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Marijuana Sector News
Political Marijuana News
Marijuana Stocks are About to Explode – Sorry, Not Sorry Jeff Sessions!
By J. Dylan -
Apr 15, 2018
?0
Marijuana legalization is occurring around the world! Everyday more and more people & their governments are in favor of legalizing marijuana. Marijuana Stocks have seen a boom over the past several years. This marijuana stocks boom has taken a hit in the last 6-12 months but more and more Americans are pledging their support.
USA Attorney General Jeff Sessions has delivered blow after blow to the legal marijuana industry. Mr. Session’s comments & initiatives over the past 12 months has been devastating on the marijuana stock market. Now after several months of speculation and what ultimately felt like the beginning of the end for all the progress the United States of America has made on both the federal but more importantly (for now) the state level, this green industry seems to be bouncing back quicker than ever, thanks to President Donald Trump!
Marijuana Stocks
image source: MarijuanaStocks.com
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) vowed to block every single one of Trump’s nominees to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in January. Sen. Gardner’s actions came after Jeff Sessions dismantled the President Obama marijuana administration policy that prevented federal law enforcement officials from meddling in states that had legalized marijuana.
On Friday April 13th, 2018 it was announced by the Washington Post that President Trump has promised to support Sen. Cory Gardner & that he’ll support congressional efforts to protect states that have legalized marijuana! (Sorry, not sorry Jeff Sessions)
According to the Washington Post and to further solidify this amazing development Gardner said Trump told him the marijuana industry in Colorado won’t be targeted. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Gardner’s statement was accurate and that Trump is “a firm believer” in states’ rights.
When this news hit on Friday 4/13/2018 naturally Marijuana Stocks on both sides of the border began to jump & respond favorably.
This is the 1st bit of truly positive news to come out of the USA for the marijuana industry in a while and it was a huge! Will marijuana stocks continue to rally into Monday 4/16/2018 and beyond…? With President Trump’s support it sure looks that way!
HMPQ "ROCKET TIME"
Marijuana Sector News
Political Marijuana News
Marijuana Stocks are About to Explode – Sorry, Not Sorry Jeff Sessions!
By J. Dylan -
Apr 15, 2018
?0
Marijuana legalization is occurring around the world! Everyday more and more people & their governments are in favor of legalizing marijuana. Marijuana Stocks have seen a boom over the past several years. This marijuana stocks boom has taken a hit in the last 6-12 months but more and more Americans are pledging their support.
USA Attorney General Jeff Sessions has delivered blow after blow to the legal marijuana industry. Mr. Session’s comments & initiatives over the past 12 months has been devastating on the marijuana stock market. Now after several months of speculation and what ultimately felt like the beginning of the end for all the progress the United States of America has made on both the federal but more importantly (for now) the state level, this green industry seems to be bouncing back quicker than ever, thanks to President Donald Trump!
Marijuana Stocks
image source: MarijuanaStocks.com
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) vowed to block every single one of Trump’s nominees to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in January. Sen. Gardner’s actions came after Jeff Sessions dismantled the President Obama marijuana administration policy that prevented federal law enforcement officials from meddling in states that had legalized marijuana.
On Friday April 13th, 2018 it was announced by the Washington Post that President Trump has promised to support Sen. Cory Gardner & that he’ll support congressional efforts to protect states that have legalized marijuana! (Sorry, not sorry Jeff Sessions)
According to the Washington Post and to further solidify this amazing development Gardner said Trump told him the marijuana industry in Colorado won’t be targeted. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Gardner’s statement was accurate and that Trump is “a firm believer” in states’ rights.
When this news hit on Friday 4/13/2018 naturally Marijuana Stocks on both sides of the border began to jump & respond favorably.
This is the 1st bit of truly positive news to come out of the USA for the marijuana industry in a while and it was a huge! Will marijuana stocks continue to rally into Monday 4/16/2018 and beyond…? With President Trump’s support it sure looks that way!
MJTK "ROCKET TIME"
TRUMP AGREES TO PROTECT STATES THAT HAVE LEGALIZED MARIJUANA/HEMP. the Washington post just published the article.
HMPQ "ROCKET TIME" Baby
TRUMP AGREES TO PROTECT STATES THAT HAVE LEGALIZED MARIJUANA/HEMP. the Washington post just published the article.
TRUMP AGREES TO PROTECT STATES THAT HAVE LEGALIZED MARIJUANA. the Washington post just published the article. MJTK "ROCKET TIME" Baby
HUGE NEWS - Trump strikes deal to support states rights on marijuana HMPQ "ROCKET TIME"
Geeze I don't know what to say! Oh yeah "ROCKET TIME"BABY
FMR. House speaker Boehner states that he believes what Jeff sessions is doing is trying to push congress to do something about cannabis. This could be the beginning of a much bigger movement for us. HMPQ ROCKET TIME"
It also means there is corruption in the OTC, that's the real reason but this will be overcome soon. HMPQ "ROCKET TIME"SOON
FMR. House speaker Boehner states that he believes what Jeff sessions is doing is trying to push congress to do something about cannabis. This could be the beginning of a much bigger movement for us. MJTK "ROCKET TIME"
Legalization of both MJ and Hemp around the corner!
The Effect of Cannabis on the Opioid Epidemic
By J. Phillip -
Apr 13, 2018
?0
Several new studies have come out showing the efficacy of marijuana as a treatment for diseases that would otherwise be treated with opioid drugs. The company Arcview Analysts has shown that the market on cannabis could potentially reach as much as $25 billion over the course of the next three years. The main source of this growth is through the continuous string of legislation happening throughout the country and around the world. With legislation going on in Canada to make marijuana recreationally legal by this Summer, the future seems exciting for the cannabis market.
The opioid epidemic has been a large issue throughout the U.S. for quite some time now, but only recently has it helped to change the opinion of many in the states who had negative ideas about marijuana. The approval rate for marijuana use throughout the U.S. is currently at over two-thirds, which is incredible considering it was only around one-quarter around 10 years ago. As a result of this, around 29 states have put in some sort of legislative measures either legalizing cannabis for recreational or medicinal use. Because of this widespread acceptance of the substance and given the state of the opioid crisis, many doctors and scientists have been advocating for the use of cannabis over opioid related drugs.
Two new studies published in various medical journals have shown that the use of recreational pot has had a massive effect on the reduction of opioid use throughout the country. The world of opioid use in the states is extremely disheartening, showing that around 29% percent of patients given opioids for treatment, end up abusing the drug. From those, around 12% have developed some sort of addiction to the substance. These numbers help to illustrate how important this crisis is to the modern day and the effect that cannabis could have on solving it.
Researchers in the two aforementioned studies have shown that the access to recreational cannabis may have a direct correlation with the amount of opioids consumed. The first study shows that there is a 14% drop in states that have access to recreational cannabis for those who use opioids. This represents a 1.8 million-dose drop in those states, helping to show how important this medicine really is. The second study examined opioid prescription data from Medicaid between a five year period from 2011 on. The study shows that there is a 5.88% reaction in the use of opioid prescriptions in states that have laws in place for the use of medicinal pot. For states that offer the use of recreational cannabis, there is an almost 7% reduction in the prescription of opioids. These numbers are quite remarkable considering how long legal cannabis has been around. If the industry is able to continue from a legal perspective, it may help to slow down if not put an end to much of the opioid use throughout the country.
