If legal restrictions on cannabis are a factor when you select a vacation destination, you may want to take a second look at Hawaii’s decision to decriminalize marijuana possession .
Before you say “Mahalo” here’s what the decision says—and what it doesn’t say. According to German Lopez reporting for Vox, under the new law there is no jail time for anyone who is found in possession of up to three grams of marijuana. However the possibility of a $130 fine is still in place. That’s because the state decided to decriminalize marijuana, not legalize it. The bill was approved by Hawaii’s Democrat-controlled legislature and sent to the state’s Gov. David Ige back in May. While Ige didn’t sign the bill, he didn’t veto it either so it became a law on July 9th and will take effect on January 11, 2020. Since the state and the federal government still frown on bringing cannabis with you when entering the state, and there is no distribution system in place for “adult use” cannabis, visitors seeking recreational marijuana still have to “know a guy who knows a guy.”
What the bill does not address is medical marijuana—and that might be a good thing. That’s because patients who are registered to use medical cannabis in another state and are visiting the islands may be able to take advantage of Hawaii’s medical cannabis program.
By law, patients aged 18 or older who are registered in another state can apply for registration in Hawaii. DOH will review these applications and may issue Hawaiian registration cards to these out-of-state qualifying patients. This will permit them to legally purchase and possess approved medical cannabis products sold at licensed dispensaries for a 60-day period. The registration fee is $45 plus a $4.50 online portal fee. Out-of-state patients will have the option to renew their registration for another 60-day period within 12 months. According to the Department of Health, visitors may request a specific “start date” for the 60-day term to begin and may apply 60 days prior to the requested “start date”.”
To read German Lopez’s article, visit the July 9 issue of Vox.com. To learn more, about using Hawaii’s medical marijuana registration while you visit , go to the website health.hawaii.gov/medicalcannabisregistry/travel/.
Cannabis Tips for Seniors
While it’s possible to find numerous articles that proclaim seniors to be the fastest growing segment of cannabis users, it’s not as easy to find advice on how older individuals who are curious about using cannabis might begin.
To help, here are five tips designed to help older individuals who are new to using medical marijuana.They’re developed by Seth Lorinczi for Zana Medical’s Health Lab blog.
To begin with, using cannabis doesn’t equal “being high.” A knowledgeable pharmacist or dispensary clerk (or “budtender”) can guide you towards methods of using cannabis or cannabis products that have little to no psychoactivity at all.
Start low and go slow. Lorinczi advises that when using cannabis to treat clinical conditions, it’s safest and most effective to start with the minimum amount and work up over time to find an optimal dose that addresses your symptoms without distracting side effects, such as unwanted psychoactivity (i.e. getting high). This is a different approach for those accustomed to simply “taking a pill,” but he believes a little patience can pay off handsomely.
Use trusted sources and dispensaries. While the cannabis retail industry may be new, he notes it’s still subject to a very useful form of validation— the online review. Spending a moment searching for reviews in local media or cannabis-specific websites can take much of the guesswork out of finding safe, well-stocked and well-informed dispensaries.
If you want to experience the medical benefits cannabis has to offer, treat it like medicine. In other words, he advises new consumers to use the same care and process with cannabis as they would with any other drug. Finding the most appropriate strain and method of use for your condition will reap rewards by reducing the chance of an “error” in the “trial and error.” process.
Lastly, have realistic expectations. No, cannabis is not a miracle drug but, Lorinczi contends that when used with care, it can provide gentle, sustainable relief for a wide range of ailments. Making the most of its medical potential takes a little planning and forethought. Prepare yourself first and foremost by gathering reliable, authoritative information, both on cannabis as medicine and on local providers in your area.
Zana Medical Group is designed to be a guide and resource for the personalized application of cannabis medicine. To learn more, visit Lorinczi’s blogpost “Tips For Seniors: Getting Started” in the ZanaHeathLab.com.
