Women and Cannabis

In March we celebrate International Womens’ Day drawing attention to womens’ achievements in society and the struggle for equality. In the world of cannabis women play substantial roles, from breakthrough medical researchers to cultivators and activists. Here are just a few of the many incredible women who have contributed to the advance of medical cannabis.

In 1988 Allyn Howlett PHD, a medical scientist, discovered the CB1 receptor, which provided the gateway to research into the endocannabinoid system. This first breakthrough has led to a whole new area of medical science, there are now ‘ endocannabinologists’ who are focussed on revealing the entirety of this vital component of our physiology. Howlett is still actively researching, presently she is studying how proteins interact with cannabinoids, leading to the development of effective cannabis medicine.

Cannabis legalization wouldn’t have passed without the medical doctors who were prepared to start prescribing patients with cannabinoid-based medicine. The stigma and misinformed beliefs about cannabis which had been endemic throughout the twentieth century were deconstructed publicly by the doctors who openly embraced the plant's potentiality. Dr Rachel Knox MD is one of these doctors. Knox became frustrated that her colleagues were quick to dismiss cannabis medicine’s usefulness citing the lack of clinical evidence. This led Knox and her parents, both medical practitioners, to set up ‘The American Cannabinoids Clinics’. The clinic’s methodology is to treat the endocannabinoid system when assessing a disease’s process in the body. Cannabis is the most versatile tool that works on the endocannabinoid system and so cannabis and other complementary natural plant medicines are prescribed in ACC practices.

Cannabis activists have also been prominent in the emergence of cannabis into mainstream awareness and the late Michelle Kendal, who made the cannabis documentary ‘Schedule 1’ deserves to be remembered. Kendal had stage 3 ovarian cancer when she was diagnosed, chemotherapy was ineffective and left her no conventional options. At home in Colorado with her parents, her mother introduced her to cannabis medicine. Kendal’s tumor markers shot down in response to her cannabinoid regime and her doctors were amazed. ‘Schedule 1’ is an important documentary furthering the conversation about cannabis medicine and it is, in itself, a fitting tribute to Kendal and her life’s legacy.

The Sisters of the Valley, of Merced County in California are non-denominational nuns dedicated to healing the world with cannabis. They take their inspiration from the Beguine communes of the Middle Ages, who were lay nuns who lived and worked to support their communities through medicine and sustenance. The Sisters of the Valley also provide support in their local communities and produce cannabis products for the retail market to fund their non-profit foundation.

Last, but not least, I’d like to offer my gratitude for the women of Synergy Wellness, whose knowledge, insight and compassion provide our many members with the support that they need.

Cannabis in the 21st Century

Antiquity shows us the history of how long humans have utilized cannabis for medicine; ancient texts from China, India, Egypt, the Middle East and across the Roman Empire all cite cannabis for treating a wide range of conditions. In Europe, Materia Medica from the Middle Ages onwards acknowledged the healing power of cannabis for conditions ranging from headaches to rheumatism, gout, depression and womens’ reproductive health.

In 1850 the United States Pharmacopeia listed cannabis as treatment for over thirty ailments, including opiate addiction, alcoholism and convulsive disorders.

Despite the thousands of years of cannabis’ medical credibility it all ended with the criminalization of cannabis in the twentieth century.

Since the 1960s cannabis activists have pushed back the negative propaganda surrounding cannabis and worked tirelessly for legalization. This persistence eventually led us to legal medical use with the 1996 Compassionate Care Act in California and full state legalization 20 years later with the 2016 MURSA Act.

Unfortunately, despite the many significant scientific advances the old negative stereotypes of the shiftless, lazy pot-smoker still lingers in the media and popular imagination.

A new large scale study of adult cannabis users in the U.S. and Canada reveals a very different reality and discredits these outdated tropes. Dutchie, the largest cannabis tech company in the world recently commissioned a study of 5000 adult participants to find out what the modern cannabis user is really like.

Instead of the unmotivated bedraggled pothead they found that 54% of users in the sample were highly educated with a college degree or higher to their credit. Users were also more likely to be active in the workforce and well represented professionally: doctors, lawyers, professors, nurses and therapists.

Women were the highest users with treatment for reproductive health, depression and insomnia most quoted. The big takeaways, 58% of users led an active lifestyle exercising regularly and taking hikes and 57% considered themselves health conscious, even preferring recreational cannabis over alcohol and tobacco.

Overall the study showed a diverse group of intelligent, hard-working community minded people who are embracing the scientific discoveries of medical cannabis and that normal day citizens are making the most of the options provided by the new legalized environment; the study also showed that safe, transparent and legal procurement was a high priority for the users, 55% using dispensaries and 24% buying online.

Although we face stiff challenges in the 21st century, the adoption of legal cannabis shows how our culture is capable of radical change. This new data is a positive indication that appreciation and understanding of the value of cannabis has permeated our society on many levels. Baby Boomers who now hold seniority in society are significant influencers and users. Our growing awareness of how many different uses and applications cannabis has can only be a harbinger of positivity for the future.

New Year Walnut Cookies with CBD

Nut cookies are a traditional Lunar New Year treat, almond cookies and cashew cookies are popular but walnut cookies have an irresistible, slightly salty flavor that sets them apart. According to Chinese tradition, walnuts symbolize family happiness and as such are a great addition to a healthy diet, they contain hefty amounts of omega - 3 fatty acids, folate and vitamin E, with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This tasty oily nut is recommended for a wide range of conditions: arthritis, type 2 diabetes, brain function and sleeplessness. The addition of CBD oil complements the sweet salty nutty flavor profile and adds relaxing and anti-inflammatory value.  There's no need to feel guilty about holiday cookies when they are this good for you!

This is a very simple recipe, the trick to getting the dough infused with the flavorsome walnut oil. To do this, heat the nuts in a skillet over a medium heat, stir occasionally until you can smell the slightly salty oil, then turn off the heat and cover until you are ready to crush the nuts and add them to the dry ingredients.

Ingredients

2oz/ 56 grams raw walnuts, lightly toasted

4oz/ 112 grams unsalted butter or vegetarian substitute

3oz/84 grams sugar, white or light brown

2 eggs ( 1 for glazing)

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp salt

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

2oz coconut oil

60 drops Synergy CBD tincture in olive or sesame oil.

10oz/280 grams  plain flour

Instructions

Prep time : 30 minutes

Baking time : 15-20 minutes

First, lightly cream the butter and sugar together, the sugar should still crunch in the mixture.

Lightly beat 1 egg and the vanilla extract, add this to the butter mixture and cream together.

Gently heat the coconut oil until it is liquid then stir it into the butter mixture.

In a separate mixing bowl sift the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder together.

Crush the toasted walnuts in a sandwich bag with a rolling pin or clean glass bottle, add the walnut pieces to the dry ingredients and mix.

Fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until a dough forms, then chill the dough for 20 mins.

While the dough chills, preheat the oven to 180OC and either line the baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease and flour the sheets.

Roll the chilled dough into one inch balls and place on the baking sheet an inch apart. Gently flatten the balls with a flat-bottomed glass and then lightly glaze with beaten egg.

Bake on the middle rack for 15-20 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown. Leave the baked cookies on the sheet to cool for five minutes  before moving them to a cooling tray.

Happy Year of the Water Tiger! Enjoy!