently
avoidable.
Traditional smoking techniques in
the USA make prolonged holding of
a marijuana "toke" de rigueur.
From a dose-response standpoint, this
is unnecessary. Inhaled THC is well
absorbed after a very brief interval,
and subjective high and serum THC
levels do not increase beyond a maximum
10-second inhalation. Furthermore,
prolonged breath holding under pressure
increases the potential for hypoxia
or pneumothorax.
Contamination
of herbal cannabis by pesticides,
herbicides, and bacterial or fungal
agents is possible, and may represent
a threat to the smoker, especially
immunosuppressed patients. Scrupulous
cultivation techniques avoid some
of these issues. McPartland recommends
pasteurization of herbal cannabis
by heating in an oven of 150C. for
5 minutes (McPartland 2001).
Waterpipes
and bongs are popular techniques for
cooling smoke. While they may reduce
particulate matter as well, THC content
and pharmaceutical efficiency also
seem to be compromised. Surprisingly,
the unfiltered ÒjointÓ seems to represent
the most efficient means for conventional
smoking, although use of hashish in
a pipe (without tobacco) was not examined.
Vaporizers
for cannabis administration
Vaporization of herbal cannabis may
allow delivery of THC and terpenoid
components below the flash point of
the leaf, thereby reducing exposure
to smoke, tar and carcinogens. The
technology has been hampered in its
development by paraphernalia laws.
Initial investigations of available
devices had disappointing results,
but further studies have demonstrated
promising benefits on avoidance of
carcinogenic components from smoking
(Gieringer 2001). Research continues.
Sublingual
tincture of cannabis
This method of administration is under
investigation by GW Pharmaceuticals
in the United Kingdom employing combinations
of specific strains of cannabis that
are rich in THC or CBD. Terpenoids
and other minor components that are
important to therapeutic effects of
cannabis are retained. Dose-metered
sublingual sprays are currently in
Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for
a variety of indications. Initial
results indicate good bioavailability
and excellent patient tolerance and
clinical effects. Painful conditions
have been of particular note in this
research.
Aerosol
THC preparations
Cannabis has a long history of use
in asthma, even as a smoked preparation.
A pure THC aerosol has been attempted
numerous times in the past. Physical
and delivery issues have been challenging,
but more interestingly, pure THC seems
to have an irritating and even bronchoconstrictive
effect when employed in isolation
(Tashkin et al. 1977). Some authors
believe that anti-inflammatory effects
of concomitant terpenoid and flavonoid
administration are necessary for full
effects and tolerance in pursuit of
the pulmonary route. Further research
is underway by GW Pharmaceuticals,
Inhale Therapeutic Systems, and possibly
others.
Marinol¨
(dronabinol, synthetic THC)
Marinol¨
is a synthetically derived THC dissolved
in sesame oil, developed by Unimed
Pharmaceuticals. It is available in
capsules of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg and is
marketed in the USA, Canada, Australia,
and some areas in Europe. Until 1999,
Marinol¨ was a Schedule II drug in
the USA with close scrutiny to its
usage, which was restricted to indications
of AIDS-associated anorexia and cancer
chemotherapy. After safety studies
revealed a low potential for abuse
or diversion, dronabinol was "down-scheduled"
to Schedule III in 1999, allowing
refill prescriptions for up to 6 months,
and its "off-label" administration
for any indication. Clinicians have
utilized Marinol¨ to only a limited
degree. Its bioavailability is only
25-30% of an equivalent smoked dose
of THC (Association 1997). Additional
problems include the first pass effect
of hepatic metabolism, which results
in the production of a more psychoactive
metabolite 11-hydroxy-THC, and its
considerable cost, which may exceed
US $600 per month for the lowest dosage
of 2.5 mg tid. Considerable anecdotal
data supports preference by patients
of smoked cannabis over dronabinol.
Nabilone
Nabilone
is a synthetic cannabinoid said to
be pharmacologically similar to THC,
but more potent, less apt to produce
euphoria, and possessing lower "abuse
potential" (Association 1997).
It is produced by Eli Lilly Company
as Cesamet¨ and is available in the
UK, Canada, Australia and certain
countries in Europe as an agent for
nausea in chemotherapy. Some scattered
reports have noted benefit on spasticity
in MS, and effects on dyskinesias.
A
group in the UK assessed analgesic
effects of nabilone in patients including
some with neuropathic pain (Notcutt,
Price, and Chapman 1997). Side effects
of drowsiness and dysphoria were troubling.
Several patients claimed improved
pain relief and fewer side effects
with smoked cannabis and preferred
it to this legal alternative. Nabilone's
cost was also estimated to be 10 times
higher than cannabis even at black
market rates.
Future
Directions and Needs
Future
directions for research on cannabis
and cannabinoids will be primarily
determined by political factors. Studies
with smoked cannabis in the USA will
continue under constraints imposed
by NIDA: limited access to low potency
smoked marijuana with rigorous oversight.
Such studies may have limited applicability
to the actual potential of true medical-grade
cannabis or cannabis-based medicine
extracts.
Herbal
cannabis as a smoked medicine will
never fulfill FDA guidelines to become
a prescription medicine. Such a process
requires absolute standardization
of constituents, rigorous quality
control, bacteriological purity, safety,
reliability, reproducibility, and
uniform dose titration. In contrast
cannabis-based medicine extracts,
whether employed sublingually or via
aerosol, can easily meet this burden
and will likely achieve market approval
in Europe and Canada within months.
Too Good to
be True
By
Paul Henderson
A
few months ago the potential for marijuana
decriminalization and the subsequent
government distribution of marijuana
to patients was sky high. Back in
April Prime Minister Jean Chretien
announced his government was "not
afraid to take on controversial issues"
and would decriminalize marijuana
to reduce the harm of criminal records
that young people face.
Into the summer, July 9 was a date
greatly anticipated by anti-prohibition
advocates, as it was the day the government
had to either start distributing medicine
to exemption-holding patients or the
marijuana possession law would be
rendered invalid.
