Ounce Oklahoma Winter 2018 by Ounce Magazine

MULTIPURPOSE MGZ

OunceMag.com WINTER 2018

Erika Ross Gee egee@wlj.com 501.212.1305 heartlandcannabislawyers.com

For 118 years weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve helped clients prepare for growth, so when it comes to cannabis we know what to expect. Our multi-disciplinary team of attorneys, led by Erika

Gee, helps clients navigate the diverse range of issues

raised by the emerging cannabis industry. We focus on

regulatory guidance, corporate and tax issues, legislative lobbying, application drafting and employment concerns. We offer experienced counsel and

representation on every aspect of cannabis in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and other emerging markets.

States that legalized marijuana had 25% fewer opioid-related deaths.

October 2014 Medical Cannabis Laws & Opiod Analgesic Overdose Mortality in the United States. 1999-2010. Marcus A. Bachhuber et. AI. (JAMA intern Med.)

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CONTENTS CHECK OUT OUR DOCTOR LOCATOR AT OUNCEMAG.COM/GETLEGAL

HOME GROW 101

A PATIENTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GUIDE TO BUYING CANNABIS

GET WELL, NOT HIGH

AN OPEN LETTER TO DISPENSARIES FROM A VETERAN & PATIENT

THE EFFECT OF CBD ON PETS

BUYER BEWARE: THE IMPORTANCE OF LAB TESTING

DIVING IN HEAD FIRST

COOKING WITH THE HEMP MOTHER

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BUYING OR SELLING

LOW & SLOW: A GUIDE FOR FIRST-TIME USERS

THE FAITH, SCIENCE, AND HOPE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS

DISPENSARY LOCATOR

UNBUCKLING THE BIBLE BELT: THE STORY OF SQ 788

DOCTORS HELP REDUCE THE NEGATIVE STIGMA OF CANNABIS

ASK DR. DAVE

TERPENE OF THE MONTH: CARYOPHYLLENE

this year give the perfect gift! Don't miss our holiday guide. OUNCEMAG.COM

Ounce is the first magazine in Oklahoma to focus on medical cannabis patients, industry, and legislation. Printed in full color and delivered old school. Distributed in retail shops, medical clinics, and events throughout the state. For advertising information please visit www.ouncemag.com.

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With nearly 1,000 licensed dispensaries opening in the State of Oklahoma, patients will soon have access to a wide variety of medical cannabis cultivars (strains) and administration methods—allowing for a new kind of health care to sweep Green Country and beyond. Meanwhile, others have noticed Oklahoma's efforts! Neighboring states wonder how Oklahomans managed to pass and implement medical cannabis law with so much speed, while they themsevles remain waiting—and suffering. And on social media, people from around the world have written to Ounce Magazine with messages of congratulations and pride for the Sooner State being on the right side of history!

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This issue we’re starting the journey to understand how to start your own personal grow and we hear from two different Veterans. We also break down some of the legal aspects of Oklahoma’s new laws and get you up to speed with the important rules, you need to know. And we wrap up with an article on how you can help your favorite animal get better with CBD. When you’re done with this magazine, pass it around. Give it to your doctor, your co-worker, or your neighbor. Spark the conversation.

Corey Hunt, Co-founder

EDITORIAL Corey Hunt corey@ouncemag.com Courtney Boze courtney@ouncemag.com CONTRIBUTORS Angela Bacca Brandi Swing Brandon Bailey, D.O. Courtney Boze David Bearman, MD Ellis Smith Erika Gee Josh Winningham, PharmD. Kris Molskness Kyle Felling, Ph.D. Laura K. Bales, RN Leslie Collum RN, CCM Pamela Street BSN/RN ADVERTISING (918) 303-2552 sales@ouncemag.com

COVER PHOTO BY DESTINY BURK ARTICLE IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM, COMMUNITY SUBMITTED, STAFF

A Thousand Dispensaries, a Historic Action, and a Word from the Medical Community

JOIN OUNCE AT IMPERIOUS EXPO’S ARK-LA-TEX DECEMBER 12TH &13TH?

HOW TO GET LEGAL IN OKLAHOMA IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU MAY CALL THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL MARIJUANA AUTHORITY DIRECTLY AT (405) 522-6662 OR EMAIL THEM AT OMMA@OK.GOV.

COMPLETE APPLICATION

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

Print and complete the patient information portion of the physician recommendation form.

Schedule an appointment with an Oklahoma Board Certified MD or DO. During your visit present the Physician Recommendation Form for your doctor to complete and sign. Note: Minor patients need a recommendation from two physicians.

You can download a copy here: http://omma.ok.gov HOW TO REGISTER AS A CAREGIVER If you are homebound you may choose to designate a caregiver. Complete the Adult Patient Caregiver Designation Form. You may withdraw your designated caregiver at any time using the Patient Withdrawal of Caregiver Form.

This is NOT a prescription, your doctor’s signature is simply certifying you have a medical condition and may receive therapeutic benefits from the use of medical cannabis. This form must be submitted to OMMA within 30 days of the physician’s signature to be valid.

Register with OMMA. Access the patient portal and create an account. Please note whichever email address designated to log in will be used by OMMA to send notices once the account is created. The application fee is $100 (Medicaid patients will pay a reduced fee of $20) and can be paid using a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card. This fee is nonrefundable. You will receive an approval letter including your Patient Identification Card within 14 days of submitting the application.

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The Easiest Way to Find Cannabis in Oklahoma. Find thousands of products and compare prices.

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Photographer: Jake Baum Grower: Kris “Sparky” Molskness

TIME TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL

Home Grow 101 Growing at home for the first time can be an exhilarating experience, especially when your state says it’s okay for you to do so. The legalization of medical and adult-use cannabis in certain states allows residents to exercise their right to grow cannabis in their own closets, basements, spare bedrooms, and creative spaces. Before you head over to purchase your dream grow kit, be aware there are many variables that can make or break a successful grow cycle.

HYBRID

BY ELLIS SMITH

LANDLORDS The State of Oklahoma allows you to cultivate cannabis at home with just a few important rules. Be sure to follow them! You must ask permission from your landlord before you starting your grow. If you rent or lease, your landlord can deny you the right to grow on their property. Don’t spend thousands of dollars on a cultivation setup only to find out you don’t have permission. You might be surprised to know that many landlords openly rent to growers—but they expect and deserve full disclosure.

HVAC AND VENTILATION Now that your landlord has agreed to let you start your personal home grow, you’ll want to research the best temperature and humidity that your plants will need through each phase of their grow cycle. Cannabis loves high-intensity light, heat, and water, but you’ll want to ventilate the air to control the temperature and humidity. This will prevent mold and mildew from growing on your plants and mildew contamination inside your home.

Hybrid plants are a blend of Sativa & Indica.

The correct environmental controls will prevent you from costly repairs or heated discussions with your landlord. Consult your local grow shop for assistance, read books and magazines, and search YouTube for great instructional videos. Cultivating cannabis will ‘stink out’ the entire neighborhood. Trust me. I know. Don’t be that grower. Use charcoal filters, PCO technology (Photo Catalytic Oxidation), ozone generators, or a combination of processes to eliminate or mask the smell. If neighbors become upset with the odor, local authorities will be called, and harassment will ensue even though you are legally exercising your rights. It’s better not to invite trouble. Be a good neighbor and don’t draw attention to yourself.

GROWING STYLES Hydroponics, aeroponics, geoponics? Where do you start? Shopping at your local grow shop can be overwhelming for the budding cultivator. Aisle after aisle of colorful bottles of nutrients line the shelves and choosing from the hundreds of products can be daunting. If you find yourself just this shade of confused, I’d advise you to K.I.S.S, Keep It Simple Stupid. It’s easy to get carried away with all of the different products available but start with a simple growing style with easy recipes and nutrients that fit your budget. Each season, you’ll become more familiar with your equipment and can begin to branch out into new techniques and equipment. Growing can be expensive and understanding all of the input costs is crucial.

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) BUGS, MOLD, and MILDEW! Everyone gets them so be aware. By the time you visually see you have an issue or outbreak the problem is already bad. Visit your local grow store or use Google to search the web and diagnose your problem. Once you have identified the issue, you can set a plan of attack in place to correct it. After you have the pest or pathogen under control, maintain a consistent schedule of treating your plants. Keeping your approach proactive versus reactive will serve your crop much better and your rate of success will be much improved. A reminder that poor environmental CONT’D ON NEXT PAGE

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control can be the root cause of molds and mildews, so pay attention and manage temperature and humidity as an IPM protocol will only get you so far.

GENETICS When Colorado legalized medical cannabis, you could purchase clones from dispensaries. In those early days, I remember the feeding frenzy of strain collection. The grower community was eager to which varieties we could obtain and what their properties were. The quality of your genetics will dictate the quality of the end product. If you start with inferior genetics, you will end up with an inferior crop. So, do the research and find a reliable resource for your starting material whether it’s seeds or propagated clones. As a side note, be very careful to vet your source plants. Many diseases and pests are passed along to growers when genetic exchanges occur. When receiving clones/plants be sure to inspect for pests and disease while following a strict IPM intake protocol for all new plants, utilizing a heavy dose of organic pesticides and fungicides.

LIGHTING Lighting is a wormhole that you can get lost in while researching. Back in those early days of legalization, we only had access to metal halides and high-pressure sodium (HPS) lighting technology. Now there are hundreds of LED companies and products, not to mention many other types of lighting. Most lights will grow plants but finding the right light for your personal grow has many variables to take into consideration. First up, budget. HPS cost $300 to $500 a unit while some LED equivalents can cost up to $2000. Second is understanding your work space. One type of light may work better than another when considering low ceilings or lack of ventilation options.

as much knowledge as you can. From print publications to online cannabis community forums, you’ll find a plethora of information—and opinions. Get to know the players and read some of the classics of modern cannabis cultivation like ‘Ed Rosenthal’s Marijuana Grower’s Handbook.’ There are thousands of YouTube videos discussing every topic you will ever need for growing. Some may be useful while others not so much. The more you learn from trusted resources, the more you’ll be able to see through flawed advice. YouTube is a great resource for sharing information, but it helps to know if the author is better at social media videos than they are growing cannabis.

