Distinguished Professor of Law Michael Vitiello is a nationally-recognized expert on criminal law, sentencing policy, and cannabis law. His work on California's three-strikes law has been cited by the United States Supreme Court and the California Supreme Court. This year, Prof. Vitiello along with two co-authors from the University of Michigan published cases and material regarding cannabis law.  Today’s episode is an examination of the history and legality of cannabis in the United States. Prof. Vitiello starts off with a brief history of how people have grown and consumed cannabis throughout the ages. In fact, a couple of centuries ago, there were few regulations around cannabis and it was widely used for many purposes, including as medicine. Prof. Vitiello explains how that all changed towards the end of the 19th Century when regulations began limiting access to cannabis. He describes how attitudes about the plant have shifted and changed over the last one hundred years and how this is and isn’t reflected in the law.  We then examine the shifts in regulations and attitudes of recent years that have allowed some states to decriminalize or even legalize marijuana for medical and recreational use. This has led to a divergence between federal law and many states’ law, something which further clouds the issue. To help make sense of this, Prof. Vitiello describes how we can navigate a situation in which state laws and federal laws diverge over the legal status of cannabis.    In this episode The fascinating yet little understood history of marijuana in America The factors that initially led to the criminalization of marijuana  How cannabis played a role in the culture wars throughout the 20th Century The legal rollercoaster that marijuana has gone through over time Recent developments that have led to states changing their laws concerning marijuana How to make sense of conflicting laws concerning the legality of cannabis   Quotes “During the Civil War, there were more regulations of tea than there were on marijuana.” [4:12] “Marijuana got into Schedule 1 because of a political compromise. The government’s original position was that it couldn’t accept the petition to reschedule because it didn’t have the power to do that. It was an asinine position.” [25:19] “When we talk about legalization, we’re only saying that some states have decided not to make it a violation of state law.” [30:44] “The possibility of the federal government prosecuting you just based on you purchasing and using in-state is almost is almost certainly not going to happen.” [48:23]   Links Get 20% off everything at Octogon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine’ Check out the full episode post Keep up with everything Plant Medicine related here Porangui

Dr. Adam Abodeely is the founder and CEO of Reserve:MD as well as a double board-certified surgeon specializing in gastrointestinal diseases and cancer. He is the chairman of the Dispensary Review Committee for the Association of Cannabis Specialists and is the author of A Surgeon’s Perspective on the Science & Truth of Cannabis. Dr. Abodeely recommends cannabis-based therapy for over one hundred different conditions. His journey with medical cannabis began when his patients started telling him about how they were benefiting more from cannabis than they were from the pharmaceuticals he prescribed for them. Since then, Dr. Abodeely has been conducting exhaustive research into the medical uses of cannabis. In this interview, Dr. Abodeely describes what he takes into consideration when deciding if a patient is a good candidate for medical cannabis. We examine some of the many medical conditions in which Dr. Abodeely has found cannabis, and specifically THC, to be helpful.  As a GI specialist, Dr. Abodeely takes us on a deep dive of how THC and other cannabinoids specifically affect people with various gut issues. He describes the various ways in which THC can be administered and the benefits and drawbacks of different methods. We examine how cannabis can best be delivered and how to determine proper dosage. In this episode: Guidance to give patients when certifying them for medical cannabis Some of the conditions that Dr. Abodeely has found are treated well with medical cannabis How the various properties of cannabis can impact people with certain GI diseases If depression can be considered a form of chronic pain and be treated with cannabis Why different people respond differently to THC Whether or not cannabis can react negatively with other medications Quotes “What I realized is that patients were actually really benefiting from it. They were coming to me to receive care and my care was providing them with sub-optimal outcomes. But they were receiving great benefits from cannabis.” [5:50] “My goals are to at least minimize or reduce the opioid consumption or get rid of it all together [13:33] “Cannabis medicine is a very personal experience. Our bodies are all genetically different. We all have our unique cannabinoid receptors and genetic polymorphisms which means there’s differences in how my cannabinoid receptors may be compared to yours and how you’re going to respond.” [21:31] “Doses that are too low or too high tend to be non-therapeutic. There’s a sweet spot.” [29:57] Links Get 20% off everything at Octogon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine’ Reserve:MD Adirondack Gastrointestinal & Surgical Group Association of Cannabis Specialists A Surgeon’s Perspective on the Science & Truth of Cannabis by Dr. Adam Abodeely   Check out the full episode post Keep up with everything Plant Medicine related here Porangui