A
couple of positive stories for medicinal
marijuana users and a win-win situation,
right?
Too
good to be true.
The
incremental improvements many felt
were inevitable and forthcoming have
turned out to be disastrous and, according
to advocates and those on the front
lines of making medicinal marijuana
easier to get for patients, things
are worse, not better.
Refusing
to take a real position of any kind,
it seems the federal government decided
to follow a path whereby they pleased
everyone. As a result they are instead
pissing everyone off. The ruse Health
Canada and the Ministry of Justice
attempted to pull, talking out of
both sides of their mouth, has blown
up and the government is looking dumber
than ever. A disastrous "decriminalization"
bill has been tabled, and Health Minister
Ann McLellan is using the recent court
decisions as a platform to tell us
what she really thinks: that marijuana
has no medicinal value.
And
as a result of the tabling of Bill
C-38 and the government being forced
into distribution the American anti-drug
zealots are mad, doctors are mad,
patients are mad, everyday pot smokers
are mad: So who was this pseudo-decriminalization
and reluctant effort at distribution
supposed to please? Tough to get an
answer to that.
Criminal
lawyer and anti-prohibition advocate
Alan Young said that the whole premise
of decriminalization is based on the
premise that marijuana is a relatively
harmless substance and he was led
to believe the government understood
this. Now he knows he was wrong.
"The
proposed bill was not just a disappointment,
it was a major disillusionment with
a process that should have borne fruit,"
Young told Cannabis Health. "I've
worked on this way too long to have
them give me such a compromised piece
of legislation."
The
only possible benefit that most can
see in the legislation, Bill C-38,
is the fact that those caught with
minor amounts will avoid a criminal
record. Instead they will pay a fine
up to $150. The reality though is
that under the current Controlled
Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) most
police simply confiscate small amounts
and let people off with a warning.
Now the police have a discretionary
ability to give fines to people who
maybe can't afford them.
It
looks like that in most cases, Bill
C-38 actually provides for harsher
enforcement and Young says the proposed
bill cannot even be called "decriminalization".
Rather it is in fact a worst-case
scenario.
"I
don't care if you go to jail or not
(even though that is a big issue)"
Young said. "For me criminal
law means the power to arrest, detain,
and search, and that's what they haven't
taken away. You cannot demystify a
substance like marijuana when you
still let Officer Friendly take you
down to the station and deprive you
of liberty. (Justice Minister Martin)
Cauchon left it to the discretion
of the police to decide whether to
treat you like a highway traffic offender
or whether to treat you like a criminal.
That's not decriminalization, that's
the worst-case scenario where a low-level
unaccountable official is making the
decision."
Senator
Pierre Claude Nolin, chairman of the
Canadian Senate Select Committee on
Illegal Drugs told DRCNet in an interview
before the bill was tabled, "What
the prime minister is proposing is
not decriminalization, it is what
I call depenalization. We are removing
the criminal penalties, but the behaviour
itself remains criminal, it just triggers
a lesser penalty. This is the shadow
of the first step."
Others have much harsher words for
Bill C-38: "Pathetic, shameful,
corrupt and incompetent." That's
what Dominic Cramer, president of
Toronto Hemp Company (THC) said about
the bill.
Tell us what you really think Dominic.
"I
would like to be able to applaud them
for at least doing something, but
screw thatÉwhat choice did they have?
I am embarrassed and ashamed to be
a Canadian today and encourage the
resignation of our disgraceful Health
and Justice Ministers."
While those who support prohibition
call Bill C-38 "decriminalization"
and are infuriated by this "liberal"
move by the government, some who support
truly liberalized drug laws say this
is not a step in the right direction
but looks more like a long walk off
a short pier.
Senator Nolin suggested that this
is at least a first step but Cannabis
Health asked Alan Young if he thought
this was at least a step in the right
direction: "No. I'd like to say
'yes',, in fact I was to be paid a
fair amount of money by American lobbyists
to support Cauchon and I turned it
down, and I'd like to have the money.
The thing with law reform, you can't
do it incrementally. You can't say,
'you know what, let's let this pass
and see if it works and then we can
improve it in a few years.' They won't.
As soon as it passes it will be left
there for decades and it becomes a
non-issue. And any mention of decriminalization
and their response will be 'ancient
history, we've addressed it.' So it
just doesn't go far enough."
So
the honest question remains: Why did
the government make this move when
it doesn't address the real concerns
of Canadians and, frankly, only needles
the right-wing prohibitionists, including
the Americans?
Young
says that the status quo was repackaged
to create the illusion of change and
that "the government gave us
a national drug strategy made in the
USA." Clearly the government
was in a bind knowing that the vast
majority of Canadians support liberalized
drug laws while the current government
in Washington is as Draconian as we've
seen in a long time. So they try to
please and appease.
"First
of all they want to look like they
are responsive to the electorate..."
Young said. "A solid strong majority
of Canadians have wanted decriminalization
since 1975, that's still the majority
position. So, if you make the announcement
plus you have two of your own committee
recommend it, you look like you are
a responsive government. But if you
are afraid of what the implications
are and afraid of the reaction of
the United States, what you do is
you create the illusion of being responsive
without being responsive. I actually
think it was a brilliant ploy."
Well,
it might have been brilliant had most
people not seen its transparency.
On the issue of what the Canadian
consensus is, Senator Nolin said that
"only 14% of Canadians want actual
marijuana prohibition. The rest of
the population favours legalization,
decriminalization, or legalization
for medical use. This reflects the
fact that the population is increasingly
well-informed, but still not enough."
Cramer
of THC says the only positive aspect
of the bill regarding the elimination
of criminal records is drastically
overshadowed by the negatives.
"I
can't think of another benefit besides
the avoidance of a criminal record
for users caught with tiny amounts,"
Cramer said. "But they will still
be harrassed, likely more than before,
and they still will be punished. For
harmless and beneficial behaviour!
What a joke. Medical users? Hell no!
Medical users generally can't afford
hundreds of dollars in punishment
for using a natural and needed medicinal
plant."
Cramer's
frustration with the proposed bill
is palpable and he is far from alone.