Although both of these studies have found a correlation, they are not fully completed given that there are many other factors that go into the addiction and subsequent use of these drugs. The legalization of cannabis throughout the country is essentially a key factor in seeing how large this effect may be throughout the U.S. If more states are able to put in legislation for the use of legal cannabis, it could trigger a larger correlation between the use of opioids and cannabis. The hopes are high that throughout the next coming years, scientists will continue to be able to see how marijuana use has a large range of benefits including the one mentioned prior. HEMP "ROCKET TIME"
SOON
The Effect of Cannabis on the Opioid Epidemic
By J. Phillip -
Apr 13, 2018
?0
Several new studies have come out showing the efficacy of marijuana as a treatment for diseases that would otherwise be treated with opioid drugs. The company Arcview Analysts has shown that the market on cannabis could potentially reach as much as $25 billion over the course of the next three years. The main source of this growth is through the continuous string of legislation happening throughout the country and around the world. With legislation going on in Canada to make marijuana recreationally legal by this Summer, the future seems exciting for the cannabis market.
The opioid epidemic has been a large issue throughout the U.S. for quite some time now, but only recently has it helped to change the opinion of many in the states who had negative ideas about marijuana. The approval rate for marijuana use throughout the U.S. is currently at over two-thirds, which is incredible considering it was only around one-quarter around 10 years ago. As a result of this, around 29 states have put in some sort of legislative measures either legalizing cannabis for recreational or medicinal use. Because of this widespread acceptance of the substance and given the state of the opioid crisis, many doctors and scientists have been advocating for the use of cannabis over opioid related drugs.
Two new studies published in various medical journals have shown that the use of recreational pot has had a massive effect on the reduction of opioid use throughout the country. The world of opioid use in the states is extremely disheartening, showing that around 29% percent of patients given opioids for treatment, end up abusing the drug. From those, around 12% have developed some sort of addiction to the substance. These numbers help to illustrate how important this crisis is to the modern day and the effect that cannabis could have on solving it.
Researchers in the two aforementioned studies have shown that the access to recreational cannabis may have a direct correlation with the amount of opioids consumed. The first study shows that there is a 14% drop in states that have access to recreational cannabis for those who use opioids. This represents a 1.8 million-dose drop in those states, helping to show how important this medicine really is. The second study examined opioid prescription data from Medicaid between a five year period from 2011 on. The study shows that there is a 5.88% reaction in the use of opioid prescriptions in states that have laws in place for the use of medicinal pot. For states that offer the use of recreational cannabis, there is an almost 7% reduction in the prescription of opioids. These numbers are quite remarkable considering how long legal cannabis has been around. If the industry is able to continue from a legal perspective, it may help to slow down if not put an end to much of the opioid use throughout the country.
Although both of these studies have found a correlation, they are not fully completed given that there are many other factors that go into the addiction and subsequent use of these drugs. The legalization of cannabis throughout the country is essentially a key factor in seeing how large this effect may be throughout the U.S. If more states are able to put in legislation for the use of legal cannabis, it could trigger a larger correlation between the use of opioids and cannabis. The hopes are high that throughout the next coming years, scientists will continue to be able to see how marijuana use has a large range of benefits including the one mentioned prior.
MJTK "ROCKET TIME"
Marijuana Stocks Continue to Push Boundaries
By J. Phillip -
Apr 13, 2018
?0
The index known as the North American Marijuana Index surpassed the growth of many of the stocks throughout the market this past Thursday, as news of the President’s trade war with China hit other industries quite hard. Because of the speculation that often comes into more traditional industries when big news events hit, many investors saw Thursday as quite a negative day for the market. This was not the case with Marijuana. The index managed to gain as much as almost 5% by the end of the day.
Other indexes such as the United States Marijuana Index climbed by as much as 5% as well with the Canadian index climbing around 4%. Trump has stated that China “has repeatedly engaged in practices to unfairly obtain America’s intellectual property.” Because of this news, many stocks went spiraling. The continuous rain on tariffs has in the past also caused an uproar in the stock market, creating wild swings throughout the past several months. Richard Falkenhall, senior currency strategist at SEB stated that “Any escalation in the trade war rhetoric would be more negative for China than the U.S. given the former’s relative dependency on trade, but for now, the markets are focused on the payrolls data.”
The news out of cannabis has also been extremely positive throughout the last year or so. With new legislation in place to help make the substance legal throughout the country, marijuana has conditioned to produce existing results as a groundbreaking industry.
The market for cannabis is extremely exciting for many, and has continued to break down the barriers of what can and cannot be on the stock market. As legalization throughout the country and the world continues to occur, the industry is only getting stronger. The future of cannabis is extremely bright, and only appears as though it can continue to grow as we move throughout the rest of 2018. HMPQ "ROCKET TIME"
Marijuana Stocks Continue to Push Boundaries
By J. Phillip -
Apr 13, 2018
?0
The index known as the North American Marijuana Index surpassed the growth of many of the stocks throughout the market this past Thursday, as news of the President’s trade war with China hit other industries quite hard. Because of the speculation that often comes into more traditional industries when big news events hit, many investors saw Thursday as quite a negative day for the market. This was not the case with Marijuana. The index managed to gain as much as almost 5% by the end of the day.
Other indexes such as the United States Marijuana Index climbed by as much as 5% as well with the Canadian index climbing around 4%. Trump has stated that China “has repeatedly engaged in practices to unfairly obtain America’s intellectual property.” Because of this news, many stocks went spiraling. The continuous rain on tariffs has in the past also caused an uproar in the stock market, creating wild swings throughout the past several months. Richard Falkenhall, senior currency strategist at SEB stated that “Any escalation in the trade war rhetoric would be more negative for China than the U.S. given the former’s relative dependency on trade, but for now, the markets are focused on the payrolls data.”
The news out of cannabis has also been extremely positive throughout the last year or so. With new legislation in place to help make the substance legal throughout the country, marijuana has conditioned to produce existing results as a groundbreaking industry.
The market for cannabis is extremely exciting for many, and has continued to break down the barriers of what can and cannot be on the stock market. As legalization throughout the country and the world continues to occur, the industry is only getting stronger. The future of cannabis is extremely bright, and only appears as though it can continue to grow as we move throughout the rest of 2018. MJTK "ROCKET TIME"
Morning Brucie LMAO at you.. (READ) HMPQ "ROCKET TIME"
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomangell/2018/04/12/heres-mitch-mcconnells-new-hemp-legalization-bill/#10f13de95b5b
Glad you said it Green, the guys so obvious to all of us. MJTK "ROCKET TIME"
For sure Nanno! HMPQ "ROCKET TIME"
Great Post! HMPQ "ROCKET TIME" SOON
How is this a crap PR, it's the truth something you know little about. HMPQ "ROCKET TIME"SOON
This is a game changer!!! Former House Speaker John Boehner joins cannabis company board to push for medical use.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/382614-boehner-joins-board-of-cannabis-company-for-push-for-medical
"I’m joining the board of #AcreageHoldings because my thinking on cannabis has evolved. I’m convinced de-scheduling the drug is needed so we can do research, help our veterans, and reverse the opioid epidemic ravaging our communities."
I'm holding also! "Buy when there's blood in the street" Warren Buffet Quote "HMPQ ROCKET TIME SOON
Former House Speaker John Boehner joins cannabis company board to push for medical use.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/382614-boehner-joins-board-of-cannabis-company-for-push-for-medical
"I’m joining the board of #AcreageHoldings because my thinking on cannabis has evolved. I’m convinced de-scheduling the drug is needed so we can do research, help our veterans, and reverse the opioid epidemic ravaging our communities." HMPQ "ROCKET TIME"
Former House Speaker John Boehner joins cannabis company board to push for medical use.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/382614-boehner-joins-board-of-cannabis-company-for-push-for-medical
"I’m joining the board of #AcreageHoldings because my thinking on cannabis has evolved. I’m convinced de-scheduling the drug is needed so we can do research, help our veterans, and reverse the opioid epidemic ravaging our communities." "ROCKET TIME"
Wow the good ole boy Bashers are out in force today, you know something big is about to happen. Remember Volume comes before PPS and we had some big volume today. MJTK "ROCKET TIME" Soon
You can blame William Randolph Hearst for the war on Hemp (READ)
That's all going to change very soon and it's about time. HMPQ "ROCKET TIME"
To understand Hearst’s rush to take down the plant, you must first know this. That in order to more cheaply produce his own paper, Hearst had made huge investments into the timber industry. With the rise of cannabis fibers he stood to lose all of what he had gained. In response William Randolph Hearst did what he did best.
