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Month: May 2011
Scientists Uncover How CBD Treats MS, Alters Cholesterol Metabolism
5/25/2011 – Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic compound found in the Cannabis plant that is currently being exploited by researchers for its therapeutic properties. CBD is usually the second most abundant compound found in the plant.
A research team devoted to studying the effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on the immune system has made a series of breakthroughs that may have uncovered a mechanism of CBD’s actions (Kozela 2009, Rimmerman 2011, Juknat 2011). The team may have discovered the specific genes responsible for some of CBD’s therapeutic effects. This type of research could be a big leap forward.
Previously the same team had shown that CBD can effectively treat the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis in mice. This is in agreement with earlier research published by other labs throughout the world.
This collective body of research demonstrates that CBD that is isolated from the plant (as well as Cannabis preparations containing CBD) have been shown to ameliorate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in animal models and clinical trials. The effects of CBD on disease progression include decreased inflammation, neuronal protection, and decreased immune cell activity.
In other words, this is even more science that shows how CBD from natural cannabis plants works to treat MS in animals and humans.
Read complete article here:
http://www.freedomisgreen.com/cbd-in-marijuana-treats-ms-alters-cholesterol-metabolism/
Fiber resource: When wood is not wood
By Skip Wenz
Hemp is a versatile, robust and, in the U.S., vastly underused source of fiber. It’s underused here because it’s illegal to grow industrial hemp, which has been confused with its cousin the marijuana plant, though it’s grown commercially in virtually every other country in the world. (Industrial hemp has no pharmacological properties.)
Hemp’s main potential is as a softwood substitute. Proponents of hemp paneling believe that hemp’s long strands make it the ideal fiber for all types of engineered wood products. Some foreign growers claim that hemp’s biomass yield is four times that of plantation softwoods.
It is legal to manufacture products from imported hemp, and a variety of attractive medium-density hemp fiberboards are available in the U.S.
Read complete article here:
http://helenair.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/article_4ad15a62-8696-11e0-a330-001cc4c03286.html
Medical marijuana provided free by Namaste Hospice for end-of-life relief
By Joel Warner
In a striking example of medical marijuana’s growing legitimacy, the Denver-based Namaste Hospice will begin offering free medical marijuana to patients with terminal illnesses. While end-of-life care might not seem like the most cutting-edge of industries, Namaste, which has been providing Denver-area hospice services since 1998, seems to be downright forward thinking when it comes to medical marijuana
“One of our guiding principles is patient self-determination, autonomy and choice. To this end Namaste respects the needs and desires of the patient and family before those of the health care system, staff, or the organization,” says Namaste President Jan Bezuidenhout in a media release. “If cannabis can help us better manage the pain for our patients and at the same time eliminate the negative effects of morphine and similar drugs, then it is our obligation to offer that choice to our patients.”
Read complete article here:
http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2011/05/medical_marijuana_namaste_hospice_free.php
Inhaled Cannabis Beneficial For Fibromyalgia Patients, Study Says .
Barcelona, Spain–(ENEWSPF)–May 20, 2011. The use of cannabis is associated with beneficial effects on various symptoms of fibromyalgia, including the relief of pain and muscle stiffness, according to the results of an observational case-control study published online in the journal PLoS (Public Library of Science) ONE. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome associated with musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Symptoms of fibromyalgia are poorly controlled by conventional medications.
Investigators at the Institut de Recerca Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, Spain, assessed the associated benefits of cannabis in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) compared with FM patients who did not use the substance. Twenty-eight users and non-users participated in the study.
Authors reported: “Patients used cannabis not only to alleviate pain but for almost all symptoms associated to FM, and no one reported worsening of symptoms following cannabis use. … Significant relief of pain, stiffness, relaxation, somnolence, and perception of well-being, evaluated by VAS (visual analogue scales) before and two hours after cannabis self-administration was observed.”
Cannabis users in the study also reported higher overall mental health summary scores than did non-users.
