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

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

™, 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 

Articles

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

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

 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—taking place September 29–October 1 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

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

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." 

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

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.

WeedMD Rebrands to Entourage Health Corp.

Following a traumatic accident, Otha Smith was inspired to venture on a medical cannabis journey to treat his ailments. Due to its illegal federal status, there aren’t many guides available to users to provide insight on the best cannabis products. Another issue facing patients is that everyone reacts differently to the various cannabinoids, terpenes, and other ingredients found in cannabis and cannabis products. These issues motivated Smith to create a mobile application—Tetragram—that allows users to anonymously track cannabis products enabling them to find the best products that suit their needs. Here, Smith discusses the app and his experiences with cannabis.

Can you tell us a little bit about your background? How you got interested in using medical cannabis as a treatment option?

 I’m originally from Southern Anne Arundel County, Maryland, located 20 minutes south of Annapolis, Maryland. I started my first company, Aggressive Detailing LLC while in high school. We provided car, boat, and motorcycle detailing services for residential and commercial customers and I was able to finance myself through college. In 2003, I was involved in a serious car accident that nearly took my life, resulting in a six-inch, 34-plus staple scar on the top of my head. After being released from the hospital, I was prescribed several different opioids to address my neck and back pain. After three years of using prescription pills, I decided I wasn’t going to use pills every day for the rest of my life and completely stopped use. Meanwhile, I had always been a fan of cannabis throughout high school and college, so I decided to put all my faith into cannabis to self-medicate rather than use pills. Once Maryland legalized cannabis for medical use, I hurried up and got my medical card, but I will never forget how overwhelmed I felt during my initial visit to a dispensary.

Did you have anywhere that you were able to reach out to for educational purposes on cannabis? Was there a lot of trial and error in finding the right products?

 Luckily for me, a dispensary opened literally five minutes from my house, I could ride my bike there. In Maryland, each dispensary is required to have a clinical director on staff, which was super helpful for me to learn more about cannabis. I became good friends with the clinical director at my local dispensary, Barbara Orchester, and she was instrumental in educating me on the medical benefits of cannabis. Barbara was the one responsible for making me aware of terpenes and cannabinoids and the effects associated with each. But consequently, since cannabis affects everyone differently, I didn’t feel comfortable with other people’s recommendations. Therefore, through a lot of trial and error, I eventually found the right product to address my needs. But the process of finding the right product for me, was a long and, at times, frustrating process due to the huge selection of products to choose from.

Can you tell us about your new app, Tetragram? Is it free for users? What inspired you to launch this digital journal? Are there any plans to expand it in the future?

 Tetragram is my baby, a true labor of love. As a patient myself, I can remember how frustrating it was to find the right cannabis product to address my medical needs. More importantly, I’ve worked in dispensaries and understand how challenging it is for doctors and dispensary staff to make accurate product recommendations to customers. Therefore, I built Tetragram. I vividly recall everyone I spoke with, whether they were a patient, worked at a dispensary, or a doctor; one thing that was constant in all my conversations was people recommending that I keep a journal. I noticed dispensaries would sell paperback journals and I met a few people that went as far as creating detailed excel spreadsheets to keep track of products they purchased and how it made them feel. That’s when I said to myself, there needs to be an app that makes the process of recording my experience with cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) fun and engaging. Boom…Tetragram was born! Since cannabis is federally illegal there isn’t sufficient data or published studies for people to rely upon for guidance and since cannabis effects everyone differently the process of finding which product works best for you is a lonely road of self-discovery.

Tetragram is a smart, digital journal that empowers medical cannabis patients and recreational users with the ability to track, rate and share their personal experiences with cannabis through our mobile app. Tetragram is free and will always be free for consumers to download from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Currently, we are developing V2 of Tetragram that will provide a host of new features and functionality not only for consumers, but for dispensaries, cultivators, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies as well as the medical community.

How many users are now signed up on the app? Are users able to remain anonymous or do they have to share personal data?

