September / October CNM 2016

LIFESTYLES

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OPPORTUNITY

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EDUCATION September/October 2016

EDITION

Editor’s Letter Welcome to our One Year Anniversary Edition of Cannabis Nurses Magazine.

Robert and I, the co-creators of this magazine, started a year ago with an idea that has transpired into a legacy that will carry forward for generations to follow. This magazine is for the people and by the people. It was created to have affirmative defense with medical providers and legislatures that there IS sound research in the studies of the Endocannabinoid (eCS) System and that this system is the main balancing system which provides homeostasis within our bodies for our health and wellness.

This issue has been created for you, The Cannabis Nurse, to put in your Nursing Tool Box as a resource to defend the bureaucracy and hypocrisy lies of western medicine.

If you have ever questioned the system or have had a paradigm shift in thinking that there is a better solution to our current treatment options, then this issue is dedicated to you.

Our first article, we learn from a “Cannabis Patient turned Registered Nurse” and the positive outcomes of incorporating medical cannabis into her treatment plan that ultimately, saved her life.

Today she is a Registered Nurse and strongly believes medical cannabis, along with holistic medicine, should be used as a first line of treatment in our future health care treatment standards and is a guiding success story for any person suffering with mental health.

We then embarque upon the War on Drugs with Anthony Walker RN, who writes ” Nurse Calls for End of Drug War” and how we as Nurses have a role to play in ending the drug war and teaching each other how to promote health and wellness by using cannabis. It is our duty to speak up and be the change and fight to bring an end to the War on Drugs.

Sue De Gregorio Rosen RN, CLNC then defines “The Cannabis Nurse” and basing its roots on holistic care. If we have the capacity to provide care and relief to our patients with the least amount of side effects, then why are we not doing so? As Cannabis Nurses, we believe it is criminally negligent to withhold safe access to our patients. It is our duty to be their voice.

We have included in your Nursing Tool Box, along with all the previous issues of Cannabis Nurses Magazine and its outlined research, the American Nurses Association (ANA) 2008 Position Statement and the 2015 ACNA Whole Plant Cannabis Resolution Statement to further ground and defend your rights as a Nurse. The Cover Story: Cannabis Nursing 101 defines the Cannabis Nurse and outlines the endless possibilities a Nurse can practice by one nurse's outlook, Julie Monteiro RN, BSK. We are in the middle of a movement to create Cannabis Nursing a specialty in Nursing. Remember, the Cannabis Nurse has not yet officially been deemed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to be a recognizable specialty in nursing. However, like Holistic Nursing which took well over twelve (12) years to become nationally approved, we are on their radar and they will have to redefine Cannabis Nursing as a specialty in our Nursing Practice to ensure all treatment options of health and wellness are included in western medicine.

We are forging into uncharted waters where there is no map or guide to chart your course, until now. This is a new frontier and you as a Nurse from your past endeavors have been trained to be the change and the voice. You posses the attributes of a great leader in your community such as but not limited to: Communication, Integrity, Values, Vision, Passion, Confidence, Curiosity, Positive Attitude, Competence, and Empowerment. You are the answer. Now it is time to be the voice and the seed that pollinates the world.

Nurses are natural born leaders and we at Cannabis Nurses Magazine are behind you as we provide you the tools in your Nursing Tool Box to create positive change in your communities. We look forward to educating and celebrating with Nurses around the country this October 1st, 2016 at our One-Year Anniversary Party as we celebrate you, The Cannabis Nurse.

We must Grow.

Julie Monteiro RN, BSK “Ask Nurse Juhlzie” Editor@Cannabis Nurses Magazine

Contributors Heather Manus, RN September/October 2016

Publisher

Robert Herman/ND1Media

Managing Editor

Julie Monteiro RN, BSK

Creative Director

Heather Manus, RN

Contributors Heather Manus, RN Leslie Reyes, RN Marcie Cooper, RN, MSN, AHN-BC Lisa Buchanan, RN ,OCN Carey S. Clark, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, RYT Chef Herb Cooking withherb.com Dannion Brinkley, National Lobbist Jennie Stormes, RN, BSN Photography

Nelson Ramirez Morning Coffee Productions

Cannabis Nurses Magazine publishes the most recent and compelling health care information on cannabis health, studies, research and professional nursing issues with medical cannabis. As a refereed, clinical practice bimonthly journal, it provides professionals involved in providing optimum nursing care with the most up to date information on health care trends and everyday issues in a concise, practical, and easy-to-read format. Readers can view the magazine digitally for free online at: CannabisNursesMagazine.com or subscribe to a printed copy to be delivered to your door.

We are currently accepting articles to be considered for publication. For more information on writing for Cannabis Nurses Magazine, check out our writer’s guidelines at: cannabisnursesmagazine.com/writers-guidelines or submit your article to: editor@cannabisnursesmagazine.com 4780 W. Ann Rd., Suite 5 #420 N. Las Vegas, NV 89031 Editor@cannabisnursesmagazine.com Online 24/7 at: cannabisnursesmagazine.com

Heather Manus is a native New Mexican and Registered Nurse specializing in all aspects of medical cannabis care. She is founder of the Arizona Cannabis Nurses Association and was honored for her efforts, and awarded the CannAwards “Best Charitable/Community Outreach Program" and Cannabis Business Awards “Activist of the Year.” She believes Cannabis is a gateway to health and it will be a first-line medication of the future.

Leslie Reyes, RN

Leslie Reyes, RN is a Board Member and the previous Secretary for the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA).

Leslie has worked as a Registered Nurse in Urgent Care, Psychiatric and Behavioral Health, and has been involved in cannabis patient advocacy for over ten years. She is a co-creator and co-author of the Core Curriculum in Cannabis Nursing owned by the ACNA, and continues to advocate for patients through education.

Marcie Cooper, RN, MSN, AHN-BC

Marcie Cooper RN, MSN, AHN-BC is Board Certified as an Advanced Holistic Nurse and is working to build a bridge between conventional healthcare and holistic nursing care including cannabis therapeutics. She obtained education, certifications and training in various complimentary therapies including Hypnotherapy, Auricular Acupuncture, Healing Touch and Aromatherapy. She incorporates cannabis education with patients while working in hospice and palliative care throughout Colorado, and has witnessed the incredible benefits of cannabis.

Lisa Buchanan, RN, OCN

Lisa Buchanan is an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) in Washington state who has worked with the seriously ill and dying for more than 20 years. She a member of the Oncology Nurses Society (ONS), American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA), and the Washington State Nurses Association.

She has earned certificates in the Core Curriculum for Cannabis Nursing and in the Advanced Curriculum for Cannabis Nursing through ACNA.

Jennie Stormes, RN, BSN

Jennie Stormes, RN, BSN lives in the state of Colorado, and formerly in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, is a member of the ACNA, a board member of American Medical Refugees as Vice Chair, Colorado Springs Chair for CannaMoms, and a parent member of the Special Education Advisory Committee for Colorado School District 49 (Falcon). She specializes in Pediatrics and neurology and has a passon for education.

Contributors

Contact Information Sue De Gregorio Rosen, RN, CLNC

Publisher

As a high energy skilled Professional Registered Nurse, possessing strong communication & administrative skills with over 18yrs of management experience and 30+ yrs as a trauma/burn/ER specialist, & with a keen analytic ability to successfully resolve issues and to exceed standards for outstanding commitment to the future the self-evident of

ND1Media

outcomes and to the continued support for Medicinal Marijuana.

Bio: Seshata Sensi Seshata Sensi is a freelance journalist and researcher, an expert blogger for Sensi Seeds, travel writer for DOPE Magazine, and a regular columnist for PROHBTD & Green Flower Media. She is a full-time writer and researcher specializing in several key aspects of the cannabis industry, including cannabinoid science, cultivation, activism, geopolitics and the “War on Drugs”. Originally from the UK, she spent ten years in the Netherlands, and has just moved to Italy for one year after a year in Spain. She gained extensive experience of the cannabis industry during the ten years she spent in Amsterdam, which included working at the Cannabis College as well as at various coffee shops. Her time spent travelling in Spain, Morocco and the USA has enabled her to develop expertise on global and regional issues influencing the cannabis trade.

Bio: Leslie Reyes, RN

Leslie Reyes, RN is a Board Member and the Secretary for the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA).

Leslie has worked as a Registered Nurse in Urgent Care, Psychiatric and Behavioral Health, and has been involved in cannabis patient advocacy for over nine years. She is a co-creator and co-author of the Core Curriculum in Cannabis Nursing owned by the ACNA, and is also on the committees for Communications and Media, Conference Planning, Certification, Events, Membership, Nominations, and the Executive Committee and continues to advocate for patients through education.

Bio: Anthony Walker, RN Anthony Walker R.N. is a Maryland native and was born in Baltimore, 1959. He has dedicated his life to serving others and worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital as a Clinical Nurse for 26 years. As a young person growing up in the 1970’s, he experimented with marijuana, which he now calls it by its scientific name, Cannabis. Though the use of cannabis came and went at various times in his life, he says it should never have been considered a crime. Today he avocates for Medical Cannabis and believes the rest of the country can heal if we can begin to see solutions through the eyes of caring, from the nurse’s point of view.

Editorial Robert Herman

Art&Graphic Design To submit artwork/ad creation Email: ads@cannabisnursesmagazine.com

Advertising & Marketing For advertising opportunities Email: ads@cannabisnursesmagazine.com Sales/Product Director Email: sales@cannabisnursesmagazine.com

Writers To submit articles for publication Email: editor@cannabisnursesmagazine.com

Reach Us By Post Cannabis Nurses Magazine 4780 W. Ann Rd., Suite 5 #420 N. Las Vegas, NV 89031 info@cannabisnursesmagazine.com www.cannabisnursesmagazine.com

Table of

September/October

Contents WHAT'S INSIDE P.2

EDITORIAL PAGE

P.6

Cannabis Patient Turned Registered Nurse

P.8

No More Drug War

P.9

ACNA Whole Plant Position Statement

P.10

Galaxy Enail

P.13

Cover Story: Cannabis Nursing 101

P.16

The Cannabis Nurse

P.20

The Tenth Amendment and Nursing

P.22

ANA 2008 Position Statement

P.24

Hemp Oil VS. Cannabis Oil

P.28 P.32

Chef Herb & Cook with Herb Could your illness be explained by Endocannaboinoid Deficiency?

