Check out our latest issue focused on seizure disoders

Cannabis Patient Care August

Check out our March/April focused on chronic pain

Cannabis Patient Care March/April

Meg is the Group Editorial Director for Cannabis Patient Care and Cannabis Science and Technology magazines at MJH Life Sciences.

 conference—recently rescheduled for May 3–5 in Pasadena, California—will feature an exciting full-day CannMed Medical Practicum organized by Bonni Goldstein, MD, (the practicum’s originator); Dustin Sulak, DO; Kevin Spelman, PhD, MCPP; and Eloise Theisen, NP, AGPCNP-BC. During this practicum, each of the presenters will share the latest research, their clinical experience, and practice guidelines related to cannabinoid therapeutics, inclusive of types of extractions, products, and optimal dosing of cannabinoids for various therapeutic scenarios. This course is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing for 9.5 contact hours**

In this roundtable interview series, we speak to each of the organizers to learn more about them and what attends can expect from the practicum. Here in part III, they discuss how cannabis is used to treat acute and chronic pain, anxiety, ADHD, and pediatric patients. Bio information available 

How is cannabis used to treat acute and chronic pain?

 Cannabis is not a “one size fits all” medicine. How patients use cannabis is determined by many variables, including severity of condition, individual preference, other medications being used, and response to cannabis. For instance, someone who is an experienced user of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-rich cannabis may find relief with inhaled THC. Someone who is new to cannabis may find relief with sublingual or ingested cannabidiol (CBD)-dominant cannabis. Others combine CBD and THC in various ratios to customize their treatment. Additionally, cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), and other secondary cannabinoids can be taken singly or in combination to alleviate pain. Each patient must “trial and error” to see how they respond to find the best cannabinoid regimen for their particular physiology and situation. What works best for someone may not work well for another, even if they struggle with the same diagnosis. 

 For acute pain, tinctures or inhalation can have a quick effect. For more chronic pain, ingestibles make better sense for their longer duration in effect.

: Cannabis is very effective at treating chronic pain and associated symptoms. It can be useful in acute pain, but it also has the potential to intensify acute pain, especially in people who are new to cannabis. Despite this, one study showed that administering THC to trauma patients in the hospital, including those with no prior experience using cannabis, improved their symptoms and decreased their requirements for opioids.

 Treatment with cannabis is best individualized to the patient’s personal needs. There are many factors to consider when developing a treatment plan for acute and/or chronic pain. Some patients may benefit from a variety of cannabinoids and routes of administration when treating pain. Cannabinoids can help reduce inflammation, shift the dysphoria associated with pain, and boost opioid analgesic effects.

How is medical cannabis being used in pediatric patients? Is there clinical evidence for using cannabis to treat anxiety and ADHD?

 Cannabinoid medicines are being used in pediatric patients who suffer with significant illnesses, such as treatment-resistant epilepsy, autism, cancer, gastrointestinal conditions, and genetic syndromes—just to name a few. Since research on the benefits of cannabis in the US is still prohibited due to the Schedule I Controlled Substance classification, scientists and physicians have not been able to study the use of cannabis in any pediatric condition except for epilepsy. However, other countries have allowed research, resulting in preliminary evidence that cannabinoids can help with anxiety and ADHD. One such study from Israel documented that children with autism had improvement in anxiety (as well as improvement in behavior issues and in communication) (1). Another study from Japan found that CBD significantly decreased anxiety in teenagers when compared to placebo (2).

Unfortunately, there are no randomized controlled studies on the use of cannabinoid medicines for ADHD in children, however there are a great many anecdotal reports of benefits by teenagers and adults with this condition who medicate with cannabis. A 2017 trial in adults given either the pharmaceutical Sativex (1:1 CBD:THC sublingual preparation) or a placebo found some improvement in hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention. Certainly, more studies are warranted for this condition.

 There have been positive clinical studies on cannabis use (specifically CBD) in anxiety disorders since the 1980s, so anxiety is a well-known and successfully treated indication. As for ADHD, there are many case studies showing beneficial effects and recent clinical trial that was favorable for ADHD. 

: Small studies have shown benefit in anxiety and trauma-related disorders with THC, an analog of THC called nabilone, and CBD. There’s even less data for ADHD. Anecdotally, I have seen cannabis help these conditions in hundreds of patients. These are both great examples of conditions cannabis clinicians successfully treat all the time but are lacking peer-reviewed clinical studies.

some of the clinical applications for medical cannabis and dosing information.

in this series on how cannabis can be used stop opioid addiction and possible ways cannabis might interact with other prescription medications.

