Cannabis Americana As “Cannabis Sa- by Physiological Methods

—4— O’Shaughnessy’s • Spring 2006 Rare booklet reveals— Parke, Davis Marketed Cannabis Extracts To Doctors With “Buy American” Pitch By O’Shaughnessy’s News Service “Repeated tests have con- Archivist Michael Krawitz has ob- Drug Company Promotion tained via ebay a promotional booklet vinced us that Cannabis Ameri- attesting to the widespread medical use cana properly grown and cured is of cannabis in the U.S. almost a century fully as active as the best Indian ago. drug, while on the other hand The handsomely designed and printed we have frequently found Indian 16-page booklet was published by Parke, Davis & Co. to market its “Cannabis Cannabis to be practically inert.” Americana” to doctors and pharmacists —just as drug companies nowadays do describe as state-of-the art. when they have a potential “blockbuster” “Several years ago we began a emerging from the pipeline. systematic investigation of American Just as drug companies do nowadays, grown Cannabis Sativa. Samples from Parke , Davis knocks the competition, a number of localalities (sic) were ob- which in this instance was cannabis im- tained and carefully investigated. From ported from India. And just as they do these samples fluid and solid extracts nowadays, they invoke science to peddle were prepared according to the Pharma- their wares, although the science is not copoeal method, and carefully tested entirely rigorous (to put it mildly). upon animals for physiological activity, Under a first-page headline defining and eventually they were standardized Cannabis Americana as “Cannabis Sa- by physiological methods. Repeated tiva Grown in America,” the marketing tests have convinced us that Cannabis department gets right to the point: Americana properly grown and cured now consider the two plants to be iden- “Much has been written relative to the is fully as active as the best Indian tical. The old name of Cannabis Indica, paralysis agitans to quiet the tremors, comparative activity of Cannabis Sativa drug, while on the other hand we have however, has been retained in medicine. in spasm of the bladder, and in sexual grown in different climates (Cannabis frequently found Indian Cannabis to be Cannabis Indica simply means Cannabis impotence not the result of organic dis- Indica, Mexicana, and Americana). It practically inert. Sativa grown in the Indies, and Canna- ease, especially in combinations with has been generally assumed that the “Before marketing preparations of bis Americana means Cannabis Sativa nux vomica and ergot. American-grown drug was practically Cannabis Americana, however, we grown in America... worthless therapeutically, and that Can- placed specimens of the fluid and solid “Dosage nabis Sativa grown in India must be extracts in the hands of experienced “Physiological Action Extractum Cannabis Americae, 0.01 used if one would obtain physiologically clinicians for practical test; and from The physiological action of Cannabis gramme (1-5 grain), Fluidextractum active preparations. these men, all of whom had used large Americana is precisely the same as that Cannabis Americanae, 0.05 Cc (1 min- “Furthermore, it has been claimed quantities of Cannabis Indica in practice, of Cannabis Indica. The effects of this im). The dosage of Cannabis Americana that the best Indian drug is that grown we have received reports which affirm drug are said to be due chiefly to its ac- is the same as that of Cannabis Indica, as especially for medicinal purposes, the they have been unable to determine any tion upon the central nervous system... from our experiments we find there is no part used consisting of the flowering tops therapeutic difference between Cannabis therapeutic difference in the physiologi- of the unfertilized female plants, care be- Americana and Cannabis Indica. We are, “Therapeutic Indications cal action of the two drugs. ing taken during the growing of the drug therefore of the opinion that Cannabis Cannabis Americana is employed for to weed out the male plants. According Americana will be found equally as ef- the same medicinal purposes as Canna- “Advantages to our experience, this is an erroneous ficient as, and perhaps more uniformly bis Indica, which is frequently used as Cannabis Sativa, when grown in the notion, as we have repeatedly found that reliable than, Cannabis Indica obtained a hypnotic in cases of sleeplessness, in United States (Cannabis Americana) the Indian drug which contains large from abroad, since it is evident that with nervous exhaustion, and as a sedative in under careful precautions, is found to quantities of seed is fully as active as a source of supply at our very doors patients suffering from pain. Its greatest be fully as active as the best imported the drug which consists of the flowering proper precautions can be taken to obtain use has perhaps been in the treatment Indian-grown Cannabis Sativa, as tops only, provided the seed be removed crude drug of the best quality.” of various nervous and mental diseases, shown by laboratory and clinical tests. before percolation.” although it is found as an ingredient in The advantages of using carefully This may reflect the crudeness of their “Nomenclature many cough mixtures. In general, Can- prepared solid and fluid extracts of the testing system, which the booklet will The proper botanical name of the drug nabis Americana can be used when a home-grown drug are apparent when it under consideration mild hypnotic or sedative is indicated, is considered that every step of the pro- is Cannabis Sativa. as it is said not to disturb digestion, cess, from the planting of the drug to the The Indian plant was and it produces no subsequent nausea final marketing of the finished product, formerly supposed to and depression. It is of use in cases of is under the supervision of experts. The be a distinct species migraine, particularly when opium is imported drug varies extremely in activ- per se, but botanists contraindicated. It is recommended in continued on next page

