#5: It's a Hemp Thing

PRIMER
issue #5
IT’S A HEMP THING

PRIMER
issue #5
IT’S A HEMP THING
Mary’s Primer is published as an educational resource.
Mistakes, though regrettable, are inevitable.
Copyright 2018
Editor-in-Chief: Alice O’Leary Randall
Design: Jesica Clark
Contributors: David Bonvillain, Realm of Caring
Special Thanks: Project CBD and Cannabis.info
Published by: Mary’s Medicinals and Mary’s Nutritionals
This publication was produced by Mary’s Medicinals and Mary’s Nutritionals
in consultation with medical professionals and scientists. However, our
understanding of cannabis medicine is constantly evolving and so we can
only share what we have learned from patients and the research that is
currently available. Every patient will have individual reactions to different
treatments. Use of this information is not intended to be a substitute for
professional medical judgment and you should promptly contact your own
health care provider regarding any medical conditions or medical questions
that you have or before beginning any treatment.
Mary’s Medicinals Denver, CO MarysPubs.com

EDITOR’S NOTE
Hemp has exploded onto the scene in recent years. Once scorned by
marijuana users as “ditch-weed,” the lowly hemp plant has undergone
a renaissance due in large part to the expanding knowledge of the
cannabinoid known as CBD (cannabidiol).
The distinguishing feature between hemp and marijuana is hemp’s
minimal delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. THC is, of course,
the cannabinoid that makes people “high,” but in hemp the THC content
is 0.3% or less. This lack of psychoactivity means hemp is legal in all
50 states (although some state regulations prohibit its growth) and its
products can be shipped nationwide. As a result CBD derived from hemp
is available in nearly every state and can often be bought in your local
health food store or online.
But is hemp medicine?
Technically no…but maybe yes. CBD derived from hemp does have
properties that can be helpful for many conditions but some argue that
it may be more realistic to view hemp-derived-CBD as a nutritional
supplement. CBD derived from cannabis, as opposed to hemp, has many
cannabinoids (most notably THC) and terpenes. These molecules work
together in a synergistic process known as “the entourage effect” and,
while we still have a lot to learn about the whole plant cannabis and its
components, the general consensus among medical professionals is that
THC is a critical component of therapeutic cannabis. The Project CBD
interview with Dr. Ethan Russo explains more of this concept. (page 13)
The cannabis issue is already quite complex and “the hemp thing” just
adds to the complexity. But understanding what hemp is, its legal stature
and its limitations helps you become a better consumer. The best patient
is an educated patient. This issue of the Primer features articles by two
of the finest cannabis education resources in the U.S. --- Project CBD and
Realm of Caring.
David Bonvillain grows hundreds of acres of hemp in Colorado and is
the founder of Elite Botanicals. He puts the importance of hemp into
perspective (see page 9) Finally, the Resources Guide on page 22 will lead
you to more information.
Keep learning!
Alice O’Leary Randall
Editor-in-Chief

Table of Contents
The Hemp Renaissance . . . . . . . . . . . 1
What is this Hemp Thing? . . . . . . . . . 4
RoC Facts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Hemp & Cannabis – The Debate, Misconceptions
and Misinformation. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
About Elite Botanicals. . . . . . . . . . . 12
Dr. Ethan Russo: CBD & Clinical
Endocannabinoid Deficiency. . . . . . . . . 13
Hemp & the Human Body. . . . . . . . . . . 15
Healthy! Nutritional Value of Hemp Seeds. . 19
Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

THE HEMP RENAISSANCE
by Alice O’Leary Randall
Marijuana, Mary Jane, pot,
ganja, dank, weed … cannabis
has more names than you can count.
Indeed, according to Wikipedia,
cannabis has “more than 1,200 slang
terms.” And many of those terms
have entered the modern network of
medical cannabis dispensaries thus
presenting a bewildering array of
product to the thousands of medical
cannabis users who are flocking to
this ancient and venerable plant.
But there is one term for cannabis
that is not just slang, it describes
a variant of the plant that has reemerged
on the cannabis stage and
given us a new and exciting array of
products: that term is “Hemp.”
Predominantly used in industry,
hemp has also found its way into
the medical cannabis debate and
this has caused confusion in recent
years. In the U.S., hemp is defined
as cannabis having less than 0.3%
delta-9 THC, the cannabinoid that
causes people to “get high.” This low
THC content was codified into law
in the 2014 U.S. Farm Bill and this
has allowed the hemp movement to
make great strides with respect to
re-introducing legal hemp into the
U.S. market. Concurrently, scientific
research with cannabidiol (CBD),
revealed numerous therapeutic
applications. Hemp farmers began
experimenting with their plants,
boosting the CBD content and
developing CBD products in
many forms. Today, CBD specific
products made from hemp can be
found in trendy grocery stores and,
most significantly, online at specific
websites and even Amazon.com.
These developments, while exciting,
have also created massive confusion
among consumers since all hemp
is cannabis but not all cannabis is
hemp. Therein lies the difference.
Hemp is legal and currently grown in
34 states, according to the National
Conference of State Legislatures.
(The NCSL website has an excellent
explanation of the history of hemp
laws in the U.S.)
In this issue of Mary’s Primer the
focus is on hemp grown specifically
for its CBD content and converted
into tinctures, salves, patches,
compounds, pills and other
formulations which allow individuals
to use the CBD as a supplement
or remedy for health and medical
conditions.
When it comes to CBD the most
frequent question becomes: is
CBD from hemp different from
CBD derived from the more
traditional cannabis plant? The
simple answer is: no. A molecule
is a molecule regardless of which
plant the molecule is taken from.
1

