Index
Index ...... 1 Foreword ...... 2 Always keep in mind ...... 2 About cannabis ...... 3 What is cannabis ...... 3 Synonyms for cannabis ...... 4 Male and female cannabis plants ...... 5 Species and strains ...... 7 Uses of cannabis ...... 10 Cannabinoids ...... 11 What is a cannabinoid ...... 11 More on cannabinoids ...... 12 Cannabinoid-A ...... 12 Classification of Cannabinoids ...... 13 Cannabinoid receptors ...... 14 What is a cannabinoid receptor ...... 14 The endocannabinoid system (ECS) ...... 15 Decarboxylation ...... 16 What is decarboxylation ...... 16 Example with THC vs THCA ...... 16 Converting THCA to THC ...... 16 Decarboxylation on other cannabinoids ...... 17 Dangers of cannabis ...... 18 Is cannabis dangerous ...... 18 Hidden dangers ...... 19 Overdosing on cannabis ...... 20 THC in the human body ...... 21 Different forms of THC ...... 21 Effects of THC and 11-Hydroxy-THC ...... 23 Detection of THC in tests ...... 25 Consuming THC ...... 27 Cannabis as a medicine ...... 29 A little history ...... 29 Medicine or hoax ...... 30 The Leafly Wheel ...... 32 Self-medicating ...... 33 Examples of cannabis at work ...... 34 Buying cannabis medicine ...... 36 Cannabis is illegal in your country ...... 36 Cannabis is legal in your country ...... 36 Cannabis is legal, but cannabis medicine is illegal ...... 36 Buying off the internet ...... 36 THC as a cure for cancer ...... 37 Rumours or fact ...... 37 The theory why cannabis can cure cancer ...... 37 Conclusion ...... 38 Making THC oil ...... 39 Where to start ...... 39 Picking the right plant ...... 40 From planting seed to drying harvest ...... 41 Which solvent to use ...... 43 The part of the plant you need ...... 48 Ratios and dosage ...... 49 What other gear is needed ...... 50 Quick steps ...... 56
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 1 Foreword
Always keep in mind
Laws In most countries, growing and/or using cannabis, for recreational or medical purposes, is forbidden by law. Selling cannabis or even giving it away for free is considered “dealing”, and may end up in paying fines and/or be sent to jail.
Research Research on Cannabis is very limited and on several occasions, medical journals mention that previous research was not consistent with the current research or that the results are inconsistent or may even show conflicting data.
The scientific evidence is therefore not always as accurate as hoped for and might be wrong depending on how, where and when the research was performed.
Collecting info Keeping this all in mind, the information in this document is a collection of numerous documentaries, journals, articles, interview, anecdotes, personal experiments and experiences, blogs, … and is written with as much objectivity in mind as possible.
Sources and references Most of the sources (not all) are summed up in a separate document (Cannabis - references).
Open but critical minds Do try to keep an open mind at all times, but at the same time, do not believe everything you read just because some “Doctor”, “MD”, “Policeman”, … said so.
At your own risk Using the information in this document is completely on your own risk!
Growing document Since research on this item is going on (official as well as personal), this document will grow and get updated from time to time, correcting, adding or completing the information in this document, so keep an eye on the date of the latest change on the bottom of this document.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 2 About cannabis
What is cannabis Cannabis is a type of herb that grows for less than a year, flowers at the end of its life-cycle, spreads its seeds to reproduce and then dies. This is called an annual plant.
Cannabis is dioecious, which means that each individual plant is either male or female. In rare occasions, the plant can be a hermaphrodite, meaning both male and female.
When the female plant gets pollinated, it will grow seeds. A female plant that was not pollinated, will have no seeds, and thus cannot reproduce. Each seed can either be male or female. Regular cannabis plants normally produce a 50/50 percent ratio of male and female seeds.
Source: Wikipedia
Cannabis is a member of the “Cannabaceae” family and generally considered to be categorized in three main species:
1. Cannabis Sativa 2. Cannabis Indica 3. Cannabis Ruderalis
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 3 Synonyms for cannabis “Hemp” and “Marijuana” are the most used synonyms for cannabis, but the names often are used with different meanings, which may lead to some confusion.
Cannabis Although cannabis is the official name of the plant, the word cannabis is sometimes used to refer to the buds (also called flowers) of the female plant that are used for recreational or medical uses, rather than the entire plant.
