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Types of Cannabis Medicine
Cannabis Flowers and Leaves
Commonly referred to as ‘buds’, the flowers of the cannabis plant are the most potent for medicinal properties. The leaves of the cannabis plant also contain some cannabinoids, but in much lower concentration. The flowers and leaves of the plant can be smoked, vaporized, or used to prepare edibles.
Hash
Hash or Hashish is manufactured by separating the trichomes from the cannabis flowers, to create a concentrated dose of this specific part of the cannabis plant. (The trichomes are the reddish ‘hairs’ that you see on dried cannabis flowers.) The trichomes are then processed into a relatively solid paste or block. Hash can be somewhat powdery or more solid and sticky, depending on exactly how it was processed.
Kief
Kief is also made from the trichome part of the cannabis flower. Kief is just the dried trichomes, without any further processing. It comes as a dry powder. It can be smoked or vaporized or used to make edibles. It is often sprinkled on the top of cannabis before smoking or vaporizing, to augment the trichome content in the flowers. Some grinders (used to evenly cut up the cannabis flowers before vaporizing or smoking) have a small-mesh screen at the bottom for the purpose of collecting kief over time.
Sativa vs. Indica
Cannabis is the botanical name of a genus of annual flowering plants in the Cannabaceae family. There are over 150 species and 10 genera included in the Cannabaceae family. Besides cannabis, the hop plant (often used in the production of beer) is also part of the Cannabaceae family.
Some species of cannabis (indica and sativa) produce fairly large amounts of a chemical known as Tetrahydrocannabinol (a cannabinoid commonly called THC). Cannabis plants that are grown for their THC content are referred to as marijuana plants. Plants in the cannabis genus are commonly referred to as hemp plants, but the term hemp is more appropriately used to describe cannabis plants that are cultivated for commercial purposes (like clothing, fuel, etcetera) rather than THC content.
Medical cannabis comes in two basic types: sativa and indica. Each type has its own distinct set of characteristics. Medical cannabis types are available from pure sativa strains to pure indica strains, and include every combination in between.
Cannabis Sativa
Cannabis Sativa is a tall, slower growing and maturing plant that typically has long thin leaves which may vary in color from light green to darker greens. Sativa buds are long and thin and turn red as they mature in a warm environment. In cooler environments the buds may be slightly purple. Sativa plants smell sweet and fruity and the smoke is generally quite mild. It is a source of fiber for rope and other products.
The cannabis sativa medicating effect is often characterized as uplifting and energetic. The effects of a cannabis sativa are mostly cerebral. They give a feeling of optimism and well-being, as well as providing a good measure of pain relief for certain symptoms. A few pure sativas are also very high in THC content. They are known to have a quite spacey, or hallucinogenic, effect. Sativas are a good choice for daytime medication.
Cannabis Indica
Cannabis indica is a short to moderate height bushy plant, generally between 3 and 6 feet, and its leaves have short broad fingers. The leaves are generally dark green, and are sometimes tinged with purple. As they near maturity, the leaves may become significantly more purple. It is a strong smelling plant with a “stinky” or “skunky” smell. The smoke of indicas is generally thick and more prone to cause coughing when inhaled. Indicas are the traditional source of hashish.
The cannabis indica medicating effect is most often described as a pleasant body buzz. Indicas are great for relaxation, stress relief, and for an overall sense of calm and serenity. Cannabis indicas are also very effective for overall body pain relief, and often used in the treatment of insomnia. They are the late evening choice of many patients as an all-night sleep aid. A few pure indica strains are very potent in THC, and will cause the “couchlock” effect, enabling the patient to simply sit still and enjoy the experience of the medicine.
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Safe and Effective Use
There are several different ways to use the cannabis plant in order to attain its therapeutic benfits. Each of them may be more effective for certain symptoms, and certain circumstances, and each can be done in a manner that promotes its safety and efficacy.
Please note that the following should not be construed as the giving of advice or the making of a recommendation and it should not be relied upon as the basis for any decision or action. It is based on our research and experience.
Using the Whole Plant
The whole cannabis plant may be efficiently utilized. The flower ("bud") is the most resinous and therefore potent part of the plant. This makes the bud ideal for smoking. The leaves ("shake") and stems are less resinous, and therefore are better suited for baking and making tinctures.
Modes of Ingestion
Smoking is the easiest way to find the appropriate dosage since the effects are usually felt within 30-60 seconds, and develop fully within 5-15 minutes. The effects may last from 30 minutes to 5 hours.
It is ideal to smoke as little as possible in order to reduce costs and respiratory irritiation. We recommend you take 1-2 puffs and wait 15 minutes in order to find the right dosage. Increase dosage as necessary.
Cannabinoids can be extracted into fat (butter or oils) and then ingested.