But traditional hemp grown for
fiber is not a good candidate for
CBD extraction. Project CBD, a
California-based nonprofit dedicated
to promoting and publicizing
research into medical uses of CBD,
provides a helpful explanation why:
“Compared to whole plant CBDrich
cannabis, industrial hemp
grown for fiber or seed is typically
low in cannabinoid content. A huge
amount of fiber hemp is required to
extract a small amount of CBD.…”
Hemp farmers and scientists,
high-percentage and high-quality
CBD. (See Elite Botanicals on page
12).
Forbes Magazine in August 2017
reported that “Hemp-derived
cannabidiol (CBD) is projected to be
a billion-dollar market in just three
years.” (The Forbes article, “Hemp
Cannabis Product Sales Projected
to Hit $1 Billion in 3 Years” is
informative about the history of this
industry growth, as well as current
markets and uses.) The magazine
report also noted that nearly 65%
Hemp harvesting on Rhine bank
however, began to breed a new form
of hemp with much higher CBD
content. Just as cannabis plants
have been developed with extremely
high content of delta-9 THC, so too
the hemp farmers have genetically
manipulated their hemp plants for
high CBD content. The result is
of hemp-derived-CBD is distributed
via online sales!
With so much money to be made it
is not surprising that problems arise.
The hemp plant has a remarkable
facility for absorbing heavy metals
and other contaminants from the
soil. (Indeed, hemp is recommended
2

for environmental cleaning of
industrial sites.) Obviously
hemp that is exposed to these
environments, or treated with
fertilizers, is not the best product for
human consumption. Additionally,
some manufacturers import their
hemp from China and other markets
where environmental regulations are
not particularly stringent.
So the maxim “Buyer beware”
is pertinent in today’s hempderived-CBD
market. Hemp and
cannabis are regaining their place
in our society after more than eight
decades of prohibition but there are
still many problems with respect
to supply. The resource list in this
issue of Mary’s Primer provides
websites with additional information
on CBD producers. Project CBD
has a good starting point in their
“What to Look for in Your Cannabis
Medicine.” This issue of Mary’s
Primer will hopefully educate you in
finding and using the best product.
Note:
Visit www.maryspubs.com for the
digitized version of Mary’s
Primers and find all website
links in an easy click-on format.
Hemp workers
3

WHAT IS THIS HEMP THING?
Prepared by the staff at Realm
of Caring in Colorado Springs,
Colorado. Visit realmofcaring.org
for more information.
WHAT IS THIS HEMP THING ALL
ABOUT ANYWAY?
First, let’s start with the legal
definition of hemp from National
Conference of State Legislatures:
A wide range of products,
including fibers, textiles, paper,
construction and insulation
materials, cosmetic products,
animal feed, food, and beverages
all may use hemp. The plant
is estimated to be used in more
than 25,000 products spanning
nine markets: agriculture, textiles,
recycling, automotive, furniture,
food/nutrition/beverages, paper,
construction materials and
personal care.
While hemp and marijuana products
both come from the cannabis plant,
hemp is typically distinguished by
its use, physical appearance and
lower concentration (less than 0.3%)
of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC). Hemp producers often grow
the plant for one or more parts —
seeds, flowers and stalk. The plant is
cultivated to grow taller, denser and
with a single stalk.
NOW YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING,
‘WHAT IS CBD?’
The cannabis plant can produce
over 100 unique natural compounds
called cannabinoids, one of which
is cannabidiol, or CBD. Unlike
THC, CBD causes no intoxicating
or euphoric effects. Research is also
showing CBD to be the cannabinoid
with the longest list of potential
therapeutic benefits.
IS IT TRUE THAT CBD CAN ONLY
BE PRODUCED FROM HEMP PLANTS?
Some think that THC only comes
from marijuana and CBD only
comes from hemp. This isn’t quite
right. The only legal difference
between marijuana and hemp is
that hemp contains no more than
0.3% THC in the US, and up to
1% internationally. A plant
that produces large quantities of
THC is also capable of producing
lots of CBD (strains like AC/DC,
Cannatonic, Harlequin). And a
plant variety bred for industrial
hemp will still contain trace levels
of THC, and could contain virtually
no CBD. In general though, CBD
is being derived from proprietary
hemp strains naturally high in this
cannabinoid.
CAN I BUY HEMP PRODUCTS (LIKE
CBD) IN MY LOCAL STORES OR
ONLINE?
CBD and hemp products can be
4