He ran a smear campaign. And a damn good one too. According to the stereotypes of the day Hearst contended that the “Drug” (one of the first references to marijuana as a drug) was a dark tool used by “Negroes, Hispanics, and Entertainers” and that the plant forced them into a bloodcraze in which it would be perfectly normal for a black man to rape a white woman and kill her whole family without thinking twice. I ask you, does that sound like any kind of pot you’ve smoked?
Yepp!!! It's happening..... READ
Feds Want Input On Marijuana Reclassification
Forbes APR 6, 2018 @ 10:33 AM
The Trump administration is asking Americans for input on whether marijuana should be reclassified under international drug control treaties to which the U.S. is a party.
Currently, under both U.S. law and global agreements, marijuana sits in the most restrictive category of Schedule I. Domestically, that means it is not available for formal prescriptions and research on its effects is heavily restricted. Globally, it means that nations signed onto drug treaties are not supposed to legalize cannabis.
But now, the United Nations World Health Organization is set to launch a review of the current international classification of marijuana, THC, cannabidiol and other related compounds and preparations, and it wants input from member nations. In turn, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is asking "interested persons" to submit comments that can inform the country's position on the issue before it weighs in with the UN.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomangell/2018/04/06/feds-want-input-on-marijuana-reclassification/#1820452a13e2
Lamar Odom, who is starting marijuana business, says pot helped his crack addiction
Former NBA champion Lamar Odom is promoting a new venture. The 38-year-old is starting a business for marijuana-based products, a growing market in states where pot is legal.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/04/06/lamar-odom-starting-marijuana-business-pot-helped-crack-addiction/492420002/
iHub NewsWire
It's coming Cajun! I'm holding and buying HMPQ "ROCKET TIME"SOON
HempAmericana Files Permits for Licensed Grower Status
SOURCE: https://www.dailymarijuanaobserver.com/single-post/2018/04/05/HMPQ-HempAmericana-Files-Permits-for-Licensed-Grower-Status
NEW YORK, April 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE – HempAmericana, Inc. (OTC:HMPQ) (“HempAmericana” or the “Company”) is excited to announce that the Company has filed permits to become a licensed grower in the great State of Maine. The Company is scheduled to close on a property tailored to cultivation of genetically superior CBD-rich hemp stock for its extraction, processing, and production operations based in nearby Augusta, Maine. Locking in permits now will allow for timely ramping of full-scale CBD Oil production this quarter.
Management believes this is a significant step toward verticalization, eastern US market dominance, and security of future top-line results.
HempAmericana CEO, Salvador Rosillo, commented, “We are extremely excited and we are set to close on the farm property imminently, and getting the permits lined up will protect our forward projections on posting initial sales through our established distribution footprint. The CBD Oil market is really the place to be. Tremendous growth is underway and we are now finally in a position to position ourselves as market leaders in purity, potency, and yield.”
The Company is now projecting that full-scale production will be underway later this fiscal quarter at its state-of-the-art high-capacity extraction and processing facility in Augusta. The plant features a Vitalis R-200 supercritical CO2 CBD Oil Extraction machine on-site working in tandem with a Gilson CPC 1000 centrifugal partition chromatography separator system with a PLC 2500 HPLC+UV Detector – a next-generation processing system capable of producing 99% pure CBD Oil concentrate in scalable quantities.
In addition, the Company has already purchased a specialized seed inventory scaled to yield approximately 10,000 Hemp plants set to be cultivated on its new high-potency seed development farm. This facility has been designated as the home base for the Company’s cross-pollination operations as it strives to cultivate unmatched potency in its CBD Oil production.
Critically, all features of the operation – the extraction and processing facility, the next-generation equipment, the high-potency cultivation facility, and the specialized seed stock – have been tapped by the Company with no residual increase in debt or dilution risk. HNPQ "ROCKET TIME"
SOON
About HempAmericana, Inc.
HempAmericana is currently in the rolling paper and CBD oil business using the brand name Weed Got Oil. Search Rolling Thunders hemp papers on YouTube for a product demonstration of the Company's papers. The company owns an extraction machine and now plans to become a leader in the CBD oil market by establishing three laboratories for the extraction and research of the oils contained in the hemp plant. HempAmericana also researches, develops and sells products made of industrial hemp. See more at http://www.HempAmericana.net.
There are so many reasons that MJ/Hemp should be legal.(Good Read)MJTK "ROCKET TIME" SOON
[url][/url][tag]https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/02/health/medical-cannabis-law-opioid-prescription-study/index.html[/tag]
What Makes Using CBD Oil Beneficial For Those Who Use It
By J. Phillip -
Apr 6, 2018
Cannabidiol or CBD has been one of the many groundbreaking compounds in the cannabis plant for some time now. With a massive amount of research being done which helps digs into the wide variety of potential with using CBD, it seems like the market on the medicine is just now being tapped into.
One of the largest appeals for CBD as a health benefit comes from the fact that it does not contain any psychoactive ingredients. Unlike the compound THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD does not get the user high, thus providing only the medicinal benefits to the patient. If one takes a few drops of CBD for a medicinal purpose, the user would be able to get all of the medicinal benefits of cannabis without the high. This is part of the reason that CBD is legal in many states that cannabis and THC is not.
According to a report done on the substance, growers and scientists have been performing massive amounts of research on the compound to help better understand how it can be used to treat a wide variety of diseases. Stuart W. Titus, the CEO of Medical Marijuana inc. which produces various CBD oils for the broad market, stated that “some people do want the high of course, but others are looking for the health and wellness benefits.” This is exactly where CBD comes in.
Many of the individuals who want to enjoy the benefits of cannabis such as pain relief, anti-anxiety, anti inflammatory and more, often cannot get high throughout their day to day life. With CBD, the user can get many of the medicinal benefits of the entire plant without ever getting a high from it. Because of this, many companies have begun to experiment with the production of CBD based pharmaceuticals to treat everything from cancer-related side effects to seizures and pain control.
CBD has been a large player in the world of epilepsy, where the most popular treatment has been through the use of harsh prescription drugs with a massive amount of side effects. With CBD, patients with epilepsy have often called it a miracle drug due to its ability to control seizures without offering the side effects that traditional seizure drugs do.
According to one report “Cannabidiol (CBD) is just one of over 85 cannabinoids presently identified in the cannabis plant and is the second most abundant cannabinoid in marijuana after THC. In hemp, however, THC is only present in trace amounts, while CBD dominates the plant’s makeup. CBD interacts with our naturally occurring systems, but is non-psychotropic, it doesn’t cause a high. This makes it a safer, less controversial alternative, while still offering significant health benefits.” Although CBD is not a replacement for the medical use of cannabis, it can often be a great alternative to the traditional use of the plant for medicinal reasons. The chemical CBD is one of many that are present in the plant, but it accounts for 40% of the extraction of the chemicals within cannabis. Because of this, deriving oil from cannabis can often be one of the best treatments for many different ailments.
While the use of cannabis is still illegal in many states throughout the country, CBD is legal in many parts of the U.S. that have outlawed cannabis. While THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis can only be fully derived from the cannabis plant, CBD can be taken from the industrial hemp plant, which is legal throughout the U.S. As the market on cannabis continues to grow, the hopes are high that CBD will continue to play a large role in the development of cannabis as a treatment for a series of different ailments in patients around the country. HMPQ "ROCKET TIME"
SOON
MJ/CBD Oil Interesting read Bow Wow!