While smokers across the country initially
greeted the news with public smoke-ups,
many quickly became aware of what
was really being proposed.
One
aspect hard to ignore is the potential
cash grab in the system of fines.
Some fear the fines could create a
whole new detachment of pot cops dedicated
to handing out the fines as a cash
cow for the police.
"That's
been the experience in Australia and
we worry about that," Young says.
"If it becomes so easy to ticket
people then 40,000 offenders that
police turn a blind eye to, will now
suddenly be ticketed because of the
money. We call that 'widening the
net of social control' and that has
often been the result of trying to
liberalize the law."
With
Bill C-38 tabled and looking pretty
disastrous to those in the community,
many had hopes that July 9 would come
and either mean the end of the possession
law or the government would create
a meaningful distribution system.
Too good to be true. The government's
July 9 annoucement that they would
start distributing marijuana to doctors
of the 500-plus medical marijuana
patients currently with exemptions
turned out to be a bust. The court's
decision as a result of the action
brought by Alan Young meant that on
July 9 either the government had to
start distributing marijuana or the
CDSA law on possession would be invalid.
Ann
McLellan was dragged kicking and screaming
to this point and many, such as Phillipe
Lucas, director of Canadians for Safe
Access, have said the move smacked
of bad faith. Young said that the
government is doing this "with
their fingers crossed behind their
backs."
Day
by day McLellan's point of view on
the matter is becoming more and more
clear. That point of view is summed
up aptly in a quote she gave the National
Post as reported on July 15: "If
it doesn't have a medicinal benefit,
I don't know why the department of
health would approve it as such."
Sadly McLellan, in one swift statement,
dismisses the benefits enjoyed by
medical marijuana patients around
the world and at the same time, she
cynically starts a program that some
argue she knows can't work.
Hillary
Black, founder of the B.C. Compassion
Club has said that this federal decision
is "really just a smokescreen".
According to Black the fact that the
Canadian Medical Association and individual
doctors are speaking out against the
plan should have come as no surprise
to Ottawa. The feds went this route,
knowing it wouldn't work, which would
give them time to appeal the court
order set for late July.
Senator Nolin has said that he has
spoken with a number of international
experts on drug prohibition and they
are waiting for the spark that could
lead to radical change in the international
system. "The Supreme Court of
Canada could provide that spark,"
Nolin said. That seems to be the best
shot as the elected officials stumble
through the issue. Canada could be
leading the way, they might lead the
way, or the Canadian example of government
meddling and bungling will be a paradigm
of incompetence the rest of the world
will ignore.
Time
will tell.
Practical Compassion
by
Ted Smith
As
Ted Smith explains, the Cannabis Buyers
Clubs of Canada is a not-for-profit
organization with locations in Victoria,
and Parksville BC, and Halifax. The
CBCC claims 1200 members and has been
providing marijuana to people with
incurable medical conditions since
1996. Ted, the founder of the CBCC,
sees the club as a more practical
straight-forward alternative to the
traditional compassion club, based
more on common sense and economics
than philosophies, ethics and regulations.
As stated on their web site, 'You
do not need to have legal exemption
to sign up with us, and signing up
will offer you no extra legal protection.
We are merely a source for medicine.'
That
medicine could include several strains
of high grade raw marijuana buds,
hashish, cookies, cakes and other
marijuana edibles. The club strives
to keep costs down and supplies edibles
made from shake donated at cost.
As Ted explains, the traditional clubs
are asking patients for a doctor's
recommendation that many doctors are
not willing to provide. Often, patients
are aware of their doctors' objections
and are not comfortable even bringing
up the subject of marijuana. We are
the alternative to doctors.
The
club's Victoria location of CBCC has
been busted 5 times. Ted, always colourful
and controversial, has run for the
office of mayor, has taken some heat
for his high profile activist activities,
and yet overall Ted feels his relations
with his community and the Victoria
police are positive.
Although
the CBCC is considered by some to
be more liberal, patients are required
to provide proof of diagnosis and
show proper identification. Ted explains,
"we are sympathetic to individuals
with transient pain problems, the
broken arm, menstrual cramps or just
relaxation. The CBCC serves the needs
of individuals with long-term chronic
health challenges". The club
takes a hard line with patients who
try to make money by re-selling the
marijuana they get from the club.
The 13 mostly part-time employees
who staff the club, have been forced
to exclude close to 100 individuals
to-date for re-selling and other unacceptable
behaviors. Marijuana is supplied to
the club by a number of small and
discreet home-grow operations. Ted
refers to the network as the family
and argues that everyone is a winner
in this equation, the patients get
a quality product at a reasonable
price, the growers supplement their
family income, and the medical system
is not taxed further with unnecessary
visits and paperwork.
For more information on the CBCC (250)381-4220
on the West Coast (902)497-3941 on
the East Coast Or e-mail the CBCC
at: Scott Johnstone: scott@cbc-canada.com
(Webmaster) John Cook: normlns@hotmail.com
(Director of Halifax outlet)
Time
for a Cannabis Trade Association
Traditionally
Governments are reluctant to provide
economic assistance to invest authority
in an individual or an individual
company, preferring instead to support
groups of companies that represent
a common economic interest. Instead
of giving advantage to one individual,
the "trade association" give that
advantage to a broad base of businesses.
The Canadian Cannabis Bioproducts
Trade Association (CCBA) is a membership-based
non profit business association for
the cannabis Industry in Canada with
affiliate organizations in certain
provinces.
CCBA's
mission is to be an effective voice
of action in all matters concerning
the development, marketing and free
movement of cannabis and associated
products and services throughout the
world. CCBA will work with governments
and the cannabis industry to establish
scientific and ethical standards.
Membership
in CCBA will be open to any individual
or company that conducts business
directly or indirectly related to
cannabis. The organization of the
Canadian and the individual provincial
associations is in the early stages.