P.36

Resourcess

P.37

Job Opportunities

P.38

Top 10 Apps

P.39

Nursing Conferences for 2016

2016

FEATURES Cannabis Patient Turned Registered Nurse

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Cover Story: Cannabis Nursing 101

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The Cannabis Nurse

PAGE. 16 PAGE. 20 The Tenth Amendment and Nursing

By: Anonymous (Leslie Reyes, RN) In 2006, I found myself sitting on the bathroom floor of a psych ward, trying to figure out how to cut my wrists open with a plastic knife.

It was my second hospitalization in less than a year, after finally giving into my psychiatrists and trying some prescription antidepressants. I’d suffered from cyclical depression and anxiety attacks since I was fifteen years old; the same year my mother was permanently institutionalized for bipolar and schizoaffective disorder (after a decade-and-a-half of pharmaceuticals and electric shock therapy had failed her).

I

know now that I suffer from Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder, butI had been misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2003.

I had been a good, compliant patient.

Unlike my mother, I had taken all my medications as prescribed: Effexor, Topamax, Lithium, Cymbalta, Strattera, Geodon, Lexapro, Xanax, Ambien… so why was I not feeling any better? I didn’t want to commit suicide, but, every cell in my body was telling me I was worthless and a waste of space, and I should do the world a favor and get rid of myself and be done with it.

When I’d been prescribed my first pharmaceutical antidepressant, I had a successful position as a hospital administrator in some prominent hospitals. Within about two years and four prescriptions later, everything started falling apart. I had strained relationships with my superiors and coworkers and couldn’t keep a job.

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I’d never been hospitalized before going on antidepressants, and had now been hospitalized twice in eight months. I was in financial ruin, as I ended up needing to declare bankruptcy after my first hospitalization, even though at the time I’d been “fully insured”, and paid my $550+ premiums on time every month. I’d wanted to go to nursing school and had been accepted into an LPN program, but my credit was so bad after the first hospitalization, I couldn’t get a loan.

So, while I was sitting on the bathroom floor of the psych ward with the plastic knife, it dawned on me. I lived in California, and medical marijuana had been legal here since 1996. There were doctors advertising the benefits in L.A. Weekly Magazines all over the city.

I’d never been a big smoker, and had bought into all the “Just Say No” Reagan propaganda of the 80’s which I’d grown up with.

However, I did try it recreationally a few times in high school and college, and didn’t understand what the big deal was. I found it had a relaxing effect, but always felt guilty afterwards because it was illegal, and I should “Just Say No”.

But, nothing else that standard medicine had to offer seemed to be working for me, and it seemed silly to continue to torture myself if I could obtain and try cannabis safely and legally under a doctor’s supervision. What if it worked?

So, that day on the bathroom floor of the psych ward, I decided to take control of my mental health. I pulled myself together and walked out of the bathroom. The next time the doctors and nurses met with me, I said all the right things to get discharged.

The following Monday, I picked up the newspaper and found a doctor in the ad section advertising medical marijuana recommendations.

In his office, was the first time I’d heard about the differences between “Sativa” and “Indica”, and how I could use one type of strain to deal with the depression, and the other to deal with insomnia and anxiety. The doctor wrote me a letter stating I was under his care and he felt cannabis could benefit me, by using it to treat my anxiety, insomnia and depression. I was required to make another appointment with him in 3 months so he could follow up with me. With that letter and my California Driver’s License, I could walk into any legal dispensary and purchase what I needed immediately.

Cannabis worked wonders for me, and without any of the negative side effects of standard pharmaceuticals. Although I had a healthy appetite when I used cannabis, I didn’t gain weight and lose all my energy the same way I had on Lithium and Effexor, or the other combinations and “cocktails” I’d been on.

Also, my friends no longer seemed afraid to be around me. Standard pharmaceuticals had exacerbated my mood swings, and my friends seemed to be coming around less and less when I was taking them. In fact, a former supervisor of mine, who’d watch me go through the psychmed merry-go-round, admitted to me one day, “I’ve seen you on nothing, I’ve seen you on pills, and now I’ve seen you on cannabis. I think this is how I like you the best, on cannabis.”

After becoming a cannabis patient and going through some horrible withdrawals from Effexor (which seemed to literally last forever), I was never admitted to the hospital for psychiatric treatment again. I quickly became a believer in the medical value of cannabis as a psychiatric medication.

I had pretty much lost faith in Western Medicine, and I ended up taking a job at a dispensary in Los Angeles. Before my experiences, I really had only considered cannabis to be more of a comfort measure, but after three years of seeing what the miraculous plant did for everyone suffering from insomnia to cancer, MS, and a large range of neurological and immunological diseases, I realized this plant had more to offer than just relief from pain and depression.

I decided to go to nursing school after all, so I could educate and help others navigate the healing powers of cannabis in the framework of a healthcare professional.

I’ve been a Registered Nurse for over three years now, specializing in Psychiatric Nursing. I will continue to advocate for other patients through cannabis activism and education. People need to know, there is another option out there. It’s time for medical and healthcare professionals to start learning about, and talking about cannabis with their patients.

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By: Anthony Walker, RN What can Nurses teach people about the so called “War on Drugs”? Nurses are known and trusted for being experts on understanding health and disease, not for fighting wars. It is within our realm of understanding though to consider that by creating laws which criminalize and imprison people for using drugs, it must affect the health of people and their families. It is my belief that drug laws have made us all sick by punishing people rather than helping them and actually create crime by filling the Drug Cartels pockets with cash. We have taken a Public Health issue and made it a Police issue and in my opinion we are all worse off for it. I have said that “the war on drugs has become a war on people”, but Nurses are in a position to reverse that trend by inspiring and educating each other towards a more compassionate understanding. I have asked people to look through the eyes of caring, from a nurse’s perspective. Does putting a person in jail, giving them a hefty fine and felony conviction improve their health by making them quit drugs? If you believe that, I have some sad news for you, our jails are filled to the brim with drugs which is further proof that the War on Drugs is a failure. What is your assessment?

Welcome to Nursing 101 which always begins with what we call Assessment. Every Nurse learns the method of assessment to explore how to promote and optimize the health of our patients and our communities. If you’ve missed something in your health assessment, you will not be prepared to make a plan and help in an effective way. Each of us performs a rudimentary health assessment on ourselves each morning as we get out of bed. It begins with “can we even get out of bed and how do we feel”? It is a fact of life that people in our society use drugs which affect how they feel during the day and how they feel when they wake up. I’ve read that 95% of Americans drink coffee or tea every morning, so apparently we can’t even wake up properly without drugs. Drugs are part of the American landscape. I am a Registered Nurse from Baltimore and I had the great honor of working at the famous Johns Hopkins

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Hospital for 26 years. What comes to mind when you think of Baltimore?

It is known as Charm City, has many fine qualities and it is my home town, but I have to say that I honestly believe that the War on Drugs has made that town sick, poor and dangerous. That is the assessment I have made in my free PDF book called Nurse Calls for End of Drug War. It can be found at my website and blog which I continue to update at www.nursecallsforendofdrugwar.com I have recently become a member of the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA). I want to be in the good company of other Nurses who have studies the science of our Endocannabinoid System (eCS) and have come to a different conclusion that our government has. My book is also a "coming out" story in which I fight the shame of admitting that I ever used cannabis at all. I now look at cannabis use as a natural supplement that supports our health and the recreational use of it is far safer than drinking alcohol. Drug use does not equal drug abuse and I have shared stories in my book of how I testified in State Judicial Hearings against the notion of cannabis being a Gateway drug. Police officers who testified against legalization of cannabis made some ridiculous claims, one Chief of Police even offered testimony from a satirical news website like "The Onion". The end of my book concerns the many arguments I have heard in the course of my life about drugs. I have returned to Florida and accepted a normal nursing job at a hospital for now until I can find a place to contribute to the cause. I am writing down details of my experience for a possible second book about how there is a need to "bridge the gap" in medical cannabis care.

It seems our culture and entire medical system has been far to slow to embrace the real medicines that science has already proven to be found in cannabis. I'd really like to push the progress a little faster. It is unacceptable to me that patients are suffering and dying each day and I want to help turn that around.

ACNA Position Statement: Purpose:

The purpose of this statement is to reiterate the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA) support for patients having safe access to whole plant cannabis.

American Cannabis Nurses Association Resolution Regarding Whole Plant Cannabis WHEREAS, Cannabis is a naturally occurring botanical medicine that has been safely used as a medicine for millennia in the treatment of chronic pain, epilepsy, intestinal disorders, headaches, dysmenorrhea and other ailments; and WHEREAS, modern research has confirmed the safety and efficacy of cannabis when used in a therapeutic setting and has revealed possible new uses of this herbal plant including treatment of glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, post traumatic stress symptoms, diabetes, cancer, and other disorders; and WHEREAS, it is acknowledged that cannabis is comprised of many cannabinoids including delta-9-tetrahyrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and other constituents such as terpenes and flavonoids; and WHEREAS, science has only just begun to understand the “entourage effect” which can be described as the synergy of these components when used in the natural form rather than isolated as individual components; therefore be it RESOLVED that the American Cannabis Nurses Association calls on the Nation’s governing bodies to acknowledge the importance of cannabis as a whole; and be it further RESOLVED that the ACNA encourages said governing bodies to enact legislation and regulations that encompass the entire realm of the botanical substance Cannabis.

Submitted by: ML Mathre, Dawn Merrill, and Alice O’Leary-Randall Action taken: Approved by Board of Directors, March 12, 2015

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Visit www.galaxyenails.com and use discount Code CannabisNursesMagazine (CNM) for 15% off of any Galaxy products.

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Cover Story

CANNABIS NURSING 101 By: Julie Monteiro RN, BSK Following my passion as a Registered Nurse and practicing in the field of medicine for over twenty years, I have had the fortunate opportunity to work in a variety of specialties ranging from internal medicine, orthopedics, pediatric ER and trauma, adult ER, outpatient surgery, plastics, pain management, and most recently in neurology within the studies of cannabis therapeutics. Unlike physicians who are many times locked into a specific specialty, the field of nursing allows us to study in a variety of specialties throughout our careers.

Today, I am an active participant in the field of Cannabis Nursing, working diligently as a patient advocate and educator.

What does Cannabis Nursing Mean?

