Patriot Care - MA Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

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Science and Research

The Science of Cannabinoids

cannabidnoids

Humans have used marijuana for medical purposes for thousands of years. But only in the past few decades have scientists begun to understand how the wide range of chemicals found in cannabis work in the body when it comes to medical marijuana. “We’re in much better shape now than we ever have been to know exactly what’s in there, so we can have cannabis that’s quantified in terms of the major psychoactive ingredients,” explained Mark Ware, director of clinical research at the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit at the McGill University Health Centre, in an interview with Healthline. Among these ingredients are at least 104 active cannabinoids. They mimic the actions of signaling chemicals in the brain called endocannabinoids, which dock with specific receptors on the surface of cells. Some cannabinoids also dock with other receptors, including those for serotonin and adrenaline. Meet the Cannabinoids
  • delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
  • tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
  • cannabigerol (CBG)
  • cannabidiol (CBD)
  • cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)

Each chemical acts on different receptors in different ways. For example, THCV blocks the mind-altering effects of THC while simultaneously combatting inflammation in the body, which may help relieve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and protect against liver damage. It also changes how the serotonin receptor behaves during psychosis, potentially offering a treatment for schizophrenia.

Meanwhile, CBG’s unique profile of activity at adrenaline and serotonin receptors makes it good for treating pain. CBD and CBDA, on the other hand, are better candidates to treat nausea. Other possible uses of cannabinoids include treating stroke, PTSD, epilepsy, and drug addiction. However, there are dozens of strains of medical marijuana on the market, each claiming to have different properties for treating different symptoms. “We’ve got thousands of patients who’ve been using medical marijuana now in some kind of legal regime for dozens of years, and nobody’s ever tracked these patients over time,” he said. “We could track the patients, we could map the patients’ [symptoms] with the particular cannabis that they’re using, and we could be learning from that interaction between patient and plant to see: Are there some combinations of cannabinoids that are better for certain syndromes and symptoms than others?”

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Women in Cannabis: Closing the Gender Gap

Women are increasingly closing the gender gap in the swiftly flourishing medical marijuana industry and here’s why.

Many are finding their path to the industry through policy work, marketing, cultivation or for medical reasons. As the business of medical marijuana continues to expand, the number of positions held by women can be expected to reflect this.

According to a survey conducted by Marijuana Business Daily, women are well-represented in various areas of the medical cannabis trade. Ladies hold 63 percent of high-level posts and 48 percent of senior jobs in process and product manufacturing.

They all share a common interest in shedding the stigma of medical cannabis use and are working in a number of positions to make that happen.

MeganstoryMegan Carr serves as Head of Market for SWC Tempe and SWC Prescott, state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries located in Arizona. Her main challenge is keeping up with the growing demand for more product.

Carr said her “love for the healing power of the plant in its natural form” guided her interest in working with medical marijuana.

“It is such a fast-paced environment. The best part of my job is increasing the quality of life for all those involved, from seed to sale, to medicating,” she said.

Nikki McComack works as the cure and packaging manager at SWC Tempe, an Arizona dispensary and Nikkistorysaid the best part of her job is helping patients. She said she has not experienced any personal challenges in a position generally held by men.

“Like any job, you have the challenge of proving yourself,” she said. “I have personally seen this medicine help so many. I came to the industry to try and help educate people with the benefits of this wonderful medicine.”

Working directly with patients at Capital City Care has helped Carrie Candaffio reach her goal to help others address medical issues and improve their quality of life.

“There are so many options in medical marijuana. It’s a process for some people to find exactly what they need, and I’m the one that should be able to guide them to relief.”

Jobs in the industry are not limited to dispensary positions, or even jobs requiring direct contact with medical cannabis. There is also a surge in marketing, consulting and social media management positions.

BETHstory“I spend most of my time behind a computer,” said Beth Marchand, Director of Marketing and Promotions for Columbia Care. “I came from outside of the medical marijuana and health care industry, so there was a fast learning curve on the ins-and-outs of our product and patient needs. I get a lot of satisfaction from our work and improving the lives of our patients.”

The growing trend of industry-related groups has also been on the rise.

In 2014, Women Grow, a professional marijuana women’s networking group, was established with a group of 70 female professionals. The group has grown to more than 1,000 women across the country with 30 chapters.

Mia Di MiaStory2Stefano manages social media for HealthMJ, an organization which advocates for and educates cancer patients about the benefits of medical cannabis. Through HealthMJ, she became involved with the New York City chapter of Women Grow, where she manages sponsors and partnership for networking events.

“I helped care for my father who had multiple myeloma (a type of blood cell cancer) until he died in 2003, and it was clear to me that cannabis could have treated many of the resulting ailments – severe joint pain, nausea, feeding tubes, acute depression or a least greatly reduced the amount of pills he was on.”

I’m grateful to have found a company whose mission is so meaningful to me. We are here to help patients navigate what medical marijuana means for them!”

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