January 2017

Cannabinoids that are synthesized
by the plants are called phytocannabinoids. Once these
phytocannabinoids are consumed or inhaled, they have the
ability to bind CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body. Additionally,
several other phytocannabinoids are found in chocolate, black
truffles, pepper, carob, and other plants and their fruits.
THC accounts for the psychogenic effect in marijuana, gained
either through smoking, absorbing through tinctures, oils, and
edible foods, or ingested in capsule form. When used in low
doses, you do not get high, the same goes for CBD oil.
CBD is another molecule of the marijuana plant,
which produces no psychogenic effect. If
used in controlled, small quantities, you
will not get high from it, but it will relieve
symptoms related to cancer, nausea,
epilepsy, or other diseases and
symptoms.
As of now, 28 states and the
District of Columbia have
legalized marijuana for medical
use. But medical marijuana
is still illegal federally, and
patients and caregivers in
medical marijuana states
are in danger of federal
prosecution.
Last year, Senators Kirsten
Gillibrand and Cory Booker
spearheaded legislation to amend
the Controlled Substances Act to
make it legal to grow, use, and sell
marijuana for medical use in states where
it’s legal. This historic legislation, Senate Bill
683, The Compassionate Access, Research
Expansion and Respect States Act of 2015,
or CARERS Act, would end the federal prohibition of
medical marijuana for good.
The CARERS Act has growing bipartisan support, with 19
prominent co-sponsors in the Senate, but the bill still sits in
the Senate Judiciary Committee awaiting a vote.
More than 80 percent of Americans agree
that marijuana should be legal for medical
purposes. The people are ready for
reform, it’s time for Congress to act.Tens
of thousands of patients and caregivers
across the country face the fear of federal
penalties even though they are abiding by
state law.
The low THC, high CBD
Compassionate Care Law of
2014 changed the face
of THC and CBD
usage in the state of
Florida. Before this,
it was complicated,
one had to seek out
legal advice. Even
then, there was only
one dispensary open,
out of the approved and
mandated
seven dispensaries.
Now that the issue has been
voted into law in 2016, it will
expand to terminal patients, so
they can have easy access
and have the ultimate key
to relieving not only pain, but
nausea, dizziness, and other
symptoms, without the fear of
being arrested for illegal drug use. P
the PARKLANDER 89