Dr. Karyemaitre Aliffe is a multi-lingual physician and scientist who brings life to science and vitality to our concepts of medicine. He has over 35 years of experience as a researcher in natural products. His work has taken him across the globe from the biotech hub of Silicon Valley to some of the remotest corners of the Amazon, Australia, and Africa. Today’s episode explores some of the latest scientific research into medical THC. When it comes to examining the medical uses of cannabis, there is a lot more anecdotal evidence than clinical evidence available. Dr. Aliffe explains the value he sees in this anecdotal evidence and why it should not be overlooked in terms of scientific value. Dr. Aliffe explains what he knows about how THC actually interacts with the human body. There is still much to be discovered about this, but he describes what is known about the biochemical response that happens when THC and other cannabinoids are introduced into the body. Dr. Aliffe talks about a number of recent discoveries covering topics ranging from THC’s role in athletic training to managing stress factors. Since the endocannabinoid system helps modulate the emotional reaction to various circumstances, it has a number of implications in high-stress situations.  With the many variations in cannabis products and individual physiology, it is very difficult, if not impossible, for studies to determine what is optimal for each person. Dr. Aliffe explains what he believes the role of an individual, as well as their physician, could be in this matter.   In this episode: The important distinction between pharmaceuticals and botanical medicines The value of examining anecdotal evidence What is known about how THC actually interacts with the human body The impact of cannabis on the human response to high-stress situations The challenges of determining optimal dosing with THC The potential role of cannabis in treating aspects of PTSD, anxiety, and depression The implications of cannabis’ anti-inflammatory properties   Quotes: “For me, anecdotal evidence is useful because medical practice is all anecdotal; it’s not a controlled trial.” [8:27] “There’s ample evidence that shows that when you have a person who’s relaxed but present and very centered, that’s when they have their optimal mind-body performance and cognitive athletic function.” [20:24] “The challenge is for people to feel comfortable to know how to proceed with a well-produced and well-documented product that actually does have the amount of THC and CBD and other components that it says on the label.” [34:54] “There’s all this conflicting physiology going on and the endocannabinoid system is trying to find that sweet spot of homeostasis in there where everything goes well in life.” [45:13]   Links: Get 20% off everything at Octogon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine’    Check out the full episode post Keep up with everything Plant Medicine related here Porangui

When Leanna was finishing up college she began experiencing severe nerve pain in her back. To help her deal with the pain and sleep through it better, Leanna turned to using medical cannabis.  In today’s THC patient experience episode, I talk with Leanna about how she used THC to help her cope with this recurrent back pain. She even shares how her grandmother used it help with all sorts of pains and to get her more active than she had been in years.  Not wanting to take potentially addictive opioids, Leanna started asking questions about cannabis as a possibly safer alternative. She soon found that THC was helping her feel better than she otherwise thought she could. Leanna and I talk about how she, as well as her grandmother, found their preferred forms of administering THC and why it’s different for everyone. She explains why using cannabis at different times of day helped her get out of bed in the morning and sleep better at night. In this episode: Coming to the decision to use cannabis to treat chronic pain How to deciding which form of THC to take Determining one’s ideal way of taking THC to maximize the results and minimize the side-effects Discussing the use of medical cannabis with family members How patients can talk with medical practitioners about their use of THC products Quotes “At the time I was just looking for other ways that I would feel safer than taking [opioids] long-term.” [6:08] “I had struggles with anxiety in the past and [cannabis] was something that always helped me with it a little bit too. Whereas I have friends who say it gives them even more anxiety.” [14:03] “So my grandma was someone who was able to handle THC better than a lot of people my own age.” [18:40] Links Check out the full episode post Keep up with everything Plant Medicine related here Porangui Get 20% off everything at Octogon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine’

