Legalizing Medical Marijuana in San Diego Helps Tax Revenue

A projection of sales tax revenue from legalizing marijuana in California is over half a billion annually. San Diego County did not have a legally licensed way to purchase medical marijuana until July 1^st, 2014 when Outliers Collective (OUTCO) opened for business in El Cajon. Legal licensing allows patients to receive safe and tested medicine adhering to zoning laws and permits with tax collection to give back to the community.

Californians benefit from state and local funds for the success of their community. Seventy percent of tax revenue goes back to local use. 50% goes to education, 30% going to health and human services and 10% going to law enforcement and corrections.

Since 1980 has increased 1400% or four times the increased rate of other spending by the state government.(Source) One important addition to legalization of marijuana would include a savings in millions of dollars by a reduction in law enforcement for possession crimes. (Source) California stands to also save millions on reduced drug enforcement for small drug possession crimes with a yes vote on Proposition 47 that will be voted on November 4, 2014.(Source) Crime rates of theft have reduced by 5% in Colorado since the inception of legalization of recreational marijuana.(Source) Legally licensed dispensaries increase visibility of the establishment and reduces hidden shops that can lead to crime and unsafe conditions.

Legalizing marijuana sales offers numerous jobs to the community. Since Colorado's recreational marijuana legalization, 10,000 jobs were added and they enjoy the lowest unemployment rate since the beginning of the recession, 6%.(Source) Marijuana employees payroll tax deductions will bring in an additional revenue to the state. Additional contracted people will be hired like architects, construction and many other industries will benefit from the added growth and building needed for this growing industry.

Source:

http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/cities/economics/how-much-money-states-make-marijuana-legalization/

http://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_47,_Reduced_Penalties_for_Some_Crimes_Initiative_%282014%29

http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2011/110728_Where_Do_State_Tax_Dollars_Go_pb.pdf

http://www.businessinsider.com/r-pot-shops-buzz-crime-eases-as-colorado-law-marks-6-months-2014-03

http://www.hightimes.com/read/colorado-legal-pot-sales-creates-thousands-new-jobs

Steve McWilliams and the Access to Medical Marijuana in San Diego

On November 5^th, 1996 Proposition 215 was passed that made it legal to use marijuana for medical use. San Diego and San Bernardino Counties refused to uphold this law until they were forced to in 2009. The Supreme Court of California on May 19^th in 2009 refused to prosecute medical marijuana users in San Diego and San Bernardino Counties. It took 7 years after Prop 215 to establish rules and regulations for medical marijuana use with California Senate Bill 420.(Source)

In 1997 Steve McWilliams who himself suffered with pain from multiple car crashes helped establish San Diego Cannabis Caregivers Club (SDCCC) in Ocean Beach, part of greater San Diego. They grew marijuana on the premisis as well as Valley Center giving access to marijuana to patients. In January 1998 Steve McWilliams was arrested for possesion but was released because of lack of information. Steve was transporting a plant to another patient when he got stopped at the border checkpoint, searched and was arrested.(Source) Steve McWilliams stated to the police that Proposition 215 was unclear to how to possess it for medicinal use. (Source) (Source)

On October 11, 2002 was arrested by the DEA for growing 6 marijuana plants, and he pled guilty to growing 25 plants. Charges were combined with a federal raid in 1999 on Shelter from the Storm Cannabis Collective that he helped organize where he was facing a minimum of a 5 year minimum prison sentence.(Source) This led to a plea deal and prison sentence for 6 months on April 28, 2003, which he was released on bail and ordered to not use marijuana. (Source) On July 11, 2005 Steve McWilliams committed Suicide on his 51^st birthday. His suicide note stated:

"This was my last chance to help the medical marijuana movement and others that I care about," he further wrote "That's what so much of this has been about -- my right to use a medicine that worked for me." Steve McWilliams also mentioned displeasure with the opioid medication he was forced to use after the judge made the ruling that he could not use marijuana.

McWilliams was an advocate for medical marijuana and was a constantly attending the San Diego City Council Meetings. Council Member Toni Atkins said after McWilliams suicide, “a tenacious and relentless force to be reckoned with” and “public comment at out City Council meetings will never be the same without his smiling face and cannabis leis.”(Source)

Outliers Collective (OUTCO.COM), the only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary in San Diego, is one more step in the access to medical marijuana that Steve McWilliams desired for him and his community.

Source:

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/marijuana-pot-legal-timeline-san-diego-california-medical-prop-215-206301351.html

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle-old/395/mcwilliams.shtml

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle-old/396/steveremembered.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_215_%281996%29

http://ogdeliveries.org/marijuana-defendant-not-guilty-building-a-bridge-for-cannabis-rights/

http://www.marijuanalibrary.org/981008.html

http://www.unitedstatesvmarijuana.com/court-cases/unitedstatesvstevemcwilliams

http://cannabisnews.com/news/14/thread14553.shtml

Cannabis Effecting Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

The case of the “Munchies” would lead one to think that it leads to obesity, but in fact on average it reduces obesity by one third.(Source) Though the caloric intake may be more caused with the munchies, cannabis reacts with the metabolization of carbohydrates and regulation of insulin to reduce obesity and type 2 diabetes.