A. Aran, et al. "Brief report: cannabidiol-rich cannabis in children with autism spectrum disorder and severe behavioral problems—a retrospective feasibility study." 

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

N. Masataka, "Anxiolytic effects of repeated cannabidiol treatment in teenagers with social anxiety disorders." 

**CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS: This course is provider-approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider number 16845, for 9.5 contact hours.

Articles

In this roundtable interview series, we speak to the organizers of the CannMed Medical Practicum—Bonni Goldstein, MD; Dustin Sulak, DO; Kevin Spelman, PhD, MCPP; and Eloise Theisen, NP, AGPCNP-BC— to learn more about them and what attendees can expect from the practicum. Here in part III, they discuss how cannabis is used to treat acute and chronic pain, anxiety, ADHD, and pediatric patients.

Medical Cannabis Insights, Part III: Medical Cannabis for Pain, Anxiety, ADHD, and More 

Madeline Colli is the Associate Editor for Cannabis Patient Care and Cannabis Science and Technology magazines at MJH Life Sciences.

How did you get involved in the cannabis industry? Can you tell us about Leaf411?

 My advocacy for cannabis started from a personal crisis. A family member was suddenly diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer and given 2-5 years to live. While my family was seeking every possible treatment, cannabis was mentioned once but the MD stated that it would be a last resort option since they knew nothing about the plant. Since I am a nurse and have resources, I took it upon myself to look at this option, especially due to hearing a lot about cannabis being in Colorado. I soon found out that there was a ton of science that showed promise and I was angry that the propaganda prevented me and others like me from learning about its potential as medicine. From that point on, I immersed myself in the industry and patient care, but soon found out there were many problems for access to the much needed education on safe use.

Leaf411 started as a solution to tackle healthcare inequality. While working as a cannabis nurse in a private practice, I heard first-hand of the challenges patients were having deciding if cannabis would work for them; if they could afford the out-of-pocket expense to have a consultation with a MD and then the expense of a follow-up appointment; and if they could then afford the recommended medicine. In the affluent neighborhood where this private practice was, only some could afford the ongoing education needed, but what about everyone else? As a resource for my family, I could jump on the phone and answer their questions, but what would every other family do? That’s when I decided I would create a solution to this healthcare inequality and I started the first, free, cannabis nurse hotline.

Is access to Leaf411 available nationally? Or is your work in a specific state? Do you offer any international access?

 Yes, Leaf411 is not only national but we’ve taken calls and chats from other countries so I like to say that we are also accessible globally. We have the capability to translate any chat in the person's language to English, which allows us to gather enough information to then email them guidance in their native language.

Can you tell us about your partnership with the Cannabis Creative Movement and the guide you recently created to help patients dealing with opioid addiction (1)?

 Leaf411 has been in the industry for over 2 years now and with our continued outreach into different communities, we’ve been fortunate enough to meet fantastic people like John Shute, co-founder of 

. Cannabis Creative Movement, co-founded by John and Wes, reached out to Leaf411 asking if we would like to be a part of their educational guidebook series designed to inform on key issues while providing fundraising opportunities for nonprofits focused on those concerns. They had the idea for the 

 but wanted a licensed medical professional to help with its creation and Leaf411 fit that need perfectly. Leaf411’s Chief Nursing Officer, Eloise Theisen, took the lead and crafted a guide that brought awareness about the different types of chronic pain, the severity of the opioid crisis, the role that cannabis can play in symptom management and most importantly, a free resource from licensed medical professionals that consumers can trust for guidance.

What role do you think cannabis can play in the ongoing opioid crisis?

 Cannabis has been shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic pain in adults. With research demonstrating that opioids are not effective in the treatment of chronic pain, plus opioids can produce significant side effects and are highly addictive, patients are looking to other options to safely and effectively manage their pain. Furthermore, studies have suggested that using cannabinoids in conjunction with opioids can help manage pain effectively and patients are able to reduce their overall opioid use. This reduction in opioid use will directly impact the opioid crisis because there will be less deaths associated with its abuse since most consumers can add cannabis medicine into their current regimen therefore reducing the potential lethal doses of opioids.

What other educational resources does Leaf411 offer?

 Leaf411 offers many resources for education which include the free Hotline Program, a free virtual Leaf Learning Series event provided by the Outreach Program, and free access to our Leaf Library that provides articles, studies, and FAQs for many different medical conditions and topics.

Do you help patients get medical cannabis cards or just offer general advice?

 Leaf411 provides the public with cannabis use guidance along with many other resources requested by patients. One example is our partnership with Leafwell, which is a company that connects consumers to a cannabis medical card provider in their state.

