Pianta Tinta Interview

Our first interview!!

Cannabis as a Sleep Aid for Insomnia: An Interview with Pianta Tinta

October 30, 2015, By Pamela Hadfield, Co-Founder & Director of UX

Topics: Insomnia, Pain, Cancer, Fibromyalgia, Muscle Spasms, Epilepsy

Tinctures are an easy-to-ingest way to administer marijuana.

Due its lack of psychoactivity and for its ability to effectively treat a variety of medical conditions, CBD (Cannabidiol) is the rising star among the cannabis plant’s cannabinoids. Pianta Tinta Collective, a new manufacturer within the cannabis marketplace, focuses on high CBD tinctures, oils and rubs ‘to enable others to live a higher quality of life.’ Their tinctures target insomnia and chronic pain as well as other common conditions people often face. Co-founders Elizabeth Knight and Dr. Kathy Acquistapace feel they have found their niche with a more medically oriented customer base and pride themselves on ongoing customer consultations with Dr. Acquistapace, the in-house Naturopath.

Pianta Tinta is also representative of the booming artisanal marketplace within California. Smaller product manufacturers often focus on sourcing the highest quality outdoor grown cannabis for unique offerings, such as CBD tinctures, that may or may not be found in your local dispensary. Elizabeth Knight took time to speak to us about Pianta Tinta and the growth of their business over the past year.

What was the inspiration for starting Pianta Tinta?

Pianta Tinta means ‘plant tincture’ in Italian. We chose that name because we focus on the cannabis plant as well as more natural modalities of healing. We founded our business based on Dr. Kathy Acquistapace’s research on CBD and the newly found applications for it as a medicine.

As a naturopath, Dr. Acquistapace was looking for more alternative natural medicines for her patient base. As she learned more and more about CBD, we became excited about the possibilities but also became aware of the lack of CBD alternatives in the market, especially within dispensaries.

As a business, we were most interested in entering the cannabis marketplace with products that were high CBD and very low THC. When you visit a dispensary as a first time medicinal marijuana patient, it is not that easy to find high CBD products. When a senior citizen enters a dispensary today they will most likely be presented with products that are very high in THC. Even a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC may be too much THC for a first time cannabis patient. Ultimately, we decided to make tinctures as this is a very easy way to ingest cannabis.

What high CBD cannabis strain do you favor for your product lines?

We work with ACDC as our favored strain. It is a hybrid strain that is bred to have very high CBD content and very low THC content. It is not the easiest strain to grow but we think it works very well for the high CBD products that we produce. Our grower grows the ACDC strain outdoors, in organic soil; he uses grow pots without the use of pesticides/fungicides which we feel is very important.

We also test our products at Steep Hill Halent and CW Analytical labs. We first test the ACDC flower to know the cannabinoid ratios, the terpene profiles and to make sure it is free of any microbes, fungus or molds. After we go through making the tinctures we test again to get the final cannabinoid content, which is what we print on our labels. We strive to represent our product as accurately as possible.

Other than the ACDC flower, what other ingredients do you put within your cannabis tinctures?

Our tinctures are very straightforward. All of our labels list the ingredients, which include the ACDC flower/leaves and ethyl alcohol. We do not flavor or put any additional chemicals in our products. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with very ‘clean’ products.

Are you targeting a particular segment of the population with your product line?

The people we want to reach represent a wide range of ages and demographics. We believe that we are able to reach these people because our products positively address a wide variety of symptoms that affect almost all age groups. We often find that senior citizens are looking for alternatives from a regime that is far too heavy with opioids, so they are open to trying cannabis as an alternative. We see that younger people are far too stressed out and can use some anxiety relief, which CBD is also good for. Our products are for anyone who is seeking to use marijuana medicinally, and to receive the benefit from CBD.

Do your products target specific medical conditions?

We are not able to make claims as we do not have any clinical studies to back these up. However, anecdotally we have seen great success across a variety of conditions including adults with seizure disorders. For instance, we had a patient, a man in his fifties, who was having 4-6 seizures a month, and since taking our Super High CBD tincture he has had a total of 5 seizures since January. That is a huge reduction of seizures and in addition he was able to drop many of his pharmaceutical medications.

We have also seen a lot of people who have chronic pain, whether that be arthritis, pain from previous injuries, general inflammation, etc. This topic of pain covers a wide swath of medical conditions and can encompass so much, but we have found that many people have found relief with our Super High CBD product. We also have members of our collective with cancer who have added our Super High CBD as well as our High THC tincture and oil to their treatment regime.

Since virtually all pharmaceutical products carry unwanted side effects, CBD offers the alternative of providing the positive benefits without the negative side effects.

On your website, I see that you are promoting a new high THC tincture for sleep. Is this tincture good for treating insomnia?

