Welcome to Senior Cannabis Digest. This week we look at new research on the way cannabis is categorized and marketed, using cannabis to treat anxiety, tips on traveling with CBD and more. Enjoy.
Consumer Corner
A new study suggests that mature cannabis consumers and others may not be getting what they expect when purchasing cannabis.
More specifically, the general method of categorizing cannabis strains as being representative of indicas—which are associated with body highs—sativas, which are associated with energizing effects—and hybrids that can lean one way or another, may not mean all that much.
That’s the word from Kyle Jaeger, reporting for Marijuana Moment. According to Jaeger, the study, which was published in the journal PLOS One, analyzed the chemical composition of almost 90,000 cannabis samples across six states.
Jaeger noted that the researchers found what’s often missing on typical cannabis labels of indica, sativa and hybrid is an accurate breakdown of the terpenes present. These are the essential oils derived from plants that some studies indicate play a role not just in the taste and smell of marijuana varieties but also the physical and psychoactive effects.
In fact, according to Jaeger, the researchers did identify three main classes of terpene combinations that are prominent in certain strains: Those high in caryophyllene and limonene, those with rich concentrations of myrcene and pinene and those with robust terpinolene and myrcene content.
However, the researchers determined those categories “do not neatly correspond to the indica, sativa and hybrid labeling scheme.” In other words, they contend it’s likely that a sample with the label indica will have a terpene composition indistinguishable from samples labeled sativa or hybrid.
What makes this significant?
The study noted, “Legal THC-dominant Cannabis products are marketed to consumers as if there are clear-cut associations between a product’s label and its psychoactive effects. This is deceptive, as there is currently no clear scientific evidence for these claims and our results show that these labels have a tenuous relationship to the underlying chemistry.”
Added study co-author Nick Jikomes, director of science and innovation at Leafly, “A farmer can’t just pick up an apple and decide to call it a Red Delicious. A beer manufacturer can’t just arbitrarily label their product a Double IPA. There are standards. But that is not the case for the cannabis industry.”
This lack of clarity in labeling can become increasingly problematic as the industry tries to move toward helping consumers match specific strains to desired outcomes, be it for medical or recreational purposes.
As always, Kyle Jaeger does an excellent job of unpacking a complicated issue. His article on the study appears in the May 24, 2022 issue of Marijuana Moment.
Cannabis and Anxiety
Many believe that a little bit of cannabis can have a calming effect on someone who is experiencing anxiety.
Unfortunately, so far this opinion is pretty much based on anecdotal reports one step removed from “My cousin said” and does little to account for how much cannabis is the correct dose—and whether or not too much can actually increase a person’s anxiety.
Admittedly, there was a study conducted in 2018, by Washington State University researchers, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, that found that after a puff or two of a sample of cannabis that was high in CBD and low in THC subjects felt less depressed and anxious and eventually, after ten puffs, less stressed. However, the question still remains—what is a recommended, predictable dose of THC when it comes to treating anxiety.
To address this gap in knowledge, a team of researchers at Florida Gulf Coast University led by Nathan Pipitone, the principal researcher, who also works in the university’s Department of Psychology, will conduct a statewide study to examine how anxiety levels change among medical cannabis users.
According to Jelena Martinovic, reporting for Benzinga, one thousand certified medical marijuana users have agreed to participate in the research and report their anxiety levels before and after using cannabis products over a course of 45 days.
Martinovic notes that one of the study’s shortcomings is that it does not include a control group who are not using medical marijuana. In addition, there doesn’t appear to be any statement on uniformity of dose or the type of cannabis that will be consumed, so we hope there will be more news as more news develops.
However, Pipitone did acknowledge this is only a “preliminary groundwork,” adding, “Hopefully it will open the door to allow more rigorous research.”
To learn more about this first step toward understanding how cannabis may one day be used to treat anxiety, we suggest you read Jelena Martinovic‘s article in the May 27, 2022 issue of Benzinga.com.
Too Much of a Good Thing
As the saying goes, “It can happen in the best of families.” Whether you are a veteran cannabis user or novice, a recreational user or someone who uses cannabis for medicinal purposes, it is possible to get too high.
By that we mean your pleasant experience can suddenly take a left turn, leaving you in an uncomfortable state that may include panic, anxiety, nausea and more.
The good news is that nothing lasts forever, including cannabis intoxication. Bruce Barcott, Senior Editor at Leafly, has described what he calls a “window of impairment” resulting from cannabis consumption that for most consumers lasts about four hours.
However, according to Lisa Rough—also writing for Leafly—if you find yourself in the midst of an unpleasant cannabis experience and want to hasten its end, there are a number of steps you can take. Here are a few of her tips.
• Cold beverages and snacks are your friends. According to Rough, having a nice, cold beverage on hand (preferably non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic)will help you combat dry mouth and allow you to focus on a simple and familiar act—sipping and swallowing—which can help to manage any sense of panic. She also suggests a light snack, such as fruit, nuts or cheese may help you feel more grounded.