Is Leaf411 involved in any advocacy work?

 As a thought leader in the cannabis industry, Leaf411 and its leadership team have continued to offer guidance to legislators and advocacy groups in multiple states, while also providing testimony for House Bills and participating in building a regulatory framework for specific topics of concern in Colorado.

Does the federal scheduling of cannabis impact your organizations’ work?

 I believe if cannabis either becomes descheduled or rescheduled, our work at Leaf411 will only become more vital to every community across the country due to the flood of products and retail establishments people will have easy access to. Those communities will need constant guidance on the safe and effective use of their purchased products and will also need  guidance on where to purchase specific products that best fit for their needs.

How can nurses or other individuals get involved?

 Leaf411 is a nurse-run organization and we pride ourselves on this. We want the public to feel they can trust the evidence-based education we provide so we welcome more nurses to help the organization grow. We have recently launched a new Membership Ambassador incentive program that enables nurses to gain experience engaging with the industry while acquiring new monthly memberships pledges that are needed to allow Leaf411 to continue to grow!

What is the process for those seeking help?

 Leaf411 is reachable by our toll-free number, 844-Leaf411 (844-532-3411) and by way of our chat feature on our website homepage at 

What would you like to see change in the next few years in the US cannabis industry?

 The change that I would like to see in the US cannabis industry is more gratitude for the cannabis patient consumer whose advocacy is the sole reason they are in existence today. That gratitude can be shown by way of supporting public services such as Leaf411 who advocate for harm reduction and the safe use of the products they manufacture and sell. There are many cannabis businesses that care about the consumers' access to safe guidance but there are many more, unfortunately, that don’t.

https://leaf411.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/leaf-411-opioid-awareness-guide.pdf

When a patient is faced with a tough diagnsis, they often turn to their medical providers for the best treatment options. The troubling fact facing our healthcare professional is that they are not taught about the potential benefits of medicinal cannabis. This knowledge gap leaves a lot to be discovered by patients themselves who are seeking alternative treatments. After experiencing this firsthand with a family member, Katherine Golden, founder and CEO of Leaf411, decided to take action and help educate a community that was so in need of reliable and trustworhty information. Here, Golden shares her background, goals for Leaf411, and more.

Nurses for Medical Cannabis Education

™, a leading multimedia platform dedicated to advancing research, education, and treatment in the medical cannabis industry, is proud to announce that its first two issues of the publication have been named as a finalist in the 2021 FOLIO: Eddie & Ozzie Awards under the “Eddies-Magazine Launch-B2B” category.

The Eddie & Ozzie Awards is one of the most comprehensive awards competitions in media publishing. The 

™ November 2020 and March/April issues were submitted for consideration. The November 2020 issue, titled "

Post-Traumatic Stress to Post-Traumatic Growth: How Medical Cannabis Is Helping Veterans with PTSD

," focused on how veterans use medical cannabis to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The issue shared insights from key thought leaders in the medical cannabis industry, such as Dr. Staci Gruber, Dr. Marion McNabb, and veteran Stephen Mandile, who are deeply involved in research and advancing access for veterans.

Cannabis and Chronic Pain: A New Frontier in Alternative Medicine?

”—focused on chronic pain and the latest trends in using medical cannabis as an alternative medicine. Kevin Boehnke, PhD, shared key research on his work to address questions such as what health conditions patients are using cannabis for, dosing formats, and more. Brendan McKernan used his family’s background in science to learn about the endocannabinoid system, various tinctures and cannabinoids, and how to use medical cannabis to treat chronic pain for himself and his late father. Dr. Julia Hildebrand and Dr. Peter Blecher shared updates from healthcare professionals in Canada. Eloise Theisen, a geriatric nurse practitioner and current president of the American Cannabis Nurses Association, advised patients on how to use medical cannabis. Stanley Atkins II, a veteran patient turned advocate, shared his incredible journey to help reform cannabis policies in his home state of Georgia. And a patient caregiver—Jessica Mandile—shared how medical cannabis turned her husband’s quality of life around dramatically.

 have been very well received in the medical cannabis community,” said Meg L’Heureux, Group Editorial Director of 

. “We launched this brand out of a desire to help educate medical professionals and give patients a platform to share their experiences. To be recognized as a finalist in the 2021 FOLIO: Eddie & Ozzie Awards is an incredible honor and I hope it helps spread awareness even further on the potential benefits of medical cannabis.”

