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Science on CBD's

 

5 Must-Know Facts About Cannabidiol (CBD)

 

(Photo:Coleen Danger/Flickr)

 

CBD, or cannabidiol, is quickly changing the debate surrounding the use of marijuana as a medicine.

Most people have heard of a chemical called THC, which is the ingredient in marijuana that gets users high. But recently, attention has shifted to another marijuana compound called CBD. And for good reason.

Because while doctors can’t seem to look past certain side effects of THC, CBD doesn’t seem to present that problem. On the other hand, evidence of CBD’s vast medical potential is mounting.


Here are five facts that you need to know about this unique compound:

1. CBD is a key ingredient in cannabis

CBD is one of over 60 compounds found in cannabis that belong to a class of molecules called cannabinoids. Of these compounds, CBD and THC are usually present in the highest concentrations, and are therefore the most recognized and studied.

CBD and THC levels tend to vary between different strains and varieties of cannabis. For example, by using selective breeding techniques, cannabis breeders have managed to create varieties with high levels of CBD and next to zero levels of THC.

2. CBD is non-psychoactive

Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a high. While this makes CBD a poor choice for recreational users, it gives the chemical a significant advantage as a medicine, since health professionals prefer treatments with minimal side effects.

The reason why CBD is non-psychoactive is due to its lack of affinity for CB1 receptors. CB1 receptors are found in high concentrations in the brain, and are the pathways responsible for the psychoactive effects of THC.

3. CBD has a wide range of medical benefits

Despite a different pathway of action, CBD seems to possess many of the same benefits of THC.

According to a 2013 review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, studies have found CBD to possess the following medical properties:

Medical Properties of CBD	Effects
Antiemetic	Reduces nausea and vomiting
Anticonvulsant	Suppresses seizure activity
Antipsychotic	Combats psychosis disorders
Anti-inflammatory	Combats inflammatory disorders
Anti-oxidant	Combats neurodegenerative disorders
Anti-tumoral/Anti-cancer	Combats tumor and cancer cells
Anxiolytic/Anti-depressant	Combats anxiety and depression disorders

Unfortunately, most of this evidence comes from animal studies, as very few clinical trials have been conducted on the compound.

4. CBD reduces the negative effects of THC

CBD seems to offer natural protection against the marijuana high. Numerous studies suggest CBD acts to counter the intoxicating effects of THC, including memory impairment and paranoia.

Both CBD and THC have been found to present no risk of lethal overdose. However, to reduce potential side effects, medical users may be better off using cannabis strains with higher levels of CBD.

5. CBD is still illegal

Even though CBD shows much promise as a medicine, it remains illegal in many parts of the world. CBD is classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States and a Schedule II drug in Canada.
On the other hand, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a pharmaceutical version of CBD, marketed as Epidiolex, for clinical trials in pediatric epilepsy. The trials began earlier this year.

A patent awarded to the U.S. Health and Human Services in 2003 (US6630507) also covers the use of CBD as a treatment for various neurodegenerative and inflammatory disorders.


Please note:  This is an article published by http://www.leafscience.com/2014/02/23/5-must-know-facts-cannabidiol-cbd/

Revenue From Marijuana Sales Continues To Climb In Colorado

[Source: TheWeedBlog]

Data was released this week for marijuana sales numbers in Colorado from the month of April. As expected, sales increased in the month of April over previous months. The increase is likely due to the fact that April 20th saw an enormous influx of recreational consumers to Colorado for the marijuana holiday, and dispensaries sold more medical marijuana for the holiday as well.

In April, Colorado medical marijuana dispensaries sold roughly $32 million worth of medical marijuana. Revenue from recreational sales was roughly $22 million, which is a 17% increase from March. Roughly $14 million was brought in during February and January for recreational sales. This is great news for the State of Colorado. So far, Colorado has generated almost $18 million dollars in taxes and fees from marijuana since January.


READ HERE: Revenue From Marijuana Sales Continues To Climb In Colorado

Colorado Law Sets up Marijuana Banks; Feds Must OK

[Source: ABC News]

Seeking to move marijuana businesses away from cash-only operations, Gov. John Hickenlooper signed legislation Friday that tries to establish the world's first financial system for the newly legal industry in Colorado.

The legislation seeks to form a network of uninsured cooperatives designed to give pot businesses a way to access basic banking services like checking. But approval from the Federal Reserve remains a hurdle.

Out of fear of violating federal law, banks don't work with marijuana businesses. That has led to concerns that the burgeoning marijuana industry could be a target for robberies.

Mike Elliott, executive director of the Marijuana Industry Group, said a member of his organization was robbed a few days ago. The cash-only model has become stressful for businesses and their employees, he said.

"We don't a need a vault. What we need is checking," he said. "We're looking for a way to take cash out of the businesses.

READ MORE HERE: Colorado Law Sets up Marijuana Banks; Feds Must OK

Cannabis Time Capsule, 1888: Medical-pot candy predicted 126 years ago?

[Source: Denver Westword Blog]

Leadville in the 1880s was a tough town populated by mining tycoons, the poor miners that made those tycoons rich and the businesses that supported the industry. Okay, there were also a bunch of bunch of thieves, cheats, hookers, gamblers, drunks, visiting opera singers and (apparently) drug addicts around, too.

Our story this week finds us at the intersection of two such groups almost 126 years ago to the day, with a pharmacy at the center of the action.

Taylor's Drug Store was located in the Vendome Hotel Building -- now known as the Tabor Grand. At the time, the town was booming and owner George Taylor was seeing all types in his store. Apparently, a reporter caught up with him one morning when he was on a tear about them.

"You talk about cranks," Taylor told the reporter, who added that "the druggist has not only his full share but a great deal more in the way of idiots who bother him."

More reading here: Cannabis Time Capsule

U.S. House vote blocking feds from meddling in state medical pot laws surprises even advocates

[SOURCE: OregonLive]

An amendment barring the U.S. Department of Justice from interfering with state medical marijuana laws got a surprising boost from GOP lawmakers.

Though many Republican lawmakers remain opposed to marijuana reform, others view the federal war on drugs as overreach "and a violation of the rights of more than two dozen states that have legalized cannabis or specific components of it for medical use," the Los Angeles Times reports. The U.S. House narrowly passed the amendment Friday; it now heads to the Democratic Senate.

Writes LA Times reporter Evan Halper:

Most GOP stalwarts, of course, continue to rail against liberalization of the laws. Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland, a physician, declared during floor debate that medical marijuana is a sham. Real medicine, he said, "is not two joints a day, not a brownie here, a biscuit there. That is not modern medicine."

READ MORE HERE: U.S. House vote blocking feds from meddling in state medical pot laws