Florida Grass Roots - Premier Issue by Grass Roots America Magazine

Pol i t i cal Changes aï¬&#x20AC;ectt he

Fut ur e of

Cannabi s

MAGAZI NE

FLORI DA

JAN /FEB 2019

Embrace

We the we

Science

Choose

Cannabis as our Medicine.

ill You? I.I

Welcome to the Premier Issue of

Florida Grass Roots Magazine! As the Founder, my goal is to bring current scientific and medical cannabis information to patients and potential patients. If we educate others along the way-even better! My journey into medical marijuana began years ago in Colorado. I met people with Parl:?inson's, cancer, and other disorders and diseases who told me they were better because of using marijuana as their medicine. Marijuana as medicine? New concept to me. Being a cancer survivor, I decided to research this idea for myself. The highlight of my journey, thus far, was attending CannMed 2018 at UCLA. CannMed is an annual gathering of the greatest minds in medical cannabis. We will share with you the amazing, cutting-edge information we learned at this (and other) conferences in the coming issues.

-�, fl

,l• We have gathered a team of cannabis professionals at the magazine to bring you a different J:?ind of magazine. We are the nerds and geel:?s �J' of the science and medicine of cannabis. While we do hope to entertain you, our goal is to educate you on the science behind the many medical benefits of cannabis. ·=� f.J

�.�rf� !v

� �

As research continues, we will continue to learn and to pass along that education to you, our readers.

GET TO KNOW US

FOUNDER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR MANAGING EDITOR PRODUCTION MANAGER / CREATIVE DIRECTOR MARKETING COPY EDITOR WEB DESIGN & CONTENT

Nancy Moss Lea Holz Sarah Buechel Mary Jo Zagozen Dawn Hayford Jennifer Holz

MEDICAL RESEARCH TEAM LEAD

Sarah Moss

IT LEAD / SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

Alex Moss

ASSISTANT TO FOUNDER

Austin Bowen

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Antonio DeRose Dr. Debra Kimless Lea Holz Marcus Najera

COLUMNISTS

Jeff Demond Kim Kay Britton Maxine Taylor Tiffaney Conner

Mailing Address

Digital

Florida Grass Roots Magazine

Info@Floridagrassroots.com

1221 Towne Lake Drive

Educator@Floridagrassroots.com

Digital Subscription available on

Suite A #117

Advertising@Floridagrassroots.com

Fort Myers, Florida 33913

Accounts@Floridagrassroots.com

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition. Copyright Â© 2019. This magazine is protected by US and International copyright laws. Reproduction without written permission is prohibited.

floridagrassroots.com

Join Us February 22-24

FMCC Florida Medical Cannabis Conference Orlando World Center Marriott Orlando

Feb 24

SWFL VegFest 2019 Riverside Park Bonita Springs

March 6

Cannabis at the Capitol Tallahassee

April 11-13

Patients Out Of Time Presents: Cannabis Therapeutics -Whole Plant Medicine for the Whole Person The University of South Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) Tampa

Florida Grass Roots Magazine

GET TO KNOW US

Meet Our Contributing Writers ANTONIO DEROSE Antonio is the Co-Founder and COO of Green House Healthy, a health and wellness company promoting cannabis as part of a healthy and active lifestyle at GreenHouseHealthy.com. He is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, competitive trail runner, freelance writer and speaker. His company hosts educational and athletic events, teaches cannabis positive fitness and nutrition classes, and provides promotion and media services. Antonio has several years of experience with cannabis, including having worked on an all organic outdoor farm with 6000 plants, from seed to sale. In 2017, he became the first male to complete an entire 420 Games National Tour, a traveling athletic event series focused on de-stigmatizing the lazy stoner stereotype. He is also an official NORML Athlete, representing NORML Athletics.

LEA HOLZ Lea Holz is a writer, musician, and cannabis enthusiast who recently relocated to the Fort Myers area from Boulder, CO. Lea came to the cannabis industry after experiencing life-changing results from her own journey with natural medicines and has been a passionate advocate ever since. As a patient and educator, she strives to normalize this ancient herb and empower patients through their own exploration. When she’s not reading about weed science or visiting dispensaries, you can find her in a local cafe, sipping espresso and writing.

floridagrassroots.com

DR. DEBRA KIMLESS Debra Kimless, M.D. graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Muhlenberg College with a double major in Natural Sciences and Biology. She attended medical school at Rutgers, residency at Temple University Hospital, and is a board-certified Anesthesiologist with a subspecialty certification in Pain Medicine. Motivated by her mother, who at the end of her life suffered with intractable pain and responded paradoxically to opiates, Dr. Kimless traveled the world to learn if medical cannabis could have been an option. She studied under the most respected experts in cannabis medicine and research and has become a passionate champion for medical cannabis. Dr. Kimless shares her knowledge by speaking with health care providers, patients and legislators about medical cannabis as a therapeutic option. She consults with patients pro bono, treating them with whole food all plant diets and medical cannabis, and collects patient data to present at conferences and seminars around the world. In her spare time, Dr. Kimless enjoys sharing her home cooked whole food all plant meals with family and friends. She will never turn down a cup of coffee.

MARCUS NAJERA Marcus Najera is part of a pilot study on “Cannabidiol Supplementation and Quality of Life in Retired Athletes.” He has been a biomedical scientist in materials and bioengineering at Southwest Research Institute, and a Yale Fellow. Marcus is founder and host of the rising podcast Cannabis Science Podcast (C.Science Podcast), with mission to bridge the gap between the biomedical community and the cannabis culture. Mr. Najera is highly-integrated within the research and cannabis community and has unique insight on the future of personalized cannabinoid therapy. In his free time, he is a tireless advocate and promoter of medical cannabis.

Meet Our Columnists JEFF DEMOND Jeff DeMond is a retired U.S Navy Senior Chief and 100% disabled veteran. After over seven years of being overprescribed opioids during both active duty and retirement, Jeff found a better way of life by using medical cannabis as medicine. He has been advocating for medical marijuana since. A passionate patient rights activist, Jeff recently founded The Grateful Veteran—a non-profit designed to aid service members financially with their doctor visits and state fees.

MAXINE TAYLOR A former beauty queen whose smile still shines today, Maxine has a stellar reputation in the field of astrology. Her tireless efforts with Georgia legislators to legitimize astrology resulted in its legalization in Atlanta in 1970. Since this history making triumph, Maxine’s list of outstanding achievements has grown considerably. She has published several books, given talks, taught astrology and much more over a career spanning several decades. No stranger to international media, Maxine has been featured in distinguished professional publications and has had numerous appearances on radio and television, most notably as CNN’s original on-air astrologer and as a guest on The Larry King Show.

KIM BRITTON In 2011, Kim Britton, a personal trainer, accepted an exciting opportunity working in medical marijuana. After working her way up from an entry-level budtending position to management and compliance, Kim helped bring a failing dispensary to full compliance and landed her current position as an industry expert. Kim found her calling in hemp-derived CBD research and patient education through combining her past experience with athletic training with her passion for cannabinoid research. It wasn’t long after that her life was put on hold due to a traumatic brain injury and a broken arm. Through personal experience and trial and error, Kim realized firsthand just how life-changing CBD could be. Today, she feels blessed to be able to share her own experience, knowledge, and research to help others open their minds to the therapeutic potential of the consistent, everyday use of high-quality cannabis products.

TIFFANEY CONNER Tiffaney earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Colorado State University. Following the recovery of Hurricane Katrina, she taught in New Orleans and assisted in the rebuilding of a school system, while simultaneously earning a master's degree in teaching at Xavier University of Louisiana. Tiffaney moved to Florida in 2010 to teach where she can now continue to consult and educate in the medical marijuana industry. Today, Tiffaney wakes up and can't wait to talk to people and hear their stories regarding cannabis. She is proud to be a touchstone for people no matter where they are in their individual cannabis journey, and believes that education, knowledge, and support are the most important and critical factors of understanding this life-changing plant. Tiffaney gratefully resides in South Venice, Florida with her husband and their Goldendoodle. When she’s not advocating for medical cannabis, you can find her rooting for all of her hometown Detroit sports teams!

Continue the Conversation!

Find us on our social media channels for more information, inspiration, and conversation!

What's Inside

premier issue

FGCU

Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Great Cannabis University

32 In the Fall of 2018, FGCU introduced their first classes on cannabis. What will this mean for the college, students, and community as a whole? Read more about how FGCU is planting the seed to become Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great cannabis university.

floridagrassroots.com

28 40

GREAT READS

ADVICE + RECOMMENDS

22 | Political Climate Change Could Affect Private Cultivation

52 | What is CBD?

40 | The Endocannabinoid System 46 | An Introduction to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) 48 | Understanding CTE and Cannabis in the NFL

LAW ENFORCEMENT

In November 2016, Florida passed Amendment 2, or the Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions ballot, allowing medical marijuana to be cultivated and dispensed to qualified patients. The ballot was created to ensure safe access and availability of medical cannabis to qualifying patients with debilitating conditions. Florida is the first state in the south to adopt proactive measures towards cannabis. Under the new legislation, those with debilitating medical ailments determined by a licensed state physician will be allowed to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. Additionally, caregivers will be allowed to register with The Department of Health and assist qualifying patients with their medical use of marijuana. Caregivers are allowed to obtain medical marijuana for patients they assist, but they are not able to consume any medical marijuana. Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers are currently open to qualified medical patients and caregivers. POSSESSION

Qualified medical marijuana patients are allowed to possess up to a 70-day supply of marijuana at any given time, and all marijuana products in possession of a patient must remain in their original packaging. Definitive quantities in relation to a 70-day supply are determined by a patient's physician and may be higher or lower than others depending on the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s required medicinal usage.

PURCHASING LIMITS

Similar to possession laws, qualified patients or designated caregivers may purchase up to a 70-day supply of marijuana products from state-licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers.

CONSUMPTION

Under no circumstance is medical marijuana allowed to be consumed by anyone other than qualifying patients. Marijuana in Florida may only be consumed by qualifying patients for medical use. Medical use means: the purchase, possession, consumption, transport (within the state of Florida) of marijuana by a qualifying patient to treat a debilitating medical condition or the purchase, possession, and transportation of marijuana by a caregiver. Additionally, medical marijuana may not be used or administered in the form of smoking, and the flower is not allowed to be sold in dispensaries unless it is sealed in a tamper-proof receptacle for vaping.

floridagrassroots.com

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal and punishable by law in the state of Florida. Punishments are similar to those of alcohol DUIs, with the first offense facing up to 6 months in jail or fines up to $1,000. Severity of penalties increases with every conviction, so it is strongly advised to never drive under the influence of marijuana.

EXPORTING MARIJUANA

Exporting marijuana, even to other states with legal medical marijuana, is illegal and will result in steep punishment for those apprehended in the act. Medical marijuana in Florida is legal for the sole purpose of helping qualifying patients with debilitating conditions. Therefore, the marijuana is strictly prohibited from export and must only be consumed in the state of Florida.

CULTIVATION

Qualifying patients are NOT allowed to grow any plants at home, nor are caregivers. Only registered Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers are able to cultivate or process marijuana. Caregivers are allowed to obtain (purchase and transport) medical marijuana for patients they assist, but they are not able to grow or consume any medical marijuana. Information on pages 10-11 is from the OMMU. www.floridahealth.gov/ommu

FLORIDA MEDICAL MARIJUANA BASICS

STEPS TO TREATMENT AND YOUR FLORIDA MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD 1 PATIENTS MUST FIRST BE DIAGNOSED WITH A QUALIFYING MEDICAL CONDITION. Qualifying conditions include: -Cancer -Epilepsy -Glaucoma -HIV -AIDS -Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) -Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) -Crohn’s disease -Parkinson’s disease -Multiple sclerosis (MS) -Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those above -A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the qualified physician issuing the physician certification -Chronic nonmalignant pain caused by a qualifying medical condition or that originates from a qualifying medical condition and persists beyond the usual course of that qualifying medical condition

2 PATIENTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS WILL THEN BE ENTERED INTO THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE REGISTRY BY THEIR QUALIFIED PHYSICIAN. Once you have been entered into the Registry, your physician will provide you with your Patient ID Number. You will need this to apply for your required Registry Identification Card. Remember to provide your physician with your email address to receive important updates!

3 PATIENTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS WILL THEN APPLY FOR THEIR REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARD Patients and Caregivers may complete an electronic or paper identification application. For step-by-step instructions and other resources, please visit the OMMU Registry Identification Cards page at www.floridahealth.gov/ommu. YOU CAN NOW COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION AND PAY ONLINE! The Registry is connected to the Division of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle’s State ID system. If there is a match to the information supplied by your Physician, your State ID or Driver’s License photo is automatically added to your Application. Payments and paper ID Card Applications should be mailed to: Office of Medical Marijuana Use PO Box 31313 Tampa, FL 33631-3313

4 FILL YOUR ORDER AT ONE OF THE LICENSED MEDICAL MARIJUANA TREATMENT CENTERS Once your Identification Card application has been approved, you will then be able to contact one of the licensed medical marijuana treatment centers and fill the order. Patients and caregivers may only fill orders for medical marijuana with one of the state’s approved medical marijuana treatment centers. Medical marijuana treatment centers may deliver medical marijuana to qualified patients and caregivers. If you do not have a medical marijuana treatment center in your city, you can still fill your order by contacting a medical marijuana treatment center and arranging for a delivery. For contact information of the currently licensed medical marijuana treatment centers, please visit our Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers page at www.floridahealth.gov/ommu.

APPLICATION PROCESSING TIMELINE The current processing time for complete applications is five (5) business days from the date in which payment successfully processes and posts to the Registry. Online payments take five (5) business days to process. If any part of an application is rejected for missing or invalid documentation, the processing time will be delayed.

PATIENT HELPLINE If you have questions or need assistance, please call: (800) 808-9580

J O U R N A L I N G Keeping a record of your journey with medical cannabis is a great way to become acquainted with which products work best for your individual condition. Because each person and endocannabinoid system is diﬀerent, taking some time to become familiar with your chosen cannabis products and their eﬀects is an important step to choosing the right medicine for you.

Follow this list of ten helpful tips for what to make note of when beginning your journal. 1.) Product type and strain/cultivar

3.) Dose and Frequency

Make sure to review your product closely and make note of the following:

• Strain name • Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid • Cannabinoid and terpene profiles • Ratio of CBD to THC • Type of product – whole flower, concentrate, etc. • If a concentrate, note which extraction method was used in processing - CO2, butane, or another • Batch number

Dose and frequency needs can vary greatly from person to person. Keep notes on the following and over time, a pattern will emerge. This will help you determine your own ideal dosing schedule. If you need help determining a baseline dose, refer to your medical marijuana doctor or a cannabis educator you trust.

Helpful tip: Remember, most products contain important information on the packaging. Recording information on your product labels soon after your purchase while you still have it handy will help you make decisions on what to buy later on. It is important to know that, even if you are purchasing the same product as last time, different batch numbers contain different levels of cannabinoids and terpenes and therefore may have different effects.

• • • •

Recommended starting dose of the product How much you are taking and how often Which dose and frequency produces the greatest relief W h a t d o s e a n d f re q u e n c y p ro d u c e s discomfort, if any

Helpful tip: While one individual may need 20 mg of CBD to feel an eﬀect, the next may feel uncomfortable with more than 5 mg. For this reason, it is important to start low and go slow.

4.) Effects and duration 2.) Delivery method There are many diﬀerent delivery methods to consider. Record the following information to help you later determine which ones work best for you:

• Administration method – inhaled, orallyconsumed, topical, etc.  Helpful tip: For a more in-depth look at what delivery method options are available in the state of Florida, refer to an overview on page 28

When you begin to feel the effects of your medication, make note of what the effects are and how long they last. • How long it took to feel a difference in pain levels, whether two minutes, two hours, etc. • How long the effects lasted • Level of psychoactivity and whether it helped or hindered the experience Helpful tip: Effects and duration can vary wildly between different products and delivery methods. Be sure to try a new product in your home or a safe, comfortable place until you’re familiar with how it affects you.

Medication

Doseage

Date/Time

Remarks

1,2

3,4

5,6,7,8,9

Brand X Tinture Drops

10 mg

Dec 1 8:30am

Onset 9:45am - feel less paining Back. Scale 8-5, cold front today.

Vape Sativa

60% Cartrdge 3mg

Dec 1 2pm

`Helped headache relieves tension, Scale 8-6

Tincture Indica Drops

15mg

Dec1 8pm

Slept All Night!

5.) Where the effects reside in the body

8.) Other environmental factors

Take some time to slow down and pay attention to how your body feels and responds to the product. Close your eyes, relax, and ask yourself the following: • What the effect is, and where you feel it in your body • Where the sensation resides—Is in the head and shoulders, or in the back of the eyes? Do you feel deep relaxation in your extremities or limbs? • How the effect feels—It may be strong and apparent (Heavy, tingling, relaxing, buzzing, speedy, etc.) Or, is it more subtle (maybe you are suddenly able to move a painful area that you couldn’t move before)

We have found it helpful to be aware of other external and environmental factors that could potentially affect how your cannabis works: • Other medications or supplements you are using • Recent changes to diet, sleep, or stress • Weather patterns • How you felt when you took the medication— relaxed, nervous, sleepy, hungry, etc.—and how this changed once the effects set in.