For information on the Canadian Bioproducts
Trade Association and, the Saskatchewan
Cannabis Bioproducts Association Contact
Morris Johnson Road 707 South, Box
33 Beaubier, Saskatchewan Canada,
S0C-0H0 / 306-447-4944 ph/fax e-mail:
megao@sasktel.net For information
on the BC Bioproducts Trade Association
Brian Taylor 250-442-5166 (editor@cannabishealth.com),
Eric Nash &Wendy Little 250-748-8614
(eric@westcoastdigital.com)
Debra Harper 250-474-7882 deb@drugsense.org
The Hitzig Appeal July 29, 30
Report by Jari Dvorak licensed medicinal
cannabis patient.
The
Hitzig appeal hearing July 29th and
30th: Toronto,
Ontario Canada.
Day
one,
the court room is full with standing
room only.
Three judges presided today. At first
the Crown lawyer presented their grounds
for appeal. They can be summed up
like this: the benefits of medical
marijuana are not supported by results
of clinical trials. It is not up to
the State to make sure that every
patient gets what he/she wants. One
of the judges asked: how do you explain
that on one hand you approve patients
for medical marijuana but arrest people
who sell it to them? The reply by
the crown: It is not up to the government
to run clinical trials and supply
medications. This is up to the private
sector to do. HC's (Health Canada)
past experience is that there are
not enough of researchers interested
in studying marijuana. Lack of trials
is not the inaction of the Federal
Government. It is the lack of action
by the private sector.
Our
side was next. Prof. Alan Young explained
the parallels between medical marijuana
and the Morgentaler case (abortions).
Also argued that all medications have
side effects. For example Zofran,
used to treat nausea, can be toxic
to the liver.
The
judges have been very aggressive with
both sides. One question to our side:
how can you argue benefits of medical
marijuana if the doctors' professional
organizations disagree with you? Alan
Young explained that CMA's opposition
is due to insurance concerns, rather
than medical concerns. This is of
course the right answer. It does seem
to me that things would be much easier
for us if the CMA would be on our
side. I'm a bit worried about that
one. Time to hit the sack, Jari
Hi
all, day two.
The Crown's appeal for the Lederman
decision ended yesterday. Some items
from the hearings that seemed important
to me: The Crown did a lousy job,
as usual. They had 6 lawyers lined
up in the courtroom (all paid by our
taxes!). Their message was that it
is not up to the government to supply
and test marijuana; this is normally
the job of private industry. It is
not the government that failed, it
is private industry that failed. Everyone
was a bit stunned by that. This argument
didn't go well with the judges.
The Crown was on a bit stronger ground
when it argued that the doctors' professional
organization, CMA is opposed to medical
marijuana in general. One of the judges
asked our team how we expect to win
without the doctors supporting us.
Prof. Young repeated that doctors
are not opposed on medical grounds,
but on insurance grounds. Most of
the second day was about the constitutional
aspect.
John
Turmell repeated his story about government's
genocide, but those kind of strong
words didn't go over well and are
not helpful. John Turmell had a good
argument that after 5000 years of
plentiful anecdotal evidence that
pot is a helpful substance, clinical
research is failing us in utilizing
creatively this body of knowledge.
Also, researchers seem to be ignoring
all of the studies that have already
been completed around the world.
The
judges seem to like Alan Young's argument
that by pushing sick Canadians to
get medicine through unlawful means,
the government is creating disrespect
and contempt of the law. This goes
against the principles of fundamental
justice. The question of legality
of marijuana prohibition got quite
a bit of attention. Both sides want
the judges to declare where they stand
on prohibition. According to Prof.
Allan Young, it could take anywhere
from a week to 3 months or more for
the judges to reach a decision.
There seems to be guarded optimism
that the Crown will lose. If so, the
Crown is expected to appeal. If they
win, we will appeal. Whatever the
outcome, it will be appealed to a
higher court. In the meantime, the
Lederman decision prevails. It's been
almost one month since I applied for
the HC dried marijuana and still I
have not received anything. Waiting,
Jari
Summer of Legalization Tour
Marc Emery- photo courtesy of
www.cannabisculture.com
Marc Emery
is Canada's most well-known marijuana
activist, and among the world's biggest
dealers in marijuana seeds. He is
a powerful influence in the global
ganja culture and is singlehandedly
helping to shape North American marijuana
policy. The media has dubbed Emery
"The Prince of Pot"
and he enjoys the title, dispensing
moral and financial support to all
the activists that cross his path.
by
Marc Emery
These are polite places, these Atlantic
provinces. Over 200 people attended
(I brought 120 brochures and they
all were handed out), without question
the largest turn-out of the Summer
of Legalization Tour. I spoke for
20 minutes wearing my suit and a 'St.
John's Maple Leafs' cap (the local
farm team for the Toronto Maple Leafs)
using an ocean themed bong. My speech
got a good response but a large media
contingent was there and the crowd
swelled up right to 4.20 p.m., whereby
I urged the crowd to sing 'O Canada'
with me and I lit up at the end and
the police did move in pretty quickly,
but politely. Much to my surprise,
there was no prison cell with this
arrest, nor was I booked. I did hand
over a gram of marijuana just to make
sure they charged me. I have to go
back to the station tomorrow and be
interviewed by the 'Drug Squad' of
the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
The police said they will likely recommend
a charge of possession of marijuana
be laid, 'but that is up to the crown
attorney to decide', they added. I
get the sense that there is confusion
about the status of the law here in
Newfoundland, and the news coverage
so far has been helpful in disseminating
the correct information regarding
the 'marijuana possession is not an
offense known unto law' statement
by the Ontario Court of Appeal, further
validation by the Rogin decision (Superior
Court of Ontario)and provincial court
decisions in St. John (New Brunswick),
Summerside (PEI), Halifax (Nova Scotia).
Here
in St. John's, the Telegram newspaper
had editorialized last Saturday that
in view of the Ontario Court of Appeal
decision, which the newspaper corroborated
is as it has been described by me,
asked the RNC (Royal Newf. Constabulary)
what decision they would make about
blatant pot smoking. For 2 days, no
decision. Then they said they would
arrest me, which indeed they did,
but released me ten minutes after
arrest (much to my genuine surprise)
with the proviso I show up tomorrow
to be further interviewed by the drug
squad officer in charge, and then
at that point they would or would
not recommend charges be laid, and
then the crown attorney would get
the final say.
