Sungrown Cannabis: Science Favors Nature

By Billee Sharp

Autumn has an air of completion about it, especially for those agriculturists and gardeners among us, who have just harvested their crops.

The traditional cannabis harvest in California runs from late September through October. Once the plants have been harvested the flowers must be carefully dried and cured before the harvest can be considered a success.

These days, much of California’s cannabis is grown indoors under artificial lights, which leads to multiple harvests instead of just one. The commercial advantages of indoor growing are obvious and indoor growing advocates argue that the controlled growing environment protects the plants from outdoor nuisances, namely insects and bad weather.

Indoor and outdoor cultivation are legal in California with the appropriate licenses and permits and both exist amicably side by side supplying the legal market.

However, for as many years as cannabis has been grown indoors there has been a lively debate about whether indoor or outdoor growing yields superior cannabis.

Finally, in January this year Molecules, the leading international, peer-reviewed, open access journal of chemistry, published a study by Columbia University that compares the two cultivation methods.

The study grew six genetically identical commercial plants from two different cultivars, Red Velvet and the unfortunately named, Cheetah Piss, with three plants of each strain outside and three inside. The outdoor samples were grown in raised beds using a mixture of all-natural, “living” soil and composts in full sunlight. The indoor samples were grown under artificial light in a proprietary growth medium.

At harvest, the researchers selected similar sized flowers from the top of the plants. They then tested the flowers using  gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to evaluate terpene composition, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography plus mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) to measure cannabinoids. These methods are the industry standard for testing cannabis.

Outdoor cannabis samples showed greater diversity of terpenes compared to indoor cannabis from the same genetic stock. In addition  the outdoor samples revealed a greater concentration of sesquiterpenes compared to the indoor samples. Sesquiterpenes, are terpenes that have an extra isoprene unit. The most common sesquiterpene is B-caryophyllene, the spicy flavored element, present not only in cannabis but also hops, black pepper and rosemary. Sesquiterpenes are larger than terpenes and tend to be more robust, maintaining their properties more reliably during drying and curing.

In terms of primary cannabinoid levels, levels of CBGA and CBDA were relatively similar between indoor and outdoor plants, while CBCA was slightly higher in the outdoor grow THCA was slightly lower.

Admittedly, the study has some shortcomings; it doesn’t take every cultivation variable into consideration, nor does it  measure differences in the nutrient value of the growing mediums nor compare temperature and humidity conditions.

Despite the limitations of the study the results make a credible case that certain conditions associated with outdoor growing may be favorable to terpene production and  protective of cannabinoid degradation through the presence of extra sesquiterpenes.

Indoor growers will gleefully point to the slightly higher ratio of THCA and thus THC of indoor plants, but THC levels are not the only yardstick that cannabis is measured by. Medical cannabis growers are keen for the broadest expression of terpenes and cannabinoids and outdoor growing conditions are conducive to this outcome.

At Synergy Wellness, outdoor cultivation has been central to the development of hybridized cannabis strains rich in CBD, CBG, CBN and THCV. As staunch believers in the benefits of broad spectrum cannabis, where cannabinoids act synergistically, we see the advantages of sunshine in our plants and products!

 Further Reading: Zandkarimi, Fereshteh et al. “Comparison of the Cannabinoid and Terpene Profiles in Commercial Cannabis from Natural and Artificial Cultivation.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 28,2 833. 13 Jan. 2023, doi:10.3390/molecules28020833

How Cannabis Helps Your Body Eliminate Cancer Cells

By Nurse Lauren with Leonard Leinow

Our bodies are perfectly curated systems of tissues, organs, vasculature and more, that are all programmed to work in symphony to conduct the magic that we call being alive. Our cells are the building blocks of which the palaces of our being are built, and it is important to know a few basic processes that are fundamental for understanding how it all works. When we are taking any type of medication or doing any type of therapy it is crucial to understand the process by which it affects your body. When people comprehend their own bodies something extraordinary occurs, they become empowered about their health! They no longer feel like powerless victims floating through a sea of confusion, but rather informed participants making thoughtful decisions. How wonderful!