Ellis Smith is co-founder and Chief Development Officer of American Cannabis Company (ACC). He has more than 20 years of horticulture experience in the specialty cut flower market, operating indoor gardens which helped him understand com-

RESOURCES

plex growing systems. As a cannabis grower, he developed an

There is no better teacher than getting some dirt under your fingernails. Don’t be afraid to learn as you go in your garden. Successes may taste sweet, but failure brings the opportunity for deeper learning. Be sure to arm yourself with

used by hundreds of commercial cannabis operations. As CDO

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all natural soil medium known as SoHum Living Soil which is of ACC, Mr. Smith is also responsible for the design and construction of more than 1 million square feet of cannabis grow space in the U.S. and Canada.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A Patient’s Guide to Buying Medical Cannabis BY ANGELA BACCA Although there are still a lot of things we don’t know about cannabis, what we do know is this; it is most effective consumed in whole-plant botanical formulations (versus isolated CBD or THC), it cannot kill you, and it is generally safer than the bulk of pharmaceutical drugs on the market. All of this has drawn a lot more people to consider using cannabis as a medicine. If you have used cannabis before, the transition into treating it as a medicine is not a hard one to make. Those who have prior experience with the substance, even if it wasn’t under the advisement of the doctor will have an idea of what to expect and how it affects them personally. If you have never tried it before and/or you have anxiety associated with using it, you may feel paranoid and anxious. There are ways around this but it is important to understand a couple things first; there is no perfect strain for you and there is likely no correct regimen. There are various strain guides online and no shortage of internet “experts” ready to tell you they have the “magic strain” that will solve all of your problems. While it is tempting to believe there are easy answers like that out there, you will find there really are not. Cannabis, unlike a pharmaceutical drug, is a botanical plant with over 400 variable active compounds that create its diverse effects. Unless the plant is cloned, like humans, each seed will be genetically unique and grow up differently depending on the farmer nurturing it. This means consistency will waver from harvest to harvest, farmer to farmer, and seed to seed, no matter what strain name it is being sold under. No one strain is the right strain for anyone.

Many patients seek a standard regimen or cultivar (strain) for their condition. Unfortunately, that is not a good way of deciding how to use medical cannabis either. Your body is unique, and pharmaceutical treatment for your disease varies from patient to patient too. There are no studies or doctors that can truly dial in the exact plant formulations and dosages you personally need, but a good doctor will be aware of the plant’s varying effects and the available studies and help guide you to a plan that is best for you. While standardization is great for pharmaceutical drug patenting and profits, it is the enemy of proper medical cannabis use. Pharmaceuticals are usually made up of one standard drug compound (often stolen from nature, called “biopiracy”) responsible for its effects which are rigorously tested before being made available to the public. Pharmaceutical opiates, for instance, are an example of the effect of a medicinal plant found in nature (poppies) being reduced down to a single compound (opiate) that are assumed fully responsible for its effects. Over time, the patient becomes tolerant to that single compound and must use more of it to produce the same medical effects.Tolerance can lead to physical addiction, which it often does with pharmaceutical opiates. What is great about all the endless varieties of cannabis, for patients, is that when a patient feels tolerant to one cultivar (strain) they need only switch up the cultivar, not necessarily increase the quantity, for it to be just as effective. So with that knowledge in tow, when buying medical cannabis for the first time, how do you make a decision on where to start?

1. IDENTIFY YOUR SYMPTOMS. You may have a diagnosis of cancer or an autoimmune-like fibromyalgia. If you were seeing a doctor seeking pharmaceutical treatment, they would ask about your specific symptoms and prescribe drugs in varying dosages to treat them. For example, a patient with fibromyalgia is trying to treat a range of symptoms, including pain, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Identifying these is the first step to picking out cannabis varieties to try.

2. FIND AN INFORMED “BUDTENDER” AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS. If you are in a state where cannabis dispensaries are legal, the person behind the counter that is there to help you is called a “budtender” or “patient consultant”. Don’t be embarrassed to ask them a lot of questions before you choose how to spend your money. A good budtender will not make you feel “uncool” for not knowing, will admit to what they don’t know, and will easily be able to tell you the predicted effects of different strains. A good budtender will get to know you personally and learn your preferences and needs too. Feel free to call the dispensary before you go and ask questions before entering OunceMag.com WINTER 2018

The first time in a dispensary can be overwhelming, but don’t worry. Start simple and conquer territory. Take notes of how individual strains make you feel. If it works for you, great! If not, move on to new ground. Most patients use a variety of strains and delivery mechanisms to alleviate their symptoms.

the shop, not all of them carry the same products or even have knowledgeable staff.

3. IF IT IS YOUR FIRST TIME, START WITH INHALATION. I know, the cultural stigma of “smoking” and “vaping” may be a turnoff to you. Forget about it, really. If you choose to eat an edible or take a capsule for the very first time you may find the effects to be overly intense, and like putting salt on your food, you can’t take it off but you could always add more. Start with inhaling vapors (or smoking if you aren’t opposed). You will feel the effects of small doses immediately and know if you should go in for more (sprinkling more salt to taste). This is called titration, and the best way of experiencing the right dose on your first time. If you are

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treating a pediatric patient or are simply unable to inhale, use an edible, oil, or tincture and use the same titration process. A nice small dose to start with would contain 1mg-2.5mg of THC. Wait at least 90 minutes to experience the effects before deciding to take more.

4. KEEP A JOURNAL. Noone can tell you exactly how a strain will affect you, although they can give provide a broad idea of how it affects others. Take note of the strain name and the farm it was grown on as well as the dispensary that sold it. The name itself isn’t helpful or relevant when seeking an effective medicine, but the smells, flavors, and tastes are. Jot down all the details of the flower as well as the personal effects.

5. HAVE A BACKUP PLAN. While some of us have no problem with the effects of cannabis, it can be a little intense for new users and sometimes they will find themselves anxious, paranoid or uncomfortable with the experience. Caffeine, a meal, and a brisk walk are natural antidotes to this, but if you need something fast acting, have some citicoline on hand, which will block the “high” completely and take you out of it. Mary’s Medicinals makes a great citicoline-based product, Mary’s Rescue, for when you feel you have ingested too much. Most importantly, remember it won’t harm you and the feeling will pass.

LATEST HEALTH TREND:

Get Well, Not High BY BRANDON BAILEY, D.O.

hy medical cannabis? As a physician, I probably receive this question 50 times a day from patients, colleagues, family, and friends. The answer is multi-faceted, but comes down to a simple concept. Quality of Life. On any given day, my clinic waiting room is an eclectic mix of people from all walks of life. Whether it is a Vietnam era Veteran, a Kindergarten teacher, a Lawyer, or an elderly retired couple, the principle is the same. They all have fear of side effects, addiction, or uncontrolled symp toms in regards to pharmaceuticals. Some have years of experience with cannabis, while others have only heard rumors of possible outcomes. Again, the desired outcome is the same, Quality of Life. The medical histories are as different as the backgrounds of the patients; Chronic pain, Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Intractable nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, Epilepsy, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, etc. Oklahoma has just recently joined the growing number of states with Medicinal Cannabis programs. Yet even in its infantile stage, we have rapidly grown in knowledge, numbers, and success stories. Oklahoma rates among the highest in the United States for Opiate prescriptions per capita. This figure alone can be staggering

when we look at the untold number of overdoses and cases of addiction that have plagued our state for decades. For once, patients now have an alternative that can address their pain, improve their Quality of Life, and have little to no risk of overdose or addiction. It still amazes me to this day, the number of patients that thank me at the conclusion of their recommendation visit with tears in their eyes. It just demonstrates what the idea of hope can do and accomplish in regards to someone’s well being. This alone has given me a whole new appreciation for being a Physician and having the capability to genuinely help a patient. For decades, cannabis has been vilified, while pharmaceutical regimens have been treated as gospel. As modern medicine continues to evolve, we can not continue to ignore the amazing response our patients are obtaining with cannabis. The successes are numerous: Opiate cessation in regards to pain, Tumor shrinkage and response in cancer, Panic disorders resolved, quality sleep obtained after years of Insomnia, and Epilepsy controlled without anticonvulsants. The fact remains, that there are still no reported deaths attributable to cannabis. This truth does not carry over to the pharmaceutical realm, where even aspirin has well over 1,000.

Then, let’s not forget #6630507, the United States Patent on Cannabinoids as a Neuroprotectant. What kind of promise does this hold for our numerous veterans being treated for Traumatic Brain Injury? Neuropathic pain following amputation? The opportunity for study is almost overwhelming when we start to really analyze the multitude of medicinal properties found in the various strains of cannabis, of which there are currently hundreds, if not thousands depending on minute genetic differences. What I hope that our medical cannabis program brings is change. Change in how physicians view symptom control, side effect profiles, and patient Quality of Life. Change in how We listen to patients. And lastly, change in the social “stigma” and view of cannabis. All things that should be easy, but are too often ignored or overlooked as simply “not important”. I know one thing, that I will continue to educate any who will listen and work to increase access to anyone that needs it.

Brandon Bailey, D.O. is a boardcertified Internal Medicine physician, practicing in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

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An Open Letter to Dispensary Owners from a Veteran & Patient BY KRIS “SPARKY” MOLSKNESS

Can you believe we did it? Legal medical cannabis sales are finally happening in the state of Oklahoma in 2018. It’s your day as a business owner to shine, but there are a few things we need to remember. The golden rule is safety first. After all, this is the medical cannabis industry, so shouldn’t there be standard operating procedures (SOPs) for safety? Here’s a list to help you out. #1. When handling raw product, always wear gloves and remember to change them after touching anything but the product. Cross-contamination is a huge concern, especially with a potential immunocompromised patient. Make sure to train your employees on proper sanitation procedures and product handling. This includes in a commercial grow, extraction, or kitchen. Gloves should be worn at all times and changed frequently. #2. Take time to listen to the patient and learn about their needs so you can educate them. Make sure your dispensary agents are properly trained and following SOPs. Don’t be the owner whose shop sells a high dose oral tincture to a patient actively taking blood thinners! #3. Every customer interaction is an opportunity to educate your patient on the expanded benefits of Cannabinoid Therapy—but don’t play doctor. Remember we are a medical cannabis state and not adult use. This can be a tough line to walk. Make sure your SOP includes reoccurring training for your sales staff. Use personal experiences when interacting with the patient while trying to recommend a product for a given condition.