Hemp Hemp is mostly used to refer to cannabis plant for industrial applications (industrial hemp). Since the cannabis plant has very strong fibres, it can for example be used to make rope and textile, but besides that hemp can also be used for oil, fuel and even food.
Picture: Hemp fibres from the stem of the plant
Source: Hempgazette
Marijuana and weed When someone speaks of marijuana or weed, they usually refer to the dried buds and leaves used for recreational (THC) and medical (mostly CBD) applications. It can also refer to hashish, a product made from the resin.
Picture: Dried bud (flower) from the female plant
Pot, grass, ganja, … Most other synonyms like grass, pot, ganja, green, herbs, a Jamaican, cone, … refer to the same product as marijuana, mostly for recreational purposes.
Hashish and hash Hashish or hash is a product made from the resin from the cannabis plant, and looks like a paste or cake. It is used for recreational purposes.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 4 Male and female cannabis plants
Male plants Male plants will have a kind off seed pots that grow between the branches. These seed pots contain the pollen that will fertilize the buds (also called flowers) on the female plants.
For most strains these pollen only have very low levels of THC and CBD, but there are known to be a few exceptions. In general, male plants are preferred for industrial uses, and often removed on farms where cannabis is grown for recreational or medical use.
Source: Sensi Seeds
Females plants Female plants on the other hand, will grow what is called buds (also called flowers). Once these buds are pollinated, they will grow the seeds needed for reproduction.
The buds contain a resin that holds the cannabinoids (like THC and CBD). It is formed in the shape of tiny crystals on the trichomes (kind of hairs) of the buds. These crystals can sometimes be found on the leaves too, usually on the smaller leaves, close to the buds.
In most cases, the cannabinoids are found in high levels in the resign of the buds, and lower levels in the resign of the leaves.
Some males can have these crystals on trichomes too, but usually the levels of cannabinoids are very low, and therefore not very interesting.
Source: GrowWeedEasy
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 5 Hermaphrodites Farmers that grow cannabis for recreational or medical use are usually only interested in the female plant, since the male plant does not produce any cannabinoids in significant amounts. Further, when the female buds are pollinated (by the male plants), the buds will grow seeds, and this results in most cases in smaller buds, and thus less usable product. Therefore, male plants are often removed from the farms.
Source: Doc Herbalist [flickr]
The plant however has a last line of defence: In order to make sure of its survival, female plants may become hermaphrodites (meaning both male and female) in some occasions. This way, it can guarantee it increases it chances of reproduction through self-pollination.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 6 Species and strains
Main species Although disputed, most agree that we can consider three main species of the cannabis:
Cannabis Sativa Cannabis Indica Cannabis Ruderalis
Cannabis Sativa Cannabis Sativa (short notations: C. Sativa ; Sativa) originates from equatorial regions (Colombia, Mexico, Thailand, South East Asia) and thrive in warmer weather.
Being the tallest species, it can grow up to 6m high. The plant is loosely branched with long and narrow leaves and buds.
Sativa strains have the longest vegetation period and the flowering time can take from 10 to 16 weeks before fully matured. The total time (from seed to matured plant) can take up to six months.
Cannabis Indica Cannabis Indica (short notations: C. Indica ; Indica) originates from the Himalaya and Karakorum regions. Although many claim they originate from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Morocco, India (mostly the northern part), and Central Asia.
They are smaller (about 2m) but much bushier than their cousins and have short but wide leaves and buds.
Indica strains have a shorter flowering time, typically between 8 to 12 weeks.
Cannabis Ruderalis The Cannabis Ruderalis (shorter notation: C. Ruderalis ; Ruderalis) is a bit disputed. Most consider this species as a separate species because of its distinct characteristics. Others consider the Cannabis Ruderalis to be a sub-species of the Cannabis Sativa.
This species originates from Central Europe, Eastern Europe and Russia.
They are the smallest species, and rarely grow higher than 1m. They have fewer branches with tall leaves, and mature much faster (5 to 8 weeks).
Unlike the Sativa and Indica strains which will flower when the daylight decreases, the Ruderalis flowers when it reaches maturity. This is often referred to as auto-flowering, and therefore popular in certain hybrids to make them optimal for indoor cultivation.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 7 Recognizing the different main species Although recognizing the hybrids may be a little tricky, recognizing the pure strains of Sativa, Indica and Ruderalis is relatively easy because of their distinct characteristics.