         As we all know, our bodies are made up of innumerable cells of all types and purposes. On the surface of every single one of them (including cancer cells) are various different receptors that receive compounds that initiate chemical reactions. Pertinent to our discussion here are the cannabinoid receptors, which are responsible for allowing our cells to interact with the various forms of CBD and THC found in cannabis. It is important to note here just how long our species (homo sapiens) had to exist alongside cannabis for our bodies to evolve receptors specifically for its molecules on our cells! It is compound that is crucial to our health and happiness, and this very fact shows us this.

         Researchers have identified two cannabinoid receptors thus far that exist in the bodies of mammals. The first is CB1, the most abundant receptor, which is predominantly found in the nervous system, connective tissues, gonads, glands, and organs. The second is CB2, which is predominantly present in the digestive and immune systems and its associated structures. Many tissues contain both CB1and CB2 receptors, each linked to a different action within the cell. Tumor cells have cannabinoid receptors on their surfaces as well. When THC and CBD bind to the receptors on tumor cells they create apoptotic, anti-proliferative, and anti-invasive results. Simply put, THC and CBD can induce cell suicide in a cancer cell. They can also slow cancer’s growth and spread by interrupting processes that it needs to survive.

         In a recent study conducted by St George’s University of London it was shown that THC, CBD and CBG are a potent combination in the fight against certain cancers. Preliminary studies like these are so important, as their results initiate further studies globally about cannabis and the human body. It takes many studies over many years before anything is ever widely accepted in medicine. These steps are crucial in educating everyone to the healing properties of cannabis at a scholarly level. In order to get these medicinal compounds to those that need them most we must study and spread the knowledge accordingly. Hooray for science!

         This is a good enough time as any to begin your healing journey with cannabis. Introducing a CBD and/or THC regimen into your life will assist your endocannabinoid system with lowering inflammation as a whole throughout your body. If you currently are dealing with cancer then the pain relieving and relaxing properties of THC and CBD should be considered as well. Cannabis assists with taking stress levels down so the body can rest and heal. It also boosts the immune system, needed to  restore health and stop the growth of cancer cells. There are innumerable reasons to take nature’s medicine, hopefully now you all understand a little bit more about how it works in your bodies.

In order to have effective cannabis medicine for this metabolic disorder, large doses of full spectrum CBD, THC and CBG are required. Synergy Wellness produces products designed for this purpose. Specifically, high dose suppositories are used, since administered this way, the medicine does not produce psychoactive side effects. Plus, suppositories are absorbed through the lymphatic system and delivered throughout the body, where needed.

Sending love to all on their healing journeys,

Nurse Lauren, BSN

Golden Nuggets from the Society of Cannabis Clinicians

by Ruth Hill RN BSN MAT CHPN

Anyone still wondering if cannabis is safe and medicinally effective must be living under a rock. Social media is now exploding with posts on the medicinal efficacy of cannabis. Physicians and nurses are recommending cannabis treatment. Medicinal cannabis organizations are expanding. To feel this excitement scroll the web pages of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCC), and the American Cannabis Nurse Association (ACNA). Cannabis users are piercing through the propaganda bubble of the FDA. 

This article will expound on this excitement by reporting on the first conference of the SCC held at UCLA on September 2, 2023, cohosted by the Releaf Institute. Expert physicians presented cannabis as a first-line alternative treatment to unmanageable stubborn symptoms not responding to pharmaceuticals, the very definition of a refractory disease.  

Bonnie Goldstein MD, a pediatrician, kicked off the first lecture by describing the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is a homeostatic regulatory system active throughout the brain and body, discovered in the 1990s by Rafael Mechoulam, an Israeli chemist.  The ECS is an adaptive response to cellular stress, it also maintains cellular homeostasis, fine-tunes synaptic transmission, and mediates synaptic plasticity. Most attendees had a basic knowledge of the ECS, but Dr. Goldstein took us on a deep dive into the chemistry and physiology of this newly discovered system. 

