Judge Declines to Remove Marijuana from Dangerous Drug List

 (Photo Courtesy of The Daily Chronic)

SACRAMENTO, California
A federal judge in California declined Wednesday to remove marijuana from the list of most dangerous drugs.
U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller issued the ruling in response to a motion by defense attorneys to dismiss charges in a case that authorities say involves a marijuana growing operation.
The case was unusual in that Mueller decided to consider marijuana's designation as a Schedule 1 drug. Schedule 1 drugs include heroin and LSD and are defined as drugs with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Marijuana's classification as a Schedule 1 drug has brought states that have legalized medical marijuana into conflict with federal authorities, leading to raids on growers and dispensaries that appear to be operating legally under state law.
Legal experts said it marked the first time in decades that a federal district court judge seriously considered marijuana's classification. Judges have generally accepted the classification and the federal ban on its use, growth and distribution.
Mueller's decision was expected, but her move to hold a hearing last year to consider the issue marked a significant step that reflects growing skepticism about federal marijuana law, said Sam Kamin, a marijuana regulation expert at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
"While this one came out the other way, what you see is a lot of momentum in changing federal marijuana law," he said.
Mueller said during a 15-minute court hearing that she was initially prepared to grant the defense motion but then decided from the facts of this particular case that "this is not the court and this is not the time." She said she decided it was up to Congress to change the law if it wishes.
She said a written ruling would be issued by the end of the week.
"It has been 45 years since Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act," she said, noting that "the landscape has changed" since then.
However, while the courts are an independent branch of government, they are not designed to act as a maker of public policy, she said.
Defense attorney Bill Bonham, speaking for his fellow attorneys, said he was disappointed.
"I felt that the judge was leaning to grant the motion, from our previous hearings, so I guess it's disappointing," he said.
Mueller gave the defense attorneys three weeks to regroup before a May 6 court hearing to set a trial late this year or early next year in the case.
Attorneys for the defendants had argued that marijuana was far less harmful than legal drugs, and its classification as a Schedule 1 drug was arbitrary in violation of the Constitution. They also said the government enforced marijuana laws unevenly, allowing its distribution in states that have legalized it while cracking down elsewhere.
Prosecutors said marijuana met all the criteria for a Schedule 1 drug, saying it has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. They also argued that Mueller did not have jurisdiction to consider how marijuana was classified.
The criminal complaint filed in 2011 named 16 defendants and accused them of conspiring to grow at least 1,000 pot plants as part of an operation that included land in Shasta-Trinity National Forest in California.

BY DON THOMPSON
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Is Your Endocannabinoid System in Balance?

Many of us realize the important of “balance” in our daily lives. Balancing work and play is a critical part of our physical and mental health. Nutritional scientists have shown that balancing omega-6 fats (which are generally, but not always, pro-inflammatory and therefore considered the “bad guys”) with omega-3 fats (the “good guys”) can impact a multitude of health outcomes. For example, replacing omega-6 rich processed foods (e.g., french fries, potato chips, and pastries) with omega-3 rich healthy alternatives (e.g., salmon steak, sardines, and fresh leafy vegetables) improves cardiovascular health, brain health, and metabolic wellness. A similar analogy can be used when discussing endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid “tone/balance.”

What is the Endocannabinoid System?

To briefly review, the endocannabinoid system is a group of specialized lipids, their receptors, and the enzymes that produce and degrade them. Through direct and indirect actions, endocannabinoids are known to modulate and influence a variety of physiological systems, including appetite, pain, inflammation, thermoregulation, intra-ocular pressure, sensation, muscle control, energy balance, metabolism, sleep health, stress responses, motivation/reward, mood, and memory.

What are Cannabinoid Receptors?