Everyone
was very polite, and some of the police
officers expressed some degree of
admiration. I know that police officers
are reading these reports, so I don't
want to embarrass anyone by quoting
them, but lets say the police here
were gentlemanly and decent, with
some positive remarks. Of course,
I was pretty shocked to be released
so quickly after arrest, and 40 or
so people were there still, so we
spoke (on police property still) together
and I to the media (still there) for
another hour. The police eventually
came out, not to shoo us away (I said,
"Well, I guess we shouldn't make the
police station our club house) but
in fact said we were welcome to congregate
there and continue 'as long as no
one is smoking pot' which we weren't
since we were all caught up in the
discussion and I never thought about
it. I was expansive as usual after
Blueberry (the original bong hit at
4.20 p.m.) and the people seemed happy
about the event. I am meeting with
50 or so of the St. John people in
about 15 minutes so I am off to meet
the group now. I came back to let
you know that change is happening
and the audience was all excited by
events and my speech, so I am very
happy. Also, two people were excited
about running in the federal election
for the Marijuana Party of Canada,
in the 2004 election next spring,
so that rocks. So tonight we celebrate
and discuss further how to advance
the movement here on the Rock.
Marc Emery, St. John's, 6.46 p.m.
Newfoundland time Summer of Legalization
Tour 2003
Aug.
6/03 update:
In total, so far, charged in Winnipeg,
Regina, Moncton & St. John's (Nfld)
with possession, no charges laid in
Halifax, Charl'town, and Toronto.
My
intention is to smoke out Calgary
and then Edmonton on August 9 & 10,
and Prince George on August 14, with
my first court date on Aug. 12 in
Regina. Marc
Well
one thing for sure, Health Canada
has had one very consistent message,
"grow your own" even going so far
in this recent move to offer seeds
for sale to licensed medical patients.
CHJ
has followed the explosive grow your
own movement and offers the following
product review. No one system of growing
is the right way for everyone, and
we urge our readers to carefully consider
their personal needs and living arrangements
and environment before venturing into
the grow game.
Theft,
pests, and weather are factors that
make outdoor growing impractical for
most and this article will not be
looking at this option.
This
review will consider systems beginning
with the smallest.
  |
Cold
Grow
The
Table Top Grow The TTG is a
self-contained grow chamber
that does not require a dedicated
room. For your electrical dollar,
this cold light unit generates
tremendous lumens from two 125
Watt high Intensity compact
fluorescent and 4 x 55 Watt
fluorescent light strips. The
plant feeding is done with a
simple flood and drain hydroponics
system and the whole footprint
of the unit is 20" wide
X 35" long X 56" high.
I
have monitored the growing of
several crops in this unit as
it was readied for market. I
am impressed with the volume
and the quality of the finished
product. Amazing, but I have
seen it, good genetics, good
nutrients, making sure the plants
are triggered properly making
maximum use of the space, the
unit will produce 8 ounces of
smoke quality cannabis per cycle.
Overall great returns for the
capital investment, the basic
unit sells for $1999cdn. and,
with 470 Watts at low amperage,
economical from an operating
standpoint. This unit will be
safe on a standard 15 amp circuit
and will cost $4 to $7 per month
electrical. I particularly like
working at counter height; for
me and my ailing back, this
makes plant care a breeze.
This
unit would be ideal for the
grower who required a modest
volume of product, although
8oz in 8 weeks is still plenty
for many medical users. From
a safety standpoint, itÕs hard
to see this small and safe cold
light unit causing much damage.
Great for nervous landlords
and insurance companies.
|
 |
Building
small - staying cool
It is becoming increasingly
popular to make your own cold
light box. Handymen/growers
have had success with constructing
the box, but have been frustrated
with the lack of availability
and reliability of Hi-Intensity
Fluorescent lights or, as some
refer to them, High Output Compact
Fluorescents. For the home builder,
or to replace lights in a custom-built
grow-unit, I would recommend
the Daystar Dual Kelvin grow
lamp. Low heat, solid state,
comes in 75 and 100 Watt, and
fits into a regular size socket,
and, best of all, no changing
lights. They cover both the
blue and red spectrums, making
these bulbs ideal for veg and
bud cycles. Finally, a reliable
bulb and a company that stands
behind their product.
Another
unique product of interest to
the handyman or aficionado is
a line of spectrum-enhanced
small Metal Halide and High
Pressure Sodium bulbs.
Gerald Garrison from Daystar
emphasizes the importance of
both spectrum and intensity
and encourage new growers to
start small. Do not underestimate
the sophistication of this company;
along with the DDK series, Daystar
offers the safety and efficiency-conscious
consumer an array of lighting
choices including some powerful
and efficient high-tech light/fan
systems, like the Daystar 400
Watt system, that puts out an
exceptional 98700 total combined
lumens of perfect spectrum light.
Watch
for an article on lighting by
Gerald Garrison in the Nov/December
edition of Cannabis Health Journal.
Daystar Lighting can be contacted
by phone at 1-503-310-5082 and
at www.daystarlighting.org.
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Grow
solutions delivered to your
door in a large brown box
Another
option for the novice grower
and still at the small and economical
edge of the growing game is
to set up a small closet-size
growroom using a 400 Watt HPS
grow kit. The kits offered by
http://www.growsystems.com/
contain everything required
to set up your small room. Kits
can be customized, but the standard
kits include your light reflector
bulb, timer, nutrients, reflective
plastic and even grow bags.
The
ballasts and bulbs are from
Sylvania and the company promises
the most affordable out of the
box indoor growing system available.
Setting up a small room will
require the dedication of a
space that can be darkened.
The basic 400 Watt HPS kit is
inclusive and economical at
$225cdn. plus tax. Properly
set up in a closet 3.5'x 3'
x 8' with a 400 Watt HPS light
you can grow 6 to 8 ounces.
