The year prior, our family grieved the loss of a best friend, Dee, who suffered a decade of various forms of cancer. Dee was a force to be reckoned with in the Ontario Cannabis Community. She was an OG hippie who never entirely left the sixties and was a maternal voice to those who required medical marijuana before cannabis was legal in Ontario. When Dee’s liver suffered its final fate, my Mom provided her with ultra-concentrated THC resin, notoriously known as “Rick Simpson Oil,” comparable to and a healthier option than addictive opioids, to ease her friend’s suffering. Also, as part of Dee’s protocol, she consumed large quantities of potent THC chocolate from morning to night. TCH or “tetrahydrocannabinol” is defined by dictionary.com as:

the primary psychoactive component in marijuana, hashish, and other preparations derived from cannabis plants, especially Cannabis sativa, or produced synthetically.

After Dee’s passing in August 2022, our family inherited a plethora of cannabis products from her family, some of which were stored in our refrigerator, such as unidentified half-eaten bars of chocolate.

My stepdad, Floyd, and I are not consumers of marijuana products, except specific strains of oils to induce sleep. However, Floyd does exhibit behaviors similar to a seagull; he can be seen descending upon the refrigerator at 8 PM each night, his flight path well known in inner circles.

On Christmas Eve, seagull Floyd embarked upon his usual journey through the various levels of the refrigerator. He had a sweet, insatiable desire and spied the unidentified chocolate sitting amongst other fully recognizable bars. Floyd ingested large quantities of the chocolate, tucking away multiple pieces of the brown goodness until he felt satisfied with his exploits. He returned to the sofa and became engrossed in watching people play pool on YouTube, a pastime I scratch my head at. A half-hour later, bed was calling. Floyd stood abruptly and realized all was not well; the world was spinning. He felt tremors deep within his stomach and began to emit a low growling noise that pilfered throughout the home.

From my loft, I heard what sounded like a cat dying. Was Santa in our living room? As I tip-toed downstairs and peered into the darkness, I listened to the animated howl from the kitchen. There, slumped over the table, was Floyd, trying to remove excess air trapped deep in his stomach.

“Are you OK? What’s THAT noise?” I gently placed my hand on Floyd’s back in concern.

“I don’t know…can’t seem to get rid of this gas,” he choked back.

I immediately went and retrieved my mother, who was also in bed, and asked her to come out and tend to Floyd. Mom jerked herself from under the covers, turned the kitchen light on, and checked Floyd’s vitals. His face was ashen grey; the man barely had the energy to lift his face off the wooden table. We were all afraid he may be experiencing a heart attack. My Mom dialed 911 and provided the known details, announcing the ambulance was soon en route.

While the three of us waited for the first responders to arrive, an opportunity arose to ask more questions. After gentle probing, my Mom and I discovered the culprit — Floyd ingested copious amounts of Dee’s marijuana-infused chocolate with high TCH content. When the ambulance arrived, and two male paramedics descended into our living room, my Mom and I were giggling like banshees — much to their bewilderment. Once the medics understood what they were dealing with, they, too, found amusement and relief in the situation.

Floyd ended up praying to the porcelain God in several violent incidents over the next two hours until nothing remained in his system.

Through Floyd’s escapades, our family learned valuable Christmas Eve lessons:

1. One will not die consuming THC; the nightmare will pass.
2. If in doubt, vomit as if your life depends upon it.
3. Eat a full breakfast the next day. Pancakes are a must.
4. Clearly label the contents of unidentified homemade treats.
5. Re-evaluate seagull behavior. There must be a therapist for that.

While it is easy to make light of the situation, in truth, a far worse situation could have unfolded if a food-related allergy or a young child had been involved. On Christmas Day, Floyd was back to his usual self, tucked into his brunch like there was no tomorrow; the seagull resurrected.

Have you or a loved one ever eaten something you shouldn’t have? If so, what transpired, and were there any health repercussions?

The post Caution! When Cannabis And Christmas Collide In Unexpected Ways appeared first on Medika Life.

Today we explore the findings of a randomized clinical trial that used simulated driving sessions for 17 participants taking CBD. First, however, let’s look at some cannabidiol basics and side effects.

