An Explanation of the Effects of the CB1 and CB2 Receptors

Cannabis has been found to have a direct effect on the cannabinoid receptors system in the brain. These receptors have a direct relation to appetite, pain-sensation, memory and mood. As the largest receptors in the body, they are influenced by ligands, endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids like cannabis echinacea purpura, and synthetic cannabinoids. Cannabis as well as the endocannabinoids are fat-soluble, or lipophilic. The two known cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2.(Source)

Plants create cannabinoids to help their homeostasis as a plant, having antioxidant properties to protect from UV rays which in turn helps the plant from disease. In animals, antioxidants help to protect as well from UV rays and free radical damage that can result in cancer and disease.(Source)

Interestingly, the marijuana plant also uses THC and other cannabinoids to promote its own health and prevent disease. Cannabinoids have antioxidant properties that protect the leaves and flowering structures from ultraviolet radiation - cannabinoids neutralize the harmful free radicals generated by UV rays, protecting the cells. In humans, free radicals cause aging, cancer, and impaired healing. Antioxidants found in plants have long been promoted as natural supplements to prevent free radical harm.

Cannabinoid receptors effect the G protein coupled receptor family, which are the cause of many diseases, 40% of all modern medicinal drugs target the G protein receptors.(source) The goal of the endocannabinoid system in the body is to maintain homeostatis, or an internal stable environment in the body. (Source)

Important Functions of the Cannabinoid System

There are many important and diverse functions to keep the body in a constant homeostasis. Here are a couple examples:

1. The cannabinoid system deals with autophagy, where a cell self-digests and recycles itself. This process keeps healthy cells healthy and also rids the body of malignant tumor cells having them consume themselves in a cellular suicide.
2. The cannabinoid system reduces pain to injuries. The injured tissue sends activators and sensitizer signals to stop excessive nerve cell firing, calming the sensation and the immune cells to not have them cause an excessive inflammation.
3. The cannabinoid system effects human behavior and mood. The receptors trigger a neuronal placticity, allowing for the brain to be open-minded and able to move beyond common patterns of thought to allow for creativity and aid in social interaction.

CB1 Receptor

CB1 receptors are in the central nervous system of the brain, lungs, liver and kidneys. They are the biggest group of G-coupled receptors in the brain. Cannabinoids effect a reduction of the GABA mediated neurotransmission, which results in an increase of neuron excitability.(Source) They effect memory processing, pain regulation and motor control. (Source)

CB 2 Receptor

CB2 receptors are in the immune system and hematopoietic cells (Blood cells that help create other blood cells found in red bone marrow), white blood cells, tonsils and spleen. This receptor effects the relief of pain, and more research is showing that it effects smooth muscle, fibroblasts and others. The main function of the CB2 receptor is the regulation of cytokine release, which research is looking into the benefit of anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer treatments. (Source) Cytokines signal cells to communicate in immune responses to inflammation, infection and trauma.(Source)

Source:

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

http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/mdd/v07/i11/html/1104feature_filmore.html

http://norml.org/library/item/introduction-to-the-endocannabinoid-system

http://www.news-medical.net/health/Cannabinoid-Receptors.aspx

http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-are-Cytokines.aspx

Different Ways of Consuming Cannabis

Depending on your lifestyle, medical need and preference there are many ways to consume cannabis. Patients may find for their specific need that a certain way is better than another. OUTCO in San Diego has a knowledgeable staff that can help you choose the method based on other patients experience.

Smoking Cannabis

Smoking is the oldest form of consuming marijuana by using the dried flowers, hash and kief ( compressed resin glands, more potent than flowers ). Smoking by joint, pipe, water pipe or bong are the methods of smoking cannabis. Depending on the amount and potency the effects last form 2-4 hours.

A study from study sponsored by California NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) and MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) smoking an unfiltered joint or a pipe was more healthy than a water pipe. The reasoning was that more of the psycho active drug was filtered out than other tars, making one have to smoke more to reach the desired high.

The water pipe resulted in 30% more tar than an unfiltered joint. A filtered cigarette performed 30% less effective at delivering the medicine. Researchers suggest that the cannabinoids being sticky do not get through the filter. A pipe with an electric mixer performed the worst.