The 2021 FOLIO: Eddie & Ozzie Awards ceremony will be held in person on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City, NY. For more information about the Eddie & Ozzie Awards, including a full list of the finalists, which will be announced mid-September, click 

The publication's first and second print issues were nominated in the "Eddies-Magazine Launch-B2B” category of the annual awards program.

Cannabis Patient Care Named as a Finalist in 2021 FOLIO: Eddie & Ozzie Awards

On August 30, 2021 the national assembly of Panama unanimously voted on the passage of legislation that will allow for the legalization and regulation of medical cannabis (1). This marks Panama as the first nation in Central America to legalize medical cannabis.

The bill would set up a registry of authorized cannabis patients and permit further research on the plant. The national assembly passed the legislation by a vote of 44 lawmakers in favor and none voting against it.

Assembly President Crispiano Adames hailed the bill as "innovative," citing multiple ailments that can be treated with cannabis once the proposal becomes law (2).

The medical cannabis legislation now awaits the signature of President Laurentino Cortizo.

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/panamas-congress-approves-medical-cannabis-bill-unanimous-vote-2021-08-31/

https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/panama-legalizes-medical-cannabis/

Recently, the National Assembly of Panama voted to approve the legalization of medical cannabis, becoming the First Nation in Central America to do so.

Panama Becomes First Nation in Central America to Legalize Medical Cannabis

Do No Harm—The Work of Medical Cannabis to Treat Epilepsy: How One Physician Found a New Treatment that Works and Upholds the Oath She Took

Charlotte Figi: Patient, Advocate, Trailblazer, and Much More

Two Stories of Lives Lived by Keeping Epilepsy at Bay

Cannabis Becomes One Nurse’s Tool to Treat Epilepsy Disorders

A Brief Overview of the History, Efficacy, and Safety of Cannabis for Epilepsy

The State of Cannabis in Kentucky: A Story of Cannabis, Epilepsy, and Advocacy

Medical Cannabis and Caregiver Rights in Hawaii

Holistic Health Alternatives Offer Patients Other Treatment Plans

View our interactive August 2021 digital edition.

August 2021 Digital Edition

Medical cannabis is gaining steam all around the globe because of its various beneficial health offerings. The European market, in particular, is poised to take research and medical cannabis drug development to the next level. Here, Carl Esprey, CEO of Botanical Holdings, an investment holding company which focuses on all aspects of the legal medicinal cannabis industry, discusses the company’s path in the industry, the European cannabis industry and what the US can learn from other countries and more.

Can you tell us about your company, Botanical Holdings? How did it get started? What is your vision for the future?

 Botanical Holdings (BH) is a new entrant in the medical cannabis industry, with plans to cultivate, manufacture, distribute, import and export EU-GACP (European Union good agricultural and collection practice for starting materials of herbal origin) & EU-GMP standard (European Union good manufacturing practice) medical cannabis and derivative products.

We have two cultivation units; construction has been completed and cultivation has commenced in Lesotho and construction is underway in Portugal; having cultivation facilities in both hemispheres, supports low-cost, year-round production. Both of these operations will include cultivation, manufacturing, processing/storage, shipping/receiving, and quality control facilities, (comprising several internal testing labs), comprised of several connected structures built using state-of-the-art design to provide superior strength and energy efficiency.

BH intends to be a key player in the European medicinal cannabis industry and be a global leader in the production and export of quality, legally approved dried cannabis flower and manufactured cannabis products for medical use.

BH intends to sell its products through distributors (drug product), pharmaceutical companies (drug substance) and directly in pharmacies (drug product). With this strategy in mind, BH is negotiating strategic partnerships across Europe.

The main mission of BH is to play a role in the growth of the worldwide legal cannabis industry for the benefit of all stakeholders, participants and consumers, thereby contributing to the alleviation of illness, disease and suffering.

What are some of the unique challenges faced by developers in bringing cannabis-based drugs to market and what role does your company play in solving those challenges?

 One major challenge currently being faced is the relative lack of scientific research and completed clinical trials into the therapeutic benefits of the cannabis, despite the fact that it has been used for various purposes over thousands of years. Despite this, a vast range of opportunities are now opening up to cannabis-based drug developers as the number of new cannabinoids being discovered grows. Understanding of their properties and applications broadens as we see an increase in consumer interest in cannabis-based products as alternatives to traditional therapies.

By being the first to bring products to market, drug developers could be in the forefront and privileged position to establish themselves as industry leaders.

The ability for product developers to be closely involved with cultivators from the start of the plant’s cultivation provides the opportunity to customize active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or products from the very start of the production chain; this may offer significant opportunities in relation to creation of full spectrum oils or extracts containing specific ratios of molecules, designed as therapies for specific medical conditions.