Cannabis Sativa Cannabis Indica Cannabis Ruderalis
Sources: CultCannabis.Co / dankr.ca / slyng.com
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 8 Strains Within each species, there are different strains and each strain has its unique characteristics. Each strain may very is size, density, flowering time, smell, … and more importantly, different levels of various cannabinoids. Therefore, depending on its purpose, it is important to select the right strain.
Hybrids A hybrid is a cross-breed of different species and strains. By selecting different strains from either the same or different species, a “new type” of plant can be cultivated, having a specific preferred set of characteristics.
For example: a Ruderalis can be cross-bred with an Indica to keep it small (less than 2 meter), and auto-flowering capabilities, making this hybrid ideal for indoor cultivation.
Even hybrids from different hybrids are used to create new strains with a unique set of characteristics.
Source: Leafly
Species and strains today About halfway the 20th century (1950), breeders began to cultivate cannabis with THC values as high as possible. On top of that , each hybrid had a distinct smell and flavour. Many breeders started mixing the strains in search for the perfect small, flavour, THC values, growth conditions, …
This uncontrolled mixing of the strains, has a side-effect. Finding a pure Sativa or Indica basically has become impossible, and even when a cannabis plant is defined to have a high Sativa percentage (for example 80% Sativa, 20% Indica), there is no guarantee that it will have an uplifting effect. Even the shape of the leaves can be quite the opposite of what you would expect a Sativa leaf to look like.
Usually, when buying plants or seeds, the breeder specifies the percentage ratio of Sativa and Indica, but also specifies the smell, flavour, growth specification, and high effect. Usually, these specifications are quite OK, depending on the brand you select, giving you an indication what kind of plant and effect you are dealing with.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 9 Uses of cannabis
Recreational use When it comes to the use of cannabis, most people will know it for its recreational uses, meaning getting high and feeling good. But cannabis can be used for many other things.
Medical use Cannabis has been used for medical purposes for over 5000 years. It was only in the early 20th century that cannabis suddenly got forbidden by law and its medical benefits became forgotten. Around the beginning of the 21st century, numerous scientists (and privates) slowly started to rediscover the medical benefits of cannabis, and more and more research is being conducted to the medical potency of the plant, trying to understand how it all works and can be used to treat various illnesses.
Industrial use Before cannabis was made illegal, it was used for many applications. With the illegalisation, the industrial use slowly decreased. However, it is not completely gone, and with new processing techniques, hemp can be used for many things:
Alternative for plastic (and it is biodegradable) Alternative for concrete (lighter and more weather resistant than concrete) Biofuel (much like biodiesel) Food and drinks (for pets as well as humans) Insulation (hemp appears to be a very good insulator) Paper (although apparently more expensive than wood pulp) Pet bedding and cat litter (100% natural and biodegradable) Rope and twine (for gardening applications to ship rope) Textile (mainly clothing)
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 10 Cannabinoids
What is a cannabinoid A “cannabinoid” is a kind of chemical that can bind with “cannabinoid receptors” in cells.
There are two (actually three) main types of cannabinoids
Endogenous cannabinoids “Endogenous cannabinoids”, also called “endocannabinoids”, are the cannabinoids that are produced naturally within the human body.
Exogenous cannabinoids “Exogenous cannabinoids” are the cannabinoids produced outside of the body, for example in a cannabis plant. They are also known as “phytocannabinoids” (“phyto” is Greek for plant).
Synthetic cannabinoids As the name probably gives away, “synthetic cannabinoids” are produced in laboratories, and may be used in certain medicine.
Endogenous cannabinoids As far as our scientists know, our body produces two major endocannabinoids:
2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) Anandamide
Phytocannabinoids - Cannabinoids in cannabis The precise number of cannabinoids in the cannabis plant is disputed, but numbers range from 30 to 100. The most known and studied ones are:
THC (TetraHydroCannabinol) Which is well known for its psychoactive effect (make the user feel high).
CBD (CannaBiDiol) The other well-known cannabinoid is CBD, which is very popular for its medical use. CBD has no psychoactive effects, meaning that it does not make the user feel high.
Besides THC and CBD, there are many other cannabinoids with each of them having their specific effect on the human body.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 11 More on cannabinoids
Cannabinoid-A To be completely correct, it is not THC and CBD that are created by the plant (however can be present), but rather their acidic forms like THCA (TetraHydroCannabinolic Acid) and CBDA (CannaBiDiolic Acid).