Medical Cannabis: Is it good for our dogs?
Medical marijuana shows promise for ailing companion animals.
By Susan Tasaki, December 2015
Global Marijuana March LA 2014
A Bulldog who spent two years either lying down or throwing up plays like a puppy thanks to a daily dose of medical marijuana. A Boxer’s skin cancer begins to disappear following topical applications of cannabis oil. A 12-year-old Lab mix diagnosed with liver and lung cancer regains his appetite and becomes more himself after his owner gives him a cannabis tincture purchased from a licensed medical marijuana dispensary.
These stories offer hope to those of us who live with aging and/or infirm dogs, hope that we can improve the quality of their lives and perhaps even extend them.
Even more hopeful is the fact that these aren’t isolated incidents, but rather, three in an ever-increasing narrative of companion animals and cannabis- assisted healing. Yet, veterinarians played little to no official role in them. Why? Because Cannabis sativa (aka marijuana, grass, pot, hash, ganja, et al.)— a plant cultivated for literally thousands of years for its seeds, fibers and medicinal value—is a federally designated Schedule 1 controlled substance, a “drug with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”
So, even if vets believe that medical marijuana could or would relieve a dog’s pain, nausea or seizures, their hands are tied, including in the 23 states and the District of Columbia where cannabis is legal for human medical use. Physicians in those states are exempt from prosecution, but veterinarians don’t have the same protection. Prescribing, or even recommending, cannabis for medicinal use exposes them to the loss of their license to practice.
It’s a difficult place for a vet to find him- or herself: to have a remedy that has been shown to have very real benefits but not be able to use it, or even mention it, without career-ending consequences. Nonetheless, some have put their livelihoods at risk by challenging that prohibition, usually for the same reasons given by the late Doug Kramer, DVM, of Chatsworth, Calif., in a 2013 interview with Julia Szabo: compassion, and to prevent owners from accidentally overdosing their animals in well-intentioned efforts to relieve their pain.
And that’s part of the veterinary quandary. Medical marijuana has been described as the new “dot.com” boom, fueled by a growing body of research that seems to be validating cannabis’s beneficial effects for people. When people are helped by a particular treatment, they tend to want to share it with their ailing companion animals.
With medical marijuana, they’re doing this in increasing numbers, acting on the belief that if it works for them, it can also work for their dog or cat … or horse, for that matter. In doing so, they’re not necessarily curing incurable conditions but rather, are helping their animals enjoy daily life with better appetite and less pain until age or disease ultimately catches up.
The Backstory
The plant world has given us some of our oldest and most trusted—and, it’s true, sometimes abused—remedies. Pain relievers like codeine and morphine (poppy); colchicine, an antitumor drug (autumn crocus); the cardiac drug digitalin (purple foxglove); antimalarial quinine (quinine tree); and salicin, the chemical precursor to aspirin (white willow). The list is long.
When that plant has a cultural backstory like marijuana’s, however— “demon weed” in the ’50s, counterculture toke of choice in the ’60s, DEA Schedule 1 drug in the ’70s and onward —empirical evidence is harder to come by. Many barriers are placed in the path of those who want to find answers to questions about marijuana’s potential healing powers. Consequently, there’s a scarcity of rigorous research on the topic, particularly for veterinary application.
Determining whether or not to bring medical marijuana into general and legal use nationwide for humans and animals alike—and how to do it in a way that maximizes its benefits and minimizes its risks—requires this research. Stories, no matter how compelling and promising, are not science, and anecdotal evidence isn’t evidence in the scientific sense. Rather, hypotheses need to be tested in randomized, placebo-controlled studies, the results analyzed and conclusions drawn. The results are then retested and found to be replicable (or not) by others.
Until relatively recently, claims for cannabis’s medicinal values haven’t been supported in this way. As Hampton Sides notes in “High Science,” the June 2015 National Geographic cover story, “for nearly 70 years, the plant went into hiding, and medical research largely stopped … In America, most people expanding knowledge about cannabis were, by definition, criminals.”
The Science
Now for the more technical aspects of the topic, greatly simplified and synthesized.
The first published research related to cannabis and companion animals appeared in 1899 in the British Medical Journal. Written by English physician and pharmacologist Walter E. Dixon, the article included Dixon’s observations on dogs’ response to cannabis. However, it would be almost 100 years before we understood where the response originated: in the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
All vertebrates, from sea squirts to humans, have an endocannabinoid system, which scientists estimate evolved more than 600 million years ago. This ancient system, unknown until the late 20th century, is named for the botanical that most dramatically affects it, Cannabis sativa. Cannabinoids are the ECS’s messengers. The system’s purpose is to maintain internal balance— to “Relax, Eat, Sleep, Forget and Protect.”
Marijuana, a complex botanical with more than 400 known natural compounds, contains at least 64 phytocannabinoids (plant-based cannabinoids). The two produced in greatest abundance are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
How do they work? According to the National Cancer Society, cannabinoids “activate specific receptors found throughout the body to produce pharmacologic effects, particularly in the central nervous system and the immune system.” The effects depend on the receptors to which they bind.
Robert J. Silver, DVM and veterinary herbalist of Boulder, Colo., provides another way to look at it. “Receptors are like locks, and cannabinoids are like keys. They fit together perfectly. Once the cannabinoid connects to the receptor and ‘turns that lock,’ a series of actions in the cell membrane occur; these actions are responsible for some of the cannabinoid’s effects.”
In his forthcoming book, Medical Marijuana and Your Pet, Dr. Silver notes that the ECS is unique in the world of neurotransmitters. Instead of releasing signals across a synapse (gap) in a forward direction, “the body’s naturally occurring endocannabinoids travel backward from the post- to the presynaptic nerve cell, inhibiting its ability to fire a signal. This is one way the ECS helps modulate and influence the nervous system.”
Research has revealed two distinct cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. As in other vertebrates, canine CB1 receptors are primarily found in the brain, but also appear in dogs’ salivary glands and hair follicles, while CB2 receptors are localized in canine skin, immune system, peripheral nervous system and some organs, such as the liver and kidneys.
Of the currently known cannabinoids, only one—THC—provokes a “mind-bending” response. CBD, on the other hand, has several well-documented biological effects, including antianxiety, anticonvulsive, antinausea, anti-inf lammatory and antitumor properties.
Terpenoids, components that give plants their distinctive odors, also play a role, helping cannabis cross the bloodbrain barrier and work synergistically. Ethan B. Russo, MD, associated with GW Pharmaceuticals in the UK, calls this the “entourage effect.” In an article in the British Journal of Pharmacology, Russo notes that terpenoids may make a meaningful contribution to cannabisbased medicinal extracts “with respect to treatment of pain, inf lammation, depression, anxiety, addiction, epilepsy, cancer, fungal and bacterial infections (including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA]).” The entourage effect also suggests that in general, the whole plant, with all of its phytocannabinoids, is likely to be most effective for medicinal purposes.
Those who choose to treat their companion animals with medical marijuana generally give it to them in one of two ways: as an oil or as an edible —a food item made with marijuana or infused with its oil. While edibles intended for human consumption usually contain THC, those for dogs and cats more commonly use CBD from industrial hemp, strains of cannabis cultivated for non-drug use, which has almost no THC.
In 1996, California became the first state in the nation to legalize medical marijuana. It now has the largest legal medical marijuana market in the U.S. —not to mention an almost clichéd historical relationship with the herb— so it’s no surprise that many who are pushing the boundaries of its use with companion animals are based there.
Constance Finley, founder of Constance Pure Botanical Extracts (a Northern California legal medical cannabis collective) became involved in cannabis use with dogs when her 10-year-old service dog was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma and given six weeks to six months to live.