 Currently, we are close to reaching 8000 users, which is incredible considering we haven’t spent any money on marketing. Our growth has been solely organic. Myself, along with my two business partners, Julius Moore (CTO) and Lucas Roe (CDO), are each medical cannabis patients. Therefore, we take privacy extremely seriously, which is why Tetragram is HIPAA-complaint as well. Users will always remain anonymous on Tetragram unless they choose to share their reviews with others.

Did COVID-19 affect your plans for the app? Were users affected?

 Covid was good and bad for Tetragram. During Covid, people were placing a lot more attention on their physical and mental health. Cannabis consumption rose dramatically during the epidemic. Consequently, people were buying more products and paid closer attention on the effects associated with each product purchased. The only downside to launching Tetragram during the Covid-19 pandemic was that there were very limited options to make consumers aware of Tetragram. Cannabis companies have very limited options for marketing their products and services to consumers due to cannabis being federally illegal. Most cannabis and CBD companies rely heavily on conventions and tradeshows to reach consumers. As a country, we had to close all in-person events during the pandemic, which made it a lot more challenging to reach consumers. 

Can you explain a little about what terpenes are and how they are important with medical cannabis treatments?

 I personally think terpenes are the most fun aspect about cannabis. Terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants. They’re responsible for the aromas, flavors, and colors associated with each strain of cannabis. There are 10 top terpenes, and each provides a unique smell and effect. Some terpenes are known to promote energy while others are known to feel sedative. It’s refreshing to see more consumers shopping for products based on the terpene and cannabinoid profile rather than by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.

How can Tetragram benefit medical cannabis patients, both novices and experienced?

 With each dispensary providing a Walmart selection of products to choose from, even the most experienced consumer still doesn’t know where to start in choosing a product. With Tetragram, we empower the consumer to take control of their personal journey with cannabis by providing them with a platform that makes it fun to keep track of each product purchased and its associated effect. By doing so, consumers will be able to draw conclusions more effectively on not only which product but understand which terpenes and cannabinoids and consumption methods are providing them with the most relief.

Is Tetragram adaptable to other states? Or is it only able to be accessed in one specific state? Does the varying state-by-state legislation affect the app at all?

 Yes, Tetragram is available nationwide. Luckily, we are not held to state-by-state regulations like plant touching companies.

How do users log their information about what strains they are consuming?

 After downloading Tetragram from the App Store or Google Play store, you will be prompted to create an account. After initially creating an account, you will be asked to verify your email. After verifying your email, you can login and start logging product information. We placed a lot of time on the user experience to make sure Tetragram would be easy to navigate. Once you open Tetragram, simply click on our logo and you can start logging away by first entering in the product information, then where you made the purchase, and how you consumed the product. From there, you can choose a medical condition from a list of default options or create your own symptom, rate the symptom before and after use, and leave any detailed notes associated with product.

Medical cannabis patients are very diverse in their options to take medical cannabis, whether it is smokable, edibles, tinctures, and so forth. Is Tetragram exclusive to one method of intake?

 Absolutely not, Tetragram provides consumers with the ability to choose from several different consumption methods, such as: inhaling, topical, or orally. After a user selects one of the three methods on consumption, sub-categories are listed below that allow the user to provide more detail regarding how the product was consumed. For example, after choosing inhaled, the user can select the device used “bong, joint, vape pen, etc.,” then another sub-category allows the user to select the form of the product “flower, hash, shatter, etc.,” and the unit of measurement under “inhaled” is measured in the number of “hits”.Since the cannabis industry is unregulated, have you seen poor products that claim they have specific terpenes and cannabinoids but do not really include accurate information on them in their products? How does Tetragram deal with accurate product information? Is there a requirement for products to be third-party laboratory tested?

 I personally haven’t witnessed products that state a certain amount of THC or terpenes and cannabinoid content that was false. But I’ve heard stories of people who have had products retested and the new test results don’t match what the label states. It’s unfortunate to know there are some bad players in the industry making false claims. Each state that has medical or adult-use programs require each product to be tested by a laboratory, but the testing requirements vary from state-to-state. This is the reason why we aim to get the Certificate of Analysis (COA) directly from the cultivator to make sure the information presented on the label matches the COA. But the problem is much bigger than just blaming the manufacturer: for example, testing facilities have been caught taking more money from companies to increase the percentage of THC on the COA. This is why we need standardization across the country to ensure each laboratory across the country is following the same testing requirements.

