Page 36 - South Florida Hospital News Nov 2021

CANNABIS
KAIROS:
Level-funded BUSINESS
Health Plans DIRECTORY

page 29
page 34

November 2021

2019 Cannabis Business Award’s Publication of the Year

Is CBD Toxic to the Liver?

BY MICHELLE WEINER, DO, MPH,
AND DOMENICK NICHOLAS MAGLIONE

In recent years, the use of cannabidiol (CBD) as medicine has
risen at astronomical rates, providing medical patients with a
more traditional approach to treating various health complica-
tions. In contrast to the progression of CBD use nationwide,
there have been many concerns regarding CBD's toxicity to the
human liver. In an effort to mitigate public health risks brought
upon by an increase in CBD use coupled with resulting poten-
tial liver toxicity, many research studies have been conducted to Dr. Jeff Konin
identify whether CBD is a safe alternative form of medication.
Unfortunately, a great deal of these studies have failed to con- NCAA Drug
duct reliable research due to many protocol, experimental, and
conclusive flaws. In April 2019, a study titled "Hepatoxicity of Dr. Michelle Weiner Domenick Nicholas Maglione
a Cannabidiol-Rich Cannabis Extract in the Mouse Model" was Testing for
published in Molecules journal despite the numerous study In addition to flawed publications, the current state of CBD
flaws. In this study, extremely high doses of isolated use and administration is illogical and elementary. For Cannabis – Why
Cannabidiol (CBD) extract were administered to six individual instance, CBD is typically never dosed based on distinct prop-
beyond a reasonable dose. This then poses yet another issue; Does It Matter?
mice. The administered dose of CBD given to a small organism erties such as genetics, meaning patients could be receiving far
such as a mouse was notably high, more than 100 times the
dose of Epidiolex, a CBD schedule 5 pharmaceutical indicated CBD is inaccessible for many patients due to its cost. Some
for infantile seizure disorders in children. CBD was adminis- patients may be paying hundreds of dollars for a 1000mg CBD BY DR. JEFF KONIN
tered as an isolate (contributing to heightened potency) and product like a tincture, when in reality, an ideal dosing system
formulated with hexane, a Neurotoxin. The study reported that could reveal that those same patients may need less for suffi- In 1986, the National Collegiate
75% of the mice had died (this would suggest that 4.5 of the six cient treatment, therefore making CBD medication more Athletic Association (NCAA) adopted a
mice had died). This study had generated much attention from affordable. Expensive CBD products may also be pushing drug testing policy that included testing
the media, resulting in a distribution of flawed science especial- patients away and more towards unregulated products, which for cannabis, or as it was labeled at the
ly related to liver toxicity. Continued on page 30 time, marijuana. The policy stated that a
positive test would result in one full year
suspension from athletic eligibility and
Cannabis Spotlight the suspension would follow a student
athlete if he or she opted to transfer
schools. For a majority of the time, the
Jesse Channon ments; Forage, the industry’s first cannabis threshold for a positive test was 5
CHIEF GROWTH OFFICER product discovery tool which will be coming nanograms per milliliter. In June of
2019, the THC threshold used for NCAA
to Florida soon; and the CNC card, the
OF COLUMBIA CARE industry’s first credit card. drug testing was increased from 15 to 35
nanograms per milliliter, and the penalty
What benefits do you see for patients What field are you in within the for a positive test was adjusted to a 6-
throughout Florida within this space? cannabis space? month suspension, or essentially 50% of
The cannabis industry is evolving really quick- In my role, I lead teams focusing on digital participation. The increased threshold
ly. It’s a great time for patients to start exploring capabilities, dispensary growth and corpo- was supported by “wanting to be fair
the power of the plant and all its various forms, rate branding, as well as launching new and to eliminate penalizing students
whether they are actively medicating or just technologies and product commercialization who test positive as the result of passive
starting to learn more. I think one of the great initiatives. inhalation of smoke.”
things about the Florida market is how accessible The official banned language states:
medical cannabis is to patients. We have 14 dis- How can people in Florida benefit Cannabinoids - Marijuana, Synthetic
pensaries across the state that serve a growing Jesse Channon from the company you represent? cannabinoids (Spice; K2; JWH-018;
number of patients. The days of transactional dispensaries are JWH-073), Tetrahydrocannabinol
over. Our new retail brand, Cannabist, which all of our Florida (THC). According to the NCAA Drug-
What motivates you to be a part Columbia Care dispensaries will be converting to by the end of Testing Program 2020-2021 all cannabi-
of the cannabis Industry? this year, was designed to elevate the patient journey by inspir- noids are banned with no allowed med-
The pace of growth of this industry keeps me excited. There ing, informing, and providing quality products to consumers ical exception request. The language fur-
is so much opportunity for innovation at every single level, of all experience levels. We believe Cannabist will set the tone ther reads as follows: “Cannabinoids
and I love being part of teams that bring those ideas to fruition. as the new industry standard and make sure the cannabis com- include cannabis and cannabidiol
I was thrilled to bring my tech background and apply it to an munity feels supported and engaged every time they walk (CBD). Cannabis use is linked to anxi-
emerging industry where some of these advancements didn’t through our doors. ety, panic reactions, respiratory damage,
exist including our Virtual.Care platform for virtual appoint-
Continued on page 31 Continued on page 35