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What is the Endocannabinoid System?

September 3rd 2020

Not many people know that our bodies have an entire system dedicated to receiving cannabinoids, known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). It is a widely-studied system that is designed to receive both endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids.

Our Body is Made to Receive Cannabinoids

Endocannabinoids are compounds naturally produced in the human body (as well as all other vertebrates), while phytocannabinoids are compounds found in many plants, but they are most densely populated in the cannabis plant. Endocannabinoids have been found to be naturally occurring in many places in the human body, including breast milk.

The cannabis plant is composed of phytocannabinoids like CBD, THC, CBG, and they interact with receptors in our body’s endocannabinoid system. There have been over 100 discovered phytocannabinoids. The interaction between cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system or ECS encourages the body to return to homeostasis and promote an overall sense of well-being in the body.

Two Receptors in the Endocannabinoid System Have Been Discovered

So far, science has only firmly established two receptors in the endocannabinoid system, though there is belief that there could be more, specifically a third receptor.

The known receptors are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The cannabinoid THC fits the CB1 receptor perfectly. CB1 receptors are mainly found in our brain stem and spinal cord, nervous system, some vital organs, connective tissues, gonads, and glands, though parts of our bodies contain both receptors. The CB1 receptors in our brain stem explains why THC impacts the mind and promotes a gentle psychological altering.

CB2 receptors are mainly found in immune cells and they interact with CBD as opposed to THC. CBG is another phytocannabinoid that has hit the cannabis scene lately. CBG has been shown to also interact primarily with CB2 receptors while providing a non-psychotropic effect.

CB2 receptors are heavily concentrated in the gastrointestinal tract and help to regulate inflammation. This is why CBD and other cannabinoids have been shown to be effective for digestive conditions like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. This study notes, “Cannabinoids have similarly demonstrated the ability to block spinal, peripheral and gastrointestinal mechanisms that promote pain in headache, fibromyalgia, IBS and related disorders.”

Unlike THC, CBD does not fit the CB2 receptor perfectly. Scientists know that CBD has a strong affinity with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, but the exact science is still unsettled. It is thought that CBD modifies the receptors’ ability to bind to cannabinoids.

CB1 and CB2 Receptors Help Different Ailments

The idea is that different cannabinoids stimulate the proper endocannabinoid receptors in order to help different ailments. For example, we mentioned the CB2 receptor and how it can benefit digestive ailments when stimulated. It is also anti-inflammatory in nature, making CBD a great remedy for pain. CBD salves are a popular choice among users with chronic pain because the endocannabinoid receptors in the skin are able to receive the CBD and combat inflammation. 

CB1 receptors in the nervous system and brain stem make THC a great medicine for Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and others. Many patients attribute THC to the improvement of their symptoms. Watch Larry in this video try medical marijuana for the first time. Larry has Parkinson’s disease and within minutes his tremor dyskinesia subsides.

The Entourage Effect

The CB2 receptor is attractive to researchers because unlike the CB1 receptor, the CB2 receptor does not cause psychotropic effects. This is why CBD is frequently isolated and sold on its own.

However, many researchers and forward-thinking cannabis professionals believe in the “entourage effect,” meaning cannabinoids can work better together. Therefore, isolating CBD or stimulating CB2 receptors by themselves may not produce the same results medically as it would if more of the plant were used. Here is another video, this time of Gary in Colorado. Gary also has Parkinson’s disease and participated in a study exploring the use of CBD to treat it under his doctor’s care. Gary tried it and his tremors did not improve. However, his sleep did and now Gary is a believer in medical marijuana and CBD. He even started growing it and created his own CBD oil.

Knowing what we know about the entourage effect, Gary may have had better luck dissolving his tremors had he tried THC, too. There is new research taking place all of the time trying to learn even more about the endocannabinoid system than we know now. There have been enough studies proving the ECS’s crucial role in our body’s regulatory functions to make a case for medical marijuana.

Terpenes: Aromatic Compounds

August 31st 2020

There are many reasons why people would want to stop and smell the roses. Who wouldn’t want to take a minute just to breathe in their sweet scent? Flowers, however, aren’t the only plants that are worth getting a whiff of and you can thank terpenes for that.

What are Terpenes?