Today’s episode covers the history and legality of CBD. While this should not be construed as legal advice, you will learn about some of the background of CBD and where it fits into the current legal landscape. In order to understand the legality of CBD, it’s important to know the difference between hemp and cannabis. Hemp contains less than 0.3 percent THC content, while cannabis has more. Although CBD can be extracted from either of these plants, the majority of CBD on the market comes from hemp. The production of hemp in the United States has been greatly affected by various laws over the last one hundred years. In fact, it wasn’t until the Farm Bill of 2018 that hemp was removed from the Controlled Substances Act, allowing for the harvesting of CBD seen today. CBD has been known to have potential medical applications for decades, however recent changes in both state and federal laws have led to its new proliferation around the country. Since laws vary from state to state and not all CBD comes from legal sources, it’s important to know where each particular state stands. In this episode: The difference between hemp and cannabis and why this distinction matters A brief history of the word marijuana and why many people are avoiding its use A history of hemp production and how anti-drug laws have affected it The discovery and study of CBD as a compound with potential medical uses What to look out for when determining the legality of a CBD product in a particular state Quotes “CBD can be extracted from both marijuana and hemp as both of them have cannabidiol, or CBD, in them among other cannabinoids.” [4:34] “It is a rapidly developing area and the FDA is still working to develop a regulatory path for hemp-derived CBD.”[10:43] “In states where cannabis is not legal, then CBD from cannabis is also not legal.” [12:29] Links Keep up with everything Plant Medicine related here Porangui Get 20% off everything at Octogon Biolabs with coupon code 'plantmedicine’  

Dr. Mallory Loflin is an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. Her research focuses on understanding cannabis as a plant containing multiple potential therapeutic agents, as well as being a substance of abuse. She is the primary investigator for a phase II clinical trial testing the efficacy of CBD as an adjunctive to psychotherapy in the treatment of PTSD in veterans.  In today’s episode, we dive into what the research is telling us about CBD. Dr. Loflin shares how her current study is going, as well as her past work. She tells us what the science is saying about various applications of CBD to treat conditions such as epilepsy, anxiety, and depression.  With her own research focusing on PTSD, Dr. Loflin is trying to answer some very intriguing questions. From determining if commercially available CBD products are appropriately labeled to studying how it affects people’s fear response as well as their mood in general. Dr. Loflin continues to explain how she is working to determine how CBD works in different dosages and how that can help patients in a number of fascinating ways.  In this episode: The encouraging results of trials into the efficacy of CBD for treating PTSD symptoms Some of the ways CBD has been used to treat various conditions and illnesses in recent years What many of the recent and ongoing studies into CBD are looking at The different types of CBD and why it’s important to know the difference Figuring out the right dose for CBD and how it compares to THC treatments Just how habit-forming using cannabis, and CBD in particular, is on a regular basis Quotes “When you looked at the preclinical data, there had been some early work suggesting that potentially some cannabinoids could be helpful for the treatment of PTSD.” [5:00] “People are already experimenting with different kinds of CBD, so we have to both see what people are using and if it’s safe, if it’s potentially showing effects, differences in what people are using and then we also need to study it from an actual traditional drug development pathway.”   [11:10] “Usually when you get [people with PTSD]  on a route of change, you don’t start to really see big impacts in functioning until further down the road because you’re changing the trajectory of their life.” [25:39] Links Dr. Loflin’s CBD and PTSD study (currently enrolling) VA Center of Excellence, Stress, and Mental Health Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance Octagon Biolabs