CBD derived from cannabis
See answer page 20
CBD derived from hemp
What’s the difference
between these CBD
molecules?
ordered online and shipped to all 50
states. Some health food stores carry
these products and you do not need
a prescription or recommendation
from a doctor to purchase. If you
are accessing hemp-derived high-
CBD products from companies
that are growing under a research
and development license with their
state agricultural department, or an
institution of higher learning, you
are protected by the Agricultural
Act of 2014. You should be aware
that not all products are equal, and
some companies are not “legally”
producing hemp products.
HOW DOES THIS CANNABINOID
TREATMENT WORK?
Researchers have called CBD the
“boy scout molecule,” meaning
it does the right thing, in the
right place, at the right time.
5
Naturopaths would use the term
regulator, modulator or adaptogen
to describe the actions of CBD. In
the same light, some researchers call
CBD a “promiscuous” molecule,
which means it interacts with many
different receptors and systems.
CBD builds up in the fatty tissue, is
re-circulated in the blood plasma and
is excreted slowly out of the body.
This is why you can stop CBD cold
turkey and it will not shock the body
into withdrawal. Furthermore, CBD
does not generally bind to receptors
in the body like a traditional
drug. Opioids, for example, like
oxycodone, bind to opioid receptors
in the brain, killing pain, but the
body adapts to the binding, creating
a tolerance and a need to increase
the dose to receive the same benefits.
It has a low affinity for binding to

eceptors, instead it works in most
situations in a “hands-off manner”
communicating with other systems
to promote balance. CBD does not
produce addiction, habituation or
tolerance.
Cannabis use is associated with a
feeling of being “high,” but that
effect can be solely attributed to
THC. CBD does not cause any type
of euphoria or mind-altering effects.
TECHNICALLY…
Unlike a targeted therapy, medicine,
or chemical that acts on one
system or even one receptor like
antidepressants in the SSRI family
(selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors, which target the serotonin
receptor 5HT1A), CBD works with
many receptors and electrochemical
signaling systems to exert its effects.
To date, research has discovered
over 50+ mechanisms of actions of
CBD. It is a veritable “jack of all
trades” for the brain and body.
To describe it in a nutshell,
CBD mainly works via the
endocannabinoid system CB2
receptors to promote and maintain
homeostasis or balance in the body.
Although it does act on other
receptors, including 5HT1A.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CBD
FROM HEMP PRODUCTS? HAVE THEY
BEEN PROVEN?
CBD can help restore balance
and proper function to virtually
any cell, tissue, or organ in
the body. Due to this, the list
of symptoms and conditions
that CBD can help alleviate is
extensive. Preclinical research and
anecdotal evidence suggest that
CBD can be anti-inflammatory,
neuroprotective, neuro-regenerative,
antioxidant, anti-convulsant,
anti-spasmodic, antiemetic, antitumoral,
anti-pathogenic, antianxiety,
antidepressant, and
antipsychotic, to name a few.
MY DOCTOR SAYS THERE ARE NO
“REAL” STUDIES ABOUT CANNABIS
OR HEMP. IS THIS TRUE?
The U.S. has made it EXTREMELY
difficult to conduct human studies
using cannabis or the compounds
produced by the plant. So while there
are tens of thousands of research
articles pertaining to cannabis, there
is a lack of the “gold standard” type
of study, which is called a doubleblind
placebo controlled study.
Internationally, especially in Israel
where they have been researching
cannabis since the 1960’s, there have
been some double-blind placebo
controlled studies. For example, in
the 1980’s, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam
and a group of Brazilian researchers
conducted a small double-blind
placebo controlled study testing
CBD administration in a small group
of people (10 patients) with epilepsy
and the results did show promising
outcomes for the epileptic subjects
who were administered CBD.
However, one study of ten people is
not enough evidence to constitute
scientific canon. The study itself
(and many more diverse studies)
must be repeated with larger and
more diverse groups, with the same
6