We recently produced a high THC tincture that we feel is particularly good at relieving insomnia. As we all know, insomnia can be difficult to overcome. Not everyone has insomnia for the same reasons. For instance, one person may not be sleeping because they have pain related to inflammation. If you bring the inflammation down with a high CBD product, they may be able to get a good night’s sleep every night. In other instances, a high THC tincture will help relax a person who struggles to get to sleep and also help them to stay asleep longer.

Our newest tincture contains a high percentage of THC and almost no CBD. THC tends to relax people, however everyone is different. Some people find that CBD may relax them and others may find that a combination of THC and CBD may be best for them. As we are all unique, we recommend that people try our new high THC tincture for their sleep issues and see if their sleep improves. Some people may find that it works well and others may find that adding CBD to the THC may work best for them. We suggest that a person starts with a small amount before bedtime and keep a sleep log. This way, they can find what works best for them based on their own body.

You offer members of your collective consultations with your in-house Naturopath. What should a patient expect to gain from a consultation?

Dr. Acquistapace is our Naturopath. She has over 25 years of healthcare experience and her focus is on alternative and natural healing. She works with people who are wanting to reach their highest level of heath and explains to them how Pianta Tinta tinctures can be a part of their health plan. At Pianta Tinta, she often works with people, many first timers to marijuana, to better understand cannabis and how to integrate it into their lives. She is also available to answer more general health questions as well.

People are often overwhelmed by the amount of information they are given, especially those new to cannabis, so Dr. Acquistapace is there to help guide and consult with people along the way. Our customer base is often looking for answers and wondering how medical marijuana interacts with their body and possibly with their existing medications. Dr. Acquistapace consults in 15-minute increments over the phone, over Skype and in-person. We want to be flexible based on the patients needs.

What general advice would you give to people that are new to cannabis?

Read your labels! A lot of products are mislabeled or misrepresent the medicine. This is especially true for many of the high CBD hemp-based products that are sold over the internet. Hemp is different from cannabis and the products made from it is sourced differently as well. Make sure that the products are lab tested and make sure you know how much of the medicinal cannabinoids CBD and THC is in the products. Ratios are popular but it does not tell you specifically how much cannabinoids are actually in the product. It is important to educate yourself or consult with someone who can give quality advice before ingesting your medicine. Also read the label for any additional harmful or unnecessary ingredients such as residual solvents like, butane, naphtha, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, dyes, artificial flavoring and fragrances.

How do you people find Pianta Tinta Tinctures?

We do not currently sell through storefront dispensaries. We have chosen to be a collective and produce and manufacture our own cannabis tinctures for our members. We are located in Vallejo and people pick up their products from us directly by appointment only. Before seeing us you will need to obtain your medical marijuana recommendation, which you can do through HelloMD. To obtain our products you must first go online to the Pianta Tinta website and fill out our short membership form, which requires a valid medical marijuana recommendation and photo ID. You can contact us to schedule an appointment or we are also able to deliver for a small additional fee.

By Pamela Hadfield, Co-Founder & Director of UX

Hybrid? What's that?

Indica, Sativa & Hybrids...What's the difference?

Alot of you are new to cannabis medicine and the information out there is extensive and sometimes confusing! I wanted to say a bit about the types of cannabis so that you know the differences between them.

Cannabis indica plants are short and stout, about 2-4 feet tall. They have broad leaves and tend to be a darker green. The plants are believed to have originated in the middle east, they tend to like cooler climates and do better with harsher conditions. The effects of Indica is a very relaxed feeling, many people use Indica after a long day of work to relieve stress, relieve pain and help them fall asleep since it mainly affects the body.


Sativa strains are taller and thinner than Indicas. They have more narrow leaves and brighter green. They originated in the equatorial countries of Columbia, Mexico, Thailand, and South East Asia and thrive in warmer and more temperate weather. Sativa strains are known to produce a cerebral high and is very uplifting and stimulating....great for people with depression. Sativias are great for during the day when you want to be more alert.


Hybrid
Hybrids are strains that are in between sativa and indica. They encompass all the great qualities of both Indica and Sativa, but they tend to be either more sativa dominant or indica dominant. Many strains out there today are hybrids with varying amounts of CBD and THC. Hybrids allow breeders to manipulate the genetics to have either a higher THC level or higher CBD level. The strain that we use in our high CBD tinctures is a hybrid called AC/DC which is a phenotype of the parent plant "Cannatonic" and is considered a sativa dominant plant. Its extremely high concentration of CBD (cannabidiol) and low THC makes the AC/DC strain ideal for anxiety and pain management among many other conditions.....

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A group of researchers commissioned by the United States government has unwittingly found that cannabis can actually kill cancer cells. The research was done by a team at St. George’s University of London and found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) weakened cancer cells and made them more susceptible to radiation treatment...to read more please see this article in the Washington Post.

Harvest time....