Finley had been using cannabis oil herself to treat the effects of a debilitating autoimmune disease that began when she was in her mid-40s. The prescription medication she took almost killed her, she says, an experience that inspired her to set aside her long-held bias against marijuana and give it a try. The oil provided both pain- and symptom relief, and Finley went on to study cannabis cultivation and the complicated laws around its use. She eventually developed proprietary blends of highly concentrated oils from multiple strains of cannabis, extracted with organic, food-grade solvents.
So, when her much-loved dog was struggling with cancer, she says she dithered, then began giving the dog small amounts of cannabis oil, wiping it on her gums. Within days, the dog started to move around normally and eat; after three weeks of treatment with the oil, her vet could find no signs of the cancer. Unfortunately, she didn’t completely understand how cannabis worked; she figured her dog was cured and stopped using the oil. Within six months, the cancer was back, and ultimately it claimed her dog’s life.
However, the experience made her a believer in its value for companion animals. While to date, there’s been no dog-specific research on its medical use, Finley is confident that cannabis oil has a place in the veterinary toolbox.
In her work with human clients, Finley says she has yet to see a conflict between conventional medications and cannabis, although anyone using it with dogs needs to be aware of the dog’s entire situation. It’s critically important, she says, that the dose be correctly titrated so the dog’s system isn’t hit with too much THC too quickly. She also notes that the effectiveness of an individual dog’s endocannabinoid system, not the dog’s weight, determines the dose. To establish the correct dose, it’s necessary to work with and observe the dog.
A dosage protocol for dogs is one of the areas in need of study and standardization. In the mid-1970s, researchers found that dogs have a high concentration of CB1 endocannabinoid receptors in their hindbrain and medulla as well as other areas of the brain. This suggests that, in terms of compounds that include THC, dogs require less to get the desired effect. (One of the diagnostic signs of THC overdose is something called “static ataxia,” first described in the 19th century and unique to dogs. Dogs in this condition rock rigidly back and forth and drool, their muscles tense up, and their pupils dilate.) According to Dr. Silver, when it comes to dogs and medical marijuana, “The ratio of brain weight—and by extension, receptors— to body weight is not linear.”
Finley also observes that there are at least two myths about medical marijuana that need to be dispelled. First, that CBD is good and THC is bad; each has its uses, but for cancer in particular, she says, THC is the workhorse. Second, that hemp and cannabis are the same; they are different varieties or sub-species, and while CBD can be refined from hemp, she feels that cannabis provides oil that is more easily used by the body.
In Oakland, Calif., Auntie Dolores has been making cannabis-infused edibles for California’s medical marijuana users since 2008. It recently launched Treatibles, a new, locally manufactured product for dogs and cats. The active ingredients are CBD, CBN (cannabinol) and CBG (cannabigerol) distilled from European industrial hemp, which, founder and CEO Julianna Carella notes, is “non-toxic, 100 percent safe and non-psychoactive. Even dogs who do not have health problems can use the product as a preventive measure.”
Each bag of Treatibles, about 40 pieces, contains 54.6 mg of CBD; each t reat contains about 1 mg. Carella says that the company guarantees 40 mg per bag, but often the consumer gets a bit more. “We feel that all products purporting the health benefits of CBD should have at least enough of the material in the product to warrant the price, as well as to provide a medicinal dose. Even so, dogs are more sensitive to cannabinoids and generally need less than humans.”
Carella says that she was inspired to develop edibles for companion animals by cannabinoid science and research into the endocannabinoid system as it relates to all animals. Like others in the field, she is dismayed by cannabis’s current federal legal status. “Unfortunately, research on cannabinoids and animals is delayed due to the status of cannabis and the Controlled Substance Act, which has disallowed research into its medicinal value. CBD has become part of this controversy, even when derived from hemp.”
Initially, Treatibles was sold only through the company’s Treatibles website, but Auntie Dolores has recently been making it available in California medical cannabis dispensaries and local pet retail outlets. Holistic Hound in Berkeley, Calif., is one of the first stores to carry the product. While its name includes the word “treats,” store owner Heidi Hill considers Treatibles to be more closely aligned with supplements— i.e., to have health benefits. She says her customers have given Treatibles an enthusiastic reception, with most reportedly using the edible to alleviate their dogs’ anxiety and, in some cases, pain.
Hill says she gives Treatibles to Pearl, her aging, arthritic Siberian Husky, and has observed an improvement in her appetite and energy level. The quality of its other ingredients—among them, organic, gluten-free oat flour; pumpkin; peanut butter; organic coconut oil and coconut nectar; organic brown rice flour; applesauce; turmeric; and cinnamon— also recommends it, she says.
Change Is Coming
While many have seen positive outcomes, some veterinary professionals worry about people extrapolating from their own experiences with medical cannabis to their dogs’ health problems and giving dogs inappropriate amounts. “Sometimes public sentiment and activity get ahead of the scientific background, and that can be dangerous,” Barry Kellogg, senior veterinary adviser to the Humane Society of the United States, has said.
To date, the American Veterinary Medical Association has not taken an official position on the use of medical marijuana with animals. The American Holistic VMA is the first, and so far only, veterinary organization to officially encourage research into the safety, dosing and uses of cannabis in animals. In 2014, the group released a statement that said in part, “There is a growing body of veterinary evidence that cannabis can reduce pain and nausea in chronically ill or suffering animals, often without the dulling effects of narcotics. This herb may be able to improve the quality of life for many patients, even in the face of life-threatening illnesses.”
Other developments are on the way. In March of this year, Nevada state senator Tick Segerblom (D-District 3) introduced Senate Bill 372, which makes a variety of changes related to medical marijuana in the state. Among its provisions is one that would allow officials to issue medical marijuana cards to companion animals whose owners are Nevada residents and whose vet is willing to certify that the animal has an illness that might be helped by marijuana (the illness does not need to be fatal).
California is also in the process of creating a structured regulatory system. In the June 4, 2015, edition of the Sacramento Bee, reporter Jeremy White summarized Assembly Bill 266: “[It] would create what’s called a dual-licensure system, with cannabis entrepreneurs needing to secure permits both from local authorities and from one of a few state agencies. The Department of Public Health would oversee testing, the Department of Food and Agriculture would deal with cultivation and the Board of Equalization would handle sales and transportation—all under the auspices of a new Governor’s Office of Marijuana Regulation.”
According to Constance Finley, the fact that the marijuana industry is unregulated has been part of the problem regarding access. But next year may be the tipping point. If California’s AB 266 is passed and the marijuana industry comes out of the shadows into effective regulation, particularly in terms of verifiable cannabinoid content and freedom from contaminants, the rest of the nation could follow. The state’s size, market potential, and trailblazing environmental and technology industries have historically inf luenced trends nationwide, and that dynamic is likely to drive the discussion in this case as well.
Veterinary professionals are generally in agreement that more study is needed. In a 2013 interview with R. Scott Nolen, Dawn Boothe, DVM and director of the Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, commented: “Veterinarians do need to be part of the dialogue. I can see a welldesigned, controlled clinical trial looking at the use of marijuana to treat cancer pain in animals. That would be a wonderful translational study, with relevance to both pets and their people.” (In translational research, laboratory science and clinical medicine combine their efforts to develop new treatments and bring them to market.)
Narda G. Robinson, DVM, director of Colorado State University’s Center for Comparative and Integrative Pain Medicine, agrees. In an email exchange, Dr. Robinson said, “There is a big gap that needs to be addressed between those who are already using hemp products and finding value for their animal and science-based practitioners who want to make sure that their patients are receiving safe and effective treatment. Research will help bridge that gap.”
Next Steps
Clearly, veterinarians—our partners in keeping our animals healthy—need a voice in this debate. While interested in the herb’s potential, many are leery about trying it, not only because of the legal consequences but also, because there’s so little evidence-based information. On the other hand, dog owners who have found it useful for themselves feel that not including it in the vet-med repertoire is a missed opportunity.