Cannabidiol (CBD) basics

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical in marijuana. CBD is different from the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that induces a so-called high, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

CBD comes in oil form, but it is also available as a vaporized liquid, an extract, and an oil-based capsule. Want to use CBD? You may find the product in food, drinks, and even beauty products.

Today, the only CBD product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration is a prescription oil known as Epidiolex. State laws regarding cannabidiol use vary by state.

Cannabidiol (CBD) side effects

Researchers are exploring CBD as a management tool for various conditions, including anxiety, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and schizophrenia. Efficacy data remains limited, and cannabidiol has potential risks:

• dry mouth
• diarrhea
• diminished appetite
• fatigue and drowsiness

CBD can also alter the effects of other medicines, including the common blood thinner warfarin, a heart rhythm medication known as amiodarone, the thyroid medicine levothyroxine, and several seizure medications (including clobazam, lamotrigine, and valproate).

The stated dose and purity levels of CBD in products are unreliable. A study of 84 CBD products purchased online showed that more than one-quarter contained less CBD than stated on the level. Moreover, 18 products had the psychoactive component, THC.

Cannabidiol (CBD) and cognitive function

Researchers conducted a randomized clinical trial involving simulated driving sessions.

Each subject, aged 18 to 65, did four treatment sessions and two simulated driving conditions. None had used cannabis for at least three months prior. The treatments consisted of oral CBD (15, 300, or 1500 milligrams) or a placebo. The subjects then had a washout period of at least seven days.

Researchers then conducted a driving simulation at 45 to 75 and 210 to 240 minutes after consuming CBD. A second driving test coincided with peak blood levels of CBD concentrations (about three hours after consuming 25 mg or 300 mg of CBD and about four hours after the 1,500 mg dose).

The researchers checked the subjects’ cognitive function at baseline, before the first simulated drive, and before the second simulated drive. They also asked participants about their feelings (for example, do you feel sedated, stoned, alert, anxious, or sleepy?).

Finally, the scientists checked the participants’ cannabinoid concentrations, blood pressure, and heart rate while seated.

Here are the conclusions:

• The 17 subjects appeared no more likely to weave or drive too close to a car in front of them (compared to those taking a placebo).
• Even at high doses, CBD does not appear to induce feelings of intoxication or impaired driving performance.
• CBD persisted in blood plasma for more than four weeks following the 1,500-milligram dose.

This small study indicates that a single dose of CBD did not impact specific driving aspects, at least in young, healthy adults.

My Take: Cannabidiol (CBD) and cognitive function

As more people turn to cannabinoids such as CBD for symptom relief, we will need more studies about the cognitive and real-world behavioral consequences of use.

While this study is reassuring that CBD use does not appear to impair driving, we need studies with larger sample sizes to understand the implications of CBD use better. I also worry about CBD’s interactions with other drugs.

And remember, CBD products have varying amounts of the psychoactive chemical THC. The current study examined the effects of pure non-plant-derived CBD. Finally, the research examined acute administration; we need studies examining chronic use’s implications.

The post Does CBD Affect Your Cognition? appeared first on Medika Life.

Aurora Cannabis

Aurora is a publically traded company on the NYSE and is a constituent of the S&P/TSX Composite Index. According to its latest press release,

Aurora is a global leader in the cannabis industry serving both the medical and consumer markets. Headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Aurora is a pioneer in global cannabis dedicated to helping people improve their lives. The Company’s brand portfolio includes Aurora, Aurora Drift, San Rafael ’71, Daily Special, AltaVie, MedReleaf, CanniMed, Whistler, and Reliva CBD. Providing customers with innovative, high-quality cannabis products,

The infographic below will provide you a sense of the money involved in these companies and the value of the markets from the sale of CBD and recreational marijuana.

Marijuana is having its moment and in the ensuing gold rush to monetize the market, companies will develop new and innovative treatments, many of which will rely on the “vape” as the delivery mechanism of choice. According to Aurora;

“For the period, our core revenue strength in medical and consumer was complemented by initial rollouts in vape products and concentrates.

The question this article seeks to address, is exactly how safe is vaping? Set aside for the moment the fact that most research centers around nicotine-based vaping products. What medical literature exists to support the fact that the delivery of a now sanctioned “medical treatment” (let’s call it what it is, marijuana isn’t being legalized because it takes the edge off on a Friday night) via inhaled vapor is a good idea?