Flowering AC/DC strain

These are our AC/DC plants this month right before harvest..notice the little "crystals" on the leaves, these are trichomes, glistening translucent resin glands protruding from the buds, leaves, and just about everywhere else on the plant. The sticky coating of trichomes is home to the active ingredients in cannabis – the stuff that gets you high and has all the medical benefits – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and other cannabinoids. AC/DC has very little THC but very High in CBD!

AC/DC strain

The pistils on a female plant (in these photos, they are brown) are there to receive pollen from the male plant if it is available. When the plant flowers, the pistils start off a creamy color and as time goes on, they end up turning colors and dying. When they start turning brown, it is a time to watch closely in order to harvest it at it's peak. These plants contain very little THC, with a large amount of CBD (cannibidiol). The plants must go through a drying period for a couple of weeks before we can send it in for testing and start the tincture making process.

Photo of Trichomes

Trichomes act as an evolutionary shield, protecting the plant and its seeds from the dangers of its environment, allowing it to reproduce. These adhesive sprouts form a protective layer against offensive insects, preventing them from reaching the surface of the plant. The chemicals in the trichomes make cannabis less palatable to hungry animals and can inhibit the growth of some types of fungus. The resin also helps to insulate the plant from high wind and low humidity, and acts as a natural ‘sun-screen’ in protecting against UV-B light rays.

This article is from the online website ProjectCBD. It is important to know that even though CBD and THC are the top cannabinoids most people know about, there are many other compounds in the plant that work together and have healing properties......

Terpenes and the "Entourage Effect"

Most animal studies with cannabidiol utilize synthetic, single-molecule CBD produced by biochemical laboratories for research purposes. In contrast, whole plant extractions typically include CBD, THC, and more than 400 trace compounds. Many of these compounds interact synergistically to create what scientists refer to as an “entourage effect” that magnifies the therapeutic benefits of the plant’s individual components—so that the medicinal impact of the whole plant is greater than the sum of its parts.

It is important to consider the entourage effect (or lack thereof) when extrapolating data based on animal studies: 100 milligrams of synthetic single-molecule CBD is not equivalent to 100 milligrams of a CBD-rich whole plant cannabis extract.

“Cannabis is inherently polypharmaceutical,” Dr. John McPartland notes, “and synergy arises from interactions between its multiple components.”

Terpenes

Consider the role of terpenes, for example. Terpenes are volatile aromatic molecules that evaporate easily and readily announce themselves to the nose. Various researchers have emphasized the pharmacological importance of terpenes, or terpenoids, which form the basis of aromatherapy, a popular holistic healing modality. Marijuana’s compelling fragrance and particular psychoactive flavor are determined by the predominate terpenes in a strain.

Around 200 terpenes have been found in cannabis, but only a few of these odiferous oily substances appear in amounts substantial enough to be noteworthy, or nose worthy, as it were. Among them are monoterpenes, diterpenes, and sesquiterpenes, which are characterized by the number of repeating units of a 5-carbon molecule called isoprene, the structural hallmark of all terpenoid compounds. The terpenes in marijuana have given the plant an enduring, evolutionary advantage. Pungent terpenoid oils repel insects and animal grazers; others prevent fungus.

Terpenes, it turns out, are healthy for people as well as plants. A September 2011 report by Dr. Ethan Russo in the British Journal of Pharmacology discussed the wide-ranging therapeutic attributes of terpenoids, which are typically lacking in “CBD-only” products.

Beta-caryophyllene, for example, is a sesquiterpene found in the essential oil of black pepper, oregano, and other edible herbs, as well as in various cannabis strains and in many green, leafy vegetables. It is gastro-protective, good for treating certain ulcers, and offers great promise as a therapeutic compound for inflammatory conditions and auto-immune disorders because it binds directly to the peripheral cannabinoid receptor known as “CB2.”

In 2008, the Swiss scientist Jürg Gertsch documented beta-caryophyllene’s binding affinity for the CB2 receptor and described it as “a dietary cannabinoid.” It is the only terpenoid known to directly activate a cannabinoid receptor. And it’s one of the reasons why green, leafy vegetables are so healthy to eat.

Terpenoids and cannabinoids both increase blood flow, enhance cortical activity, and kill respiratory pathogens, including MRSA, the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that in recent years has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Americans. Dr. Russo’s article reports that cannabinoid-terpenoid interactions “could produce synergy with respect to treatment of pain, inflammation, depression, anxiety, addiction, epilepsy, cancer, fungal and bacterial infections.”

Marijuana’s bouquet of terpenes—that “riot of perfumes,” as the poet (and hashish-eater) Arthur Rimbaud once said—plays another important role. Terpenes and CBD buffer THC’s tricky psychoactivity. Cannabinoid-terpenoid interactions amplify the beneficial effects of cannabis while mitigating THC-induced anxiety.