"The most important finding is that current users of marijuana appeared to have better carbohydrate metabolism than nonusers," says Murray Mittleman, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. "Their fasting insulin levels were lower, and they appeared to be less resistant to the insulin produced by their body to maintain a normal blood-sugar level."

Fasting insulin levels from the study were sixteen percent lower and 17% lower in insulin resistance. These two factors are increased with type II diabetes. (Source)

Research has yet to understand why this is occurring and some theories that haven't been proven have been offered:

• Marijuana is a replacement for food for some users
• Other active parts of the cannabis plant like cannabidiol may interact with the brain receptors to help manage the metabolism and regulate eating.
• Regular use of cannabis may dull the receptors and have them not react too strong to wanting to increase appetite over time.

One drug that has been taken off the market because of the side effects of causing increased suicide may offer an answer to the reason why the appetite is controlled through cannabis. The drug Rimonabant used as a weight loss drug targeted the same brain receptor (CB1) that cannabis does. It's effect made a lower drop in fasting insulin levels by lowering the receptors signaling. (Source)

Source:

http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/08/24/aje.kwr200.abstract?__hstc=9292970.2e518383c30fe9090ca33584378a6435.1409929942141.1411273921013.1411401471685.9&__hssc=9292970.1.1411401471685&__hsfp=210472818

http://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343%2813%2900200-3/abstract

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/23/health/time-marijuana-diabetes/index.html?__hstc=9292970.2e518383c30fe9090ca33584378a6435.1409929942141.1411273921013.1411401471685.9&__hssc=9292970.1.1411401471685&__hsfp=210472818

The Reason Behind Cannabis and the Munchies

For chemotherapy patients struggling to increase their appetite, marijuana can increase their desire to eat being beneficial. Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC which is the psychoactive part of cannabis has been found to be the factor to increasing appetite. There are a couple studies that show different reasons on why marijuana increases the “munchies”, and it may be a combination of the various factors.

Two studies showed that an increase in hedonic, or pleasurable taste, rather than a motivation to eat was increased with the use of cannabis. With exposure to taste and scent, dopamine is released with encourages the appetite for the food. Once THC is in the blood stream, it has been found to increase dopamine levels.(Source) and (Source)

In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences a research group led by Daniele Piomelli found that marijuana triggers the CB1 receptors in the gut, not the brain, to signal that a fatty food has been ingested. The saying of “You just can't eat one Lay Potato Chip” is correct in that when a fatty food is eaten, intestinal CB1 receptors send a message to the brain to stimulate the creation of endocannabinoids creating a chemical response of hunger increasing your appetite for fatty foods. (Source)

Another study shows how endocannabinoids are responsible for pre and post natal survival. Endocannabinoids are present in cow's milk, soft cheese and breast milk. The research showed that the cannabinoid receptors are stimulated by the cannabinoids in milk to encourage suckling leading to newborn survival. This response may hold a connection in later life to the encouragement of eating.(Source)

Another study showed the THC released the hormone ghrelin, which increases appetite. Both endocabbinoids and ghrelin effect the hypothalamus part of the brain. AMP-activated protein kinase, or AMPK helps regulate cell energy metabolism. THC and ghrelin increase appetite by stimulating the AMPK to allow the hypothalamus sense of food deprivation thereby increasing hunger.(Source)

Recently in February 2014 a study was published in Nature Neuroscience studied the increase in smell with cannabis. The study used the underlying basis that hunger leads to an increase in sensory perception which leads to an increase in food intake. The results in the study with mice showed that odor detection was increased with cannabis due to CB1 receptors affecting the olfactory bulb enhancing the sense of smell. This increased awareness to smell gives in turn the increase to hunger. The mice stayed longer smelling the food and ate more.(Source)

Cannabis and Obesity

Though the study finding show that caloric intake from marijuana goes up with the urge to eat, another study two studies show that marijuana users are one third less likely to be obese and have a lower rate of Type 2 Diabetes.(Source) Read more on this by clicking this link.