The centerfold: Male and female plants were reproduced by a color-printing technique superior to modern methods (but more labor-intensive). Booklet was printed on glossy stock that has not lost its quality in almost a century. O’Shaughnessy’s • Spring 2006 —5—

Parke, Davis Booklet from previous page ity and much of it is practically inert or of the observer to determine just when “Cannabis Americana is employed for the same medicinal pur- flagrantly adulterated. the physiological effects of the drug be- gin to manifest themselves, since there is poses as Cannabis Indica, which is frequently used as a hypnotic “Packages always, as in the case of many chemical in cases of sleeplessness, in nervous exhaustion, and as a sedative Extractum Cannabis Americanae is tests, a personal factor to be guarded in patients suffering from pain. Its greatest use has perhaps been put up in jars containing one ounce; against. When an active extract is given in the treatment of various nervous and mental diseases.” Fluidextractum Cannabis Americanae to a susceptible animal, in the smallest is put up in bottles of one-quarter pint dose that will produce any perceptible and one pint, respectively.” effect, one must watch closely for the “Previous to the adoption of the 0.01 gramme of the extract per kilo body slightest trace of incoordination, lack of physiological test over 12 years ago, weight has elicited the characteristic There follows a centerfold —lovely attention, or drowsiness. It is particularly we were often annoyed by complaints symptoms in properly selected animals. drawings of the male and female plants, necessary for the animals to be confined of physicians that certain lots of drugs “The repeated tests we have made reproduced by four-color printing on in a room where nothing will excite were inert; in fact some hospitals, be- convince us that Cannabis Americana one page, and a black and white photo them, since when their attention is drawn fore accepting their supplies of hemp properly grown and cured is fully as of Parke, Davis’s laboratory of medical to anything of interest the typical effects preparations, asked for samples in order active as the best Indian drug. research, a four-story brick building on of the drug may disappear.” to make rough tests upon their patients “Furthermore, we have placed out a river bank. Looks like a nice place to “The influence of the test dose of the before ordering.” quantities of fluid extract and solid work. In those days they had windows unknown drug is carefully compared Or did they just want some freebies? extract in the hands of experienced clini- that open... with that of the same dose of the standard cians, and from eight of these men, who The second half of the booklet re- preparation administered to another test “Many tons of the various are all large users of the drug, we have prints an article entitled “A Pharmaco- dog at the same time and under the same received reports which state that they logical Study of Cannabis Americana conditions. preparations of Cannabis In- are unable to determine any therapeutic (Cannabis Sativa)” by Parke, Davis “Finally, when the animals become dica have been tested and sup- difference between the Cannabis Ameri- researchers E.M. Houghton and H.C. drowsy, the observations are recorded plied for medicinal purposes.” cana and the Cannabis Indica. Hamilton, which ran in the American and the animals are returned to their Journal of Pharmacy January, 1908. It “Conclusions is, shall we say, lacking in rigor. 1. The method outlined in the paper Houghton’s specialty was testing for determining the physiological activ- drugs on animals. His method “consists “A dog weighing 25 pounds received an injection of two ounces ity of Cannabis Sativa by internal admin- essentially in the careful observation of of an active U.S.P. fluid extract in the jugular vein with the ex- istration to especially selected dogs, has the physiological effects produced upon been found reliable when the standard ” dogs from the internal administration of pectation that it would certainly be sufficient to produce death... dose of extract, 0.01 gramme per kilo the preparation of the drug under test. It body weight is tested on animals, the is necessary in selecting the test animals effects being noted by an experienced to pick out those that are easily suscep- observer in comparison with the ef- tible to the action of cannabis, since dogs quarters. “Since the adoption of the new test fects of the same quantity of a standard as well as human beings vary consider- “The second day following, the obser- we have not had a well authenticated preparation. ably in their reaction to the drug... vations upon the two dogs are reversed, report of inactivity, although many tons “2. Cannabis Sativa, when grown