![Ball-and-stick model of the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) molecule, showing black carbon, white hydrogen, and red oxygen atoms.]({"full":{"0":"2018\/07\/CBD.molecule.png","1":640,"2":353,"3":false,"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/CBD.molecule.png"}})
Legalize Cannabis — The Whole Plant
By Rena McCain
Happy Weedsday everyone! I hope everyone is having an amazing day!
During the average course of my day, I talk to just about anyone that will converse with me about cannabis. And I love it! I have some of the most interesting discussions, for sure.
In this issue, I want to talk about the Entourage Effect regarding cannabis. Since the 1960s when scientists first discovered we humans have an endocannabinoid system in our bodies, there have been tons of discoveries like terpenes, cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors.
But what are cannabinoids, exactly? To answer that you need to know that endocannabinoids are cannabinoids that are produced naturally by the human body. “Endo†stands for endogenous, which means originating within the body.
In contrast, exogenous cannabinoids come from plants such as cannabis. They are also known as phytocannabinoids. The Greek root “phyto†means plant.
Cannabinoids are the chemicals that give the cannabis plant its medical and recreational properties.
Most people who are familiar with cannabis know what THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are, but there are so many others. THC and CBD are just the tip of the iceberg!
CBD is known to ease anxiety and depression. It has been instrumental in easing seizures and is also excellent for pain relief and many other problems. It’s safe enough to even use for your pets, as well, in lower doses.
THC combats some serious nausea and vomiting problems, and many others. THC also combats some situations of pain, as well. THC has been used in “big pharma†medications such as marinol.
CBC (cannabichromene) is another beneficial cannabinoid that gets overlooked a lot in the discussion of cannabis. CBC does not effect the C1 receptor in the brain so it does not cause the high that THC does, but it’s good for killing pain. CBD also has some antibacterial and possible antifungal properties, as well as possible antidepressant effects. Imagine getting rid of acne with cannabis! This would be the cannabinoid to use!
THC cannabinoid compound
So that was a really small explanation of a few cannabinoids off the top of my head to illustrate the Entourage Effect. Now, in my opinion (and mine only, although I happen to agree with Dr. Sanjay Gupta), It seems to me that a combination of all the cannabinoids is the way to go! The whole plant!
I agree that isolating certain cannabinoids and using them for what they are good for can definitely help a person’s health, but I believe in allowing the plant to do its whole work, in concert, if you will.
If you take the drummer out of a really good band and leave only the singer and bass player and the electric guitar, some back up singers, in my opinion it’s not really a good band anymore because its lacking something.
To separate cannabinoids seems like it would take away from its whole helpfulness. Legalize cannabis — the whole plant!
Â
Rena McCain is a co-founder of the Cannabis Open Carry Walks. Find her on Facebook at Rena McCain, or via Twitter @sassikatt24 and Instagram at ganja_grrl420.
![A bunch of green leaves that are on the ground]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BUDS_Image-2-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BUDS_Image-2-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BUDS_Image-2-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0}})
![A young girl is smiling in the grass.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BUDS_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BUDS_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BUDS_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0}})
![A person touching their cheek with a pained expression, indicating discomfort or pain in the facial area.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/STAR_BUDS_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/STAR_BUDS_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/STAR_BUDS_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0}})
![A colorful feather and the text "CBD American Shaman" are displayed on a gradient background.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/STAR-BUDS_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/STAR-BUDS_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/STAR-BUDS_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0}})
![A bunch of green leaves that are on the ground]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BUDS_Image-2-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BUDS_Image-2-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BUDS_Image-2-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BUDS_Image-2-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0}})
Comments are closed.