Source:

http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v17/n3/full/nn.3647.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705914/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16185725

http://www.jbc.org/content/280/26/25196.full

http://www.pnas.org/content/108/31/12904

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299904007423

http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/08/24/aje.kwr200.abstract?__hstc=9292970.2e518383c30fe9090ca33584378a6435.1409929942141.1411273921013.1411401471685.9&__hssc=9292970.1.1411401471685&__hsfp=210472818

Who is Jack Herer

Many patients know of the popular sativa dominant strain Jack Herer, which namesake comes from the legendary activist Jack Herer. Known as the “Emperor of Hemp” he was a well known activist in the efforts to decriminalize cannabis. He is well known as the author of The Emporer Wears No Clothes, and was founder and served as director of Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP). Jack Herer made his presence at numerous Cannabis conventions, rallies and festivals, speaking to crowds and manning booths.(Source) He ran for the United States Presidency in 1988 and 1992 representing the Grassroots Party. (Source)

The Emperor Wears No Clothes

Supported by H.E.M.P America, Hanf Haus, the Texas Hemp Campaign, and Sensei Seeds offers $100,000 to anyone who can disprove the conclusions that the book The Emperor Wears No Clothes claims first published in 1985. Author Jack Herer claims that:

“If all fossil fuels and their derivatives, as well as trees for paper and construction were banned in order to save the planet, reverse the Greenhouse Effect and stop deforestation is only one known annually renewable natural resource that is capable of providing the overall majority of the world's paper and textiles; meet all of the world's transportation, industrial and home energy needs, while simultaneously reducing pollution, rebuilding the soil, and cleaning the atmosphere all at the same time... and that substance is -- the same one that did it all before -- Cannabis Hemp... Marijuana!”(Source)

Dr. Hayo M.G. Van der Werf criticizes the book in that hemp is not as exceptional as a high yield as other plants like corn, the production amounts can't be as large as explained in the book because it is not cost effective to transport it a long way and cellulose content of hemp % is wrong in the book.(Source)

The title of the book is an allegory of cannabis prohibition to The Emperor's New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen.(Source)

Famous Quotes From Jack Herer

Jack Herer as an activist for cannabis has a lot of poignant quotes to offer for the acceptance of cannabis in our society:

“If you substitute marijuana for tobacco and alcohol, you'l add eight to 24 years to your life.”

“Growing hemp as nature designed it is vital to our urgent need to reduce greenhouse gases and ensure the survival of our planet.”

“But you can count the dead bodies from alcohol, tobacco, and legal pharmaceuticals by the millions.”

“I don't want to wait 20 or 50 years for something to be done about petrochemical pollution.”

“The only dead bodies from marijuana are in the prisons and at the hands of the police. This is ridiculous.”

“Well, as I understand it, the main supporters are beer companies and the pharmaceutical companies. I'd like them to show me the dead bodies from marijuana. But they can't because there aren't any.”

“You see, the Greenhouse Effect is a direct result of burning fossil or old carbon fuels.”

“Rag paper, containing hemp fiber, is the highest quality and the longest lasting paper ever made. It can be torn when wet, but returns to full strength when dry.”

“Many artists and writers have used cannabis for creative stimulation – from the writers of the world's religious masterpieces to our most irreverent satirists.”

(Source)

“I don't know if hemp's gonna save the world, but I'll tell you this... it's the only thing that can.”(Hemp Industries Association HIA)

“Hemp will be the future of all mankind, or there won't be a future.”

(Source)

“Be a Warrior For Your Freedom.”(http://marijuanamemes.com/923/jack-herer-warrior-quote)

Jack Herer in His Later Years

Jack Herer in 2000 suffered a heart attack that led to speaking and movement problems on the right side of his body. In 2009 suffered another heart attack that he was unable to recover fully from leading to his death leading to his death 7 months later on April 15, 2010, he was 70.(Source)

Source

http://www.hightimes.com/read/jack-herer-legend-photos

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Herer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emperor_Wears_No_Clothes

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/jack_herer.html

http://hemp.org/news/content/cannabis-quotes

http://marijuanamemes.com/923/jack-herer-warrior-quote

Cannabis and PTSD

OUTCO offers medical cannabis to PTSD sufferers in San Diego.  Research studies has shown that it is an effective treatment because of the way marijuana relates to the brain activity.

What Is PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD can develop after a trauma that can cause flashbacks, memory loss of the event, anxiety or hyper-arousal for over a month. Common traumatic events could be war, injury, sexual assault, threats or witness to a traumatic event. Women are more likely to get PTSD and children under the age of 10 rarely experience it. (Source)

Correlation of PTSD and Marijuana Use

An increased tendency to use in marijuana occurs with PTSD sufferers than the general public. A study showed that with teen and young adults, PTSD contributed to the use of cannabis more than peer pressure or other factors.(Source) Another study with 5,672 adults showed that the relation to PTSD symptoms and the use of cannabis were directly correlated. (Source)

PTSD, Cannabis and the CB1 Brain Receptor

Defective CB1 receptor signaling in the brain appear to be the cause of memories to not diminish in impact over time. Studies with animals have shown that this malfunction in the receptor due to trauma can cause anxiety, fear and depression symptoms leading to insomnia, isolation and other effects.(Source) Research has shown that enhancing cannabinoids receptors in the brain reduce the anxiety and fear symptoms in animals.(Source)

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis show a relation in allowing the CB1 and CB2 receptors to work by inhibiting the enzyme fatty acid amide hydroxylase (“FAAH”) from destroying the endogenous cannabinoid neurotransmitter, Anandamide. Anandamide is based off of a sanskrit word meaning joy, bliss and delight and has been known at low levels to decrease pleasure and motivation. (Source)

OUTCO is the only licensed marijuana dispensary in San Diego to aid PTSD sufferers with Cannabis treatment. Cannabidiol CBD offers treatment without the psychoactive effects of THC. We offer free delivery and medicine at affordable prices for patients. Look for our future blog on how the Veteran community is helped by OUTCO in San Diego.

