491 Healthy or High? 1 Oct 2018

On the same day later this month that recreational marijuana becomes legal in Canada, health products with extracts of cannabis – including non-psychoactive hemp – will become prescription only.

Back in June, Health Canada issued a notice of intent to add phytocannabinoids to the Human and Veterinary Prescription Drug List (PDL) effective October 17, 2018. This means that all products containing CBDs (the pain-relieving, health-boosting ingredients) as well as THC (the psychoactive ingredient) will require a doctor’s prescription.

After that date, to legally use the health promoting hemp extracts you will need to go through your doctor and jump through all the hoops required to get a medical marijuana prescription. But that’s just a nuisance – the real problem is that the most effective products will likely no longer be available in Canada, either by prescription or at the local cannabis store.

The safest, most effective hemp extracts are made from hemp stalks by solvent-free raw CO2 extraction, are THC-free, and contain the full gamut of cannabinoids including the amazingly beneficial beta-caryophyllene (BCP) [see #461]. As a review, here are some of the benefits of cannabinoids:

• Modulates inflammation
• Boosts immune function
• Improves circulation
• Supports the nervous system
• Relieves stress and anxiety
• Promotes detoxification
• Improves neurological function and repairs nerve damage

I expect that the cannabis products that will be available through prescription will be solvent-extracted and contain concentrates of only the most common cannabinoids – cannabidiol (CBD) and/or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). And I strongly doubt that healthful extracts will be sold through the cannabis stores. I won’t go into the effects of smoking cannabis but I believe it’s not the safest way to obtain the benefits of the cannabinoids.

So our federal government in its “wisdom” is limiting the availability of health-promoting extracts while opening the door to the unhealthy practice of smoking pot. In short, we can get high but not healthy.

I have a limited supply of the hemp extract products on hand – stock up while you can. And if you think this policy is wrong-headed, tell your MP.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

461 Hemp Extract [5 March 2018]

When I wrote about hemp oil last May [#418 Hemp Oil] I was not aware of any hemp product with an appreciable amount of cannabinoids available without a prescription. I have now found one.

Cannabinoids are members of the terpene phytochemical family. Cannabidiol (CBD), mentioned in the May 2017 article, is only one of this family. Beta-caryophyllene is another one that is very beneficial for human health. These cannabinoids activate special CB2 receptor sites found in our brain, heart, endocrine glands, and many other organs. This benefits our health in many ways:

• Modulates inflammation
• Boosts immune function
• Improves circulation
• Supports the nervous system
• Relieves stress and anxiety
• Improves neurological function – repairs nerve damage
• Promotes detoxification

This brand is manufactured in the USA. The extract is made from the stalk of hemp plants grown specifically for this purpose (not as a byproduct of the textile industry). Their raw “supercritical CO2” extraction process is solvent-free and uses low temperatures to obtain the highest variety and quality of compounds from the hemp plant, including some 80 different cannabinoids and significant amounts of beta-caryophyllene.

The company makes several different formulas with their hemp extract. The pure hemp extract, in addition to the benefits listed above, has pain-relieving, calming, and cognitive–enhancing (helps you focus and think more clearly) properties. Another formula combines the hemp extract with a turmeric extract to lower inflammation and to support the nervous system, joints and muscles. A third formula is a sleep aid with added extracts of hops, blue chamomile, cinnamon and oregano, which promotes REM sleep. All three are available as drops or capsules.

I can’t wait to try these myself and will share my experience with you.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

418 Hemp Oil [1 May 2017]

With the pending legalization of marijuana in Canada, I thought this would be a good time to discuss hemp and cannabis oil. They are produced from different varieties of Cannabis sativa and made from different parts of the plant.

Cannabis oil contains one or both of two highly reactive compounds which have very different properties. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that gives users a “high”. Cannabidiol (CBD) has certain medicinal properties but is not psychoactive. THC and CBDs are concentrated in the leaves and buds of varieties of Cannabis grown specifically for their content. Some companies promote CBD as being more effective and safer, but since neither is available in Canada without a prescription, I’m not going to get into that discussion.

Hemp oil is made from the seed of hemp varieties grown for low content of both THC and CBD. The product is inspected by Health Canada at several stages to ensure the THC is below the legal limit of 10 ppm. You cannot get high on hemp oil!

Unrefined hemp oil has a rich nutty flavor and a slightly green color and is known for its excellent essential fatty acid (EFA) content. EFAs make up over 80% of hemp oil with the ideal 3:1 ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3. A typical profile is:
• 55% Linoleic Acid (Omega 6)
• 22% Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)
• 1-4% Gamma Linolenic Acid (Omega 6)

These fatty acids make hemp oil very nourishing for the skin. The oil can be massaged into the skin especially over dry skin or painful inflamed joints.

Hempseed oil is best consumed raw and should never be used for frying because of its low oxidative stability. Hemp oil can also have anti-coagulant properties so should be avoided by people using blood thinner medication. Hemp oil will go rancid quickly so should be kept in a dark container, refrigerated, and used quickly once opened.

Eating shelled hemp seeds, also known as hemp hearts, is a good way to get the benefits of hemp oil along with the excellent fiber and protein content of the seeds.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.