To find out more, contact the
web at http://wwwgrowsystems.com
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Stepping
up the ladder from the closet to the
small room, let me introduce you to
Ed Sweet, owner-operator of Sweet
Hydroponics. Ed's favourite motto
is "You take care of your garden
and it will take care of you."
Ed will not only customize, he will
personalize your room. Ed believes
that plants need air to breathe and
room to spread their arms. Cramping
your room with too many plants is
greedy and never works. For the novice
grower Ed recommends setting up a
12x12 room, split equally into a vegetative
and a budding area. With a 400 Watt
MH and a 1000 Watt HPS, the basic
mechanical will cost you about $650
CDN. Ed believes in keeping customers
for the long run and sells his 19
years of experience and knowledge
along with every system that leaves
his store. His parting advice to this
novice grower was "Keep you reservoir
big and nutrient levels under 1500
PPMs."
Ed
can be contacted at 1-613-433-9600
or 281 Mask Rd. Renfrew Ontario, Canada.
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Now
for something completely different,
the revolutionary "Grow Safe"
How
often does a product come along
that seems to address everyones
concerns. The Grow Safe is a
fire-proof, insulated steel
box that can be fitted to a
number of combinations of lights
and fans depending on the volume
and quality of the consumer's
cannabis needs. The standard
unit is 5' 6" and will
accommodate 12-3 Gal. dirt pots.
Growsystems.com offers 3 levels
of kits that are designed to
fit the GS. The basic kit with
a 1000Watt HPS light in this
unit will produce 1 lb. or more
per cycle. The insulated double
wall construction and the insulated
floor will allow the unit to
be operated in an unheated part
of a home. Not only is it constructed
of solid unburnable steel, in
most regions of North America
this unit could be placed in
a garage or other unheated outbuilding.
The unit will accommodate the
Omega grow system and gives
the GS an amazing 52 square
feet of grow space.
As
the cannabis revolution progresses,
more discerning consumers are
developing a taste for the different,
the exotic, the exceptionally
well-grown.
I
want one of these units with
the deluxe kit. In it I will
grow two or three of the world's
best cannabis strains and amaze
my connoisseur friends. It also
locks and is wheelchair accessible.
To find out more, check out
the ads in this issue or contact
Cannabis Health Toll Free at
1-866-808-5566 and ask about
the "Grow Safe"
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The
Third Milleniums version of
the First Appliance
The only patented rotary hydroponic
appliance in the world, the
truly unique Omega Garden¨ causes
everyone to step back in amazement.
Try to describe what you're
looking at; brilliant! The unit
is now constructed from stainless
steel (earlier versions were
in plastic), all the components
have been built in and the system
is now safety certified (CSA
approved). There is no wiring
involved in the set up, one
plug comes out of the system
and plugs into any 110V outlet.
The garden utilizes something
we call orbitropism. A plant
that has a stronger, more compact,
closer inter-nodal, multi-directional
growth pattern is the result
of slowly revolving the plants
around two 600 Watt HPS air
cooled lamps. Another way of
looking at it, is that it is
exercise for your plants.ÊOrbitropism
is the primary factor responsible
for the unprecedented yield
achieved with the Omega Garden
¨
The
Omega Garden¨ inventor and patent
holder Ted Marchildon, had marked
the unit as the future of Urban
Agriculture, providing the grower
with approximately 50 square
feet of growing surface and
accommodating anywhere from
50 to 300 plants. Quantities
planted are determined by the
requirements of the plants being
grown. This achieves high intensity
gardening in a small space.
Originally designed for a variety
of herbs and vegetables, the
Omega Garden¨ has gained a reputation
for growing superior cannabis.
Results of as much as 6 lbs
in one cycle are easily attained,
with the highest reports at
7.5 lbs in one cycle. The Omega
Garden¨ team strives to produce
an exceptional product coupled
with superior helpful after-sales
support and service. They are
only a phone call away. A word
of warning, look out for poorly
made, cheaper knock-offs. Imitation
is not always a form of flattery.
Check out their website at www.omegagarden.com
or phone toll free: 1-877-962-3278
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Doobs and
Stones won't break your bones!
by
Steven Bacon
In spite of the prior misleading propaganda
by Chief Fantino in the media, half
a million people thoroughly enjoyed
the experience that they were entitled
to at the Stones/SARS concert in Toronto
last week. It's safe to say that thousands
upon thousands of doobies were burned
there that day. I attended the concert
sporting a Canadian Cannabis Leaf
flag. I had a wonderful time meeting
and posing for photos with hundreds
of elated concert fans. I'm former
Fire and Rescue myself and I noticed
that all the EMS people I came across
were thumbs up and beaming at the
sight of the leaf. Not once, and there
were packs of them roaming everywhere,
did I get so much as a smile from
a cop. I was gawked at and frowned
upon by most of them.
It's
unfortunate the chief won't acknowledge
that half a million people were left
to peacefully puff, if they so desired,
and absolutely nothing bad came of
it. On the contrary. With only 21
alcohol-related arrests and no reported
medical incidents other than dehydration,
one could conclude the obvious. That
peace, love, music, and marijuana
will always go hand in hand regardless
of their prohibition.
Grow tips -
Flushing your Cannabis
Photos
and story by Klozit King www.klozitking.net
So,
you've heard about flushing, but you
wonder why? Let's paint a picture
of what happens in nature to give
us a comparison.
In nature, the rain droplets collect
into droplets heavy enough to start
falling earthward and eventually reach
the earth where the plant is growing.
It soaks the soil surrounding the
plant, releasing the oxygen collected
during its fall as it hits the ground.
Gravity continues to pull the water
through the soil to the water table,
washing any accumulated plant wastes
down into the ground with it and away
from the roots. At the same time,
it helps break up and bring down fresh
nutrients from the top of the soil.
In this way, they get fresh air, water
and nutrients with each rain and there
is never any build-up of toxic wastes
to prevent the normal function of
the roots.