Read complete article here:
http://www.enewspf.com/latest-news/health-and-fitness/24362-inhaled-cannabis-beneficial-for-fibromyalgia-patients-study-says.html
Dr. William Eidelman Responds To Dr. Drew’s Cannabis Claims
The other day we asked our readers what they thought of Dr. Drew’s assertion that, not only is marijuana addictive, it has a “rather severe withdrawal syndrome.” Our readers responded, but we also wanted to get a professional medical opinion on the TV doctor’s claims.
I contacted Dr. William Eidelman in Los Angeles, CA and asked him what he thought of Dr. Drew’s statements. “Dr. Drew’s assertions are not based on any science I’ve seen,” Dr. Eidelman told me. “The real experts say that cannabis is not addicting. Of course, it can cause dependence, as can many classes of phenomena. People can be dependent on television, books, music, corn flakes, sugar…. There is really not much if any withdrawal syndrome. The statements of a heavy withdrawal are not based in reality. Even the FDA/DEA say that any withdrawal is mild, if it exists at all. These kinds of statements are really just to back treatment programs that are usually unnecessary.
“That being said, there are people who misuse and abuse cannabis, but compared to the severity of the misuse and abuse of other drugs, cannabis is very benign. And most of the people who are regular users of cannabis are self-medicating their anxiety or depression. For this, cannabis is much safer than Prozac and related drugs. Much, much safer than Seroquel and related drugs.
Read complete article here:
http://the420times.com/2011/05/dr-william-eidelman-responds-to-dr-drews-cannabis-claims/
Industrial Hemp – A Golden Opportunity for California Business
by Senator Mark Leno
Ed Note: Senator Leno’s hemp bill will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday
If you like shopping at your local natural foods or specialty grocery store, you’ve probably noticed the growing popularity of hemp as an ingredient in food and skin care products. Hemp seed, which is high in protein and essential fatty acids, is found in everything from bread, energy bars and waffles to coffee and protein powder. Thanks to its natural antioxidants and moisturizing oil, hemp is also a common ingredient in soaps, shampoos and lotions. Perhaps your favorite T-shirt is even made of hemp, which is an excellent alternative to cotton.
Even though most of these consumer products are created by California companies, our farmers are prohibited from growing industrial hemp. Instead of buying hemp from local farmers, local manufacturers are importing thousands of dollars of hemp seed, oil and fiber from growers overseas.
California farmers are missing out on a golden opportunity to tap into the growing industrial hemp products business of food, clothing, shelter, paper and fuel, which would greatly benefit our state’s economy and family farmers. Industrial hemp is a perfect, environmentally sustainable crop for our state. It requires little or no pesticides and herbicides and produces two to four times more fiber than an acre of timber. Hemp grows quickly, can be harvested every 90 days and is a great rotational crop, especially for organic farmers.
Read complete article here:
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=9179
Raided pot providers sue government
By MATT VOLZ Associated Press
HELENA, Mont. – May 12, 2011 (WPVI) — Two medical marijuana providers have accused the U.S. government of civil rights violations in what may be the first lawsuit of its kind in response to a federal crackdown on pot operations across the nation.
The owners of Montana Caregivers Association and MCM Caregivers claim federal raids on pot businesses across Montana in March were unconstitutional, exceeded the government’s authority and pre-empted the state’s medical marijuana law.
Since then, federal agents have raided two Washington state dispensaries, and federal prosecutors have sent letters of warning to leaders in most of the 15 states with medical marijuana laws.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Missoula against the government, Department of Justice, Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Attorney for Montana Michael Cotter.
The plaintiffs claim the intent of the raids was to shut down the medical pot industry.
“The federal government has made clear its intent to threaten and eventually eliminate any business or enterprise related to the medical use of marijuana,” Christopher Williams of the Montana Caregivers Association and Randy Leibenguth of MCM Caregivers claimed in the lawsuit.
The Department of Justice did not comment when contacted Wednesday. Cotter spokeswoman Jessica Fehr also declined comment, saying the U.S. attorney’s office had not been served with the lawsuit.