Source

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posttraumatic_stress_disorder

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460309002366

http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/adb/25/3/554/

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/da.22031/abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15637635

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anandamide

The Different Types of Concentrates

The concentrates for cannabis are growing in popularity with it outselling the traditional buds in retail lately. Much of this change is in the popularity of Vape Pens and different forms of using marijuana such as edibles. Concentrates are just like the name refers to, a concentrated form of the cannabinoids in the buds to give a higher concentration of THC and or CBD. Here are some different forms of concentrates.

Hash

The oldest form of concentrate, and probably the least potent. Hash is made by collecting the plants resin, or kief and pressing it together. Ice water or ethanol sometimes is used to effectively collect the crystals better to make a higher concentration of the cannabinoids, stripping away the non-desirable materials of the plant.(Source)

Butane Hash Oil (BHO)

Very dangerous way of making concentrate in the fact that butane is highly flammable. (Source) BHO creates a very potent form used for vaporizors or dabbing. The result of heating to extract the cannabinoids leaves a sticky “wax” wax or a solid “shatter” with a high concentration of THC. BHO when tested shows traces of butane and therefore is not the healthiest way to ingest cannabis. (Source)

CO2 Oil

CO2 Vape Juice

The newer, less dangerous, less toxic and best way of preserving terpenes and other healthy flavors and cannabinoids is CO2 extraction. The process is more expensive to get a botanical extractor that uses pressure and carbon dioxide to extract the benefits of the plant into a concentrate. This method is used for vapor pens. (Source)

Rick Simpson Oil (RSO)

A cancer patient in 2003 named Rick Simpson made a concentrate from hemp by soaking the cannabis in naphtha or isopropyl alcohol. The THC and CBD are extracted to make a tar like liquid when the solvent evaporated. RSO, or also known as Phoenix Tears can be applied directly to the skin like a salve. Some companies now produce this concentrate and to have more THC or more CBD.(Source)

Tinctures

Cannabidiol CBD Tincture

Tinctures, were popular before the prohibition of 1937. This method is done soaking the buds, leaves and stems in ethyl alcohol extraction to get the beneficial cannabinoids extracted out. The usual way of administering this is a couple of drops under the tongue.(Source)

Source:

http://www.leafly.com/knowledge-center/cannabis-101/the-great-wide-world-of-cannabis-concentrates

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Undercover-Operation-Shattered-Dreams-Busts-Hash-Oil-Labs--275552071.html

http://phoenixtears.ca/articles/solvent-residue-in-the-oil/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tincture_of_Cannabis

New E Cigarette and Vape Pen Regulations in San Diego

On September 16^th, 2014, the City Council of San Diego addressed Agenda Item 50 that with approval categorizes E-Cigarettes to adopt the same rules and restrictions as tobacco products. This would include vape pens, and vaping juices. On July 28^th, 2014 the ordinance was introduce and approved by a 9-0 vote by the council. (Source) The Council has not come to a conclusion yet for the September 16^th meeting. (Source) Many of the laws created for smoking traditional cigarettes are to protect the community from second hand smoke. E-Cigarettes do not have second hand smoke.

If the ordinance goes through, here is a rundown of the laws right now for traditional tobacco products that would effect e-cigarettes.

State laws currently hold the following regulations:

• No smoking in private cars with children under 18
• No smoking in workplaces that are inclosed
• No smoking within 20 feet of a public entryway
• No smoking in Tot Lots and Playgrounds within 25 feet of play structures.
• No smoking in Daycare areas, including private homes
  (Source)

San Diego Local Laws for tobacco products are the following:

• No smoking Dining Patios in Restaurants. (Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, National City, Solana Beach)
• No smoking in multi unit housing common area (El Cajon)
• No smoking on sidewalks (El Cajon, Del Mar)
• No smoking in parks or beaches (19 different cities within San Diego, including San Diego)
• Retail stores must be licensed and pay a permit fee ( El Cajon, San Diego, Solana Beach, Vista)
• No smoking in transit systems (MTS and North County Transit District)
  (Source)