Terpenes are oily compounds that plants secrete in order to produce a distinct aroma. Their natural purpose is to either attract creatures that pollinate or deter ones that prey on them. For the cannabis plant in particular, more than 100 terpenes can be found in one flower.

How are Terpenes Produced?

The production of terpenes in plants, such as cannabis, depends on how they develop throughout their lifespans. External factors like the time of day or climate can result in various types and amounts of terpenes.

Popular Terpenes in Cannabis

Not all of the terpenes found in cannabis are the same. A few popular ones include myrcene, pinene, limonene, humulene, and linalool. Each has its own medicinal benefits and aromas.

  • Myrcene – provides the body with antioxidants and has an earthy smell.
  • Pinene – reduces inflammation caused by allergies and smells like pine.
  • Limonene – has antibacterial properties and emits a citrusy odor.
  • Humulene – alleviates pain and has a woody or spice-like scent.
  • Linalool – provides a sense of calm and smells like lavender.

The Entourage Effect

While terpenes are helpful on their own, they can be even more beneficial through cannabis. One theory known as “the entourage effect” claims that the compounds, such as CBD, THC, terpenes, and others, partner well together.

Follow Your Nose North

North is a medical marijuana dispensary that is coming to Missouri soon. Stay tuned for all the aromas that will be made available to patients with a Missouri medical marijuana card. Don’t have yours yet? Check out our blog to learn more: https://north.life/blog/. 

What Conditions Qualify for a Medical Card in Missouri?

August 20th 2020

Because cannabis is illegal under federal law, medical marijuana laws in the United States vary state-to-state. Some are more restrictive than others in terms of who is qualified to use medical marijuana, while others make it easy for those seeking cannabis for their conditions to access it. We are going to look at some of the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Missouri.

Amendment 2

“Any chronic medical condition that causes severe, persistent pain or persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those associated with multiple sclerosis, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, and Tourette syndrome; a chronic medical condition that is normally treated with a prescription medication that could lead to psychological dependence, when a physician determines that medical use of marijuana could be effective in treating that condition and would serve as a safer alternative to the prescription medication; any terminal illness; or in the professional judgement of a physician, any other chronic, debilitating or other medical condition, including, but not limited to, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, Huntington’s disease, autism, neuropathies, sickle cell anemia, agitation of Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia, and wasting syndrome.”

In other words – qualifying conditions for a medical card in Missouri can be any condition your doctor deems trying medical marijuana appropriate for. This makes Missouri one of the most lenient medical marijuana laws in the country, allowing patients to access the medicine they need easily. This is also good news for the opioid epidemic – which is steadily rising in Missouri every year. Medical marijuana has been shown to be a less addictive and damaging alternative for pain than opioids.

Aside from the general qualifying conditions, there are explicitly listed qualifying conditions for a medical card in Missouri.

Cancer

Cancer is the first condition listed in the Missouri constitution as a qualifying condition. Cancer patients may choose to use medical marijuana for a variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons is to combat nausea from chemotherapy. Medical marijuana can also build an appetite, which chemotherapy kills off quickly. It can even help with other symptoms a cancer patient might be battling like anxiety or neuropathy.

Some cancer patients use medical marijuana because they believe it is curing their cancer. Though we do not claim medical marijuana can treat or cure any disease, some studies show that cannabis may have the potential to fight cancer cells and inhibit their growth. This study, for example, showed cannabidiol (aka CBD) to be effective in “preventing cell growth and induce cell death in cervical cancer cell lines.”

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is listed as one of the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Missouri and is one of the most widely studied conditions exploring medical marijuana for treatment. There is even an FDA-approved drug, Epidiolex, that is a synthetic form of cannabidiol prescribed to patients over the age of two with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The FDA’s approval of Epidiolex signals great potential for cannabis as a treatment for epilepsy. Marinol and Cesamet have also been approved for human use by the FDA; however, they are inspired by THC.

According to sources, cannabis has been seen as a treatment for epilepsy since the 19th century, backed by the experiences and research of William O’Shaughnessy, a well-known physician of the 1800s.