Cultivators and producers will also have the opportunity (with improvements in the agri-tech field) to develop cultivar catalogues tailored for medical use, which can be important in relation to improving stability, alongside cannabinoid and terpene profiles.

Can you tell us about some of the technology you’ve developed to isolate specific cannabinoids for pharmaceutical drug development? What role does your company play in this development (are you creating the isolates and formulating the drugs or sending them to a third-party)?

 BH's manufacturing facility in Portugal (held through its wholly owned subsidiary division, EuroCan) will have the ability to customize more than 100 types of product for licensed importers in the European Union, providing much needed supplies and access to a greater variety of treatments for patients who are suffering.

Licensed buyers of our Portuguese produced products will use our products within their own medical-use products. These products will provide patients with an alternative to the traditional mode of consuming cannabis, delivering its medical benefits without the health risks associated with smoking.

EuroCan is in the process of establishing working relationships with a number of university partners; ideally this group will include at least one partner based in Portugal. It is intended that research professionals from university partners, in collaboration with EuroCan´s management and technical team, will initiate and oversee research programs to help Botanical Holdings reach long-term goals for diversifying its product line, including developing intellectual property, and writing technical reports & journal manuscripts.

We hope that these relationships will lead to scientific developments (and creation of intellectual property or trade secrets) in the context of new products and services, as well as more broadly in terms of proving the efficacy of cannabinoids for medical and wellness purposes.

What kind of challenges do you face operating in Europe? Do you have any plans to expand or collaborate with companies in the US, Canada, or other countries outside of Europe?

 The principal challenge of operating in Europe is that the industry is in a nascent and growing phase in the region. This means that learning curves are steep for all participants, but this is offset by the availability of a high-quality, well-educated workforce.

We believe that as the global legal cannabis industry develops, collaboration between parties at different levels will become commonplace as specific expertise is developed in different areas and sectors. We intend to be an active player in the sector and therefore will always be open to collaboration with suitable partners.

What do you think the US can learn from Europe about cannabis legislation or vice versa?

 Lowering legal barriers for cannabis investment in general and legalizing medical cannabis at a federal level is the first step that the US needs to take to drive cannabis-based drug development. Although it has not yet been approved at the federal level in the US, medical cannabis has already been legalized at the state level in some states—a process still ongoing for others. This lack of cohesion has acted as a block in development from large pharmaceutical businesses.

On the other hand, despite there being no legal harmonization across the EU, there is a clearer framework in Europe to boost cannabis-based products being developed and used for therapeutic purposes. Europe has developed its own regional outlook for how it wants to regulate cannabis and implement access programs. Regulatory barriers have inhibited commercial research; however, positive and faster progress is underway.

Are there any laws or regulations in Europe that restrict your operations?

 The proposal for rescheduling substances under control and the necessary formal review was approved in an historic vote based on the increase use of cannabis and its components for medical purposes, the emergence of new cannabis-related pharmaceutical preparations for therapeutic use and the fact that cannabis had never been subject to a formal pre-review or critical review by the World Health Organization’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD).

This represents a very important step so countries can now re-evaluate cannabis classification on their own lists of narcotic drugs, easing the way for more research into medical cannabis sustained on the previous evaluations of potential harm, dependence, abuse from a public health perspective as well as their therapeutic usefulness.

As more EU Member States permit the use of cannabis for medical and non-medical purposes, more evidence is emerging, and even more is expected to come about their health and wellness effects. Relaxing their national or local regulations as they align with other states, is key by supporting and creating the advantageous legal and regulatory framework needed to overcome the stigma. From a regulatory perspective, this is also key as it helps remove barriers to access for medical cannabis-based products more easily.

Governments across Europe are quickly responding to scientific research on the health benefits of legalized medical cannabis products. According to the analysis of current trends, Europe is set to become the world’s largest legal cannabis market over the next five years.

What is EuroCan? Can you tell us how this differs from Botanical Holdings?

 Botanical Holdings is a dynamic investment holding company focused on selective investments across all verticals of the legal cannabis industry with cultivation, processing, CBD and retail divisions in Europe and Africa.

EuroCan is the name of Botanical Holdings’ cultivation division; it is in the vanguard of the fast-growing, legalized medicinal cannabis industry and is intent on becoming a global leader in the production of high quality, legally-approved cannabis products. EuroCan has established locations in Koro-Koro, Lesotho, and Mação, Portugal.

What kind of safety protocols do you have in place for your medical cannabis cultivation facilities (for example, clean room environment, etc.)?