Helpful tip: Use as many descriptors as possible. The more aware of your body’s response to cannabis you are, the easier it will be to find the best product for your needs.

6.) Symptom response

This part is straight-forward and simple: • How the product affected your symptoms • Whether or not you enjoyed the product • Do you notice that your symptoms have disappeared, improved—or, alternatively, did this particular product have no effect, or cause symptoms to worsen?

Helpful tip: This information can be valuable when working with your doctor to determine your ideal method and dose.

7.) Pain level before and after

Take note of your pain level both before and after using the product, using a scale of one to ten: • Pain levels before, during and after Helpful tip: Pay attention to subtleties. Sometimes, we don’t realize cannabis is working until we pay close attention, and some of the best products take effect with little to no psychoactive affect, making us wonder if it’s working. If you have a sore foot, for example, apply a salve, then get up to walk to the kitchen without thinking about it and suddenly realize you are not in pain, this is a good sign!

Helpful tip: With many conditions, noting these small details can help create a broader scope of understanding how external circumstances affect your body’s response to cannabis.

9.) Reactions or side effects

Be sure to record any side effects of the products you use, and how each made you feel. This information can be valuable in determining future dosing: • Physical side effects, such as coughing or lightheadedness • Psychological effects, such as giggling or euphoria • Changes in hunger and energy levels  Helpful tip: Exploring new cannabis products can include experiencing both enjoyable and not-so-enjoyable effects. Remember that no one has ever died of a cannabis overdose. If you experience uncomfortable side effects, don’t panic. Remember to drink plenty of water, lay down in a safe space, and talk to someone you trust while the effects subside.

10.) Refer to your journal often

If you remain consistent with your journaling, you will begin to see patterns and trends in what methods and products work for you and which ones do not. It can offer a wealth of personal, individualized insight into your system with which to share with your doctor or apply to your own research. After a while, your journal will become a valuable resource in helping you navigate your health and wellness. floridagrassroots.com.

2018

Florida Grass Roots

events in review

US CANNABIS CONFERENCE AND EXPO On August 25-26, 2018, Florida Grass Roots attended the US Cannabis Conference and Expo. This well-attended event was held at the Hyatt in Miami, FL, and our favorite highlights included hearing Nikki Fried speak at the cannabis business executive breakfast and enjoying an industry party held on a mega yacht with other guests. Most memorable was when Florida Grass Roots founder Nancy Moss made history by receiving the first ever legal and legitimate medical cannabis delivery to a United States Hyatt Hotel.

Get Florida Grass Roots Magazine on issuu

GREAT READS

Here are the top three things we learned at CannMed 2018: WHEN THEY SAY IT IS THE MEETING OF THE GREATEST MINDS IN CANNABIS, THEY MEAN IT. Bonni Goldstein. Ethan Russo. Raphael Mechoulem. Do these names sound familiar? As canna-nerds, we were dazzled to be in the presence of the same people whose books and research had helped build our own foundational understanding of cannabis medicine. We may as well have been in the same room as Prince or Madonna. Star-struck and giddy, we did our best to remain composed and professional as our heroes crossed the stage. If you are a person who has a hard time hiding your excitement in a lecture hall, might we suggest some CBD beforehand? Fangirl tendencies aside, what impressed us even more were the folks in general attendance. Nearly everyone we came into contact with—from presenters to attendees—were not only impressive in their professionalism but impressive in their motivations. Sure, most folks had a remarkable product, research project, or organization to talk up–but most extraordinary to us was that the ethical and moral compasses of everyone in the room was pointed in the same patientfocused, humanity-driven direction. This group not only had wellrespected credibility in the industry, but also shared the same reason for being there: to help drive the movement forward in an ethical and positive direction. With every contact we made, I felt more inspired in my own advocacy. We met doctors of all kinds, and everyone we heard speak—from the presenters to the attendees—left a lasting impression on us. One gentleman—an MD who had no experience with cannabis at all— shared that he was only attending in order to be a more educated source of information for his patients. He had received so many questions pertaining to cannabis that he felt motivated to take time out of a demanding schedule to educate himself!

ion, it was hard glances. Riddled with anticipat Nancy and I exchanged eager the greatest minds As we boarded the plane, to CannMed: a gathering of come. We were on our way d medical to believe the day had finally some of the most esteeme from tions presenta we would witness medicine. Like kids in cannabis! At this event, advancements in cannabis as they showcased the latest As two flower professionals in the industry , wondering what to expect. we were both a little nervous school, of no formal day had We first . their on typical CannMed attendee we were a far cry from the sm, passion, and enthusiasts and industry gals, armed with enough enthusia after our names. But we were research medical training and no MD te cannabis advocates, amateur passiona as and , textbook ce to fill a We took first-hand cannabis experien all of the information we could. nerds—we were ready to absorb three whirlwind days junkies, and self-proclaimed for the journey ahead. After our seatbelts, and prepared sm for buckled , enthusia of together sense breath deep renewed a away with a dynamic networking, we walked conference. of fascinating lectures and your first high-level medical course in how to survive cannabis medicine and a crash

Our first piece of advice? Prepare to be inspired, and maybe even a little intimidated, by the level of expertise and intention in the room. Check out our profiles on the next page of doctors who moved and inspired us the most! IT’S A MARATHON, NOT A RACE. Bring snacks. No, really, bring snacks. And water. And definitely make sure your business-casual wear is comfy and warm, because the room will be cold, and you are going to be there for a while. We underestimated how much energy it takes to sit in a chair for eight hours! Absorbing such a large volume of cutting-edge science is thirsty work. As we surveyed the schedule for the event, it became clear that we would need to adopt a plan in order to attend and experience every lecture on our list. Presentations varied in their complexity and covered

Here are the top three things we lea WHEN THEY SAY IT IS THE MEETING OF THE GREATEST MINDS IN CANNABIS, THEY MEAN IT. Bonni Goldstein. Ethan Russo. Raphael Mechoulem. Do these names sound familiar? As canna-nerds, we were dazzled to be in the presence of the same people whose books and research had helped build our own foundational understanding of cannabis medicine. We may as well have been in the same room as Prince or Madonna. Star-struck and giddy, we did our best to remain composed and professional as our heroes crossed the stage. If you are a person who has a hard time hiding your excitement in a lecture hall, might we suggest some CBD beforehand?

Fangirl tendencies aside, what impressed us even more were the folks in general attendance. Nearly everyone we came into contact with—from presenters to attendees—were not only impressive in their professionalism but impressive in their motivations. Sure, most folks had a remarkable product, research project, or organization to talk up–but most extraordinary to us was that the ethical and moral compasses of everyone in the room was pointed in the same patientfocused, humanity-driven direction. This group not only had wellrespected credibility in the industry, but also shared the same reason for being there: to help drive the movement forward in an ethical and positive direction. With every contact we made, I felt more inspired in my own advocacy.

Having a friend with you can make all the difference in helping assuage the newbie anxiety. Keep in mind that most medical conferences offer recorded versions of all lectures after the event, so don’t worry too much about missing a presentation or two. Relax, sit back, and enjoy the show! THERE IS STILL SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN Our big takeaway: the knowledge that, even with the ongoing research that exists, we are only beginning to scratch the surface of understanding this ancient natural medicine. The elaborateness of each presentation andGREAT theREADS lengths each doctor went to explain the tricky complexities of cannabis science only reaffirmed what we already knew: that there is still much work to be done. We need more peer-reviewed research in order to drive this industry forward in a way that respects the integrity of both the patient and the medicine itself. As patients and advocates, it is important that we all help blaze a trail forward. Whether it be writing to our elected officials on the importance of encouraging legal research to be conducted in the states or helping those in our more-immediate circles differentiate between cannabis truth vs. propaganda—we are still a long way from understanding exactly how this amazing natural medicine works its magic.

n, it was hard glances. Riddled with anticipatio Nancy and I exchanged eager the greatest minds As we boarded the plane, to CannMed: a gathering of come. We were on our way medical to believe the day had finally from some of the most esteemed would witness presentations we event, this At medicine. Like kids in cannabis! advancements in cannabis as they showcased the latest As two flower professionals in the industry wondering what to expect. were both a little nervous, we formal school, of no day had We first on their One thing is for certain: cannabis medicine is not going away anytime typical CannMed attendee. we were a far cry from the , passion, and soon. Those at the forefront of the medical movement are powerful, enthusiasts and industry gals, armed with enough enthusiasm after our names. But we were research persistent, and passionate in their work, and we look forward to medical training and no MD cannabis advocates, amateur to fill a textbook, and as passionate joining them next year to help spread awareness and education of took We experience could. we cannabis n first-hand all of the informatio it was hard the exciting discoveries and innovations happening in medical nerds—we were ready to absorb glances. Riddled with anticipation, After three whirlwind days Nancy and I exchanged eager junkies, and self-proclaimed the greatest minds As we boarded the plane, to CannMed: a gathering of prepared for the journey ahead. cannabis science today. come. We were on our way medical to believe the day had finally for from some of the most esteemed buckled our seatbelts, and enthusiasm of together, would witness presentations sense we kids breath event, Like this deep At renewed medicine. a in cannabis! advancements in cannabis we walked away with a as they showcased the latest to expect. As two flower professionals in the industry e. and dynamic networking, wondering what 25 floridagrassroots.com conferenc lectures were both a little nervous, medical we formal school, fascinating of no of day had We high-level first on their your first typical CannMed attendee. we were a far cry from the passion, and course in how to survive enthusiasts and industry gals, armed with enough enthusiasm, after our names. But we were cannabis medicine and a crash advocates, amateur research medical training and no MD Fangirl tendencies aside, what impressed us even more were the folks in general attendance. Nearly everyone we came into contact with—from presenters to attendees—were not only impressive in their professionalism but impressive in their motivations. Sure, most folks had a remarkable product, research project, or organization to talk up–but most extraordinary to us was that the ethical and moral compasses of everyone in the room was pointed in the same patientfocused, humanity-driven direction. This group not only had wellrespected credibility in the industry, but also shared the same reason for being there: to help drive the movement forward in an ethical and positive direction. With every contact we made, I felt more inspired in my own advocacy. We met doctors of all kinds, and everyone we heard speak—from the presenters to the attendees—left a lasting impression on us. One gentleman—an MD who had no experience with cannabis at all— shared that he was only attending in order to be a more educated source of information for his patients. He had received so many questions pertaining to cannabis that he felt motivated to take time out of a demanding schedule to educate himself! Our first piece of advice? Prepare to be inspired, and maybe even a little intimidated, by the level of expertise and intention in the room. Check out our profiles on the next page of doctors who moved and inspired us the most!

cannabis to fill a textbook, and as passionate We took first-hand cannabis experience all of the information we could. nerds—we were ready to absorb three whirlwind days junkies, and self-proclaimed for the journey ahead. After our seatbelts, and prepared of enthusiasm for a deep breath together, buckled away with a renewed sense dynamic networking, we walked conference. of fascinating lectures and your first high-level medical course in how to survive cannabis medicine and a crash

IT’S A MARATHON, NOT A RACE. Bring snacks. No, really, bring snacks. And water. And definitely make sure your business-casual wear is comfy and warm, because the room will be cold, and you are going to be there for a while. We underestimated how much energy it takes to sit in a chair for eight hours! Absorbing such a large volume of cutting-edge science is thirsty work.

As we surveyed the schedule for the event, it became clear that we would need to adopt a plan in order to attend and experience every lecture on our list. Presentations varied in their complexity and covered

The takeaway? While attending any conference can be a tad overwhelming, attending a high-level medical conference with several hundred MDs as an individual with no medical background can present unique and unexpected challenges. Prep for CannMed like you would for a marathon: Keep hydrated, stay focused, wear layers, and engage at your own pace. After all, the goal is to walk across the finish line as stronger, more educated person—not to drop to your knees from exhaustion. Having a friend with you can make all the difference in helping assuage the newbie anxiety. Keep in mind that most medical conferences offer recorded versions of all lectures after the event, so don’t worry too much about missing a presentation or two. Relax, sit back, and enjoy the show!

THERE IS STILL SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN Our big takeaway: the knowledge that, even with the ongoing research that exists, we are only beginning to scratch the surface of understanding this ancient natural medicine. The elaborateness of each presentation and the lengths each doctor went to explain the tricky complexities of cannabis science only reaffirmed what we already knew: that there is still much work to be done. We need more peer-reviewed research in order to drive this industry forward in a way that respects the integrity of both the patient and the medicine itself. As patients and advocates, it is important that we all help blaze a trail forward. Whether it be writing to our elected officials on the importance of encouraging legal research to be conducted in the states or helping those in our more-immediate circles differentiate between cannabis truth vs. propaganda—we are still a long way from understanding exactly how this amazing natural medicine works its magic. One thing is for certain: cannabis medicine is not going away anytime soon. Those at the forefront of the medical movement are powerful, persistent, and passionate in their work, and we look forward to joining them next year to help spread awareness and education of the exciting discoveries and innovations happening in medical cannabis science today.

issuu.com/FloridaGrassRootsMagazine

We’ve teamed up with issuu so our readers can now preview, buy, and read digital issues from any device.

Download the issuu mobile apps for iOS or Android

floridagrassroots.com

We met doctors of all kinds, and everyone we heard speak—from the presenters to the attendees—left a lasting impression on us. One gentleman—an MD who had no experience with cannabis at all— shared that he was only attending in order to be a more educated source of information for his patients. He had received so many questions pertaining to cannabis that he felt motivated to take time out of a demanding schedule to educate himself! Our first piece of advice? Prepare to be inspired, and maybe even a little intimidated, by the level of expertise and intention in the room. Check out our profiles on the next page of doctors who moved and inspired us the most! IT’S A MARATHON, NOT A RACE. Bring snacks. No, really, bring snacks. And water. And definitely make sure your business-casual wear is comfy and warm, because the room will be cold, and you are going to be there for a while. We underestimated how much energy it takes to sit in a chair for eight hours! Absorbing such a large volume of cutting-edge science is thirsty work. As we surveyed the schedule for the event, it became clear that we would need to adopt a plan in order to attend and experience every lecture on our list. Presentations varied in their complexity and covered

a broad rang attention. Wit what’s the av

Pacing, plann taking some benefit from t two of us. Wh the other wou capture nearl levels and res Passing the t

The takeawa overwhelming hundred MDs unique and u for a maratho at your own p as stronger, m from exhaust

Having a frien the newbie a recorded vers much about enjoy the sho

THERE IS S Our big takea research that of understand of each prese the tricky com already knew peer-reviewe that respects As patients a forward. Whe of encouragin those in our m truth vs. prop exactly how t

One thing is f soon. Those persistent, an joining them the exciting d cannabis scie

FLORIDA MEDICAL MARIJUANA BASICS

Florida Cannabis Strains/Cultivars

Granddaddy Purple FL Abbreviation  Gdp Species

Indica

Medical Use

Stress, Pain, Insomnia,   Depression, Lack of Appetite

Flavors

Grape, Berry, Sweet

Named for its delicious grape candy and berry flavor and beautiful purple buds, this indica strain is known for its delicious aroma and relaxing effects.   Excellent for insomnia, muscle spasms, and loss of appetite, this potent strain offers comfort and tranquility for the patient seeking a mellow psychoactive experience and intense physical relief.

Chemdawg FL Abbreviation  Cd Species

Hybrid

Medical Use

Stress, Depression, Pain, Insomnia, Headaches Diesel,

Flavors

This legendary sativa-dominant hybrid is a favorite amongst many connoisseurs. Known for its powerful, diesel-like aroma and strong effects, Chemdawg delivers robust body relaxation with a creative psychoactive high.   Its potency makes it a powerful medicine for a myriad of ailments, both chronic and acute.

Earthy, Pungent

Jack Herer Species

Sativa

Named after a well-known cannabis activist and author, Jack Herer is a high-energy, sativa-dominant strain best suited for daytime use.

Medical Use

Stress, Depression, Fatigue, Pain, Lack of Appetite Earthy, Pine,

Known for its pine-and-citrus taste, Jack Herer is great for reducing fatigue, improving appetite, and sparking creativity.

FL Abbreviation  Jh

Flavors

Woody

9Lb Hammer Species

Indica

This indica-dominant hybrid is well-known for its strong sedative effects and is a favorite of patients suffering with insomnia, muscle aches, and stress.

Medical Use

Pain, Stress, Insomnia, Depression, Muscle Spasms

With subtle notes of lime and grape, this sweet-tasting strain is best enjoyed at the end of the day or before bed.

Flavors

Earthy, Sweet, Citrus

FL Abbreviation  9lb

floridagrassroots.com

GSC (aka Girl Scout Cookies) FL Abbreviation  Gsc Species Medical Use  Flavors

Hybrid Pain, Stress, Depression, Lack of Appetite, Fatigue Earthy, Sweet, Flowery

Girl Scout Cookies, aptly named for its sweet taste, is a versatile hybrid with various therapeutic applications. Providing deep and relieving euphoria in both mind and body, GSC is used to treat insomnia, lack of appetite, nausea, and severe pain.   This strain is excellent for patients seeking a potent effect in both the physical and mental space.

Blue Dream

FL Abbreviation  Bd Species Medical Use

Hybrid Stress,Depression, Pain, Fatigue, Headaches Blueberry, Sweet, Berry

Flavors

Blue Dream is a unique and powerful sativadominant hybrid with an earthy, blueberry taste.   With effects that balance deep body relaxation with calm, cerebral euphoria, Blue Dream is popular amongst patients experiencing both psychological and physical distress.