#4. Terminology. You will have patients from all ages and walks of life. You may work with pediatric clients or someone’s grandmother. Avoid slang like “This is the Fire!” Patients suffering from cancer aren’t looking to be “blazed,” they want relief from their chemo treatments while they fight for their lives. #5. Product Safety and Product Education. Lab testing is key to consumer safety and imperative in avoiding product recalls. Within the first week of active sales in Oklahoma we have already had questionable product recalled by a dispensary. Make sure you know what’s in your product before selling it. Have the lab result on the label or available to the patient. This will ensure your dispensary agents don’t have an interaction like this: Patient: What is the strength of that brownie? Dispensary Agent: About 50. Patient: About 50 what? Agent: Ummm, about 50mg of THC?

#6. Product sales. When allowing the customers to view and sample the product, do not press the jar full of medication in their face and then weigh the product from the same jar. You may have just exposed your customers to serious health issues. If a patient with strep throat or the flu breathe into that jar, it’s contaminated. Patients with beards may shed hair into that jar. If you plan to weight product in front of your customers please have a sterile area to perform this task and clean up after every sale. Most patients trust that your agents will weigh accurately. If it is a problem, social media reviews will reveal it. In closing just remember—everyone is watching Oklahoma closely. The ‘No on 788’ crowd, the ‘Yes on 788’ crowd, and just about every other state in the nation who is still on the quest for medical or recreational cannabis. So, if it’s busy and you wipe your sweaty forehead, change your gloves. If you shake someone’s hand, change your gloves. If you take a break and smoke, remember to wash your hands and then put on new gloves before handling product. We aren’t sitting in your living room, buying product from your neighbor, so step up and do right by your clients. You can do this. Be safe, have a heart, and your customers will love you for it.

Sparky is a U.S. Army veteran (19911994) and a medical cannabis patient since suffering a traumatic brain injury in 1998. He has been growing for more than 17 years and has a background in physical medicine. He is the owner of Okie Tokie Farms, Inc. and Smoke Moore Cannabis Co. and a co-founder of the Oklahoma Veteran’s Cannabis Collective.

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CBD & Your Pet BY COURTNEY BOZE

he cannabidiol (CBD) market in Oklahoma is impressive and changing every day. CBD has been around long enough for many of the holdouts to realize this is real medicine. At this point, many know someone benefiting from this compound. Cannabidiol is non-intoxicating. That means it will not get you high. So, it’s appealing to a large array of people and also a safe choice to give to our furry friends! All mammals come equipped with an endocannabinoid system1 which means they may all benefit from the therapeutic use of cannabinoids. I’m not saying you should send Fido on a magic trip to outer space, but I am advocating the daily administration of cannabidiol to our four-legged friends. My darling chihuahua, Sheldon Bean, came into my life several years ago in when a family friend’s busy schedule no longer allowed enough time for his care. He’s around nine years old and until a little over one year ago he was getting around like an old dog. He was sluggish, his eyes were cloudy and grey, and he was unable to get himself around very easily. One day in June we went for a rather long walk around the lake. The following day Bean was catatonic. I had been giving myself a daily regimen of CBD isolate in MCT oil and was enjoying the benefits. I decided to give Bean two drops on the palm of my hand, he was immediately interested and licked the oil off of my palm. From then on, he was hooked. Now when anyone mentions “CBD” he gets very excited. He’ll jump

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around and carry on until he gets a dose. Overall his mood has definitely improved. For the first few years, Bean was not exactly a social butterfly. Now he enjoys traveling around Oklahoma and meeting new friends. Bean is now much sprier! He loves taking long walks. His eyes have even cleared. He looks and acts like a much younger pup! My only regret is not giving him CBD sooner. Pets may enjoy cannabidiol but, be sure to read the label. Not all carrier oils are safe for dogs. While safe for human consumption, grapeseed oil is known to cause renal failure in dogs.2 This oil is added to many CBD tinctures available on the market so please read the entire label before giving to your pet! Currently, Bean enjoys one drop of Sat-A-Vet oral tincture two times per day.

The oral tinctures are good for both cats and dogs and they come in different strengths. Younger dogs may not require a daily regimen like Bean. It is handy to have a bottle on hand to help soothe while traveling or during a thunderstorm. Sat-A-Vet doesn’t only cater to cats, dogs, and the like, they also offer a full line of equine products. Equi-Pellets, designed for horses, are available in quantities up to 454g,—and horses in the barrel racing segment, like Scooter, Loretta, and Bart are seeing amazing results with these products. While cannabidiol does help to calm nerves, the biggest advantage of CBD for equines (specifically barrel racers) is focus—and in a race, this could make or break a champion. Scooter has Moonblindness or Urevitis. CBD really helps with the inflammation in his eyes. The best part is the results are fast! Like people, every horse is different, but results are usually seen about 30 minutes after administration. Animals of all shapes and sizes are using cannabidiol to feel and move better. Hemp Mother says Ruderalis the Racoon love his CBD treats from Suzie’s! Rudy is still a baby and already can’t get enough hemp! Check out Hemp Mother’s recipes on page 19 of this issue to help incorporate hemp into your diet. Cannabidiol is an amazing, medicinal compound. It has many positive benefits that vary by individual. Share this with a friend (no matter how big or small) today! 1 Institute of Medicine (US); Joy JE, Watson SJ Jr., Benson JA Jr., editors. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1999. 2 Front Vet Sci. Household Food Items Toxic to Dogs and Cats. Cristina Cortinovis and Francesca Caloni. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. 2016.

BUYER BEWARE!

THE IMPORTANCE OF LAB TESTING BY KYLE FELLING, PH.D.

o one argues that proper lab testing of food products is important and should be required for general public safety. However, in many legal medical cannabis states, there actually has to be a discussion as to whether medical cannabis should be tested at all, much less how extensive the testing it must undergo. There are two general areas of cannabis testing: potency and contaminants. According to my definition, potency can be characterized by the components of the cannabis plant (and their quantities) which provide a medical impact upon the patient. Using this definition, I consider both a cannabinoid profile and a terpene profile to be essential to characterizing the potency of the plant. Cannabinoid profiles cannot be determined by any other way than testing by a qualified laboratory using trained personnel. You cannot simply tell the cannabinoid content by smelling or otherwise looking at the plant. Why is this important? In medical cannabis, patients are not looking to get high (simply high THC content). They are looking to heal from various ailments, such as pain, depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. High THC contents do not always help a person but can be a detriment to them. However, higher CBD contents with a lower amount of THC, can sometimes provide a better treatment for

a patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s condition. However, make sure your cannabis grower/dispensary is using a laboratory that provides a minimum of a 10 cannabinoid profile. Other cannabinoids such as CBC, CBG, and CBN have their own positive medicinal qualities. Terpene profiles can be just as important (if not more important) than the cannabinoid profile of the plant. Terpenes give cannabis its characteristic smell. However, different levels of varying

terpenes can provide soothing, calming, energizing, and/or other medicinal qualities. Again, make sure your grower/dispensary is using a laboratory that provides a minimum of a 23 terpene profile to cover the major medicinal terpenes known today. These will include major terpenes such as linalool, myrcene, and caryophyllene. However, trace amounts of terpenes such as guaiol and nerolidol have been shown to have positive effects for certain disorders. Contaminants consist of anything that could potentially be harmful to the medical cannabis patient. Typical contaminants include pesticides, heavy metals, mold/mildew, coliforms, and other toxins. In concentrates or other processed materials, residual solvents used in the process can be a concern. Pesticides can sometimes be a necessary evil in order to knock out an infestation in a grow. Insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides can all be used successfully as long as the grower knows how to sufficiently flush the plant before harvest. Ingestion of pesticides can cause a myriad of unwanted side effects whether through combustion or digestion. Heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury can all cause harmful health effects as well. These typically originate from your

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water or soil source. Think to the recent Flint water crisis. Lead in the water could potentially have contributed to many different cancers and other health issues for residents of that city. Mold/mildew is a common problem with cannabis that comes from improper curing of the cannabis plant. When moisture levels are consistently above 13-15%, then cannabis readily develops mold, mildew and other fungal problems. These toxins are generally not safe to consume. Coliforms are present everywhere. Contamination on cannabis can come from improper handling, such as handling of plant material without the proper use of

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laboratory testing will assure the patient that they have been removed to safe levels. In short, be aware from whom you are purchasing your medicine. Watch them. If they are handling your medicine without the use of gloves, refuse to buy. If they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have cannabinoid, Kyle Felling, Ph.D. of F.A.S.T. Labs explains the process of testing cannabis for potency and contaminants. terpene, and contaminant gloves. E. Coli is constantly in the news for results readily the problems caused in the food industry. available, refuse to buy. Ask questions. For most extractions, short of a If they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know or donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to care, mechanical extraction, some sort of solvent refuse to buy. Your health is in your hands must be used. Even in CO2 applications, and you should take control of the medicine ethanol is typically used to winterize the you put in your body. concentrate. Solvents are not evil, however,

DIVING INBUYER

BEWARE!

HEAD FIRST

BY LAURA K. BALES, RN

dove into the medical cannabis movement before I learned the science behind why cannabis helps. WOW! I had no idea why cannabis helped so many but once I understood more, I developed even more reasons to have the passion I have for cannabis. I believe that United States citizens have been denied access to a medication that is far safer than aspirin and useful for so many conditions. Cannabis is the only thing that works for some people. Once Oklahoma passed 788 I knew I wanted in this industry but didn’t know in what capacity. I just dove in and had faith that my path would become apparent. I educated myself on the Endocannabinoid System and immersed myself in cannabis knowledge. I’ve always dreamed of working for myself, writing and teaching. The longer I was in the movement, the more I saw a need—and decided to go for it and fill that need! A large professional nursing organization that was pro-cannabis needed to happen in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Cannabis Nurses Association was born from this need and my passion. Our mission is “To Advance Cannabis Medicine Through Education, Advocacy, Partnership and Research.” We are a non-

profit organization that will be funded solely by the generosity of the people! Our non-profit structure will include political activities that involve educating lawmakers in ways to improve patient access and rights. Our charity work will include Uncle Grumpy’s Hemp for Hospice, where a hospice patient in the State of Oklahoma will not have to pay for cannabis medicine. We also plan to assist the Oklahoma Veterans Cannabis Collective to ensure affordable access to Oklahoma Veterans. Once I have a steady salary for this work, I will donate a percentage of my salary to fund Nurse Laura’s Education Endowment, which will help people who want to work in the industry to afford educational training but can’t afford it.