Research has shown that CBD is effective as an alternative to common seizure medications, even in children. Epilepsy is one of the most common reasons that children use CBD or have a medical marijuana card. This study says, “CBD trials reporting over the last two years have successfully transitioned the position of the drug from ‘anecdotal and promising’ to ‘proven to be effective’.”

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the oldest conditions that have been studied questioning medical marijuana’s potential for treating pain – with studies going back to the 1970s. It is also one of the most frequently cited reasons that people use medical marijuana. Glaucoma is a condition that impacts the optic nerve in the eye. The optic nerve is essential for healthy vision. The condition causes pain in the eye and ultimately can lead to vision loss. This condition affects millions of people and is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness. This study from 1971 showed cannabis to relieve intraocular pressure (IOP) by 25-30%. Glaucoma is thought to be a neurodegenerative disorder, so cannabis being a neuroprotector is another reason why it may be beneficial for treating glaucoma.

Cannabinoids Explained

August 13th 2020

Cannabis continues to assist people throughout the world in a variety of important ways. How much do we actually know about the plant itself, though? There is an extensive vocabulary used to describe its many chemical properties, including terms like cannabinoids. If you really want to know what you are putting into your body and how it can have a positive impact, continue reading!

What are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds that are found in flowering cannabis plants. They are responsible for the physical or mental effects that people experience when using them. While there are over 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis, the most well-known types are THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).

THC vs. CBD

While THC and CBD differentiate in chemical structure, another major distinction between them is that only one results in euphoria (a high). THC will cause psychoactive effects while CBD will not. This is due to THC’s ability to connect with receptors in the nervous system. CBD is nonintoxicating when separated from THC.

Are They Medicinal?

These compounds can certainly be used for medicinal purposes. They can help people who suffer from anxiety, pain, inflammation, and other symptoms. Essentially, cannabinoids remove feelings of discomfort by rewiring how our cells communicate with our brains.

How Can I Use Them?

Cannabinoids can be used depending on the patient’s preference. This includes inhaling, consuming, smoking, and even applying it to the skin or tongue. Available products will come in the form of a vapor, liquid, or solid. Consumption may take hours to generate an effect, but inhaling or smoking can lead to instantaneous feeling.

Where Can I Get a Missouri Medical Marijuana Card?

North Dispensaries is making it easier for patients to apply for a Missouri Medical Marijuana Card by promoting the Missouri Medical Marijuana Portal. Check out our previous blog for specific directions, qualifications, and the application process.

The Future of Missouri’s Medical Cannabis Industry

August 6th 2020

The medical cannabis industry in Missouri started off with a bang. The state brought in $13 million in application fees alone, with most of these applicants not receiving licenses and losing out on thousands of dollars. The licensing fees were non-refundable, so applying for a cannabis business license was a huge risk for many applicants.

An Exceptionally Large Number Of Applicants

Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) were blown away by the amount of applications received. Randall Williams, a physician who serves as the director of DHSS, released a statement following the licenses being awarded. He said the state received an “exceptionally large number of applicants.” If the sheer number of applications is any indicator of the industry, it will be a lucrative and thriving one.

As of July 13, 2020, Missouri had over 55,000 approved patients and not a single dispensary is open. Cultivation operations are just beginning to put plants in the ground.

The current number of patients the state has approved far exceeds the number that was predicted. DHSS commissioned a study that estimated 19,000 patients would be approved during the first year, with the study predicting 22,500 to be approved by the end of 2021. There is already such a demand from Missourians for legal access to medical cannabis. It is logical to assume that as time goes on the numbers will continue to grow and cannabis as medicine will become more mainstream in the state of Missouri.

Learning from Maine

Maine legalized medical marijuana in 1999, becoming one of the first states in the US to do so. According to this resource, Maine had 51,324 medical marijuana patients as of 2018. Missouri’s population is a lot larger than Maine’s and while it makes sense mathematically that there would be a larger number of medical marijuana patients in the Show-Me State, it is interesting to look at Maine’s decades-long program. Here we can gain an understanding of just how big Missouri’s cannabis industry could really be as time goes on.

Predictions on Missouri’s Medical Cannabis Market

According to an article published in Greenway Magazine by attorney Christopher McHugh, “Some industry participants are already predicting an initial wholesale price for flower in Missouri of $4,000 per lb. or more…” Publications like Marijuana Business Daily have projected Missouri’s medical cannabis market to generate $300 million in annual sales within a few years of its launch. It is estimated that the Missouri medical cannabis industry will create around 4,000 jobs and create an economic impact of more than $500 million, according to MoCannTrade.