OG Kush

FL Abbreviation  Ogk Species Medical Use  Flavors

Hybrid Stress, Depression, P a i n , Insomnia, Lack of Appetite Earthy, Pine, Woody

With a woody, piney, and citrusy scent and taste, OG Kush is the famous origin of countless strains of cannabis.   Known for its ability to calm both mind and body, OG Kush is notably effective in soothing chronic pain, stress, and anxiety with its strong body effects and peaceful mental euphoria.

nugtopia.net

FLORIDA MEDICAL MARIJUANA BASICS

Ask the Medical Marijuana Educator Thoughts and input from your area’s cannabis experts still makes some people very nervous. But I know how much medical marijuana helps people, and I have seen the benefits and joy it brings. Medical marijuana is not a subject people have generally felt comfortable talking openly about in the past, but times are changing!

by Tiffaney Conner, Guest Educator LET’S START THE CONVERSATION. The first question I almost always get when I tell people that I'm a medical marijuana educator (after an inquisitive eyebrow lift) is: “So, do you think we could talk about my spouse’s/parent’s/child’s/friend’s/ (fill in the blank)'s situation please? Then both of our voices lower a few octaves as we look around to make sure no one has heard us. Unfortunately, due to the stigma surrounding medical marijuana, conversations about it can sometimes cause people to feel secretive, isolated, embarrassed, or even ashamed. I'm here to let you know that you are not alone! While medical marijuana is something I'm very comfortable (and really quite excited) to talk about, in the past I was reluctant to advertise my profession. The conversation

For 20 years, I have been both an activist and medical marijuana education professional. I have seen the plant help countless people with diagnoses ranging from cancer, ALS, Parkinson's, glaucoma, fibromyalgia, Crohn's disease, diabetes, seizures, and autism to assisting in the stabilizing of emotional conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It even relieves severe pain and migraines! My ultimate gratification is in helping a person who is fed up with the side effects of opioids, pain medication, and other unnaturallyproduced pharmaceutical drugs. Everyone has an individual life story, and I love helping those seeking a natural solution. There are many people who have been taking different medications throughout their lifetime who are now looking for healthier options with fewer side effects. The primary side effects of medical marijuana are being more happy, sleepy, and hungry. Does it get any more peaceful?

In my experience, 90% of people I talk to are very curious about how medical marijuana can help them or someone they know. The other 10% are still convinced marijuana is a gateway drug. This is false propaganda from 80 years ago that has been proven false, and far from reality. The truth is there is still so much education to be shared about the medical benefits of this plant. Once the United States starts openly supporting the international research on marijuana, its medical benefits will be clearly outlined. Every story is different; every person is unique, and my experience as a special education teacher has taught me to work with everyone on an individual and nonjudgmental basis. So, when people whisper to me with hope in their eyes and ask me if medical marijuana can help them, I immediately say yes, I know that it can. So, let’s start the conversation. I hope to help bring you one step closer to finding peace and relief through medical marijuana. Do you have a question about Medical Marijuana? Email it to educator@floridagrassroots.com and you may see the answer in our next issue.

Are you a medical marijuana educator? Would you like to be featured in the next issue of Florida Grass Roots? Contact us at info@floridagrassroots.com. 18

floridagrassroots.com

Join Us February 22-24

FMCC Florida Medical Cannabis Conference Orlando World Center Marriott Orlando

Feb 24

SWFL VegFest 2019 Riverside Park Bonita Springs

March 6

Cannabis at the Capitol Tallahassee

April 11-13

For announcements and updates, follow our social media channels

Florida Grass Roots Magazine

WHO’S WHO s i b a n an

FLORIDA MEDICAL MARIJUANA BASICS

C F lorida

An introduction to the politicians, industry leaders, and advocates affecting the cannabis industry today by Tiffaney Conner

Who’s who at the top of Florida’s budding medical cannabis industry? Who is making the decisions and what is going on now? Things do change; stay tuned! In November of 2016, voters overwhelmingly passed Amendment 2 with 71% in favor. Since then, the Florida medical marijuana program has been full with controversy and delays. As we look forward to the newly elected government leaders for the State of Florida, let’s explore how they have stated they feel about medical marijuana and the future of the program.

Our elected officials have the responsibility to implement the will of the voters. It's been a long and gradual two years for medical marijuana, but we can improve the forward momentum towards progress by being active participants in the political process. Please contact your representatives and let them know that you support easy patient access to medical marijuana as a safe and healthy option—and that they should, too.

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS

Governor Ron DeSantis has posted on his webpage, "That he will finish implementing Florida's medical marijuana Constitutional Amendment so that sufferers of chronic pain will have alternatives to opioids.”1 (While chronic pain is not specifically listed as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana in Florida yet, this is a positive statement and shows promise). However, Ron voted against the Veterans Equal Access Amendment that would give veterans access to medical marijuana if recommended by their Veteran's Health Administration doctor.2 This was an interesting stance, as Ron himself is a veteran, and PTSD—a condition common amongst veterans— is a qualifying condition for medical marijuana access in the state of Florida. He did state that as Governor of Florida, he would not let Washington or Tallahassee bureaucracy get in the way of helping those in need.2 And recently, sources indicated that Ron is unlikely to continue state appeals in certain court battles which his predecessor, Rick Scott, prolonged.8 This suggests the possibility of positive movement in 2019. We look forward to more clarifying statements from the governor in the months ahead.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JEANETTE NUÑEZ

Healthcare businesswoman and politician, Jeanette Nuñez, served in the Florida House of Representatives for eight years before being elected to this office. She has recently made some strong statements in interviews to suggest that she and Governor Ron may have a favorable outlook of the Florida medical marijuana program’s headway as it pertains to patient access. Referring to the 2016 constitutional amendment in which over 70% of Florida residents voted to legalize marijuana, Jeanette states that Governor Ron “wants the will of the voters to be implemented.”7 Her comments have sparked hope from others like Nikki Fried, who called the Lieutenant Governor’s remarks “encouraging.”7

ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHLEY MOODY

Ashley Moody was a former prosecutor and is very close with the former attorney general, Pam Bondi, who has blocked progress for medical marijuana patients. Ashley has vowed to defend the way the legislation has implemented the 2016 amendment legalizing medical marijuana, but she has stated that the ban on smokable cannabis is "reasonable.”3

AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER NIKKI FRIED

Nicole “Nikki” Fried is the first female who successfully ran for Florida Agriculture Commissioner, stating that she “saw how the politicians have failed the people of Florida with medical marijuana.”4 Clearly, the new Agriculture Commissioner (who is in charge of plants) is strongly in favor of helping improve patient access to medical cannabis, and ran her campaign accordingly. Nikki's account was dropped from two major banking institutions—Wells Fargo and BB&T—because they didn't want to be involved in accepting campaign money from the medical marijuana industry. Nikki has vowed that medical marijuana will be one of her top priorities: ending the obstruction and making sure that patients have access.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH/OFFICE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE (OMMU) CORTNEY COPPOLA, DIRECTOR (INTERIM) Upon contacting the OMMU office, we were informed that Courtney Coppola is still the Interim Director for the Office of Medical Marijuana Use.5 It is unclear how long she will remain in charge, however, as former State Medical Marijuana Director Christian Bax abruptly resigned in late July of 2018. Courtney has earned praise from one CEO for the medical marijuana providers. Kim Rivers of Trulieve said Coppola "has a deep working understanding of the medical marijuana program in Florida, and we do not anticipate any issues or interruptions during the transition.”6 Courtney has been in charge since August, but there are still many issues that patients are facing including high cost and low accessibility.

1. rondesantis.com 2. "2016 Congressional Scorecard". Retrieved November 23, 2018. 3. http://floridapolitics.com/archives/274647-polling-gop-candidates-onwrong-side-of-medical-marijuana-smoking-ban 4. https://nikkifried.com/ 5. www.flhealth.gov/ommu 6. http://floridapolitics.com/archives/tag/courtney-coppola 7. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-ne-medical-marijuana-florida-desantis-20181207-story.html 8. https://www.watchdog.org/florida/ under-desantis-state-s-appeals-in-medical-marijuana-suits-may/article_a18378e6-03b0-11e9-b2c8-5ba148f81ddb.html

floridagrassroots.com

GREAT READS

Political Climate

CHANGE Could Affect

PRIVATE Cultivation

by Antonio DeRose

Florida is currently 1 of 33 states which have some form of legalized cannabis in the U.S. Amendment 2, or the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, was approved in November of 2016. Even though it passed and was approved as a constitutional amendment, residents of Florida have still found several barriers placed between themselves and reasonable access to the plant. One barrier in particular is not having the right to grow your own. Several other states, that have legalized cannabis programs, have passed language in their legislation allowing residents the right to grow their own. Leading cannabis reform states, like California and Colorado, allow for patients to cultivate their own plants for private use. Florida should be no different, and the winds of the recent political climate change could affect private cultivation laws. 2019 has seen a wave of newly-elected officials taking office and appointing new faces to old positions. This includes Florida’s 46th Governor, Ron DeSantis, a Republican who is the youngest governor to be elected in the past 100 years. Governor Ron preceded former Governor, Rick Scott, who was a vocal opponent against medical cannabis. Before being officially sworn into office last January, Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez, told Florida press “I think he has a different perspective than Gov. Scott. I think he wants the will of the voters to be implemented.”1 She was referring to Governor Ron, and the passing of Amendment 2. With that being said, it’s very possible we could see several of the political roadblocks that have been preventing patients’ access to cannabis begin to fall, but it’s not just our new governor who seems to be supportive of the people’s will.

The newly-elected Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner, Nicole ‘Nikki’ Fried, ran an aggressive campaign heavily based on the expansion of access to medical cannabis. Her office announced she is committed to being “a fierce advocate for patient access to medical marijuana. It will be one of the top priorities of my administration to end the obstruction and ensure the people of Florida have access to the medicine prescribed by their doctors.”2 Nikki, who is a lawyer and was once a lobbyist for medical cannabis, is the first woman to serve in her position. She is also the first Democrat to hold the office in almost 20 years. In a statement where she responded to questions about working across the aisle with Republican Governor, Ron, she replied, “If DeSantis is serious about moving patient access forward, I welcome that wholeheartedly and would love to work with him in any way to get sick and suffering residents of our state the medicine they need.”1 Her words are promising of a near future with easier and more affordable access to cannabis for patients, and hopefully the right to grow your own. Another influential political character in Florida, supporting medical cannabis, is U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz, representing Florida’s 1st Congressional District. Matt has a long-time reputation as being an aggressive supporter for medical cannabis during his time spent representing the 4th District in the Florida House of Representatives and continuing into his service in Congress. In reference to his thoughts on how Gov. Ron will stand on the issue, Matt told press, “As the author of Florida’s first medical marijuana laws, I’m comforted to know conditions will improve for patients under a governor fully committed to this objective.”1 With the influx of new supportive candidates in some of these key political roles and veteran supporters like Matt, we have a good chance of seeing the medical cannabis program improve in Florida. What we can hope to see is access to flower and the right to grow our own, the way states like Colorado have demonstrated. We recently sat down with Florida native, Amanda Phillips, who is the Colorado State Director of Minorities for Medical Marijuana, and the former Communications Director for Denver NORML. Amanda moved from Florida to Colorado in 2015, after witnessing the state’s growth in the cannabis and tech industries. She went on to tell us, “Florida has a great climate to grow, and their access to medical cannabis should include flower. There is a huge agricultural push, starting with the new election of Agricultural Commissioner, Nikki Fried, one of the very few Democrats voted in last November. Better access is imperative to the older population residing in Florida, including my relatives.” When asked how she feels about the new political appointments, she answered, “With the new administration, I do not know which route they will take to make access better for residents.” She concluded by summarizing her thoughts about what Florida could learn from Colorado in moving the industry forward. “Florida can learn to not just diversify their patient access,” which would include the right to cultivate your own plants, “but also their shareholders, industry leaders, and businesses.”

When we look a little closer at the current private cultivation laws in Colorado, it isn’t a free pass to start a full-fledged farm in your backyard. Coloradans can grow in their homes for personal use and each resident over the age of 21 is allowed up to six plants, but there are restrictions. Only three of the plants can be flowering at once, and all residences are limited to a maximum of 12 plants. Individual counties, and municipalities within the state are allowed to pass their own laws. Denver, for example, restricts private residences from having any more than 12 plants, regardless of the number of adults over the age of 21. Plants need to be enclosed, in a locked area that can’t be viewed out in the open. In other words, no backyard grows. All of these are good takeaways for Florida in drafting future legislation towards greater patient access and the right to grow your own, but you may be wondering why Floridians should be allowed to privately cultivate. There are actually several benefits to growing your own cannabis. First and foremost, you know exactly where your medicine is coming from, and what’s being put on it. Pesticide use in the cannabis industry may be regulated, but it’s still a concern for many patients who are seeking the best possible medicine for their condition. Organically grown cannabis is one of the best ways to take advantage of the healing properties of the plant, without any unwanted chemical residue from pesticides that may have been used in the growing process. In addition to being certain your medicine is clean, there is also the sense of purpose that comes from cultivating your own plants. For retirees, this could be a great way to spend some of the free time on their hands. There’s a feeling of achievement when your plants make it to maturity, and it keeps you active. Having a hobby (like gardening) has also been linked to living longer, and reducing risks for disease. A study in Australia was focused on men and women in their 60s. One group participated in gardening regularly, and the second group did not. When comparing risk of dementia, those who gardened had a 36% lower risk of dementia than the group who did not garden.3 These are some staggering statistics when it comes to living a longer and happier life. With it only being the first quarter of the year, there is still plenty of time to see which direction the new administration in Florida will go when it comes to private cultivation. Several of the newly-elected officials seem to be in favor of medical cannabis. Having pro-cannabis Commissioner Nikki at the helm of the Florida Agricultural and Consumer Services, and new Gov. Ron taking over his role as Florida’s chief executive, we should expect to see changes during their time in office. These should both be positive indicators of better patient access as the cannabis industry continues to evolve and grow, hopefully leading to a future where Floridians having the right to grow their own. 1 https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2018/12/10/florida-medical-marijuana-industry-readychange-under-ron-desantis/2241826002/ https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2018/12/10/ florida-medical-marijuana-industry-ready-change-under-ron-desantis/2241826002/ 2 https://nikkifried.com/priorities 3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16411871

floridagrassroots.com

GREAT READS

anticipation, it was hard th wi d dle Rid . es nc gla r ge Nancy and I exchanged ea nds As we boarded the plane, gathering of the greatest mi a d: Me nn Ca to y wa r ou ally come. We were on medical to believe the day had fin me of the most esteemed so m fro s ion tat en es pr s es we would witn nnabis medicine. Like kids ca in cannabis! At this event, in ts en em nc va ad t es lat as they showcased the wer professionals in the industry what to expect. As two flo ing er nd wo s, ou rv ne tle we were both a lit no formal on their first day of school, CannMed attendee. We had l ica typ e th m fro cry far d ls, we were a gh enthusiasm, passion, an enthusiasts and industry ga ou en th wi d me ar re we after our names. But we earch medical training and no MD abis advocates, amateur res nn ca ate on ssi pa as d an nce to fill a textbook, We took first-hand cannabis experie the information we could. of all rb so ab to dy rea re d nerdsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;we we After three whirlwind days d. ea junkies, and self-proclaime ah ey rn jou e th for ed epar for ckled our seatbelts, and pr ewed sense of enthusiasm ren a deep breath together, bu a th wi ay aw d lke wa dynamic networking, we erence. of fascinating lectures and st high-level medical conf fir ur yo ive rv su to w ho sh course in cannabis medicine and a cra

Here are the top three things we learned at CannMed 2018: WHEN THEY SAY IT IS THE MEETING OF THE GREATEST MINDS IN CANNABIS, THEY MEAN IT.

Bonni Goldstein. Ethan Russo. Raphael Mechoulem. Do these names sound familiar? As canna-nerds, we were dazzled to be in the presence of the same people whose books and research had helped build our own foundational understanding of cannabis medicine. We may as well have been in the same room as Prince or Madonna. Starstruck and giddy, we did our best to remain composed and professional as our heroes crossed the stage. If you are a person who has a hard time hiding your excitement in a lecture hall, might we suggest some CBD beforehand? Fangirl tendencies aside, what impressed us even more were the folks in general attendance. Nearly everyone we came into contact with— from presenters to attendees—were not only impressive in their professionalism but impressive in their motivations. Sure, most folks had a remarkable product, research project, or organization to talk up —but most extraordinary to us was that the ethical and moral compasses of everyone in the room was pointed in the same patientfocused, humanity-driven direction. This group not only had wellrespected credibility in the industry, but also shared the same reason for being there: to help drive the movement forward in an ethical and positive direction. With every contact we made, I felt more inspired in my own advocacy. We met doctors of all kinds, and everyone we heard speak—from the presenters to the attendees—left a lasting impression on us. One gentleman—an MD who had no experience with cannabis at all— shared that he was only attending in order to be a more educated source of information for his patients. He had received so many questions pertaining to cannabis that he felt motivated to take time out of a demanding schedule to educate himself! Our first piece of advice? Prepare to be inspired, and maybe even a little intimidated, by the level of expertise and intention in the room. Check out our profiles on the next page of doctors who moved and inspired us the most!