esults.
Although clinical research isn’t
practically possible on humans in the
U.S. at this point in time, the next
best type of research that can be
conducted is observational in nature.
This is where the Realm of Caring
Foundation is filling a research void.
In partnership with researchers
at Johns Hopkins University and
University of Pennsylvania, we are
operating an online Observational
Research Registry (ORR), which is
the largest of its kind in the country.
There are cannabis and non-cannabis
users with a plethora of diagnoses
who are participating, allowing us to
gather a wide and deep longitudinal
data set with which we can make
internal and external comparisons.
(See RoC Facts, page 8)
LET’S TALK ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS
Reported side effects of CBD are
extremely mild when compared with
those of most pharmaceutical drugs.
The most frequently reported side
effects are better mood, increased
alertness, better sleep, drowsiness,
decreased self-stimulation, fatigue,
and decreased appetite. CBD is
non-toxic and high doses of up to
1.5 grams per day are reportedly
well tolerated in humans.
WHO SHOULD AND SHOULDN’T TRY
CBD AND HEMP PRODUCTS?
No matter where you fall on the
spectrum from healthy to sick, and
no matter your age, CBD may be
beneficial for you. Those who have
seizures or take pharmaceutical
medications, especially blood
pressure medications and antiepileptic
drugs, should be cautious
when adding CBD to their regimen
as these drugs can interact with
CBD. As long as you consult the
use of CBD with your doctor and
research how to acquire and use it
responsibly, then almost anyone
can try it. Assessing the quality
of available products is critical
to making a selection when you
purchase CBD products.
It is suggested that pregnant and
nursing mothers refrain from using
CBD due to a lack of research on
potential outcomes. Also anyone
who is subject to drug testing needs
to be aware that CBD products
contain trace amounts of THC that
can build up in the system after
prolonged use and thus trigger a
“positive” on a drug test.
HOW LONG DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO
USE CBD TO REAP THE BENEFITS?
Everyone is different, and according
to the tone and sensitivity of your
own endocannabinoid system, some
users will see results quicker than
others. Some have seen results after
one dose; however, this is not the
majority. Especially when following
a “slow and steady” responsible
administration regimen, it can
take anywhere from a few weeks to
months to see the full benefits.
7

ROC
FACTS
www.theroc.us
...because quality of life matters
• The Realm of Caring Foundation is a nonprofit organization
based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. RoC has 15 full and
part time staff members supporting over 45,000 clients
worldwide.
• RoC is designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity.
Contributions are tax-deductible.
• RoC Research Library - a free, online repository of published
cannabinoid research studies compiled by disease category. A
must read for anyone seeking factual information on the use
of cannabinoid therapies.
• RoC’s Observational Research Registry is one way you can
be part of an ongoing, observational research project. The
RoC has partnered with Johns Hopkins University School
of Medicine to compile a database of patients. Whether you
are currently using cannabinoid therapies or not, your input
will be invaluable to other families, doctors, and researchers.
• Webinar Orientation Series - a biweekly event where
participants can ask questions in real time.
• Physician Education - provided quarterly to catch you up on
the most recent research articles.
One-on-one consultations are also available from RoC Care
Specialists. Call 719-347-5400 or email info@theroc.us
8

HEMP & CANNABIS – THE DEBATE,
MISCONCEPTIONS AND MISINFORMATION
By David Bonvillain
Owner and Chief Science Officer
Elite Botanicals
Regardless of whether you
research online, attend a
conference, or just talk to ‘those
in the know,’ there is a wealth of
misinformation regarding CBD and
Hemp. We want to clear up some
misinformation and provide some
basics in the hopes of allowing the
reader to properly differentiate
between the sources of products
that are available on the market.
Let’s address the “CBD from hemp
vs. cannabis” debate first.
Historically speaking—as in 4+
years ago—this would have been a
fairly straightforward discussion.
The differentiation was the source
of the CBD. On one hand you had
industrial hemp crops (oilseed and
fiber varieties) farmed in other
countries that contain almost
no cannabinoids at all and were
processed by the hundreds of
thousands of pounds to produce
isolated CBD. The counterpoint to
that was cannabinoid rich (type-
3 drug, see “Cannabis Botanical
Classifications” page 10) varieties
that are very high in CBD in addition
to having a full spectrum of other
naturally occurring cannabinoids,
terpenoids and flavonoids that
all play a synergistic effect with
9
each other. This is thought to be
significantly more therapeutic as
a whole than any one component
alone. Hence the sentiment – CBD
from hemp = bad, CBD from
cannabis = good.
I prefaced that paragraph with
‘historically speaking’ because such
a clean distinction no longer exists
outside of botanical and science
circles. The United States originally
had no real definition of ‘hemp’
outside of the exclusionary sentence
in the U.S drug code removing
seeds and stalks from the definition
‘Marijuana’ in the Controlled
Substances Act. That definition
changed with the introduction of a
clause in the 2014 Farm Bill (also
known as the 2014 Agricultural
Act) that defined Industrial Hemp
as “the plant Cannabis sativa L.
and any part of such plant, whether
growing or not, with a delta-9
tetrahydrocannabinol concentration
of not more than 0.3 percent on a
dry weight basis.”
Well…now we have a U.S. definition
for hemp that has nothing to
do with its industrial purpose,
botanical lineage of the plant, or the
scientific category it may be placed
in. This “new” definition of hemp is
purely based on the cannabis plant’s
cannabinoid percentage and, even
then, of one specific cannabinoid.