Where can interested users find Tetragram? Is the app available to both recreational

 People can find us on social media, for 

Are you involved in any educational efforts for those looking to use medical cannabis?

 Often, I give presentations on the benefits of cannabis and CBD consumption at the University-level and with multi-state operators (MSOs) that provide education webinars for their customers.

Do you have anything further you would like to add?

 I would like to say that I feel blessed in knowing that my partners and I have built something that is improving people’s quality of life, and that means the world to us—which is why our slogan is “Built for patients, by patients.”

https://www.capitalgazette.com/maryland/bowie/ac-cn-tetragram-app-0818-20200820-rxy2bfr5qbfb3hjhkrm464pmnm-story.html

https://www.greenmarketreport.com/tracking-medical-cannabis-strains-with-the-tetragram-app/?fbclid=IwAR1BVSOBxiToGxOkOX_U0sUmYRKygR3ux5H6kkDzR-vSTjd3yTb5-nkALCY

https://www.safeaccessnow.org/take_control_of_your_medical_cannabis_with_journaling?utm_campaign=asa_news_aug2020&utm_medium=email&utm_source=americansforsafeaccess

Here, Otha Smith discusses the Tetragram app, which allows users to track cannabis products enabling them to find the best products that suit their needs.

New App Shines Light on Product Guidance for Users

One look at suburban moms, Gina Dubbé and OBGYN Dr. Leslie Apgar, wouldn’t give you the impression that they were involved in the cannabis industry or that they were successful owners of the medical cannabis dispensary Greenhouse Wellness. These two innovative women have dug their way through the male-dominated cannabis industry with the goal of assisting patients seeking relief of their various health ailments through cannabis. They help patients suffering from a variety of conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, inflammatory diseases, sleep disorders, and many other issues. Here, they share their history and plans for the future.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourselves?

 We first met about 20 years ago as back door neighbors. Gina is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and engineer by training, and I am a board-certified OBGYN who also owns a successful medical spa. 

How did you get started in the cannabis industry?

 We were approached by someone in the industry who was interested in bidding my credentials and looking for capital investment, which is why Gina was brought in. Unfortunately, the interactions were short as it was clear we weren’t going to be taken seriously. So, Gina got irritated after being mansplained to, and looked up the requirements to bid then called me to announce we were just going to bid by ourselves. Much to our surprise and delight, we not only won one of the coveted licenses, but we got our first choice of district. 

What made the medical cannabis sector your main focus?

 It is so rewarding to see patients from all walks of life improving before our eyes. They are getting off their pharmaceuticals and living their best lives. Some are returning to the work force or continuing in the work force whereas they may have had to stop due to their chronic conditions. We are grateful every single day, and humbled.

As two suburban moms, did you face more criticism for getting involved in the medical cannabis industry?

 Absolutely, we did. In fact, Gina lost a friend of more than 30 years over it. I was heavily criticized by my medical colleagues, but today they are happily referring patients and seeing me or participating in the program themselves or sending their loved ones.

Do you experience any stigma surrounding cannabis? If so, how do you handle it?

 Education is the key to changing the stigma. Yes, it’s still there, but it is so much less than it was four years ago. When patients, friends, and the community are armed with information, attitudes start changing. I give free lectures to the community and medical field, as well as daily consultations with patients who are interested in entering the cannabis program, or who would like guidance once they are accepted into the program. We also distribute informative emails and participate in podcasts and educational programs all over the country. 

The cannabis industry has been known as a male-dominated field, what has it been like to enter the industry as women?

 As with most industries, cannabis is dominated from the male attitude and perspective. This was challenging in the beginning as we were not afforded the same deals as others within the boys’ club. Once we gained attention for our best business practices and sound results, we gained a more level playing field, which has been nice, but the problem is a never ending one. We constantly have to fight for a seat at the table, and a voice that is recognized because we are female. When we entered the space, we saw an obvious void of products directed at women and we sought to change that with our female cannabis line, Blissiva. It has been incredibly well-received and we are delighted that so many women (and men) are seeing its benefits!