IT’S A MARATHON, NOT A RACE.

Bring snacks. No, really, bring snacks. And water. And definitely make sure your business-casual wear is comfy and warm, because the room will be cold, and you are going to be there for a while. We underestimated how much energy it takes to sit in a chair for eight hours! Absorbing such a large volume of cutting-edge science is thirsty work. As we surveyed the schedule for the event, it became clear that we would need to adopt a plan in order to attend and experience every lecture on our list. Presentations varied in their complexity and covered

a broad range of topics, and all deserved and required our compete attention. With so much to learn and only so many hours in the day, what’s the average Jane to do? Pacing, planning, and prioritizing helped us solve this conundrum. By taking some time prior to the event to decide which lectures we would benefit from the most, we were able to split up the day between the two of us. When one of us needed a coffee break or some fresh air, the other would step in. Armed with voice recorders, we were able to capture nearly the entire conference while still maintaining our energy levels and respecting our less-than-super-human attention spans. Passing the torch allowed us to stay alert, engaged, and enthusiastic. The takeaway? While attending any conference can be a tad overwhelming, attending a high-level medical conference with several hundred MDs as an individual with no medical background can present unique and unexpected challenges. Prep for CannMed like you would for a marathon: Keep hydrated, stay focused, wear layers, and engage at your own pace. After all, the goal is to walk across the finish line as stronger, more educated person—not to drop to your knees from exhaustion. Having a friend with you can make all the difference in helping assuage the newbie anxiety. Keep in mind that most medical conferences offer recorded versions of all lectures after the event, so don’t worry too much about missing a presentation or two. Relax, sit back, and enjoy the show!

THERE IS STILL SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN

Our big takeaway: the knowledge that, even with the ongoing research that exists, we are only beginning to scratch the surface of understanding this ancient natural medicine. The elaborateness of each presentation and the lengths each doctor went to explain the tricky complexities of cannabis science only reaffirmed what we already knew: that there is still much work to be done. We need more peer-reviewed research in order to drive this industry forward in a way that respects the integrity of both the patient and the medicine itself. As patients and advocates, it is important that we all help blaze a trail forward. Whether it be writing to our elected officials on the importance of encouraging legal research to be conducted in the states or helping those in our more-immediate circles differentiate between cannabis truth vs. propaganda—we are still a long way from understanding exactly how this amazing natural medicine works its magic. One thing is for certain: cannabis medicine is not going away anytime soon. Those at the forefront of the medical movement are powerful, persistent, and passionate in their work, and we look forward to joining them next year to help spread awareness and education of the exciting discoveries and innovations happening in medical cannabis science today. 25 floridagrassroots.com

GREAT READS

E V O L Doctors we

We love hearing stories of how doctors working in medical cannabis come to be where they are, do what they do, and how they lend their own unique brand of expertise to the cannabis industry. While every speaker at CannMed moved us, there were some in particular who grabbed our attention with their acute passion, riveting research, and steadfast patient focus.

DR. DUSTIN SULAK, DO Dr. Dustin Sulak is an integrative medicine physician based out of Maine. Having treated thousands of patients with cannabis, Dr. Dustinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focus is treating patients with a wide variety of conditions in a way that is individually-tailored and health-centered. With a background in Osteopathy and an emphasis on mind-body medicine, Dr. Dustin is widely regarded as a medical cannabis expert. Devoted to educating physicians on the proper use of medical cannabis for their patients, he regularly lectures both in the states and around the world. As master of ceremonies and key presenter during the CME portion of the event, Dr. Sulak was a noticeable presence. He had the calm, approachable demeanor a patient wants in a doctor, and his sincere passion for patient care was evident in both his character and impressive body of work. His website, Healer, offers online cannabis education programs for patients, an online certification program and CME course for professionals, and an extensive list of resources and guidance. You can find Dr. Dustin Sulak and his work at healer.com.

floridagrassroots.com

DR. BONNI GOLDSTEIN, MD As you become familiar with the big names in cannabis, you’re sure to come across Dr. Bonni Goldstein’s name. She wears many hats, including medical consultant to WeedMaps.com, Medical Director of Canna-Centers (a medical practice based in California that offers education to patients with chronic medical conditions), and she is a member of the International Association of Cannabis Medicine, the International Cannabinoid Research Society, and the Society of Cannabis Clinicians. We fell in love with Dr. Goldstein after reading her most recent book, Cannabis Revealed: How the World’s Most Misunderstood Plant is Healing Everything from Chronic Pain to Epilepsy. Dr. Bonni’s background is in the specialty of pediatric emergency medicine. She explains her interest in cannabis as having blossomed as she watched an ill friend experience its benefits. Now, her career is devoted to serving and educating patients through her California-based practice, as well as many lectures and presentations around the country. Dr. Bonni captured our hearts the moment she walked across the stage. Her empathy and kindness were evident in her enthusiasm and sensitivity around the topic of cannabis and children with treatable diseases. As enthusiastic fans of her most recent book, we hoped to get her autograph but were unable to catch her at the right moment. If you’re reading, Dr. Bonni, we love you! Read more about Dr. Bonni Goldstein’s work and purchase her book at www.canna-centers.com.

DR. DEBRA KIMLESS, MD Having met Dr. Debra Kimless at Medical Marijuana for Professionals in Denver a few weeks prior to attending CannMed, we were enthusiastic to hear her presentation. Her holistic and evidence-based approach to cannabis medicine was riveting, relatable, and refreshing. Dr. Debra is Medical Director of ForwardGro, a medical cannabis cultivation company in Maryland. Her passion is evident in the driven and patient-focused nature of her work. Dr. Debra strives to de-stigmatize cannabis and explain to patients and doctors alike how it can be used as a tool for effective medical therapy. She travels to lecture and educate health care providers, doctors, legislators and patients on medical cannabis’ applications, the endocannabinoid system, and harm-reduction through its use. Dr. Debra’s presentation was focused on the use of non-intoxicating cannabinoids for pain relief. We were struck by her coherent, well-laidout presentation, her professionalism, and her prolific knowledge and experience on the topic of cannabinoids. Perhaps most impressive to us was her pro-bono work with patients and her extensive collection of patient data. We will be sure to follow Dr. Debra's work and can’t wait to catch her at her next conference! Find Dr. Debra Kimless and her work at forwardgro.com. 27

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BASICS

How do you choose your medicine? by Debra Kimless, MD

Once you successfully obtain a medical card and walk into that dispensary, it can become overwhelming. This is what my patients tell me all the time. There is a myriad of products offered, and the choice is up to the patient, who may or may not have an understanding that each type of dosage administration form has its own pros and cons. The effects of the medicine will differ depending upon whether you choose inhalation, oral, or topical dosing. It is important to understand the differences so when you visit a dispensary, you will have the basic knowledge to discuss which medicine makes the most sense to treat your condition. FIRST, AN OVERVIEW ON SOME BASIC CANNABIS CHEMISTRY. Cannabis produces bioactive chemicals. These chemicals number over 400 different constituents, and there are over 100 of these chemicals specific to the cannabis plant, aptly called cannabinoids. For the sake of this article, we will only discuss CBD and THC. As cannabis grows, the chemicals that are made in the plant are in a raw form also known as an acid form. It is called an acid because there is a chemical group called a carboxyl group that is, chemically, an acid. So, CBD and THC don’t really exist in the plant. Instead, CBDa and THCa—the raw (or acid) forms of CBD and THC—are found in the raw plant. The “a” stands for acid.

When the plant is heated for a specific time at a specific temperature, the carboxyl group turns to CO2. This chemical conversion is known as decarboxylation, and this is when the chemicals are converted from the CBDa and THCa to CBD and THC. This is known at the neutral form—as the molecule is neither an acid or a base. Interestingly, there is a lot of overlap in the medicinal effects between CBDa and CBD and between THCa and THC. The one major difference is THCa has no intoxicating effects, but when you apply heat to THCa it will become intoxicating after it converts, through decarboxylation, to THC. So, to recap: the plant manufacturers CBDa and THCa. These molecules have potent medicinal effects. When heated, CBDa converts to CBD, and THCa converts to THC. THCa, CBDa, and CBD do not have intoxicating effects, i.e. you don’t get high from consuming them. THC does have intoxicating effects if enough is consumed. Now that the chemistry lesson is over, we will move to methods of administration, or how to take your medicine. INHALATION Inhalation method is permitted in Florida as long as the medicine is vaporized and not smoked. The difference is a perceived safety. Smoking creates chemical products of combustion which could potentially be harmful to your health. Although there have been no reported studies linking smoked cannabis with an increased risk of lung cancer, there is a higher incidence of bronchitis and chronic cough associated with smoking. Vaporizing heats the product to its boiling point where it creates steam just before it combusts. The steam or vapor is inhaled. Because the temperature is high enough to create a vapor, it is also high enough to convert the medicine from its raw form to the neutral form. So, if you are vaporizing cannabis flower with THCa, it will be converted to THC, and if enough is used, then the intoxicating effects of THC will be felt. If you are vaporizing flower that has mostly CBDa, then it will be converted to CBD, and you will not experience intoxication since CBD does not cause intoxication.

The onset effect of inhalation is very fast because the vapor gets absorbed quickly from the lungs and goes directly into the blood stream. If you suffer from severe, intermittent, or break-through pain or muscle spasm, or intermittent waves of nausea and/or vomiting then vaporization is a good choice as a method of administration. The downside is, if you and your physician agree that the raw form of the plant is important for your health care, then vaporizing is not the method of administration that should be used since the raw or acid form gets converted to the neutral form with heat. In addition to a quick onset of action with vaporization, there is a short duration of action: you may need to use the vaporizer every hour or so. If you suffer with a chronic steady pain, then a different mode of administration may be of interest so you don’t have to frequently dose. ORAL Oral forms are broken into two groups: 1. Medicine that is swallowed. 2. Medicine that is held under the tongue (sublingual) or between the cheek and gum. Medicine that is swallowed is easily accepted as it is similar to traditional medications. It can be in the form of a capsule, tablet, or syringe where oil is squirted in the mouth and swallowed. Some states permit the use of cannabis in the form of food and drinks. The onset of action for this form of medicine is very slow—up to 90 minutes before it takes effect. Because it goes through the digestive tract, it gets converted in the liver to another form (sorry, more chemistry). If the oral medication contains a lot of THC, the digested and metabolized byproduct is very intoxicating compared to THC that wasn’t swallowed. The challenge is that it takes a very long time for the onset of action, and the resulting effects could be more intense than other modes of administration. So, you have to be very patient when using this method. The positive aspect of swallowing the medicine is that it lasts a long time once it starts working. It can last up to 8 hours! So, if you have a chronic issue that interferes with sleep, an oral dosage form that is swallowed would be a good choice, so you won’t have to wake up to re-dose. The sublingual method is my favorite method for dosing. The dosage forms are available as tinctures, oil extracts, or rapidly dissolving tablets. The skin under the tongue or between the cheek and gum is thin; this helps the medicine to be readily absorbed. It is also absorbed the same way it is dosed. This means that you will receive the acid forms or the neutral forms of the chemicals depending upon how the medicine is formulated, and the medicine does not get converted or changed. The onset of action is quick, but not as fast as inhalation: 20-30 minutes. The duration of action is somewhere between 2-4 hours or longer. This is a good choice if you need to titrate your dose, you don’t want to dose often, and/or you want to have the different forms of cannabinoids to help treat your medical condition.

TOPICAL There are two groups of medicines that are absorbed through the skin. One is truly a topical in that it acts locally, and it can be found as creams, lotions, sprays, or gels. The other uses the skin as the method to get into the body, also known as transdermal. I believe the unsung hero of cannabis medicine is the topical application where the intent is to solve a medical condition locally—either localized pain, muscle cramp, itch, wound healing, or other local problems. As with sublingual, the topical application works quickly. Also, the way it is formulated—raw or neutral forms, or both— determines how it stays on the skin. The best part about topicals is that even if there is THC in the formulation, there will not be any intoxicating eﬀects because the medicine is not absorbed into the body. Transdermal administration is usually found as a patch that is applied to the skin. The purpose is to take the medicine where it resides in the patch and move it into the body. If the patch is formulated with THC, then there will be the potential for intoxication as it will be transmitted into the body. Transdermal onset of action is slow—similar to orally swallowed medicine. However, it bypasses the digestive system, so the chemicals remain the same as it is formulated. The duration of action is longer as well. This is a good choice for patients who can’t swallow or are unable to hold medicine under the tongue. Rectal suppositories can act both locally and systemically. If there is a rectal medical problem, the suppository can be considered a topical. It will release the chemicals as formulated and not be converted. If it is used for systemic or whole-body purposes, then 1/3 of the medicine will go to the liver for metabolism and be chemically converted. Two thirds will go throughout the whole body without being converted. Suppositories are a good choice for patients who can’t swallow or are unable to take other dosage forms. It lasts about 2-4 hours with an onset of action somewhere between the oral ingestion and the sublingual. You are now armed with the basics of the diﬀerent administration methods so that you can make informed decisions when you visit the dispensary. Be well,

Dr. Deb Kimless

floridsgressroots.com

GREAT READS

Thoughts from The Grateful Veteran by Jeff DeMond

CANNABIS: THE EXIT DRUG

Cannabis is medicine and has saved my life. However, for some veterans it can be a battle to even think about using medical cannabis. After serving in the military for 20 years, under the zero-tolerance drug policy, I can tell you it can be a mental struggle. The stigma surrounding medical cannabis and its use for a veteran is based on what they were taught in the military about street drugs and drug use and abuse. So, for them, seeking an alternative medicine can make them feel like a drug abuser. In my case, the Navy was my entrance to opioid use, and cannabis was my exit drug. When I retired from the Navy, I was dependent on opioids, and I was able to break that cycle with medical cannabis. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. A veteran considering medical cannabis may struggle with many issues like the stigma of marijuana use, accessibility of medicine, cannabis being federally Illegal, and cost compared to pharmaceuticals. The stigma of medical cannabis being a joke or just a way for someone to legally get “high” is enough for some veterans to turn away. Truth be told, it is much easier for the veteran to continue whatever their current line of treatment is than to try medical cannabis. Most veterans respect the opinion the civilian public has of them. So, the feeling of doing something that is not considered part of the norm is troubling. Honestly, when I first started my medical cannabis journey, I hid my cannabis use and didn’t celebrate my successful exit from opioids. I didn’t want people judging me based on what I used to get well. I hid the fact that I was able to come off of seven other pharmaceutical medications because of the stigma surrounding marijuana. When I got my MMJ recommendation, my pain management doctor that had be prescribing me opioids made me feel like a drug seeker. I refused opioids from him and was subsequently released as a patient a week later. Currently, within a one-hour drive, I have three Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTC). Many times, there is a long line of an hour or more. In addition, your wait may be for naught because they may not have the particular strain or type of product you need to treat your condition. The Board of Commissions for several counties in Florida have upheld a moratorium on MMTCs in their counties which restricts 30

floridagrassroots.com

patients to deliveries only. Deliveries work great for some; however, you have to make yourself available for a span of 2 to 4 hours. Also, some MMTCs do not deliver next day and some don’t deliver at all, so you are extremely limited in the access and availability of your medicine. Marijuana is still federally illegal, and although it is medically legal in some states, veterans will worry about their VA benefits, medical treatment, retirements, and disability ratings. The question is always asked what about my VA benefits: will I lose them or my retirement? The VA's stance from the www.va.gov is if you are a veteran in a state that has passed laws regarding medical cannabis, you can communicate your use to your doctor, but they cannot advise you on medical cannabis use. You will not lose any benefits, and they cannot release you from care. Knowing this, you cannot go to another state with your medical cannabis because you’re crossing state lines, which is federally illegal. This type of antiquated thinking hardens the edge of the marijuana stigma while decreasing the ease of use. As a veteran, I am privileged to have excellent healthcare and access to treatments, mental healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. My pharmaceutical medications either come to me in the mail for free, or I go to the local pharmacy and pay a few bucks for anything prescribed. Medical cannabis is not covered by insurance or the VA. Depending on your condition, the cost could be very expensive. For those who are most sick, they may not be in a position to afford the best medicine for them. Education is key to break the stigma surrounding marijuana. Cannabis is medicine. Patients need to stand up for their rights and testify on how medical cannabis helped them. Doctors are now being taught about the endocannabinoid system and the benefits of THC and CBD to the human body. The general populations should educate themselves about medical cannabis. Educated opinions are constructive, whereas judgment is destructive. Medical cannabis is the only medicine that truly helps with some issues particular to our veterans, and if we are a truly patriotic country, we would look at every possible solution to their issues. It really saddens me to think how many service members, especially those dependent on opioids, we have lost because they did not have the opportunity to use medical cannabis as an exit drug.

2018

Florida Grass Roots

events In review

LIFE AND LIBERTY VETERAN’S DAY EVENT AND EXPO Florida Grass Roots and the Grateful Veteran Organization cohosted Life and Liberty— a Veteran’s Day Event and Expo on Saturday, November 17, 2018, at the SW Florida Military Museum in Cape Coral, FL. Vendors and representatives from dispensaries, medical marijuana doctors, and cannabis business owners from Southwest Florida set up booths with informative material to help educate veterans the community, while enjoying live music and a meal. We enjoyed supporting the Veterans, the Museum, and especially connecting with community members, and we look forward to hosting more events like this in the future!