Our partnerships will include discounts at participating establishments who offer discounts to OCNA members. OCNA will be teaching classes at various locations also. Once Cannabis is removed from schedule 1, I envision conducting nursing research to develop evidence-based practices to set the standard for Cannabis Nursing as a specialty. There is much work to be done, but it sure doesn’t feel like work when it’s your passion.

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COOKING WITH

The Hemp Mother BY BRANDI SWING

We all want to be better and live better but, so often, we don’t take the steps to do so. Eating right can be hard because of the cost, but what if you could change everyday foods into something that could help you? You’re now asking me “What? No sugar, no fat?” No, I love all that! Come on now, hemp—real hemp—should be added back into our diet with a few other herbs. For now let’s start with some clones, that is, recipes you may already know. Familiar foods empowered with hemp! This way we’ll start to see a change in energy and strength to get through each day. When the government removed hemp from our diet, we lost a great part of our defense system. Let’s get it back!

BACON-CHEESE CRESCENTS

CREAMY SHRIMP PASTA

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Preparation time: 20 min. Total time: 35 min. Makes: 16 servings

Preparation time: 20 min. Total time: 20 min. Makes: 6 servings

Preparation time: 20 min. Total Time: 30 min. Makes: 4 dozen cookies

Ingredients:

Filling: 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened 10 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese ¼ cup finely chopped onions ¼ cup finely chopped hemp hearts 1 tbs. chopped fresh parsley (or raw cannabis leafs)

2 cups penne pasta, uncooked 1 ½ lb. uncooked deveined peeled medium shrimp (or chicken) ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth 6 oz. cream cheese 2 tsp. zest and tbsp. juice from 1 lemon 2 tsp. butter (or cannabis butter) ¼ cup parmesan cheese ½ mozzarella cheese 2 tbs. cayenne 1 tbs. chopped fresh parsley

1 lb. (4 sticks) canna-butter, softened* 3 eggs 2 tbs. molasses 2 tbs. pure vanilla extract 1/3 cup water 1 ½ cups granulated sugar 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 5 cups all-purpose flour 20 oz. semisweet chocolate chips

Prepare pasta per package directions. Cook shrimp for 3 minutes. While these are cooking, heat broth in a small sauce pan. Add cream cheese, butter, zest, and juice. Cook till cream cheese is melted. Drain pasta. Add the cream mixture and pasta together and mix well. Top with mozzarella. Cover and cook for 3-5 min. Garnish and serve.

Preheat oven to 375°. Cream first five ingredients in a medium size bowl. In a large bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Combine both bowls. Add chocolate chips and shape the dough into 1” balls. Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until brown around the edges.

Rolls: 2 cans (8 oz. each) crescent dinner rolls Heat oven to 350°. Mix all “filling” ingredients. Separate the crescents rolls and brush on some hemp butter. Using a teaspoon, place the mixture on each triangle, roll up and place on a baking sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown serve warm. Brush on hemp butter before serving.

* OR USE REGULAR BUTTER & ADD DRY FLOWER DURING THE DRY MIX PHASE.

OunceMag.com WINTER 2018

ON THE LEGAL SIDE OF CANNABIS

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BUYING OR SELLING BY ERIKA GEE

s of the date of this article, only a few dispensaries had begun selling cannabis products in Oklahoma. Early information indicates that at least some of the product being sold at the open of the market has been plagued with quality issues, such as visible mold and inconsistent potency. Of course, this is not an unexpected development, because Oklahoma has not yet required laboratory testing for flower and products that are sold in the state’s dispensaries. Without professional testing and informational labeling, some of the state’s first patients are unfortunate guinea pigs for the effects of improperly grown, cured and manufactured products. I hope that you are all aware that laboratory testing and limitations on pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria, and other contaminants are the standard in other legal states and across the industry. If that is so, why doesn’t Oklahoma have these requirements? The answer lies in the wording of SQ 788 and the Department of Health’s (DOH) authority to issue these regulations. The DOH included detailed testing standards in its initial set of emergency rules. Due to concerns over DOH’s authority under current law—the text of SQ 788—all of the regulations requiring laboratory testing and setting standards for contaminants were removed from the regulations that are now in place. This is why products sold on day one in Oklahoma had not been tested for any contaminants or for cannabinoid content.

Of course, the industry should expect that the Legislature will address this in the regular session beginning in February 2019, if not before. You can review the recommendations of the OMMA for new testing standards on its site at http:// omma.ok.gov. Most observers anticipate that Oklahoma will require testing similar to Oregon’s standards within the next six months. In the meantime, as an attorney for businesses in this industry, I strongly recommend that you insist on voluntary lab testing of any product that you will sell to patients. If you choose to roll the dice on the quality of the products you sell at retail, you run a significant risk of distributing a product that could seriously injure the patients that you are pledged to help. Even though cannabis itself will not harm your customers, the list of contaminants that could be present in sloppily grown, improperly cured or unsanitary manufactured products is long and terrifying. The state and federal governments have broad authority to protect the public health from unsafe products and I have no doubt that they would act quickly in the event of an incident. Potentially even more concerning are the lawsuits you might face from patients sickened or injured from a product that never should have been allowed to reach the market. The only way to protect your customers and your business from becoming ground zero for a bacterial plague or neurotoxin

contamination is to insist that your cultivators and processors voluntarily test their products at one of the qualified labs now open in Oklahoma. If you do so, you will not only protect yourself, you will also set yourself apart in a crowded marketplace as a business that is dedicated to quality and safety.

Erika Gee is the team leader of the Wright Lindsey Jennings Medical Marijuana and Industrial Hemp practice, a member of the firm’s Government Relations Practice and a former Chief of Staff and Chief Deputy in the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office.

YOU COULD REACH A LOT OF PEOPLE! OunceMag.com WINTER 2018

A GUIDE FOR FIRST-TIME USERS

LOW & SLOW BY JOSH WINNINGHAM, PHARMD

hen a patient takes a pharmaceutical medication that has the intended effect and has minimal-to-no side effects, that is considered a successful treatment. This same train of thought applies to medical cannabis. Patients are seeking cannabis treatment in order to improve their quality of life. A low and slow dosing plan can, and will, limit the number of adverse reactions. It is important to note that even at low starting doses, patients can experience negative effects from pharmaceutical medications or cannabis. These effects are usually mild and resolve within a few hours. While these effects may not be grave, they can be bothersome. Side effects a patient may experience from medical cannabis at low dose include dry eyes, increased appetite, drowsiness, and increased or decreased energy levels. By starting with a low dose of cannabis, and slowly increasing it over time, these effects can be minimized. A low starting dose will also help to find the right potency, quantity, and consumption interval for the best benefit-risk ratio of the cannabis product. While there are many different ways to consume cannabis, most patients should start with an inhaled product unless there is a pre-existing condition that would preclude this therapy. Inhaled products have the benefit of a quicker onset (effects usually peak within 15-30 minutes) and a shorter duration of action (effects conclude after 2-3 hours). For first-time users this shorter duration of action means that if a negative effect does occur, it will subside quicker than when using other consumption methods. Patients should start with a low-

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to-no THC:CBD inhaled product at a dose of fewer than 5 milligrams. After a patient has reached a steady dose on an inhaled product, it may be beneficial from a health and healing standpoint, or personal preference standpoint, to switch to an orally consumed product. Medicinal products designed for oral consumption are usually made from one of three base processes: tincture, infused oil, or extracted/concentrated oil. Progression through the low and slow medicating profile should occur in that order: tincture, infused oil, and then extracted/concentrated oil. No matter the type of edible, similar to inhalation, begin with a low-to-no THC:CBD ratio product at or below 5 milligrams per dose. Patients should start with a tincture as the first orally-consumed product. TincÂ tures have a similar effect in the body as inhalation. This means a smoother transÂ ition with less chance for additional adverse effects. As with inhalation, the effect from tinctures peaks in around 15-30 minutes, and the effects subside within 2-3 hours. Moving on from tinctures, patients can progress to infused oils, extracts, and concentrates. These products will have different characteristics depending on the processing method used, but they are all digested by the body in a similar fashion. They have delayed onset, heightened effects, and longer durations of action. These products are going to take 2-3 hours to peak and subside usually within 5-10 hours. The longer duration of action associated with these products means that if a patient has an adverse reaction, the negative effects will last longer.

No matter which cannabis product is consumed, the same dosing ideology applies. Start at a dose less than 5mg (preferably 1mg for first-time users). Stay at this dose for 3-5 days, then increase the dose in increments of 1-5mg (smaller increases for first-time users). Repeat this process for 9-15 days of dosing. After this initial cycle, the potency of the product can be increased and/or the phytochemical profile can be changed if the patient is not experiencing the desired effect. If adverse effects occur that are unmanageable or imbalanced in relation to the relief, the medication should be discontinued immediately. Consult a pharmacist to adjust the potency and/or phytochemical profile of the medicine. Patients using medical cannabis should be mindful that it can increase the effect of prescription medications. For example, cannabis can increase the effect of prescription opiates and pharmaceuticals that may cause drowsiness. In general, alcohol and cannabis should not be mixed. Refrain from alcohol for 3 hours after using inhaled cannabis or 8 hours after orally consuming it. If alcohol is consumed prior to using cannabis, the patient should wait until the effects of the alcohol wear off before consuming the cannabis product. Lastly, patients should refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery for at least 3 hours after inhaling cannabis or at least 8 hours after orally consuming cannabis products. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. For full disclaimer details, please visit www.phytopharmd.com/legal,

OunceMag.com WINTER 2018

The Faith, Science & Hope of Medical Cannabis BY PAMELA STREET BSN/RN & LESLIE COLLUM RN, CCM

ight now in Oklahoma ...there is an energy in the air, a collective uplifting in mind, body, and spirit. It multiplies as we share our hopes, ideas and make connections of support. This energy feeds the hope of healing on a personal, community and state level, even before product is on the shelves. We have hope in the willingness of our leaders to respect our voted intentions and that we are finally acknowledged and justified in our choices and not seen as acting from criminal intent. The hopes of kinder personalized medicine and flourishing families and communities are self-fulfilling. The noble healing has begun, in the validation of a patient’s feelings of worth and autonomy, in thoughts of personal freedoms to pursue health and happiness. Cannabis social media sites still stand strong, visited frequently they connect the many patient and business hopefuls. The canna educators, organizations and canna nursing associations are answering the call, as state agencies are now asking for cannabis-based medicine information. The press is positive, ideas are flying, seeds are planted, storefronts are opening statewide, the city governments are relenting one by one, we are learning about dirt and terpenes, we have supportive trade associations and in a true healing spirit, the charitable outreach is heartwarming.