What are some of the health conditions you treat (for example, cancer, chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, etc.)? Are there some ailments that are more popular than others that patients come in to treat?

 We treat all inflammatory ailments, and that includes almost anything you can imagine. Chronic pain, inflammatory bowel disease, anxiety, and sleep disorders are very popular complaints, just to name a few. We have a lot of patients who are treating side effects from their traditional cancer therapies as well as treating their cancers directly. Some patients are on low dose maintenance therapies for their chronic conditions, including cancer. 

What are some of the benefits you have seen from medical cannabis with your patients? Are there any stories you can share with us?

 We have seen cannabis prolong meaningful and quality of life for those struggling with advanced metastatic cancers. We have seen folks get out of their wheelchairs and lose their canes. We have seen patients return to the work force (or stay when they thought they’d have to leave). We have seen patients declare that they would have committed suicide had it not been for cannabis. Patients have declared that we gave them their lives back, saved their marriages, or their sex lives, etc. The list goes on and on...

Why do you believe cannabis is a viable and validated option to be used as medicine?

 Science is proving it every single day, and more importantly, we are seeing it live, in action. I have seen things in the cannabis space that exceed my scientific brain’s ability to explain using traditional medications and methods. The endocannabinoid system is probably one of the greatest medical discoveries of all times, and its implications in creating new treatments based on plant or synthetic cannabinoids and on their receptors in the body will result in a change in the way we practice medicine forever.

How do you think cannabis can be used to fight the opioid epidemic?

: It’s already fighting the opioid epidemic. We have published case reports of cannabis getting people off of opioids, and we are in the process of publishing another one involving a patient who is now off her suboxone for over a year with the help of cannabis. There are studies showing the benefit of both THC and CBD and their ability to potentiate the effects of opioids and decrease the withdrawal and cravings that go along with an opioid taper or wean.

Can you tell us about Blissiva and also Greenhouse Wellness (2,3)? Where are they located?

 Greenhouse is located in Ellicott City, Maryland, in a wellness facility that includes a full-service imaging center, an apothecary, and compounding pharmacy, and integrative health care practitioners. Blissiva is the female-focused line that Gina and I started. The first line, Balance, is a 1:1 CBD:THC low potency disposable vape pen designed to treat anxiety and difficulty falling asleep. It comes in two flavors—cucumber-lime and vanilla—and is discreet, and able to be used any time of the day or night. The second line, Soothe, is a 1:3 CBD:THC medium potency disposable vape pen that is lemon flavored and designed for daytime pain relief, while keeping patients focused on their daily activities. 

 We have flower, pre-roll joints, oil cartridges, disposable vapes, a myriad of edibles, pills, capsules, concentrates, topicals, and even bath salts. 

Are there any requirements to come to your facility?

 In Maryland, the cannabis program is solely medical at this time and there are requirements as listed on the MMCC.maryland.gov website

How do you research the medical cannabis you sell at Greenhouse Wellness?

 Happily, Maryland has done a great job of doing seed to sale tracking and implementation of a robust testing program by third party vendors. There is a certificate of analysis available for review on every single product available for Greenhouse Wellness to purchase and these are available for patients to view as well. We have more than 300 products on our menu, so there is definitely something for everyone. Our buyers do a fantastic job scouting what’s available and buying in quantity to pass savings on to our patients. 

High Heals: How Two Women Found Their Footing in the Medical Cannabis Industry

 was a response to the questions asked and answered above. Everyone wants to know how we got started, what hurdles we surmounted, and what’s next? It was written as a love letter or a cheer to other women who are considering starting their own businesses and to inspire women of all ages to be more, be better, and achieve their dreams wherever possible. 

 is available on Amazon and other booksellers and on audiobook as read by Gina and myself. 

Are there any educational resources that you recommend for those looking to use medical cannabis as a treatment?

As successful owners of the medical cannabis dispensary Greenhouse Wellness, Gina Dubbé and OBGYN Dr. Leslie Apgar share their history and future plans.

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