The term “Cannabis Nursing” is not an officially recognized nursing specialty of nursing as of yet. According to the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA), Cannabis Nursing is defined as “the incorporation of knowledge of the Endocannabinoid System (eCS) and the safe use of herbal cannabis products into standard nursing practice and the awareness of legal complexities attached to this herb. Cannabis Nurses recognize the many important considerations this treatment ushers in. This includes: guiding use of the drug to minimize unwanted effects, identifying drug interactions, recognizing clean safe medicine, assisting in titrating or tapering doses, test strains, teaching about strain differences and the list is long. Mostly, Cannabis Nurses understand that cannabis is a treatment within a continuum of care which involves interacting components, like other drugs and treatments, the law and the physiology of wellness and illness.” http:// americancannabisnursesassociation.org/ What-is-Cannabis-Nursing Nurses often wonder how to become a Cannabis Nurse. Licensed and/or Registered Nurses can become a “Cannabis Nurse” by studying research related to the eCS and the use of cannabinoids and whole plant cannabis.

There are several courses and educational opportunities available via live presentations and online education. For example, the Core Curriculum for Cannabis Nursing, provided by

ACNA has been made available online through The Medical Cannabis Institute (TMCI). https://themedicalcannabisinstitute.org/product / medical-cannabis-curriculum-for-nurses/ Once completed, Nurses will receive a "Certificate of Competency" regarding cannabis nursing but will not be considered “Certified” .

It's important not to use the title “Certified Cannabis Nurse” until the process of becoming official through the ANCC has been completed.

To become a certified specialty, Nurses must gain additional education and clinical hours, pass an exam, and periodically renew their credentials. ACNA has a goal of providing the framework to meet stringent requirements and establish a more complete specialty certification, recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). http:// www. nursecredentialing.org/ As the field of Cannabis Nursing is developing and emerging into a new specialty, it is important to understand the specifics related to this rapidly growing area of study. I myself, discovered the Endocannabinoid System (eCS) and the use of medical cannabis as a method of treatment, and learned that several of my patients were utilizing cannabis as a first line medication option regarding symptom control and treatment. I then realized it was my duty as a Nurse, to learn more and discover indepth information about medical cannabis as a healthcare option, leading to better assessments and assistance for my patients.

So, what does ‘being a nurse’ mean to you?

It may mean a job at a hospital, clinic, doctors office, outpatient centers, long term care facility, home health organization or a mental health facility. You perform your duties, and at the end of the day, receive a paycheck for your services.

Many Cannabis Nurses are working in these very fields now and may or may not be able to openly discuss cannabis therapeutics with their patients, depending on their employer. Some Nurses are even being reprimanded or losing their jobs as a

direct result of being advocates for their patients.

Some Cannabis Nurses have stepped away from the structured 'nurse role' and fulfill our nursing duties in areas such as being an advocate or activist which does not always pay at the end of the day.

Providing patient consults, similar to Legal Nurse Consulting, based on evidence-based research, is a very fulfilling role for Cannabis Nurses.

It is very important for Cannabis Nurses to be involved in local government. This can be accomplished by attending and testifying at county and city meetings regarding cannabis laws, creating change in state legislation by working to develop new or existing laws and assisting your state Nursing Board or legislature to develop changes in the Nursing Practice Act so that Professional Nurses can begin to utilize data and dispense cannabis medicine to all patients who seek to use this medicine. (Note: The SBON has nothing to do with our Nurse Practice Act!!! Only lawmakers!)

There are not many paying "Cannabis Nurse" jobs posted on the job boards and this is something that many of us do because we care. We do it because our patients need safe access to cannabis. As Nurses we want to know that the cannabis products patients consume are safe and properly tested and we want to know that patients will be treated fairly and have access to their medicine no matter what facility they are in.

More than 100 years ago, state governments enacted laws which protect the public’s health and welfare by overseeing and ensuring the safe practice of nursing. We are governed by the National Council of State Board of Nursing (NCSBN) https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-practiceact.htm All states and territories have enacted a Nurse Practice Act (NPA). Each state’s NPA is enacted by the state’s legislature. The NPA itself is insufficient to provide the necessary guidance for the nursing profession, therefore, each NPA establishes a board of nursing (BON) that has the authority to develop administrative rules or regulations to clarify or make the law more specific. Rules and regulations must be consistent with the NPA and cannot go beyond it.

When I discovered that Nevada had a medical cannabis program in our state, I read and studied our state law NRS453A and discovered we had a program yet patients did not have a way to obtain their medicine in a safe manner. Patients were forced to go to the black market or grow-theirown per legal state laws and many of the sick and indigent were unable to obtain access. Nor was it lab tested for quality and safety. Patients did not know what they were putting into their bodies and if pesticides, heavy metals, or toxins were present. These were areas I immediately discovered were in need and I got involved. https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-453a.html Today, the state of Nevada has approved sixty-six (66) dispensaries since June 2013, and well over twenty-two (22) legal dispensaries have opened for patients to obtain their medicine with more on their way. Patients now have safe access and state-regulated tested products that we know are safe for consumption. Now that is change!

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We still have many hurdles to cross nationally as we integrate medical cannabis back into western medicine. This 5000 year old treatment has been lost in translation.

The next step is assuring that medical cannabis patients are able to consume it in all routes of administration in every setting: hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, mental health facilities, cancer treatment centers, schools, drug rehabilitation facilities, and hospice centers. Current scheduling of this plant as a Schedule 1 prohibits its use in many of these facilities and mostly it’s due to internal policies and procedures in legal states that have not caught up to the science behind the plant.

As Nurses, we need to get involved and assure that patients have access to this safe and healing plant. It is a patient’s biological right to choose a treatment of their choice and our duty to be the voice for the patient and assure they have access.

In addition, it is the duty of a Nurse to properly document the use of medical cannabis in the patient’s medical chart. We are taught if it’s not charted then it didn’t happen. Many medical providers are not properly charting its medical necessity and proper use due to fear and stigmas.

The US Department of Health & Human Services under the centers for Medicare and Medicaid have listed ICD9/ICD10 Codes as Cannabis Abuse (F12010-F1219) and Cannabis Dependence (F1220-1299) which goes against the research and science behind the plant. Remember, there is much debate on whether there is even a real diagnosis of ‘Cannabis Dependence' that many drug treatment centers are starting to coin and diagnose patients with and are charting.

These diagnosis codes by CMS.Gov are inaccurate and need to be addressed and updated once the research is allowed.

One diagnosis discovered through research that is not yet coded involves the lack of cannabinoids in the body, Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD).

It was coined by Dr. Ethan Russo in 2004 to characterize symptoms found when there is not enough Endocannabinoid System signaling. Most of the disease states related to CECD are marked by chronic pain, dysfunctional immune systems, fatigue, and mood imbalances. This is not surprising as the Endocannabinoid System (eCS) regulates most of these physiological processes and is the balancing system creating homeostasis. http://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/pubmed/ 15159679 When I was introduced to cannabis in January 2010, I was skeptical to say the least. I was part of the “Just Say No” Nancy Reagan brainwashing era that did more harm than good to my physical and mental health.

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The good news is I am now aware of its amazing healing properties and it lead me to where I am now in educating the world through the educational platform of Cannabis Nurses Magazine. Never did I realize that I as a Nurse would be the editor of a magazine.

Here we are a year later and coming up on our One Year Anniversary. Our magazine is being inducted into the Pueblo-City County Library in Southern Colorado on October 4th, 2016 and our printed subscriptions are gaining popularity as a credible and reliable source for cannabis education that can be sent to anyone and anywhere in the world.

In addition, I am a partner in Nature Nurse™ Product Line which specializes in holistic cannabis products from transdermal patches to blossom bars that can easily be applied in any setting. Medical Cannabis is taking on so many different forms now to fit each individual's preferences. It is not limited to just smoking or edibles any longer. Being a Nurse involved in providing a natural form of medicine for healing is something I dreamed about and now has become a reality. As a Cannabis Nurse, I also provide my services as an Advisory Board Member to Impact Network™ which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of clinical cannabis research studies in the United States through education, advocacy, and fundraising. http://www.theimpactnetwork.org/ As Nurses, we have many opportunities and areas to specialize in. Nursing offers flexibility in scheduling and enables you to learn a specific skill set, allows you to work with cutting edge technology, offers you the opportunity to serve others, making a difference in the lives of others through care, prevention, and wellness. It is imperative that you have a good foundation in nursing and at least two (2) or more years in clinical practice before jumping into Cannabis Nursing. New grads need to first obtain a solid foundation and have enough clinical hours of practice before pursuing Cannabis Nursing. Having a deep understanding in anatomy and physiology, disease states, pharmacology, labs and testing, and how the medical system works is imperative for proper assessment and care of the patient.

Nursing as an identity means that you see yourself as possessing the qualities of a Nurse regardless of what job you are doing. I am a Nurse and am proud to be one, although I no longer perform direct patient care - due to my health. Cannabis is my medicine. It is part of who I am and the values that I hold dear to me – integrity, lifelong learner, excellence, mastery, connection, and healer.

Today, I express these values through my experiences as a Cannabis Nurse.

Today’s nurses are not just caring for the sick.

They are changing the perception of modern medicine and health care delivery. Nurses are giving TED talks, publishing scientific research, lecturing on expert panels and at conferences, developing mobile medical applications, starting corporations, conducting nursing consultations, developing new product lines, and actively addressing health care policy. They are collaborating with their colleagues, from social workers and pain management providers to hospital administrators and public safety personnel. The nursing field is growing as opportunities for Registered Nurses, nurse practitioners, DNP and PhD nurses, nurse educators, nurse anesthetists, and nurse researchers are having a paradigm shift in the nursing workforce. Nurses are breaking out of the traditional box of western medicine as nursing is being redefined.

This evolution of the nursing industry is detailed in a recent Huffington Post article entitled, “Beyond the Bedside: The Changing Role of Today’s Nurses,” authored by Capella University’s provost, Charles Tiffin, Ph.D. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ charles- tiffin-phd/nursing-school_b_1384285.html Tiffin discusses the ever-expanding roles of Nurses as they are now becoming integral components to essential healthcare practices, such as: assisting with the implementation of new healthcare technologies, taking active roles in healthcare research and policy development, coordinating complex patient treatment plans, serving a more diverse patient population in America and leading the way in legislation.

The nursing profession has evolved from the traditional white hat and dress and continues to be a growing field in today’s technological revolution.