Source:

http://thevapingmilitia.org/local-alert-san-diego-city-ca-public-usage-ban-treats-vaping-the-same-as-smoking/

http://www.smokefreesandiego.org/l

http://reason.com/archives/2014/08/08/e-cig-vote-reveals-a-ban-happy-mindset

The Origins of the Cannabis Names

Cannabis

Cannabis the name comes from an ancient Iranian language called Scythian or North of Greece Language called Thracian. The Greeks used this influence to call it κάνναβις (kánnabis), and Perian language kanab. In 1548, the Oxford English Dictionary defines Cannabis as "common hemp, Cannabis sativa". In 1848 it defines the parts of the plant to be smoked, chewed, or drunk for their intoxicating or hallucinogenic properties". In 440 BC in the Herodotus literature known as The Histories an exerpt states "The Scythians, as I said, take some of this hemp-seed [presumably, flowers], and, creeping under the felt coverings, throw it upon the red-hot stones; immediately it smokes, and gives out such a vapour as no Grecian vapour-bath can exceed; the Scyths, delighted, shout for joy." (Source)

Hemp

Hemp comes from the 13^th century Anglo-French word canevaz or Old French Canvas. Originating from the the word cannabis, canvas is a woven fabric to make sails, tents and bags, using the cannabis plant fiber that became to be know an hemp.(Source)

Marijuana

Marijuana, first known as Marihuana is theorized to come from the ancient aztec language Nahuati, and then the word adopted by the Mexican Spanish language for the word Mallihuan, meaning "prisoner". The word marihuana was popularized by Harry J. Anslinger in the 1930s when he was campaigning against the drug. The first known usage was in Hubert Howe Bancroft's 1873 The Native Races of the Pacific States of North America.(Source) Harry Anslinger was the leader in creating the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 that put a tax on Cannabis, which many theorize as a way to help out the nylon and wood industry by limiting the production of hemp.(Source)

Many believe the word marijuana has a racial conotation to the name. Early on, cannabis was a drug that the poverty stricken influx of migrants from India and Mexico as well as the African Americans used. This led to the name marijuana taking on meaning of a drug for the lower class.

Other theories are out on how marijuana came to be a name for cannabis. Chinese immigrants from Mexico, cannabis plant in Chinese being (ma ren hua). In a certain Spanish dialect, Chinese Oregano is mejorana (chino). Angolan slaves brought to Brazil by Portuguese may have brought their word for cannabis, ma-kaña.(Source)

Ganja

From the ancient Indian Sanskrit grñja and further used in Hindi as gājā. The word that signifies the female personification of the Ganges River as a Goddess, known for growing Indica Cannabis naturally on it's shoreline. The Hindu's regard the use of cannabis as a sacred practice.

The word is first known to be used in 1680, probably brought from over from trading with India. In Jamaica, the word ganja is widely used, first known to be used in the 1840's, thought to be brought over by British Imperialists. Ganja in the Jamaican culture is a term for cannabis-as-sacrament for the Rastafarian faith.(Source)

Pot

This is an abreviation of the Mexican Spanish drink potación de guaya where brandy or wine is heated with canabis buds for a drink that is translated to “drink of grief”. The name came into use in the US around 1935-1940.(Source)

Source

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_%28etymology%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canvas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marijuana_%28word%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marihuana_Tax_Act_of_1937

http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2013/07/14/201981025/the-mysterious-history-of-marijuana

http://sensiseeds.com/en/blog/cannabis-dictionary/ganja/

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pots

University of Mississippi is the Only Government Funded Marijuana Farm

The University of Mississippi and the Only Government Funded Marijuana Farm

That's right, a schedule 1 drug funded by the government of the United States for research on treatment. This isn't the only sign that the government knows of the benefit, having a patent of it's own for Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants. (Source)

A grant from National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) have given Ole Miss an opportunity to grow marijuana for HHS approved studies. These studies are conducted around the country for the purpose of finding beneficial and harmful effects and the chemical components of cannabis.

“Developing new drugs and delivery systems, as well as a better understanding of the pharmacology and toxicology of marijuana, is dependent upon a reliable and consistent source of high-quality, research-grade Cannabis, ” said Dr. Mahmoud ElSohly, Marijuana Project director since 1980. “And that’s where we come in—we have a strong program that provides plant material to the research community.”

Ole' Miss has developed new medicines with cannabis, notably with the chemical compound tetrahydrocannabinol THC found in marijuana. The University of Mississippi states that this medicine treats chronic conditions such as nausea from chemotherapy, neuropathic pain and treatment of multiple sclerosis symptoms. UM has a patent and license that gives a pharmaceutical company a THC suppository that gives cancer patients medical marijuana without side effects that other medicine has.