The terpenoid profile can vary considerably from strain to strain. Patients who abandon a suitable strain for one with higher THC and/or CBD content may not get more relief if the terpenoid profile is significantly different. The nose knows: Choose a cannabis strain that smells good to you.

Counteracting a too intense high....

Recently saw an article about 8 ways to counteract a too intense cannabis high, at Leafly.com

What surprised me was that Cannabidiol (CBD) was not even on the list. Cannabidiol counteracts any negative psychoactive effects of THC. For those of you who have never experienced this, some of the effects of taking too much THC can be rapid heartbeat, drowsiness, dizziness, inability to concentrate, increase or decrease in blood pressure, anxiety and paranoia...these can be very uncomfortable but fear not, there have been zero reported cannabis overdose deaths in the history of the plant. So remember no matter how freaked out you feel...you will be fine!!

Here is the list of 8 ways to counteract the uncomfortable effects according to Leafly.com:

1. Don't panic - the effects can last minutes to sometimes hours, but know that it will wear off, give it some time and the feelings will pass.

2. Know your Limits: don't feel pressured to consume more than you think you can handle, take it slow, especially if you are going to consume edibles. A standard dose of edibles is 10mg but I would start at 5mg and ease into it. You can always increase once you know how your body handles it. This goes for inhalation also.

3. Keep hydrated: This will help with the "dry mouth" feeling....do stay away from alcohol as it can increase THC blood concentrations.

4. Keep Black Pepper on hand: cannabis and pepper have very similar chemical traits; pepper has a “phytocannabinoid-terpenoid effect,” which is known to help with pain, depression, addiction, and anxiety. Combining the terpenoids (such as beta-caryophyllene) in pepper with the tetrahydrocannabinol in cannabis has a synergistic chemical reaction on the cannabinoid receptors in the brain. In layman’s terms, they both bind to the same receptors in the brain and, when combined, have a therapeutic, calming effect.

5. Keep calm and rest: Concentrate on your breathing and the sound of your breath. Sometimes sleeping it off can work, but it might be hard if you can't turn your brain off, but if you feel sleepy, then sleep!

6. Try going for a walk: If you can't turn your brain off, then try going for a walk, stick close to home of course, sometimes fresh air and distraction works. If you feel light headed, then its best not to walk.

7. Take a shower or bath:  If you are at home, try this to help you relax.

8. Distract yourself: listen to music, play a video game, talk to a friend, something that gives you positive feelings (like eating ice cream!)

So, some good tips, but my favorites are:

CBD: a cannabinoid that naturally counteracts the psychoactive effects of too much THC. I personally experienced taking too much THC oil and found myself pacing the living room with a increased heart rate, and a little bit of paranoia. Knowing that I would be alright I took a dropperful (about 20mg) of CBD tincture and within 3 minutes my heart rate started slowing, and within 5 minutes I was back in bed. Had I not taken the CBD, the uncomfortable feeling could have lasted 30-690 minutes. Keep some CBD on hand!!

Black Pepper: keep some peppercorns on hand and crunch on a few! Combining the terpenoids (such as beta caryophyllene and pinene ) in pepper with the tetrahydrocannabinol in cannabis has a synergistic chemical reaction on the cannabinoid receptors in the brain. In layman’s terms, they both bind to the same receptors in the brain and, when combined, have a therapeutic, calming effect.

Lemon peel- contains the terpene called limonene, which works on anxiety and calms.

What is RSO OIl????

Since the world of cannabis medicine is new to ALOT of people, I realized that people usually know what a tincture is, but might not know what RSO oil is. Since we have it available on our website I wanted to talk a bit about it so that you might be educated and empowered!

"RSO" stands for Rick Simpson Oil. For those of you who do not know who this man is here is a link to his website Phoenix Tears. He explains how to make your own medicinal cannabis oil. He does not supply the oil!!  You can check out his website to see how it is produced but in short it is a cold extraction using a solvent (there are a number to choose from but I feel the most safe is pure non-denatured ethanol.) to extract the cannabinoids and other plant compounds out, then under low heat cook off the solvent and what you have left is about 60 grams of a thick resinous oil that is the concentrated oil that contains cannabinoids, terpenes, flavinoids and other beneficial components of the cannabis plant. If you are interested in the Rick Simpson story here is a link to purchase his book.

RSO oil is beneficial for those that have gone through chemo, radiation and have problems keeping weight on. Cannabis has been proven to relieve and mitigate chronic pains, as well as helping with migraines, nausea, cramps, arthritis, diabetes, IBS, Crohns, MS, Lupus, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Autism and high blood pressure, among many other issues. Dr. Christina Sanchez has done many studies on how THC kills cancer cells. Have sleeping problems?? Many people do these days and THC oil promotes healthy and restful sleep!
Topical skin conditions, rashes and sores have all shown improved signs of healing when treated with Cannabis oil lotions.