High potency can allow the patients to get the desired amount of medicine with less smoking. Choosing a strain that has a higher THC content can reduce the tars inhaled. (Source)

Vaporizers

Vape Pens is the new way of consuming marijuana and the popularity has good reason. Vaporizers are devices that give the medicine at a lower temperature to allow inhaling a vapor rather than a smoke. The method patients describe as working twice as fast without feeling the results of a burning sensation in the throat like smoking, so it is warned to go at slow at first. (Source)

Vaporizers using an electric hotplate method seemed to be the most effective, performing 25% more effective than an unfiltered joint. However the hot air gun vaporizer has a hot water filter which diminished the effective only performing as well as an unfiltered joint.(Source)

Topicals

Topicals come in many forms that are applied to the skin and are non psycho active. They can be in the form of lotions, salves, balms, sprays, oils and creams. Patients prefer topicals to treat rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, restless leg syndrome, muscle spasms, stress and soreness giving an anti-inflammatory effect. Cannabis is lipophilic, meaning it can be dissolved in a fat-soluble that can absorb into cell membranes. Ingesting marijuana takes the medicine goes through stomach acids and digestive enzymes before entering the blood stream losing some of it's effectiveness and making you drowsy. Topically cannabis can enter the bloodstream quicker and more effectively and avoiding side effects.(Source) Rick Simpson was one of the pioneers of marijuana in the topical form, known for making Rick Simpson Oil.

Tinctures

Tinctures are a highly concentrated form on cannabis in alcohol. They can be just the THC form, the CBD form or a mixture. Applied under the tongue or mixed in a beverage it is another delivery method of consumption.

Edibles

Edibles are commonly known as cannabis that is infused into butter or oil and cooked into food. Edibles take longer to take effect, so users need to be aware to not consume too much. It can take 20 minutes to an hour  to take effect and last up to four hours or longer. Most describe it as a overall body relaxation rather than a cerebral head high. (Source)

The THC component only gives the psychoactive high when heated, ingesting it raw is a way to receive many of the benefits without the high. Blending it with other vegetables and fruits to make a smoothie takes out the bitterness and more palatable to eat raw.(Source)

Source:

http://www.canorml.org/healthfacts/smokestudy.html

http://www.harborsidehealthcenter.com/methods-of-cannabis-consumption.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/034425_marijuana_cannabinoids_medicine.html

The Benefits of Cannabis for Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease is when the immune system attacks the body when gluten is ingested, which is found in wheat, barley or rye. In America, every 1 in 133 people contract Celiac Disease. The small intestine gets inflammation with celiac disease, and destroys the intestinal lining. This results in not fully digested food moving to the large intestines that produces bloating, cramping, gas and abdominal pain.(

Cannabis can treat some symptoms of celiac disease allowing for a more normal lifestyle. Marijuana can slow the muscle spasms and contractions to slow the movement down of food and also the liquid secretions to mitigate diarrhea. Many celiac patients describe pain due to the cramping that Marijuana can ease. Marijuana can also increase appetite and help absorb nutrients from the food.(Source)

Cannabinoids in cannabis interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the gastrointestinal system called the enteric nervous system and the CB1 & CB2 receptors in the brain. Both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) cannabinoids are beneficial for treatment of celiac disease in cannabis. THC helps to slow down the digestion and movement of food going through the digestive tract too fast. CBD works with the CB2 receptors to reduce inflammation and help the immune cells in the digestive tract.(Source) CBD also helps to activate the THC into helping the intestinal motility.(Source) and (Source)

Source:

http://patients.gi.org/topics/celiac-disease/

http://pharmcannabis.com/documents/pertwee-2001.pdf

http://pharmcannabis.com/documents/usai-1997.pdf/

http://pharmcannabis.com/documents/luft-2007.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3631143/

The Benefits of Cannabis for Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma is conditions in the eye that damages the optic nerve and can lead to blindness. The optic nerve carries visual information to the brain. Damage to the nerve is primarily caused by an increase of pressure to the eye, called intraocular pressure (IOP).(Source)

Cannabinoids found in cannabis have been successfully found to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) and have neuroprotective properties. Helper and Frank in 1971 did a study that showed a 25-30% IOP and a reduction in blood pressure.(Source) An increase in usage of marijuana led to better tolerance, resulting a further reduction of IOP for patients that could take a higher dosage. (Source) A study by Dawson et al showed that long term use of marijuana of 10 years or more gave results as beginning users for reducing IOP, lowering the effectivness.(Source)