The plant combines “geranyl pyrophosphate” with “olivetolic acid” to produce CBGA or “CannaBiGerolic Acid” and CBGVA or “CannaBiGeroVarinic Acid”.
From there, it uses various enzymes to form the acidic forms of the cannabinoids like THCA (TetraHydroCannabinolic Acid) and THCVA (TetraHydroCanabiVarinic Acid).
The cannabinoids most known are THC (TetraHydroCannabinol) and CBD (CannaBiDiol) and are acquired through a process called decarboxylation which can be done by adding heat, but also happens (partially) through natural process (like sunlight).
Some cannabinoids like THC (TetraHydroCannabinol) can degrade to other forms like CBN (CannaBiNol) by oxidation. These forms are usually found when plant material is aged.
CBGA CBGVA
THCA CBDA CBCA THCVA CBDVA CBCVA
THC CBD CBC CBG THCV CBDV CBCV CBGV
CBNA CBN CBL CBLA
convertion (through decarboxylation)
aging / degration (through oxidation)
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 12 Classification of Cannabinoids Below is a list of the more known cannabinoids:
Source: www.fullspectrumcannabinoids.net Sourced from Rudolf Brenneisen, author of the “Chemistry and Analysis of Phytocannabinoids and Other Cannabis Constituents”
Cannabichromenes Cannabinols and Cannabinodiols Cannabichromene (CBC) Cannabinodiol (CBND) Cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) Cannabinodivarin (CBVD) Cannabichromevarin (CBCV) Cannabinol (CBN) Cannabichromevarinic acid (CBCVA) Cannabinol methylether (CBNM) Cannabinol-C2 (CBN-C2) Cannabicyclols Cannabinol-C4 (CBN-C4) Cannabicyclol (CBL) Cannabinolic acid (CBNA) Cannabicyclolic acid (CBLA) Cannabiorcool (CBN-C1) Cannabicyclovarin (CBLV) Cannabivarin (CBV)
Cannabidiols Cannabitriols Cannabidiol (CBD) 10-Ethoxy-9-hydroxy-delta-6a-tetrahydrocannabinol Cannabidiol monomethylether (CBDM) 8,9-Dihydroxy-delta-6a-tetrahydrocannabinol Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) Cannabitriol (CBT) Cannabidiorcol (CBD-C1) Cannabitriolvarin (CBTV) Cannabidivarin (CBDV) Cannabidivarinic acid (CBDVA) Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinols Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) Cannabielsoins Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Δ8-THCA) Cannabielsoic acid B (CBEA-B) Cannabielsoin (CBE) Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinols Cannabielsoin acid A (CBEA-A) Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-C4 (THC-C4) Cannabigerols Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A) Cannabigerol (CBG) Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid B (THCA-B) Cannabigerol monomethylether (CBGM) Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid-C4 (THCA-C4) Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiorcol (THC-C1) Cannabigerolic acid monomethylether (CBGAM) Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiorcolic acid (THCA-C1) Cannabigerovarin (CBGV) Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) Cannabigerovarinic acid (CBGVA) Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA)
Miscellaneous cannabinoids 10-Oxo-delta-6a-tetrahydrocannabinol (OTHC) Cannabichromanon (CBCF) Cannabifuran (CBF) Cannabiglendol Cannabiripsol (CBR) Cannbicitran (CBT) Dehydrocannabifuran (DCBF) Delta-9-cis-tetrahydrocannabinol (cis-THC) Tryhydroxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (triOH-THC)
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 13 Cannabinoid receptors
What is a cannabinoid receptor A “cannabinoid receptor” is a type of receptor in cells that can bind with “cannabinoids”.
To explain that in a very simplified way: A human body is built out of all types of cells (heart-cell, brain-cells, kidney-cells, …). Each cell type has a specific range of receptors that could be compared with a key-lock. Each type of receptor is designed to be fit with a specific type of chemical that could be compared with a key. Once a chemical (key) binds with the receptor (key-lock), it will trigger a reaction of that cell, causing several effects and changes in our body, depending on the type of receptor and chemical.
A “cannabinoid receptor” is a special type of key-lock that is designed to bind with a special type of key called a “cannabinoid”. These cannabinoid receptors can bind with the cannabinoids produced in the human body (endocannabinoids), but they can also bind with other cannabinoids, for example the cannabinoids from the cannabis plant (phytocannabinoids).
As far as we know today, there are two types of cannabinoid receptors that appear on several types of cells in our body.