Since it is high THC, you must be very careful and start off with a very small dose, the size of 1/2 grain of rice.....pretty small huh??  Here is a video explaining the dosing that he recommends....for people with serious issues ie: cancer, there is a 60-90 day protocol he recommends....

The endocannabinoid system in our bodies regulate our cancer defense -- so it makes sense that cannabis works effectively in this area, and the science backs that up.

Many people cannot or will not make their own RSO oil, so we are lucky to have a local man make this important medicine!!  Fully decarboxylated and solvent free. It is lab tested for molds and cannabinoid ratios. Since this can have some psychoactive effects in large doses, it is best used at night about an hour before bed. If you take it orally, it has to be broken down by your digestive system and liver, so this takes a little time. A word of caution....it is always best to start slow to see how your body responds, it you start off with a large dose to quickly you can experience some uncomfortable effects like: extreme drowsiness, dizziness, inability to concentrate, lack of focus, rapid heartbeat, feelings of euphoria or paranoia...These effects are not life threatening, just uncomfortable.....soooooo give it the respect is deserves and start at the lowest dose possible!!

One other tip to keep in mind, if you ever have uncomfortable effects from THC, always keep some High CBD tincture on hand, it naturally counteracts the effects of the THC. So hopefully this gives you a better idea of what it is...if there is still some questions that have not been answered, there are many sites online to find them or drop me a line!

Best of Health

Elizabeth,  Pianta Tinta

Whole plant CBD extract vs. synthetic single molecule

Back in February of this year a excellent Israeli study was done documenting the superior therapeutic properties of whole plant CBD-rich Cannabis extract as compared to synthetic, single-molecule cannabidiol (CBD) which is made in the lab. The notion that botanical extracts are "low grade and crude" as opposed to pure single molecule synthetic compounds made by the pharmaceutical companies is what was challenged. The study was Published in the journal Pharmacology & Pharmacy (Feb. 2015).

The study showed that administration of pure, single-molecule CBD resulted in a bell-shaped dose-response curve, that means when the amount of CBD exceeded a certain point its therapeutic impact declined dramatically. “Healing was only observed when CBD was given within a very limited dose range, whereas no beneficial effect was achieved at either lower or higher doses,” the authors observed. This characteristic of single-molecule CBD—manifested as a bell-shaped dose response—imposes serious obstacles that limit its usefulness in a clinical context.

The Israeli team sought to determine whether the administration of a whole plant CBD-rich extract would also generate a bell-shaped dose-response curve when administered to mice. Or would cannabidiol extracted from CBD-rich Cannabis avoid this liability? But a different dose response pattern was observed when the whole plant extract was administered to mice. Rather than showing a bell-shaped curve, where a therapeutic effect could only be achieved at a certain concentration of pure CBD, the whole plant CBD-rich extract caused a direct, dose-dependent inhibition of pain, inflammation, and TNFa production.

Moreover, the Israeli researchers found that a small amount of CBD in the whole plant extract was needed for significant pain relief compared to the much larger amount of pure single molecule CBD required to achieve the same analgesic effect. And whereas pure, single-molecule CBD precipitated a dramatic drop in efficacy if more than a specific dosage was administered, an “overdose” of whole plant CBD-rich extract did not undermine its therapeutic potency.

The body recognizes and can utilize substances that are natural, from nature. That is how we are made.  Anything that is synthetic is hard for the body to know what to do with it, yes, it can have an effect but in my opinion not as great an effect. The whole plant has not only cannabinoids, but terpenes and flavinoids and many other compounds which all work together synergistically and have positive effects in the body.

We here at Pianta Tinta are proud of our High CBD tincture in that we use the whole plant to extract out as much cannabinoids and other compounds to make the best medicine we can!

The above is just a small portion of the study done, if you wish to read the actual study click here.

A thank you to projectcbd.org for originally posting the article!

Elizabeth Knight, Pianta Tinta

Medicinal marijuana is now healing pets too!

Pets benefit from cannabis too! Here is a article from Natural News

Friday, May 08, 2015 by: L.J. Devon, Staff Writer

National re-legalization of marijuana is closer than it's ever been. The majority of Americans are starting to realize that cannabis is NOT an addictive, immoral and destructive drug. Americans are starting to see cannabis for what it truly is -- a harmless, useful plant with several healing virtues. Among the virtues being rediscovered is cannabis's ability to cure chronic issues in dogs.

The more states legalize the plant for medicinal purposes, the more we see businesses springing up to help both people and pets get well.

It's important to understand that marijuana's potential for abuse is not much different from that of OTC pain meds, soda or television, which are all legal. Actually, marijuana is practically safer than all three. Eating too much pain pills can wipe out one's liver. Drinking too much soda can make one an obese, type II diabetic, and watching too much television can send people into states of lazy hypnosis that convince them via advertisement to buy into a long list of fast foods and pharmaceutical drugs.

