LIVING, THINKING + BEING

TADHG STOPFORD: CANNABIS SCIENCE & NEWS

The government seems to want a domestic cannabis industry. I applaud the fact that GPs can now prescribe any cannabis product to any patient for any condition.

That is real progress. The challenge is getting cannabinoids back into the food web. It's not fair that we can only get access to a small portion of the benefits of hemp through a cartel system - and at huge cost. Funnily enough, the Misuse of Drugs Act is in breach of the single convention of narcotics here because hemp ‘for horticultural use’ is released from all international controls.

Let the government clip our tickets, which is how the system works. Fair enough. Charge us a license fee to grow hemp, like the BBC Television license or trout fishing. But don't give the ticket book to a cartel - not when the health system is struggling, and we can all grow tickets. Must we always be consumer stock units? Especially when people are literally suffering for lack of tickets. Most can't get one, or afford it.

Here's a personal anecdote: What seems like a possible skin cancer started growing like crazy on my temple, but once I put some local hemp balms on it, it started losing layers like jelly. It's now a quarter the size and still shrinking.

My fair skinned mum (74) also uses these balms and creams, and her hands are now smooth, soft, and skin cancer free. She loves them. So, the question remains; why can't you grow hemp?

The answer is, it seems, because MedSafe wants to restrict your access to non-monetised health. MedSafe's model is that you get sick and go to the doctor to access licensed drugs; the sale of which funds its existence. MedSafe does not appear to have any KPIs to improve our population health, if anything their neo liberal DNA indicates a sicker and more dependent population over time.

If you grow hemp, you can make balms, oil, foods, and tinctures - all sorts of really useful things. That might be why you aren't supposed to grow hemp/cannabis But you should.

Cannabis Science & News • ‘Thailand: Cannabis now legal if hemp’ (0.2% THC) AP

News 8 Feb 2022.

• ‘Cannabis reduces pain severity by 42-49% based on 131,582 sessions’. Cuttler C, et al. 2022

• ‘CBD reduces consequences of stroke’. Khaksar S, et al. 2022

• ‘CBD rich hemp extracts show anti-cancer effects’.

Anceschi L, et al. 2022

• ‘Human ‘endocannabinoid tone’ proposed to explain many chronic ailments’ Davis M.P, 2022

•‘Cannabinoids block cellular entry of Sars-CoV-2 and variants’ Van Breeman RB, et al. 2022 (TADHG STOPFORD)  PN

Working from home?

Get personalised IT support, all year round for one a ordable price. Join the Geek Club. Take back your day and leave the boring tech stu to us.

JOIN THE GEEK CLUB

IT support packages to suit your needs!

$20

OFF!

GETTING KIDS TO PLAY OUTSIDE

We know playing outside is great for kids’ physical and mental wellbeing; that getting dirty, puffed, and occasionally bruised, supports healthy development and makes them happier and easier to get along with.

But despite knowing all of this, it can still be tough to get kids off the screen and out the door. So how can we help our kids benefit from what’s great about the outdoors?

Treat it as essential. By reframing daily ‘outdoor time’ as important as eating healthy meals, brushing teeth, or having a regular bedtime, you’ll start to find more time for it.

Every minute counts. Pressed for time? Send kids outside for 5-10 minutes to blow off steam, run around the block, play swingball, or do a quick scavenger hunt.

Don’t be afraid of the dark. Winter might present fewer opportunities to get kids outside. But if you have a safe garden where they’re not at risk from cars, why not try hide-and-seek? Or take them for a walk at dusk to watch the stars come out.

Organise outdoor play dates. Other caregivers often really appreciate you getting their kids outside too. Let them know that you’d like the kids to play outside, and to dress their kid(s) for the activity and weather.

Encourage budding entrepreneurs. Help older kids come up with ideas for a part-time job outside. Dog walking is a natural. Gardening, lawn mowing, stacking firewood, or helping an elderly neighbour, will get them outside and teach them about money.

Walk to school. Walk with them to show young school kids the best, then let them do it solo when you both feel they’re ready.

Spend time. If you go outside, it’s likely that little ones will want to be there too. Make it fun: set up ‘camp’, have a picnic, fill the paddling pool, or simply read a book while your kids run around.

Use urban parks. Make it a ritual to explore your local parks each week, adapting your activities to the season and landscape. You’ll soon both look forward to it.

If you put in the effort to get the kids playing outside, you’ll all reap the benefits.

ECOSTORE, 1 Scotland Street, Freemans Bay, T: 09 360 8477, www.ecostore.co.nz

15-25% Off Storewide*

*excludes Bulk, Refills, Merino Kids & Clearance From the 1st-15th of March we will be holding our summer sale with 15-25% off everything in-store!* Head down to check out the deals we have on our trusted ecostore products and the exciting new third party products. Our staff are always stoked to help.

Shop Hours Mon–Fri 10am-6pm Sat–Sun 10am-5pm Public Holidays hours may vary Visit us in store 1 Scotland Street Freemans Bay, Auckland Call & Collect 09 360 8477