Although the tide is slowly turning in its favor, the debate about the utility of medical marijuana and its related components for both people and their pets is often mired in personal bias and opinion. Regardless of what position we take, it would seem that the best way to come to a resolution is to focus on the science. Controlled studies that determine cannabis’s therapeutic and toxic ranges in veterinary use and standardization of THC and/or CBD content have the potential to make a potent natural ally legally and safely available to our four-legged companions.
In transforming anecdote to evidence, we can move from what we think, what we believe and what we imagine to what we actually know. That would be a very good thing for us and for our co-pilots as well. HMPQ "ROCKET TIME"
When Marijuana and Dogs Don’t Mix
As is often the case, if people consume something, dogs are likely to do so as well, either deliberately or on the sly. In states where marijuana is legal, an uptick has been reported in the number of vet visits for dogs who’ve ingested pot (as an FYI, they also show up in states where it’s illegal). Two dogs, a Schipperke and a Cocker Spaniel, died after filching and eating baked goods made with unusually large amounts of THC butter (as well as rich in chocolate and raisins, two known canine toxins). An ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center study lists the top five symptoms of marijuana toxicity as ataxia—loss of control of body movements—depression, vomiting, urinary incontinence and bradycardia, or abnormally slow heart rate.
The takeaway? While death by pot isn’t common, it’s not unheard of. Dogs who get into a private stash or eat marijuana- enhanced edibles intended for people require veterinary attention.
Medical Cannabis: Is it good for our dogs?
Medical marijuana shows promise for ailing companion animals.
By Susan Tasaki, December 2015
Global Marijuana March LA 2014
A Bulldog who spent two years either lying down or throwing up plays like a puppy thanks to a daily dose of medical marijuana. A Boxer’s skin cancer begins to disappear following topical applications of cannabis oil. A 12-year-old Lab mix diagnosed with liver and lung cancer regains his appetite and becomes more himself after his owner gives him a cannabis tincture purchased from a licensed medical marijuana dispensary.
These stories offer hope to those of us who live with aging and/or infirm dogs, hope that we can improve the quality of their lives and perhaps even extend them.
Even more hopeful is the fact that these aren’t isolated incidents, but rather, three in an ever-increasing narrative of companion animals and cannabis- assisted healing. Yet, veterinarians played little to no official role in them. Why? Because Cannabis sativa (aka marijuana, grass, pot, hash, ganja, et al.)— a plant cultivated for literally thousands of years for its seeds, fibers and medicinal value—is a federally designated Schedule 1 controlled substance, a “drug with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”
So, even if vets believe that medical marijuana could or would relieve a dog’s pain, nausea or seizures, their hands are tied, including in the 23 states and the District of Columbia where cannabis is legal for human medical use. Physicians in those states are exempt from prosecution, but veterinarians don’t have the same protection. Prescribing, or even recommending, cannabis for medicinal use exposes them to the loss of their license to practice.
It’s a difficult place for a vet to find him- or herself: to have a remedy that has been shown to have very real benefits but not be able to use it, or even mention it, without career-ending consequences. Nonetheless, some have put their livelihoods at risk by challenging that prohibition, usually for the same reasons given by the late Doug Kramer, DVM, of Chatsworth, Calif., in a 2013 interview with Julia Szabo: compassion, and to prevent owners from accidentally overdosing their animals in well-intentioned efforts to relieve their pain.
And that’s part of the veterinary quandary. Medical marijuana has been described as the new “dot.com” boom, fueled by a growing body of research that seems to be validating cannabis’s beneficial effects for people. When people are helped by a particular treatment, they tend to want to share it with their ailing companion animals.
With medical marijuana, they’re doing this in increasing numbers, acting on the belief that if it works for them, it can also work for their dog or cat … or horse, for that matter. In doing so, they’re not necessarily curing incurable conditions but rather, are helping their animals enjoy daily life with better appetite and less pain until age or disease ultimately catches up.
The Backstory
The plant world has given us some of our oldest and most trusted—and, it’s true, sometimes abused—remedies. Pain relievers like codeine and morphine (poppy); colchicine, an antitumor drug (autumn crocus); the cardiac drug digitalin (purple foxglove); antimalarial quinine (quinine tree); and salicin, the chemical precursor to aspirin (white willow). The list is long.
When that plant has a cultural backstory like marijuana’s, however— “demon weed” in the ’50s, counterculture toke of choice in the ’60s, DEA Schedule 1 drug in the ’70s and onward —empirical evidence is harder to come by. Many barriers are placed in the path of those who want to find answers to questions about marijuana’s potential healing powers. Consequently, there’s a scarcity of rigorous research on the topic, particularly for veterinary application.
Determining whether or not to bring medical marijuana into general and legal use nationwide for humans and animals alike—and how to do it in a way that maximizes its benefits and minimizes its risks—requires this research. Stories, no matter how compelling and promising, are not science, and anecdotal evidence isn’t evidence in the scientific sense. Rather, hypotheses need to be tested in randomized, placebo-controlled studies, the results analyzed and conclusions drawn. The results are then retested and found to be replicable (or not) by others.
Until relatively recently, claims for cannabis’s medicinal values haven’t been supported in this way. As Hampton Sides notes in “High Science,” the June 2015 National Geographic cover story, “for nearly 70 years, the plant went into hiding, and medical research largely stopped … In America, most people expanding knowledge about cannabis were, by definition, criminals.”
The Science
Now for the more technical aspects of the topic, greatly simplified and synthesized.
The first published research related to cannabis and companion animals appeared in 1899 in the British Medical Journal. Written by English physician and pharmacologist Walter E. Dixon, the article included Dixon’s observations on dogs’ response to cannabis. However, it would be almost 100 years before we understood where the response originated: in the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
All vertebrates, from sea squirts to humans, have an endocannabinoid system, which scientists estimate evolved more than 600 million years ago. This ancient system, unknown until the late 20th century, is named for the botanical that most dramatically affects it, Cannabis sativa. Cannabinoids are the ECS’s messengers. The system’s purpose is to maintain internal balance— to “Relax, Eat, Sleep, Forget and Protect.”
Marijuana, a complex botanical with more than 400 known natural compounds, contains at least 64 phytocannabinoids (plant-based cannabinoids). The two produced in greatest abundance are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
How do they work? According to the National Cancer Society, cannabinoids “activate specific receptors found throughout the body to produce pharmacologic effects, particularly in the central nervous system and the immune system.” The effects depend on the receptors to which they bind.
Robert J. Silver, DVM and veterinary herbalist of Boulder, Colo., provides another way to look at it. “Receptors are like locks, and cannabinoids are like keys. They fit together perfectly. Once the cannabinoid connects to the receptor and ‘turns that lock,’ a series of actions in the cell membrane occur; these actions are responsible for some of the cannabinoid’s effects.”
In his forthcoming book, Medical Marijuana and Your Pet, Dr. Silver notes that the ECS is unique in the world of neurotransmitters. Instead of releasing signals across a synapse (gap) in a forward direction, “the body’s naturally occurring endocannabinoids travel backward from the post- to the presynaptic nerve cell, inhibiting its ability to fire a signal. This is one way the ECS helps modulate and influence the nervous system.”
Research has revealed two distinct cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. As in other vertebrates, canine CB1 receptors are primarily found in the brain, but also appear in dogs’ salivary glands and hair follicles, while CB2 receptors are localized in canine skin, immune system, peripheral nervous system and some organs, such as the liver and kidneys.
Of the currently known cannabinoids, only one—THC—provokes a “mind-bending” response. CBD, on the other hand, has several well-documented biological effects, including antianxiety, anticonvulsive, antinausea, anti-inf lammatory and antitumor properties.