 To cultivate and process pharmaceutical grade cannabis, which can include cannabis for pharmaceutical use, Botanical Holdings needs to operate under the most demanding rules and practices. This is one of the reasons why Botanical Holdings has undertaken the project of construction of its own, brand new, state-of-the-art facilities to be able to cultivate, process, transform and analyse the full range of products such as dry flower, extracts, oils, and isolates from the plant. Botanical Holdings will be able to get the purest forms (>99.5%) of several cannabinoids after analysing the product against a very tight specification in a EU-GMP laboratory located inside our Portuguese facility.

To achieve that we will use the most recent and effective technologies to make sure the highest yields are achieved, and the final quality of the product is preserved by all means. 

With both Good Agricultural and Collective Practices (EU-GACP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (EU-GMP) certifications, Botanical Holdings will be able to mitigate any risks associated to the operations involved. The operations will be taken under clean rooms (ISO 8) and all environmental conditions within the facility will be monitored and controlled through a building management system.

How many cultivation facilities do you have and where are they located? Do you have plans to expand?

 EuroCan operates a cultivation facility in Lesotho and is constructing its second cultivation facility in Portugal.

The Lesotho facility is fully-licensed to cultivate and manufacture medicinal cannabis and currently comprises five greenhouses totalling 2800 m2, with plans to increase by 400% to 20 greenhouses (10,000 m2). A GACP and GMP certification process has commenced at the facilities in Lesotho and will be finalized within a year.

Once construction is completed at our 31-hectare site in Mação (1.5 hours form Lisbon), the facility in Portugal will be fully licensed for cultivation, extraction, isolation, purification and distribution from with a phase 2 project to increase to 20,000 m2 of greenhouses and a 2-hectare solar panel park. Phase 1 construction works are on-going and comprise 5000 m2 of GACP greenhouses and a 3600 m2 ancillary/support building (including administration, manufacturing and cultivation support services, QC laboratory and warehousing). Completed construction will include a full, on-site GMP extraction, purification and isolation unit.

The project also includes a capacity to produce 2,2 MW of energy through solar panels.

In this interview, Carl Esprey, CEO of Botanical Holdings speaks on the company’s path in the industry, the European cannabis industry and what the US can learn from other countries and more.

An Insider’s Look at the EU Cannabis Space

Artelo Biosciences, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of therapeutics that target lipid signaling pathways as well as the endocannabinoid system, recently announced the publication of study results in the peer-reviewed journal 

 (1). The research article, titled “The Pharmacological Effects of Plant-Derived versus Synthetic Cannabidiol in Human Cell Lines” (2), reportedly compares the in vitro effects of purified natural and synthetic forms of cannabidiol (CBD) to establish any pharmacological difference in human cell lines. The study, led by Professor Saoirse O’Sullivan, scientific advisor to Artelo Biosciences and former Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Nottingham (Nottingham, UK), revealed that there was no in-vitro pharmacological difference in the antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, or permeability effects of purified natural versus synthetic CBD.

“Since this study did not find pharmacologic differences among the CBD compositions, we believe that it is the biopharmaceutical properties that have the greatest potential to differentiate CBD products,” said Gregory D. Gorgas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Artelo Biosciences, in the press announcement (1). “Our CBD cocrystal should contribute to improved consistency, absorption, bioavailability, processability, and stability. These properties, in turn, may lead to a product candidate with better efficacy and safety.”

The biopharmaceutical company’s patented cocrystal is comprised of CBD and tetramethylpyrazine (TMP). Each of these compounds have shown anti-cancer properties in-vitro and in-vivo. “However, individually, both of these compounds suffer from poor oral bioavailability. A recent study (3) confirmed that when combined, there were synergistic and additive interactions between CBD and TMP in their ability to prevent cancer cell growth and to kill cancer cells,” Gorgas added (1). “For this reason, we believe ART12.11 represents an attractive drug candidate targeting large indications, such as cancer, PTSD, inflammatory bowel disease, and more. In addition, our recently issued composition of matter patents could form the basis for market exclusivity through the end of 2038.”

https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/artelo-biosciences-announces-publication-of-study-results-comparing-the-pharmacological-effects-of-plant-derived-versus-synthetic-cannabidiol-in-human-cell-lines/

https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/517120

https://ir.artelobio.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/64/artelo-biosciences-announces-two-poster-presentations

Artelo Biosciences, Inc., recently announced the publication of study results in the peer-reviewed journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids, comparing the in vitro effects of purified natural and synthetic forms of cannabidiol (CBD) to establish any pharmacological difference in human cell lines.