Marijuana is not all about getting "high" either. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is psychoactive but is just one part of the Cannabis sativa plant. While some relax to THC's psychoactive quality, others are using another part of the plant -- cannabidiol (CBD) -- to heal seizures, pain and cancer. Interestingly, medical marijuana dispensaries are now using CBD compounds to help dogs with their chronic issues.
 

15-year-old Labrador mix experiences near instant relief from CBD treats

A woman named Wendy Mansfield, of Fort Bragg, California has been trying everything she can to help her 15-year-old Labrador mix named Kali.

Kali had been showing signs of chronic pain and was scheduled to be euthanized. The day before her dog was scheduled to be euthanized, Wendy decided to try one last option. Thankfully, this option was available in her state. She took her ailing dog to a marijuana dispensary designed specifically for sick dogs.

Kali showed signs of chronic pain and lethargy. She groaned and licked her paws often. This was accompanied by fits of coughing. After giving Kali a medicinal marijuana treat, nothing much happened until 20 minutes later. Suddenly, the licking stopped.

Impressed, Wendy gave Kali a second and third CBD treat. The cannabidiol was bringing Kali back to life. Kali came out of her depressed state, stood up and fetched her own water outside. It was extraordinary progress in a short amount of time! Many of the obvious signs of pain, like groaning, quickly subsided as well.

At this point, Wendy cancelled her appointment to put down her dog. Three weeks later, Wendy told Quartz, "Never in my wildest dreams would I have anticipated this. It brought my dog back."
 

Plant medicine is re-emerging

The more medical professionals embrace cannabinoids, the more they'll realize that true biological healing comes from plants, not synthetic formulations. Imagine medicine returning to its roots and actually healing people without long lists of heinous side effects! For example, one day the active ingredient in turmeric root, curcumin, will be heralded as mainstream medicine for healing systemic inflammation which is at the root of many diseases today. Imagine the essential oil of lavender being used in place of psychotic drugs to alleviate depression. Imagine there being no more deadly side effects like suicidal thoughts that depression medications often illicit.

Today's "alternative medicine" is slowly reclaiming its position as real medicine. Synthetic formulations will surely fade into the bowels of history, as the collective consciousness wakes up to the lies that have been perpetuated and marketed over and over again.

The US federal government still classifies marijuana as a Schedule I substance and defines it as a drug "with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." That myth is beginning to shatter.

Pets being healed with cannabis treats are another example of truth coming to light, shattering the current paradigm that says marijuana is evil and those who use it should be jailed.

The war on medicinal plants must end.

Sources:

http://qz.com

Rossmoor Seniors Fired up about Cannabis....

Recently I attended an event at Rossmoor, in Walnut Creek. Little did I know that they have a senior community of 10,000. How great it was to see acceptance, education and people TALKING about medical cannabis!! There was a report on site, Joe Garofoli and this is the article that came out in the SF Chronicle.

by Joe Garofoli

Updated 1:59 pm, Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Doug Stiles shows a bottle of liquid cannabis in his home at the Rossmoor retirement community in Walnut Creek. Stiles takes 20 drops before bed to help with his anxiety and help him sleep.

Pot was for fun in Rossmoor resident Doug Stiles’ youth. Now he takes it in liquid form to ease anxiety and help him sleep.

There is a club for Bay Area marijuana enthusiasts where most members don’t want to get high. Mostly because they’re afraid of falling. Or getting too disoriented.

The club is in Rossmoor, the senior citizen community of 10,000 near Walnut Creek.

With an average age of 76, Rossmoor is the kind of place where smoking is banned, though many puff cigars in plain sight on the golf course. But before the Rossmoor Medical Marijuana Education and Support Club held its first meeting in 2011, marijuana was rarely seen, smelled or discussed on the facility’s surgically trimmed grounds.

Since then, the club has grown into a 250-member juggernaut, illustrating the growing acceptance of marijuana in America by seniors — and their growing frustration with mainstream pharmaceuticals prescribed for pain relief.

In 1986 — the heyday of the nation’s War on Drugs — 9 percent of the generation of Americans born between 1928 and 1945 supported legalizing marijuana. That has jumped to 29 percent among that demographic, according to a Pew Research report released this month.

The survey also showed that it might be time to dig through Grandpa’s golf bag: 19 percent of Americans over 70 have tried weed, including 2 percent in the last year.

That might be an undercount, according to some Rossmoor weed aficionados. Many residents are cultivating more than azaleas at home.

“Oh, sure, I’ve got a plant. A lot of people here do,” one woman said after a club meeting last week in Rossmoor. “But I can’t give you my name.”

Changing times

That’s a common sentiment. One club member asked to remain anonymous because “my son owns a business near here.” A few still haven’t told their kids they’re members because they have spent the last 50 years telling them not to smoke dope.