• Take a hike. Well, maybe not a real hike, but, saysRough, a relaxing walk can often help manage the experience of being too high. One should keep to a familiar environment, bring a friend if possible and feel free to skip the walk if you are feeling woozy or light-headed. And, while she doesn’t mention it, it’s probably a good idea to avoid over stimulation. Save Times Square for another day.
• The black peppercorn surprise. Neil Young—a mature cannabis consumer if there ever was one—swears by this remedy. According to Young, sniffing or chewing on a few black peppercorns can often provide almost instantaneous relief, sober you up and leave you feeling right, tight and out of sight.
For more helpful tips, we suggest reading Lisa Rough’s informative and entertaining article in the May 18, 2022 issue of Leafly.
www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/8-ways-to-counteract-a-too-intense-cannabis-high?
CBD Spotlight: Travel Tips
Every now and then it’s possible to find a piece of content marketing that provides a reader with useful tips while it promotes a specific product or brand.
Such is the case with a recent article about traveling on an airplane with CBD. It’s taken from the website of Charlotte’s Web, a company that makes high-cannabidiol (CBD), low-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products sold as dietary supplements and cosmetics.
According to the article—and the TSA— it is legal to bring hemp-derived CBD products on a plane while flying in the United States. More specifically, the TSA website states, “Marijuana and certain cannabis infused products, including some Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, remain illegal under federal law except for products that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis or that are approved by FDA.”
This means you can bring CBD products with you on a plane as long as those products conform to the limit of THC outlined by the Hemp Bill. However, to be safe, you should review the certificate of analysis (COA) for your CBD products to confirm that they contain less than 0.3 percent THC. Charlotte’s Web suggests calling the product’s customer service number if you are having trouble reading the COA. Hopefully, they can walk you through the details.
Remember, if you have the product in your carry-on bag, it must contain less than 3.4 ounces of liquid, ointment, cream, or balm, be contained in a shatter-proof container, and should be included in the transparent quart-size bag of such items that you take out of your suitcase to put through the TSA screening machine.
Things get more complicated if you are taking an international flight. That’s because regulations on the level of THC allowed (and the classifications of products) change from country to country. Charlotte’s Web notes that some countries do not allow CBD at all, while others do with a prescription. There are those that allow a THC level greater than 0.3 percent, such as Italy which allows 0.6 percent, while other countries allow no greater than 0.2 percent THC, which is lower than the level allowed in the United States.
It’s best to prepare for your trip by doing your homework ahead of time. Charlotte’s Web has provided a list of international regulations by country that was last updated in September 2020. Simply click on the link to view the regulations. However, you may also want to go online to see if those regulations have changed.
For more travel tips for consumers who use CBD products, including the benefits attributed to different types of products when traveling, simply click on the link that follows.
learn.charlottesweb.com/can-you-fly-with-cbd/?
Cannabis Quote of the Week
“Cannabis was really not my thing for a long time. I kind of looked down on it, to be honest. I tell a story in my book about how my husband was leaning on it a little too much for mental health. He just didn’t have a full suite of self-care tools – it was just weed. So that didn’t have great results for him, and based on that experience, I was not a fan.
“But then, as a mother of two kids, I was struggling with my own health and wellbeing and purpose in the world, and then I did try cannabis, and it helped me. I was a freelance writer, and I was getting assignments about cannabis before I even knew or cared about it.
When I started learning and interviewing people, I became fascinated, because it bridges health, science, wellbeing and self-care, as well as social justice, and my thoughts really changed and developed. I found it to be a health and wellness tool to help me sleep, help with migraines and help me be more present with my kids.” —Danielle Simone Brand.
Ms. Brand is the author of Weed Mom: The Canna-Curious Woman’s Guide to Healthier Relaxation, Happier Parenting, and Chilling TF Out. Her comments are taken from an interview she did with Addison Herron-Wheeler for the online publication High There.
Said Brand, “I don’t think it is nearly the boogeyman that the mainstream tries to make it out to be, obviously, but I do think overuse can happen.”
Brand also included tips for readers to help them understand and identify what cannabis misuse or overuse could look like. Brand noted that signs of misuse would include leaning on cannabis as your only means of self-care and coming to a healthy state physically, mentally and emotionally or using cannabis to check out of life with the family instead of using it to check in.
Said Brand, “Sometimes we need to do self-care and have alone time, but cannabis should be something that helps us be more present and available when we’re actually with our kids.”
If you care to learn more, we urge you to read Addison Herron-Wheeler’s insightful interview with Ms. Brand. It appears in the May 10, 2022 issue of HighThere.com.
highthere.com/culture/art-entertainment/author-danielle-simone-brand-weed-mom-stigma
To learn more about Danielle Simone Brand’s work, you can visit her website, daniellesimonebrand.com.
Senior Cannabis Digest is compiled and edited by Joe Kohut and John Kohut. You can reach them at joe.kohut@gmail.com and at 347-528-8753.