Along with their own grow farm, the University of Mississippi acquires seized marijuana from the DEA and has established a way of fingerprinting the cannabis to trace back it's source. (Source) Elsohly has seen a steady increase in the potency of THC found in the cannabis seized from the DEA. “I was categorically told by the DEA, 'You cannot receive materials from a non-DEA registrant.'" said Elsohly. "I would very much like to be able to get some of the materials available in dispensaries, look at them, analyze them, compare them with everything else around”

Though the DEA and the NIH allow access to the cannabis for reasearch, it is extremely hard to get the approval. Orrin Devinsky, director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at NYU Langone Medical Center said “Physicians can't easily get at it — nor can their patients”.(Source)

Source

http://www.research.olemiss.edu/ChangeAgents/2009/FindingCuresForKillers

http://www.google.com/patents/US6630507

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-pot-monopoly-20140529-story.html#page=1

Benefits of Cannabis for Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is mental disability where the person has inappropriate thoughts, emotions, behavior feelings and actions causing an altered reality of delusions and hallucinations. (Source) Studies have found a theory that the human endogenous cannabinoid system is a major source of the causes of schizophrenia. (Source) The endogenous cannabinoid system is responsible in the brain to trigger signals relating to appetite, the feeling of pain, mood and memory as well as regulating phychoactive effects by cannabis from the most notable CB1, CB2 and Anandamide receptors of the nervous system (Source).

Studies have shown promising benefits of Marijuana to relieve Schizophrenia symptoms. Cannabis should not be a replacement for prescribed drugs for the condition without talking to your physician. The Drug Enforement Agency DEA has categorized cannabis as a schedule 1 drug, research for cannabis is lacking and conclusive evidence for benefits of Schizophrenia is still in progress.(Source) 

Here are a collection of studies regarding marijuana and Schizophrenia:

Markus Leweke of the University of Cologne in Germany conducted a study with 39 individuals with schizophrenia giving half cannabidiol (CBD) and the other half Amisulpride, an anti psychotic drug used for schizophrenia treatment. Cannabidiol is derived from the cannabis plant and is an antioxidant anti psycho-active part of the marijuana plant. The results showed that the symptoms equally went down for all subjects, with the people using cannabidiol (CBD) having less side effects. (Source)

Dr. Daniele Piomelli, professor of pharmacology at the University of California-Irvine has studied the anandamide receptors of the nervous system in the endogenous cannabinoid system. Dr. Piomellis theorizes with this study that cannabidiol CBD helps with schizophrenia by saying “What CBD seems to be doing is preventing anandamide from being destroyed”.(Source)

Raquel Levin and Fernanda F. Peres in Brazil did a study on mice with schizophrenia in which they gave Cannabidiol CBD to some mice and WIN55212,2 (synthetic cannabinoid agonist) to the other. Both were able to show positive results in improving sensory gating deficits. The results from the team were “Our results reinforce the role of the endocannabinoid system in the sensorimotor gating impairment related to schizophrenia, and point to cannabinoid drugs as potential therapeutic strategies.” (Source)

Future Studies

Currently, GW Pharmaceuticals is doing a study on their own GWP-42003 which is derived from cannabidiol CBD. They are doing the research in hopes of finding treatment with cannabis for schizophrenia. They have finished phase 1 and it shows promising results and they are now doing phase 2 (Source)

For medication to be introduced in the United States with cannabidiol CBD, it first needs to be FDA approved for study. The FDA has approved experimental use for CBD for the treatment of Dravet syndrome. Soon the FDA is set to allow it for clinical trials in showing safety and tolerability for CBD in children.(Source)

Source:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00628290

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9130308

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocannabinoid_system

http://www.thewire.com/politics/2014/06/its-hard-to-study-marijuanas-medical-benefits-when-its-illegal/373603/

http://healthland.time.com/2012/05/30/marijuana-compound-treats-schizophrenia-with-few-side-effects-clinical-trial/

http://www.leafscience.com/2014/03/18/drug-made-cannabis-treat-schizophrenia/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24567721

http://blog.norml.org/2013/12/16/study-cannabidiol-holds-promise-for-treating-psychosis/

Benefits of Cannabis for Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Disease is the disruption of the endocannabinoid receptors in the brain. Nerve cells that produce dopamine are destroyed making the brain to not function in processing messages or muscle function. (Source)

Some studies have shown that the use of Marijuana to relieve Parkinson symptoms can be effective, but physicians warn that it should not be a replacement for prescribed drugs for the condition. Since the Drug Enforement Agency DEA has deemed cannabis as a schedule 1 drug, approval for research into the benefits of cannabis is lacking and conclusive evidence for benefits of Parkinson's is still in progress.(Source) Here are a collection of studies regarding marijuana and Parkinson's Disease:

Movement Disorders Journal with research done by Katerina Venderova in 2004 located in Prague did a study on Parkinson's patients and the results are as follows:

• 45.9% of patients showed mild to major treatment of parkinson's symptoms
• 30.6% showed treatment for rest tremors
• 44.7% showed treatment for bradykinesia ( slowness in movement caused by weakness, tremor or feeling of rigidity).
• 37.7% improvement in muscle rigidity
• 14.1% treatment in L-dopa-induced dyskinesias (disruption in brain signals of movement).
• 4% complained of cannabis worsening symptoms.
• Use of Cannabis for 3 months or more had significant improvement in Parkinson's symptoms

This study was done on less than a 100 patients and the conclusions are that more research needs to be done on a wider population for more concrete findings. (Source)