Historically, it has proven its ability to adapt to the culture around it. For Nurses and patients alike, the advances made have helped the nursing field to go from being one that isn’t revered as being one that deserves and receives the utmost respect.

The changes in training, health care setting, growing responsibilities, nursing culture, and patient care have saved countless lives and helped it become the respected field that it is today.

As Nurses, we are the most trusted health care professional according to the Gallop poles for well over twelve years in a row. It's no wonder Nurses are leading the way in medical cannabis therapeutics and redefining its place again in western medicine where it has always belonged.

Assuring patients have safe access and being the voice for patients rights is what we define as being a Nurse. As Cannabis Nurses, we know that medical cannabis will succeed through the healing power of knowledge. #TheCannabisNurse

The Cannabis Nurse By: Sue De Gregorio Rosen, RN, CLNC

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I have always believed that there were medicinal benefits and many more to be discovered. As a Nurse, my activism belongs to the patient. Just from the sheer knowledge and study of herbal qualities, it has been well-known for many years that it is beneficial for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, for the glaucoma patients, it is a well known fact that cannabis reduces ocular pressure, and for the stressed, the knowledge that the US patented cannabis for its neuroprotective benefits. As of the recent knowledge, autism, Dravet syndrome, the fact that children are finding relief from these terrible and tragic anomalies, how could I, as a Professional Registered Nurse, ignore this proof, and as a patient advocate, I advocate for the safest care which I truly believe and have witnessed without any doubt.

The US Government has known since 1974 that Cannabis cures Cancer. In ‘72 Richard Nixon wanted a larger budget for his war on drugs. He thought that if he proved Cannabis caused lung cancer like cigarettes do, he would get the support he needed. He gave the Medical College of Virginia two years to do a study on the effects of THC on the body.

In '74 the study was completed.

It turns out, THC when ingested in highly concentrated forms (such as eating Cannabis oil) will attack any mutated cells in your body while strengthening and rejuvenating the healthy cells. They found the PERFECT cure for Cancer. It worked fast, it worked well, it worked on many different forms of Cancer in ALL stages and it had ZERO harmful side effects.

(Unlike Chemo which deteriorates your entire body and kills 1 in 5 patients. Not only that, but it dissolves ALL forms of tumors and can even combat super-bugs like MRSA.) When Richard Nixon saw the results of the study he was FURIOUS. He threw the entire report in the trash and deemed the study classified. In 1976 President Gerald Ford put an end to all public cannabis research and granted exclusive research rights to major pharmaceutical companies,

who set out — unsuccessfully — to develop synthetic forms of THC that would deliver all the medical benefits without the “high”. We only found out about the study a few years ago thanks to dedicated medical and law professionals who filed Freedom of Information Requests.

The Government lied for many reasons. One of the main reasons is Pharmaceutical Companies.

They spend billions every year lobbying to keep Cannabis illegal because they make TRILLIONS off Cancer drugs and research. They are already well aware that Cannabis cures Cancer. They have a great con going at the moment. Cancer patients and their loved ones will spend their entire life savings or even sell their houses and businesses in order to pay for Chemotherapy and other Cancer treatment drugs.

http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pmc/articles/ PMC4791145/

MAPS PTSD Studies. http://www.maps.org/ research/mmj/marijuana-us According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.5% of the children in the U.S. are diagnosed with autism as of 2014, so this is a huge patient population. They are using CBD or cannabidiol, which can be derived from marijuana and hemp plants. Jun 10, 2015

Desperate Parents Of Autistic Children Trying Cannabis Despite Lack ... http://www.forbes.com/sites/ debraborchardt/2015/06/10/ desperate-parents-ofautistic-children-tryingcannabis-despite-lack-ofstudies/#4dd33b852c94 www.forbes.com/.../ desperate-parents-ofautistic-children-tryingcannabis-despite...

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Nursing is based on holistic care. If we have the capacity to provide care and relief to our patients with the least amount of side effects, then why are we not doing so? I believe it is criminally negligent to withhold safe access to our patients.

Cannabis should have never been a scheduled 1 illegal drug.

It is an herb. It is a plant, it is nature. “As one who has been involved in the medical marijuana movement from literally the very beginning and who brings to this issue 40 years of perspective, I can say with certainty that we have never been at a more opportune time to effect dramatic and positive change. Everyone is aware, however, that changing the

amendments to the U.S. Constitution have been used in varying degrees of success in determining a right to personal autonomy: • The First Amendment protects the privacy of beliefs • The Third Amendment protects the privacy of the home against the use of it for housing soldiers • The Fourth Amendment protects privacy against unreasonable searches • The Fifth Amendment protects against self-incrimination, which in turn protects the privacy of personal information • The Ninth Amendment says that the "enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage other rights retained by the people." This has been interpreted as justification for broadly reading the Bill of Rights to protect privacy in ways not specifically provided in the first eight amendments.

- See more at: http://www.livescience.com/37398-right-to privacy.html#sthash.57xPa2GT.dpuf

We are rewarded because we have always believed in this plant and in nature and that finally, after all of this time, we are able to provide what has been discovered and known since ancient times that Cannabis heals.

And thirdly, we can be rewarded by the fact that our choices are available. We have asked this before, and will continue to request the change of unfair and archaic laws of greed.

President Obama , pick up your pen and sign an Executive Order to deschedule Cannabis..........before you step down, please do right by the children and adults who can and will benefit from a plant that should have never been dismissed as just dope.........you know better. Please help, don't just leave......leave with dignity, leave with the respect from parents and medical professionals, and most importantly, leave with love.

federal […] Source: The U.S. Must Create a New Schedule for Cannabis: An Open Letter the U.S. Congress | Cannabis Now" A holistic view means that we are interested in engaging and developing the whole person.

We can view of this as different levels, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. It's the concept that the human being is multi-dimensional. We have conscious and unconscious aspects, rational and irrational aspects. That is the definition, that is the practice I follow.

No one should have to suffer needlessly. We have human rights, patient rights, a bill of rights and we have constitutional rights. The right to privacy often means the right to personal autonomy, or the right to choose whether or not to engage in certain acts or have certain experiences. Several

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Our personal preferences on how we manage our pain should never be dictated by the pharmaceutical industry. We should never disregard medical or professional advice, but we should choose.

States that continue to show reluctance in accepting Medical Marijuana (MMJ) as a valid point of care need education. The outstanding number of researchers studying Cannabis prompted the creation of the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS) in 1992 has brought together so many universally connected scientists, such as Dr. Sue Sisley, and Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who are recognized scholars.

We have a responsibility to educate our state officials who may not fully understand. With understanding I believe a gentle acceptance will eventually have to occur.

We are rewarded daily, that the children that suffer needlessly have an outlet, and to see them smile, to hear the delight and optimism in each and every parent and/or caregiver when they witness the results.

Sue De Gregorio Rosen, RN, CLNC Nurse Activist, Legal Liaison National Cannabis Patient Wall, Activist & Advocate, The American Cannabis Nurses Association, member NY NORML, Liaison for Dan Molecules, www.alternativeherbals.net, Vermont’s First Higher Education on Cannabis Team, member The Human Solution, Compassionate Care, Drug Policy Alliance, NAPW, Weed Women.

By: Sue Sue De De Gregorio Gregorio Rosen., Rosen., RN, RN,CLNC By: CLNC The United States Constitution has many 21st century impacts on our daily lives that are almost never thought about. At a time of growing federal regulation of our lives, there remain areas of life where the 10th Amendment, reserving power to the states is alive and well. The nursing profession is among them. Due to the 10th Amendment there is no federal law of nursing. The states regulate nursing through state adopted Nurse Practices Acts.

The 10th Amendment The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. The purpose of the Tenth Amendment is for state governments to make laws for the people within their borders with the Constitution, which makes laws for all the people in the country. The concept of different governments having authority over the same territory, but different subjects is called federalism. The idea of American Federalism is to protect freedom by limiting each government to its own area. The federal government was designed to have only the powers listed in the Constitution, with any power not listed left to the states. The Tenth Amendment was included to make this clear and to limit the federal government from overstepping its bounds.

The United States Constitution does not grant Congress power to regulate nursing. Therefore, the power to regulate nursing is among the powers reserved to the states. This regulation has its foundation in the Nurse Practice Act.

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10th Amendment at Work: Modern State Nurse Practice Acts States regulate nursing as one of the health professions that poses a risk of harm to the public if practiced by someone who is unprepared and/or incompetent. The principal basis for regulation is a state’s Nurse Practice Act (NPA). The NPA sets forth the requirements for the board of nursing, education, licensure, scope of nursing practice and discipline.

Elements of a Nurse Practice Act 1.. Definitions 2.. Authority, power, and composition of a Board of Nursing

3.. Educational program standards 4.. Standards and scope of nursing practice 5.. Types of titles and licenses 6. Requirements for licensure 7. Grounds for disciplinary action, other violations, and possible remedies

An Example: The Illinois Board of Nursing The Illinois Board of Nursing has thirteen members appointed by the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional members appointed by the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation:

four advanced practice nurses, three nursing educators, two registered nurses, one licensed practical nurse, one nursing administrator, one nurse and one public member. The Board makes recommendations on the adoption of revisions to the rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of the Act, conducts hearings and disciplinary conferences, and recommends approval or denial of nursing education programs.

Additionally the Board: 1. sets fees for licensure 2. performs criminal background checks 3. licenses qualified applicants 4. ensures continuing competence 5. develops nursing standards of practice 6. regulates unlicensed assistive personnel The Nursing Process: Standards Set Forth in The Illinois Nurse Practice Act The professional conduct of a Nurse is directed and measured by the NPA and rules issued by the Board of Nursing. The standards and scope of nursing practice within an NPA are aligned with the nursing process.

The nursing process in the Illinois Nurse Practice Act, includes but is not limited to: (1) The assessment of healthcare needs, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and nursing evaluation; (2) The promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health;(3) Counseling, patient education, health education, and patient advocacy; (4) The administration of medications and treatments as prescribed by an appropriately licensed professional; (5) The coordination and management of the nursing plan of care; (6) The delegation to and supervision of individuals who assist the Registered Professional Nurse implementing the plan of care; (7) Teaching nursing students Nurses Judged by Standards of State Nurse Practice Act Each state, through their own Nurse Practice Act license and oversee the conduct of one of the most critical components of our health care system. In the rare cases of allegations of nursing malpractice that arise in federal court, a Nurse is judged by the standards of the state that licensed her. Even a Nurse working for the Veteran’s Administration is held to the standards of her state. This is because there is no federal nursing law, due to the appropriate deference to the 10th Amendment. States frequently update their Nurse Practice Act, and in doing so have the benefit of the experience of other states in this area.[1]

This is how the state laboratories of democracy are supposed to work in the federal system, to the benefit of each state’s citizens.

