What is cannabis?
Cannabis is a flowering plant with many different varieties, sharing many chemical characteristics. The varieties have different effects that provide targeted benefits for a wide range of medical conditions. Humans have been using cannabis for thousands of years because the herb controls or alleviates a wide variety of medical symptoms.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol or CBD is a non-intoxicating compound of the cannabis and hemp plant with enormous therapeutic potential. CBD rich products may treat a wide range of medical conditions such as anxiety, arthritis, chronic pain, cancer, crohn’s and colitis, depression, epilepsy, PTSD, nausea, insomnia, MS, Parkinson’s, and more. CBD can be inhaled in dry cannabis flower form, or can be purchased ingestible or inhalable oils. CBD is using cannabis or hemp plants for “Health not High”.
What are the advantages of CBD for dogs and cats?
Just like humans, dogs and cats also have an endocannabinoid system. However, hemp-derived CBD is recommended for pets because it’s not psychoactive and won’t make an animal high. Recreational cannabis may contain CBD, but it’s very high in THC, which can produce alarming effects on your pets. Hemp CBD administered to pets as an oil or treat may help dogs and cats with separation anxiety, chronic pain, arthritis, seizures, withdrawal and behavioural issues. Hemp CBD may also stimulate your pet’s appetite and provide comfort near the end of life. Please contact us if you have further questions about hemp CBD for your dog or cat.
What is the difference between cannabis and hemp?
Cannabis and hemp are genetically related cousins of the Cannabis Sativa species of plant. From that point on the two plants have widely diverged uses and benefits, with hemp far outmatching its psychoactive cousin cannabis as to usefulness to society in general, and to medical applications. Technically hemp contains less than 0.3% THC which is the psychoactive component of cannabis. People us THC products to feel the “high” effects, and it can also be used medicinally for pain, relaxation, depression, insomnia and more. There is a lot of interest in the hemp plant and the CBD oil extracted from it, as it has medicinal value without causing the side effects of the THC. When you use hemp products, you can still drive, work, go to school or any other tasks you need to get done in your day. It can reduce pain and anxiety, help you feel calm, and give you a feeling of happiness and wellbeing.
What is in cannabis that can potentially treat medical conditions?
The major active chemical compounds found in cannabis are:
- Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) – THC is the most psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis.
- Cannabidol (CBD) – CBD is the second most predominant cannabinoid in cannabis. This compound continues to provoke interest for its therapeutic value. It has little or no psychoactive properties.
cannabis is an effective medicine because the human body responds to the active ingredients in cannabis, known as THC and CBD’s. THC is the most prominent psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis. Your body responds to it much like it responds to your body’s own naturally produced endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are found in the brains and bodies of all animals except for insects. These natural pain killers can be as effective or in some cases, more effective, than many commonly prescribed, side effect loaded, synthetic drugs. When you use cannabis, the cannabinoids find their way to their target, your body’s cannabinoid receptors. The cannabinoids bind to one of the receptors. This might make you feel euphoric and relieve the symptoms of your medical condition.
Researchers and patients have begun to focus on the beneficial effects of using THC and CBD together, as well as using CBD’s alone. CBD’s have been found to reduce anxiety and panic in some patients. It is an anti-inflammatory, sedative, and a neuroproductive agent. Medical demand is high for CBD rich strains of cannabis.
As with any medication, always consult your physician before using cannabis to treat your medical condition and to confirm its safety when taken in conjunction with other medications.
What are Terpenes?
They are aromatic compounds that are found in thousands of plant species and are responsible for the various flavours and fragrances of cannabis. They each have potential therapeutic value. Some of the common terpenes are:
Myrcene: can be sedating and relaxing
Limonene: can elevate mood and relieve stress
Caryophyllene: can have anti-inflammatory properties
Linalool: can relieve anxiety, and be sedating
Pinene: can help with alertness, and memory
How will cannabis make me feel?
Usually pretty good. It can create an intense feeling of well-being. It can alleviate pain and stress, reduce nausea and vomiting, inflammation, spasms, anxiety, calm digestive problems and treat a long list of health problems.
How should I use cannabis?
Historically many people choose to smoke cannabis. This can lead to smoking related problems. To avoid the negative side effects of smoking, there are many alternative delivery methods. Vaporizers are very popular. They heat the cannabis to a temperature that effectively vaporizes the active ingredient without burning away most of the plant matter. You can also ingest cannabis in oils, tinctures, or extracts that have been made into food or drink products. There are even topical ointments you can use.
Are there adverse side effects?
Although cannabis is considered safe by many people, there are certain dangers related to using cannabis. Some patients have reported feeling adverse effects such as feeling overwhelmed, panicked, paranoid, or experiencing an increased heart rate. Some strains, especially those with high THC content, are more likely to effects patients in this way. Strains with high CBD content modulate the effects of the THC, so they are less likely to have these adverse effects. Some people have deep seated fears connected to using cannabis because of the criminality associated with it. As with all medications, cannabis might not be the best option to treat your medical condition. Talk to your doctor if you notice any unwanted side effects. You can also report serious or unexpected effects of cannabis to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345, or by email at cadrmp@hc-sc.gc.ca
What is the process to obtain a medical cannabis prescription through your service?
You can receive a medical cannabis prescription through our MEDICAL CANNABIS link. If you go to our HOME page and click on the link “MEDICAL CANNABIS”. Follow the steps outlined there. When we receive the form back we will forward it a Cannabis Clinic in the GTA. You will be contacted by a representative who will guide you through the next steps. You will have to provided a list from the pharmacy of medications you have been prescribed for your condition. You will be seeing a Health Care Practitioner who is experienced in prescribing cannabis as medicine. The clinic visit is covered by OHIP.
After you have the prescription, we will register you with a Licensed grower to supply you with safe, legal medical cannabis.
It will be delivered to your home in discreet packaging. When you receive your first order, you receive a card, and container that makes you legal to possess and transport your medication.
What is the endocannabinoid system?
In 1964, Israeli researcher Dr. Raphael Mechoulam identified THC as the main active ingredient in cannabis. THC is the compound in cannabis that makes you “high.” Three decades later, he began studying how THC works in the body and the brain. This lead to his discovery of a complex cell-signalling system triggered by not only THC, but other compounds such as CBD (which does not make you high). Dr. Mechoulam named this system “endocannabinoid” because “endo” means within the body and “cannabinoid” refers to the role that cannabis played in the discovery. It’s now known that the endocannabinoid system (also known as ECS) is critical in regulating the functioning of many body processes. Your body contains receptors called CB1 and CB2, which regulate your nervous, immune, digestive, and endocrine system, regulating overall bodily function. When you introduce cannabinoids, such as CBD, the ECS sends chemical messages that trigger biological actions throughout the body, which are critical for good health and well-being.