A theory but not studied enough is that marijuana could benefit Parkinson's Disease since the effects of Parkinson's symptoms are concentrated in the basal ganglia of the brain, which are packed with cannabinoid (THC) receptors that Cannabis main function relates to. (Cb1and Cb2 receptors)(Source)

To ad to the brain function, The British Journal of Pharmacology had a study that showed the following: “Given its antioxidant properties and its ability to activate CB₂ but to block CB₁ receptors, Δ⁹-THCV has a promising pharmacological profile for delaying disease progression in PD and also for ameliorating parkinsonian symptoms.” (Source)

One symptom that Parkinson's Disease has is REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). The patients studied using Cannabis (CBD) the non psycho-active component of cannabis showed significant improvement. (Source)

OUTCO is San Diego's only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary offering FREE Delivery and Accepting Debit Cards.

Source:

http://www.parkinson.org/getdoc/6ffea1eb-3439-4e0c-b45e-5da1dc8d7537/default

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24845114

http://www.denverrelief.com/blog/conditions-treated-by-cannabis/parkinsons-disease-and-cannabis-marijuana-therapy/

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01278.x/abstract

http://www.thewire.com/politics/2014/06/its-hard-to-study-marijuanas-medical-benefits-when-its-illegal/373603/

Explaination and Definitions for Marijuana or Cannabis

Shopping Terms for Marijuana

Antioxidant – Cannabis contains antioxidants that slow the oxidation degeneration of cells in the body.

Bong – also known as a water pipe makes weed smoke with water for a vapor.

Blunt – Rolling weed inside a cigar paper

Brick Weed – Usually low quality. Compacting weed into bricks for transport.

Magic Brownies – Brownies made with Cannabutter or Oil

Bubble Hash – Hash that is extracted with water. Safer than most because it doesn't use chemicals or butane.

Budder – Heating BHO at a high temperature. Very potent

Cannabidiol CBD – Antioxidant in cannabis that is not psycho-active and has been shown in studies to help nervous system and reduce tumors.

Cannabutter or Oil – putting THC or CBD in oil or butter to make it an edible medium.

Cherry – The amount of weed in a roll, the wider, the fatter the cherry is.

Chillum – A cylindar with a screen you stuff weed in and smoke from, very simple form.

Clone – Using a Cutting of a plant to grow a genetically identical plant.

Concentrate – Extract made from THC or CBD to make another form such as Hash, Hash Oil, BHO, Budder, Wax, Cannabutter/oil, Bubble Hash, Vape Juice, Tincture, Serum.

Coner – A method of rolling a joint, where the paper is smaller at one end for the mouthpiece.

Cronic – A high grade of weed.

Dabs – smoking concentrate in a bong or oil rig with an attachment.

Dime-Ten = $10 of weed, usually under a gram in size

Dome – Glass piece that fits over a hash nail to smoke concentrate

Dub-Twenty - $20 of weed, usually slightly over a gram.

Eighth – 3.5 grams of weed

Female – All cannabis plants that are harvested, it has 2 pistils on branches 2 weeks into the flowering cycle.

Finger or Scissor Hash – fingers rubbing or scissors from cutting the buds collecting the sticky resins on trichomes to make hashish.

Frost – White Trichomes on the plant that shows which is the THC from the plant.

Ghost or Gutterbomb – a way of smoking where you suck back in the smoke.

Grinder – a device to grind up weed. 

Green Dragon - An alcoholic drink made by leaching buds, stems  and leaves in a high proof clear alcohol.

Hairs – dried out pistels, white is a premature plant, orange or red is mature and purple is a mutation.

Half Ounce – 14 Grams

Hash – Concentrated form of Cannabis

Hash Nail – Smoking hash from a screw or nail. Heat the concentrate on the tip of the nail, and inhale the smoke.

Hermaphrodite – A cannabis plant showing traits of other genders. Male will grow pistils, Female will grow seeds.

Hybrid – Pollinating one strain with another. A lot of times it is a mix of Sativa and Indica Strains.

Hydroponics – plants grown in nutrient water rather than soil.

Indica – Shorter, fuller plants where the feeling is a relaxation body high known for helping insomnia and pain.

Joint – rolling weed with a paper.

Krippy – middle to high grade cannabis

Kush – a popular west coast variety of indica strain from the hindu kush mountains in India.

Male – The male plant does not flower but creates seeds

Mothers – Main plants used to take cuts from to create clones.

Munchies – An effect from using marijuana is having hunger.

Neuroprotectant – Protecting the nervous system structure and function. Cannabis has been proven in studies to be a neuroprotectant.

Ounce – 28 grams, usually the largest price given for each strain.

Patent – The US government has patent ( US6630507 B1 ) that shows cannabis to be an antioxidant and a neuroprotectant, having medicinal properties.

Percolator – the bubbling of a bong that cools down the smoke and gives a steady flow.

Pistils – hairs on the flower bud that collect pollen.

Pre-roll – a joint that is rolled ahead of time.