Cannabinoid receptor type 1 “Cannabinoid receptor type 1” (or CB1 for short) are mainly found on cells in the brain and nervous system (spinal cord).
Cannabinoid receptor type 2 “Cannabinoid receptor type 2” (or CB2 for short) are mostly found on cells in the immune system, with the highest density in the spleen.
In more recent research, 3 other receptors are implicated as novel cannabinoid receptors:
GPR55 (G protein-coupled receptor 55) GPR119 (G protein-coupled receptor 119) GPR18 (G protein-coupled receptor 18 ) also known as N-Arachidonyl glycine receptor (NAGly receptor)
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 14 The endocannabinoid system (ECS) The chemical reaction of the cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors in our human body is referred to as ECS of the “EndoCannabinoid System”.
Source: Leaf Science
This endocannabinoid system is involved in regulating a variety of basic functions of the body like:
appetite and digestion metabolism pain sensation sleep pattern and mood temperature regulation memory and learning immune function and inflammation neural development and neuroprotection cardiovascular function reproduction (fertility) … and many more …
Research shows that this endocannabinoid system also reacts to illness; for example:
Tumour cells have more cannabinoid receptors than healthy cells. Patients with disorders like Parkinson’s disease, have higher endocannabinoid levels.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 15 Decarboxylation
What is decarboxylation Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group (COOH) and releases carbon dioxide (CO2). Usually, decarboxylation refers to a reaction of carboxylic acids, removing a carbon atom from a carbon chain (Example: THCA to THC).
Source: By Edgar181 [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
Note: The reverse process, which is the first chemical step in photosynthesis, is called carboxylation, the addition of CO2 to a compound
Example with THC vs THCA When a cannabis bud, holding THCA (TetraHydroCannabinolic Acid) is put in a pipe and heat is added, the THCA will quickly convert to THC (TetraHydroCannabinol). This is an example of fast decarboxylation.
THCA is non-psychoactive while THC is. That is why eating cannabis straight from the plant (raw cannabis) will not get you high, while smoking it (adding heat), does result in the psychoactive effect.
Converting THCA to THC As explained earlier, THCA can be converted to THC via decarboxylation, which can be achieved by heating. But there are other ways to achieve decarboxylation
THCA is considered “thermally unstable,” meaning that it will alter by exposing it to heat. Because of its instability, the molecule lends itself to several different methods of decarboxylation.
Conversion via sunlight A plant that is exposed to the sun (heat and light) for extensive period, will slowly convert (part of) its THCA to THC.
This is probably the main reason why some people claim they did get high from the eating the cannabis raw.
Room temperature conversion Even at room temperature, if the cannabis is exposed for a very long time, it will slowly convert up to 20% of the THCA to THC. This process can be improved by turning up the heat, or placing the cannabis in certain oil or alcohol solutions.
Smoking and vaping Although it is not the most efficient way, by smoking (dried and cured) cannabis, the THCA is rapidly converted to THC. This is by many considered to be the fastest way for conversion.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 16 THCA-A and THCA-B To be completely correct, there are actually two versions of the THCA:
THCA-A (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid A) (the carboxylic acid group is found at the 2nd position) THCA-B (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid B) (the carboxylic acid group is found at the 4th position)
Both are converted to THC via decarboxylation.
Source: Research Gate
Decarboxylation on other cannabinoids Just as THCA can be converted to THC through decarboxylation, other cannabinoids in their acidic form can also be converted: CBDA to CBD ; CBCA to CBC
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 17 Dangers of cannabis
Is cannabis dangerous There are as many statements that cannabis is dangerous as there are statements that it is not dangerous. Let’s try to figure out some of the most debated statements:
Cannabis is addictive On whether cannabis is addictive or not, the opinions vary from “not addictive at all” to “very addictive”.
Fact is that there are several reports of cannabis dependencies. However, the level addiction is mostly compared to other legal drugs and the withdrawal effects of cannabis are comparable to those of caffeine. Addiction also varies from person to person. Some people are more sensitive to getting addicted to a certain drug than others.
A gateway drug Some fear that cannabis is a gateway drug. This means that once the user gets used to the high-feeling, the level and duration of the high-feeling slowly decreases. This may result in the user looking for stronger (and more harmful) drugs than cannabis.
Most users don’t agree on this statement, and often do statistics seem to back this up.
Cannabis is even used as an exit-drug.