Cannabis and Alzheimers’ Disease
At least one expert thinks removing all of the THC from CBD products makes them less effective. He also thinks cannabis may show some promise when it comes to treating Alzheimers’ disease.
So says Dr. Ethan Russo. Russo is a board-certified neurologist, psychopharmacology researcher, and Medical Director of PHYTECS, a biotechnology company researching and developing innovative approaches targeting the human Endocannabinoid system.
When interviewed by Abbie Rosner for Forbes he took the position that cannabis-based medicines are less effective when they are devoid of THC. He contends this is particularly true when cannabis products are used to treat the symptoms of dementia. He argues that both THC and CBD have been shown to interfere with the production of abnormal toxic matter in the brains of such patients. He also holds the opinion that very small doses of THC are required to make cannabis medicines effective and the benefits offered by such medicine outweigh any risks. In addition, Russo believes THC may have a preventative benefit when treating dementia.
Russo added that an underappreciated factor in degenerative diseases is the microbiome, the bacterial content of the gut. He points out that diabetes and obesity are linked to degenerative diseases, such as Alzeimer’s disease and that THC, rather than leading to obesity, can help to change the microbiome balance in the gut to favor bacteria that actually protect the body from the development of obesity and the metabolic syndrome.
To learn more, go to Abbie Rosner’s fascinating interview with Dr. Russo in the February 26, 2019 issue of Forbes.
Cannabis Advocacy
Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzman are all former members of the Grateful Dead and now form the core of the offshoot band Dead & Co. All three are over 70 and all three are advocates for the reform of marijuana laws.
That’s why they spoke up on this past 4th of July, calling on their social media followers to get involved with the Cannabis Voter Project, which “aims to educate Americans about how voting can impact cannabis policy.” Dead & Company bassist Oteik Burbridge also used his platform to promote the organization.
According to Kyle Jaeger, writing for the website Marijuana Moment, fans were encouraged to text “CANNA VOTER” to 40649. This in turn prompted them with questions about federal cannabis reform and automatically generated messages to their congressional representatives. The musicians also urged supporters to visit a Cannabis Voter Project booth at one of Dead & Company’s shows in Colorado. HeadCount, a non-profit organization that partners with musicians to register voters and operates Cannabis Voter Project, has been working with Dead & Company to promote marijuana reform.
Said Dead & Co.’s Bob Weir, “No better way to celebrate #IndependenceDay than telling elected leaders what you believe in.”
For more information, visit Jaeger’s reporting in the July 5, 2019 issue of Marijuana Moment (marjuanamoment.net). Edited by Tom Angell, a veteran of the legalization movement, the website assists activists, industry professionals, consumers, policymakers and the public in understanding developments and trends affecting cannabis.
You can also visit www.cannabisvoter.info/ to learn more.
NYC’s Ban On Using CBD in Edibles is in Effect
New York City consumers who want to order a bagel or latte with a little something extra may have a tough time doing that, particularly if that something extra is a splash of CBD.
That’s because New York City’s health department has started to implement a ban on cannabidiol (CBD) additives in food and drinks that it announced back in February. According to Savannah Walsh writing for Delish, the ban means health inspectors will search for products containing CBD during regular food safety inspections. Any items discovered will be embargoed, which admittedly feels a little confusing. Beginning October 2, violators will be fined between $250 and $600 for failing to follow the new regulation. Restaurants could rack up a $600 fine for every offense.
According to the city’s Department of Health,”“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has advised that it is unlawful to add cannabidiol (CBD) to food or drink. We have been informing businesses in New York City that may sell food and drink about this regulation to help them achieve compliance.”
The ban does not apply to topical or beauty products containing CBD available at retailers such as Walgreens, CVS, and Kroger. You can learn more by reading Walsh’s article in the July 8, 2019 issue of Delish.com.
Senior Cannabis Digest is compiled and edited by Joe Kohut and John Kohut. You can reach them at seniorcannabisdigest.com or by calling 347-528-8753.