Your lungs are the designated target for Vapes, and in case you weren’t aware of this, our lungs aren’t the most spectacularly robust organ we possess. While they are able, over time to affect minor repairs, serious damage is irreversible. There is no reset or repair button for our lungs. Damage can be permanent and the impact on our health extends beyond the essential ability to draw breath.

Our lungs are the frontline of the body’s immune system. Every breath you take exposes the body to a potential infection. The condition of your lungs dramatically impacts the efficacy of your body’s immune response, for instance, to Covid. Compromising the proper functioning of your lungs by coating them in goo (vape oils) or keeping them in a constant state of irritation, can and often does, cost you your life. Healthy lungs are critical to a properly functioning immune system,

How A Vape works

Most of us are familiar with nebulizers. These medical products deliver a targeted and soothing dose of medication directly to your lungs. Vapes utilize the same mechanism with a few tweaks. Vaping involves heating a substance and inhaling the resulting fumes. Vaping devices (typically a vape pen or a mod — an enhanced vape pen — that may look like a flash drive) heat up a liquid (called vape juice or e-liquid) until it turns into a vapor that you inhale.

The delivery system is similar to a nebulizer, which people with asthma or other lung conditions may use. A nebulizer turns liquid medicine into a mist that patients breathe in. It’s a very effective way of delivering medicine directly to the lungs. What happens though, when you introduce other ingredients that aren’t medicines to the lungs, using a vapor-borne delivery mechanism?

What the research says

There isn’t currently enough research to form an accurate picture. We’ve had generations of data with which to analyze the effects of the toxins inhaled via smoking, and while can conclusively link smoking to lung damage, the same cannot yet be said for vaping. Not if we intend to use the term conclusively. There is however more than enough emerging clinical evidence to suggest vaping has serious medical consequences.

If you were merely inhaling good old vaporized water (steam), there wouldn’t be any issues, but that not how a Vape works. It relies on carrier oils and certain chemicals to hold the product being delivered, be it THC(the chemical in marijuana that causes psychological effects) or nicotine, and an industry favorite for carrier oils is Vitamin E.

In Michigan in late 2019, the state agency expanded a recall involving more than 20 different kinds of marijuana-related products sold in the state. The state instituted emergency rules last November to do more product testing after a wave of hospitalizations and deaths from vaping-related lung injuries. According to the CDC, more than 2,000 people had been hospitalized, and 60 people killed from the injuries associated with the presence of Vitamin E Acetate in vaping products.

Aside from the data, which we will examine below, common sense dictates that coating your lungs in any form of oil would reduce their ability to absorb air. You don’t need a medical degree to work that one out. Oil serves as a barrier, pop a few drops in your bath water and watch it do its thing. Dr. Norman Edelman, Senior Scientific Advisor to the American Lung Association. has this to say on carrier oils.

“There are some aerosolized products (or vapes) that contain ‘essential oils’ which are promoted as being healthy but inhaling any kind of oil or other lipid [oils] can be dangerous,”

This isn’t merely conjecture. Clinicians are observing the effects first hand. Johns Hopkins lung cancer surgeon Stephen Broderick. describes first hand what they are observing in patients.

“In the last 24 to 36 months, I’ve seen an explosive uptick of patients who vape. With tobacco, we have six decades of rigorous studies to show which of the 7,000 chemicals inhaled during smoking impact the lungs. But with vaping, we simply don’t know the short- or long-term effects yet and which e-cigarette components are to blame.”

So have they identified any early culprits so far? The carrier oils seem the most likely candidate. Unlike nebulizers that bathe lung tissue with a therapeutic mist, vaping coats the lungs with potentially harmful chemicals.

Broderick suggests that;

“We think that some of the vaporized elements of the oil are getting deep down into the lungs and causing an inflammatory response,”

The carrier oil at the center of the invention is vitamin E. It’s often used as a thickening and delivery agent in e-liquid. While it’s safe when taken orally as a supplement or used on the skin, it’s likely an irritant when inhaled. It’s been found in the lungs of people with severe, vaping-related damage. The likelihood of other oils (MCT) posing the same risk is also supported by early research, it’s simply that the use of vitamin E was favored within the industry. MCT is now replacing it, but recent research suggests the danger remains.