The Result: The Nation’s Most Respected Profession Nursing is consistently viewed by Americans as the most respected profession in the nation. Certainly part of this is because of the people drawn to such caring and compassionate work. Another element is the local control without regulation set by a distant government in Washington. It is an example of the 10th Amendment working as intended. Such a great article that I wanted and needed to share! We thank author, David J. Shestokas for this token of appreciation that he published during Nurses Week May 2016, and wanted to extend it to all who have not had the pleasure of reading his work. We, as Nurses, honor our constitutional rights, as we honor our patients.

We are on a mission.....Cannabis is medicine............GAME ON!

Sue De Gregorio Rosen., RN ,CLNC As a high energy skilled Professional Registered Nurse, possessing strong communication and administrative skills with over 18 years of management experience and 30+ yrs as a trauma/ burn/ER specialist, and with a keen analytic ability to successfully resolve issues and to exceed standards for outstanding commitment to the future the self-evident of outcomes and to the continued support for Medicinal Marijuana.

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GUIDELINES American Nurses FOR Association (ANA) PHYSICIAN Position Statement WELL-BEING Est. 2008 COMMITTEES In Support of Patients’ TOSafe ASSIST Access to Therapeutic Marijuana IMPAIRED PHYSICIANS

Purpose: The purpose of this statement is to reiterate the American Nurses Association (ANA) support for patients having safe access to therapeutic marijuana.

Statement of ANA position: Marijuana (Cannabis) has been used medicinally for centuries. It has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of symptoms in a variety of conditions.

Therefore, the American Nurses Association supports: 1. The education of Registered Nurses and other health care practitioners regarding appropriate evidence-based therapeutic use of marijuana including those non-smoked forms of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that have proven to be therapeutically efficacious.

2. Protection from criminal or civil penalties for patients using medical marijuana as permitted under state laws.

3. Exemption from criminal prosecution; civil liability; or professional sanctioning, such as loss of licensure or credentialing, for health care practitioners who prescribe, dispense or administer medical marijuana in accordance with state law.

4. Reclassification of marijuana’s status from a Schedule I controlled substance into a less restrictive category.

5. Confirmation of the therapeutic efficacy of medical marijuana.

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History/Previous Position Statements: Marijuana has been smoked for its medicinal properties for centuries. The American Nurses Association has supported providing patients with safe access to therapeutic marijuana for over a decade. The ANA House of Delegates has gone on record as supporting Nurses’ "ethical obligation to be advocates for access to healthcare for all" including patients in need of “marijuana/cannabis for therapeutic use” (ANA, 2003). In addition, in 1996, ANA's Congress on Nursing Practice (the forerunner of today’s ANA Congress on Nursing Practice and Economics) advocated support for: • the education for RNs regarding current, evidence based therapeutic uses of cannabis, and the investigation of therapeutic efficacy of cannabis in • controlled trials (ANA, 1996). Preclinical, clinical, and anecdotal reports suggest numerous potential medical uses for marijuana. Although the indications for some conditions (e.g., HIV wasting and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting) have been well documented, less information is available about other potential medical uses (ACP, 2008).

Until 1937, cannabis was widely prescribed in the United States.

The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 began the prohibition of its use (Galliher & Walker, 1977) and the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 completely prohibited all therapeutic medicinal use of marijuana/cannabis by making it a Schedule I drug (Public Law 91-513). There is a growing body of evidence that marijuana has a significant margin of safety when used under a practitioner's supervision when all of the patient's medications can be considered in the therapeutic regimen (Steinborn, 2001; IOM, 1999). A number of professional associations including the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Public Health Association have noted marijuana's therapeutic properties for a number of conditions. Marijuana is seen as efficacious in: • • • • •

Reducing nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy Stimulating the appetite of patients coping with the wasting syndrome associated with HIV/AIDS and cancer Short-term relief of the intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma Decreasing spasticity, pain, and tremor in some patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injuries, or other trauma Decreasing suffering from chronic pain (ACP, 2008; APHA, 1995).

Additional research is called for to confirm marijuana’s therapeutic properties and to determine standard and optimal doses and routes of delivery. Unfortunately, research expansion has been hindered by a complicated federal approval process, limited availability of research-grade marijuana, and the debate over legalization. Marijuana’s categorization as a Schedule I controlled substance raises significant concerns for researchers, health care practitioners, and patients (ACP, 2008).

While voters have approved the use of marijuana in a number of states, there are several where the administration and legislative bodies have refused to accept regulations or codify provider behaviors. Further, the FDA, the DEA and the federal government have issued warnings to the providers in those states, identifying the federal consequences of distributing or prescribing medical marijuana. Therefore, families and patients who gain access to or use marijuana/cannabis as adjunct therapy for symptom relief are still at risk for breaking the law (Wall, 2001).

According to a number of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), there is no evidence supporting medical use of marijuana for treatment in the United States (FDA, 2006). In June 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6 to 3 that the federal government has the power to arrest and prosecute patients and their suppliers even if the marijuana use is permitted under state law,

because of its authority under the federal Controlled Substances Act to regulate interstate commerce in illegal drugs (Okie, 2005). Those positions are in conflict with the IOM report which noted that “for patients such as those with AIDS or who are undergoing chemotherapy and who suffer simultaneously from severe pain, scientific studies support medical use of marijuana for treatment in the United States.” The IOM also determined that in comparison with other drugs (both legal and illicit), including alcohol, tobacco, and cocaine, “dependence among marijuana users is relatively rare and dependence appears to be less severe than dependence on other drugs.” (IOM, 1999). Clearly there is a disconnect between federal agencies and the scientific and healthcare communities as to the value of medical marijuana, which hinders ongoing research and precludes patients having safe access to therapeutic marijuana.

Summary: The evidence demonstrates a connection between therapeutic use of marijuana and symptom relief. The American Nurses Association actively supports patients' rights to legally and safely utilize marijuana for symptom management and health care practitioners’ efforts to promote quality of life for patients needing such therapy.

References: American College of Physicians Board of Regents. (2008).

Supporting research into the therapeutic role of marijuana. Philadelphia, PA: Author.

American Nurses Association. (2003). Providing patients safe access to therapeutic marijuana/cannabis.

Washington, DC: Author.

American Nurses Association. (1996, May 3). Report of the Virginia Nurses Association on the therapeutic use of cannabis (marijuana). Washington, DC: Author.

American Public Health Association. (1995), Access to therapeutic marijuana/cannabis. Washington, DC: Author.

Galliher, J.F. & Walker, A. (1977). The puzzle of the social origins of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. Social Problems, 24(3), 367-376.

Institute of Medicine (1999). Marijuana and medicine: Assessing the science base. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

Okie, S. (2005, August 18). Medical marijuana and the Supreme Court. New England Journal of Medicine. 353(7), 648-651.

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WELLNESS

HEMP OIL VS CANNABIS OIL

HEMP OIL VS CANNABIS OIL

The difference between CBD from Hemp and CBD from Cannabis strains

By: Will Kleidon, Ojai Energetics President and CEO

W

ith all the information coming out from University Research programs to actual doctors touting the amazing benefits of CBD I thought it would be good to shed light on and bring to rest some miss conceptions., CBD is short for Cannabinoid, it is one of 70+ compounds found in Hemp as well as Medical Cannabis plants.

CBD acts on the body’s Endocannabinoid System, creating physical changes in the body, which can be beneficial in many ways. It has come to light in the medical communities an increase of understanding that by ingestion or using

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as a topical CBD oil can have a positive effect on many aspects of life and health. Let’s take a look at what the differences are between Hemp / Medical Cannabis CBD and the plants themselves.

recreational cannabis states. I wasn’t satisfied with any hemp CBD products on the market so I set out to create the most effective, safe and ethical CBD that I personally would want to take.

I founded Ojai Energetics because I was looking for a CBD product for personal use, and was surprised to find that when I searched online, CBD was being sold on Amazon. I did some research and found that if it is derived from hemp stalk and stem, it could be sold in all 50 states. I knew from my own experience how much a difference CBD had made in my life that many others would want to have access to it in non-medical or

For a long time I thought that Hemp was a distinct “cousin” of medical cannabis, and was the male plant.

I was mistaken. I discovered that the legal definition of hemp is ANY cannabis plant that produces .3% THC and less for the U.S. and many countries worldwide, some countries the THC can be up to .6%. There are three varieties of Cannabis, like there are different varieties of Eucalyptus trees.

HEMP OIL VS CANNABIS OIL

They are: Cannabis Indica, Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Ruderalis. Any of these three types of cannabis could be legally considered hemp, however the most common variety used by hemp farmers is Cannabis Sativa. This is because this variety produces tall plants, making better for fibre production. Cannabis Ruderalis produces little THC and high CBD, however is short and is not used for commercial hemp. Medical Cannabis strains are either a Sativa or and Indica, or a hybrid.

They have been cultivated and bred to produce higher and higher THC and CBD was not considered as people where selecting for the inebriating effects of THC.

There has been a ton of misinformation spread saying CBD from hemp is less effective than CBD from Medical Cannabis. There is nothing further from the truth. Hemp a human made concept that was created by Dr. Ernest Small who stated there was no real point in which ‘marijuana’ and ‘hemp’ differed and that .3% was the line he drew. The psychoactive limit of THC is around 1%. The body doesn’t react differently to human semantics. It does however act differently to different ratios of CBD to THC. The popular medical cannabis strain “Charlotte’s Web” would legally classify as “Hemp”! The CBD from cannabis sativa plant known as

“Charlotte’s Web” is no different than the CBD from a cannabis sativa plant known as Fedora 17.

The only difference is one is known as medical cannabis and the other is known as hemp by the general public, and both would legally be considered hemp. For those who want the vast benefits of CBD without psychoactive effects, a CBD rich cannabis strain that produces .3% THC or less is the way to go. My company uses Sativa strains grown in Europe that are legally hemp due to the THC levels that are high in CBD. We can only use the stalks and stems of the plant, and not the flowers, to be legal in all 50 states.