Terpenoids, components that give plants their distinctive odors, also play a role, helping cannabis cross the bloodbrain barrier and work synergistically. Ethan B. Russo, MD, associated with GW Pharmaceuticals in the UK, calls this the “entourage effect.” In an article in the British Journal of Pharmacology, Russo notes that terpenoids may make a meaningful contribution to cannabisbased medicinal extracts “with respect to treatment of pain, inf lammation, depression, anxiety, addiction, epilepsy, cancer, fungal and bacterial infections (including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA]).” The entourage effect also suggests that in general, the whole plant, with all of its phytocannabinoids, is likely to be most effective for medicinal purposes.
Those who choose to treat their companion animals with medical marijuana generally give it to them in one of two ways: as an oil or as an edible —a food item made with marijuana or infused with its oil. While edibles intended for human consumption usually contain THC, those for dogs and cats more commonly use CBD from industrial hemp, strains of cannabis cultivated for non-drug use, which has almost no THC.
In 1996, California became the first state in the nation to legalize medical marijuana. It now has the largest legal medical marijuana market in the U.S. —not to mention an almost clichéd historical relationship with the herb— so it’s no surprise that many who are pushing the boundaries of its use with companion animals are based there.
Constance Finley, founder of Constance Pure Botanical Extracts (a Northern California legal medical cannabis collective) became involved in cannabis use with dogs when her 10-year-old service dog was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma and given six weeks to six months to live.
Finley had been using cannabis oil herself to treat the effects of a debilitating autoimmune disease that began when she was in her mid-40s. The prescription medication she took almost killed her, she says, an experience that inspired her to set aside her long-held bias against marijuana and give it a try. The oil provided both pain- and symptom relief, and Finley went on to study cannabis cultivation and the complicated laws around its use. She eventually developed proprietary blends of highly concentrated oils from multiple strains of cannabis, extracted with organic, food-grade solvents.
So, when her much-loved dog was struggling with cancer, she says she dithered, then began giving the dog small amounts of cannabis oil, wiping it on her gums. Within days, the dog started to move around normally and eat; after three weeks of treatment with the oil, her vet could find no signs of the cancer. Unfortunately, she didn’t completely understand how cannabis worked; she figured her dog was cured and stopped using the oil. Within six months, the cancer was back, and ultimately it claimed her dog’s life.
However, the experience made her a believer in its value for companion animals. While to date, there’s been no dog-specific research on its medical use, Finley is confident that cannabis oil has a place in the veterinary toolbox.
In her work with human clients, Finley says she has yet to see a conflict between conventional medications and cannabis, although anyone using it with dogs needs to be aware of the dog’s entire situation. It’s critically important, she says, that the dose be correctly titrated so the dog’s system isn’t hit with too much THC too quickly. She also notes that the effectiveness of an individual dog’s endocannabinoid system, not the dog’s weight, determines the dose. To establish the correct dose, it’s necessary to work with and observe the dog.
A dosage protocol for dogs is one of the areas in need of study and standardization. In the mid-1970s, researchers found that dogs have a high concentration of CB1 endocannabinoid receptors in their hindbrain and medulla as well as other areas of the brain. This suggests that, in terms of compounds that include THC, dogs require less to get the desired effect. (One of the diagnostic signs of THC overdose is something called “static ataxia,” first described in the 19th century and unique to dogs. Dogs in this condition rock rigidly back and forth and drool, their muscles tense up, and their pupils dilate.) According to Dr. Silver, when it comes to dogs and medical marijuana, “The ratio of brain weight—and by extension, receptors— to body weight is not linear.”
Finley also observes that there are at least two myths about medical marijuana that need to be dispelled. First, that CBD is good and THC is bad; each has its uses, but for cancer in particular, she says, THC is the workhorse. Second, that hemp and cannabis are the same; they are different varieties or sub-species, and while CBD can be refined from hemp, she feels that cannabis provides oil that is more easily used by the body.
In Oakland, Calif., Auntie Dolores has been making cannabis-infused edibles for California’s medical marijuana users since 2008. It recently launched Treatibles, a new, locally manufactured product for dogs and cats. The active ingredients are CBD, CBN (cannabinol) and CBG (cannabigerol) distilled from European industrial hemp, which, founder and CEO Julianna Carella notes, is “non-toxic, 100 percent safe and non-psychoactive. Even dogs who do not have health problems can use the product as a preventive measure.”
Each bag of Treatibles, about 40 pieces, contains 54.6 mg of CBD; each t reat contains about 1 mg. Carella says that the company guarantees 40 mg per bag, but often the consumer gets a bit more. “We feel that all products purporting the health benefits of CBD should have at least enough of the material in the product to warrant the price, as well as to provide a medicinal dose. Even so, dogs are more sensitive to cannabinoids and generally need less than humans.”
Carella says that she was inspired to develop edibles for companion animals by cannabinoid science and research into the endocannabinoid system as it relates to all animals. Like others in the field, she is dismayed by cannabis’s current federal legal status. “Unfortunately, research on cannabinoids and animals is delayed due to the status of cannabis and the Controlled Substance Act, which has disallowed research into its medicinal value. CBD has become part of this controversy, even when derived from hemp.”
Initially, Treatibles was sold only through the company’s Treatibles website, but Auntie Dolores has recently been making it available in California medical cannabis dispensaries and local pet retail outlets. Holistic Hound in Berkeley, Calif., is one of the first stores to carry the product. While its name includes the word “treats,” store owner Heidi Hill considers Treatibles to be more closely aligned with supplements— i.e., to have health benefits. She says her customers have given Treatibles an enthusiastic reception, with most reportedly using the edible to alleviate their dogs’ anxiety and, in some cases, pain.
Hill says she gives Treatibles to Pearl, her aging, arthritic Siberian Husky, and has observed an improvement in her appetite and energy level. The quality of its other ingredients—among them, organic, gluten-free oat flour; pumpkin; peanut butter; organic coconut oil and coconut nectar; organic brown rice flour; applesauce; turmeric; and cinnamon— also recommends it, she says.
Change Is Coming
While many have seen positive outcomes, some veterinary professionals worry about people extrapolating from their own experiences with medical cannabis to their dogs’ health problems and giving dogs inappropriate amounts. “Sometimes public sentiment and activity get ahead of the scientific background, and that can be dangerous,” Barry Kellogg, senior veterinary adviser to the Humane Society of the United States, has said.
To date, the American Veterinary Medical Association has not taken an official position on the use of medical marijuana with animals. The American Holistic VMA is the first, and so far only, veterinary organization to officially encourage research into the safety, dosing and uses of cannabis in animals. In 2014, the group released a statement that said in part, “There is a growing body of veterinary evidence that cannabis can reduce pain and nausea in chronically ill or suffering animals, often without the dulling effects of narcotics. This herb may be able to improve the quality of life for many patients, even in the face of life-threatening illnesses.”
Other developments are on the way. In March of this year, Nevada state senator Tick Segerblom (D-District 3) introduced Senate Bill 372, which makes a variety of changes related to medical marijuana in the state. Among its provisions is one that would allow officials to issue medical marijuana cards to companion animals whose owners are Nevada residents and whose vet is willing to certify that the animal has an illness that might be helped by marijuana (the illness does not need to be fatal).
California is also in the process of creating a structured regulatory system. In the June 4, 2015, edition of the Sacramento Bee, reporter Jeremy White summarized Assembly Bill 266: “[It] would create what’s called a dual-licensure system, with cannabis entrepreneurs needing to secure permits both from local authorities and from one of a few state agencies. The Department of Public Health would oversee testing, the Department of Food and Agriculture would deal with cultivation and the Board of Equalization would handle sales and transportation—all under the auspices of a new Governor’s Office of Marijuana Regulation.”