At home, we have to find a way to
bring conditions in line with what
is going on out in nature. Inside
a pot, the fertilizers and plant wastes
have no place to go, and become concentrated
in the bottom, which can raise the
ph to toxic levels. This causes what
is known as "nutrient lock"
and the plant can't get any nutrition.
(Proper watering can help prevent
this, waiting longer between watering,
and then generously soaking them so
that the water comes out the pot's
bottom holes.) Flushing can be said
to be a very good equalizer to correct
problems, it returns conditions in
the soil to a baseline level, which
can be adjusted on the basis of being
"empty" of nutrients.
At
around 2 to 3 weeks, the plant will
need its first flush, and nutrients
lock up and become unavailable for
the use of the plant. Bring your plants
to a sink, and place them on it with
the plug in. Gently pour water into
the top, (so as not to disturb the
roots) until it runs out the bottom
and note the colour.
At
first it may be deep yellow like urine.
(a pretty good description of what
it is) Let the sink drain, and repeat
this process noting the color each
time until the water comes out clear.
Let
the pot dry out some until the soil
pulls away from the sides of the pot
slightly before you water next, and
apply half strength all purpose fertilizer
(20/20/20) so there will be no hesitation
in the plants growth due to a sudden
lack of nuttrients.
If
you do not do this, the plant's will
start to slowly turn pale green, then
yellow as the N is depleted and chlorosis
takes hold. The plant would be basically
starving to death without the addition
of fresh nutrients to process.
Note
that the plants will need a second
flush at around 6 weeks of vegetation
to keep it healthy and also to switch
the nutrient values as you change
the lighting to go into your flowering
phase of growth.
Big Book
of Buds
by Lisa Smith
The Big Book of Buds takes you on
a factual journey into the amazing
world of hemp and cannabis. Follow
seeds from the beginning of time to
present day and learn what uses other
cultures have found for the plant.
An entire chapter is devoted to the
Canadian movement complimented with
historic photos. Before reading this
amazing book, I had no idea there
is an existing cannabis college and
a hash, marijuana and hemp museum.
Not only does the BBB give you history
about cannabis and hemp; it allows
you to study 100 different plant strains
so you can make informed choices on
what to grow.
The
BBB is a must read before you head
out to buy seeds. Each of the 100
strains comes with its own scientific
breakdown, which part of the world
the strain originated, what it has
been crossed with, preferred climate
conditions as well as sensory expectations.
If you are suffering from chronic
pain, insomnia, arthritis or side
effects from other medications, the
BBB will help you choose the right
plant for you with the correct medical
benefits you are looking for.
I found the BBB fun and easy to read
with incredible amounts of valuable
information and amazing photos. BBB
has given me the knowledge to make
an informed choice before I purchase
seeds. BBB is not so much a book on
how to grow but more "what"
to grow. 5 Leaf Award
Getting help
with cannabis nutrient Research
Several
years ago, a series of unfortunate
events caused me to contract several
life-threatening diseases, among them
HIV and hepatitis C. I made the mistake
of putting my faith in doctors and
prescription medicines. And because
I had not been properly diagnosed
with HIV in a timely manner, I unknowingly
exposed my wife Shannon to the disease.We
both tried various prescription medicines,
but our experimentation showed us
that medical cannabis was the best
medicine we could use. As a mood enhancer
it makes us feel better, improves
our appetite, gets rid of nausea and
chronic pain, we can't overdose on
it, it's a natural herb and all this
with no toxicity.
We
fought to get official certification
from Health Canada's medical marijuana
cultivation program. After many delays
we have to assume were related to
our cannabis activism we finally got
official licenses to grow our own
medicine. In 2002 my wife and I opened
the Holy Smoke Healing Center Society
in Chilliwack, British Columbia and
by 2003 we found ourselves helping
as many as 81 patients in the area.
For us and many others growing our
own medicine is proving to be challenging.
We have all been confused about the
conflicting claims from nutrients
companies, anecdotal reports from
growers and friends regarding marijuana
nutrients and how they affect plant
health.
Cola
Comparison
Grow
plots
In March 2003, I got together with
a cultivation expert named Remo. Remo
has been helping some of our medical
growers, and together we talked to
Mike Straumietis, one of the founders
of Advanced Nutrients, a marijuana
nutrients company based in Abbotsford,
BC. I knew about Mike because he and
his company have donated equipment,
supplies and advice to patients, members,
growers and to the Holy Smoke Society.
We pitched Mike on a practical comparison
of nutrients manufactured by six nutrients
companies.
The
medical marijuana grower is overwhelmed
by sometimes 15 to 20 brand names
and all claim to give you the biggest
and most fragrant buds. We decided
to compare Advanced Nutrients, GrowTek,
Canna, General Hydroponics, Supernatural,
and Dutch Master. We built a custom
grow room outfitted with eleven 1000-Watt
Hortilux conversion bulbs, dehumidifiers
and CO2 generators. The interior temperature
and humidity were totally controlled
and constant. The room was monitored
24 hours a day to guard against variations
in ideal growth climate. We procured
identical clones from a "Berlin"
mother and divided them randomly into
8 clones for each of the six companies.
All the clones were planted in identical
containers and grow mediums. To ensure
that our comparison was as scientific
as possible, we made sure that all
our grow room conditions, procedures
and protocols were identical, except
that each set of 8 plants received
nutrients from their designated nutrients
company. We followed the standard
instructions for the standard formulations
of each company's grow and bloom formulas,
and did not engage in any modification
of the company's programs at all.
We made sure that PH and PPM were
adjusted properly and uniformly.
Almost
immediately, there were noticeable
differences in plant health and growth
rates. Early on the General Hydroponics
plants showed calcium, zinc, and potassium
deficiencies and were third largest
in size as the vegetative cycle ended.
During flowering, the GH plants showed
yellowing leaves that are characteristic
of nitrogen deficiency, and continued
to show signs of calcium deficiency.
The GrowTek plants had all kinds of
deficiencies, including nitrogen and
calcium, but also showed signs of
overfertilization. The GT plants were
very small at the end of the veg cycle.
We found GrowTek was hard to use due
to complicated mixing instructions.