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HEMP OIL VS CANNABIS OIL

We extract all the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant through Co2 extraction methods.

Our products have a CBD to THC ratio of around 25:1 making them non-psychoactive.

Our bodies don’t care whether the cannabinoids and terpenes and other phytonutrients come from the stalk or the flower as long as they are all there. The only difference is that you need a lot more stalk and stem to get the same amount of CBD and other cannabinoids than you would from the flower. We will use ‘hemp’ flowers as a source as soon as the Farm Bill allows use for interstate commerce as it would enable us to lower our prices. However, for the end user, their body would react no differently whether it comes from the stalk or stem or flower, or whether it’s a “medical cannabis” sativa strain called Charlotte’s Web that’s technically hemp, or a ‘hemp’ Cannabis Sativa.

One thing that is very important is that the plants are grown in organic conditions as cannabis plants are amazing at ‘bioremediation’ this means that they will ‘suck up’ contaniminets in the soil they are grown in.

Great for the soil, but not great if you want to in tern use the plants for internal use.

Prevention is especially relevant to those with prediabetes—people with high blood sugar levels that haven’t yet scaled up to the condition of diabetes. The CDC estimates that 37% of U.S. adults suffer from prediabetes. A lot of cannabis sativa plants are grown in China as hemp for fibre purposes, and now with CBD exploding

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in public awareness, many are extracting those plants for human consumption.

that we are still discovering. Beyond just cannabinoids which are a special type of compounds known as terpenes, there are other terpenes that are not cannabinoids but have a slew of heath benefits and are what make the plant have different smells and tastes.

The problem is that these CBD extracts are filled with heavy metals. We only use plants grown in strict organic conditions in northern Europe for the sole purpose of extracting for human Along with cannabinoids and other types of consumption. We then 3rd party test each batch terpenes, a Co2 extract can have other nutrients for heavy metals, VOC’s, Microbes, Terpenes and such as polyphenols and chlorophyll. There are Cannabinoids to ensure people know what they crystal CBD and products people putting out are putting in their bodies every single time. formulated with crystal CBD which has no THC in it, and none of the other vital components of a So long story short, I chose ‘hemp’ because full spectrum extract. When you isolate just the we can deliver the same amazing health benefits CBD, you are changing how nature developed it, to people all over the world instead of being which is a safe and balanced and most effective stuck selling in only designated states like mix of things. Isolating it and not having any California and Colorado.

THC doesn’t make it dangerous to our knowledge, but makes it much less effective.

It is absolutely vital that there is some THC present in order for the CBD and all the other cannabinoids to work effectively. It hasn’t been Due to the prohibition of Cannabis in the US it understood why yet, but the human body needs all has created a very strange and fascinating legal of the constituents, including some THC even if in environment. In 1936 the US banned all minute amounts for the CBD to be more available Cannabis from being grown and used in the for use or ‘bioavailable’. That’s why we always United States. This was well before humans use full spectrum Co2 extracts, and then we take it knew the components of it such as THC and one step further by making the oil encapsulated CBD and other cannabinoids. Prior to this with tiny water bubbles using a certified organic Cannabis had long been grown and used for plant and our patent pending process, that makes many purposes in the US from fibre production it the most bio-available we have ever found and and use in medicine. It was at one point against the fastest acting. In reality a full spectrum the law for colonies not to grow cannabis. The extract contains a lot more than just CBD and United States constitution was written on THC, they have many other cannabinoids such as cannabis paper and the first US flag was made of CBC, CBG, THC-a, CBD-a, CBN and many it. When writing the law that banned it they more. Each one of those has their own unique made an exception to the stalks and stems, benefits

HEMP OIL VS CANNABIS OIL oil from the stalks and stems, seeds, oil from the seeds, and cakes made from the seeds.

They made an exemption to the exemption which was for the resin of the stalks and stems. This exemption defined resin as psychoactive material. The term resin that is used now is not what they meant as resin back in 1936. In 2001 the DEA tried to prevent companies from selling hemp seeds and hemp seed oil that had trace amounts of THC in them. These trace amounts were due to contamination from the flowers the seeds were harvested from, and cannot get you ‘high’. The Hemp Industry Association sued the DEA and a landmark decision was made in the 9th Circuit Federal court. The Judge set legal precedence stating that hemp was clearly exempted from the CSA and that any cannabinoid, including THC was not illegal as long as it was from the stalk and stem, oil, hempseeds or hemp seed oil and in nonpsychoactive concentrations. She then stated that what they meant by resin in the exemption was psychoactive concentrations of THC. This landmark decision is what allows the oil to be extracted from stalk and stem from plants that produce below .3% THC as long as the THC is not in a psychoactive concentration, which is 1% THC or less. We choose to ensure that the THC is below .3% as that is what has been defined as hemp in the 2014 Farm Bill. The HIA vs. DEA case did not however allow for cannabis to be grown in the US, so we must use cannabis grown outside of the US that is legally a hemp. The 2014 Farm Bill redefined hemp as the entire cannabis plant that has .3% THC or less, and will allow flowers and leaves to be used as well. However the Farm Bill defines it only for research and market research purposes in states that allow hemp to be grown, and doesn’t allow for interstate commerce of hemp, to the best of our knowledge, yet. None of this is really logical, however bureaucracy rarely is.

The good news is however, the 9th Circuit ruling was very logical and allows for CBD produced from stalk and stem of cannabis grown outside the US as hemp to be legal in the United States. The Farm Bill is also a great step in the right direction and logically defines hemp as the whole plant and not just parts of the plant.

Sooner than later, we will be able to use cannabis grown in the US as hemp, and extract the CBD and other cannabinoids from the flowers.

Hemp CBD has also been shown to be safe to use by all, children, pregnant or nursing women, and those who cannot take pharmaceutical medicines who may want to use it as an alternative remedy. Can you address what water soluble vs alcohol or other processes looks like and how does water soluble make it more bioavailable? Cannabinoid rich oil is what is known as lipophillac. Lipophilac means that it ‘loves fat’ or is soluble (dissolves into) in fats, and pass through fat membranes easily. It is lipophillic because it is mostly made of oils and fats. Since it is lipophillic it is by definition hydrophobic, which means it doesn’t like water, and cannot dissolve into water and pass through water membranes. All of these funny names are important because it effects how much CBD we can get into our body by eating cannabinoid rich oil. Our mouth, stomach and intestines are lined with a layer of water. Oil and water don’t mix.

So in order for the cannabinoid rich oil to get into our blood streams where it can work it’s magic, it needs to change from lipophillic to hydrophilic. The oil won’t absorb in the mouth and will sit in the stomach waiting for the transformation to occur. The body has to dump enzymes into the stomach to emulsify the oil to make it past the water layer to make into the blood stream. It takes about 30 minutes for this to happen and by the time it’s in the blood, 90% of the cannabinoids has been destroyed. So if you eat 10mg of CBD from a regular CBD extract, only 1mg actually makes it into the blood. Alcohol dissolves fat compounds into it such as CBD and other cannabinoids, which makes it an effective extraction method.

However when taking an alcohol extract the body still has to emulsify the cannabinoids, the same as a Co2 extract,before it can get into the blood. Our company has created a method that encapsulates the Cannabinoid Co2 extract in a tiny Nano sized bubble of a water soluble layer of a certified organic saponin known as quillaja.

We have created a truly water soluble Cannabinoid oil so that the when taken it goes directly through the water layers of the mouth and stomach. The body thinks it is taking in a water instead of an oil. Once in the blood the oil breaks out of the

water soluble bubble so it can get to the proper places it needs to go. This has made our CBD the fastest acting available and vastly improves how much makes it into the blood. We estimate our CBD oils mix is at least 10x more bioavailable, meaning taking 10mg of our CBD is the equivalent of taking 100mg of a regular CBD oil.

Many try CBD oils made with Olive Oil. One issue is that these products in oils can easily go rancid from exposure to high heat in shipping. While they have wonderful health benefits when not rancid, they are not very bioavailable delivery systems and don’t last long without adding preservatives. Once they go rancid they can do more harm than good. We choose certified organic coconut glycerine for our base because it can absorb the water based CBD oil and naturally preserve it without harmful preservatives. You want to make sure that glycerine bases are certified organic and corn and soy free as most are made from GMO corn or Soy and if they are organic still are likely from Soy which isn’t the healthiest for you or your loved ones. As this the current paradigm changes has allowed this amazing plant and industry to emerge from the underground, a lot of myths needs to be put to scientific rigor.

There are educated people in this industry and many misinformed people.

Most simply believe they are giving fact and when they are innocently misinformed and have no ill intention. I have certainly done this in the past, like thinking hemp was the male plant and cannabis the female. That is why it is so critical that the industry work together to share and correct when new knowledge emerges and help protect the space for everyone through cooperation and synergy.

Some of this however, is unfortunately due to a small handful putting out misinformation to benefit their companies profits. This unfortunately can have long lasting problems, however the truth will ultimately always prevail in the age of information.

I believe that the people putting out the true information are the people who care about taking care of people first. This new emerging industry is going to take education, education that is based on fact not profit.

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chef herb has created some of his favorite recipes for his classic days of summer time fun. check out cookwithherb.com to see how he can help you learn to cook with, and make, thc oils and butter.

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Shrimp CoCkTail

If you are using frozen shrimp, the safest way to defrost them is in a bowl of ice water in the refrigerator. I like to buy tail-on, shell-on, deveined shrimp. Of course, use what you can find at the markets.

INgrEDIENTS For the shrimp: - 2 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning - 1 teaspoon granulated garlic - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder - 1 teaspoon salt - 24 extra large tail-on raw shrimp (more if you are using smaller shrimp) For the cocktail sauce: - 1/2 cup chili sauce - 1 cup ketchup - ¼ cup THC olive oil - 1 tablespoon horseradish - 1 dash Worcestershire sauce Juice of 1/2 lemon - 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco - 1/2 clove garlic, finely minced 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped * The chef specifically recommends Heinz chili sauce – it’s not very spicy and has a nice sweet taste. If you use other type of hot chili sauce, just start with a couple tablespoons first, then taste and adjust.

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PrEPArATION 1. To prepare the cocktail sauce, mix all the cocktail sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.