Dr. Rachna Patel is a world-recognized expert in the field of medical cannabis and CBD oil. She’s also the author of The CBD Oil Solution. Dr. Patel offers courses and consultations to help people relieve their symptoms, transform their health and live a better quality life. After spending years training as an Emergency Medicine Doctor and working with patients to help alleviate pain, Dr. Patel ventured into the field of medical cannabis in 2012.  Two years later, she started her own practice so that she could offer people care they otherwise wouldn’t have access to. We cover a lot of conditions in this episode. Whether you suffer from migraines, anxiety, PTSD, or pain, Dr. Patel shares what we know about using CBD as part of your treatment. Dr. Patel explains how CBD impacts hormonal pathways to help alleviate many chronic conditions associated with anxiety and PTSD. She describes how CBD effect migraines and how it can be used in a number of ways to this end. CBD even has a role in treating the type of pain that many patients take opioids for. It can even be applied topically for skin conditions. Dr. Patel also tells us why not all CBD products are created equal. Often there are additives and other chemicals present in the product that should be avoided in many circumstances. Dr. Patel explains what we should watch out for and consider, like reviewing lab test results and even making sure it has CBD in it at all. She also shares her thoughts on how to determine proper dosing and how to find the right doctor for you. In this episode: How you can tell if CBD oil can help you with anxiety, insomnia, and panic attacks The ways in which CBD can be used to help alleviate the symptoms of migraines and other types of hard to treat pain Which autoimmune conditions CBD has been used to treat Topical applications of CBD for helping hard to treat skin conditions The most important things to look for or avoid when considering a CBD product The importance of having a high quality CBD source and how to identify the best products How to find the right doctor to prescribe the proper cannabis products for you Quotes “You only have a certain window of time in which you need to take the triptan in order to actually affect the pain of migraines. If you miss that window, then you have to suffer through the pain -- not the case with CBD.” [13:53] “What ends up happening with these patients is that they’re able to wean off of their cocktails of medications that they’re on. Often times they’re using the CBD oil on a regular basis, but then they’ll have conventional medications just as a backup for when the pain gets really bad.” [20:10] “You want to make sure that you look at the laboratory test results for any form of CBD oil that you purchase. That’s because it’s not a regulated industry and anybody can sell anything. If the company cannot provide you with test results, then don’t buy it.” [35:14] “What you want to look for in a physician is experience, specifically experience treating the particular medical condition that you’re interested in treating with CBD oil or medical cannabis.” [57:02] Links Find Dr. Rachna Patel online Follow Dr. Patel on Facebook | YouTube   The CBD Oil Solution by Dr. Rachna Patel Medical Marijuana Doctor: How to Find One that You Can Trust Octagon Biolabs

Today I’m talking with Tony about his experience using CBD to help alleviate his chronic back pain. After he hurt his back deadlifting, Tony tried everything he could think of to get rid of the pain. From functional exercise to dry-needle acupuncture, nothing worked. Almost by chance, Tony got his hands on some CBD and it has made all the difference ever since. After discovering CBD, Tony started investigating just how it’s been helping him. He tells us how he found the right products and dosages for him and how it’s turned his life around. Now, having experienced the benefits of CBD, Tony has become a true evangelist for the power of this product to help heal when other interventions can’t. In this episode How pain from an injury can lead to experimenting with numerous treatments What it was like finding CBD in the years before it was so popular  Figuring out your best dose through trial and error Many common reasons that people (and sometimes animals) take CBD What to look for and consider when shopping for your CBD product Quotes “If you have it, there’s CBD in it right now. It’s all over the place, so it’s easy to find these days.” [7:19] “My back hurt every single day for at least two years. Now in this two or three day period, it was really the first time that I could say that I was pain-free.”[12:15] “It was so traumatic to go through chronic pain. It wears you down, it makes you depressed, it just puts an edge on everything where you’re a little bit unpresent. You’re just not all the way there because in the back of your mind you’re hurting. That really just wears you down.” [22:51] “This is something else that you can try. It’s such a low risk for such a high potential reward.” [29:15] Links Ben Greenfield Fitness Paleo Magazine Radio Podcast Episode 102: Health Benefits of Weed   Octagon Biolabs

Welcome to the first episode of the Plant Medicine Podcast with Dr. Lynn Marie Morski. This episode discusses the aims of the show - which are to demystify and destigmatize the use of plant and psychedelic medicines. Hemp-derived CBD is now legal in all 50 states, cannabis is legal for at least medical use in more than half of the states and in various countries around the world, psilocybin (magic mushrooms) were just decriminalized in two American cities and there are several ballot measures and groups aiming to increase that number, and MDMA and psilocybin have been given 'breakthrough therapy' status by the FDA. But as a medical doctor, I know that we weren't taught anything about any of these substances in medical school. So when patients come to doctors for advice, those doctors are often unaware of the non-pharmaceutical options available to treat some of the toughest conditions, like chronic pain, addiction, PTSD, and depression. This show aims to educate both the medical establishment and interested patients on the scientific research into the powers of these medications to help with various conditions, as well as the safe use of these substances. NOTE: This show is not medical nor legal advice and should not be construed as such. It is also not suggesting you participate in any illegal activities. The show is for education purposes only.