While not an endorsement, the Arthritis Foundation has released guidelines for people who want to try CBD as a way to relieve pain or discomfort associated with arthritis.This is the first such guidance on using CBD from any major patient advocacy group. An estimated 54 million Americans have been diagnosed with arthritis.
Writing for Today.com, Erika Edwards reports that prior to developing its guidelines, The Arthritis Foundation surveyed more than 2,600 patients, finding that nearly 80 percent are either currently using CBD, have used it, or are considering it for their joint pain. Its recommendations are an attempt to provide some kind of clarity for CBD usage, despite a lack of scientific evidence proving that it works to treat pain.
According to Kevin Boehnke, a research investigator who works in anesthesiology at the University of Michigan. Boehnke helped develop and write the guidelines for the Arthritis Foundation, “It was important to acknowledge the public’s interest, and put out some guidelines on the state of the science.”
“The guidelines are not saying, ‘you should try this.’ They’re saying, ‘if you want to try, here’s how you should do it,'” said Boehnke.
The Foundation makes it clear that patients should not abandon arthritis medications already prescribed by doctors. It also acknowledges that any evidence showing CBD might be an effective pain reliever is anecdotal, and encourages more scientific research needed to prove safety and efficacy. Until those studies are completed, the Foundation suggests people who want to try CBD start slowly with the lowest dose, and track symptoms over time.
If CBD alone does not help joint pain, some patients may want to try THC. As long as patients live in states where THC is legal, the Arthritis Foundation again suggests starting with the lowest dose. For both CBD and THC products, the group urges patients to work with a physician to find products from reputable retailers who use independent, third-party testing. “People have to do their homework. It’s a wild west situation. Studies have shown the amount of CBD inside a product doesn’t always match up with what’s on the label,” Boehnke told NBC News.
For patients who want to try CBD products anyway, the Arthritis Foundation recommends the kind of CBD oil found in sprays or liquid drops that patients hold under their tongue for at least one minute. This method allows the product to go directly into the bloodstream.
The group does not recommend CBD edibles or lotions, because less is known about how the ingredient acts when it’s digested or absorbed through the skin.
Also, the Foundation makes it clear CBD should not be vaped, especially as health officials nationwide continue to investigate vaping-linked respiratory illnesses that have killed eight people and hospitalized hundreds.
The group also said it’s possible CBD may interact with some medications, such as naproxen (sold over the counter as Aleve), corticosteroids and some anti-depressants.
The group also said it’s possible CBD may interact with some medications, such as naproxen (sold over the counter as Aleve), corticosteroids and some anti-depressants.
More information is available in Erika Edwards detailed article in the September, 24, 2019 edition of Today.com.
https://www.today.com/health/does-cbd-work-arthritis-foundation-offers-guidelines-cbd-t163204
Consumer Trends
In a move that’s likely to be welcomed by mature consumers and those with limited transportation resources, the state of Massachusetts’ Cannabis Control Commission recently voted 4-1 to allow the delivery of adult-use cannabis to residences.
Many states where medical marijuana is legal, such as California, Florida and New York, already have home delivery procedures in place. Home delivery of adult-use marijuana, however, is still a bit of a novelty. Once the decision is implemented, Massachusetts will join California, Nevada and Oregon as the only states where delivering recreational marijuana to a residence is legal. Colorado is expected to implement such a service in 2021.
Anaridis Rodriguez, reporting for Boston.cbslocal.com, wrote that the decision has been criticized by some in law enforcement as dangerous. That’s because marijuana is mostly a cash business and the idea that delivery services could be driving around with thousands of dollars of marijuana and cash does worry some officials.
At present, Rodriguez reports that safety protocols require two people to be in a delivery vehicle. The vehicle will also have to be equipped with alarms, GPS, secure storage, and body cameras that will record every transaction. The video of the transaction will be kept for 30 days.
It will be about two months before businesses that want to offer the service can apply for the necessary permits. In addition, before the home delivery can be provided in a particular community, the service has to be approved by local authorities.
At the same time the State Cannabis Commission also approved a pilot program for marijuana cafes in a small number of communities. However, since that decision would require a change of state law, it’s not likely to be implemented any time soon.
You can learn more by reading Anaridis Rodriguez’s article in the September 24, 2019 of Boston.cbslocal.com. You can also read the article “Massachusetts regulators say yes to marijuana cafes, home delivery” in the September 24, 2019 issue of Marijuana Business Daily. Also, a helpful guide to state regulations governing home delivery of both medical and recreational cannabis can be found in an article by Macey W. in the May 24, 2019 edition of the online publication Wikileaf.
boston.cbslocal.com/2019/09/24/home-marijuana-delivery-approved-massachusetts/
mjbizdaily.com/massachusetts-regulators-say-yes-to-marijuana-cafes-home-delivery/
www.wikileaf.com/thestash/legal-weed-delivery/
Legislative Update
In what’s seen as a step in the right direction by investors, businesses, and consumers, the U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved legislation that would pave the way for financial institutions and insurance companies to serve state-legal marijuana businesses without fear of federal reprisal.
According to Jeff Smith, writing for Marijuana Business Daily, state-legal cannabis businesses have struggled for years to gain access to traditional financial services and products, hampering their operations and growth, and creating a significant public safety risk in what is now a multibillion-dollar-a-year industry.
These restrictions are felt by consumers when they have to pay cash at a dispensary, by businesses who don’t have access to traditional credit and banking services and by investors who are waiting for changes in banking laws before they are convinced the industry is finally prepared to operate like other mature investment sectors.