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Oklahoma has much to be proud of as other states struggle with feelings of frustration and diminished worth, not being respected in ill health nor in legislation. 788 is a powerful tool to personal medical empowerment for every Oklahoman, 788 supports this flow of energy as whole families heal when a loved one heals, our new voters have seen the power of a vote, and some no longer fear cancers or overdoses. 788 will coincidentally allow for renewal of Oklahoma’s current reputation by having an inspired and history-making MMJ program, the revenue that will be collected without incentive or

tax break will help heal broken systems, repairing school funding, mental health services, and changing the rules of imprisonment. We are feeling a healing relief from judgment. In closing and as this is written, Red Dirt Cannabis Nurses Association would like to share our energy and hopes as a growing organization. We hope for and welcome recommending physicians to help RDCNA reach every patient. We are excited and hopeful, awaiting the ‘OK’ on the perfect location/building to headquarter RDCNAs outreach efforts. We are hopeful that OK nurses will learn renewed professional empowerment as a result of our recent presentation, “Nursing and Cannabis Based Medicine,” to the Oklahoma Nurses Association convention on Oct. 25th in Tulsa! We hope for continued positive change, may we all give and receive in success and in humble and healing compassion. Leslie Collum RN, CCM and Pamela Street BSN/RN (retired) are cofounders of the Red Dirt Cannabis Nurses Association.

OKLAHOMA MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY LISTING

SMOKE MOORE

URBAN WELLNESS

EMERALD ELITE

Location TBD Moore, OK 405-283-8820

1515 N.E. 23rd St. Oklahoma City, OK 405-424-4367

4623 S.E. 29th St. Del City, OK 405-673-7585

GREEN PLUS

ALCHEMY GOLD HEALING

THE REMEDY

1280 N. Eastern Moore, OK 405-735-1515

801 N.W. 5th St. Oklahoma City, OK 405-476-8577

318 W. Main Durant, OK 580-579-5101

STRANGE LEAF

GREENS BAKERY

4700 N.W. 39th St. Oklahoma City, OK 405-787-2643

6444 S. Western Ave., Ste. 202 Oklahoma City, OK 405-208-8229

SWEETLEAF HEALTH CENTER

HERBAN MOTHER

SAGE WELLNESS

10717 N. May Ave., Ste. D Oklahoma City, OK 405-242-2047

4200 N. Western Ave., Ste. A Oklahoma City, OK 405-601-9560

HERBAN MOTHER

TOTAL HOLISTIC CARE

607 N.W. 28th St., Ste. A Oklahoma City, OK 405-594-2328

623 N.W. 32nd St. Newcastle, OK 405-387-2060

HERBAL PHOENIX, LLC

GREEN HEALTH CLINIC & DISPENSARY

MA & PAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CANNA SHOP

2128 N.W. 164th St. Edmond, OK 405-216-5488

64107 E. 290 Rd. Grove, OK 918-791-0686

VIBES ON CLASSEN CANNABIS CO.

URBN ROOTS

1221 N. Classen Blvd., Ste. A. Oklahoma City, OK 405-760-4030

2624 N. Van Buren St., Ste. A Enid, OK 580-297-5511

MIDWEST HEALTH SOLUTIONS INC

ELYSIUM INDUSTRIES

GREEN PLUS

8920 S. Sooner Rd. Oklahoma City, OK 405-394-3087

3 S. Sara Rd. Tuttle, OK 405-474-2727

HAPPY ROOT 420

PURE WELLNESS

811 W. Britton Rd. Oklahoma City, OK 405-973-0429

320 N .Commerce, Unit 10 Ardmore, OK 580-220-8883

STRAIIN

GENERATION GREEN LLC

4041 N.W. 39th Oklahoma City, OK 405-435-8874

810 S. Mississippi Atoka, OK

9834 N.E. 23rd St. Oklahoma City, OK 405-259-9006

GREEN PLUS 8613 S. Western Oklahoma City, OK 405-492-7091

HIGHER HEALTH 26428 E. Hwy. 125 Afton, OK 918-219-5888

202 N. Osage Dewey, OK 918-534-8722

THE GRASS STATION 1116 E. US Hwy 66 El Reno, OK 405-618-1827

MIDWEST DISPENSARY 1401 Sunset Dr. El Reno, OK 405-206-6848

330 W. Ketchum Ave. Ketchum, OK 918-418-0464

PONCA CITY DISPENSARY 2128 N. 14th, Ste. 4 Ponca City, OK 580-789-KUSH

GREEN LEAF CANNABIS 1736 S. Green Ave., Ste. B Purcell, OK 405-388-5088

BLUEGRASS MMJ DISPENSARY 5500 Nw Expy., Ste. A1 Warr Acres, OK 405-470-0481

CANNAHEALTH OF OKLAHOMA 2620 Oklahoma Ave. Woodward, OK 580-290-5106

THE SACRED HERB 14920 W. Route 66 Sapulpa, OK 918-216-1835

WHITE RHINO 437 W. Broadway Muskogee, OK 918-537-2225

NATIVE RELEAF DISPENSARY 14613 So. Memorial Dr. Bixby, OK 918-381-9536

DOCTOR GREEN 3232 E. 15th St. Tulsa, OK 918-287-7825

ONE LOVE WELLNESS LLC 7709 E. 42nd Pl. Tulsa, OK 539-777-6068

MEDIJUANA PHARM. 9757 E.31st St. Tulsa, OK 918-586-2039

YE OLDE APOTHECARY SHOPPE

WILD HERB LLC

5515 S. Mingo Rd., Ste. L Tulsa, OK 918-699-2699

340 N. Main St. Fairfax, OK 918-642-DANK

MEDIJUANA PHARM. 9757 E. 31st St. Tulsa, OK 918-586-2039

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF DISPENSARIES, VISIT: OUNCEMAG.COM/WEEDMAPS OunceMag.com

WINTER 2018

OunceMag.com WINTER 2018

Unbuckling the Bible Belt The Story of SQ788 BY ANGELA BACCA

o the surprise of the nation, Oklahoma is today rolling out one of the fastest and farthest reaching medical cannabis laws in the country. Earlier this year, grassroots patients and activists around Oklahoma came together and achieved the unachievable, they fought the law, and they won. “I think it is great because basically Oklahoma just unbuckled the Bible Belt. We are just shocking people with what we are doing down here,” said advocate John Frasure. In 2013, a new group, Oklahomans for Health (OKFH), was formed in an attempt to run a medical cannabis initiative on the 2014 midterm ballot. The rules for signature petitions in the state are restrictive, advocates have just a 90-day window to collect signatures. OKFH came short of their goal in 2014 but were able to qualify for the 2016 presidential election ballot. Ultimately they were kept off the ballot by then-attorney general Scott Pruitt, who failed to certify the initiative on time and re-wrote the title to make it seem as if OKFH was trying to legalize adult use cannabis. OKFH sued and on March 27, 2017, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in their favor. In January 2018, Gov. Mary Fallin scheduled State Question 788 for a vote on the 2018 primary ballot, which would typically have a lower voter turnout. But instead, the mid-term primary had a record turnout, one of the highest in state history, exceeding the votes in the 2016 presidential primary and the 2014 gubernatorial election. And despite a flood of money that came in opposition, just over $1 million to the proponents’ $177,000, SQ 788 still passed with nearly 57 percent of the vote. The success can be attributed to a volunteer patient advocate army that traveled the state registering and educating voters. OunceMag.com WINTER 2018

“Between January and May of 2018, we registered 30,000 new voters. All of those people absolutely registered to vote on this issue,” says Chip Paul, a founder of OKFH and co-author of SQ 788. Almost immediately state regulators tried to enact restrictions that would ban cannabis flower, force women of childbearing age to take a pregnancy test before they could be written a cannabis recommendation, cap dispensaries at 50 each and require a pharmacist to be present at all times. “The Oklahoma State Department of Health has enacted law that undermines one of the most participated-in elections in state history and silences the voice of Oklahomans across this state,” wrote state representative Jason Lowe in a press release in July. “Today’s decision is an affront to democracy and an insult to the lawabiding citizens that showed up to vote for this initiative.” On July 12, Gov. Fallin signed the new restrictive regulations into law but was met with such an incredible backlash, including from the new Attorney General, Mike Hunter, who warned the Department of Health didn’t have that sort of regulatory power. New regulations in line with the intent of SQ 788 were then sent to Fallin’s desk and signed on August 6. The people won, and today licenses are already being issued, patients certified and cannabis sales have begun. The victory was hard fought by a diverse set of activists who came together across political and social lines to change an unjust law.

OVERCOMING FEAR AND MISINFORMATION “I thought, when we voted on June 26, I am going to take the day off on June 27,” said Norma Sapp, who has been working to change cannabis policy in Oklahoma since 1984 when she founded Oklahoma

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NORML. She laughed, “No! It has been double hard since then. I thought being out in the heat gathering signatures was hard, but nope, it’s really hard to deal with some of these people in these small towns in Oklahoma.” Since the passage of SQ 788, Sapp and other activists have been traveling the state to prevent local legislation that seeks to restrict patient access. She says it is a challenge because there is a huge information gap to fill. “I am still trucking every day. I have been traveling all over this state to all

these small towns and trying to get them to change their rules, and it usually works when enough people show up,” Sapp said. She says, for the most part, advocates have shown up and have prevented bad city-level regulations around the state. But the work is tireless and all-volunteer. Despite three decades of Oklahoma cannabis activism, Sapp was not actually born in Oklahoma but moved there in 1979.

“My grandparents were from here, my mom says I was conceived here, so I guess that makes me an Okie,” she said laughing. When she started Oklahoma NORML in 1984, it was just her. She moved to rural Norman and had just started farming as she was learning about all the things that could be done with the hemp crop. She started holding “Free Breakfast for Farmers” events at a local cafe if the farmers would come and watch the movie Hemp for Victory. “I was sold, I thought if everybody knew the things hemp could do we could get this all changed, but I found how hard it is to change a law that is so lucrative for the state,” she said. “It was difficult to be anything related to cannabis in those years, but I learned a lot about rural Oklahoma and it still hasn’t changed.” Sapp evolved into a fulltime activist, stepping in to advocate for pain patients and for statewide prison reform. She joined every group working on the cannabis reform movement. She became one of the go-to people as the grassroots movement for SQ 788 was taking hold. “It seems like I am the mother of the state. Everyone asks me how to do things, I spend 16 to 18 hours a day online answering questions,” Sapp said. She said over all those years the possibility of cannabis law reform looked bleak, until one day in February 2013 when she held a rally at the Capitol in Oklahoma City that had a higher than expected turnout. “It was a huge gathering of people, an unreal amount of people. Something magic happened that day,” she said.