Cannabinoid receptors are an important class of cell membrane receptors that are also known to have a serpentine shape. Receptors are akin to "locks," and the ligand compounds that bind to them are akin to "keys" in a lock & key system. They have about seven sections that pass through the outer cell membrane. Cannabinoid receptors are also coupled to G-proteins, where a lot of the signaling "magic" happens when a molecule or compound binds to the outer portion of these receptors. The three main ligands that bind to cannabinoid receptors are all lipophilic (fatty or "fat-loving" compounds), and include endocannabinoids (synthesized within the body), phytocannabinoids (plant-derived, such as from cannabis), and synthetic cannabinoids.
The cannabinoid receptors are further divided into two main subtypes, known as CB1 and CB2. Although they have some similarity, they are mostly differentiated by what tissue or organ system they are associated with in the body. CB1 is found mostly in the brain, with some presence in lung, kidney, liver, fat, heart, muscle, and bone. CB1 receptors are mostly associated with the psychoactive and euphoric aspects of THC. However, CB2 receptors are mostly found within the immune system and blood cells, and secondarily in lesser density within the nervous system, liver, gut, muscle, and bone.

How Do Cannabinoid Receptors Contribute to the Balance of the Endocannabinoid System?

Endocannabinoid tone/balance is the relative contributions of CB1 vs. CB2 activity at any given time. Research is accumulating that shows CB1 dominance is associated with increased perception of stress, anxiety, paranoia, augmented appetite, and decreased nausea/vomiting and pain, as well as enhanced immune surveillance, the latter of which has been demonstrated in certain cancer models. In contrast, CB2 dominance is associated with decreased inflammation and tissue injury, in conjunction with improvements in metabolic health, insulin signaling/sensitivity, satiety, and energy balance.
Using this information, some scientists are zeroing in on specific CB1 blockers that could improve many of the symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Specifically, it includes increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels. Some research in this area has already demonstrated that peripheral CB1 inhibition reduces blood pressure and blood sugar and improves cholesterol levels, as well as leads to visceral fat loss resulting in a lower risk for cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes.

What Does a Balanced Endocannabinoid System Look Like?

Recent biochemical and behavioral findings demonstrate that “optimal” activation of CB1 receptors promotes antidepressant-like neurochemical changes and behavioral effects consistent with antidepressant/anti-stress activity in rodents. These findings reinforce the importance of a balanced endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is known to control the proliferation, differentiation, survival, and immune competence of the often-neglected integumentary organ system (i.e., skin cells and hair). Targeting and manipulating endocannabinoid balance with the intent to normalize unwanted skin cell growth and skin inflammation might be beneficial for a variety of human skin conditions (psoriasis, eczema, acne, dermatitis, systemic sclerosis, etc).
Our initial example drawing comparisons between the omega-6: omega-3 essential polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) balance and the CB1: CB2 endocannabinoid tone is even more appropriate as dietary PUFA intake has been shown to influence the levels of anandamide and 2-AG (the two most prominent endocannabinoids in humans). Therefore, the balance of omega-6 and omega-3 PUFA is an important modifier for the activation and suppression of cannabinoid signaling in cells.
To illustrate this point, Hutchins-Weise et al. published findings from a rodent model of immobilization-disuse atrophy in combination with fish oil supplementation. The increased omega-3 levels from fish oil consumption caused significant changes in the endocannabinoid system (increased receptors of CB2, but decreased levels of 2-AG and CB1 activity) of the mice by sensitizing the muscle to counter the effects of immobilization and hind-limb suspension.

What Happens When the Endocannabinoid System Becomes Imbalanced?

Keep in mind that “balance” is critical, as research has shown if we tip the scales too heavily in the direction of CB1 inhibition, there may be an associated decrease in fertility, with increased risk of depression, mood disturbance, and immunosuppression. An overabundance of CB1 signaling has been associated with increased psychoactivity, systemic inflammation, cardiovascular risk, diabetes, and obesity. In contrast, CB2 over-activation and dominance could lead to decreased immune function and diminished wound healing.