That changed things.
As it turns out there were many of
us that were active in the CBD rich
cannabis space for years prior to the
evolution of the hemp definitions
and regulatory structures. This was
a challenging space to be in as it
was fraught with desperate families,
minimal supply, and incredibly
limited research. Licensed cannabis
businesses traditionally avoided
3 cannabis drug varieties that
only maximize their delta-9 THC
concentration at under 1% AND you
understand the fact that the THC
increases over 0.3% only in the final
stages of maturity when the CBD
is already over 9%, suddenly there
seems to be a clear path to solving
a shortage of a life-saving plant by
simply calling it ‘hemp’, harvesting
it early, and cultivating it by the
Cannabis Botanical
Classifications:
»Cultivars »
»Oil » Seed Cultivars
»Drug » Cultivars (chemotype
classifications below)
* Type 1 – THC dominant
* Type 2 – Balanced THC/CBD
concentrations
* Type 3 – CBD dominant
* Type 4 – Propyl cannabinoid
content (CBDV, THCV, etc.)
products that weren’t intoxicating
in some way (possibly because of the
exorbitant investments necessary
for them to operate), genetics/
cultivars were in very short supply,
and caregivers were (and still are)
limited by plant count restrictions
that were ongoing impediments
to any foreseeable ‘surplus’. BUT,
when you are dealing with type-
acre instead of the thousand watt
lamp.
As of the 2014 season, farmers
in Colorado (and subsequently
Kentucky, Vermont, and Oregon)
have all been producing licensed
crops using cannabinoid rich type-3
drug varieties under industrial hemp
regulations. While there are still U.S.
10

farmers that are working with fiber
and oilseed varieties, it is important
to recognize that there is now more
high-CBD cannabis being grown
as ‘industrial hemp’ in the United
States than by all of the licensed
cannabis/marijuana licensees across
the country combined.
Hence – the discussion is no longer
“I want my CBD from cannabis, not
hemp!” – and now, more accurately
“I want my CBD from cannabinoid
rich type-3 drug varieties regardless
of whether you call them hemp
or cannabis plants, not from field
oilseed or fiber varieties!”
All Hemp Is Not Created Equal!
David Bonvillain, CEO
the
difference
At Mary’s, we believe that the best path to a full and active life
starts with an open mind. While our bodies have a natural tendency
to repair and restore, there are opportunities to be more proactive
in building wellness into your daily routine. For busy people looking
to incorporate relief and relaxation into their lives, alternatives exist
– and we are leading the way.
The Mary’s Difference:
»Novel » use of plant nutrients
»Clean » delivery methods
»100% » organic U.S. grown
industrial hemp
»In-house » testing and third-party
validation
11
Available online and in retailers nationwide.
marysnutritionals.com | #MarysNutritionals

ABOUT
ELITE
BOTANICALS
Elite Botanicals focuses on non-psychotropic cannabinoid cultivation,
research and product development. Elite offers the best quality oils
and cannabinoid products in the market today; leveraging decades of
experience cultivating, breeding and analyzing the cannabis plant in
collaboration with leading chemists, medical doctors, breeders, and
product manufacturers.
Elite Botanicals has spent years analyzing various cannabis chemotypes
and phenotypes to cultivate a broad portfolio of cannabinoid rich
hemp varietals. While very low in THC (THC is

DR. ETHAN RUSSO: CBD & CLINICAL
ENDOCANNABINOID DEFICIENCY
Editor’s Note: This is a partial
transcript from the Project
CBD video series “Cannabis
Conversations.” The interview
was conducted by Martin A. Lee,
director of Project CBD and author
of the best selling Smoke Signals:
A Social History of Marijuana —
Medical, Recreational and Scientific.
To see the complete video and/or
transcript visit www.projectcbd.org
and click on “Videos.”
Mary’s extends its thanks to Project
CBD for allowing reproduction of this
transcript and encourages readers to
support this pre-eminent source of
information on CBD.
Transcript
Project CBD: Today we’re talking
with Dr. Ethan Russo. Dr. Russo,
a board certified neurologist, is
the medical research director at
Phytecs*, a biotechnology company
that specializes in developing
different ways of targeting the
endocannabinoid system for therapeutic
benefit. Dr. Russo was
formerly the senior medical advisor
to GW Pharmaceuticals and a widely
published author in many scientific
journals, as well as a contributor
and editor of several books. He has
also been a faculty member at the
University of Washington, a guest
teacher at Harvard Medical School,
and other academic institutions.
Welcome to Cannabis Conversations.
13
Russo: Thank you for having me.
Project CBD: Ethan, you’ve been
way ahead of the curve with
respect to cannabidiol (CBD), years
before most people in the medical
marijuana community had ever
heard of it, you were emphasizing
its significance. Tell us briefly, what
is the significance of CBD?
Russo: Well I think we need a little
background first to indicate that
cannabidiol has always been part
of the capabilities of cannabis.
Its just that it’s been pushed into
the background through selective
breeding, basically another
byproduct of prohibition where the
emphasis has been on maximum
psychoactivity to the exclusion, for
the most part, of medicinal benefits
that might go beyond that. But,
clearly, this is a substance that has
a lot to offer on many levels.
Firstly, it synergizes with THC,
so it complements the ability of
THC to treat pain while in its
own right it’s an excellent antiinflammatory
without the liabilities
that we say get from non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs with their
tendencies to produce serious side
effects like ulcers, heart attacks, and
strokes, these just aren’t a liability
with cannabidiol.
So cannabidiol, on the one hand,
can counteract some of the less
desirable effects of THC such as this
tendency to produce anxiety and