The effects of ingested cannabis may be felt within 30 minutes to 2 hours (depending on metabolism), and may last from 2-8 hours.
Effects of ingested cannabis tend to be much more pronounced than smoked cannabis, both physically and psychoatively, and vary depending on strain used in the preparation. An elevated dosage, though not lethal, can be very uncomforable (i.e.vomitting, panic). Therefore it is important to take care in finding the right dosage. Small amounts should be ingested, and it is recommended to wait 2 hours before increasing the dosage gradually, if necessary.
Cannabinoids can also be extracted into alcohol or glycerine, and make into tinctures. Tinctures may be dropped or sprayed into the mouth to be absorbed into the mucous membranes.
Effects of tinctures are usually felt within 5 minutes up to 1 hours, and last about 4 hours. It is recommended to start with about 3 drops of tincture, and wait an hour before increasing the dosage, incrementally and as necessary.
Alcohol based tincutres may also be dropped into hot water in order to let the alcohol evaporate, and then ingested. Effects will be the same as they are for ingested cannabis (above).
Options for Safer Smoking
There are various methods of smoking cannabis that can reduce bronchial irritation while obtaining the medicinal benefits of the plant.
These methods include:
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Cannabis may be ground or cut and then rolled into a “joint”. Using natural-based rolling papers such as those derived from hemp or rice is recommended for both health reasons and to avoid using tree products.
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Pipes can be used to avoid smoking paper and are useful when smoking small quantities. We recommend glass pipes to prevent ingestion of possible harmful by-products from other pipes made from other sources of material.
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Water pipes can be used to cool the temperature of inhaled plant matter.
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Vaporizers can be used as a smokeless alternative and also provide a uniquely “clear” psychoactive effect.
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A blend of herbs that soothe the lungs can be rolled and smoked with cannabis. We recommended, as well as, offer a herbal smoking blend made up of the following 4 herbs: damiana, coltsfoot, mullein, and peppermint. We do not recommend rolling cannabis wtih tobacco.
Strain Selection, Potency and Tolerance
The efficacy of cannabis is directly related to strain selection, therefore we recommend care be taken in selecting appropriate strains to meet your needs.
You will need to smoke less of a high-potency cannabis to reach the desired effect. Potency varies with strains.
If you find yourself needing to smoke greater quantities or more often in order to achieve the desired effect, reduce or stop intake for a time. Changing the variety of cannabis normally used will also help you to return to a minimized effective dosage level.
Side Effects
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Some effects of cannabis use may not be therapeutic. They can be mitigated through awareness.
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Cannabis may cause dizziness upon standing due to lowered blood pressure.
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Initial increase in heart rate and/or blood pressure may be problematic for those with heart conditions or severe anxiety
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Cannabis may cause a decrease in coordination and cognitive abilities, and short-term memory loss while medicated
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There are no significant withdrawal effects when cannabis use is ceased or decreased, however symptom relief will cease or be decreased. Minor restlessness, nausea, and fatigue may be experienced.
Drug Interactions
Clinically significant interactions have not been detected. Studies on the interaction of Cannabis and pharmaceutical medications is sparse and inconclusive.
Pharmacy Magazine reported in June 2001 that *:
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Cannabis has been shown to decrease the clearance of barbiturates so they remain in the body longer, and may need to be reduced.
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Cannabis has been shown to increase the clearance of Theophyline, therefore its dose may need to be increased
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There can be side-effects when cannabis is combined with Fluoxetine or Disulfiram. These effects can include mild mania and excitement with moderate behaviour change
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Cannabis may enhance the effects of amphetamines, anticholinergics, antihistamines, cocaine, hypnotics, physchotomimetics, sedatives or sympathomimetics
* this study does not take into account different strains.
Results from a survery overwhelmingly indicate that they do not find negative drug interactions. Many reported that they are able to reduce their dosage of some of their pharmaceutical drugs (particulary opiates) and that cannabis mitigates negative side effects of them, which in some cases is the reason for their use of cannabis.
Those receiving digitalis or other cardiac medications should use cannabis under careful supervision by a medical doctor.
Safety Considerations
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Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if impaired by cannabis ( indicas can be especially sedating)
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Cannabis mixed with alcohol may cause vomiting and nausea.
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Heavy smoking with no harm reduction techniques (i.e. smoking small amounts of high potency organic cannabis) may lead to respiratory irritation.
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Hold shared joints and other shared smoking implements so as not to touch your lips to them.
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Choose organic cannabis whenever possible to minimize exposure to radioactivity and chemicals. This is especially important for people with compromised immune systems.
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It is still illegal in Colorado to possess, grow, or distribute cannabis under federal law. Know your rights and take precautions to avoid the harmful effects of arrest, cannabis seizure, imprisonment and criminal record.
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