GREAT READS

S T

by Lea Holz

Florida Gulf Coast University has been an established institution of the Fort Myers area for nearly 22 years–and in the Fall of 2018, they are planting seeds to grow in a new direction. In August of 2018, Dr. Martha Rosenthal and Professor Sam Walch teamed up to teach FGCU’s first course on cannabis, entitled WEED: Marijuana’s Impact on American Life. As the first of its kind to debut in the state of Florida, this course will be one of many offered under FGCU’s new Cannabis Pathway under the Integrated Studies program. The curriculum, currently being written by Dr. Martha, will offer education and internship opportunities to FGCU students interested in perusing a career in the US’s booming cannabis industry. This pathway hopes to set students on the right track for entering the fast-paced and multidimensional world of weed, arming them with the guidance and first-hand experience necessary to become informed and successful future industry leaders.

floridagrassroots.com

GREAT READS

GROWING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

FGCU FACTS

FGCU opened its doors in 1995 and was the 10th state university in Southwest Florida

President Mike Martin, FGCU’s residing President for the past 16 months, has been in public education for 47 years. As previous chancellor of the Colorado State university system, he saw the university through Colorado’s transition into legal recreational cannabis use. He sees this unique moment in Florida’s history as an opportunity to serve the local economy, creating opportunities for students and the community. “Our objective is to take whatever nature gives us and maximize its use to benefit the human condition,” says Mike. “This really was a bottom up, not top down

The original vision for the university was one that would address emerging higher education needs for the 21st century Half of the University’s 800 acres is preserved or restored land Mike Martin, President of FGCU, served the Colorado State University System during the state’s transition from medical to recreational marijuana legalization

decision. Martha and a few other faculty believed and encouraged the rest of us to think about the value in participating in an emerging industry. The cannabis industry is growing—and as a regional university, we need to be connected to the culture of Southwest Florida.”

The cannabis industry is growing— and as a regional university, we need to be connected to the culture of Southwest Florida. The program will consist of a series of integrated classes designed to allow students to enter the cannabis industry from different angles. Classes within the focus will span a broad range of topics: pharmacology and physiology, chemistry, cooking and cannabis, law and policy, horticulture and botany, taxes and banking, and business and culture. Internship opportunities with local dispensaries and other businesses will be available to students, as well as a weekly cannabis career club, led by Professor Sam, for further student involvement.

However, this pathway is not to be confused with a major. “Marijuana is not a major, but it is a focus,” explains President Mike, whose support has helped spearhead the program’s adoption. “We won’t have a major called ‘Marijuana’ any more than we will have a major called ‘Trees’—it is simply too broad a subject with multiple potential paths to take. But we will have a discipline, and we need to figure out which disciplines we can bring to bear on this industry that will be most relevant to our students.”

Americans in 2014, and that number continues to grow. Every year, approximately 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes. But how many deaths are recorded from the use of cannabis? Zero. In fact, in order to ingest a fatal dose, a cannabis user would have to consume 1,500 pounds in 15 minutes: a physically impossible feat. Dr. Martha shakes her head. “For years, I would wave my arms in the air over marijuana policy. I wanted to educate, because cannabis is one of the most commonly-used psychoactive drugs in America today. 66% of all Americans support recreational use. 91% support medical use. The numbers are amazing and growing.”

“The cannabis industry is the fastest growing industry in the country,” Dr. Rosenthal explains. “We want our students to secure jobs and take advantage of the opportunities out there.” When she heard that Professor Sam had proposed the idea of a class on cannabis, she knew her opportunity had come.

CANNABIS: SAFEST DRUG ON EARTH?

Dr. Martha has seen a lot of change in the time she’s been with the University. But one thing that has stayed the same is FGCU’s commitment to providing its students the quality education and experience most relevant to their success. Having earned a master’s degree in neuropharmacology from Brown University, PhD in neuroscience from UCLA, and now entering her 22nd year with FGCU, Dr. Martha has spent her 25-year career writing textbooks, researching, and educating on the topic of drugs and their applications. It was this research and experience that led her to an interest in cannabis as medicine. “My life has been about education,” Martha says. “I think everyone feels confident that eventually, legal adult use will be the law of the nation, and people need to know what this drug is, good and bad—although in the 25 years that I’ve been teaching on this subject, I can say that cannabis is one of the safest drugs on earth.” Dr. Martha may just be right: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Opioid addiction killed more than 28,000

“There are so many mistruths out there surrounding cannabis and having an educated populace makes everything better. I think that in five years, other universities will regret not getting involved.” FGCU plans to be at the cutting edge of this trend in education.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS But why WEED?

“The cannabis industry is the fastest growing industry in the country,” Dr. Martha explains. “We want our students to secure jobs and take advantage of the opportunities out there.” And from the looks of it, the opportunities are staggering. According to sylvacap.com: in 2018, cannabis sales are expected to reach $8 billion in the US, with $3 billion attributed to medical use and $5 billion attributed to recreational use. The US market for legal cannabis grew a whopping 74% from 2014 to 2018. According to a report from New Frontier Data published by Forbes magazine in 2017, the legal cannabis market is projected to grow annually at a rate of 17% in the next two years, with projected (cont'd) floridagrassroots.com

(cont'd) cannabis sales estimated at $13.3 billion. That’s a lot of jobs—and a lot of opportunity for young people entering the job market. But despite climbing employment statistics, recent college graduates still experience a fair share of underemployment. According to Stastista.com, between 11.1% and 75% of college grads experience challenge finding work in their given field, depending on major. The legal cannabis industry is projected to create over a quarter of a million jobs by 2020—and with opportunities in manufacturing, utilities, and government projected to decline at a steady rate in coming years, the cannabis industry could potentially provide a much-needed economic safety net for recent grads. STAYING TRUE TO ITS ROOTS FGCU joins a dappled and growing number of schools in the country offering classes in cannabis, each catering to a different focus relevant to its region. But with only two other schools in the country offering cannabis courses specific to education and integrated study, FGCU’s decision represents quite a milestone in the history of America’s cannabis climate.

employment potential for their students and local economies. President Mike hopes that offering this broad focus will help grow opportunities for students who choose to stay in the community, providing education, research, and engagement that continues to advance the well-being of South West Florida. Having served CU during Colorado’s transition to legal recreational use, he observes this moment as an opportunity for students, the community, and the region as a whole. “It’s about relevance,” Mike says. “In parts of Colorado, for example, administrations saw an economically-stressed region, and saw cannabis as an opportunity for them. When I was at Oregon State, grape growing was going to evolve, so we started a focus in the college. We always try to be a participatory in emerging opportunities, and clearly medical marijuana has some very positive impacts.”

Our goal is always to be relevant and responsive to the region and its people– to create opportunities for students who come here to have a career that will be satisfying if they stay local.

Several universities have adopted minors and concentrations in the cannabis, including Colorado, California, Vermont, and Michigan. WHAT’S NEXT? However, Dr. Martha hopes FGCU has high hopes that it will one that FGCU’s approach will day become the premier university for represent something unique and Florida residents who want to work in the accessible. “There are very few cannabis industry. However, for now, they programs in the country that are focused on growth, development, and cover cannabis in an integrated service to the local region. way,” says Dr. Martha. “These programs are typically linear “From here, we will be growing, growing, and focused, but ours will be President Mike Martin, FGCU’s residing President for the past and growing!” says Dr. Martha. “It would interdisciplinary and integrated. 16 months, has been in public education for 47 years. be great if we could make FGCU Florida’s In this industry, you need great cannabis university. This program exists because of our wonderful chemists, you need marketing people—almost every field of study. president, our foundation, and the wonderful people at FGCU— That’s one of the reasons I love our approach—it is not narrow.” forward-thinking, supportive, and innovative people.” In Colorado; CU Boulder, Fort Collins, and Pueblo started cannabis When asked about his ambitions for the program, President Mike is centers aimed towards the business and management side of the humble, grounded, and optimistic: “I don’t know if I have ambitions. But industry. In San Diego, programs focusing on the NIH medical side of our goal is always to be relevant and responsive to the region and its cannabis research have been in place for years. Michigan and Vermont people—to create opportunities for students who come here to have a are now following suit. It seems that all across the country, educators career that will be satisfying if they stay local. I hope the program grows are starting to observe and respond to growing market trends and in this way. Let’s see where this leads us.” 36

floridagrassroots.com

2018

Florida Grass Roots

events

in review

BREAST CANCER EVENT On October 20, 2018, Florida Grass Roots gathered outside of Miramar Outlets in Estero, FL, to participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk held by the American Cancer Society. Thousands of breast cancer survivors and their supporters shared in a morning of stories, smiles, and camaraderie while walking the 3.1 mile course. Attendees expressed overwhelming support for medical marijuana as we handed out buttons and informational flyers. Sorority sisters from Florida Gulf Coast University expressed heartwarming appreciation, sharing their own stories of how cannabis had helped them and their families. Florida Grass Roots felt honored to take part in the event and spread the message that There is Hope for a Cure.

GREAT READS

How Cannabis Can Help by Antonio DeRose Mainstream media has a long history of portraying most cannabis consumers as lazy, unproductive, and often somewhat dumb. This has created the lazy stoner stereotype in movies we’re all familiar with, like the several classic Cheech and Chong films, but the era of all cannabis consumers being represented by characters like Cheech and Chong is gone. Today’s cannabis consumers are people from all walks of life, with various backgrounds and levels of success and achievement. One group in particular making headway in showing just how active cannabis consumers can be are athletes and fitness enthusiasts. From professional athletes competing at the highest levels of physical and mental competition, to the weekend warriors who give it their all in the sport or activity of their choice, there are several shining examples of how cannabis can be part of a healthy and active lifestyle. Now, before we dive into the science behind cannabis and fitness, it’s important to note due to the current classification of cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug, academic research on humans is fairly limited. Only a few double-blind, placebo-controlled human studies exist and much of the research we’ll be referring to has been concluded in rodent studies. Even though rodents have an endocannabinoid system (ECS), it differs from our own as humans, so more human trials need to be completed. This is another reason it is vital cannabis be legalized federally and declassified as a Schedule 1 drug. It’s also important to remember that each person is different and the effects of cannabis can vary greatly depending on the serving, sex, height and weight, acute vs. chronic use, and how it’s consumed. Smoking flower, vaporizing concentrates, eating edibles, and absorbing it through the skin with topical applications are all going to have their own variable effects on the consumer. We’re going to start by touching briefly on some of the most widely talked about benefits of cannabis, which are its use for pain management, applications as an anti-inflammatory, and its properties as a neuroprotectant. Have you ever been sore after working out? The pain-relieving effects of cannabis help athletes manage any soreness after training or competing. It’s been reported to make it easier to train harder or longer by allowing athletes to push through any minor aches 38

or pains. This also helps with recovery by allowing your muscles to release tension and calm your nervous system for healing rest. Also, there are the anti-inflammatory benefits of cannabis which can aid in recovery. Numerous studies have shown how beneficial cannabis, especially cannabidiol (CBD), can be in treating inflammation. Cannabidiol is one of several cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant, and unlike its popular friend, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it doesn’t get you high. It’s also much safer than most over the counter anti-inflammatory medications. This is why many athletes have already switched to natural cannabis products over drugs like ibuprofen that have been shown to cause ulcers, bleeding, or holes in the stomach or intestine. Unfortunately, that’s just naming a few of the several possible negative side effects of these so-called safe medicines with which we’re all familiar. Another very important medicinal benefit of cannabis, especially for athletes who compete in high contact sports like football or mixed martial arts, is its use as a neuroprotectant. There is positive research showing cannabis can help protect and repair cells in the brain and nervous system. Concussions, head trauma, and recovery from repeated brain injuries are a common occurrence in high contact sports, but cannabis is still banned by most major sports leagues. Of course, not all of us are athletes, and most of us don’t participate in high contact sports. Several of us just want to learn how to be more active and live a healthier life. One common fitness goal is losing weight. Although cannabis has a reputation for causing “the munchies”, which is slang for an increase in appetite, there is evidence suggesting a positive relationship between cannabis and weight loss. A 2013 study concluded obesity rates being lower in cannabis consumers. The study even concluded the same results after adjusting for variables like age and sex.1 Another study, published in The American Journal of Medicine, reported people who consume cannabis have statistically smaller waist sizes than those who do not.2 This research isn’t definitive, and more research needs to be completed, but the results seem to show that cannabis might be able to help with losing weight. When we look at why cannabis can help you lose weight we need to look at one cannabinoid in particular. Remember, cannabinoids

with Health and Fitness are the molecular compounds produced in the cannabis plant, and there are several more than just the popular CBD and THC. The main cannabinoid being indicated as having an effect on losing weight is tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV). One research project on THCV concluded subjects who consumed the highest doses of THCV resulted in a statistically significant reduction of body fat mass.3 All of this research may be indicative enough to suggest cannabis can have a positive effect on losing weight. The problem is finding strains or products that are rich in THCV. However, there is no magic solution for weight loss, and even though research is suggesting cannabis could help, there are several other factors to consider. Being active and getting regular exercise are crucial for maintaining a healthy weight. The recommended amount of weekly exercise for adults is 150 minutes. Cannabis has actually been known to help motivate people to be more active. If you don’t like working out in a traditional gym, you don’t have to join your local fitness center. Activities like neighborhood walks, nature hikes, and even things like gardening are all great options for keeping fit and healthy. On the opposite spectrum, cannabis can also help with gaining weight, but how does this help with fitness? Another common health goal is gaining and maintaining muscle. In order to build and maintain muscle, you need to eat a surplus of calories. This may sound easy enough, but not everyone finds it easy to eat the needed number of calories, and that’s where cannabis can make an impact. We mentioned earlier how cannabis produces several cannabinoids like CBD, THCV, and THC. The cannabinoids work inside our body thanks to our ECS. Our ECS regulates several functions throughout our bodies. It is designed to function based off of interactions with endogenous cannabinoids, which are cannabinoids our body produces on its own, and exogenous cannabinoids we consume through outside sources, like cannabis. The most common analogy used to describe the relationship between cannabinoids and the ECS is a lock and key. The locks are divided into CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain, and the cannabinoids fit into either one based on their molecular structure, or key shape. The International Journal of Obesity published a report on how THC affects the CB1 receptor in relation to increasing appetite.4

THC has an effect on the hypothalamus and the rhombencephalon. These two sections of the brain regulate food intake. It also affects the basal ganglia, which is responsible for the pleasure we get from eating, and THC speeds up digestion in the stomach and small intestine. This explains why we might feel hungry even though we’ve already eaten. It doesn’t end there though—THC also affects the limbic forebrain, which makes food taste better. If that wasn’t enough, the CB1 receptor controls a hormone responsible for creating an increase in appetite, called ghrelin. THC isn’t the only cannabinoid found to increase hunger. Studies have linked hyperphagia, a medical term meaning excessive hunger, to be induced by cannabigerol (CBG).5 CBG is another less talked about cannabinoid proving to have several benefits for health and fitness. THC and CBD might fill the headlines for their use in relieving pain, but new research is surfacing indicating CBG might be more powerful in treating pain. This ties back to cannabis being able to motivate us to be more active. If we have any aches or pains preventing us from getting out and about, the pain-relieving effects of cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and CBG can ease our pain, allowing us to do more. Some other benefits of CBG for health and fitness include the stimulation of bone growth, inducing sleep for powerful rest and recovery, and boosting the body’s immune system.6 At this point in our history, the medicinal benefits of cannabis are no longer in question. They are scientific facts. When we take an even closer look at the science behind the interaction between cannabinoids and our ECS, the health and fitness benefits of cannabis start to become very clear as well. It’s no wonder 33 states have already passed laws legalizing cannabis in some form. As more states come on board, more people will have the opportunity to experience cannabis as a medicine first hand, leading to an improved quality of life for our family, our friends, and our communities. References 1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23410498 2 https://www.amjmed.com/ article/S0002-9343(13)00200-3/abstract 3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC3671751/#__sec20title 4 https://www.nature.com/articles/0802250 5 https://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27503475 6 https://cannabisnow.com/cbg/

floridagrassroots.com

THE

Endocannabinoid SYSTEM

An Introduction to your Secret Healing Network by Lea Holz

GREAT READS

If you’re a new patient exploring cannabis medicine in Florida for the first time, chances are you’ve felt a little overwhelmed. To navigate the overabundance of information from the doctor’s appointment to the first dispensary visit can feel like walking through a maze.

Take the human body, for instance: the biological house you live in is home to over 30 trillion cells—over 30 trillion individual units made up of mostly carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and a scattering of other things, working together to create your human experience.

Plenty of patients are sent on their way with medical packets in hand, a bag full of tinctures and salves, and a buzzing head of unfamiliar terminology, but they have no real understanding of how to best approach cannabis in a practical and effective way. Answering one question can lead to many others: How, and why, does this medicine even work? What the heck is a cannabinoid? And most importantly— why does this even matter?

Plants are no different. Cannabis, for example, is comprised of over 400 compounds, over 100 of which have therapeutic properties, and most of which medical science has only scratched the surface of understanding.

As new patients, there is nothing more frustrating than turning to our doctors for answers, only to walk away more confused than before. But what if I told you that within the complex human body you inhabit lives a secret system, quietly maintaining some of your most important physical functions—and that familiarizing yourself with this internal network could provide you with the tools necessary to help cannabis work for you? Navigating our health can be tricky—but conveniently, in the case of cannabis, all we need to know is already inside of us.