Studies have shown that cannabinoids work to reduce IOP at the localized eye area, not the central nervous system. Topical applications around the eye of cannabinoids show to reduce IOP the same amount as smoke or ingested. (Source) Cannabinoids effect the CB1 receptors, and these have been found in the ocular tissues, ciliary epithelium, the trabecular meshwork, Schlemm’s canal, ciliary muscle, ciliary body vessels, and retina. (Source) Cannabinoids also effect the CB2 receptors, but a study found that these receptors played no role in the IOP.(source)

Other theories about how cannabis reducing IOP have been researched, but not fully understood. The reduction of IOP does not seem to be from smoking cannabis resulting in lowering of the blood pressure.(Source) Studies have proposed however that the reduction in capillary pressure helps to reduce IOP. (Source) Sugrue did a study that showed that cannabinoids reduce the release of calcium which can help reduce IOP. (Source) Porcella et al also has a theory that cannabinoids acting as vasodilators by widening the blood vessels help to release the pressure on the eye. (Source)

Application of Cannabis for desired treatment of glaucoma has shown to be through smoking it, however for a non psychoactive method topical treatments are being developed. Unfortunately eye drops only deliver 5% of the medicine, due to the optical nerve being at the back of the eye. Other delivery methods are being researched with Porcella et al showing that cyclodextrins being the most effective thus far.(Source)

OUTCO in San Diego is the ONLY legal dispensary in San Diego and has a knowleageable staff.

Source:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002587/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1772142/

Different Kinds of Joints

Different Kinds of Marijuana Joints

Joint – A regular style joint.

Pinner or Pin Joint – Thin personal joint.

“L” Joint – 2 papers, one cut in half and glued to make a longer joint that is thicker on the end.

Inside Out or Back Roll – Glue side down, wrap around once and burn the excess paper. Makes a healthier, less carcinogenic joint.

Spliff – Tobacco mixed with cannabis.

Dutch Tulip – Large cherry made with two papers glued together and then folded and glued again to make a triangle. Then opened up and filled with cannabis to be tied to a cardboard for smoking.

Cross, or Holy Cross – Famed by the movie “Pineapple Express” is a 3 headed joint that a hole is cut to meet up with the lead cardboard and wrapped with paper glue to stay in place.

Windmill – A reusable cardboard cylinder that is wrapped with paper and closed at the top with paper. For joints stuck into the large cylinder.

Blunt – A cigar paper re-rolled with cannabis.

Mr. Nice Cannabis Strain, the Origin of the Name

Mr. Nice is a Cannabis Strain that OUTCO currently has in stock, an Indica that is a cross between a G13 and Hash Plant well known for it's potency. Patients describe it as heavy and strong with a mellow effect. People that use it recommend it to help with pain. G13 was taken off the market in the 80's but Sensei Seeds has brought it back as a cross naming it Mr. Nice. The name Mr. Nice comes from an autobiography of an infamous marijuana smuggler, Howard Marks. (Source)

The original G13 Strain came about when urban legend has it that a worker stole a cutting that was at a government research facility in Mississippi. Sensei Seeds paired it with the Hash Plant to enhance it's qualities and released it with the name Mr. Nice in 1999. These two heavyweights together many hail as the ultimate Indica hybrid.(Source) and (Source)

The colorful story of Mr. Nice, Howard Marks began in Oxford University when he sold Cannabis to his college friends. He came in contact with some bigger smugglers that sought after him to join them for his ability to be under the radar with the police and not having a criminal record. He was able to help them launder the money with his clean record.

A Gun Smuggler for the Irish Republican Army (IRA) was hired with his group to help smuggle cannabis into Ireland, which lead to the UK's Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) to contact him about helping their organization with drug producing countries and his connection with the IRA. He continued to broaden his smuggling by exporting to the United States to the Brotherhood of Eternal Love (a smuggling group of cannabis in Orange County). After the Little John Affair where another double agent with the MI6 and IRA was discovered, Howard Marks ceased his relationship with the MI6.

Howard Mark's writes about his career as a smuggler, where he had 43 aliases, one as Mr. Nice, a stolen passport from a convicted murderer Donald Nice:

"Between 1975 and 1978, twenty-four loads totaling 55,000 pounds of marijuana and hashish had been successfully imported through John F. Kennedy Airport, New York. They had involved the Mafia, the Yakuza, the Brotherhood of Eternal Love, the Thai army, the Palestine Liberation Organization, the Pakistani Armed Forces, Nepalese monks, and other individuals from all walks of life. The total profit made by all concerned was $48,000,000. They'd had a good run."