It appeared to me and expert growers
that Dutch Master's "superbud"
bloom formula contains a plant growth
regulator and a hormone that stunted
plant growth. The DM plants were like
dwarfs! They also had what appears
to be manganese deficiencies. Canna
had nitrogen and calcium deficiencies.
Super Natural's plants were stunted
in size during the vegetative cycle,
and had nitrogen burning and light,
airy colas during the flowering cycle.
It was fascinating to see the array
of nutrient problems as the plants
matured. People who visited the grow
room commented that some plants were
so different from others that it was
hard to believe they had all started
as stable clones of the same variety.
As this article is being written to
meet the magazine's deadline in late
July, we are about a week away from
harvest, and have been flushing the
plants for a week to clear any chemmy
taste and other problems that result
from improper flushing.
In
both vegetative and bloom cycles,
the Advanced Nutrients plants outdistanced
those grown with other manufacturer's
products. The Advanced Nutrients plants
have been the best performers all
along, even though they were (randomly)
given two of the smallest clones.
These small clones recovered and are
now among the biggest plants with
the most abundant colas. Their plants
never exhibited the morphological,
growth rate or vigour problems that
dogged the plants grown by products
from the other companies. Other than
a tiny amount of leaf tip burning
due to the high nutrient load they
put in their products, Advanced Nutrients'
plants have consistently looked better,
grown faster and budded better than
their companions. Further, the AN
program has been easiest to use.
After harvest, we will be tallying
the yield and testing the potency
of each company's plants, the results
will be posted in the next issue of
the Journal, (November/December).
Some visitors to our grow room have
expressed skepticism, accusing myself
and other people managing the room
of being influenced by the Advanced
Nutrients medical marijuana patient
assistance program. I understand their
skepticism, but I can assure the cannabis
community that these tests were conducted
with only one aim: to find out which
of the six companies had the best
nutrients. I have a variety of medical
conditions that make my life very
difficult, and I and all other medical
growers want the best nutrients so
that when we expend the time, money
and energy to grow cannabis, we get
the best cannabis and the highest
yields possible. My personal desire
is to produce the volumes, varieties
and quality that will allow patients
to produce safer and more effective
concentrates. We have kept written
records and have videotaped our procedures
every step of the way. This test was
conducted as fairly and as scientifically
as our resources allowed. The winner
will be determined by the quality
and potency of the final product.
Editorial
comment: Cannabis Health Journal has
reviewed this submission and is satisfied
that the principles have made no false
claims, and have actually conducted
this study as reported. In the absence
of institutionally initiated research,
private research initiatives that
involve medical patients appears to
be the only research addressing the
challenges that face the new medical
grower. CHJ expects to publish the
final outcome of this study in the
Nov./Dec. 1st Anniversary edition.
Hempty
The tea pot was created by SonjaÕs
Special Things, of Grand Forks.
In the spring
of '98 members of the Granby Hemp
Co-op planted hemp in the North Fork
valley, 14 km North of Grand Forks.
In the first year in accord with the
requirements of Health Canada farmers
planted three, 10 acre plots. In 1999
a second 10 acre crop was planted
across the road from the previous
planting. These plots were for experimental
purposes and with no resources to
develop harvesting and processing
in BC the project was placed on hold.
However, nature had other plans. In
the process of working the crop and
attempting to harvest, seeds were
knocked on the ground, survived the
winter and germinated in the spring.
Alas the seeds were hybrids and did
not continue to reproduce over time.
Over the two years that the seeds
germinated on their own Pavel and
his crew harvested and attempted to
market a new product, Hemp Tea. Below
is an exerpt of the the complete interview
posted at http://www.openminder.com/issue12.html.
CANNABIS
HEALTH
What brought about the idea of hemp
tea?
Pavel:
Childhood memories. I remember the
hemp plant all around. I remember
cold teas out of the ice box. It seemed
like a natural now that hemp is legal.
CH:
When making the tea, do you use all
of the plant when it is full grown?
Pavel:
No. We use only the young green growing
tips of the plant that gives the sweetest
flavour to the tea. Picking only these
tips makes it such a unique crop to
harvest because you can start picking
as early as 2 to 3 weeks after planting.
When you pick that growing tip, it
doesn't take long before there is
double the growing tips to pick again.
This way you can get many harvests
per season. The plant, harvested this
early, also has no time to build up
any THC (the psychoactive ingredient)
levels.
CH:
How long does it take to get the tea
to the customer?
Pavel:
In 45 days from planting we've had
it in the bags and on the shelves
for sale. I don't believe that there
is another crop you can do this within
that short of a time, kind of like
being on a 30-day credit plan. Being
such a hardy plant, it can grow well
under most conditions.
CH:
With the hemp plant being so versatile,
are you trying to develop other markets
as well?
Pavel:
There are so many aspects of this
plant to experiment with. We have
experimented with hemp tea in ice
cream and have submitted a taste test
to a representative of Baskin & Robbins
ice cream. Hempty ice cream tastes
entirely different than ice cream
made with hemp seed oil. It is light
and clean, with a green gold colour.
Highly appetizing to the natural food
connoisseur, and the ice cream fanatic
within us all. We have been trying
hemp sprouts, which have a wonderful
zingy taste. I can't believe how good
they do taste, I prefer them to the
other sprouts on the market. That
is not even taking into consideration
their nutritional value which I believe
to be far superior. In the early part
of this century New Zealand staved
off starvation using the nutritional
value in the seeds and other by- products
of hemp. More projects include working
with extracts and tinctures, to be
used in teas and holistic remedies.
We feel this is a pretty good crop
not only for people's health and the
land, but also the farmer's pocket
book.
CH:
What is the best way to prepare the
hemp tea?
Pavel:
One could prepare it much the same
as regular green teas, but to get
the maximum benefit from the tea,
you would want to add milk or a similar
oil-based product while you are steeping
it. The active ingredients are oil-based
and are therefore released to a greater
extent with milk.
CH:
How much milk would you use?
Pavel:
Not too much, about what you might
add to your normal tea or coffee.
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