apid heart rate. But at the same
time, cannabidiol on its own has
many properties that THC doesn’t
– as an anti-anxiety agent, as an
anti-psychotic, and doing all this
without producing intoxication, if
you will, that can happen with too
much THC. So this is just a few of
the things.
Project CBD: You mentioned CBD
in the context of it being combined
with THC; you also mention it as an
isolate. And GW Pharmaceuticals,
when you were involved with
the company, has done extensive
clinical trials focusing on CBD in
combination with THC for Sativex.
It’s been approved in a couple of
dozen countries as a sublingual spray.
But also GW has been focusing
more recently on Epidiolex, which is
more like a single molecule formula.
I realize there are some other things
in there, but it’s mainly CBD.
Russo: That’s true.
Project CBD: So what are the
advantages and disadvantages of
both ways of looking at it, both
as an isolate or as a whole plant
mixture?
Russo: So in Sativex, basically
it’s a 1:1 mixture of THC and
CBD, plus some other terpenoid
components. That turned out to
be the best approach for treating
a large variety of symptoms such
as spasticity in MS, some pain
conditions, particularly neuropathic
pain, and worked out quite well. In
the early days, the company looked
at different ratios and different
modes of administration and the
oral mucosa spray with Sativex with
this 1:1 mixture turned out to be a
good balance of efficacy and safety,
meaning fewer side effects.
On the other hand, cannabidiol
alone, again, would be very good
in treating a variety of other
conditions. One is epilepsy. CBD
as an anticonvulsant has a broad
spectrum of activity. In other words,
it works on many different kinds
of seizures and has the possibility,
again, of doing this without any
of the liability that THC might
produce, both in terms of side
effects but also legal constraints. So
that’s a big advantage. Additionally,
as an anti-psychotic, say to treat
schizophrenia, there’s already
been a Phase 2 clinical trial with
Epidiolex, in essence, with good
success apparently. That hasn’t been
published yet. But the preliminary
results were announced online.
Project CBD: So I’ve heard it
described that CBD is like THC
without the psychoactivity. Is that
accurate? Or is that sort of a blunt
description that really doesn’t get
at what’s going on here? Are there
other conditions that really CBD
seems more suitable than THC?
Russo: More the latter. It is really
distinct. Something I haven’t
mentioned is that in its own right
cannabidiol is an endocannabinoid
modulator, in other words, when
given chronically it actually increases
the gain of system, which is, at
its core, a homeostatic regulator.
To explain that: homeostasis is a
state of balance. Many diseases
14

15

16

interfere with a balance in a given
system and if we can bring that
balance back to where it should
be there’ll be improvement in the
overall condition. This is one reason
that cannabidiol is such a versatile
medicine because so many disorders
operate on that kind of level. So,
if there’s too much activity in a
system homeostasis requires that
it be brought back down. If there’s
too little, it’s got to come up. And
that’s what cannabidiol can do as a
promoter of endocannabinoid tone,
we call it.
Project CBD: Well usually when
we think of a drug, it goes in one
direction or the other. But you’re
suggesting that CBD really has a
bi-directional effect. It can balance
either excess or deficiency. Can you
explain how that works? Or would
that require a kind of in-depth
scientific …
Russo: It would but, looking at the
endocannabinoid system, it is sort
of a buffer. So CBD can be thought
of as a buffer as well – a buffer is
something that will work both
ways as need be. So, for example,
in the endocannabinoid system one
of its main roles in the brain is to
regulate neurotransmitter function
and again, if there’s too much of
one kind of neurotransmitter it will
bring it down, if there’s too little it
will bring it up. Without diagrams,
that’s probably as well as we’re
going to do this evening.
Project CBD: Now does THC do
something similar, but in a different
way?
17
Russo: Yes. Okay, we can think
of THC as acting directly on the
cannabinoid receptors. In contrast,
CBD is quite distinct. It doesn’t
tend to bind directly, what’s called
the orthosteric site where THC
binds. Rather, it binds on what’s
called an allosteric site, another
site on the receptor, and so it alters
the binding of both THC and the
endogenous cannabinoids, the
endocannabinoids. So, cannabidiol is
what’s called the negative allosteric
modulator, which is a fancy way of
saying that when THC is present it
interferes with its activity – which
is a good thing in terms of wanting
too much psychoactivity and again
limiting side effects like anxiety
or rapid heart rate that can be a
problem if someone has too much
THC.
Project CBD: So the idea that CBD
is a negative allosteric modulator
of the cannabinoid receptor, that
would suggest – if it’s impeding or
reducing the signaling of a particular
receptor – that it might be helpful
for diseases that are an expression
of an excess, because you want then
a limit, and the opposite would be
if you had some kind of allosteric
modulator, unlike CBD, that
would have a enhancing effect on a
receptor that would then perhaps be
helpful for disease of deficiency of
the endocannabinoid system. Now
you’ve written a very important
paper, I think it was published back
in 2001, on clinical endocannabinoid
deficiency, maybe you can explain
the thesis of that?
Russo: It was a concept I introduced
then, I had a larger review paper