Dr. Genester Wilson-King lectured on Cannabis and Endometriosis. Wilson-King wasted no time in her condemnation of the overt bias of the medical industry toward Black women. This bias results in gross underdiagnosis of a malignant condition unresponsive to current treatment. Endometriosis has a 44% recurrence with medical treatment and a 55% recurrence with surgical treatment. Studies show cannabidiol (CBD) stops the migration of endometrial cells and resolves insomnia, nausea, pain, and dysmenorrhea.  

Dr. Patricia Frye presented the use of cannabinoids in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The incidence of ASD is 2.76% of the U.S. population (9.6 million). In the year 2000, the incidence was 1:150. In 2020 the incidence exploded to 1:36. Researchers found children with ASD have low anandamide levels (endogenous THC). Dr. Frye used graphs to illustrate the extraordinary research on biomarkers developed by Goldstein for ASD.

Goldstein returned to the dais and revealed another U.S. patent on cannabis paid for by American taxpayers. The patent is on cannabidivarin (CBDV). It states that CBDV together with tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) far outperforms the use of pharmaceuticals for seizure disorders. The current practice of stacking one antiseizure drug after another induces side effects manifested by the child’s abhorrent behavior. After noticing a response, Goldstein’s treatment slowly tapers children off the multiple antiseizure drugs. There is NO research that verifies the efficacy of stacking antiseizure drugs. So, why do neurologists practice this?

Because trial and error use of pharmaceuticals often fails, how then do we palliate these women and children? Denying the use of cannabis as a first-line treatment is cruel and inhumane. This was emphasized over and over by our expert medical cannabis physicians. CBD has shown these drugs can be reduced by 56%. The research is there. Avoid sugar, lose weight, and focus on nutritional wellness instead of disease. 

We got our druthers twisted by Dr. Tim Fong who revealed how ineffective physicians are in diagnosing and managing Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). If I knew someone with CUD, I would refer them to Dr Fong. He presented a long list of medications with dosages that I am sure many ER MDs are unfamiliar with. 

SCC Latin American Chapter led by Dr. Sandra Carrillo and Dr. Max Alzamora is spearheading some exciting projects to enhance the caliber of their cannabis programs.

The landscape of Latin America is rapidly advancing, and the SCC LATAM Chapter will be publishing cannabis science classes in Spanish. 

Most remarkable to me was Dr. Sherry Yafai’s palliative treatment of dementia. 5.8 million people in the United States have Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Yafai presented four case studies where she recommended Nabilone, Dronabinol, or plant THC, CBD, and CBG-formulated products. All of her patients showed improvement in symptoms, one came out  of hospice care.

Variables affecting responses included age, cannabis product, and the length of time from initiation. It is imperative to focus on tapering down current pharmaceuticals with the corresponding titration up of cannabis. Research shows no efficacy with cannabis when the anti-seizure drugs were not simultaneously tapered down. This creates adverse events not related to cannabis, patience is required to successfully change drug protocols.  The best timeframe for revealing results is after four weeks. Presently in California, the family needs to administer cannabis medications in a medical institution.

A panel discussion of the obstacles patients experience, when their right to take a legal plant in a medical facility is prohibited. A typical Yafai treatment plan was: Average CBD: 120-127mg/week = 18 mg/day; Average THC: 52 - 55 mg/week = ~ 7-8 mg/day, a mix of inhaled and oral use was mentioned. The panel concluded that legalized cannabis is not enough, that there is an urgent need to implement the delivery of this miracle plant to everyone. Long-term use is prohibited when opioids are paid by the government with pennies on the dollar. We must combat the government’s War on Drugs propaganda. 

I’ve summarized the conference in this article but I do highly recommend the audio recording: listen to these outstanding physicians by clicking on this link and purchasing the webinar HERE.