Perhaps because of the reluctance of seniors to discuss their marijuana habits, neither AARP nor the Marijuana Policy Project could provide any studies of cannabis use by seniors. AARP doesn’t have a policy on medical cannabis, even though it is now legal for medicinal use in 23 states and Washington, D.C.

Appropriately, it was on a Rossmoor golf course where the club held its first clandestine meeting four years ago. Twenty cannabis-curious pioneers set up folding chairs near the first tee box at 4 p.m., when they knew most of their golfing neighbors would have already left for cocktail hour, which, like many things in Rossmoor, starts a little early.

“People were still not sure if they wanted to be out about (marijuana) then,” said Renee Lee, a 63-year-old retired therapist who is president of the club. “There was still a stigma about it.”

Lee was among those who wanted to call themselves the 420 Club, but that reference to the weed smokers’ holiday of April 20 never stuck because, as Lee said, “a lot of people didn’t know what it meant.”

They went six months without a name. But club members quickly bonded over their shared disappointment in pharmaceuticals they had been prescribed. Either the pills weren’t helping them or the side effects were more onerous than their actual ailments.

Their knees and elbows and backs creaked. They had trouble sleeping. They were anxious. All they wanted was some relief.

So why not try a little pot?

Highly recommended

Sometimes it was their adult children who suggested it. More often the notion came from a medical-cannabis-card-carrying neighbor, who would offer a weed-infused lemon drop or a dab of a topical cream. It was a leap of faith for seniors who never tried pot — or hadn’t indulged since the Kingston Trio was topping the charts.

“The most common thing they say is, 'I’m not doing this to get high,’” said Rachna Patel, a Walnut Creek osteopath who has treated about 100 Rossmoor residents who use cannabis for pain relief. “A lot of them will first say, 'I can’t believe that I’m doing this.’”

But many are soon smiling at the results. Doug Stiles hadn’t partaken in years until he moved to Rossmoor about four years ago. Then he started rubbing a cannabis-infused topical solution into his wife’s knees to help with her arthritis. Four months later, she was moving more easily. Now Stiles takes cannabis-infused drops at night to soothe his anxiety and help him sleep.

Back in the day

That’s not how he used marijuana during his occasional indulgences as a young man.

“I remember at a party smoking with a brother-in-law, then going out to the liquor store. But we had to pull over in the park because we were laughing so hard,” Stiles said. But “now it’s about pain — and feeling better.”

What initially “surprised me,” said Eloise Theisen, a nurse practitioner in Lafayette who helps dozens of Rossmoor residents manage their health conditions with cannabis, “is how open they’ve been to trying new things.”

But club members aren’t your typical stoners. “Everybody always shows up 15 minutes early for the meetings,” said Lee, who used cannabis to help her with the aftereffects of acoustic neuroma surgery.

Dozens of Rossmoorians are now smoking or vaping or nibbling at edibles, mostly in the quiet of their homes.

Just for fun

Nobody smells weed outside. Unless maybe it’s coming from members of Rossmoor’s other cannabis club — a group focused less on education and support and more on enjoying the herb’s recreational pleasures. Unlike the Rossmoor Medical Marijuana Education and Support Club, the other group is not officially recognized by the administration.

The harder question for some is one that’s rarely been uttered in the half-century history of this 1,800-acre enclave: How can I score some weed in Rossmoor?

Medical cannabis dispensaries are banned in Walnut Creek, and there are few east of the Caldecott Tunnel.

And forget getting pot through that newfangled smartphone technology. The app-based marijuana delivery service Eaze — which promises cannabis within minutes for card-carrying Bay Area users — said only 2 percent of customers are seniors. Eaze is launching a pilot program with a San Diego senior community to learn how to make it easier for seniors to get deliveries.

'Untapped market’

“There’s definitely an untapped market there,” said Eaze spokeswoman Caroline Vespi. “There’s still that perception among some seniors that the only place you can get (cannabis) is from the dealer on the corner.”

After accepting an invitation to speak to the club a couple of years ago, the Harborside Health Center arranged for a tour of the Oakland medical cannabis dispensary. Now it counts dozens of Rossmoor residents as customers.

But nurse practitioner Theisen said venturing unaccompanied into a dispensary can be overwhelming for some seniors.

So, many Rossmoor residents get their weed from what once might have been an unlikely source: their grown children. State law allows medical cannabis patients to designate someone as a caregiver.

As the general public’s attitude toward marijuana has warmed over the past few years, the club’s membership has swelled, and some of the region’s top cannabis figures have appeared before them.

Last week’s meeting drew a record 81 members to hear John Malanca, founder of United Patients Group, a website that offers news and information about medical cannabis.

“How many people here think the only way to take marijuana is to smoke it?” Malanca asked the audience.

Not a hand went up.

“Wow,” Malanca said, rocking back a step. “When I was here a few years ago, 60 percent of the people raised their hands.”