Before we’re accused of picking on the carrier oils, there are also less likely candidates, which, depending on their inclusion in the formulations, also pose risks.

• Diacetyl: This food additive, used to flavor e-cigarettes, is known to damage small passageways in the lungs.
• Acrolein: Most often used as a weed killer, this chemical can also damage the lungs.
• Formaldehyde: This toxic chemical can cause lung disease and contribute to heart disease. Check to ensure any Vape pen you use is set to operate at below 230’C (450’F), preferably below 180’C. The PEG used in Vape oil formulations can degrade at higher temperatures into formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.

Diacetyl

Let’s examine diacetyl, as its inclusion in vapes is interesting, given what we know about it. Diacetyl is a food additive used to simulate butter flavor in microwave popcorn. Yummy if eaten, diacetyl isn’t meant to be inhaled (there are now emerging concerns about eating it) and we know this for a fact. There is a medical lung condition associated with the product called “popcorn lung”.

Its medical name is bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), a rare condition that results from damage of the lungs’ small airways. BO was initially discovered when popcorn factory workers started getting sick. The culprit was found to be diacetyl. Inhaling diacetyl causes inflammation and can lead to permanent scarring in the smallest branches of the airways — popcorn lung — which makes breathing difficult.

There is no lasting treatment for popcorn lung. The fact the FDA allows for the inclusion and sale of products for inhalation that contain diacetyl is worrying and needs to be addressed. Any Vape fluid that contains diacetyl should be studiously avoided and as an aside, there are over 6000 micrograms of diacetyl in every pack of cigarettes.

Other potential health hazards to consider include developing Exogenous lipoid pneumonia, an uncommon (but on the increase) condition resulting from aspirating or inhaling fatlike material, such as mineral oil found in laxatives, vapes, lip balms and various aerosolized industrial materials. These substances elicit a foreign body reaction in your lungs and proliferative fibrosis in the lung tissue.

Because symptoms are absent or nonspecific and the roentgenographic findings simulate other diseases, exogenous lipoid pneumonia is often unrecognized.

Making responsible choices

Consumers (that’s you and I) cannot rely on businesses and manufacturers to look out for our best interests, particularly where our health is concerned. Business is driven by profit and often with complete disregard for the consequences. Corporate history is littered with telling examples. We have to assume responsibility for our own wellbeing and health.

Enough evidence exists to suggest vaping poses a significant risk to your lungs. If you are reverting to it for your health and to ingest or inhale ingredients that are purported to help you, please think twice. You can approach companies directly to request a full ingredient list of the formulations they sell you.

Vaping now falls under the regulatory oversight of the FDA and they have access to these ingredient lists, should the company involved not be forthcoming.

There are other routes for getting CBD, THC, and marijuana into your system. Ones that do not pose a real and imminent risk to your lungs and your health and you should consider these as the preferred route of administration.

In today’s pandemic society where you rely on a functioning immune system to maintain your health, why risk it? And if you are a modern-day “Cheech and Chong” ensconced safely in your Wall street offices, please consider the health of the public in the development of your marijuana products. It’s the ethical thing to do. It’s the right thing to do.

The post The Mechanics of Vaping and Its Medical Impact on Your Health appeared first on Medika Life.

I believe that marijuana should be legalized, regulated, and taxed, just like alcohol and tobacco. If marijuana is going to be approved for use as medicine rather than for recreational use, however, the standards of evidence it must meet should be no different than any other drug, and for the vast majority of indications for which it’s touted medical cannabis doesn’t even come close to meeting that standard.

There is zero credible and convincing evidence to suggest that CBD is effective for serious conditions, like treating cancer. There is also none that shows routine use while well can prevent disease. There are in fact studies that suggest frequent use of cannabis can lead to an increased risk of cancer, testicular in this instance.

Is it possible that the illegal marijuana trade has happened upon a short cut to legitimacy and legalization by pursuing the medical legalization of CBD and by association, the legalization of cannabis?

What’s all the fuss about?

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is everywhere and seemingly in everything these days. It’s the new panacea for a sick society and will, if their hype is believed, cure a massive range of illnesses and conditions. It’s even recommended as a daily supplement to help smooth out our stress filled lives.