THC causes high When consuming (enough) THC, the user gets intoxicated, which is referred to as “getting high”. The cognitive and motoric abilities are compromised, very similar to being drunk by consuming (too much) alcohol. As an indirect result of that, the person may get him or herself into some unfortunate incidents or even sever accidents:
Driving a car could easily end up in an accident (slower reflexes, altered perception). Crossing a road appears more difficult than when sober (altered perception). Losing balance and falling on hard objects or sharp edges may lead to (severe) injuries. etc … (the list could be considered endless)
Long-term and heavy (ab)use Research shows that heavy users under 18 show a decline in average IQ. This was not seen with adults (+18 year).
Other research shows that this is not the case at all.
But in general, this applies for every type of food, vitamin, medication, etc.: Too much is too much! And too much will definitely have some effects on the overall health (usually in a negative way).
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 18 Healthy VS deadly We all heard the slogans, some very positive, others very negative:
“Smoking cannabis makes you stupid” VS “Smoking cannabis enhances your creative skills” “Cannabis is a dangerous and deadly drug” VS “Cannabis is good for your health” … the list is endless …
People that are Pro-Cannabis, will very likely shout out the positive slogans, while people that are Anti- Cannabis are bound to stand behind the negative slogans. Very likely, as with almost any other conflicts, the truth lies in the middle.
Fact is that for every marijuana user that gets to the bottom (that one unemployed friend you know), there is another user that is rather successful (Snoop Dogg).
Truth is that if a person smokes cannabis and fails in life, that person would have very likely failed anyways, and a smoking person that is successful, would not be more successful if he or she did or did not smoke cannabis. Hidden dangers
Smoking cannabis with tobacco (joint) When smoking cannabis in a joint (combined with tobacco), it is actually the tar (along with other chemicals used in tobacco) that will damage the lungs over time, and the nicotine that is responsible for the addictive effect.
More and more research shows that smoking cannabis purely, may even have several medical benefits, and is less harmful (or maybe not harmful at all) than tobacco.
Cultivation One of the dangers lies in how the cannabis was cultivated. The increased use of insecticides and pesticides has proven to have a negative effect on our general health. A treated plant will surely pick up parts of the chemicals, and it’s those residues, when ending up in our bodies, that will weaken our overall heath.
Toxic solvents In many cases, the buds holding the resin need to be processed for medical use. To achieve this, solvents must be used. If the chemist uses toxic solvents, and does not process the product correctly, toxic residues may remain in the product. Eventually, these residues end up in our bodies, very likely affecting our overall health.
Enhancing effects For recreational purposes, the chemist may dip the buds (holding the THC) in chemicals that may boost and/or lengthen the high-feeling. To maximize profit, cheaper chemicals are often used, but these chemicals may have severe negative effects on our overall health, and even may be addictive.
This may be one of the reasons why some believe cannabis can be very addictive.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 19 Overdosing on cannabis When asked the question if you can overdose on cannabis, the answers vary from yes to no. So what is the right answer?
For starters, different people have different definitions on what is considered an overdose, so let’s look into the term “overdose on cannabis”.
Lethal overdose Can you overdose on cannabis and die, meaning, can you smoke or eat so much THC that you actually die from it? The answer is “NO”. Even the numbers reported by the DEA will tell you this. There is no way you can take so much THC in your body, that your brain actually shuts down, or your heart or lungs (or any other organ) ceases to work, UNLESS you can consume 750kg in 15 minutes. And no, nobody can do that.
Secondly, opiates like heroin are absorbed in the brain stem, in the place where respiration is regulated. Overdosing on heroin means that you simply stop breathing. THC is not active in that part, but instead binds with CB1 receptors in the brain where no vital functions are regulated. Therefore, even when you would consume the maximum amount THC humanly possible, it would still not kill you.
Too much THC You can however get so much THC in your system that you may suffer from “unpleasant” effects like:
nausea and vomiting hallucinations paranoia, fear and anxiety almost total lack of motoric skills (unable to walk or get up) feeling cold
It would be fair to say, too much is too much. In that way, overdosing (although not lethal) from THC is possible.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 20 THC in the human body
Different forms of THC Everyone mentions the recreational effects of THC, a cannabinoid that is found in the cannabis plant. But there is a little more to it.