After the meeting ended, Malanca said, “When I asked that, people just looked at me like, 'That was the most boneheaded question.’ But that’s why when I visit retirement communities around the country, I tell them about the amazing things going on at Rossmoor.”

Orange County aficionados

But while Rossmoorians are becoming weed sophisticates, they still lag behind their demographic peers at the Laguna Woods Village — formerly known as Leisure World — in Orange County. Cannabis-using residents there have established a relationship with a Humboldt County grower and created a distribution network in the community that has the administration’s blessing.

Down there, if Laguna Woods Village Cannabis Club organizer Lonnie Painter wants to smoke a joint outside his residence, he just sparks one up.

“Oh, sure,” said Painter, a 69-year-old retired restaurateur. “I do that almost daily.”

Joe Garofoli is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli

Traveling with Cannabis???

United Patient Group website recently had an article on traveling with Cannabis. This has been a question for some of our members and I thought it would be a good idea to post the article in full. So wherever you are traveling to, do some research ahead of time to find out the specific laws for the states, countries that you will be visiting......

Traveling with Medical Marijuana

It can be a challenge to travel for medical marijuana patients. In addition to concerns brought on by their condition, traveling with medical marijuana can be difficult, especially for out of state trips. Even in certain areas of the country, in-state travel can present problems when local ordinances vary. Patients should consider the following factors before traveling with their medication.

 

 

 

Traveling Within the Same State

Medical marijuana patients who are appropriately registered with their state should not encounter problems if they are traveling locally. Patients may have their medication on their person when they are walking and driving within their own county. For out-of-county trips, patients should be aware that some counties set their own laws regarding maximum medical marijuana amounts, though, in California, all counties must allow at least the state minimum. Patients should know their state’s laws and, as a rule of thumb, avoid traveling to unfamiliar areas with more than the allowed minimum.

If a patient is traveling out-of-county and the state’s recognized minimum is not sufficient, it may be possible to arrange temporary dispensary privileges in the area where the patient is staying. Patients should ask the dispensary they are currently using for advice, or check their state's website for the rules.

Whether in state or out of state, medical marijuana patients should never travel with marijuana plants. Even in states where it is legal to grow medical marijuana plants, their transportation is highly restricted. In California, for example, there are only three situations where it is appropriate to travel with these plants:

• When a patient or caregiver is bringing plants from a dispensary to a residence.
• When a registered caregiver is moving plants from one patient’s residence to another.
• When a patient is moving residences.

Except for these situations, avoid traveling with medical marijuana plants to minimize the chance of legal complications.

 

 

 

Out of State Trips

Travel to different states for medical marijuana patients is difficult because they cannot legally bring their medical marijuana in most cases. Patients should note these guidelines:

• States without medical marijuana laws can arrest patients under possession laws, even if the patient is registered in their home state.
• Federal authorities can arrest patients under federal drug trafficking laws if medical marijuana crosses state lines.
• In states that recognize medical marijuana cards issued by the patient’s home state (called reciprocity), the patient usually still needs to register in the state that they are visiting and acquire any medical marijuana needed there, rather than bringing it with them.
• In the above situation if patients plan to bring their own medical marijuana, they should make sure that the states border one another so that they are not traveling through states where medical marijuana is illegal.

 

 

 

Traveling by Ground vs. Flying with Medical Marijuana

The safest mode of transportation for traveling patients is by car. Private bus and train companies may remove passengers at their own discretion who appear under the influence or are known to possess medical marijuana, even with a medical marijuana card or valid physician’s letter.

As for flying, airports and airplanes are federal jurisdictions, and patients can be detained and arrested when going through security. Federal authorities do not recognize the medical marijuana laws or cards of any state. There are some airports that are medical marijuana ‘friendly’ and allow patients with correct documents to board with the amount deemed necessary for personal consumption. 

For more detailed information on this, read our article: Can I Fly with Medical Marijuana? 

Always check the laws of your home state and the state that you will be visiting before taking a trip with your medication. Though it is very helpful to patients, medical marijuana is not yet legal in all areas and even in states where medicinal use of marijuana is legal, state and local laws vary. Know your rights and responsibilities as a patient, and always ask an authority if you are unsure of the law.

For more information on Flying with Medical Marijuana, here is a direct link to TSA's policy.

"We Are Trained to Misinform".....Ex-Pharma sales rep speaks out!

The following is a short video of a ex-pharmaceutical sales rep that has come clean after fifteen years of being in the drug pushing business. In her powerful book, Confessions of an Rx Drug Pusher, Gwen Olsen shares her personal experience in the industry and also her personal tragedy....

I am posting this as I have heard of so many people damaged and their lives affected by prescription drugs... please share with friends and family...a MUST SEE VIDEO!!

If you would like to read the article from Natural News please click here.