DELIVERING THE TRUTH The group that assembled at the capital that day would go on to lead the charge for 788. Sapp has been particularly

motivating to new activists, particularly Chris Moe, aka Uncle Grumpy. “Norma convinced me in a very short amount of time that I could change the world, and I believed her,” Moe said. Moe rides motorcycles and says the name “Uncle Grumpy” came from a biker friend because he is direct and “a bit of a jerk”, as he puts it. Originally from California, Moe moved to Oklahoma in 1979 when he was in his early teens. Having spent much of his adult life as a truck driver he has been all over the United States and says he believes people in Oklahoma are just generally nicer. “I have been all over the country, I am here on purpose,” Moe says. Moe, now 51, broke his back and neck at work at the age of 38. With a wife and young children to support, he was about to go on disability and start a life as a pain management patient. He says he was put on a slew of pharmaceutical drugs— nearly 10,000 pills a year— resulting in seven surgeries in 14 years, spiraling depression and divorce. When he started using cannabis instead, he got his life back. He threw himself into activism to change the law so Oklahomans like him could stop fleeing the state. “Cannabis has been more than medicine for me. It saved my life and gave me purpose in what I do now,” Moe said. Part of the Uncle Grumpy persona is his long beard, which he stopped cutting when he learned about the movement towards SQ 788. He decided not to cut it after it passed because he had “a nasty feeling the fight wasn’t over… The beard has become part of the movement.” Moe started as a volunteer on the Yes on 788 campaign and would educate on Facebook Live with the offer of bringing voter registration forms and education

direct to anyone who asked. He rode his motorcycle around the state making house visits. He worked alongside all the organizations contributing to the 788 effort, but never affiliated directly with any of them. Instead, he and Sapp have worked to hold the state government and its smaller municipalities accountable as they try to make their own regulations around the law. “Some cities are trying to make people register for a local permit, what is that for? Not the health department. It’s for law enforcement,” Moe says.

Between January and May of 2018, we registered 30,000 new voters. All of those people absolutely registered to vote on this issue.” Moe, who lives in Muskogee, commutes once a week to the capitol to advocate with Sapp and others and to prevent bad legislation that would block the intent of the law. “We have been fighting people who have refused to allow us to have cannabis. Now we have passed 788, we are getting cards, we have got businesses open, we have got people selling clones. And currently right now, as someone who

knows more than most about what is going on behind the scenes, I am waiting for that shoe to drop, and it’s gonna be a big shoe,” Moe said.

OKLAHOMA CONNECTED FOR THE FIRST TIME Most of Oklahoma’s advocates agree that social media was one of the most essential tools in organizing the movement around 788. Norma Sapp recalls the difficulties in organizing state advocates, where so much of the population lives in rural areas far outside the cities, and how that stymied efforts in the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s. “People would have to travel to a city for meetings, and sometimes I would travel to them, but most of the time people wouldn’t show up,” Sapp said. “When Facebook happened, I could have meetings every day with everyone there all the time. That has been the best organizing tool ever.” She and others say the network they have built on Facebook drove the volunteer army into action. “There wasn’t a large amount of money put into 788, or none of the other petitions either. We started with enough money to print a copy for everyone and mail them out. Each individual person spent their own time, money and effort to gather those signatures. They bought all their own supplies. This was a truly grassroots effort, all the way along,” Sapp said. “Social media was vital to this... We realized with all the rural areas we were going to have trouble trying to reach people,” said Shelley Free, a volunteer organizer on the campaign. “Literally we have people who live off the grid here who don’t come into town to do anything, not even to vote. They are selfsustaining, have power, well water and food out there.” Free adds that local media also relied on advocates posting and going live on Facebook for their own reporting,

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she personally fielded 12-13 interview requests from her page. While accelerating the movement towards medical cannabis in Oklahoma, social media has not been without its downsides. “[Social media] is a double-edged sword. In terms of spreading the word, awareness and gathering certain activists it has been very important,” says Dean Franklin Groves. “It is also a place where misinformation spreads wild… Social media has been key, but it has also been highly erosive to some of the issues. Social media really allows people with time and/or narcissism to promote themselves endlessly.” Groves is a Tulsa native who has been active politically for years and has been involved with the advocate networks in Oklahoma since 2011 as part of the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement. Like other cannabis advocacy networks that have sprung up around the country, social media networking tools and methods developed during OWS helped launch cannabis legislative efforts. Groves became a founding member of Oklahomans for Health. Like OWS before it, he said one of the keys to OKFH and the broader activist network was the lack of a traditional leadership structure. “There was no hierarchy, that was the entire point of Oklahomans for Health. We developed an alternate organizing model because as an occupier we know how messed up hierarchy can get and that was what empowered us to create this broad organization,” Groves said. He points to the broad freedoms under 788 as one of the reasons Oklahoma’s medical cannabis has been so much more successful than nearby states. “Unlike Arkansas and other programs that are very authoritarian in nature in determining who gets a license, we did like the Sooner State method where everyone lines up and then, shotgun and go,” Groves said.

OKLAHOMANS FOR HEALTH One of the people Sapp and Groves linked up within 2013 was Chip Paul. With a small group of others, they founded OKFH. Paul co-authored SQ 788. “In every other state, cannabis initiatives have been backed by big

business interests or personal individuals with a lot of money. I think we are the first state to really pass a medical marijuana law without an agenda. That helps and hurts, it helps because we got 57 percent of people focused on it, but lawmakers don’t know where to go. Who leads this movement? Well, we all do,” Paul said. Paul is a sixth-generation Oklahoman and business attorney with an influential family both in Oklahoma and nationally. In 2014 he saw a poll that indicated Oklahomans were 65 percent in favor of medical cannabis, so he called a meeting with his wife Cynthia and other community members to gauge interest in running a

state question, and OKFH was born. Paul was adamant that a government list of qualifying conditions should not be used as a barrier to prevent patient access to cannabis, he insisted instead on allowing medical cannabis use to be determined by the doctor in consultation with the patient. “We knew it worked for a myriad of conditions and we didn’t want to restrict it, but now physicians have the freedom to study this with their patients,” Paul said. “When we give physicians the magic screwdriver called cannabis, it is capable of doing almost anything in the body. It’s a magic screwdriver, but if they don’t know how to wield it, we need to shape what they are doing.” He says when OKFH launched its efforts he was looking for a professional who could lead the effort, but when none emerged he stepped up. Over the next two years and through the first rounds of efforts to bring it to the ballot, the advocate network solidified and expanded. Paul and other advocates attribute the success to the volunteers who traveled the state. “Anytime you have a united front, that is a powerful thing… It worked. We were outspent 10 to 1 and we still got 57 percent of the vote. That was many, many people getting out all over the state and talking to people, basically beating down fear, uncertainty, and doubt,” he said. “Every single public official in Oklahoma was against us and came out publicly against us.” The opposition was a who’s who of the “usual suspects” that come out in opposition to cannabis in every state; politicians, law enforcement, chambers of commerce and businesses that are tied to pharmaceutical profits. Paul is encouraged by the rollout he is seeing today, but says he also sees three CONT’D ON PAGE 33

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major flaws with the current regulations; a lack of lab-testing standards, the overreach of cities in regulating away the intent of the state law, and local zoning laws being added to negate the industry and grow rights. He and other advocates say they aren’t too concerned with the coming 2019 session because the advocate community is so well organized and diligent, and an emerging powerful force in state politics. He does believe that if adultuse cannabis legislation is to come to Oklahoma in 2020, it will require the support of the emerging business community.

GREENING THE VOTE Isaac Caviness first got involved in cannabis advocacy for his wife, who suffers from chronic incurable migraines. After he was targeted, raided, and arrested for trying to help her, he decided it was time to do something. He fought his case rather than take a plea, and on February 14, 2015, he was given a deferred sentence. A month later outspoken advocate Damon Beck was arrested. Caviness reached out to empathize, offer assistance and recommend his attorney. Beck told him he was trying to organize a petition for 2015 and wanted Caviness to start attending meetings. His wife urged caution, she wasn’t comfortable with him getting involved. “When your wife is thrown in county jail, she doesn’t get over it quick,” he said. After three weeks of meetings, he was frustrated with the progress being made. “Everyone was coming together to complain about marijuana being illegal but no one had a game plan on how to fix it,” Caviness said. He initially suggested that Beck take charge to get people registered to vote and raise money to support the upcoming petition initiative being run by

Oklahomans for Health. Beck suggested that Caviness was the better leader. Caviness decided to organize a voter registration drive for the 2015

I have never believed that possession should be criminalized. I never wrote a ticket or arrested anyone for any kind of cannabisrelated charge.”

Rocklahoma show. Playing off the phrase “Rock the Vote” they called the effort “Green the Vote.” “It was only supposed to be a onenight thing, and just a project in support of OKFH,” he said. But people were enthusiastic to register to vote for cannabis, so Green the Vote became an organization, with Caviness as president. The fact they were getting people across the state excited, they realized they had to take on a bigger mission and would work to register voters and raise money to support efforts being made by OKFH. They did car washes to raise money for the petition and educational material printing, but for the most part were basically an all-volunteer army pulling from their own limited funds. They set up chapters in 50 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties,

each with chapter leaders training and organizing volunteers locally. Caviness is the owner of Tulsa’s HempRx low-THC cannabis dispensary. During all the signature drives he set up two cots that are still in the back of his store, which he converted into a 24-hour petition signing and voter registration hub and purchased the cots so volunteers could take breaks to rest. Today, Caviness’ store, like many other CBD dispensaries around the state, is making preparations to become a whole plant dispensary and is already selling CBD flower and other medical cannabis goods under 1% THC by weight. When SQ 788 passed in June, Caviness was worried that as a state statute (which is easier to collect ballot signatures for), that the legislature could cripple the intent of the law. Green the Vote set out to run two more initiatives, this time much more solid const itutional amendments, to firm up 788 and also legalize adult use on the November ballot. These initiatives, SQ 796 and 797, fell just short of their signature-gathering goals to qualify.