Missouri’s Future in the Adult-Use Cannabis Industry

New Approach Missouri has been collecting signatures in the state to put adult-use cannabis on the ballot for the November election, so it is at the beginning stages. New Approach is the same group that collected signatures to get medical cannabis on the ballot in 2018.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the organization has put off collecting signatures and aims to be on the ballot in 2022. New Approach began collecting signatures in January – so they were only working at it for a few months before COVID-19 forced them to come to a halt.

“Unfortunately, while there is widespread support from Missourians to tax and regulate marijuana, there is currently no practical way during the COVID-19 outbreak to safely gather the 170,000 plus signatures needed over the remaining four weeks to put our initiative on the Missouri ballot in 2020,” New Approach’s campaign manager, John Payne, told Marijuana Moment. “We know Missourians want this and our supporters from every corner of this state will be back next cycle to put this on the 2022 ballot and finally bring Missouri the benefits of a safe and regulated adult-use marijuana program.”

The initiative would allow adults that are 21+ years of age to purchase cannabis for recreational use at a licensed Missouri retailer. It also includes the option for adults to personally cultivate up to three cannabis plants at home.

Payne continued, “We’ve seen tremendous excitement from across the state for ending the prohibition of adult-use marijuana. Missourians support taxing and regulating marijuana in order to give law enforcement additional resources to focus on serious crime. Eleven other states, including our neighbors in Illinois, are currently reaping the tax revenue from regulated marijuana that we know would be so beneficial to the Show-Me-State.”

Just a side note, Missouri isn’t the only state having to stop efforts to amend or create cannabis laws due to COVID-19. California’s initiative to amend their current cannabis laws has been put on pause, Nebraska’s attempt to legalize medicinal cannabis has been stopped, North Dakota has also stopped their efforts to legalize, and many more states have followed suit. There aren’t too many statistics available for the economic benefit of adult-use cannabis in Missouri. However, Illinois made $75 million of recreational cannabis sales in just two months of being in operation.

Head North

If you’re looking for a medical marijuana dispensary in Missouri, head North! Two North Dispensaries, in Hillsboro and Pevely, are coming soon!

How To Apply for a Missouri Medical Marijuana Card

June 28th 2020

There’s been excitement growing throughout the state of Missouri ever since medical marijuana gained a favorable vote in 2018. However, those who need it the most may be unsure of how they can legally purchase it for their health concerns in the upcoming months. Before heading straight to dispensaries like North, continue reading to learn how to apply for a Missouri medical marijuana card.

Schedule an Appointment for Physician Certification

The first step is to schedule an appointment for physician certification with a Missouri-licensed physician. They will work directly with you to see if you meet the necessary qualifications. North recommends Dr. Judd of Midwest GreenCert. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Judd, visit https://midwestgreencert.com/schedule-an-appointment/. 

Once you have received your physician certification form, you have 30 days to apply. If approved, your card will be active for one year. Through Dr. Judd, you will not be charged if you do not qualify.

MO Qualifications

To qualify for a Missouri medical marijuana card, you must be a Missouri resident and 18 years or older. Qualifying medical conditions include those that are normally treated with a prescription medication that could lead to physical or psychological dependence. To learn more, visit the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services.   

Required Information and Forms

There are several forms that are required when submitting your application. First, obtain your completed written certification form from a qualified physician and fill out your application form. Next, photocopy your Missouri-issued driver’s license or state ID. Make sure that your name and address on your application form matches your identification.

Application Process

The application process begins when you register for an account on the Missouri Medical Marijuana Portal. On this site, you will create and complete an application before uploading the documents mentioned previously. Simply enter your payment for the nonrefundable application fee next and submit for approval. For a complete walkthrough of the application process, please visit Midwest GreenCert.

Visit North

North Dispensaries wants to help patients live their best lives through relief that medical marijuana offers. We look forward to seeing you soon!

We believe in cannabis. We believe in the relief, the therapeutic benefits, and the freedom of mind it offers to our customers.

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