A BRIEF HISTORY

In 1964, Rafael Mechoulem, an Israeli Organic Chemist at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, began research on the Marijuana plant. At this time—prior to the burst of cannabis enthusiasm that blossomed in the 1960 and 70s - cannabis was still an illegal, understudied substance, covered in a blanket of misinformation and reefer madness propaganda. Mechoulem, along with his team of researchers, was the first to discover and isolate Delta-9 Tetrahydocannabinol, or THC—now the most well-known active compound of the cannabis plant, and the first discovered cannabinoid. Dr. Mechoulem laid the foundation for our understanding of how THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids affect us. He didn’t know it at the time, but this research would one day be the precursor to our understanding of an entire system of the body, unknown to medical science, hiding in plain sight, and responsible for the regulation of nearly every other network within the human creature—the endocannabinoid system. Dr. Mechoulem has been called the father of cannabis medicine for this reason. However, it would be over 20 years before research would explain how THC worked, and why.

WHAT IS A CANNABINOID?

Every living organism is made up of a complex playground of chemical compounds.

The word cannabinoid is a general term referring to compounds that bind to the receptors of the endocannabinoid system, and there are two different kinds: endocannabinoids, which are produced within mammals—and phytocannabinoids, which are produced by plants. The known biologically active constituents of the cannabis plant are what we call phytocannabinoids. “Phyto” means “of plants,” and this term refers specifically to cannabinoids that exist in them. THC and CBD are examples of phytocannabinoids. These chemical compounds bind and react to the receptors in your endocannabinoid system, causing medicinal effects.

When your body is in a state of injury or illness, your ECS is the mother administering the cold compress and preparing the chicken soup. Your body also produces its own cannabinoids in response to disease, called endocannabinoids. “Endo” means “within,” and these homemade healers are produced in your cell membranes and tissues, coming to the rescue when your body perceives imbalances such as pain or injury. Anadamide, for example, is your body’s own version of THC, binding to cell receptors, sending therapeutic signals, and easing you back to a balanced state. That’s right. Your body makes its own cannabis compounds, as do the bodies of all mammals. I bet you didn’t learn that in high school science class. Most of us are familiar with the phytocannabinoids THC and CBD, and if you’ve ever thumbed through an educational pamphlet at your doctor’s office or read through the promotional material at your local dispensary, you’ve likely heard of the others listed below. Each of these compounds have individual medicinal effects, both when isolated and combined in different ways. (cont'd)

floridagrassroots.com

GREAT READS (cont'd) The research on each individual cannabinoid is ongoing. For those interested in learning more, here is a brief overview of the cannabinoids we know of so far and their general properties: THC, or Delta-9 Tetrahydocannabinol, is the compound responsible for cannabis’ famous psychoactive effects. Its other lesser-known healing powers include the ability to sedate, treat the symptoms of anxiety and depression, stimulate appetite, calm spasms, and reduce nausea and inflammation. It also contains anti-tumor properties. CBD, or cannabidiol, is the second most commonly-occurring cannabinoid. It is becoming more widely-known for its nonpsychoactive healing capacities. Famous for its ability to counteract convulsions and seizures, CBD has a multitude of medicinal properties.

CBN, or cannabinol, is the third most commonly-occurring phytocannabinoid. As mentioned above, THCA exists in raw cannabis flower. When heated through vaporizing or smoking, it converts to THC. CBN is what THC becomes when oxidized, or exposed to air. It has little to no psychoactive properties, but can have sedative effects. It has also been proven beneficial in aiding sleep, reducing pain, stimulating appetite, and has strong antibacterial and anti-consultant properties. CBDA, or cannabidolic acid, is similar to THCA in that it is a form of CBD found in the raw, unheated flower of certain types of cannabis. It is non-psychoactive. After decarboxylization, CBDA converts to CBD and has many of the same effects, including relief of pain, nausea, and inflammation. CBDA continues to be researched, and some studies suggest it to be as or more effective that CBD.

1 The word cannabinoid refers to the active constituents of the cannabis plant.

Fact / Fiction

2 Not everyone has an endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Fact / Fiction

3 The endocannabinoid system works in conjunction with nearly every system of the body to maintain the body’s homeostasis, or balance of the cells.

Fact / Fiction

4 Metabolism, immune system function, and perception of pain are all regulated by the endocannabinoid system.

Fact / Fiction

5 Your body makes its own cannabinoids.

Fact / Fiction

6 Everyone’s endocannabinoid system is the same.

Fact / Fiction

CBD has antioxidant as well as antibacterial traits, can be alerting in small doses and can be used to counteract the symptoms of THC overdose. It is proven beneficial for depression and anxiety, and seems to work most effectively when combined with a small amount of THC (See below: The Entourage Effect). Unlike other cannabinoids, CBD does not bind at the receptor, but instead influences other compounds that do. For this reason, it does not cause tolerance when used regularly. THCA, or tetrahydocannabinolic Acid, is a form of THC found in the raw, unheated leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant. It is non-psychoactive until heated to a certain temperature through burning or vaporizing—a process called decarboxylation. After heating, it converts to THC. THC-A has been shown to reduce inflammation, stop nausea, and improve immune response. In states like Colorado and California, drinking juice made from raw cannabis leaves has produced beneficial results in patients seeking the benefits of THCA. Fortunately, for patients in states where access to raw cannabis is not yet legal, tinctures containing this cannabinoid are becoming more commonplace. 42

Answers: 1 Fact 2 Fiction Every living mammal has an endocannabinoid system. 3 Fact 4 Fact 5 Fact The body produces its own cannabinoids known as endocannabinoids. The term “endo” means “within.” 6 Fiction The position of cannabinoid receptors in the body is unique to the individual. This is why a product or strain which works best for one person may not work well for another.

Endocannabinoid Fact vs Fiction:

THCV, or tetrahydrocannabivarin, is a minor cannabinoid, and is only found in certain Cannabis strains. It is similar to THC in psychoactivity but has different healing properties. It has been shown to stimulate bone growth, suppress appetite, calm panic attacks, and reduce migraines. CBDV, or cannabidivarin, is a cannabinoid still in the beginning stages of research. It is non-psychoactive and shows promise for treating nausea and seizures. CBC, or cannabichromine, is found predominantly in tropical varieties of the plant. It is a non-psychoactive anti-inflammatory with anti-tumor properties, and is effective in healing chronic pain. It also stimulates bone growth. CBG, or cannabigerol, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid whose effects are currently being studied. It has anti-tumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and bone-growth properties. Research continues on its effectiveness in patients with epilepsy. While each of these phytocannabinoids have healing properties on their own, they work even better when used together. This is called

the Entourage Effect. Think of cannabinoids as athletes of your favorite sports team: strong individually, but even more powerful when working together to provide balance and support. For this reason, products you see on the market will often contain varying percentages of each, often tailored to specific ailments. Speaking with a knowledgeable doctor or educator about which cannabinoids can benefit your individual condition will help determine what works best for you.

SO, WHAT IS THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM ?

In 1988, Dr. Allyn Howlett of St. Louis University discovered the cannabinoid receptor. Prior to this discovery (cheers to you, Dr. Mechoulem), we understood the presence of the cannabinoid THC in the cannabis plant, but we did not understand how this compound produced its effects in the body. On the surface and embedded within the membranes of your cells live what we call receptors—protein molecules that receive chemical signals from outside of the cell. When a chemical signal binds to a receptor, it triggers an electrochemical cascade within the cell, sending chemical messages into action. In other words, your receptors are what allow your body to perceive and respond to internal stimuli. A receptor is most easily compared to a lock and a key—the receptor is like a keyhole, and the chemical signals are like keys. Once the chemical unlocks at the receptor, the body responds. We have receptors for a plethora of chemical signals, from the calming experience of a hug to the jolt of energy we get from drinking a cup of coffee. In the case of the hug, for example, physical contact causes the body to release the hormone oxytocin. Receptors in your brain, flooded with this chemical, react and “unlock” a feeling of calm, lowering your blood pressure and signaling your nervous system to relax. ARE YOU STILL WITH ME? GOOD—BECAUSE THIS IS THINGS GET REALLY INTERESTING. WHERE The endocannabinoid system (or ECS) is one of the most prevalent and far-reaching receptor systems in your body. Let that sink in for a moment. In the same way that your respiratory system is responsible for regulating your oxygen intake, and your nervous system is responsible for the control and communication between your systems, your endocannabinoid system’s primary function is maintenance of homeostasis, or balance of your cells. It works in conjunction with nearly every other system of your body, playing a partial contributory role in homeostatic regulation. When your body is in a state of injury or illness, your ECS is the mother administering the cold compress and preparing the chicken soup. It determines how your cells try to steady themselves after affront. When we are in states of chronic stress, our cells naturally produce more cannabinoid receptors (upregulation), helping increase the odds of snatching up more of those helpful cannabinoids. How clever is that? Cannabinoids and their receptors are spread bountifully throughout us like points on a map, populating our nervous and immune systems, organ and connective tissues, and glands. Metabolism, immune system

function, inflammatory response, reproduction, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular activity, perception of stress and pain, appetite, sleepare all modulated by the ECS. In fact, there aren’t many bodily functions your endocannabinoid system doesn’t have a hand in tempering. So far, two different kinds of cannabinoid receptors have been identified by researchers: CB1 and CB2. While many tissues contain both, CB1 is found most commonly within the brain and central nervous system. CB2 receptors are most abundant in the immune system, organs, bones, and skin. Spread uniquely throughout these systems like points on a map, the placement of cannabinoid receptors is highly individual, and their locations and quantity very from person to person. One of the reasons cannabis medicine takes some time and experimenting to implement is that your ECS is mapped out entirely differently from that of your neighbor, family member or friend. This explains why a strain or administration method that works for one individual may not necessarily be the most effective for another. In the same way that no two human beings are alike, no two endocannabinoid systems are exactly alike, either.

Cannabinoids and their receptors are spread bountifully throughout our bodies like points on a map. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Unfortunately, despite an already vast and growing body of existing research and a consistent history of proven effectiveness and safety, very few doctors know anything about cannabis, and only about 15 percent of medical schools educate their students on the endocannabinoid system. How, then, do we know where to start? The answer lies in education. As patients and advocates navigating cannabis’ political and social transition from misjudged substance to mainstream medicine, it is up to us to become our own experts. We are still understanding how dynamic and complex these systems can be, and there is plenty of information and misinformation to weed through (no pun intended). The endocannabinoid system is as individual as you are, and it can take some time, care, and experimenting to find your most effective cannabis regimen. This task may seem daunting for patients accustomed to a more onesize-fits-all approach to medicine. But perhaps the opacity of cannabis medicine is what lends its unique appeal: cannabis asks us to slow down, breathe, and consider how our external environment and daily choices help define our state of personal equilibrium. It reminds us that when it comes to our own wellness, knowledge is power. And it reminds us that the road to attaining our own personal expression of health and wellness can be achieved through personal advocacy through education. floridagrassroots.com

2018

Florida Grass Roots

events

in review

ART WALK Did you happen to come across some cannabis-loving ladies handing out flyers in downtown Fort Myers last month? That was us! On December 7, 2018, Florida Grass Roots participated in the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Fort Myers. For four hours, we set up shop outside of Space 39 Art and Martini Bar to help spread the word about medical cannabis, educate Florida residents on qualifying conditions, hand out fun swag, and enjoy the some local art and music. Catch us at our next pop-up event by following our Facebook or Instagram pages!

Get Florida Grass Roots Magazine on issuu

GREAT READS

Political Climate

CHANGE Could Affect

PRIVATE Cultivation

by Antonio DeRose

The newly elected Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner, Nicole ‘Nikki’ Fried, ran an aggressive campaign heavily based on the expansion of access to medical cannabis. Her office announced she is committed to being “a fierce advocate for patient access to medical marijuana. It will be one of the top priorities of my administration to end the obstruction and ensure the people of Florida have access to the medicine prescribed by their doctors.”2 Nikki, who is a lawyer and was once a lobbyist for medical cannabis, is the first woman to serve in her position. She is also the first Democrat to hold the office in almost 20 years. In a statement where she responded to questions about working across the aisle with Republican Governor, Ron, she replied, “If DeSantis is serious about moving patient access forward, I welcome that wholeheartedly and would love to work with him in any way to get sick and suffering residents of our state the medicine they need.”1 Her words are promising of a near future with easier and more affordable access to cannabis for patients, and hopefully the right to grow your own. Another influential political character in Florida, supporting medical cannabis, is U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz, representing Florida’s 1st Congressional District. Matt has a long-time reputation as being an aggressive supporter for medical cannabis during his time spent representing the 4th District in the Florida House of Representatives and continuing into his service in Congress. In reference to his thoughts on how Gov. Ron will stand on the issue, Matt told press, “As the author of Florida’s first medical marijuana laws, I’m comforted to know conditions will improve for patients under a governor fully committed to this objective.”1 With the influx of new supportive candidates in some of these key political roles and veteran supporters like Matt, we have a good chance of seeing the medical cannabis program improve in Florida. What we can hope to see is access to flower and the right to grow our own, the way states like Colorado have demonstrated. We recently sat down with Florida native, Amanda Phillips, who is the Colorado State Director of Minorities for Medical Marijuana, and the former Communications Director for Denver NORML. Amanda moved from Florida to Colorado in 2015, after witnessing the state’s growth in the cannabis and tech industries. She went on to tell us, “Florida has a great climate to grow, and their access to medical cannabis should include flower. There is a huge agricultural push, starting with the new election of Agricultural Commissioner, Nikki Fried, one of the very few Democrats voted in last November. Better access is imperative to the older population residing in Florida, including my relatives.” When asked how she feels about the new political appointments, she answered, “With the new administration, I do not know which route they will take to make access better for residents.” She concluded by summarizing her thoughts about what Florida could learn from Colorado in moving the industry forward. “Florida can learn to not just diversify their patient access,” which would include the right to cultivate your own plants, “but also their shareholders, industry leaders, and businesses.”

Political Climate

CHANGE Could Affect

PRIVATE Cultivation

In addition to being certain your medicine is clean, there is also the sense of purpose that comes from cultivating your own plants. For retirees, this could be a great way to spend some of the free time on their hands. There’s a feeling of achievement when your plants make it to maturity, and it keeps you active. Having a hobby (like gardening) has also been linked to living longer, and reducing risks for disease. A study in Australia was focused on men and women in their 60s. One group participated in gardening regularly, and the second group did not. When comparing risk of dementia, those who gardened had a 36% lower risk of dementia than the group who did not garden.3 These are some staggering statistics when it comes to living a longer and happier life. GREAT READS

Political Climate

With it only being the first quarter of the year, there is still plenty of time to see which direction the new administration in Florida will go when it comes to private cultivation. Several of the newly elected officials seem to be in favor of medical cannabis. Having pro-cannabis Commissioner Could Affect Nikki at the helm of the Florida Agricultural and Consumer Services, and new Gov. Ron taking over his role as Florida’s chief executive, we should expect to see changes during their time in office. These should both be positive indicators of better patient access as the cannabis industry continues to evolve and grow, hopefully leading to a future by Antonio DeRose where Floridians having the right to grow their own. Florida is currently 1 of 33 states which have some form of

CHANGE PRIVATE Cultivation

legalized cannabis in the U.S. Amendment 2, or the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, was approved in November of 2016. Even though it passed and was approved as

a constitutional amendment, residents of Florida have still found 1 https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2018/12/10/florida-medical-marijuana-industry-readyseveral barriers placed between themselves and reasonable access to the plant. One barrier in particular is not having the

change-under-ron-desantis/2241826002/ https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2018/12/10/ right to grow your own. Several other states, that have legalized cannabis programs, have passed language in their legislation

allowing residents the right to grow their own. Leading cannabis florida-medical-marijuana-industry-ready-change-under-ron-desantis/2241826002/ reform states, like California and Colorado, allow for patients to cultivate their own plants for private use. Florida should be no

2 https://nikkifried.com/priorities 3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16411871 different, and the winds of the recent political climate change could affect private cultivation laws.

Ron preceded former Governor, Rick Scott, who was a vocal 23 floridagrassroots.com opponent against medical cannabis. Before being officially sworn into office last January, Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez, told Florida press “I think he has a different perspective than Gov. Scott. I think he wants the will of the voters to be implemented.”1 She was referring to Governor Ron, and the passing of Amendment 2. With that being said, it’s very possible we could see several of the political roadblocks that have been preventing patients’ access to cannabis begin to fall, but it’s not just our new governor who seems to be supportive of the people’s will.

by Antonio DeRose

Florida is currently 1 of 33 states which have some form of legalized cannabis in the U.S. Amendment 2, or the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, was approved in November of 2016. Even though it passed and was approved as a constitutional amendment, residents of Florida have still found several barriers placed between themselves and reasonable access to the plant. One barrier in particular is not having the right to grow your own. Several other states, that have legalized cannabis programs, have passed language in their legislation When we look a little closer at the current private cultivation laws in Colorado, it isn’t a free pass to start a full-fledged farm in your residents the right to grow their own. Leading cannabis backyard. Coloradans can grow in theirallowing homes for personal use and each resident over the age of 21 is allowed up to six plants, but there states, are restrictions. Only three of the plantsreform can be flowering at once, like California and Colorado, allow for patients to and all residences are limited to a maximum of 12 plants. Individual cultivate own plants for private use. Florida should be no counties, and municipalities within the state are allowed their to pass their own laws. Denver, for example, restricts private residences from having and the winds of the recent political climate change any more than 12 plants, regardless ofdifferent, the number of adults over the age of 21. Plants need to be enclosed, in a locked area that can’t be affect viewed out in the open. In other words,could no backyard grows. private cultivation laws. All of these are good takeaways for Florida in drafting future legislation towards greater patient access and the right to grow your own, but you may be wondering why Floridians should be allowed to privately cultivate. There are actually several benefits to growing your own cannabis. First and foremost, you know exactly where your medicine is coming from, and what’s being put on it. Pesticide use in the cannabis industry may be regulated, but it’s still a concern for many patients who are seeking the best possible medicine for their condition. Organically grown cannabis is one of the best ways to take advantage of the healing properties of the plant, without any unwanted chemical residue from pesticides that may have been used in the growing process.