in 2004, and just this year 2016,
I submitted further review that’s
currently under consideration for
publication. Basically it occurred
to me that many diseases affect
neurotransmitter levels. A couple
of examples: We know one of the
primary problems in Alzheimer’s
disease or other dementias is a
lack of Acetylcholine, the memory
molecule in the brain; similarly
in Parkinson’s disease there’s not
enough dopamine and you try to
replace that with a medicine with a
medicine call L-Dopa. So what would
a deficiency of endocannabinoid
function look like? Well, we already
knew that. If you don’t have enough
endocannabinoids you have pain
where there shouldn’t be pain. You
would be sick, meaning nauseated.
You would have a lowered seizure
threshold. And just a whole litany of
other problems. It occurred to me that
a number of very common diseases
seem to fit a pattern that would be
consistent with an endocannabinoid
deficiency, specifically these are
migraine, irritable bowel syndrome,
and fibromyalgia. They have some
things in common. They’re all
hyperalgesic syndromes, meaning
that there’s seems to be pain out
of proportion to what should be
going on, in other words you can
look at the tissues they look okay,
but there’s biochemically something
that’s driving the pain.
Additionally, they occur in the same
individuals. If someone has a chronic
problem with migraine there’s a
high likelihood they’re going to have
fibromyalgia at some point in their
life; similarly, with the irritable bowel
syndrome. Previously there wasn’t
a lot of genetic linkage, but we’re
still looking for evidence of that and
there seems to be a possibility that
there’s some linkages there. But
again, the theory as it started out
was that they would have in common
an endocannabinoid deficiency.
Subsequently to the review paper
in 2004, there’s been a great deal
of work done both clinically and
experimentally that supports the
concept.
The complete transcript and
video is available at the
Project CBD website. Note:
Visit www.maryspubs.com for
the digitized version of Mary’s
Cannabis Primers and find all
website links in an easy clickon
format.
*As of the date of this publication
Dr. Russo, is Director of
Research and Development for
International Cannabis and
Cannabinoids Institute.
18

HEALTHY! NUTRITIONAL
VALUE OF HEMP SEEDS
By Cannabis.info
Used With Permission
aBring up the topic of hemp seeds
at your next social gathering
and you’re likely to turn a few
heads. The sheer mention of
anything related to cannabis is
a lot for some people to handle,
immediately conjuring up a mental
image of getting high. In actuality,
consuming hemp seeds does not
result in any psychotropic effects.
However, they do provide a myriad
of nutritional benefits like no other
seed on earth.
The verdict? Hemp is healthy!
Nutritional value of hemp seeds
cannot be overstated, as they feature
a complex profile of proteins, fats,
vitamins and minerals, that reduce
and prevent life threatening diseases,
such as cancer and heart disease.
RICH SOURCE OF PROTEIN
Hemp seeds are an excellent source
of protein. Containing all 9 essential
amino acids (EAA’s), that the
human body does not produce, hemp
seeds are second only to soybeans
in protein content. In total, hemp
seeds contain all 20 amino acids
known to man, helping to stimulate
muscle growth and strengthen the
body’s natural defense system.
For vegetarians and vegans, hemp
19
seeds are a perfectly valid meat
substitute at around 10g of protein
per three tablespoons. Seeds are
relatively high in calories as well,
making them a perfect dietary
addition for athletes and other
highly active individuals.
EXCELLENT SOURCE OF FATS
Some of the most important
nutritional implications of
hemp seeds originate in its rich
concentration of fats. Indeed, over
30% of hemp seeds are made up
of fats, with an uneven split of 75-
80% polyunsaturated fats and 9-11%
saturated fats. As such, hemp seeds
are “perfectly balanced” with a 3:1
ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty
acids. Humans need both types of
these fats to be healthy. Contrary
to popular belief, some types of fats
are good for you!
Hemp contains a naturally occurring
compound known as gamma linolenic
acid or GLA. GLA is categorized as
an omega-6 fatty acid, that shows
particular promise in the realm of
cancer treatments and promotes
many other health benefits as well.
HEART AND HORMONE HEALTH
GLA is also essential in maintaining
proper cardiovascular and hormonal
health. The omega-3 fatty acids help
to reduce inflammation and ease