EDUCATING LAW ENFORCEMENT Shelly Free, a former board member at Green the Vote, worked hard not only on voter registration but also on holding education seminars in conservative areas of the state, speaking from a law enforcement perspective about cannabis. Free was born and raised in a small town in Oklahoma, and after completing her associate’s degree she became a Tulsa deputy sheriff while also working on a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology, with a focus on social movements and protest. “I have never believed that possession should be criminalized. I never wrote a ticket or arrested anyone for any kind of cannabis-related charge,” she said.

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After being injured during an assault on duty that required surgeries on her back, Free resigned from the Sheriff’s office. She was prescribed pharmaceutical drugs like Xanax, Ativan, and sedatives. A friend suggested she try cannabis, and she got off the meds and started working with activist groups during the petitioning of 788. Free said that although there was and still is a gap in understanding about cannabis in the law enforcement community, most officers know about how people behave with it and choose not to prioritize it in enforcement. “They realize that these ‘offenders’ in our community are not really offending they are just existing. A lot of law enforcement is under the impression that they are not an issue. But then you have officers that work these main highways [that do interdiction and] they’re waiting to pounce, they’re waiting for that first odor, that first stench to come across the air so they can tear somebody’s car apart to find the joint, “she said.”And so it depends on what part of the state you are in. If you are or are not in a progressive area or, sadly, very sadly, what color your skin is, what you drive, what neighborhood you are in.”

THE FIRST LEGAL PLANT PURCHASE In late September, U.S. Marine Corps veteran John Frasure made the first legal purchase of a high-THC cannabis starter plant. Frasure is a pain management patient who went from taking over 5,500 pills a year; hydrocodone, Xanax, Klonopin, Seroquel, and Neurontin, or as he put it “the usual salad of drugs they give ya.” He is proud to be free of these drugs today. He says it was a “planned buy” at his friend’s dispensary, Wild Herb LLC in Fairfax. They toyed with how he could make a symbolic payment, originally planning to pay with four $20 bills. But

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knowing that the bill would be framed in the shop, and become a part of state history, they opted to use a $100 bill for the first purchase. He says they looked over a few bills trying to find one that had the numbers “420” or “788” in them, but when they couldn’t find it they settled on

I am literally one of twelve when it comes to being procannabis. That is my job as the patient advocate for the State of Oklahoma.” one with his initials, JF. The store owners and Frasure signed it. “Oh yeah I signed it, you bet!” he said. Frasure, who was born and raised in Chickasha but now lives in Norman. He started out volunteering for SQ 788 parttime but really dove in as he got to know patients. “When I started, I was just a volunteer sitting on a street corner...the more I sat there and got signatures, people started telling me their stories and that is what changed me from being a volunteer to a patient advocate, because people with all the diseases cannabis can help would come by and talk to me and just rip my heart out telling me their stories. I became a patient advocate right then,” Frasure

says. Frasure got involved with Green the Vote and Oklahomans for Health and then “with any group that had cannabis in their name.” He says the opposition to 788 just fueled his and other advocates efforts even more. “The Reefer Madness in Oklahoma is still running so rampant, it just drives me crazy. I can’t believe all this stuff… We just used that to feed us. The more they did it the more the volunteers we had out working harder, they had no idea how mobilized we could get.” Today, Frasure is proud to have taken part in Oklahomans’ new hard-won rights, but like other advocates, is looking to the business community to fuel further efforts in 2020 and beyond. “It used to be that you would be so paranoid about carrying a joint with you because they will take your car away, arrest you, take you to jail- the whole drill. But now I have a card that says I can carry three ounces of weed, an ounce of dabs, 72 ounces of edibles, it’s cool!” Frasure said. “But now I just wanna go fishin’, get some herb, and kick back at my house. But, I know that is probably not gonna happen. I will stay involved in our cannabis community, I guarantee that.”

THE LONE PATIENT ADVOCATE ON THE STATE REGULATORY BOARD “I am literally one of twelve when it comes to being pro-cannabis. That is my job as the patient advocate for the state of Oklahoma, and I take that seriously,” says Ray Jennings, who is the only patient advocate on the state board of health’s regulatory advisory board as well as a board member at OKFH. “A lot of politicians feel their opinion of this is more important than the will of the people.”

The recommendations the board makes don’t become law, but suggestions for regulations enacted by the state department of health. His input has become vital. “They see [regulations] as an opportunity to limit people’s’ access and I am not in favor of that,” he said. Jennings wasn’t always pro-cannabis, in fact, he was quite opposed to it. He was raised in the rural town of Bixby, outside of Tulsa. He says he was raised with an understanding that “marijuana is bad and will hurt you and tear your family apart.” He joined the army after high school and then started a professional career back home in Oklahoma. Everything changed in 2014 when he was diagnosed with stage-4 squamous cell carcinoma, he had a tumor “the size of a golf ball” in the base of his tongue and mouth that had spread into his lymph nodes. It was essentially a death sentence. He decided rather than taking opiates and other drugs to comfort him through death,

he was gonna try to fight it. He started many rounds of intense chemotherapy and radiation. Jennings is tall, six foot three, and started treatments at 290 pounds. Four days into treatment, he started puking uncontrollably. He was given a feeding tube for nourishment, as he could no longer eat through his mouth. The pharmaceutical nausea medications were not working for him. “In less than 90 days I was about 200 pounds, I was in poor shape,” Jennings said. His youngest son was attending college in Colorado and begged him to try cannabis. He told him no, that medical cannabis wasn’t real and it was “just people wanting to get high.” “My government told me my whole life that marijuana was for losers, I was indoctrinated like most of us were,” he said. “When I realized I was definitely on the path to death, how sick I was, I finally smoked a little bit.”

Within three to four minutes, the nausea he had been plagued with for months calmed. “It really struck me, I remember it like it was today, it had such a profound impact on me,” he said. He started taking full extract cannabis oil that was high in both THC and CBD orally and rubbing it over his tongue where the tumor was located. He increased his dose to three to five times a day. One month later a scan showed that the tumor shrunk by 50 percent. By that August, he was cancer-free. “If I hadn’t tried the THC oil, I would have been dead and it would have been the government’s fault for lying to me. “They told me going into this I was going to die. They told me if I took the chemo and radiation I would still die, but it would be a horrible death,” he said. His experience has turned him into a dedicated advocate, determined to educate his fellow conservative rural Oklahomans. CONT’D ON PAGE 37

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“I think I am here because God wanted me to be here and go forward and be a testimony about what this plant can do for the world,” Jennings said.

have access. He does free and discounted recommendations for the severely disabled and military veterans. He hasn’t slept much since late July, but suspects there will be a slow down around January. “It’s about trying to increase access if it wasn’t so time sensitive, if I wasn’t super concerned about the state limiting issues down the road I would say, ‘You know what? This weekend we can limit the number of patients today.’ I really feel like the more patients we can get in the system

After his last deployment earlier this year, Dr. Bailey had a friend who had suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) on a previous tour in Iraq from 2005 to 2009 who was starting to have serious issues. NOT ENOUGH DOCTORS After doing more research on cannabis for The phrase in SQ 788 saying only TBI and PTSD they decided to give it a shot. “Board Certified Physicians” could write He jumped into writing recommendations cannabis recommendations has been shortly after the election and was dismayed interpreted to mean only doctors who have by the pricing he was seeing. been board-certified nationally, rather “It really frustrated me. The cost of living than just the state. This has considerably is not that bad but there is a high poverty limited the pool of doctors that even level, especially in rural Oklahoma,” Dr. qualify to write recommendations. Bailey said. “If cannabis is There are few places outside of such a solid medical option, the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas why are we making it so hard where doctors are available to write to get?” recommendations, and many of those Dr. Bailey is seeing up to 55 who are writing recommendations are patients a day now. He starts charging as much as $350 in order to recommendations at $125, certify patients. veterans, low income, and Dr. Brandon Bailey has made a seriously disabled patients point of writing recommendations start at $80. In some cases, patients can afford. he doesn’t charge, and he is “My hope right now is to try and writing recommendations that get as many patients into the system last two years, after the first now... I think that is the biggest issue follow-up visit. He says up to we are going to run into is meeting the 45 percent of his patients are new guidelines [from the legislature] military veterans and he has I know will come into play about even had several Veterans February, I suspect it will be limiting Affairs doctors sending their conditions,” Dr. Bailey said. patients to him. Ray Jennings, now cancer-free, says he Dr. Bailey is 36-years-old and Still, many of the veterans was raised with an understanding that is active duty in the Army National he sees are concerned about “marijuana is bad and will hurt you and Guard as well as a husband, father losing their coverage for tear your family apart.” Today, he has a and professional MMA fighter. He choosing to use cannabis so spent the first five months of this they opt for the approved new message. year in Northeastern Afghanistan and treatments; antidepressants, returned home to the Tulsa area just antipsychotics, and before the vote on SQ 788. He has a full now the better it will be in the long run.” tranquilizers. schedule; in the early mornings he spends Dr. Bailey was born and raised in “A lot of these drugs come with an time with his hospice patients before Oklahoma and earned his degrees and did increased risk of worsening depression. working in his private clinic, Evolved his residency at Oklahoma State University All the problems with them are problems Health and Wellness in Broken Arrow, Medical Center. For the last 10 years, he we don’t see with cannabis. It’s a doublefrom 9-5. Afterward he goes straight to has been active-duty Army National Guard. edged sword because I really feel that with the hospital to treat his patients there He says he started taking a more our current, younger veteran population until after midnight. On the weekends he serious look at cannabis as a medicine we are really missing out on a lot of takes care of his military duties. Still, he through his hospice patients. He also had opportunities to treat the issues related to is seeing and writing over 50 cannabis a friend who was traveling back and forth TBIs, PTSD, or neuropathic pain following recommendations a day and traveling from California to work in the industry who amputation,” Dr. Bailey said. to the farthest and most remote parts of was putting the bug in his ear about being Dr. Bailey says another serious concern the state to make sure all Oklahomans a doctor who helped patients use it. of his is the opiate epidemic. OunceMag.com WINTER 2018

“Oklahoma right now is number fifth in opiate prescriptions per capita. I have had about 10 really strong reasons that I got involved in cannabis but one of the big ones is that in my clinical practice in a hospital setting I have admitted thousands of people for opiate-related complications and overdose and I have only admitted one patient for cannabis use and that patient [with hyperemesis] would never die from this use.” Because of all of Dr. Bailey’s concerns, he has been traveling around to the more rural parts of the state to do pop-up clinics and register more patients. “The main purpose is just that there is not enough access. I am one of those people who, if someone reached out and says they have no one here, I usually help. I usually try to find a way to help,” he said.