2. Have a large bowl of ice water ready and set near the sink. Add the Old Bay, lemon, granulated garlic, garlic, chili powder, and salt to an 8-quart pot of water. Bring to a boil. Add the shrimp to the pot and when the water returns to a boil, the shrimp should be done! The shrimp should be bright pink.

3. Immediately drain and place the shrimp into the ice bath to cool for 2 minutes. Peel the shrimp (leaving the tail-on.) Drain and serve with the cocktail sauce.

TradiTional CeviChe INgrEDIENTS - 2 lbs of firm, fresh red snapper fillets (or other firm-fleshed fish), cut into 1/2 inch pieces, completely deboned - 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lime juice - 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice - ¼ cup THC olive oil - 1/2 red onion, finely diced - 1 cup of chopped fresh seeded tomatoes - 1 serrano chili, seeded and finely diced - 2 teaspoons of salt - Dash of ground oregano - Dash of Tabasco or a light pinch of cayenne pepper - Cilantro - Avocado -Tortillas or tortilla chips PrEPArATION 1. In a non-reactive casserole dish, place the fish, the onion, the tomatoes, the chili, the salt, the Tabasco, and the oregano. Cover with THC olive oil, lime and lemon juice. Let it sit covered in the refrigerator for about an hour, stir occasionally, making sure all the fish gets exposed to the acidic lime and lemon juices. Let sit for several hours, giving time for the flavors to blend.

2. During the marinating process the fish will change from pinkish grey and translucent to whiter in color and opaque.

3. Serve with the chopped cilantro and the slices of avocado with heated tortillas for ceviche tacos or with tortilla chips

Crab ClawS wiTh a ClaSSiC Cajun romulade INgrEDIENTS - 1 qt Mayonnaise; (not salad - 4 Eggs; hard boiled - 3 tb Creole or dark mustard - ½ cup THC olive oil - 4 tb White vinegar - 4 tb Fresh parsley; chopped 2 tb Worcestershire sauce - 3 tb Horseradish sauce - 4 Cloves garlic; chopped Salt and pepper; to taste

mix, cover, and refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes. Just before serving, stir in the cilantro and sprinkle with chopped peanuts.

momS piCniC ChiCken Salad INgrEDIENTS - 3 peaches - 1/4 Cup THC olive oil - 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar - 1 lb cooked chicken - 2/3 cup hazelnuts - 1/2 cup cilantro - salt - pepper - 8 cups spinach leaves PrEPArATION 1. Peel the peaches: this is easier if you blanch them first by putting them in a pan of simmering water for a minute. (If you use nectarines, it is unnecessary to peel them).

PrEPArATION Whirl all the ingredients in blender or processor; add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate 12 hours before using. Will keep several weeks in refrigerator. This sauce is basically for use with Crab Claws, as a cocktail, but can be used for many other things.

2. In a medium salad bowl, whisk together the THC olive oil and vinegar. Add the chicken, peaches, hazelnuts and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Add the spinach leaves and toss again.

Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to a day; it gets better as it sits. Remove from the fridge half an hour before eating.

aSian TomaTo CuCumber and onion Salad

pineapple and jiCama Salad

INgrEDIENTS - 1 large cucumber - 2 tomatoes, seeded and cut into wedges ¼ red onion, thinly sliced - ¼ THC olive oil - 1/4 cup rice vinegar - 2 tablespoons lime juice - 1 teaspoon white sugar, or to taste - 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro - 3 tablespoons chopped peanuts (optional) PrEPArATION Peel the cucumber in stripes lengthwise with a vegetable peeler, alternating skinned stripes with peel for a decorative effect. Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise, and then thinly slice. Place the cucumber in a salad bowl with the tomato and red onion, and mix together. Pour the rice vinegar, THC olive oil, and limejuice into a separate bowl, and stir in the sugar until dissolved. Pour the dressing over the salad;

INgrEDIENTS - 1 fresh pineapple - 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into thin strips - 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips 3/4 cup finely diced jicama - 2 scallions, thinly sliced - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon pepper - ¼ cup THC vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar PrEPArATION 1. Peel pineapple and cut away core. Cut into 1-inch pieces. Place in a large bowl.

2. Add green and red pepper strips, jicama and scallions.

3. In a small jar, shake together salt, pepper, vinegar and THC vegetable oil. Add to salad and toss to coat.

4. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

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Smoked Salmon paSTa Salad INgrEDIENTS - 1/2 c. dry white wine - 1/4 c. THC olive oil - 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard - 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice - 8 oz. fusilli (corkscrew) pasta - 1 head radicchio, torn into bite sized pieces - 3/4 lb. smoked salmon, cut julienne - 1/4 c. raspberry vinegar - 2 eggs - 1 shallot, minced - Salt and pepper - 2 heads curly endive, torn into bite sized pieces 10 Italian olives, pitted - 1 tbsp. snipped fresh chives PrEPArATION Mix wine, vinegar, THC olive oil, eggs, mustard, shallot and lemon juice in blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain in colander. Cool completely under running water. Drain.

Mix pasta with endive and radicchio in large bowl. Add tomatoes, olives and dressing to taste; toss well. Divide salad among plates.

Sprinkle with salmon and chives. 6 servings

exTreme mediCaTed blondieS INgrEDIENTS - 4 cups all-purpose flour - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 1-1/3 cups (2-1/3 sticks) unsalted THC butter at room temperature - 3 cups packed light-brown sugar - 4 teaspoons vanilla - 4 eggs - 2-1/2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts 1-1/4 cups white chocolate chips PrEPArATION 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 9 x 9 x 2-inch square baking pans with foil, extending over two sides.

2. Mix together flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Beat THC

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butter, sugar, and vanilla in large bowl until creamy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. On low, beat in flour mixture. Stir in 2 cups walnuts and 1 cup chips. Divide batter into pans. Divide remaining nuts in half; sprinkle over each pan.

3. Bake in 350 degrees F oven 40 minutes, until toothpick tests clean.

Remove pans from oven. Sprinkle tops with remaining chips; lightly press down chips with spatula to melt slightly. Cool in pan on rack. Cut in squares

blueberry CupCakeS INgrEDIENTS - 1 1/4 cups flour - 2 cup sugar - 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/3 cup THC butter - 1 egg, beaten - 3/4 cup milk - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla - 2/3 cup blueberries - 1/3 cup chopped unblanched almonds, toasted PrEPArATION Sift dry ingredients together to mix well. Cut in the THC butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Whisk egg vigorously to incorporate air and make the eggs light. Stir in egg, milk and vanilla and combine thoroughly. Add to dry mixture and stir together (some lumps should remain) and add the blueberries. Fill well greased muffin tins with batter until two thirds full.

Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 20 minutes or until done.

Makes 18 large muffins.

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Could Could your your illness illness be be explained explained by by Endocannabinoid Deficiency?

By: Seshata Sensi The Endocannabinoid System (eCS) is one of the great frontiers of medicine today – a game-changer for what we know about modern health. Image from ukcbd.com.

Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD) is a speculative disorder that causes permanently-low endocannabinoid levels in the affected individual.

Although we still have much to learn about this disorder, researchers believe that it might explain multiple illnesses that up to now have had no established cause.

What is the EC system, and how is it affected?

What is Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD)?

CEDC is the term given to a phenomenon reported in a number of patients suffering from certain chronic illnesses where endocannabinoid (EC) levels are found to be persistently lower than in healthy controls. In other words, low EC levels could be the cause of the chronic illnesses, rather than a symptom.

In this article, we will: • explain the Endocannabinoid System and basic principles of CECD • list the primary disorders associated with CECD • discuss the potential causes of CECD, which may be congenital or acquired • provide simple advice on strain selection and delivery methods

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This graphic illustrates how the EC system joins with cannabinoids like a lock and key – a perfect fit.

The Endocannabinoid (EC) System is a complex system that includes protein receptors known as cannabinoid (CB) receptors – which are situated in various body tissues – and a set of endogenous (produced within the body) fatty acids known as cannabinoids. Two main cannabinoid receptors have been identified thus far (dubbed the CB1-receptor and CB2receptor), along with two primary endogenous cannabinoids, known as anandamide and 2-AG.

Of the known endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), anandamide appears to be the key to understanding CECD. Anandamide is an agonist, which means that it has the ability to bind to a receptor and cause biological activity to occur.

The idea is that as anandamide circulates within the blood, it encounters and binds to the CB-receptors. This important bond – which medical science is only just now beginning to understand – controls or assists in the regulation of multiple bodily systems including sleep, appetite, motor control, perception of pain, and immune response.

In CECD, anandamide levels remain permanently low, and as a result, these various metabolic and regulatory processes may be impaired or halted entirely.

The remedy, as researchers are coming to understand, lies within the cannabis plant. Because THC is also an agonist, it too stimulates the CB-receptors, while substances such as CBD, which are antagonists, block the receptors and cause them to become inactive. This would explain how CBD can mitigate the effects of THC, reducing some of the more intense side effects.

The EC system was only discovered in the early 1990s, although its existence had been postulated for several decades by then. Twenty or so years later, we are still only beginning to understand the basic principles of this vastly complex system. Thus, it may be decades more before we are able to understand the potential effect on individual health for those suffering from CECD.

Disorders that have been linked to CECD The following conditions have been repeatedly linked to inherently low endocannabinoid levels. This commonality has led researchers to propose that a single common disorder, CECD, is the underlying cause.

• Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is characterized by hyperalgesia (the subjective experience of pain in response to non-painful stimuli) and pain in certain key points of the body.

Fibromyalgia sufferers anecdotally report experiencing relief from symptoms after using medical cannabis. Studies have shown that antagonists/inverse agonists cause hyperalgesia in animal models, suggesting that agonists should prevent or reduce it.

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) This digestive disorder is often present alongside migraine and/or fibromyalgia, and is also thought to be associated with both serotonergic and endocannabinoid signalling. Currently, drugs that target the serotonin receptors are often used to treat IBS, with limited efficacy, and research suggests that the CBreceptors would make a superior target.

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Several studies demonstrate that ASD is fundamentally linked to dysfunctional endocannabinoid signalling. There are various studies demonstrating that children with ASD exhibit altered endocannabinoid expression, and there are multiple anecdotal reports from parents who have had success with administering THC. • Cystic fibrosis (CF) This study argues that the chronic congenital lung disease cystic fibrosis is a result of imbalanced endocannabinoid levels, and that THC and other agonists are good candidates for further research. It is also possible that other respiratory/immunological disorders such as asthma are linked to the phenomenon.