2019 has seen a wave of newly-elected officials taking office and appointing new faces to old positions. This includes Florida’s 46th Governor, Ron DeSantis, a Republican who is the youngest governor to be elected in the past 100 years. Governor Ron preceded former Governor, Rick Scott, who was a vocal opponent against medical cannabis. Before being officially sworn In addition to being certain your medicine is clean, there is also the sense of purpose that comes from cultivating your own plants. For intosome office last January, Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez, told Florida retirees, this could be a great way to spend of the free time on their hands. There’s a feeling of achievement when your plants make it press think hehashas a different perspective than Gov. Scott. I to maturity, and it keeps you active. Having a hobby“I(like gardening) also been linked to living longer, and reducing risks for disease. A study 1 thinkin their he60s.wants in Australia was focused on men and women One groupthe will of the voters to be implemented.” She participated in gardening regularly, and the second group did not. When referring to Governor Ron, and the passing of Amendment comparing risk of dementia, those whowas gardened had a 36% lower risk of dementia than the group who did not garden. These are some 2. With that being said, it’s very possible we could see several staggering statistics when it comes to living a longer and happier life. the political roadblocks that have been preventing patients’ With it only being the first quarter of theof year, there is still plenty of time to see which direction the new administration in Florida will go when it access to cannabis begin to fall, but it’s not just our new comes to private cultivation. Several of the newly elected officials seem to be in favor of medical cannabis. Having pro-cannabis Commissioner governor who seems to be supportive of the people’s will. Nikki at the helm of the Florida Agricultural and Consumer Services, 3

and new Gov. Ron taking over his role as Florida’s chief executive, we should expect to see changes during their time in office. These should both be positive indicators of better patient access as the cannabis industry continues to evolve and grow, hopefully leading to a future where Floridians having the right to grow their own. 1 https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2018/12/10/florida-medical-marijuana-industry-readychange-under-ron-desantis/2241826002/ https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2018/12/10/ florida-medical-marijuana-industry-ready-change-under-ron-desantis/2241826002/ 2 https://nikkifried.com/priorities 3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16411871

floridagrassroots.com

issuu.com/FloridaGrassRootsMagazine

We’ve teamed up with issuu so our readers can now preview, buy, and read digital issues from any device.

Download the issuu mobile apps for iOS or Android

When we look in Colorado, it backyard. Co each resident are restriction and all residen counties, and own laws. De any more than age of 21. Pla viewed out in

All of these ar towards great you may be w cultivate. Ther cannabis. Firs coming from, industry may b are seeking th grown cannab healing prope from pesticide

In addition to sense of purp retirees, this c their hands. T to maturity, an also been link in Australia wa participated in comparing ris risk of demen staggering sta

With it only be to see which d comes to priv to be in favor Nikki at the he and new Gov. should expect both be positi industry contin where Floridia

1 https://www.pn

change-under-ron

florida-medical-m

2 https://nikkifried

GREAT READS

An Introduction to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) by Marcus Najera

Contact sports have a large entertainment draw. Many of these sports, including American football, hockey, boxing, and MMA fighting like UFC are major sources of entertainment. However, there are obviously a number of risks to participating in contact sports, even for those who are not professionals. The International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health published a study on “Common Sports Injuries.” This highlighted that the rate of injury is the highest for athletes whom participate in contact sports, with the top five most common sport injuries being: sprains, strains, dislocation, fractures, and being knocked out.1 Common injuries according to the NFL Physicians Society are strains, sprains, bruises, fractures, dislocations and concussions. Quarterbacks, unlike other athletes involved with throwing, receive most injuries due to contact.2 The NFL’s report on injury data during the 2017 season displayed an increase in concussions by 13.5%. The nature of American football as a contact sport has led the NFL to award more than 35 million dollars towards brain injury research. According to the 2018 National Institute of Health Study, “Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in professional American football players: Where are we now?” In addition to American football players, CTE has been associated as a result of head trauma seen with boxers, other contact sports, and military personnel. Initially in 1928, insight was gained by observing “punch drunk boxers” who had received repetitive punches to the head. CTE is categorized as brain trauma which leads to neurodegeneration or the breakdown of cells in the brain. CTE displays differently than other brain diseases when it comes to issues with memory, behavior, motor function, and mood.4 The trauma may come from a single event or repetition. It is important to note that there also appears to be a genetic factor in those who develop CTE. “Age of first exposure” or the age of the person when first trauma happens, has been linked to mental health and neurological problems later in life. It has been demonstrated that if the age of first exposure is less than 12 years old, it may double the risk of impaired cognition.4 One of the ongoing challenges faced with diagnosing one with CTE is that it currently requires an autopsy to look at p-tau markers, or how much of the tau protein has clumped together in the brain. While science does not currently understand the link between concussions and the development of CTE, it does appear to be related to damage to the specific parts of nerves in the brain called axons. While CTE is related via the tau protein to other neurological diseases, scientists are working to figure out ways to differentiate it from other tau protein diseases like Alzheimer’s and to identify it before death. Scientists are now looking towards methods such as magnetic resonance 46

floridagrassroots.com

spectroscopy and the possibility of characterizing biomarkers associated with CTE.5, 6 Cannabis has gained traction in multiple states and countries in terms of medical and non-medical use. This reflects an overall change in societal and cultural norms coupled with a deeper scientific understanding of cannabis. Most of our current understanding has come from research and development outside of the country, such as Dr. Raphael Mechoulam with his discovery of THC and the Endocannabinoid System, and Dr.Dimarzo and his studies on the endocannabinoidome and phytocannabinoidome. Due to the status of cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug and our reliance on the National Institute of Drug Abuse, it is difficult to do pure research on cannabis. One of the many promising features of the science behind cannabis is that an established patent exists: No. 6639507 from the U.S. government for “neuroprotective properties.” In addition to this, many studies exist highlighting endocannabinoids cannabis’s benefit on issues such as: neuroinflammation, cerebrovascular breakdown, cell death, excitotoxicity, and cell structure and remolding.7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Studies have linked the cannabinoid receptor type 1 which binds to THC to be involved with stem cell survival and differentiation.11 Cannabinoid receptors have a role in relationship to skeletal mass and regulation.12, 13 Even the non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to enhance the biomechanical properties of healing in femoral fracture in mice studies.11 Lastly, medical cannabis patients promote effects of well-being14 which could help reduce the suffering of patients in occupations where CTE is most prevalent. References 1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307393137_Common_sports_injuries 2. https://nflps.org/faqs/what-are-the-most-common-injuries-and-medical-problemsamong-football-players/ 3. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000911123/article/nfl-releases-injury-data-for2017-season 4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24136455 5. https://academic.oup.com/neurosurgery/article-abstract/doi/10.1093/neuros/ nyx536/4616608?redirectedFrom=fulltext 6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6116792/?fbclid=IwAR2FoeRLxYlxliUf0U 6iil5-MQlNSfDuI558sTHLj-N8EOqaFPB6jg4bpzM 7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5314139/ 8. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jbmr.2513 9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5314139/ 10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/ 11. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/sci/2013/796715/ 12. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jbmr.2513 13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19634029 14. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180419100110.htm

GREAT READS

Understanding CTE and Cannabis in the NFL by Antonio DeRose

Football has become a tradition in the United States, with the Super Bowl alone attracting over 100 million viewers. Fans tune in on Sundays, almost religiously, to watch and cheer on their favorite teams with the hopes of making it to the playoffs, and onto the final big game of the season. We celebrate when our team wins, and we mourn their losses, but we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just celebrate the wins. We get excited, often yelling at the screen with every completed pass, break away run, and bone crushing tackle. We figure the harder they hit the more likely they are to open a gap for our running back to take off for a touchdown, or maybe theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll sack the quarterback hard enough to cause a fumble and turn the ball over to our team. As much as we want our team to win, is it worth sacrificing the lives of players in the NFL?

We’re starting to learn these intense tackles, which used to be glorified on ESPN with weekly recap videos of the hardest hits, are causing serious brain injuries like chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. Concussions seem to be commonplace in the NFL, chalked up as part of the game, but new research is pointing out just how dangerous repeated blows to the head can be. The scary part is, there is no cure for CTE and it’s difficult to research because it can only be properly diagnosed after death by means of an autopsy. Another staggering statistic, recently discovered and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, is that in a “sample of 202 deceased players of American football from a brain donation program, CTE was neuropathologically diagnosed in 177 players across all levels of play (87%), including 110 of 111 former National Football League players (99%).” You read that right, 99% of former NFL player’s brains were diagnosed with CTE.1 This clearly makes the disease a widespread issue among those who participate in American football, especially the NFL. Since CTE is known to be caused by repetitive brain injury, the only truly preventative measure we’re aware of is abstaining from participation in high contact sports like football. Avoiding taking blows to the head may seem like the only advice, but athletes are looking for their own answers, and some are finding it to be cannabis. Even though the World Anti-Doping Agency removed cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, from their banned substance list, the NFL still forbids its use. We recently spoke with Justin Staples, who is a former professional linebacker for the NFL, and asked him about his thoughts on cannabis in treating injuries like CTE. Staples played 5 seasons of college football, for the University of Illinois, before going pro and playing 5 seasons in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans. He recently transitioned from his professional football career into the cannabis industry. He is now the Director of Business Development for Revolution Cannabis in Illinois, and he co-hosts The Vault Podcast where they interview experts from the industry to debunk the negative stigma of cannabis. When it comes to his physical health, Staples considers himself lucky compared to other teammates and friends he witnessed suffer from major injuries, repeated concussions, and the negative

side effects of long-term pharmaceutical use. Staples was diagnosed with two concussions during his decade-long career as a defensive lineman, and he remembers several incidences where he would have short blackouts during practices and games. “It was accustomed that you’d have these blackout moments…it’s just commonplace in the game.” He went on to talk about how we’re now learning these temporary blackouts are actually concussions in themselves, contributing to CTE in the NFL and other high contact sports. He also brought up the overuse of dangerous NSAIDs like ibuprofen, and the over prescription of opioids that are used to mask pain. “I’d look around the locker room and I knew guys who had to take a 10 Advil Tylenol mixture and a multitude of pharmaceuticals daily just go out there and do their job.” These drugs might be keeping players on the field for game time, but at what cost? NSAIDs wreak havoc on your stomach and intestines, and opioids come with high rates of addiction and abuse. When asked what he thinks the NFL should do to address the use of cannabis in the NFL, Staples replied, “I want the NFL to check every avenue, including cannabis, improving helmets, conditioning pads, and supporting programs like Heads Up Football.” If the NFL refuses to accept cannabis as an alternative medicine even though research is indicating its success in treating degenerative brain diseases like CTE, then the question is “Do we even want to risk our kids’ lives going out to play this sport?” This is a powerful question that poses another. How much evidence is supporting the position cannabis could play on the football field? The United States government holds a patent, 6630507, on the cannabinoids found in cannabis. Cannabinoids are the molecular compounds found in the cannabis plant.2 There are several cannabinoids in cannabis, but the ones that get the most attention are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabidiol (CBD). Patent 6630507 states, “cannabinoids are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants, for example in limiting neurological damage following ischemic insults, such as stroke and trauma, or in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.”2 (cont'd)

floridagrassroots.com

(cont'd) A neuroprotectant is something known to improve recovery and possible regeneration of the nervous system, cells, and their functions prior to and after damage. Compounds like THC and CBD have been shown to be successful in helping treat neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.3 Since the symptoms of CTE are very similar to those suffering from Alzheimer’s, we can suggest cannabis may be able to improve the quality of life for those with CTE.

We may love football, but do we really want to sacrifice the quality of life for the players who are working so hard to entertain us? The Ultimate Beach Paradise Condo All the comforts of home with an incredible view! Sleep to the sounds of the rolling waves. Beautiful Fort Myers rental condo is only steps away from the private beach and located within walking distance to entertainment, shops, and restaurants.

Fifty-five 5-star ratings! | hollyholidays.net

Maxine Taylor, Astrologer Maxine Taylor became America's First Licensed Astrologer after mounting a legal challenge to legitimize astrology in the 1960's Bible Belt state of Georgia. She became CNN's Original On-Air Astrologer when the network launched.

Although there are several published studies on the medicinal benefits of cannabis, there is still a great need for research on how it can help with treating CTE, and maybe even prevent it from developing. On the other hand, we still don’t know a lot about CTE in general, and more research in this field is needed as well. Once we have a better understanding of how to properly diagnose and treat CTE, we can hopefully combine what we know about the neuroprotective properties of cannabinoids like THC and CBD in order to come up with a preventative solution and an appropriate treatment plan for those actively experiencing symptoms. We may love football, but do we really want to sacrifice the quality of life for the players who are working so hard to entertain us? Shouldn’t we stand up for their right to consume cannabis as a safer alternative to the NFL's current pharmaceutical game plan? Former professional players like Justin Staples believe so. There are groups like Athletes For Care, which were founded by former professional athletes, advocating for research, education, and compassion when addressing important health issues like CTE and the use of cannabis. The Gridiron Cannabis Coalition is another group of athletes who are determined to allow NFL players the option of an organic treatment for injury and illness through cannabis. With the research evidence rising, and more former and current professional athletes coming out of the green closet, hopefully, it’s only a matter of time before the NFL tries to tackle CTE head on with cannabis. References

Florida Grass Roots Magazine readers: get a 12 month personal astrology reading recorded on video with a legend in the field for $100!

1 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2645104

Visit MaxineTaylor.com/FGM to get the details of this offer and to order your reading today!

3 https://www.theroc.us/researchlibrary/Effect%20of%20Marijuana%20Use%20on%20

2 http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PA LL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6630507. PN.&OS=PN/6630507&RS=PN/6630507 Outcomes%20in%20Traumatic%20Brain%20Injury.pdf

2018

Florida Grass Roots

events

in review

TAMPA BAY HOLIDAY 5K HEALTH AND WELLNESS FESTIVAL

On Saturday, December 29, 2018, Florida Grass Roots attended the Tampa Bay Holiday 5k Health and Wellness Festival. Here, we caught the tail-end of a community 5k race, enjoyed a beautiful outdoor expo, and mingled with representatives from countless cannabis-focused vocations. Dispensaries, cannabis advocacy groups, Hemp and CBD product lines, and a plethora of other businesses and advocates took part in a day of sharing education, passion for cannabis, and good conversation. We were enthused to see the many different industries represented at the festival and came home with a haul of free swag items and educational material.

ADVICE + RECOMMENDS

What is CBD? by Kimberly Britton You may have overheard it in a conversation with the two people ahead of you in line at the grocery store, excitedly discussing using CBD for its anti-aging properties. You may have heard about it from your daughter, who uses it to treat her painful migraines and suggests you try it for autoimmune imbalance or lack of sleep. Or maybe you heard about it from your grandson, who asked you to rub CBD salve on his sore muscles to help with recovery after an athletic event. It seems today that wherever we turn, the benefits of CBD are being discussed. Countless people of all are using CBD Products and sharing impactful personal experiences of their success. But what is CBD, and how does it work? How do we know how to use it, and how to find the best products for our own individual needs? With such a flood of information available today, keeping up to speed can be intimidating but with the right information up your sleeve, anyone can learn to use CBD in a way that benefits them. In this monthly column, I hope to help guide you through the process of understanding CBD so that you, too, can gain the optimal benefits of this highly-esteemed cannabinoid.

WHAT IS CBD??

Cannabidiol (CBD) is only one phyto (plant derived)-cannabinoid. It is the second most abundant out of hundreds of the chemical compounds found in cannabis. Unlike the familiar THC, it is nonpsychoactive, meaning that CBD doesn’t give you that ‘high’ feeling when used in larger amounts. Studies are finding that CBD can actually reduce these psychoactive effects, because it reacts on a cellular level rather than partially binding to our cell receptors like THC. Studies have found these receptors in our brain, organs, and all systems. This is a ‘signaling system” known as our endocannabinoid system (ECS) - an important information delivery system, made up of receptors and endogenous (“endo” meaning within) compounds, known as endocannabinoid acids.

WHAT IS THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM?