New Research Study Examines the Pharmacological Effects of Plant-Derived Versus Synthetic CBD in Human Cell Lines

 a leading multimedia platform dedicated to advancing medical research, education, and treatment in the cannabis industry, and Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists, and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research, are excited to announce a partnership to share educational content and patient stories.

 launched in November 2020 and has already made a big impression in the medical cannabis community due to the quality of its content and the important message behind each issue," said Mike Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences™, parent company of 

™. "We are thrilled to partner with Americans for Safe Access because we share their passion for education and for helping as many patients as we can."

As part of their agreement, ASA will by-line articles focused on patient and advocate experiences in upcoming issues of 

 will conduct interviews with various ASA chapters and highlight the work going on across the US to improve patient access and legalization efforts. All ASA members will receive a complimentary subscription to 

"As a patient-focused organization, we are honored to partner with 

™, a platform that focuses on the patient experience," said Debbie Churgai, executive director of Americans for Safe Access. "Through this partnership, we will be able to offer our members and supporters a trusted resource to learn about the latest medical cannabis research, benefits, and treatment options available for patients."

 magazine is an educational resource for patients, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and caregivers on the latest research, benefits, and treatment options cannabis provides for a variety of illnesses. Its mission is to educate the medical community on the viable treatment options patients are experiencing with cannabis and the ongoing research into cannabis and cannabinoids worldwide. 

™, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels.

s mission is to ensure safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. ASA was founded in 2002 as a vehicle for patients to advocate for the acceptance of cannabis as medicine. With over 150,000 active supporters in all 50 states, ASA is the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. ASA works to overcome political, social and legal barriers by creating policies that improve access to medical cannabis for patients. For more information, please visit: 

The partnership will focus on sharing patient and advocate experiences and educating the public on the medical benefits of cannabis.

Cannabis Patient Care™ and Americans for Safe Access Form Partnership

 conference—recently rescheduled for May 3–5 in Pasadena, California—will feature an exciting full-day CannMed Medical Practicum organized by Bonni Goldstein, MD; Dustin Sulak, DO; Kevin Spelman, PhD, MCPP; and Eloise Theisen, NP, AGPCNP-BC. During this practicum, each of the presenters will share the latest research, their clinical experience, and practice guidelines related to cannabinoid therapeutics, inclusive of types of extractions, products, and optimal dosing of cannabinoids for various therapeutic scenarios. This course is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing for 9.5 contact hours**

Can cannabis be used to get you off opioid addiction?

 There are numerous scientific articles that support the concept of cannabis as a substitute for opiates. In a 2017 survey of 2897 medical cannabis patients, 97% reported that they were able to decrease the amount of opiates they consumed when they used cannabis. Additionally, 81% reported that taking cannabis by itself was more effective for their pain than taking both opiates and cannabis together (1).

Another survey found that almost 15% of elderly patients were able to discontinue opioid use within 6 months of initiating medical cannabis (2). Additionally, cannabinoid-based medicines were associated with 17-fold higher odds of discontinuing opioid prescriptions within 21 months (3).

There is also some evidence that cannabinoids may help reduce opioid withdrawal. A 2020 report in the 

 found that cannabis alleviated the opioid withdrawal symptoms of anxiety, tremors and trouble sleeping (4). Evidence is also mounting for the use of cannabidiol (CBD) for opioid addiction. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of 42 patients addicted to heroin who were experiencing withdrawal, CBD significantly reduced craving and anxiety compared to those who received placebo (5).

 Yes, if used in conjunction with a proper protocol, cannabis has been used successfully for weaning people from an opioid addiction. 

: C Lots of data prove yes in chronic pain: 

https://healer.com/category/cannabis-and-opioids/

. Less data suggests it’s helpful in opioid use disorder, but I have seen this work in my patients.

 Studies suggest that cannabis is effective for chronic pain in adults. With more research demonstrating the effectiveness of cannabinoids for chronic pain, many patients are seeking ways to use cannabis to reduce or eliminate their opioids. Clinical studies have demonstrated a synergistic effect with cannabinoids and opioids, thereby allowing patients to manage their pain without the need to increase the opioids. And while there is a need for more clinical trials to demonstrate the effectiveness of cannabinoids for opioid addiction, many cannabis clinicians have successfully helped their patients eliminate their opioids.

How does cannabis interact with other prescription medications?

