Its Cannabis and Its Medicine

Episode 209

Hello, good people of the green persuasion. In Episode 209 we visited with Joanna Laforce, Clinical Consultant and Pharmacist of The Farmacy in Venice, CA., one of 3 full spectrum green organic medicine stores that provide natural healing plant-based medicines and therapies and medical cannabis to patient's with doctor's recommendations. Check out their website at www.ourfarmacy.com.

Our topic was medical cannabis and what it has to offer patients suffering from a wide variety of health issues. Here's a quick recap with lots of great information about this herb that many believe has been unfairly vilified by the politics of perception.

Marijuana, A Long Storied History:

Marijuana used for medical purposes has dated back nearly 5,000 years and has long been part of the Chinese Materia Medica. Western medicine embraced its medical properties in the mid 1800's and by the 20th Century more than 100 papers in the Wester Medicine Literature recommending its use for a variety of disorders. In 1937 when congress passed a Marijuana Tax Act which severely hampered physicians from prescribing it.

The anti-marihuana law of 1937 was largely the federal government's response to political pressure from enforcement agencies and other alarmed groups who feared the use and spread of marihuana by "Mexicans." Interestingly, the term "marijuana" has many colorful stories about its origin and ,according to Joanna, came into widespread usage in the early 20th century and was named after an inexpensive brand of Mexican cigarettes.

It was chosen deliberately for its negative connotations by those who wanted to create the perception that it was a dangerous and demonic drug. (Listen and you will hear similar strains of hysteria in today's arguments against "illegal" immigrants.)

Internationally Recognized

More than 60 U.S. & International Health Organizations support granting patients immediate legal access to medical marijuana.

Since 1996, twelve states have legalized medical marijuana use: AK, CA, CO, HI, ME, MT, NV, NM, RI, VT, and WA.

Yet, in spite of the established medical value of marijuana, doctors are presently permitted to prescribe cocaine and morphine, but not marijuana. (However, there are a number of MDs who will provide a recommendation for medical cannabis here in California.)

Laws

On a federal level the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act, was followed by the establishment of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. In the 1950s, strict mandatory sentencing laws substantially increased federal penalties for marijuana possession (but were removed in the 1970s). In 1964, the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs entered into force, for the first time placing the U.S. under treaty obligations to control marijuana production and distribution.

In the 1980s, mandatory sentencing laws were reinstated for large-scale marijuana distribution, three strikes laws were enacted and applied to marijuana possession, and the death sentence was enabled for marijuana drug kingpins.

The California supreme court has ruled that a positive drug test arising from medical marijuana use can be grounds for termination of employment. In addition, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is threatening Landlords in L.A. with seizure of their property and possible prison terms for renting to cannabis dispensaries. This has caused a backlash and a number of landlords have now filed suits to prevent this from continuing.

How It Works

The main active chemical in marijuana is THC ( delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol) Tetra-Hydro-Cannabinol. The membranes of certain nerve cells in the brain contain protein receptors that bind to the THC. Once securely in place, THC kicks off a series of cellular reactions that ultimately lead to the high that users experience when they smoke marijuana.


Many cannabanoid receptors are found in the limbic system: part of the brain that influences pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory, time, perception and coordinated movement.

Drugs Developed With THC

Medical Marijuana already exists in a drug called MARINOL. It is widely available by prescription. It comes in the form of a pill and is also being studied by researchers for suitability via other delivery methods, such as an inhaler or a patch.

It is interesting to note, however, that THC is only one of many cannabanoids that are present in cannabis and patients often have a dysphoric or unpleasant emotional reaction to Marinol. Once again, illustrating that whether it comes to vitamins, herbs or drugs you can't do better than nature. Whole foods and herbs have hundreds of compounds all working synergistically and have been tested in a state-of-the-art laboratory called the planet Earth for hundreds of millions of years. Nature has had a lot more time to get it right.

Medical Applications for Cannabis:

There are essentially 3 types of cannabis produced for a variety of health complaints: Sativas, indicas and hybrid combinations of the two. Different strains are being bred to enhance some of the other cannabanoids present in order to enhance their different properties, as well.


Indicas tend to be more sedating and are used both chronic and acute pain conditions, insomnia, anxiety, PMS and headaches.


Sativas tend to be more stimulating and can help bring mental clarity. They are used in issues like ADD, anxiety, nervousness, appetite loss, and our helpful in soothing the mind.

Downsides of Cannabis:

Cannabis is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the U.S. While it is not physically addictive, it is psychologically addictive. Most of us have known people who smoke daily and you can see the negative impact it can have over time.

Another knock against cannabis is that it is termed a "gateway" drug, meaning that, especially in young people, it can lead to other more dangerous drugs like cocaine, heroine and methamphetamine.

This certainly can be true, however it should be noted that among illicit drugs cannabis is the least toxic, least habit forming and in many ways, the least destructive. (Most people would agree that with addicts , it is rarely used alone.)

Like anything, it can be abused and the destructive effects of addiction can destroy families, friendships and business partnerships very effectively.

Everything in moderation, people. (Even moderation :)).

Its All Good

On the flip side, cannabis can also be a gateway to herbal medicine. For those whose only exposure to natural medicine is cannabis it can lead to the discovery of the amazing diversity and possibility that exists in the natural medicine realm.


That's exactly what The Farmacy is doing, offering a model for the future of compassionate, natural health care. And we all hope that will be the basis for opening the gateway to global organic medicine around the world.

That's what Green Health Live is all about too, spreading the love worldwide. Enjoy the show and keep in touch, people.

Marc