I’m not sure I agree with the supplement label, but I can vouch for the stress removal aspect. Who knew ‘comfortably numb’ would be the the 21st centuries answer to stress.

CBD is one of the many chemical compounds called cannabinoids that is isolated from cannabis (marijuana). Marijuana contains over 400 chemicals of which, at least 120 are cannabinoids, chemicals that stimulate cannabinoid receptors in the human body. We are actually the proud owners of cannabinoid receptors and our bodies produce their own cannabinoids.

The most well-studied cannabinoids that are isolated from cannabis are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD. Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive (a drug affecting the mind) and there are hundreds if not thousands of producers and products now on the market, sold everywhere from country markets to pet stores to pharmacies. Like most panaceas, the hype outpaces the evidence and the snake oil salesmen and quacks are out in full force.

What are the facts

Lets start with a few simple facts and work our way up from there. These facts are important and key to understanding how the marketing of CBD is manipulated, even to the point where marketing claims are at odds with each other.

CBD:THC Ratios

Most Hemp/Cannabis oils contain little to almost no THC, Remember that is the ingredient that is psychoactive and messes with your head. This fact is proudly advertised by the manufacturers. The THC levels are mostly below the limit of detection for common assays and manufacturers brag that it’s impossible to fail a drug test if you’re consuming hemp seed oil because “THC levels in our products are barely measurable.”

So no argument there, unless of course the manufacturers would like to retract their statements. Why does this matter you ask? It does matter, because it’s the THC that shows some clinical potential to address tumors, more on this later.

As long as we are in agreement, that the ingredient looked to and referenced for all the research claims made by sites like Medical Jane, references an ingredient that is mostly not present in their product.

Quality Control ? Who needs it.

It has suited the CBD camp to pursue their legalization under the guise of a natural product, rather than that of a drug. The drug industry is heavily regulated and with good reason. One of the benefits of this regulation is strict quality control, something sadly lacking in the natural healthcare sector.

Whilst Canadians enjoy rigorous quality checks on the CBD oils they purchase, Americans are not protected in the same way and legalization and marketing controls vary from state to state, but are mostly non-existent. Depending on where you live, CBD oil might only be available on the black or “grey” market which means there’s little consumers can rely on with respect to product quality and consistency.

No one is checking and consumers are happily sipping away, placing their trust in the manufacturers.

Without being assured that you’re purchasing a high quality product, it’s impossible for consumers to base expectations on published evidence. If you can’t trust what’s on the label of your CBD oil, then any published evidence of benefit, even if it’s of the highest quality, becomes largely irrelevant.

Studies in countries like the Netherlands have shown wide variations between label claims and actual ingredients, and the stated CBD:THC ratio is often, if not invariably, incorrect.

The Drug Debate

Medical (prescription) products based on cannabis or that contain cannabinoids are available in many countries. Epidolex is an FDA-approved CBD extract that is approved for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome.

Marinol, a synthetic THC, is approved for nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, and for the treatment of AIDS-related anorexia. Clearly, the development of these medications points to medically validated benefits of cannabinoids. Yes, these exist, no one is denying that.

The coexistence of CBD in both supplement form and prescription form raises the question of whether or not CBD oil should be treated as a drug or as a supplement. Often these products co-exist in both retail and regulated markets, re-branded and sold by their manufacturers into the different channels.

This classification system is important and can be simply explained as follows. Drugs are generally considered unsafe and unproven until evidence (clinical trials) show otherwise. Supplements and “natural products” are seen as having long histories of use and are considered safe until evidence emerges to show otherwise.

The marketing strategy of CBD manufacturers, having managed to latch onto existing medical claims and utilize these to essentially have an illegal substance re-branded as natural, is nothing short of genius. Few actually appreciate this blatant sleight of hand, pulled off in full view of the public and with the apparent consent of regulatory authorities.

The acceptance of medical marijuana in the public space appears to be far more driven by politics than it is by science, as was pointed out in a recent New York Times article about the impending legalization of medical cannabis in New York State:

New York moved last week to join 22 states in legalizing medical marijuana for patients with a diverse array of debilitating ailments, encompassing epilepsy and cancer, Crohn’s disease and Parkinson’s. Yet there is no rigorous scientific evidence that marijuana effectively treats the symptoms of many of the illnesses for which states have authorized its use.