The endocannabinoid system (or ECS) is a complex system of receptors designed to attach and respond to the compounds in the cannabis plant, including CBD. Every living creature has one. This

floridagrassroots.com

system is what makes CBD’s healing properties possible. If we did not have this extraordinary system, our organs would not have any communication or ‘signal’ to and from one another. This means that without your ECS, not one human breath would be possible. In fact, go far enough back in history, and you will find that even before dinosaurs walked the earth, endocannabinoids were first found in algae. Our endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2AG, are enzymes that degrade (or break down) and activate these receptors. This process is called retrograde signaling, and it happens when our endocannabinoids attach to the cells to signal the information of the following functions: pain response, mood, appetite, energy, sensation, metabolism, inflammation, stress response, thermoregulation (body temp and circulation), muscle control, motivation & reward (bliss) and eye ocular pressure. When consumed, CBD acts as an important agent to the immune system. It helps to fight back when we have an imbalance, whether it be stress, trauma, injury, poor diet, lack of exercise, etc. Our endocannabinoid system helps restore and maintains our balance. CBD has been found to help by signaling our cells to produce more endocannabinoids and fewer free radicals, promoting balance in our ECS. CBD does this by its own naturally made up compound structure, having been produced by a plant that produces alike compound structures to our endocannabinoids. Clearly, your endocannabinoid system is an important system to consider when addressing your health and overall balance.

HOW SHOULD I USE CBD?

All patients are different. CBD users can suffer from a wide array of diseases and ailments. Studies find that some patients use CBD products as more of a supplement, for protection and recovery. Others use CBD more than two times per day to achieve their desired results. When comparing these different cases, consistency has been found in patients that are suffering with more than one imbalance to use significantly more CBD, thus receiving more effective results. Unfortunately, we do not have enough research to say who needs what and how much. Doctors can only recommend 1-2 servings per day. For more information, talk to a doctor you trust who is educated on

2018

Florida Grass Roots

events

in review

the endocannabinoid system, or an experienced medical marijuana educator.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?

It’s important to keep an open mind when you are beginning your journey with CBD products. The key to finding how much CBD you need is to practice consistency and use trial and error. Patience is important. Know that you need to do your research on the company that you are wanting to purchase from. Find out what ingredients are used in their products and make sure they are all safe, natural, and have their own naturally healing properties. Quality is important when considering which products are right for your own individual body and condition(s). Be wary of products at the lowest prices. This could mean they are of poor quality and may even be synthetic. Make sure that the farm and the company are compliant with the 2014 farm bill – that they are operating with seed-to-sale transparency, organic cultivation and harvesting practices, good manufacturing processes and updated certifications. These things are a must. It’s imperative to find a company that has years of experience, along with an abundance of knowledge with a clear understanding of cannabis, offering high-quality, consistent cannabis products. If you are unsure whether you want to start using CBD, I say why not try it? You may end up getting the desired relief that you’ve been searching for. Stated by Professor Raphael Mechoulam, the godfather of cannabis and the founder of our endocannabinoid system, “Cannabis works. No doubt about it, it works. Essentially in every disease that has been investigated the endogenous cannabinoid system is involved.”

HAVE YOU HAD YOUR CBD TODAY? (Reference) Cannabinoid chemistry: an overview https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/263899667_Cannabinoid_chemistry_an_overview

ORLANDO MARIJUANA EXPO On July 14, 2018, we attended the Orlando Marijuana Expo at the University of Central Florida. This event was attended by a broad range of cannabis and cannabisfriendly businesses. We made new friends and met great people in the industry. Looking forward to the next event in Orlando!

ADVICE + RECOMMENDS

Rich Cannabis Banana Bread Cooking with cannabis has come a long way since the 60s. Today, things are much different. Cannabis enthusiasts of all kinds - from home cooks to professionally-trained chefs - have been studying the science of adding cannabis to food. As a result, the quality of our treats have improved and we can control the amount of medication in our recipes. Read on to learn how easy and fun it is to infuse your own baked goods at home.

EDIBLES: THINGS TO REMEMBER

TIPS FOR DOSING

Edibles are a unique delivery method. Because the medication passes through your digestive system, the effects are felt more slowly and gradually than that of inhaled cannabis. The typical onset is 30 minutes–1 hour, but it can vary. Duration also varies—effects can last from 3 to 10 hours, or about the same amount of time as an oral tincture. Some patients prefer this form of medicating instead of vaping, taking tinctures, or dabbing for its discretion and long-lasting effects.

Dosing—or determining the specified quantity of THC in each serving of an edible—is the most important part of making your own medicated treats. Make sure you review your calculations twice: Once when you decide to make the recipe, and again just before baking. Review the recipe to be sure you have all ingredients and know how many servings the recipe will yield. To determine this, follow these steps:

If you are exploring edibles for the first time, it is important to adhere to the common recommendation of “Start low, go slow.” This means start at a low dose, wait an hour, and gradually take more from there. Because everyone is different, onset effects are also different for each patient. One individual may feel the effects of edible medication in 30 minutes, while another may take over an hour to notice an effect. Edibles cannot harm you, but taking too much can produce feelings of strong discomfort. Always remember to be mindful of your own limitations, experiment slowly and gently, and consult a knowledgeable doctor or a trusted medical cannabis educator before exploring this or any other administration method.

1 Determine how strong you want each serving to be. 2 Multiply your preferred amount of mg per serving by how many servings are in the recipe. This is your total amount for the recipe. 3 Note this number both times you do the math.

EXAMPLE:

Banana Bread = 16 slices/servings Goal = 5mg THC/serving Using distillate, or tincture, you can easily achieve quite accurate dosing. 5mg x 16 servings = 80mg THC for the recipe in total Just be sure to cut into 16 servings, wrap, and note this is medicated 5mg/slice

RICH CANNABIS BANANA BREAD Ingredients: Cannabis distillate (measured as determined)* ½ cup butter, melted 1 cup sugar (coconut sugar substitutes for sugar 1/1 and reduces the glycemic index) 2 eggs – at room temperature 1 teaspoon banana extract (or any other extract you love) ½ cup sour cream 1 cup mashed well ripened bananas 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, mac nuts) or other mix-ins

*For these instructions we will use 5mg/slice as our measurement. To begin, follow the instructions on the right to prepare your medicated butter. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F/175 degrees C. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Place prepared medicated butter in a large bowl. Add the sugar and mix well. Add the room temperature eggs and the extract. Stir to combine. In a separate bowl, mix sour cream and mashed bananas. Add to butter and eggs and mix well. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Add to wet ingredients and stir to combine. Add nuts, raisins, dates, or other fruit of your choice, or even chocolate! Bake for approximately 1 hour. Bread is done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a wire cooling rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool further. Cut into 16 slices, wrap, and mark as MEDICATED 5 MG/SLICE. Securely store away and out-of-reach from children and pets.

HOW TO MAKE MEDICATED BUTTER: To medicate butter, use cannabis distillate from your local dispensary. Distillate comes in a plastic syringe, and is stiff and difficult to handle without these tips: 1 Fill a microwave-safe cup half full of water and microwave for 1 minute. 2 Remove cup of water from microwave and add syringe to water. Let sit for 1-3 minutes. This heat will make the distillate easier to handle. 3 Add the distillate to your melted butter. Stir, stir, stir. Then add while still warm to the recipe when it calls for butter. 4 Prepare food according to recipe directions.

floridagrassroots.com

ADVICE + RECOMMENDS

Your February Astrology Forecast by Maxine Taylor, America's First Licensed Astrologer

While you always march to your own drummer, you are acting more independently this month. Pull back, work behind the scenes, and give yourself the privacy you need to do things your way. Put your attention on finances the second half of the month. On the 19th the Super Moon answers your financial questions.

You may be torn between being alone and doing your thing

Put your attention on your job the first half of the month,

your way, and spending time with your friends. You can

and your relationships the second half. Be sure to leave

do both. Listen to others’ suggestions, but seek your own

time for fun! Be a detective and get to the bottom of issues,

counsel and keep your plans to yourself. After the Super

especially where money is concerned. The Super Moon on

Moon on the 19th, you’ll be ready to be with people.

the 19th tells you to do things your way.

While your popularity grows and you enjoy success in both

Enjoy your social life the first half of the month, and focus on

your career and friendships, you want more privacy in order

your job the second half. The Super Moon on the 19th says

to do things your way. After the 14th, throw yourself into

you will want to get away from it all, so give yourself time

projects that increase your income. The Super Moon on the

alone. Get to the bottom of issues, especially if finances are

19th brings job issues to a head.

involved, and enjoy the company of your family.

Focus on your career the first part of the month and

Focus on domestic matters and work the first half of the

your friendships the rest of the month. Balance this

month, and on your social life the second half. Include your

with time alone. This will help you focus on yourself

children in your fun activities. Short trips are a great remedy

and do what you want to do. The Super Moon on the

for boredom. After the Super Moon on the 19th you’ll be

19th encourages you to have fun, so get ready to party!

able to kick your social life up a notch.

You see the big picture, the far horizon, and new

You’ve got to spread your wings and soar the first half of

opportunities which you can implement in your career.

the month, so go for it! After that, you’ll be able to enjoy

Spend time with friends the first half of the month, and enjoy

your home and family. Play and have fun early in the month,

your own company the rest of the time. You become a

then focus on your work and income. The Super Moon on

domestic god/goddess after the Super Moon on the 19th.

the 19th helps you move upward in your career.

Your psychic ability is strong all month, so ask the universe

Put your attention on your money and watch it grow early in

your questions and wait for the answers. Throw yourself

the month. Act independently and do what you want, when

into career advancement before the 14th; after that,

you want, how you want because you can. Throw yourself

socialize and enjoy your friends. The Super Moon on the

into your social life the second half of the month. The Super

19th fires up your mind with new ideas.

Moon helps you see the big picture.

Focus on your relationships, especially those that involve money. The Super Moon on the 19thcan help you increase your income. Your work and health look good, and you may

maxinetaylor.com/ youtube.com/c/MaxineTaylorAstrologer

be considering a new job, even a new career. Get all the

facebook.com/starmaxinetaylor

relevant information, then move upward.

twitter.com/wizardstargazer

floridagrassroots.com

Join Us February 22-24

FMCC Florida Medical Cannabis Conference Orlando World Center Marriott Orlando

Feb 24

SWFL VegFest 2019 Riverside Park Bonita Springs

March 6

Cannabis at the Capitol Tallahassee

April 11-13

Florida Grass Roots Magazine

ADVICE + RECOMMENDS

Prod Product uct Re Revie view: w: Softgels

Meet Sarara Corva

Founding member of the product helping patients to Unhaze the Blaze. We’ve all been there: you’re a new patient exploring cannabis for the first time, and by accident, you consume too much. You know, through your research, that this can’t hurt you—but the unfortunate side-effects of an overdose can result in extreme discomfort for long periods of time. When this happens, what’s a patient to do? This is the dilemma Sarara Corva and James Carberry strived to solve with the invention of their first product UNDOO® softgels. Sarara, cancer survivor, natural health advocate, and founder of this fascinating new product, took the time to sit down with Florida Grass Roots to discuss UNDOO, how it works, and how patients (both novice and practiced) can benefit from keeping some stocked beside their vitamin C and CBD tincture. Read on for why UNDOO softgels may just find their way into a medicine cabinet near you.

WHAT IS UNDOO?

HOW DOES IT WORK?

According to their website, UNDOO softgels are an innovative, patented (U.S. Pat. No. 9918947) formula designed to efficiently and quickly clear your head of the discomfort associated with THC overconsumption. They contain no cannabis, no CBD, no sugar, and no caffeine. Sarara describes UNDOO as “an all-natural tool for strategically using cannabis.”

“Our body endogenously produces chemistry called olivetolic acid— this is our natural clearing mechanism,” Sarara says. “It is a part of our endocannabinoiod system.” Olivtolic acid has a stronger binding affinity for the CB receptors of the endocannabinoid system than THC.* Because of this, it is able to metabolize the THC off of the receptor, rapidly clearing the head.

The active ingredient in UNDOO softgels is Olivetol - a molecule that our body endogenously produces. Using a plant source of this same molecule, UNDOO softgels help metabolize the THC while maintaining the beneficial effects of the medicine.

“So, effectively what we’re doing is giving the body more of what it naturally produces to clear our head,” says Sarara. “The resulting effect is clarity in your brain, but the therapeutic benefits of the THC remain. Once it begins, the entourage effect of the cannabis continues, but the pain is still gone; you’re still happy and feeling the benefits of the THC, and the psychotropic alterations and resulting discomfort disappear.”

THE WHYS AND HOWS In 2011, Sarara was diagnosed with breast Cancer and miraculously healed herself using alternative methods, including wholeflower cannabis. “I did not use chemo; I had no mastectomies, and I did not receive radiation—all of which were recommended,” Sarara says.

WHAT OTHER POSITIVE APPLICATIONS EXIST FOR UNDOO? “Because of its receptor-clearing power, UNDOO has another valuable function,” says Sarara. Some doctors with pediatric patients find that their tolerance for medical cannabis gradually goes up with time. This creates the problem of needing more to treat the same symptoms, which results in raised costs for the patient and their family. While studies have shown that periodically refraining from cannabis is effective in keeping

Within six months, to the astonishment of her doctors, Sarara found herself cancerfree. Immediately after, she dove into cannabis research and education with the intention of learning as much as she could to help others treat their conditions. Before she knew it, she had a thriving career in the cannabis industry. “I met Jimmy, my partner in both business and in life, while speaking on a circuit in Arizona to educate seniors,” Sarara says. James (Jimmy) Carberry, UNDOO LLC co-founder and scientist who developed the formula for UNDOO softgels, was speaking on glaucoma. Jimmy has kept his glaucoma in-check with cannabis treatment for over 30 years, with no pharmaceutical assistance whatsoever. His whole adult life, Jimmy has been a cannabis educator, advocate and patient. “Jimmy and I got to talking about educating seniors, and realized that ‘be careful not to over ingest… or you will be sorry’ was not the best way to teach people about this amazing plant,” says Sarara. Believing there had to be a better way, she asked him, “can you create an antidote to help with this problem?” Having spent 30 years advancing his knowledge on the science of cannabis, Jimmy was happy to take on this new project. After about four months of steady work and testing, he came up with a formula—and it worked.

tolerance at bay, this is not an option for patients who face more serious illnesses. Taking a child with epilepsy off of his or her medication for even a day, for example, can result in seizures and symptoms returning. However, UNDOO presents a unique solution. “Many mothers of patients give their children UNDOO softgels once a week in order to clear the receptors and get the most out of the medicine,” says Sarara. While this doesn’t prevent tolerance from rising, used regularly, this method clears the receptor and stops it from getting “backed up,” essentially improving the effects of the cannabis product.

WHERE CAN PATIENTS PURCHASE UNDOO SOFTGELS? UNDOO softgels are patented and trademarked for worldwide distribution. Patients can purchase it online at UNDOO’s website, as well as many stores listed on the site. Find a retailer near you at UNDOO.com.

*Read more about the endocannabinoid system and how it works on page 40. floridagrassroots.com

ADVICE + RECOMMENDS

Things we

E V O L

1 Smoking cannabis flower is not legal in Florida—yet. But whether you’re planning a trip to a recreational state or just love collecting functional art, this festive piece is a great addition to any glass collection. 2 These colorful oil drums are made of non-stick material, making it easy to store your favorite cannabis concentrates. 3 Need a stylish and discrete way to carry your dispensary purchase home? This sturdy, smell-proof bag features a secure Velcro closure and tiny clip-on pocketbook for extra storage. 60

floridagrassroots.com

4 These colorful cannabis socks are a cozy way to let out your inner hippie. Pair them with your favorite jeans to express your support for cannabis in style. 5 Inspired by the scent of different strains of cannabis and infused with hemp and terpenes, Let’s Get Terpee candles make a great gift for your favorite cannabis connoisseur. 6 Need to label your medicated treats? These molds are a versatile, easy-to-use way to make beautiful candy, ice cubes, chocolate treats, and more.

1 2

OIL CONTAINERS $15.00 Cirrus Smoke Shop, Fort Myers, FL

SNOWMAN PIPE $35.00 Cirrus Smoke Shop, Fort Myers, FL

3 4

TOTE BAG $21.95 toopics.com/planquesupply CANNABIS SOCKS $13.99 Amazon.com

5 6

TERPEE CANDLE $20.00 Cirrus smoke shop, Fort Myers, FL

Have a gift item you can't live without? Tell us about it, and it could be featured in a future issue! info@floridagrassroots.com CANDY MOLDS $12.95 Amazon.com

Wrap Up As you come to the end of our first issue, we reflect, with gratitude, to each and every one of you who joined us on this journey. From those that listened to our pie in the sky plans of educating people through a magazine, to those that helped put this issue to print, to our readers—my heartfelt thanks. My parents instilled in me a thirst for knowledge. It has been a part of my entire life and my being. My passion today is to educate everyone we can reach about the real science and medicine of cannabis. How lucky am I to have a staff with this same passion! It wasn’t until I stepped into my first Florida dispensary that the glaring lack of real information was apparent. All to be expected in the first year of a new program. Education must be unbiased, reviewed, and readily available to the people. Florida Grass Roots Magazine can help. It is time to educate yourself…

floridagrassroots.com

WHAT'S NEXT... FLORIDA GRASS ROOTS MAGAZINE'S

R E W FLO R E W PO ISSUE

AVAILABLE IN MARCH

Are you ready to start your education?

We are

Our passion is

to educate with real science and medicine of cannabis.

Are you ready to start your education?

We are

Florida Grass Roots - Premier Issue

Articles inside

Thoughts from The Greateful Vetran