The House bill passed by a vote of 321-103 and, demonstrating it was a bipartisan effort, 91 of those 321 “yes” votes were cast by Republicans. While this vote is a significant step, approval by the Republican-controlled Senate is expected to present a more challenging hurdle. However, Senate Banking Chair Michael Crapo, an Idaho Republican, recently said he is committed to having his committee vote on a cannabis banking measure.
According to Neal Levine, CEO of the Cannabis Trade Federation, which lobbied in support of the bill, “Allowing lawful cannabis companies to access commercial banking services and end their reliance on cash will greatly improve public safety, increase transparency and promote regulatory compliance.”
Politicians, prosecutors and financial industry associations, according to Smith, have increasingly advocated for reform because they recognize the mostly cash industry not only poses public safety risks but also increases the likelihood for financial crimes. He also reported that the amended bill includes provisions designed to make financial institutions more comfortable serving the now-legal hemp and hemp-derived CBD markets.
Jeff Smith’s informative article appears in the September 25, 2019 issue of Marijuana Business Daily.
CBD Overview
If you were stumped for an answer when Aunt Phyllis or Uncle Leo asks you what the difference is between hemp oil and CBD, here are a few tips.
For starters, products labeled Hemp seed oil, also sometimes called “hemp oil,” are derived only from the seeds of the hemp plant and the seeds alone do not contain phytocannabinoids. These are naturally occurring cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant that are said to offer a wide range of benefits, from stress reduction to healing and reducing inflammation. THC, the intoxicating chemical in cannabis, is one such compound. CBD is another.
The hemp extract oils that are the basis of CBD products are made from the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant, where all those beneficial phytocannabinoids can be found. When CBD is referred to as full spectrum or whole plant CBD, it means that the CBD contains all other cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant including CBN (Cannabinol), CBG (Cannabigerol), and THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin), to name a few.
The full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils extracted from the plant when making full spectrum CBD, work together to magnify the therapeutic benefits of each individual cannabinoid. This is commonly referred to as the “entourage effect“.
When products are labeled broad spectrum CBD it means CBD that has been extracted from the cannabis plant along with all other compounds and cannabinoids, minus the THC.
Products labeled “CBD isolate” are thought to contain what is considered the purest form of CBD. This is produced by removing all other compounds found in the plant including terpenes, flavonoids, plant parts, and other cannabinoids.
Many believe CBD Isolate is best for those with sensitivity to THC and other cannabinoids and people living in states with strict THC laws, or those who regularly undergo drug testing in their place of employment.
Some CBD products are described as oils while others are referred to as tinctures. The main difference between CBD oils and tinctures is that CBD oils contain CBD in an oil base, while CBD tinctures contain CBD in an alcohol base. Additionally, CBD tinctures can contain additional ingredients, such as herbs, flavoring agents, and essential oils.
In what turns out to be a useful piece of content marketing, an article by CBD maker Charlotte’s Web, that appeared in The Daily Beast, helps to clear away much of the confusion. Another helpful article, “Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum vs CBD Isolate: The Difference Explained,” was written by Aaron Cadena for Medium.com. Additional information is also available in the PureKana blog post of May 10, 2019, “CBD Isolate VS Full-Spectrum CBD Oil.”
www.thedailybeast.com/whats-the-difference-between-cbd-oil-and-hemp-oil-heres-a-breakdown?ref=home
/purekana.com/blogs/news/cbd-isolate-vs-full-spectrum-cbd-oil/
Cannabis and Dental Health
Here’s some health news to chew on. Smoking cannabis over a long period of time has the potential to take a bite out of your dental health. In 2016 a Duke University study measured the health of 1,000 New Zealanders who’d consumed cannabis for more than 20 years. Researchers found that regular cannabis use did have a significant impact on the health of teeth and gums. Even after accounting for confounding factors, such as tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse, and poor hygiene, they still noticed a significant oral health impact from cannabis, especially an increased risk of periodontal disease.
According to an article by Alexa Peters that appeared on the website Leafly, the American Dental Association (ADA) has taken the official position that cannabis smoking “is associated with periodontal complications, xerostomia, and leukoplakia as well as increased risk of mouth and neck cancers.” Xerostomia is a chronic dry mouth condition. Leukoplakia is a condition that causes white patches or spots to appear on the inside of the mouth.
Peters’ reporting found excessive dry mouth—something long associated with smoking marijuana— is the biggest cannabis-related issue for oral health. That’s because a mouth without saliva creates an environment where bacteria can grow, which in turn can cause cavities and fungal infections. If left unattended for too long, periodontal disease can develop, which can mean tooth and bone loss.
This risk, it appears, can be compounded by the munchies. Dr. Jared Helfant DDS, a practicing dentist in Florida and president of Sparx, a California-based cannabis purveyor, noted, “People’s behaviors when smoking cannabis—drinking more sugary drinks, eating junk food and not taking good care of their teeth, are probably more harmful than the THC itself.”
He recommends staying hydrated, using a heavily fluorinated toothpaste to protect against decay, trying a microbial mouth rinse to kill excess bacteria in the mouth, and brushing and flossing more often.
Experts interviewed by Peters were in agreement that it’s important for cannabis smokers to talk with their dentists about their use. Dentists and the ADA were also clear about another point: If you arrive at a dental appointment after consuming cannabis, be sure to let your dentist know. That’s because there is the potential for adverse interactions with numbing and pain medications used during the appointment.
More on the topic can be found by reading Alexa Peters’s detailed and informative article, “Is Cannabis Ruining Your Teeth?” It appears in the September 20, 2019 edition of Leafly.
www.leafly.com/news/health/is-cannabis-ruining-your-teeth
Senior Cannabis Digest is compiled and edited by Joe Kohut and John Kohut. You can reach them at joe.kohut@gmail.com or by calling or texting 347-528-8753.