According to Constance Finley, the fact that the marijuana industry is unregulated has been part of the problem regarding access. But next year may be the tipping point. If California’s AB 266 is passed and the marijuana industry comes out of the shadows into effective regulation, particularly in terms of verifiable cannabinoid content and freedom from contaminants, the rest of the nation could follow. The state’s size, market potential, and trailblazing environmental and technology industries have historically inf luenced trends nationwide, and that dynamic is likely to drive the discussion in this case as well.
Veterinary professionals are generally in agreement that more study is needed. In a 2013 interview with R. Scott Nolen, Dawn Boothe, DVM and director of the Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, commented: “Veterinarians do need to be part of the dialogue. I can see a welldesigned, controlled clinical trial looking at the use of marijuana to treat cancer pain in animals. That would be a wonderful translational study, with relevance to both pets and their people.” (In translational research, laboratory science and clinical medicine combine their efforts to develop new treatments and bring them to market.)
Narda G. Robinson, DVM, director of Colorado State University’s Center for Comparative and Integrative Pain Medicine, agrees. In an email exchange, Dr. Robinson said, “There is a big gap that needs to be addressed between those who are already using hemp products and finding value for their animal and science-based practitioners who want to make sure that their patients are receiving safe and effective treatment. Research will help bridge that gap.”
Next Steps
Clearly, veterinarians—our partners in keeping our animals healthy—need a voice in this debate. While interested in the herb’s potential, many are leery about trying it, not only because of the legal consequences but also, because there’s so little evidence-based information. On the other hand, dog owners who have found it useful for themselves feel that not including it in the vet-med repertoire is a missed opportunity.
Although the tide is slowly turning in its favor, the debate about the utility of medical marijuana and its related components for both people and their pets is often mired in personal bias and opinion. Regardless of what position we take, it would seem that the best way to come to a resolution is to focus on the science. Controlled studies that determine cannabis’s therapeutic and toxic ranges in veterinary use and standardization of THC and/or CBD content have the potential to make a potent natural ally legally and safely available to our four-legged companions.
In transforming anecdote to evidence, we can move from what we think, what we believe and what we imagine to what we actually know. That would be a very good thing for us and for our co-pilots as well.
When Marijuana and Dogs Don’t Mix
As is often the case, if people consume something, dogs are likely to do so as well, either deliberately or on the sly. In states where marijuana is legal, an uptick has been reported in the number of vet visits for dogs who’ve ingested pot (as an FYI, they also show up in states where it’s illegal). Two dogs, a Schipperke and a Cocker Spaniel, died after filching and eating baked goods made with unusually large amounts of THC butter (as well as rich in chocolate and raisins, two known canine toxins). An ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center study lists the top five symptoms of marijuana toxicity as ataxia—loss of control of body movements—depression, vomiting, urinary incontinence and bradycardia, or abnormally slow heart rate.
The takeaway? While death by pot isn’t common, it’s not unheard of. Dogs who get into a private stash or eat marijuana- enhanced edibles intended for people require veterinary attention.
YES, YES, YES MJTK $$$$$$$$$$$$$ RT
New Data Suggests Marijuana Industry Experiencing Significant Growth
By J. Phillip -
Apr 5, 2018
New data is continuing to come out in the world of cannabis showing how the market is growing at a massive rate. With a high level of adoption throughout the United States and abroad, it seems like we are now entering the era of cannabis. Several companies are poised to lead the fight for the medicinal and recreational industry on marijuana as it continues to grow.
The study has come out showing that “the global medical cannabis market is anticipated to grow significantly from USD 8.28 billion in 2017 to USD 28.07 billion by 2024 and at a CAGR of 19.1% over the forecast period. Factors driving the growth of the legal cannabis industry include mounting recognition of medical benefits, growing demand for cannabis in the treatment of various diseases, and increasing number of research and development activities.” The U.S. is one of the fastest growing markets throughout the global industry with “28 states that have approved the use of cannabis for medical purposes. In major markets like Colorado, California, Alaska, Massachusetts and Nevada, cannabis is legal for recreational use.”
One of the driving factors for the growth of the marijuana industry is the high number of investments being made into the market. Scott Greiper, the President of Viridian Capital stated that “the cannabis market received $1.23 billion investments in the first five weeks of 2018, up from $178 million a year earlier.” The VP of the company, Harrison Phillips stated also that Investments in cultivation and retail this year have been driven predominantly by the Canadian player. This has been happening pretty consistently from late 2016 through 2017. This reflects the necessity to scale cannabis businesses, to get some kind of advantage, and to explore strategic opportunities, both through acquisitions and international expansion.” These strategic investments are helping to grow the market as capital is always the driver of any growth.
One of the fastest growing parts of the marijuana market is the industry on marketing for cannabis. Companies that provide marketing services are quickly becoming a cornerstone of the industry due to their ability to get the word out about a product that has for so long, lived in the shadows of other industries.
As the marijuana industry grows tremendously over the next few years, it will be interesting to see what parts of the market are able to climb to the top. The future of cannabis remains an incredibly exciting market to not only watch, but to take part in. The hopes are high that large investments and strategic marketing will continue to be the driving factors for growth in the market. MJTK "ROCKET TIME" Very SOON!
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HempAmericana Files Permits for Licensed Grower Status as High-Capacity CBD Oil Operation Nears Full-Scale Production
NEW YORK, April 05, 2018 (CannaInvestor Newswire) – HempAmericana, Inc. (HMPQ) (“HempAmericana” or the “Company”) is excited to announce that the Company has filed permits to become a licensed grower in the great State of Maine. The Company is scheduled to close on a property tailored to cultivation of genetically superior CBD-rich hemp stock for its extraction, processing, and production operations based in nearby Augusta, Maine. Locking in permits now will allow for timely ramping of full-scale CBD Oil production this quarter.
Management believes this is a significant step toward verticalization, eastern US market dominance, and security of future top-line results.
HempAmericana CEO, Salvador Rosillo, commented, “We are extremely excited and we are set to close on the farm property imminently, and getting the permits lined up will protect our forward projections on posting initial sales through our established distribution footprint. The CBD Oil market is really the place to be. Tremendous growth is underway and we are now finally in a position to position ourselves as market leaders in purity, potency, and yield.”
The Company is now projecting that full-scale production will be underway later this fiscal quarter at its state-of-the-art high-capacity extraction and processing facility in Augusta. The plant features a Vitalis R-200 supercritical CO2 CBD Oil Extraction machine on-site working in tandem with a Gilson CPC 1000 centrifugal partition chromatography separator system with a PLC 2500 HPLC+UV Detector – a next-generation processing system capable of producing 99% pure CBD Oil concentrate in scalable quantities.
In addition, the Company has already purchased a specialized seed inventory scaled to yield approximately 10,000 Hemp plants set to be cultivated on its new high-potency seed development farm. This facility has been designated as the home base for the Company’s cross-pollination operations as it strives to cultivate unmatched potency in its CBD Oil production.
Critically, all features of the operation – the extraction and processing facility, the next-generation equipment, the high-potency cultivation facility, and the specialized seed stock – have been tapped by the Company with no residual increase in debt or dilution risk.
About HempAmericana, Inc.
HempAmericana is currently in the rolling paper and CBD oil business using the brand name Weed Got Oil. Search Rolling Thunders hemp papers on YouTube for a product demonstration of the Company's papers. The company owns an extraction machine and now plans to become a leader in the CBD oil market by establishing three laboratories for the extraction and research of the oils contained in the hemp plant. HempAmericana also researches, develops and sells products made of industrial hemp. See more at http://www.HempAmericana.net. HMPQ "ROCKET TIME" SOON
This is a joint effort between the two and everyone is entitled to make a profit that includes the shareholders Brucie. HMPQ "ROCKET TIME" SOON