Instead, experts say, lawmakers and the authors of public referendums have acted largely on the basis of animal studies and heart-wrenching anecdotes. The results have sometimes confounded doctors and researchers.

A lot of people stand to make a lot of money. A lot of people are also poised to pay with their lives for it.

CBD oil does have pharmacological and drug-like effects, there can be little doubt of this. The stronger the emerging claims become, the louder the calls for re-classification will become. Lets examine the validity of a few of these claims made by the CBD industry.

The Cancer Cure

The internet abounds with emotional and painful stories of people that have been cured of their cancer, all thanks to their use of CBD oils. The words ‘miracle’ and ‘life-saving’ permeate these stories. What does real science have to say about the efficacy of CBD on tumors? Note, we aren’t referring to anecdotal evidence and hearsay, but rather hard clinical data.

You cannot have this discussion without first acknowledging the glaring quality control issues surrounding CBD, the consistency and potency of THC, and the volumes present in these oils. Its important to point out here that I am not suggesting there are no potential benefits from THC in the fight against cancer, there may well be and these need to be investigated further.

Associating any of the medical claims attached to THC with CBD is where the danger lies. It is intentionally misleading marketing, designed to offer false hope to desperate individuals and it is unquestionably, morally and ethically reprehensible.

Herbs, when they work, are adulterated drugs. The active ingredient is usually a minor constituent, embedded in thousands of other constituents that make up herbs. It’s almost impossible to control lot-to-lot consistency with respect to content or active ingredients given how location, weather, soil conditions, rainfall, and many other factors can affect how the plants from which the medicines are extracted grow and therefore their chemical composition.

Producing a potent and consistent pharmaceutical compound is an expensive and complicated process, one of the reasons chemists seek to create synthetic variants that can be consistently reproduced. For any clinical trials to produce reliable results, the treatment needs to be consistent, obviously. For the results of these trials to be emulated in the public space, the same rule applies. Consistent quality.

Current manufacturing processes for CBD make this impossible with potency varying from crop to crop and by season. Without regulation, manufacturers take further advantage by ‘watering down’ the final product even further. No one checks.

Manipulating the Data

Medical Jane is at the forefront of promoting the medical benefits of cannabis online through the publication of medical research. In every single instance Medical Jane invokes medical research, the research or trials are not based on Hemp Oil and can thus be argues to bear no relevance whatsoever to CBD.

Each of the studies examines either purified cannabinoids or, in the case of this study, a chemically modified cannabinoid. This study cited in Molecular Cancer, for instance, looks Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the most abundant and potent cannabinoid in marijuana, and JWH-133, a non-psychotropic CB2 receptor-selective agonist.

Both inhibit the growth of HER2(+) breast cancer cells in cell culture and in mice, but the concentrations needed are pretty high, with an IC50 (concentration that is 50% of maximum inhibition) in the range of 5 to 10 μM, concentrations achievable with injection of purified compound but certainly not by smoking pot.

You are also highly unlikely to achieve these levels by drinking hemp oil, As we’ve already established, and manufacturers have confirmed, there is little to sometimes no THC in CBD oils. How then can claims relating to this ingredient be offered as proof of the efficacy of CBD?

Invitro tests (performed outside of a living organism) and mice are also a long step away from proven human efficacy. Oral bioavailability of THC from such oils is notoriously low, between 4–20%, making it unlikely that concentrations well above the 10 μM necessary to inhibit or kill more than 50% of the cancer cells are achievable with oral dosing. Drinking litres of CBD is clearly not going to offer a workaround either..

None of the various studies cited, such as this one, which shows inhibition of the epidermal growth factor pathway by purified cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic cannabinoid or this one, the aforementioned study that examines purified Δ9-THC and JWH-133 against HER2(+) breast cancer, support the use of medical marijuana, either smoked as the plant or ingested as an oil, to treat breast cancer.

A recent review concludes that “current preclinical data does not yet provide robust evidence that systemically administered Δ9-THC will be useful for the curative treatment of cancer,” although CBD might have a role based on preclinical data.