in “In preparing the test, the standard i.e. the animal receiving the test dose of of the various preparations of Cannabis various localities of the United States dose (in the form of solid extract for the unknown receives a test dose of the Indica have been tested and supplied for and Mexico, is found to be fully as ac- convenience) is administered internally known, and vice versa, and a second ob- medicinal purposes. tive as the best imported Indian-grown in a small capsule. The dog’s tongue is servation is made. If one desires to make “At the beginning of our observa- Cannabis Sativa, as shown by laboratory drawn forward between the teeth with a very accurate quantitative determina- tions careful search of the literature on and clinical tests.” the left hand, and the capsule placed tion, it is advisable to use, not two dogs, the subject was made to determine the Evidently Parke, Davis owned land in on the back part of the tongue with the but four or five, and to study the effects toxicity of the hemp. Not a single case Mexico or contracted with farmers there right hand. The tongue is then quickly of the test dose of the unknown specimen of fatal poisoning have we been able to to produce Cannabis Americana. O’Shaughnessy’s released, and the capsule is swallowed in comparison with the test dose of the find reported, although often alarming thanks Michael with ease. In order that the drug may known, making several observations on symptoms may occur. A dog weighing Krawitz of The Cannabis Museum for be rapidly absorbed, food should be alternate days. If the unknown is below 25 pounds received an injection of two allowing us to print the Parke, Davis withheld 24 hours before the test and standard activity, the amount should be ounces of an active U.S.P. fluid extract in booklet. Krawitz collects “artifacts an efficient cathartic given if needed.” increased until the effect produced is the the jugular vein with the expectation that portraying the history of cannabis and Poor doggie! same as for the test dose of the standard. it would certainly be sufficient to pro- interesting associated human culture” “Within a comparatively short time If the unknown is above strength, the test duce death. To our surprise, the animal, which he “conserves, researches, com- the dog begins to show the character- dose is diminished accordingly. From the after being unconscious for about a day municates and exhibits, for purposes istic action of the drug. There are three dose of the unknown selected as produc- and a half, recovered completely. This of study, education and enjoyment.” typical effects to be noticed from active ing the same action as the test dose of dog received not alone the active con- He has been making marijuana-related extracts on susceptible animals: first the standard, the amount of dilution or stituents of the drug but also the amount artifacts viewable online online at www. a stage of excitability, then a stage of concentration necessary is determined. of alcohol contained in the fluid extract. cannabismuseum.org by 2008. incoordination, followed by a period of The degree of accuracy with which the Another dog received about 7 grammes Says MK: “Those interested in the drowsiness. The first of these is so de- test is carried out will depend largely of Solid Extract Cannabis with the same activities of the museum or in helping pendent on the characteristics of the dog upon the experience of the observer and result. We have never been able to give with funding or artifact acquisition are used that it is of little value for judging the care he exercises. an animal a sufficient quantity of a U.S. invited to keep in touch with the museum the activity of the drug, while with only “Another point to be noted in the use P. or other preparation of the Cannabis by email and stop by the website from a few exceptions the second, or the stage of dogs for standardizing Cannabis is (Indica or Americana) to produce death.” time to time for updates. of incoordination, invariably follows in that, although they never appear to lose Solid Extract Cannabis is also known “The cannabis story is truly amazing one to two hours: the dog loses control their susceptibility, the same dog cannot as hashish. Seven grammes = 1/4 oz. and is growing exponentially. The Can- of its legs and of the muscles supporting be used indefinitely for accurate testing. “There is some variation in the nabis Museum is dedicated to not only its head, so that when nothing occurs to After a time they become so accustomed amount of extractive obtained, as would preserving and communicating this story attract its attention its head will droop, its to the effects of the drug that they refuse be expected from the varying amount of but creating a safe space for it to be heard body sway, and when severely affected, to stand on their feet, and so do not show stems, seeds, etc., in the different sam- and spoken.” the animal will stagger and fall, the in- the typical incoordination which is its ples. Likewise there is a certain amount Michael Krawitz can be reached at toxication being peculiarly suggestive most characteristic and constant action.” of variation in the physiological action, P.O. Box 215 Ellsiton, Virginia 24087, and striking. Did the test animals learn the drill, get but in every case the administration of or www.cannabismuseum.org “Experience is necessary on the part bored, or go on strike?