References:
Castillo PE, et al. Endocannabinoid Signaling and Synaptic Function. Neuron. 2012. 76(1):70-81
Bíró T, Tóth BI, Haskó G, Paus R, Pacher P. The endocannabinoid system of the skin in health and disease: novel perspectives and therapeutic opportunities. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences. 2009;30(8):411-420. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2009.05.004.
Witkin JM, Tzavara ET, Nomikos GG. A role for cannabinoid CB1 receptors in mood and anxiety disorders. Behavioural Pharmacology. 2005;16(5-6):315-331. doi:10.1097/00008877-200509000-00005.
Hutchins-Wiese HL, Li Y, Hannon K, Watkins BA. Hind limb suspension and long-chain omega-3 PUFA increase mRNA endocannabinoid system levels in skeletal muscle. J Nutr Biochem. 2012 Aug;23(8):986-93.

Marijuana under a microscope

Ever wonder what marijuana looks like up close and personal?

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What Is Cannabigerol

 

Cannabis Sativa

What is CBG?

Scientists first discovered cannabigerol, or CBG, in 1964 as a constituent of hashish. In 1975, researchers found out CBGA (the acid form of CBG) is the first cannabinoid formed in the plant; the first expression of cannabis’ unique class of constituents. From there, CBGA gets transformed into THCA, CBDA or CBCA by the action of enzymes. CBGA is the essential precursor for all the cannabinoids we know and love.

Does CBG get you high?

While mostly regarded as a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, technically the jury is still out on this one. Until someone dabs purified CBG, we won’t know what ingesting significant amounts of it actually does. CBG needs higher temperatures to vaporize.

What does the medical research say about CBG?

Just recently in January 2015, researchers discovered that CBG had neuroprotective effects in mice with Huntington’s Disease, a disease characterized by the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. CBG slowed down progression of colon cancer in mice, a promising result that may soon lead to a new treatment method. Evidence suggests CBG is a highly potent alpha-2-adrenoceptor agonist and moderately potent 5-HT1A-receptor antagonist, giving it a wide range of potential therapeutic potential as an antidepressant, for the treatment of psoriasis, and as an analgesic.
In spite of all the good research, in one study CBG reversed CBD’s antiemetic properties by interacting with it at the 5-HT1A-receptor site.

Where do I find CBG?

CBG is minor cannabinoid in pretty much all varieties of Cannabis, generally less than 1%. Nevertheless, narrow-leafleted drug strains from the Indian-subcontinent, were found to have slightly higher levels of CBG than others. Without becoming a landrace strain hunter, relatively high amounts of CBG can be extracted from budding plants about three-quarters of the way through flowering. Information on CBG content throughout flowering can be gathered from an analysis done on Bediol®, a medicinal strain produced by Bedrocan BV Medicinal Cannabis, a Dutch supplier of research grade pot. They flowered the Bediol® for eight weeks and analyzed the content of different cannabinoids every week; CBG was the highest at week 6.

What is the future for CBG?

Another puzzle piece in the story of medical cannabis, research on CBG is certain to continue. As consumer interest in CBG rises as well, breeders will soon be on the case of making a high-CBG strain.

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Why Marijuana Is Illegal & Classified As A Schedule 1 Drug

The Story Behind Why Cannabis Is Illegal 

 In 1913, Henry Ford opened his famous automobile assembly line to start producing the Model-T. In the 30′s, Ford opened a plant in Michigan where they successfully experimented with biomass fuel conversion, proving that hemp could be used as an alternative to fossil fuels. They extracted methanol, charcoal fuel, tar, pitch ethyl-acetate, and creosote all from hemp. What this meant for Ford was that he could now not only produce their own raw materials to make cars, but he could make the fuel to run them as well. The discovery was horrible news for a man by the name of Andrew Melon, who owned much of the Gulf Oil Corporation; a company who had just recently opened their first drive through gas station. Andrew Mellon was the Secretary of the Treasury under President Herbert Hoover, and owner of the 6th largest bank at the time, Mellon Bank. His bank was the primary financial support of a petrochemical company by the name of DuPont. DuPont was developing and patenting many different forms of synthetics from fossil fuels including the synthetic rubber, plastic, rayon, and paint that GM used to coat their cars. However, Mellon Bank was most heavily invested in DuPonts sulfer-based process of turning wood fiber into usable paper.

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