The Medical Cannabis Guidebook. Mel Thomas

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      To get the best from your vaporizer, you have to be aware of the cannabinoid profile of the cannabis you are vaporizing, as you will only obtain high levels of CBD if it is actually present. If you wish mainly to experience the effects of THC, do not set your temperature control above 320°F (160°C). After a couple of bags, you can increase the temperature to allow the release of CBD or you may wish to save the already vaporized cannabis for later use. To get the best out of your vaporizer, you should experiment; you may find that vaporizing THC during the day and re-vaporizing the same cannabis at a higher temperature in the evening is a good regimen. As an alternative to re-vaporizing you may prefer to use the remaining cannabinoids in an edible form or cannabis preparation.

       CANNABINOID RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURES

      THC 284-320°F (140-160°C)

      CBD 320-356°F (160-180°C)

      CBN 365°F (185°C)

      CBC 428°F (220°C)

      Temperatures in excess of 446°F (230°C) will produce benzene and other harmful chemicals.

      The cannabis plant also produces terpenoid essential oils, which are responsible for its distinctive aromas and tastes and also have beneficial medicinal properties. Like the cannabinoids, they evaporate at set temperatures.

       TERPENOID PROPERTIES TEMP

      ß-caryophyllene Anti-inflammatory 248°F (120°C)

      a-pinene Bronchodilator stimulant 312°F (156°C)

      ß-myrcene Analgesic & Anti-inflammatory 330°F (166°C)

      d-limonene Antidepressant 350°F (177°C)

      linalool Sedative 388°F (198°C)

      pulegone Sedative 435°F (224°C)

      The inhalation of cannabinoid oils in this fashion is referred to as “dabbing,” and the amount of oil (dab) used per dose will usually vary between 0.1 and 0.8 of a gram.

Ingestion

      There are many edible preparations of cannabis. Patients who are ingesting or eating cannabis for the first time should be cautious as the effects can take between 30 minutes to three hours to be felt, depending on the preparation and the metabolism of the individual. With such a wide variance it’s possible to inadvertently take an additional dose before the full effects of the initial dose have been felt.

      It is important when ingesting cannabis to know the cannabinoid content of the preparation being consumed. This is much easier if you are making the edibles yourself, as you have complete control over the potency and strength. If you live in an area where medical cannabis is legal and you obtain your cannabis edibles and preparations from a dispensary, the cannabinoid content should be clearly displayed on the product. When ingesting cannabis, it is far more effective to consume your necessary dose on an empty stomach.

Capsules

      These are useful for ease of administration and monitoring dose, so many patients choose to encapsulate their cannabinoid oil concentrate. Empty 500-milligram capsules made from plant starch are available online. The capsules come in two halves and you fill one half with oil at your required dosage, then close the cap with the other half.

       1:1 CBD:THC cannabis oil preparations.

Cannabis Tinctures (Alcohol)

      These are an excellent way to utilize the plant’s medicinal ingredients, and a good alternative to smoking. Tinctures are easy to make and involve soaking your dried cannabis buds in ethanol or ethyl alcohol. The proof listed on commercial alcohol refers to the percentage of ethanol that the drink contains. The proof is twice the percentage (purity), so 70 proof means that the mixture contains 35% ethanol. The higher the alcohol content, the better the extraction. High-proof spirits such as Everclear 95% pure grain alcohol can be difficult to obtain, but if you have access to these products, they are ideal to use.

      When you are making a tincture, the cannabis used must be absolutely dry and decarboxylated by gently heating in an oven at 110°C (230°F) to activate the cannabinoids. The process of heating converts the cannabinoid acids such as THCA into THC. It is advisable to chop but not finely grind the material before use. The cannabis should be soaked from between one and 10 days, with around seven days being adequate. The recommended minimum effective ratio to use is one gram of bud per 35 milliliters (one fluid ounce) of alcohol, with up to eight grams per 35 milliliters used for those preferring a stronger tincture. Place the solution into a sealed jar that you can periodically shake to assist in the process. Throughout the soaking period use only enough ethanol to cover the plant material. To make what is known as a “cold extraction”, place the jar in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator and remove periodically to shake the container. This cold extraction can be completed in around four days, but is not necessary for good results.

       Cannabis oil can be easily made at home using kitchen equipment.

      Once the soaking process has finished, strain the solution, and then further purify it by filtering through a coffee filter. Store the tincture in a cool dark place, preferably in a bottle with a dropper. Because of the varying strengths of tinctures, patients should experiment with small doses until the desired effect is achieved. Administer under the tongue using the dropper.

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