US Medical Guidelines for the Use of Therapeutic Compounds in Cannabis
Given the evidence that CBD has a dampening effect on some of the results associated with THC, it is recommended to use hemp plants that contain a high ratio of CBD: THC. It is this criterion that underlies the creation of therapeutic hemp varieties. The results obtained in the course of the application of the medicinal properties of the varieties of technical hemp with a therapeutic orientation of the varieties already registered in Ukraine indicate that the "green mass" of plants in which THC is below 0.05%, and CBD is above 2.5% (the ratio of CBD to THC is 2.5 / 0.05 = 50) is several times more powerful and effective than European / American / Canadian / Swiss hybrids in which THC is lower than 0.2 / 0.3 / 1%, and CBD is about 2/3/13% (CBD ratio to THC is 10/10/13).
Trying to thoroughly understand the algorithms offered to the state for the fastest, least costly and extremely effective provision of access to the therapeutic properties of the hemp plant to Ukrainian consumers / patients, the editors of the specialized electronic edition of Ukrainian cannabis growers turned to the specialists of the information and analytical platform Hemp Consulting for an explanation of what is the basis similar initiatives. To our utter surprise, we were not presented with national fabrications on this topic, but research by American scientists back in 2017, officially published in the American Journal of Public Health.
Based on the research conducted, the Americans formulated 10 recommendations, the essence of which is set out below
Recommendation 1: The most effective way to avoid any risks of using psychoactive cannabis is to refrain from using it. Those who decide to use plant elements containing psychoactive ingredients need to recognize that they are at risk of various - acute and long-term - adverse health and social consequences. These risks will vary in likelihood and severity based on user characteristics, use patterns and product quality, and therefore may differ from consumer to patient or from one episode of use to the next [Evidence level: not required]
Guideline 2: Early initiation of the psychoactive constituents of cannabis (i.e., most prominently that begins before age 16) is associated with multiple subsequent adverse health and social consequences at a young age. These effects are especially pronounced in users who use psychoactive constituents of the plant in childhood. In part, this may be due to the fact that frequent use of the psychoactive constituents of cannabis affects the developing brain. Warning messages should emphasize that the later the use of the psychoactive constituents of the plant is started, the lower the risk of adverse effects on the general health and well-being of the consumer later in life [Level of Evidence: significant]
Recommendation 3: Foods high in THC are generally associated with a higher risk of various (acute and chronic) mental and behavioral problems. Consumers should be aware of the nature and composition of the hemp plant products they use and ideally use plant products that are low in THC. Given the evidence that CBD has a weakening effect on some of the results associated with THC, it is recommended to use hemp plants that contain a high ratio of CBD: THC [Evidence level: significant]
Recommendation 4: Recent reviews of synthetic cannabinoids point to markedly more acute and serious adverse health effects from the use of these products (including deaths). The use of these products should be avoided [Evidence level: limited]
Tip 5: Regular inhalation of cannabis leaves and buds has a negative effect on the health of the respiratory tract. Although alternative methods of delivery have their own risks, it is usually preferable to avoid routes of administration associated with the use of plant “green matter” combustion products (eg, using vaporizers or food). Food use eliminates respiratory risks, but delayed onset of psychoactive effects may result in higher doses than anticipated and subsequently increased (mostly acute, eg due to worsening) side effects [Evidence level: significant]
Guideline 6: Users should avoid practices such as deep inhalation, breath holding or Valsalva maneuver to increase absorption of psychoactive ingredients when using cannabis leaf and flower combustion products, as these methods disproportionately increase the release of toxic substances into the pulmonary system [Evidence level: limited ]
Recommendation 7: Frequent or intense (eg, daily or almost daily) use of psychoactive cannabis is closely associated with a higher risk of adverse health and social effects. Users should be aware and vigilant that they themselves, as well as friends, colleagues or other users, use the psychoactive constituents of the hemp plant no more often than, for example, one day a week - only on weekends, etc.) [Level of Evidence : significant]
Recommendation 8: Driving while intoxicated by cannabis psychoactive elements is associated with an increased risk of involvement in road accidents. Users are advised to categorically refrain from driving (or operating other machinery or mobile devices) for at least 6 hours after consuming the psychoactive constituents of cannabis. This waiting time can be longer, depending on the consumer and the properties of the particular hemp product used. In addition to these behavioral guidelines, users are required to comply with local legal restrictions on violations that limit the use of psychoactive constituents in cannabis while driving. Both the psychoactive constituents of cannabis and alcohol are associated with a manifold increase in disability and the risk of driving, and this should be strictly avoided [Level of Evidence: significant]
Recommendation 9: There are populations that are likely to be at higher risk of side effects associated with the use of the psychoactive constituents of cannabis and should refrain from consuming the plant. These include people with a predisposition to psychoses and substance use disorders, or with a first-degree family history, and pregnant women (primarily to avoid adverse effects on the fetus or newborn). These recommendations are based in part on the precautionary principles [Evidence level: significant]
Recommendation 10: Although data are scarce, it is likely that a combination of some of the above risk behaviors will increase the risk of adverse outcomes from the psychoactive constituents of the cannabis plant. For example, early initiation of use associated with frequent consumption of potent psychoactive elements of the plant may disproportionately increase the risk of acute or chronic illness. Consumer interests and government policies should be aimed at creating conditions to prevent these high health risk combination patterns of plant use [Level of evidence: limited].
Commentary by experts of the information and analytical platform Hemp Consulting
I would like to draw special attention to certain provisions of the Recommendations, which became the foundation for the creation of the initiated strategy:
- Point 3 - Given the evidence that CBD has a weakening effect on some of the results associated with THC, it is recommended to use hemp plants that contain a high ratio of CBD: THC. It is this criterion that underlies the creation of therapeutic hemp varieties. The results obtained in the course of using the medicinal properties of therapeutic hemp varieties already registered in Ukraine indicate that the “green mass” of plants in which THC is below 0.05% and CBD is above 2.5% (the ratio of CBD to THC is 2.5 / 0.05 = 50) is many times more powerful and effective than European / American / Canadian / Swiss hybrids in which THC is lower than 0.2 / 0.3 / 1%, and CBD is about 2/3/13% (CBD ratio to THC is 10/10/13).
- point 4 - the use of synthetic cannabinoids suggests markedly more acute and serious adverse health effects from their use (including deaths). Therefore, you should avoid using these types of products.
Those. in order for the consumer to receive the product that is as friendly and effective as possible from the point of view of using the therapeutic properties of the plant, it is necessary to exclude the use of synthetic cannabinoids, respectively, to work only with therapeutically active elements of plant origin. In addition, taking into account the “ensemble effect” present in the hemp plant, as well as the activity in the direction of extracting foreign biotechnological and pharmaceutical companies, it is most expedient to focus on the use of therapeutically active elements of hemp in food, cosmetic preparations, food / feed / dietary / biologically active additives, i.e. use of the plant for industrial purposes. Understanding what exactly needs to be done in order to “launch” this sector of modern cannabis growing in our country and provide the patient / consumer with the opportunity to use the therapeutic properties of registered national varieties of technical hemp for therapeutic purposes already in mid-2021, appropriate events are organized with interested state structures aimed to implement our vision of solving such problems.