Again, in the words of Dr Gorski;

Neither cannabinoid, however, is likely to be curative for advanced cancer. It’s possible that specific cannabinoids might have a role to play in the multimodality treatment of cancer, but, given what we know about them from preclinical studies, it’s highly unlikely that cannabinoids, medical marijuana, or hemp oil can cure stage IV cancer of any kind.

First, do no harm

This medical ethic, drilled into the head of every first year medical student, doesn’t apply to the cannabis industry. They’ve not sworn an oath designed to place your interests and your health before all else. They are purely driven by profits and will exploit whatever means necessary to maximize said profits, even at the expense of your life.

As more people join the pseudoscience cult of marijuana, ascribing their miraculous recoveries to cannabis, little attention is given to their existing conventional medications and treatments. Treatments that often bring these patients to the point where they are able to garner what little benefit the Cannabis oils and products may offer. Ascribing their recovery solely to Cannabis, is both misleading and dangerous.

Whilst we rejoice in the apparent cures of these individuals, we need to look beyond the hype. We need to study, in a controlled environment, the effects of Cannabinoids when used in conjunction with conventional medicines.

We already know enough to be able to say without doubt, that on their own, Cannabinoids cannot cure cancer. To assert these false claims and then use them to exploit a very vulnerable segment of the population purely for profit is grossly unethical and borders on criminal.

Whilst may form an important part of the multimodality treatment of cancers, it’s far to early to call the race. It is not whether these compounds exhibit any effects that is in question here, Science openly acknowledges that something is at play, it simply hasn’t had the time yet to work out what that is and until it does, the quacks and pseudo-scientists need to be reeled in.

They do a discredit to any potential benefits the plant may show, they impede the scientific processes required to ascertain these benefits and to they negate the efforts of legal, properly qualified medically trained doctors currently experimenting with cannabis in the fields of pain and nausea management in chemo patients and other fields of medicine.

Conning people out of cash is one thing, conning them out of their health and life and is an entirely different issue. As long as we continue to confuse correlation with causation, we will require legislation to protect these vulnerable individuals and it’s time the state wakes up to these dangers. It has an obligation to public safety. First do no harm.

On Drug Interactions

You wont be surprised at this point to learn that cannabis interacts and interferes with the pharmacological action of other drugs. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…Which drugs are these and if it is a medically proven fact, why are warnings not adhered to CBD oils? Another questionable benefit cannabis enjoys, operating under the CAM banner of a ‘natural product’.

A total of 376 drugs are known to interact with cannabis. 354 are considered moderate, but 24 of these are listed as major or serious enough to warrant warning. These drugs are listed below and linked for additional information on each. Always inform your doctor or health care provider of any medications you are using, including natural and homeopathic products.

• alfentanil
• buprenorphine
• butorphanol
• codeine
• dezocine
• fentanyl
• hydrocodone
• hydromorphone
• levomethadyl acetate
• levorphanol
• meperidine
• methadone
• morphine
• morphine liposomal
• nalbuphine
• oxycodone
• oxymorphone
• pentazocine
• propoxyphene
• remifentanil
• sodium oxybate
• sufentanil
• tapentadol
• tramadol

On Legalization

In case you’re left with the feeling that I would like to see cannabis revert to its original criminalized status, nothing could be further from the truth. I have in the past, and still occasionally, engaged in the consumption of a stress busting joint or brownie. It is a mostly harmless pursuit and possibly far less toxic than cigarette smoke and alcohol.

Prosecuting and incarcerating cannabis users is insanity, a waste of policing resources and hugely damaging to the lives of those affected. I am firmly in the camp of legalization, treating cannabis as we do alcohol and tobacco. Neither of the two aforementioned, however, make spurious claims as to their medicinal and curative properties and herein lies the problem.

Lets take a step back and a time out, rather than allowing the cannabis industry to dictate it’s preferred area of unsanctioned medical testing, namely on you, it’s customers. The fact that it currently manipulates existing science and relies on half truths and the misinterpretation of data to sell itself, should be proof enough of the industries bonafide’s.

Its called baffling with bullshit, and when I last checked, misrepresenting your product to the public was a criminal offense. Especially when it involved the customers health and, potentially, their life. Add to that the manipulation of vulnerable individuals to provide you with testimony to corroborate your story, and you should be looking at life.

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