In 1988 Howard Marks along with his wife were arrested tipped off by many of his partners being arrested and giving tips. In 1990 Howard Marks was sentenced to 25 years and $50,000, and was released after 7 years for good behavior.

Howard Marks currently does book readings and is an activist for the legalization of marijuana. He published an Autobiography Mr. Nice in 1996 and has written other books along with appearing in movies and television shows. In 2010 the movie Mr. Nice was released which was a biography of Howard Mark's life.(Source)

Source:

http://www.leafly.com/indica/mr-nice

http://sensiseeds.com/en/cannabis-seeds/sensi-seeds/mr-nice-g13-x-hash-plant

http://sensiseeds.com/en/blog/mr-nice-g13-x-hash-plant/

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

How to Roll a Joint

How to Roll a Joint

There are many ways to roll a joint to smoke marijuana, but knowing how to roll a joint when you do not have many tools is helpful when you are on the go. Here is a step by step guide to rolling one!

1. Buy “shake” which is the leftover flower, stem bits that fall to the bottom of the weed bag, usually you can score a deal, or get a nice bud.
2. Take a grinder and grind the weed.
3. Put the ground up weed in a rolling paper, gum side up.
4. Roll it until you reach the gum part.
5. Lick the gum and press it closed to seal it.
6. Light the joint.
7. Smoke the joint.

Coffee Shops in Amsterdam

Amsterdam Coffee Shop Permit Sticker Sign

Terminology for accessing marijuana can be confusing. For instance, “volunteers” are people hired at a dispensary. “Donations” are payments for marijuana. “Coffee Shops” in Amsterdam are establishments that sell marijuana and allow you consume it, also having food... and drinks like coffee, but it's not the focal point.

Coffee Shops were set up in the 1970's in the Netherlands only allowing soft drugs. They have run in a legally gray area with the way they are supplied, and the licenses are non-transferable, once one closes, another cannot take it's place. Coffeeshop Union Bond van Cannabis Detaillisten (BCD) along with each city councils allow the coffee shops. A green and white sticker that says Coffee Shop is displayed in the window. Their are close to 200 Coffee Houses in Amsterdam.

The Netherlands have set up regulations on the coffee shops which include the following:

• October 2011, THC content cannot be higher than 15%
• 2012 Tourists cannot enter Cannabis Cafe's with the exception of the city of Amsterdam
• No selling of alcohol
• No selling to anyone under the age of 18
• No selling hard drugs
• No advertising
• No sale larger than 5 grams
• No public disturbances
• Food with Cannabis clearly labeled
• Cannabis must be non-contaminated.
• Soon to be enacted – no coffee shops close to schools.

With the no advertising law, the cannabis menu is usually hidden from view. Outside signals are usually an Ethiopian flag or red, green and yellow rasta colors. Coffee shops that do not adhere to the laws could be forced to close for 3-six months, or if violations are too many, closed for good.

In 2008 a law was made banning the smoking of tobacco unless in a separate room. Many Europeans enjoy to mix tobacco with cannabis, and therefore many coffee shops have separate rooms for the smoking of tobacco to accommodate the law.

The drug policy of the Netherlands has a policy that does not completely make the coffee shop operation completely legal. The cannabis suppliers cannot grow or import for sale. In January 2006 legislation was introduced to have controlled growing. In 2008, Wiettop (Weed Summit) was formed by 33 Dutch Mayors to regulate coffee shops. Through this it was established to not let foreigners into coffee shops outside Amsterdam. Other policies however on their agenda a licensing cannabis cultivation and regulating the suppliers have not resulted in legislation.

Coffee Shops Outside of the Netherlands

Canada does not allow marijuana for recreation use. The city of Vancouver a few coffee shops, mostly all on the block of 300 West Hastings Street. Toronto has a few bring your own coffee shops that do not sell and don't allow tobacco and alcohol. In the United States, NORML has opened a coffee shop in Portland Oregon only for it's members authorized under The Oregon Medical Cannabis Program. Cannabis is not for sale, but given out free for use at the coffee shop.(Source)(Source)

In Colorado the Clean Indoor Act makes a Cannabis Cafe very difficult to open. Club Ned opened in the small town Nederland. The owners had to be inventive to work with the legislation to make it legal. They acquire funds through membership dues and have to employ a small number of people, allowing for bring your own cannabis to fully comply.(Source)

Source

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

http://marijuana.com/news/2014/03/colorados-first-legal-cannabis-cafe-to-open-in-nederland-colorado/

http://www.amsterdam.info/coffeeshops/