Book Club

The CBD Handbook: Using and understanding CBD and medicinal cannabis (Mallion, K.: Aeon Books, 2021)

Reviewer: David Hughes

Until very recently, those wishing to learn more about CBD, the endocannabinoid system, or simply medicinal cannabis have been forced to navigate a very poorly charted sea of information. Most have accrued their knowledge from a small number of online resources, many of which are copied and pasted from originals that are outdated, selfinterested, or quite simply wrong. This tendency is repeated in the real world, where the general public's knowledge of cannabis’ interactions with the body is practically nonexistent. For those who are in the know, the subject can be so overwhelmingly complex that it can be difficult to convey in simple terms; it requires such fundamental shifts in understanding. What the medicinal cannabis space has been crying out for (particularly in the UK) are credible voices who convey easily navigable, well-researched material that covers the entire subject of interacting with medicinal cannabis from an advisory position. This book delivers exactly that— and does so concisely, with the best of cheer and intention.

The book is arranged in a manner that serves as an excellent starting point for anyone wishing to make health improvements with medicinal cannabis. The quality and relevance of the information is such that an absolute novice can encounter the very forefront of scientific understanding about cannabis, its history, basic taxonomy and interactions with the body in a couple of readings. For those who already have an understanding of the subject, it’s an entertaining and enlightening way to fill in those blank spaces in your knowledge base. Speaking personally, I know I will be directing people towards it as a primary resource; the information and nomenclature is bang up to date and presented in a format that can be read front to back or dipped into as required. Most welcome is a detailed description on the workings and importance of the endocannabinoid system— not only how it functions and its fundamental role in positive health outcomes, but how to begin introducing non-endogenous cannabinoids to the body in a capable and caring manner.

Importantly, the book doesn't shy away from the coalface of cannabis science by limiting the examination solely to Cannabidiol (CBD). Instead, it lays out a whole-plant medicine approach which comprehensively examines the medicinal benefits and properties of all the major and minor cannabinoids present in cannabis. The chapter focusing on the benefits of terpenes, flavonoids and secondary metabolites will be of particular interest to herbologists, as will the one on herbs that work synergistically with cannabis. This is the first time I've come across any writing on that particular topic. This allows the reader to begin to draw lines of commonality between the volatile components and fragrances found in cannabis and where and why they appear in other species of flora— a fun and fascinating divertisement.

For the practitioner, the chapters on the clinical use of medicinal cannabis will prove useful. A range of specific conditions are discussed, along with case studies based on the author’s own experiences. Extremely relevant, and of high value to those seeking guidance, such convincingly sourced information is not easily stumbled across online. A cold eye is cast across the lack of regulation of the market. This is important when patients are attempting to access high quality medicines, but it also serves to alert the reader to how much care should be taken when beginning to access or use CBD and medicinal cannabis.

Overall, the more people who can make sense of medicinal cannabis, the better— if it leads to an improvement in the health outcomes of those who are seeking help from these medicines. Superbly referenced and highly credible, this handbook should be the starting point for anyone wishing to build a relationship with CBD and medicinal cannabis. Actually, it’s THE book.