Causes of CECD: Congenital & Acquired The speculative disorder known as CECD may be either congenital or acquired. A congenital disorder is one that is either hereditary (genetic in origin and inherited from a parent) or acquired during the fetal development stage.

With CECD, it is likely that some cases have a genetic element, as various mutations of the genes encoding for expression of endocannabinoids and CB-receptors have been associated with specific diseases. For example, a study involving 17 children with ASD showed that the subjects exhibited increased levels of the geneencoding for CB2receptors, but no difference in that encoding for CB1receptors.

Multiple studies have shown EC system activity to be high at several key points during fetal development, and it is also possible that some cases of CECD are caused by abnormalities in this activity. As well as this, there is the possibility that CECD could be acquired in the course of an individual’s lifetime, either due to injury or infection.

Will medical cannabis help you?

• Migraine Chronic headaches are caused by a complex biological mechanism that has been repeatedly shown to involve both the serotonergic and endocannabinoid systems.

Cannabinoid agonists including THC have been shown to inhibit serotonin release, which relieves symptoms in many migraine sufferers.

September/October 2016 CANNABISNURSESMAGAZINE.COM

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As with any medication there is no guarantee, but enough people have found successful healing with cannabis that it might very well be worth a shot.

A lot of people have successfully treated their CECDrelated ailments with whole-plant cannabis. But at present it is difficult to apply any standard to cannabis-based treatments simply because people react so differently to both cannabis and CECD. In the future, as testing procedures become more effective and accessible, it should be possible to develop treatments targeted to the individual.

However, if you feel your condition is caused by an underlying endocannabinoid deficiency, at this stage it’s more about finding a strain or strains that relieve your symptoms. From the current state of research, it seems that high-THC and low-CBD strains are ideal for conditions related to CECD. While sticking to high-THC strains seems to be the way forward, you may wish to experiment with slightly lower or higher CBD levels, as some patients report better results when using the two compounds in combination.

Should you decide to experiment with strains, dosage levels, and various methods of delivery – remember that it often takes a bit of trial and error before medical cannabis patients find their optimal regimen.

Sources for this story: Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD) E Russo 2003 http://www.i-gap.org/app/dokumente/Endocarbinoid% 20Defeciency.pdf Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD) revisited Smith SC, Wagner MS 2014 http://www.nel.edu/archive_issues/ o/35_3/35_3_Smith_198-201.pdf

Dannion Brinkley Co-Founder, The Twilight Brigade www.thetwilightbrigade.com

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The Real Story Behind the US Government’s Pot Patent #6630507 Provided by: Dannion Brinkley There’s been quite a bit of outrage from the cannabis community since the DEA announced their decision to deny the recent petitions to reschedule cannabis. Cannabis will remain at its current status of Schedule 1, meaning that it has absolutely no accepted medicinal value.

People are rightfully angry, because by now the vast majority of the population knows how ridiculous and false that claim really is. What has made cannabis proponents even angrier, is that part of the United States federal government actually holds a patent for the potential use of the cannabinoid chemical compounds found in marijuana, as a medicine. Patent No. 6,630,507 has exploded on Facebook and Twitter following the Drug Enforcement Agency’s decision. Angry anti prohibitionists have taken to social media to flood these websites with posts about the hypocrisy behind Patent No. 6,630,507. The patent number has become a trending hashtag, while other users are posting pictures of the number written on their hands. While Patent No. 6,630,507 is definitely an example of the government being a bit two faced, there is actually more to it than the oversimplifications lots of people have been posting lately.

To really understand the implications of our government owning the patent for something that they’ve outlawed, we need to take a closer look at Patent No. 6,630,507. The patent was granted back in 2003, to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Despite what you may have read, the patent is not for the whole cannabis plant or even for the psychoactive THC component. It only covers the possible use of the non-psychoactive compounds in cannabis for protecting the brain from degenerative diseases or damage. Cirrhosis is one of the biggest potential diseases that they believed this could possibly be used to treat.

It is clearly hypocritical for one government agency to declare that cannabis has no medicinal benefit, as another agency has a patent that definitively defies that. However, technically the government can file and receive patents for illegal things, and it has no bearing on the United States Controlled Substance Act. The National Institute of Health regularly files patents for potential technologies that have passed their evaluation. They have conducted lots of studies on the benefits and harms of cannabis over the years, but the FDA would still have to approve any resulting medicines from this patent.

What really changes things, is that the National Institute of Health isn’t hoarding the patent to themselves. They have made the patent available for private companies to license if they are interested in trying to create their own neural medicines. Five years ago, the company Kannalife Sciences Inc. got a license to use the technology to develop cannabinoid based medicines, to treat a special type of brain damage called hepatic encephalopathy. No other companies have licensed the patent from the National Institute of Health. The institute claims that the patent is intended for others to be able to use as well, plus the patent only has till 2019 before it expires and is truly open for the public. What this could actually be more indicative of is the surgence of cannabis related patents that we can probably expect to be submitted, once legalization does finally hit. Until then, try to remember to take some of those social media posts with a grain of salt, because Patent No. 6,330,507 isn’t quite as black and white of an issue as many of us thought.

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Resources

Recommended Books

Drugs Are NOT the Devil's Tools Black & White edition: How Discrimination and Greed Created a Dysfunctional Drug Policy and How It Can Be Fixed Drugs are NOT the Devil’s Tools is a fascinating, thoughtful, wonderfully illustrated and wellresearched examination into the origin of United States drug laws. Dr. David Bearman shows how, through intertwining motives of discrimination and greed, often under the guise of morality, they have created a drug.

Marijuana Grower's Handbook: Your Complete Guide for Medical and Personal Marijuana Cultivation By: Ed Rosenthal The all new Marijuana Grower’s Handbook shows both beginners and advanced growers how to grow the biggest most resinous, potent buds! This book contains the latest knowledge, tools, and methods to grow great marijuana –indoors and out. Use the most efficient technology and save time and labor.

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CANNABISNURSESMAGAZINE.COM

Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible By: Jorge Cervantes With 512 full color pages and 1120 full color photographs and illustrations, Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/ Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible is the most complete cultivation book available. The Fifth Edition of the former Indoor Marijuana Horticulture.

The Cannabis Grow Bible: The Definitive Guide To Growing Marijuana For Recreational And Medical Use The Cannabis Grow Bible is an authoritative source that features almost 200 color and black-and-white photographs, charts, and tables. With an emphasis on the day-to-day aspects of maintaining a garden and European expertise, this book ensures that growers will enjoy a successful harvest.

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Apps for Health-Care Professionals Smartphone apps and web-based tools are increasingly important resources for health-care practitioners.

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07 NETTER’S ANATOMY FLASH CARDS

DRUG HANDBOOKS

Keep over 300 outstanding anatomical flash cards on your device. This app enables you to carry the popular Atlas of Human Anatomy (4th edition) and its detailed anatomical illustrations on your phone or tablet. http://goo.gl/jr9Th

This app provides up-to-date drug information on your device, including contraindications, nursing considerations, patient teaching and integration of the nursing process. http://goo.gl/em9E1

03 MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR NUSING PRACTITIONERS WORKING WITH ADULTS The app is a best-practice guide for health-care professionals who work with adult patients. Other apps in the series provide guidelines for working specifically with women, with children, with older adults or in family practices. http://goo.gl/o2hC6

04 JOURNAL WATCH This tool from the Massachusetts Medical Society notifies you about new papers published on topics of your choice. http://goo.gl/dxbrd

05 3M PREP This app provides a detailed rationale for selecting surgical prep solutions. You can view how to correctly apply solutions while listening to a detailed set of instructions. http://goo.gl/QGwsY

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08 CNOR EXAM PREP The Competency and Credentialing Institute, the governing body of the Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) credentialing program, has created the CNOR exam prep app to help perioperative nurses prepare for the CNOR exam. The app helps individuals assess their exam readiness and develop critical thinking skills; it also provides tips for success, reviews knowledge related to the CNOR exam and can enhance test-taking confidence. http://goo.gl/n1DMo

09 EPOCRATES Rx The app includes a drug guide, formulary information and a drug interaction checker. This product also includes continual, free updates and medical news.

Additionally, the app works on your device when you are offline, so you can look up information without a wireless connection. http://goo.gl/fqchG

10 MACEWAN LIB The MacEwan University Library app simplifies searches for books and articles. It allows you to place a hold on library catalogue items, renew items, download full-text resources and perform many other tasks. http://goo.gl/YAUQe

Nursing Conferences Come meet the National Cannabis Nurses at these future Events!

2016

September Conferences International Medical Cannabis Conference (Cann10) September 11th, 2016 (EDT) | Tel Aviv, Israel http://canntencon.com/ The Endocannabinoid System and Cannabis: What Health Professionals Need to Know (6 CEUs) September 25th, 2016 | Traverse City, MI http://patientsoutoftime.org/events/great-lakes-patient-care-conference/ What Nurses Need to know about Medical Cannabis (5 CEUs for NJ, PA, NY only) September 28th, 2016 | Schnecksville, PA http://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-nurses-need-to-know-about-medical-cannabis-presented-atlehigh-carbon-county-community-college-tickets-26257362478?aff=eac2 Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON) September 29-Oct 1, 2016 | Indianapolis, IN http://www.aphon.org/meetings/confindex.cfm

October Conferences

Take Note

Cannabis Nurses Magazine 1-Year Anniversary Party Holistic Nursing and the eCS Connection (3 CEU's) Holistic Tune Up Workshop Sept.30th - Oct. 1st, 2016 | Las Vegas, NV www.CannabisNursesMagazine.com

!

Arizona Cannabis Conference & Expo National Cannabis Nurse Expert Panel October 15th & 16th, 2016 | Phoenix, AZ https://azcexpo.com

November Conferences Marijuana for Medical Professionals National Cannabis Nurse Lectures CME Certified Conference on Canabis Medicine November 14th - 16th, 2016 | Denver, CO http://www.marijuanaformedicalprofessionals.com Marijuana Business Conference & Expo Jack Herer Awards Ceremony (Thursday Night) November 16-18th, 2016 | Las Vegas, NV https://mjbizconference.com/ If you know of other Conferences available that are based on Cannabis Therapeutics that you wish to be listed in future issues please email us at: editor@cannabisnursesmagazine.com September/October 2016 CANNABISNURSESMAGAZINE.COM

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