Pubdate: Sat, 29 Jan 2011
Source: Ukiah Daily Journal, The (CA)
Copyright: 2011 The Ukiah Daily Journal
Contact: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/feedback
Website: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/581
Author: Carole Brodsky
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MEDICAL CANNABIS SYMPOSIUM

Dispensaries Sponsor Seminar

About 50 community members attended a recent seminar sponsored by 
Ukiah's three cannabis dispensaries: Compassionate Heart, MJ's Place 
and Reflections of Avalon, for an afternoon of presentations and 
discussion - the first of what sponsors hope will be many future events.

MediCann is the nation's largest provider of medical marijuana 
recommendations - more than 230,000 to date. MediCann founder Dr. 
Jean Tallerand presented the history of marijuana - discussing the 
etymological meaning of cannabis and its usage dating from Persia in 
8000 B.C. to the present. "Cannabis is the oldest nonfood crop 
cultivated by humans," said Tallerand.

Citing research from Ukiah Daily Journal archives, Dr. Tallerand drew 
chuckles quoting a 1907 edition of the Ukiah Dispatch Democrat 
reporting that the "queer smokes gave one a desire to caress one's 
feet." A Garden Club report in a 1934 Redwood Journal article quoted 
a member who "gave a reading on marijuana, a most interesting and 
lovely plant."

Tallerand says "our dualistic history with cannabis" continues 
unabated, noting as a federally classified Schedule I drug, cannabis 
has no accepted medical use. "Yet drug companies developed a 
synthetic version of THC- marinol," said Tallerand, demonstrating the 
discontinuity between federal regulations and the FDA's acceptance of 
synthesized cannabis as medicine.

Tim Blake, proprietor of Laytonville's Area 101 and founder of the 
annual Emerald Cup outdoor cannabis competition discussed challenges 
for outdoor growers.

"Today we grow all the outdoor cannabis we need but can't get it to 
the marketplace. Mendo's crop was four times larger than last year, 
but we retain less than 18 percent of market share. We have a whole 
generation that doesn't like outdoor cannabis. It's a tough market to 
break," he noted.

Blake feels the future of the cannabis industry is producing strains 
high in "CBDs" - molecular compounds providing patients with more 
health and less "high." He emphasized his success with the 9.31 
program and encouraged growers to join. "If you're not an inlaw, 
you're an outlaw," Blake cautioned.

Dr. Mark Rabe, MediCann's director of patient services, reviewed 
cannabis and patient health. "MediCann patient profiles include the 
elderly suffering from osteoporosis, hospice patients, glaucoma, 
chronic pain, insomnia, arthritis, migraines, cancer, HIV and MS," he said.

Rabe discussed the role of CBDs and the brain's endocannabinoid 
receptor sites. "Cannabis binds to these receptor sites located on 
cell membranes. This causes intracellular reactions resulting in 
relief from pain and nausea, lowering of intra-ocular pressure in 
glaucoma patients, changes in the gastrointestinal system and 
reduction of inflammation and blood pressure."

Ukiah's MediCann physician Dr. John Lovejoy discussed cannabis use 
during pregnancy and breast feeding, citing four years of county 
public health statistics from 1,261 pregnant mothers.

"One out of five pregnant women used alcohol during pregnancy - with 
no safe levels determined," said Lovejoy, contrasting one out of 10 
pregnant women claiming cannabis use during pregnancy.

"I agree with Public Health that mothers using cannabis must err on 
the side of caution, especially for children that have no choice. 
It's a very complex decision for doctors and patients," he concluded. 
"Cannabis is far safer than many pharmaceuticals, but questions 
remain on infant and newborn safety."

AnnaRae Grabstein, CEO of Oakland's Steep Hill Laboratories and 
cofounder Addison DeMoura presented their "Safe Cannabis" Program. 
"Products are lab tested for potency, pesticides and microbiological 
contaminants." Cannabis is then packaged in tamper-proof mylar bags 
sporting tracking numbers and nitrogen sealing. "Drug dealers don't 
give receipts or offer quality control," smiled Grabstein, stating 
the program developed in response to Mendocino County's 9.31 program. 
The lab has tested more than 14,000 samples to date.

Supervisor John McCowen discussed the 9.31 Medical Marijuana 
Cultivation Regulation. "The amendments providing exemptions to grow 
up to 99 plants have reduced grower anxiety. It's not perfect, but 
people no longer have to fear the sheriff. They visit your garden 
with a clipboard, not a machete. Last year a Task Force member made a 
phone call, was told the grower was one of ours, and the individual 
was let go," he noted.

Sergeant Randy Johnson, who volunteered to coordinate the county's 
9.31 program, said many growers were hesitant to apply.

"Growers said, they want to get my name.' Like they can't get it 
anyway," said Johnson, to a laughing audience.

"You may be legal in the program but there's no transportation 
exemption. That's still a risk," said Johnson. He and McCowen 
recently discussed the program with Sonoma County officials and 
District Attorney David Eyster. Humboldt and Trinity counties are 
also conferencing with McCowen.

"There's still lots of illegal stuff in the national forests. If 
you're growing there, I suggest you don't," said Johnson. "As far as 
mom and pop' gardens, anything that's 25 or less, we don't target. 
I'm not saying they're totally off limits. If you've got 50 pounds of 
processed and 10 guns, we might have issues," said Johnson, getting big laughs.

McCowen and Johnson suggested there may be additional ordinance 
changes, including enrollment opportunities for small-garden growers. 
Johnson noted four individuals spoke at Board of Supervisors meetings 
to support recent fee increases.

"You don't see that at Planning and Building," he quipped.

Johnson said only four people, including himself and Sheriff Tom 
Allman, have access to grower applications.

"The sheriff signs the permit. But if the Feds want records, I can 
pretty much assure you they're going to get them," he explained.

"Frankly," said Johnson, "the DEA has no interest in 99-plant 
gardens." But he has no illusions about the illegality of cannabis at 
the federal level. "If I do end up in prison, at least I'll have 
somebody I like for a roommate," said Johnson, bringing down the house.

"This is about trust, feedback and education. We're developing policy 
along the way," said Johnson. "I learn from you in order to change 
the program."

For information about the 9.31 program, visit www.mendocinosheriff.com.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom