Page 34 - March 2017

Dear Readers:

South Florida Hospital News & Healthcare Report welcomes you to CannabisNewsFlorida.com, a new feature of our print
publication, website, and e-newsletters. Its purpose is to provide pertinent educational information from leading authorities
about medical and business developments in the medical cannabis industry. We also intend to provide both national
and international information which will affect the medical cannabis business in the State of Florida.

CBD - The Other Cannabinoid

My prediction is that we will start seeing CBD’s ment for Parkinsons disease, epilepsy, and even Cancer. Cannabinoids bind to
in vitamins, smoothies, and all types of nutrition- these receptors and produce the medical benefits of immune system strengthen-
al supplements. We are already starting to see ing and other pharmacological effects.
CBD’s in dog food as the veterinarians start to
awaken to the presence of Endocannabinoid The Source
receptors in dogs. Humans also have The Cannabis plant has over 100 cannabinoids of which we are only just
Endocannabinoid receptors throughout the body learning the medical benefits. Cannabinoids are the primary compound found
and this was discovered just over 20 years ago. In in the cannabis plant. The two main cannabinoids are Tetrahydrocannabinol
fact, research has shown that we are significantly (THC) which has a euphoric/ psychoactive effect and Cannabidiol (CBD) which
deficient in cannabinoids which we used to get in is non-euphoric. CBD was originally patented by the United States Government
our food source from the fact that animals used to in 2003 as a neuroprotectant and antioxidant. Over 90% of the Cannabis plant
eat Cannabis/hemp plants as they grazed. can by used for medical and functional purposes. Although the plant and THC
The human body has receptors for CB1 and products are considered Schedule I drugs under Federal standards, there is a
CB2. These receptors are located in areas of the growing legal market for “hemp oils” and “CBD oil.”
body such as the brain, spinal cord, cerebellum,
BY SCHERIL MURRAY
thalamus, thyroid, liver, adrenals, ovaries, uterus, Where can you get it?
POWELL, ESQ. prostate, eyes, stomach, heart, digestive tract, and The interesting thing about CBD products is that they are most commonly
others. CBD’s are now being investigated as treat- found in “vape shops” in Florida. With this considered, it is important to
research and understand the purity and extraction methods used. There are also
content verified brands such as Green Roads World which is based in Florida
and has all of its products made in South Florida under the supervision of a
licensed pharmacist and is produced in an ISO 6 clean room with over 5,000 dis-
tribution points. You can even purchase hemp oil in Whole Foods now. Green
Roads World has a wellness brand of products that is pharmacist formulated and
only available to physicians currently.

Effective Delivery Systems
CBD products are administered in many ways that are similar to THC con-
sumption, except it is not traditionally smoked. CBD extracts are used to make
edibles such as gummies, lollypops, and teas. There are also capsules containing
CBD and drops that are administered sublingually. You will find that the indi-
viduals that sell CBD will not recommend a particular amount or dosage and
will refer the customer back to a physician for specific recommendations.

Extraction Method
In order to extract CBD from the Cannabis plant, a CO2 (Carbon dioxide)
extraction method is typically used where CO2 is contained in a low tempera-
ture and high pressure environment. This process of extraction is highly scien-
tific. With CO2 in a liquid state, it is then possible to extract CO2 and terpenes
from the plant. Terpenes are found in other foods such as apples and chocolate
as well. It is critical that the plants (cannabis flower) used are free from contam-
inants and pesticides, which is why it is best to use a brand that has third party
testing results as well as pharmacist supervision if at all possible.

Determining which patients will benefit
It is recommended that physicians attend seminars and educate themselves on
the endocannabinoid system in the body. There will be more and more patients
initiating the discussion about how CBD or THC can help them with their ail-
ments. There is an upcoming symposium especially for physicians that is taking
place in South Florida on March 11, 2017. For more information, visit website
www.cannaholdings.com for more information.

Scheril Murray Powell, Associate at Doumar, Allsworth, Laystrom, Voigt, Wachs,
and Adair LLP, General Counsel at Patience with Patients, and
General Counsel at Minorities 4 Medical Marijuana, can be reached at
smpesquire@outlook.com or (561) 929-4678.

34 March 2017 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News