 Cannabinoids are metabolized (broken down) for the most part by enzymes in the liver, where many other medications are also metabolized. There can be competition between cannabinoids and other drugs when they are metabolized by the same enzyme, resulting in what is called “drug-drug interactions.” These interactions can result in the blockage of metabolism, leading to accumulation of the drug in the body, which can cause an increase in unwanted side effects. Conversely, the drug-drug interaction may result in an increase in metabolism of a drug, meaning that more drug is broken down faster, causing a decrease in drug levels leading to less efficacy. 

It is very hard to predict these drug interactions since there are many differences in the way that people metabolize medications. To avoid any undesirable consequences, the best approach for anyone taking pharmaceuticals who wants to use cannabinoid medicines is to speak with a physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider who is familiar with these types of drug interactions.

 While there are theoretical concerns of cannabis preparations negatively interacting with other drugs, clinicians are not observing drug-cannabis interactions. This is not unusual in that many of the theoretical drug-herb interactions have not been found to be of any clinical significance.

: Very few interactions except at high doses of cannabis. The blood thinner warfarin is a common one to watch out for—patients should have their blood checked after starting cannabis.

: Cannabis can either increase or decrease the effectiveness of other medications. In most cases, it is clinically insignificant and does not require patients to stop their cannabis treatment. Anyone using cannabis with other medications needs to be followed by a knowledgeable cannabis clinician who can adjust the medications accordingly and ensure that there are no contraindications.

Check back next month for part III of this series where our roundtable will discuss how cannabis is used to treat acute and chronic pain, anxiety, ADHD, and pediatric patients. To find out more about the

A. Reiman, M. Welty, and P. Solomon, “Cannabis as a substitute for opioid-based pain medication: patient self-report,” 

R. Abuhasira, L.B. Schleider, R. Mechoulam, and V. Novack, “Epidemiological characteristics, safety and efficacy of medical cannabis in the elderly,” 

J.M. Vigil, S.S. Stith, I.M. Adams, and A.P. Reeve, “Associations between medical cannabis and prescription opioid use in chronic pain patients: A preliminary cohort study,” 

C.L. Bergeria, A.S. Huhn, and K.E. Dunn. "The impact of naturalistic cannabis use on self-reported opioid withdrawal." 

Y.L. Hurd, et al. "Cannabidiol for the reduction of cue-induced craving and anxiety in drug-abstinent individuals with heroin use disorder: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial." 

In this roundtable interview series, we speak to each of the organizers of the CannMed Medical Practicum to learn more about them and what attends can expect from the practicum. Here in part II, they discuss how cannabis can be used stop opioid addiction and possible ways cannabis might interact with other prescription medications.

Medical Cannabis Insights, Part II: How Cannabis Helps Opioid Addiction and A Discussion on Interactions with Other Medications

WeedMD, a federally licensed producer and distributor or medical-grade cannabis, recently announced in a press release (1), that they will be rebranding as Entourage Health Corp. (Entourage Health) over the next few months.

“This is truly an exciting and transformative time for our Company. WeedMD’s values and principles will always be at the heart of who we are—advocates for our patients, consumers, shareholders, and communities upholding a standard that delivers on quality, sustainability, and experience—now rooted in Entourage Health Corp.,” said George Scorsis, Interim CEO and Executive Chair in the press release (1). “Entourage Health represents WeedMD’s evolution - from its inception in 2013 as one of the first licensed producers, to its launch of award-winning brands, followed by the merger with Starseed Medicinal and pending addition of craft cultivator CannTX—we are a group of professionals who always put the consumer and patient first. We are now looking to develop and expand into new markets and our cannabis experts that make up Entourage Health will expedite and bolster our growth for years to come. I thank our employees, partners and most importantly our shareholders for their unwavering trust and commitment to our success.”

The rebranding was approved at the company’s recent shareholders meeting. In addition, shareholders re-elected the company’s’ board directors: Jason Alexander, Lu Cacioppo, Bruce Croxon, G. Edmund King, Gail Paech, and George Scorsis. The directors will hold office until successors are duly elected or appointed. Furthermore, in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, shareholders re-approved WeedMD’s Omnibus Incentive Plan and re-appointed RSM Canada LLP, as the company’s’ auditor to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until its successor is appointed.

Additional information regarding the commencement of trading of the company’s common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange under the name Entourage Health Corp will be released at later date.

As WeedMD transitions their business under Entourage Health Corp., its Health Canada license will still continue under its wholly owned subsidiary WeedMD RX Inc.

https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2021/07/05/2257655/0/en/WeedMD-Inc-Announces-Intent-to-Change-Corporate-Name-to-Entourage-Health-Corp.html

WeedMD, a federally licensed producer and distributor or medical-grade cannabis, will be rebranding as Entourage Health Corp. over the next few months.

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