e
L
n
i
c
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r
o
i
pain. Hemp seeds contain arginine,
an amino acid, that produces
nitric acid, which ultimately
helps to reduce your risk of heart
disease. Hemp seeds are quickly
being recognized as beneficial for
premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
GLA produces prostaglandin E1
to reduce the adverse effects of
the hormone prolactin, which is
responsible for causing symptoms
of pain. GLA can help to ease the
physical and emotional symptoms
digestive health. By cultivating
a healthy digestive system, these
fibers help manage symptoms of
high cholesterol and strengthen
probiotics for total immune health.
HIGH DOSES OF VITAMINS AND
MINERALS
A wealth of phytonutrients
are contained in hemp seeds,
making these the ideal avenue for
receiving your necessary vitamins
and minerals. Among some of
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s
Ly
Methionine Phenylala
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n
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id
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p
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Hemp seeds contain all nine essential amino acids
in
l
a
V
that many women experience.
GOOD FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Hemp seeds contain both soluble
and insoluble fibers, that encourage
healthy bowel movements and overall
the most occurring minerals are
calcium, iron, phosphorus and zinc.
Vitamins run the gamut with at
least seven appearing in different
concentrations, including vitamin
A and vitamin B12. This strong
phytocomplex allows for consumers
From page 5
The answer is: None. There is no difference between the CBD in hemp or the CBD in
cannabis. Hemp is cannabis.
20

to ingest a well-rounded course
of nutrients, without having to
purchase many different supplements
contained in capsules and tinctures.
SKIN RELIEF
Hemp seeds contain antioxidants,
that penetrate deep into the skin
to relieve inflammation, dryness
and redness. Hemp seed oil can be
found in many popular skincare and
haircare products, that spur healthy
cell growth. Hemp oils frequently
appear as ingredients in eczema
treatments, moisturizers and can
be applied to help prevent acne.
Hemp seeds encourage a quicker
recovery from superficial wounds
as the superfood does its best to
supplement natural skin and cell
regeneration.
NON-PSYCHOACTIVE
Before moving any further, it’s
necessary to squash the rumor, that
ingesting hemp seeds will make you
feel high. You can rest assured this
is not the case. While it’s true, that
hemp is a genetic of the cannabis
sativa plant, it contains negligible
levels of THC. You will never have
to worry about getting hit with
a major stone half an hour after
sprinkling some hemp seeds on your
lunch. Years of stringent regulations
have made consumers feel, that
anything associated with cannabis is
bad and unhealthy when in reality,
the opposite is true!
COOKING WITH HEMP SEEDS
Surprisingly, hemp seeds aren’t
actually seeds at all – they’re nuts.
21
Once you taste them, it will all make
sense. The beauty of this product is,
that it can be infused into so many
different types of food and beverage.
If you’re short on time, you can
easily sprinkle hemp seeds over hot
dishes and salads. At the same time,
you can blend them into smoothies
and shakes to add an all-natural
protein supplement to your regular
routine.
Anywhere you’d put chia seeds, you
can easily sub in hemp.
Since hemp seeds are hunger
suppressants, they naturally
facilitate weight loss. Eating them
as a snack in the form of a energy
bar is a great way to get good fats
and protein on the go, without
having to craft an entire meal. This
is especially useful for those with
busy jobs who eat their lunch with
one hand and type with the other.
HOW AMAZING IS HEMP?!
It isn’t outrageous to deem hemp
a miracle plant. In addition
to containing game-changing
cannabinoids like THC and CBD,
as well as aromatic terpenes, hemp
also provides a well rounded course
of nutritional benefits, that inspires
real impacts on human emotional
and physical health.
Hemp is healthy! Nutritional value
of hemp seeds cannot be overstated,
as they feature a complex profile
of proteins, fats, vitamins and
minerals, that reduce and prevent
life threatening diseases.

RESOURCES
Want to know more? There are plenty of articles on the web. Here
are just a few. You can find live links to these articles at the Mary’s
Publications website. Just go to www.maryspubs.com and click on Issue
#5.
PROJECT CBD
This site has so many useful articles for the hemp/CBD consumer
from beginner to expert. Here are just a few. And be certain
to read the Project CBD interview with Dr. Ethan Russo in this
issue.
CBD User’s Manual
A “beginner’s’ guide addressing key questions of CBD users.
The Re-Emergence of CBD: A Brief History
A quick discussion of CBD’s emergence as a therapeutic
cannabinoid.
8 Things You Didn’t Know About Hemp - PBS News Hour
What do Woody Harrelson and Mitch McConnell have in common? This
site will tell you.
Industry Snapshot: Hemp-Based CBD Companies
Marijuana Business Magazine looks at the “players” in hemp-based
CBD.
Realm of Caring has numerous articles about CBD on its website.
Here is just one.
New Report Highlights The Importance of Selecting A High Quality
Hemp-Based CBD Product
Summary of article from Journal of the American Medical
Association prepared by Realm of Caring.
Hemp vs. Marijuana
An easy to read article about the never ending question: are
marijuana and hemp the same?
22

FORBES MAGAZINE
Forbes Magazine is a good source for information on the business
side of the hemp/CBD market.
Hemp Cannabis Product Sales Projected to Hit $1 Billion in 3
Years
The Cannabis Market That Could Grow 700% by 2020
Not All CBD-Oil Companies are Created Equal
An independent review of CBD producers and distributors
CBD is Cannabis That Won’t Get You High. So Why Are So Many
People Using It?
A recent article from The Washington Post.
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Notes:
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Notes:
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Envisioning a world
without pain
MarysMedicinals.com • MarysPubs.com • MarysNutritionals.com