This is a fascinating time to study cannabis. I was very interested in science as a child, so I don’t find it surprising that I found my way to cannabis. From the highly publicized legalization in Canada to the spread of medical marijuana throughout the U.S., there are a lot of changes going on in the cannabis space right now.
New markets and technologies are opening up, and it’s a fascinating time to study as we watch the industry evolve from its humble beginnings into a massive growth industry with endless potential.
With so many states and countries looking at legalizing cannabis, it’s a fascinating time to study the plant. In the last year, cannabis has moved from a gray area to legal in four states in the U.S., plus Washington D.C. Four states have legalized recreational marijuana. Twenty-three states plus the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medical use, with legislation pending in several others.
Whether you decide to grow your cannabis, run a dispensary, or work in the ancillary industry, the time to learn about cannabis is now. As more states in the U.S. opt to legalize cannabis, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes legal nationwide. Learn More
The Topography Of Cannabis
The landscape of cannabis is rapidly evolving. It seems new information or opportunities are coming out daily. And we are learning more about the benefits of medical and recreational cannabis use regularly.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, investor, enthusiast, or just curious about the future of cannabis, there’s an abundance to learn. The following are the most important things you should know about the current cannabis industry.
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Cannabis has been in the news for decades, but the conversation is becoming more mainstream. If you want to understand this market, now is a fantastic time to study cannabis.
As cannabis becomes more accepted and popular and legal in more places, this is a fascinating time to study it. There are so many misconceptions surrounding cannabis — and so much that we don’t yet know.
As cannabis legalization occurs across the United States, this is a fascinating time to study. The following article explores the effects and medicinal uses of marijuana and its potential role in the future of medicine.
Smell the Truth
What was the most helpful information you learned about cannabis?
Dr. Arno Hazekamp: First, it was the basics of botany (plant identification) and evolution. The second was the basics of biochemistry. The more I dig into CBD and its potential applications, the more I admit that I’m impressed. I’ve been talking about cannabis for a long time.
I’ve been writing about “weed” for even longer. The more I dig into the cannabinoids, the more I admit that I’m impressed. I’m also impressed that there’s a lot of misinformation out there. This is an attempt to clear up some of those misperceptions. Let’s see if we can clean that up a bit.
What Exactly Is A Cannabinoid?
A cannabinoid is one of a class of diverse chemical compounds that acts on cannabinoid receptors in cells that alter neurotransmitter release in the central nervous system.
That’s a mouthful, but we can break it down. A cannabinoid is a molecule with a specific shape that fits into the receptor sites in our central nervous system (This is the purpose of this article — to clear up some misunderstandings. THC is the most well-known, but there are more cannabinoids than just THC.
The prominent ganja cannabinoid is THC, a cannabinoid that gets you high. To quote Wikipedia, “The high THC potency of some modern hybrid strains has been claimed to produce a ‘high’ which is different (and usually more intense)
My biggest pet peeve with any trend of substance use is the old-school stoner stereotype. The hipster with the ironic mustache. The frat boy with his “bong” lighter, and the college student with their new favorite strain. It’s not that I don’t like those folks, but I see them as the exception.
Cannabis/hemp is a fascinating plant, and as studies continue, we’ll find out even more about the benefits and possible uses of cannabinoids. The more I realize the importance of biochemistry. I learned that CBD and other cannabinoids are controlled by a complex orchestra of enzymes and receptors.
“The more I dig into CBD and its potential applications, the more I realize the importance of biochemistry.”
The third was the basics of pharmacology, the fourth was preclinical trials, the fifth was the basics of clinical trials and clinical trials design, and the sixth was clinical trial design and development. We need to do clinical testing both in vitro and in vivo to understand how cannabinoids work in the human body.
I learned how to use the advanced analytical tools available to characterize the composition of plant cannabinoids. In addition to plant-specific cannabinoids, there are many other compounds in the resin.
Some of these compounds are psychoactive, and others are neuroactive. The more I realize how little is known about the subject. We need to learn more about cannabinoids and terpenes, their interaction, and their synergy in various applications.
Dr. Dustin Sulak: The most important things I’ve learned are all related to the endocannabinoid system, which I’ve learned is an ancient receptor system that is involved in almost all of our physiological processes, including appetite, pain sensation, mood, reproduction, and immunity. The more I realize that the whole cannabis plant may have more potential than I can imagine.
Dr. Hazekamp: Yes, we have seen great results with CBD for epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and various other types of pain. We also have seen CBD work well for anxiety, depression, and in some cases, even schizophrenia. It has been inspiring to see all these positive results.
Dr. Hazekamp: Yes, the more I see the biochemistry behind this fascinating cannabinoid. What is the most important thing the government can do to enable the advancement of cannabis science?
Dr. Arno Hazekamp: The most important thing the government can do to allow the promotion of cannabis science is to immediately introduce a legalization program for recreational (non-medical) use. Cannabis prohibition is the greatest obstacle to cannabis research.
Without prohibition, all of the other obstacles to research will fall away.
The government has been aware of this fact for decades. In a 1984 report to Parliament on cannabis prohibition, the senate committee tasked with studying the drug wrote: “The committee also notes that one essential requirement for the advancement of scientific knowledge would be establishing a legal source of cannabis. The committee strongly recommends that the government consider the possibility of providing the scientific community with such a source.”
The cannabis industry is growing faster than any other market sector.
When cannabis is fully legalized, more people start to try it, and more people realize that it is far less dangerous than they were led to believe. During prohibition, there was no public debate about the ban. During prohibition, people are arrested for using it, and the arrest taints their reputation.
People of good character are discouraged from even trying it. It’s as if the government were to arrest people for climbing mountains and then pass a law forbidding climbing mountains. When cannabis is legalized, more people start to try it, and more people realize that it is far less dangerous than they were led to believe.
New Cannabis Science Regulations For The U.K.
Cannabis Science is launching its formulations in the U.K. with new cannabidiol (CBD)-based tincture called CBD-Hemp Oil. Science is also hampered by a lack of lab equipment to test for harmful chemicals found in all cannabis products.
It’s a cannabis revolution, and people like you are the beneficiaries.
Legalization Of Cannabis
A legal market for cannabis would allow researchers to conduct trials involving the plant that would have otherwise been impossible if participants had to fear legal consequences. As it stands, the medical uses of cannabis are relatively well understood. The therapeutic potential of cannabis is too vast to be contained to just one purpose, though. Investment in cannabis science is low because of the threat of prosecution and the difficulty of conducting research involving cannabis.
Cannabis research should be a priority for the government. We are here now!
I’ve been researching this plant, trying to get some hands-on experience with it, and even got myself a medical card. I’m still doing more research, but if you want to talk to me about it, please email kevin@hempmedicalbenefits.com. I’m more than happy to speak with you. Learn More
Kevin