THE PATH AHEAD The volunteer army is tired, and many are still working overtime trying to combat bad local regulations. Many believe

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the next step forward is to protect the law in the 2019 legislative session, and secure adult use rights during the 2020 presidential election. But they all agree that if a constitutional amendment is to go forward in 2020, the newly emerging business community will need to fund the efforts. “I believe that is the best route to go to protect all of these commercial businesses that are blooming right now, but it would take all of these commercial businesses to step up and to fund a petition so we can truly hire experts to come in here and get it done and not be having to do it off of the backs of patients and volunteers here in Oklahoma,” said Isaac Caviness. “We would be very successful with that and it would be the sledgehammer we need to keep the lawmakers from running amok with the regulations.” Shelley Free says that the business community should work to protect its rights, but that as a community she feels the army formed to support SQ 788 will

take care of patients. “If they regulate this to the point where home grow is the only way for patients to have access to their medicine, our community will pull together and get resources for the people in our community who don’t know how or have space available, we will figure things out,” Free said. What happened in Oklahoma is a lesson advocates around the country should look to when advocating change. By coming together as a community, Oklahomans made the impossible, possible. “I think Oklahoma is a very unique state because we are the reddest of the red. I would tell the country, if a grassroots organization facing the most restrictive regulations to get any petition put on the ballot if we can do that in the reddest of the red states, it can happen anywhere,” said Ray Jennings. “If Oklahoma can do it, any state can do it.”

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DOCTORS HELP REDUCE THE NEGATIVE STIGMA OF CANNABIS BY COURTNEY BOZE

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Uma Dhanabalan M.D. Photo courtesy of MJFORMDS

his October I was lucky enough to attend my first Marijuana for Medical Professionals conference. I’m always excited to learn new ways cannabis is working for patients and this event did not disappoint! Attendees enjoyed three glorious days of riveting lectures, plenty of coffee & tea, mouthwatering lunches, and a tour bus ride around beautiful downtown Denver. Throughout the country, legalization is reducing the stigma against cannabis. In the healthcare sector, providers are seeing more of their patients turn to cannabis to treat their serious medical conditions. Unfortunately, some patients know more than their doctors about cannabis and this leaves those doctors in an uncomfortable position. It is MJforMD’s mission to change that. The more educated the physician and staff are about medical cannabis the more educated the patient will be. Marijuana for Medical Professionals is an excellent opportunity for physicians, nurses, and support staff to come and learn from seasoned professionals and return to their practices energized and ready to blaze a trail. Marijuana for Medical Professionals offers continuing education credits, the conference has been approved for 17.5

CME and 17.88 CNE credits. The wealth of information and trade secrets make this conference a must for anyone growing, dispensing, or producing cannabis products to maintain the upper hand in this growing industry. The first day took us through a brief history of cannabis and an introduction to the endocannabinoid system by Dr. Joseph J. Morgan, the first Medical Doctor in Pennsylvania certified by the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine. Lezli Engelking spoke about standards for public health and safety, these standards separate legitimate businesses and the black market. Jay Kodah took us through a Certificate of Analysis and the importance of lab testing. After lunch, just when we thought we were starting to understand this plant, Max Montrose of the

Trichome Institute, shocked us back to reality. Montrose introduced us to interpening, the Art and Science of the Cannabis Sommelier: evaluating flower for total quality control, psychotropic effects, and variety type designation. He explained lab results can tell us a lot

The more educated the physician and staff are about medical cannabis, the more educated the patient will be.” OunceMag.com WINTER 2018

of things, but they cannot gauge quality. The art of Interpening is used in judging cannabis cups. Montrose offers classes to fine tune your interpening skills. We learned about Cannabis Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics and heard of a patient’s recovery from bowel disease using cannabis. Matt Kahl gave his harrowing story during a presentation on PTSD in vets. Day two we dove into the science. Giovanni Marsicano, Ph.D. of Bordeaux, France gave a delightful keynote on CB1 Signaling in the Brain. Rueven Or, M.D. & Osnat Hazan, Ph.D. gave an update on the fast progressing research coming from Israel. Dr. Joe Goldstrich shared pearls from his practice, cancer care. Nurse Marcie Cooper discussed cannabis in hospice care. It’s always exhilarating to hear Dr. Uma Dhanabalan. This event was no exception, her speech on Cannabis as an Exit Drug was eye-opening as always. High hopes she visits Oklahoma soon!

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The final day Raphael Mechoulam, Ph.D. joined us live from Israel via Skype. The grandfather of cannabis research isolated tetrahydrocannabinol in 1963. Dr. Mechoulam’s story is one you do not want to miss, be sure to check out the documentary, The Scientist, on our Facebook. Dr. Regina Nelson introduced us to Signs for the Times. A foundation to create signs in American Sign Language relating to cannabis and the endocannabinoid system. It was inspiring to hear Uwe Blesching, Ph.D. His book, the Cannabis Health Index, is a must have for anyone in the industry. It is an excellent point of reference as it lists hundreds of medical conditions and the research relating to cannabis and the treatment of each (its nearly 1,000 pages). There were too many presentations to list. Overall the event was exceptional. Myself, a patient and layman, found the conference extremely informative and enjoyable. Each lecture was long enough

to understand the subject and short enough to hold everyone’s attention. The presenters also took time after each unit to answer questions and were all very approachable and eager to help throughout the entire conference. Marijuana for Medical Professionals next conference is at Cannamerica 2019. The event will be held May 17-19th at Enjoy Resort & Casino in Puna Del Este, Uraguay.

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Dear Dr. Dave, My husband was in a car accident that occurred at 5 p.m. He hadn’t smoked since the night before, at around 9 p.m. The police charged him with driving under the influence of cannabis, although he hadn’t smoked since 20 hours prior. Will he still test positive with active THC on the blood they took? -Alinda in Arizona

Dear Alinda, The mere presence of THC or its metabolites is not indicative of impairment. It indicates relatively recent use. According to the National High Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), cannabis does not increase accident risk. Some studies show that cannabis actually lowers accident risk. The NHTSA says if one is “impaired” from cannabis they drive slower and more carefully. The FDA gives the standard psychoactive drug warning for Marinol, or synthetic THC, which has been FDA approved and on the market since 1986, “Warning: Don’t drive, operate heavy equipment or engage in dangerous activity until you determine if it interferes with those activities. Some consumers of cannabis don’t have trouble driving, and in some cases, their driving improves. Feel free to have your husband’s lawyer give me a call to discuss the science and the possibility of expert witnessing. -Dr. Dave

Got A Question for Dr. Dave? This question was submitted by someone just like you! Visit www.ouncemag.com/drdave to submit a question. ABOUT THE AUTHOR David Bearman, M.D. is one of the most clinically knowledgeable physicians in the U.S. in the field of medicinal cannabis. He has spent 40 years working in substance and drug abuse treatment and prevention programs. Dr. Bearman was a pioneer in the free and community clinic movement. His career includes public health, administrative medicine, provision of primary care, pain management and cannabinology.

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TERPENE OF THE MONTH

Caryophyllene

Caryophyllene Effects: Anti-Inflammatory, AntiDepressant, Analgesic

BY COURTNEY BOZE

he more we discover about cannabis the more we learn there is much more involved than simply THC and CBD. Prohibition of cannabis did not deter the cultivation on this medicinal plant, it simply moved it underground. Because of the risk, cultivators learned growing techniques to produce the highest THC yields. We are learning that high THC may not be right for everyone and there are many compounds in the plant that have various medicinal benefits. The different varieties or cultivars (“strains” are for viruses) all have different levels of cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes. The various combinations are why some cannabis varieties may work better for some patients than others. Beta-caryophyllene is a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene found in many essential oils including lavender, black pepper, oregano, cinnamon, basil, black caraway, copaiba, ylang-ylang, rosemary, and clove. Caryophyllene is an anti-inflammatory. This terpene has even been seen to reduce inflammation in the GI tract. Cannabis varieties high in caryophyllene would make a great choice for patients suffering stomach discomfort or other gastrointestinal issues.

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Beta-caryophyllene is a CB2 receptor antagonist. It has shown positive effects on anxiety and depression in mice. In mice, studies have also shown potential use for neuropathic pain and chronic pain. The violent, costly, and unnecessary war on cannabis is finally coming to an end, but not soon enough. Future generations may well laugh at the fact narcotics departments trained drug sniffer dogs to detect caryophyllene and alert their handlers. New users or those returning to cannabis after many years may welcome the fact that caryophyllene may also reduce the high of THC. There are many reports coming from within the community that chewing (or even sniffing) peppercorn may bring you down if you get uneasy. CBD will also help with this, so if you’re new to ingesting cannabis, it may be helpful to keep a CBD vape or tincture nearby in case of an emergency. Years of misinformation left many suffering while new patients have many of questions. We are finally being acquainted with a medicine as old as time. Keep an open mind and try new varieties and different ways of administration. Be sure

to journal everything to help you find the perfect medicine for your well-being. 1National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database; CID=5281515, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/compound/5281515 (accessed Nov. 1, 2018). 2Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Jul 1; 105(26): 9099–9104. Published online 2008 Jun 23. doi: [10.1073/pnas.0803601105] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2449371/ 3β-Caryophyllene, a CB2 receptor agonist produces multiple behavioral changes relevant to anxiety and depression in mice. Bahi A1, Al Mansouri S2, Al Memari E2, Al Ameri M2, Nurulain SM3, Ojha S3. Physiol Behav. 2014 Aug;135:119-24. Epub 2014 Jun. 13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24930711 4The cannabinoid CB2 receptor-selective phytocannabinoid beta-caryophyllene exerts analgesic effects in mouse models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain A.-L. Klauke1, I. RaczCorrespondence, I. Racz, B. Pradier, A. Markert, A.M. Zimmer, J. Gertsch, A. Zimmer DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j. euroneuro.2013.10.008 5Characterizing the Smell of Marijuana by Odor Impact of Volatile Compounds: An Application of Simultaneous Chemical and Sensory Analysis Somchai Rice, Jacek A. Koziel 2015; 10(12): e0144160. Published online 2015 Dec 10. https://www.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4684335/

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