Purple color – purple leaves from a lower temperature in the growing room

Quarter – Qtr of an Ounce, or 7 grams

Regs – Low Grade Marijuana

Ruderalis – grown in cold climates like a weed. Low THC, high in CBD, usually a foot in height.

Sativa – tall and thin plant with effects of a head high known to help with creativity, depresion and energy.

Schedule 1 Drug – The US government has labelled marijuana as a schedule 1 drug, by definition this means it is a dangerous with a high rate of abuse, having no medical use. See Patent for how this is contradictory.

Shake – Loose leaves that fall off that generally are used to make joints.

Shatter – Concentrate made from butane hash oil that maintains terpenes for maximum flavor.

Shotgun – Blowing smoke into another persons mouth.

Skillet – a metal attachment to a bong to put concentrate on and heat it

Spliff – is a joint, sometimes with tobacco mixed in.

Stoner – A person that is a regular user of marijuana

Strains – Types of Cannabis that have similar properties

Terpenes – The flavor and smell of cannabis that contributes to the differences in strains and their effects.

THC – Tetrahydrocannabinol is the phycho active part of cannabis that gives the high.

Trichomes – the fine growth that contain the CBD and THC on the plant.

Vape Juice – Concentrate that is made with CO2 and dissolved in it's own terpenes. Usually smoked with a Vape Pen

Vape Pen – A device that is also known as a e-cigarette that heats the concentrate so it can be smoked without smell, smoke and is very discreet.

Vaporizer – heats marijuana to 350 degrees to release the medicinal properties. Into a vapor to smoke.

Wax – Concentrate that has appearance of wax used for dabbing.  Also known as BHO, Butane hash oil or butane honey oil. 

Winterized Shatter – Shatter that doesn't have plant wax or lipids having a higher potency.

OUTCO is San Diego's only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary offering FREE Delivery and Accepting Debit Cards.

E-Cigarettes and Vape Pens Have Brought Marijuana Into the Light

 

The Origins come from Nicotine

A bong, joint or pipe is a telltale sign of marijuana, and in public that brings a societal frown. A Vape Pen, or originally called an e-cigarette was invented in Beijing China in 2003 by Hon Lik, a pharmacist that had his chain smoking father die of lung cancer, and he too being a smoker of cigarettes. E-cigarettes have had an uphill battle for being accepted as an acceptable method of smoking with many bans of sale in multiple countries, including fines and imprisonment and FDA bans.

Ruyan, Health New Zealand in 2008 did a research study that concluded that for e-cigarettes the toxins and carcinogens are below harmful levels, 100 – 1000x less harmful than smoking tobacco cigarettes. Bans were imposed for the purpose that the liquids formulas had propylene glycol and diethylene glycol, however research showed the 9 toxins in e-cigarettes as opposed to 1000 toxins in a regular cigarette. Non-smoking activists voice concerns that e-cigarettes will be a gateway to the tobacco industry, where as much effort has been put in effect a stop to the popularity of smoking.

Vape Pens in the Marijuana Community

While e-cigarettes are getting flogged in the legislation and headlines, the marijuana community is booming in the vape pen industry. Vape pens are discreet, and are seen in public for they don't advertise what the person is smoking with the absence of fire, smoke and smell. Vape pens use a marijuana concentrate made from the plant which is in the form of a yellow resin liquid. Right now there is not a ban on any state for vape pens, however California is considering a ban on concentrates.

Whoopie Goldberg did an interview for The Cannabist in where she talked about the benefits of the vape pen for medical marijuana. She tells of how easy it is to use for non-smokers and how the amount of “sips” can regulate the amount of drug she needs. She was able to get off of other pain medication and regulate for headache pain from glaucoma in a natural and safe way with cannabis.

Concerns are legitimate as the concentration can be very high, and one inhalation can give someone a mind altering effect. With the ability of the vape pen to be discreet in daily life, a concern for parents and employers may not be able to know if their kids or workers are under the influence.

With the growing popularity of vape pen, the demand for concentrates have gone up and buds or flowers have gone down. The concentrate can be designed for the specific need of the patient for an amount of THC, or for CBD, which is not psycho-active and has antioxidant properties.

OUTCO offers concentrates or vape juice for sale, and is San Diego's only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary offering FREE Delivery and Accepting Debit Cards.

Source:

http://cannabis/2014/04/17/whoopee-vape-pen-love-story-column/9571/

http://Casanova/E-cigarette_History.html

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/04/18/302992602/pot-smoke-and-mirrors-vaporizer-pens-hide-marijuana-use

Free Delivery at Outco.com

Free Marijuana Delivery San Diego

Enjoy Free Delivery at OUTCO when you purchase $40 or more of product. We offer delivery a 25 mile radius from El Cajon.  Call us at 619-448-4420 or simply go to OUTCO and order online.  We are San Diego's only legally licensed Marijuana Dispensary that offers quality at affordable prices with a retail store and accepting Debit Cards.