New Mexico attorney Paul Livingston, who is representing the plaintiffs, believes this is the first constitutional challenge of the government’s actions.
“I’m surprised nobody’s raised a 10th Amendment challenge,” Livingston said. “This is a process going on in all the states that have approved medical marijuana. They’re trying to set limits.”
The 10th Amendment says powers not delegated to the U.S. or prohibited by the Constitution are reserved to the states. Current Montana law says a marijuana provider can’t be arrested, prosecuted or penalized if they do not exceed the amount of pot they are allowed to keep per patient.
Read complete article here:
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=8126707
Rep. Ron Paul Introduces H.R. 1831, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act, on Heels of Successful Second Annual Hemp History Week
WASHINGTON, May 12, 2011
Senate Bill In Support of Industrial Hemp Farming Expected to Follow
WASHINGTON, May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — For the fourth time since the federal government outlawed hemp farming in the United States over 50 years ago, a federal bill was introduced on May 11, which if passed, will remove restrictions on the cultivation of industrial hemp, the non-drug oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis. The chief sponsor, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) circulated a “Dear Colleague” letter last week seeking support for H.R. 1831, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011. H.R. 1831 is almost identical to H.R. 1866, which was introduced in the 111th Congress in 2009.
“We are pleased to see the re-introduction of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act in Congress. Vote Hemp is currently working with a Democratic Senator who is preparing to introduce companion legislation in the Senate in support of industrial hemp farming,” says Vote Hemp President, Eric Steenstra. “It is due time for the Senate as well as President Obama and the Attorney General to prioritize the crop’s benefits to farmers and to take action like Rep. Paul and the cosponsors of H.R. 1831 have done. With the U.S. hemp industry valued at over $400 million in annual retail sales and growing, a change in federal policy to allow hemp farming would mean instant job creation, among many other economic and environmental benefits,” adds Steenstra.
U.S. companies that manufacture or sell products made with hemp include Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, a California company that manufactures the number-one-selling natural soap in the U.S. as well as best-selling hemp food manufacturers, such as French Meadow Bakery, Living Harvest, Manitoba Harvest, Nature’s Path, Nutiva and Sequel Naturals who make their products from hemp grown in Canada. Sustainable hemp seed, fiber and oil are also used by major companies such as Ford Motors, Patagonia and The Body Shop.
“Public support for industrial hemp farming is growing in leaps and bounds in the U.S.,” explains Steenstra. “The second annual Hemp History Week, celebrated from May 2-8, 2011 featured over 550 events in all 50 states. The campaign mobilized the support of tens of thousands of consumers, grass-roots activists and many high-profile celebrities from health and wellness experts to TV and entertainment personalities, professional athletes and renowned musicians.”
Read complete article here:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/306878#ixzz1MCLOxhcK
Organic business to unveil unique straw-built barn
Farmer Tim Sellers in a field of spelt
AN “ECO” open day is to be held at an organic farm and bakery on Sunday to celebrate the opening of a straw bale barn that is thought to be the only one of its kind.
Tim and Caroline Sellers of Carr House Farm and Side Oven Bakery, at Foston on the Wolds, are inviting people to join them for an interactive day that will include demonstrations of hemp plastering, nest boxes for wildlife and nature walks.
The addition – called the Gingerbread Barn – was built exclusively from Wolds-grown straw from organic primitive wheat species spelt and plastered with lime and clay mixed at Brandesburton and reinforced with home grown hemp.
It was commissioned by the Sellers as a sustainable storage area that would also serve as a teaching room for the increasing number of educational visits they host.
The barn took eight months to build and needed 350 bales of straw.
Mr Sellers said: “Straw bales are a superb natural, sustainable building material.
“They provide a high level of insulation that can significantly reduce the energy needed to heat or cool a building and when combined with plaster on both sides, straw bale walls are fireproof, vermin proof and airtight.
Read complete article here:
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/organic_business_to_unveil_unique_straw_built_barn_1_3365160