THCA TetraHydroCannabinolic Acid (full name) THCA (short name) 2-COOH-THC (chemical notation)
C22H30O4 (formula)
THCA or “TetraHydroCannabinolic Acid” is the raw component of THC found in the cannabis plant. It is non- psychoactive since the molecule is too big to bind with CB1 and CB2 receptors.
THC delta-9-TetraHydroCannabinol (full name) delta-9-THC (short name) THC (short name)
C21H30O2 (formula)
THC or “Δ9-TetraHydroCannabinol” (pronounce “Δ9” as “delta nine”) is known to have a psychoactive effect. It is THCA that is converted through decarboxylation to THC.
Metabolized THC Passing through the gastrointestinal tract (eating THC), liver enzymes (cytochrome P450 (CYP)) will metabolize THC in two stages:
First stage 11-Hydroxy-delta-9-TetraHydroCannabinol (full name) 11-Hydroxy-THC (short name) 11-OH-THC (chemical notation)
C21H30O3 (formula)
When the THC first passes the liver, it is converted via hydroxylation into its “main active metabolite” called “11-Hydroxy-THC”.
It has a greater ability to cross the “Blood-Brain Barrier” than THC does. That is probably why some research concludes that 11-Hydroxy-THC is more psychoactive than THC itself. Statements vary from 3 to 10 times as strong.
Studies show that depending on the intake, THC is metabolized in different amounts:
Smoking (20% of THC is metabolized) Eating (100%of THC is metabolized)
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 21 Second stage 11-Nor-9-carboxy-delta-9-TetraHydroCannabinol (full name) 11-Nor-9-carboxy-THC (short name)) 11-COOH-THC (chemical notations) THC-COOH (chemical notations)
C21H28O4 (formula)
In a second stage, it is further metabolized through oxidation (using glucuronide and sulphate) in its “main secondary metabolite” called “11-Nor-9-carboxy-THC” which has no psychoactive effects.
THCA THC TetraHydroCannabinolic Acid delta-9-TetraHydroCannabinol
THC-COOH 11-OH-THC 11-Nor-9-carboxy-THC 11-Hydroxy-THC
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 22 Effects of THC and 11-Hydroxy-THC THC is well known for its psychoactive characteristics. But there are a few theories on the effects of THC and it metabolites:
Theory 1 THC is the psychoactive component in cannabis which will cause the user to get high. This is the general theory, and seems to be quite correct on its own.
Theory 2 It is not the THC, buts the metabolized version called 11-Hydroxy-THC that is the psychoactive component. This theory may sound plausible, but there are quite some indications that point in a different direction.
Theory 3 Both THC and its metabolized version 11-Hydroxy-THC have psychoactive components. This actually sounds like the most plausible theory, but alas has a few sub theories:
11-Hydroxy-THC is more potent than THC There are claims that the metabolized THC causes a much higher feeling than just THC, from 3 to 10 times as much.
11-Hydroxy-THC and THC cause different highs It appears that THC causes a certain high-feeling that varies from the metabolized THC.
Some of these claims may actually make sense when you evaluate the effects of THC when taken via different ways (smoked or digested).
The effects But whatever of the above is the absolute truth, the effects vary from person to person and the amount of THC that is taken, whether is smoked or eaten:
Altered senses Seeing brighter colours or much more contrast between colours. Perception of time is differently. Distance is non-consistent or relative (objects may appear close and far away at the same time).
Mood change As a side effect, dopamine is produced that causes the euphoric feeling which makes us feel happy. On very high doses, this may lead to quite the opposite like paranoia.
Impaired movement Just as with alcohol consumption, movement impairment can be experienced. On higher doses it may lead to total loss of control where the user can’t get up or stay up.
Neural effects Solving puzzles or trying to think clear becomes difficult. In extreme cases simple things like unlocking your smartphone becomes impossible. Short term memory loss is experienced (although not reported often).
Hallucinations, delusions, psychosis and paranoia When using THC in extremely high doses, quite some “unpleasant” effects may be experienced, although this only get reported very rarely. Some of these effects may be hallucinations and paranoia.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 23 Dry mount THC binds to the receptors in the salivary glands and causes them to be less active. The result is a dry mount which is referred to as “cotton mouth”.
The munchies Other side-effect of THC is what is called “The Munchies”, meaning that the user will become hungry. This is because THC will affect the production of the hormone ghrelin, which is responsible for stimulating hunger.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 24 Detection of THC in tests Testing a user for the consumption of THC is mostly done to determine if the user is intoxicated and therefore incapable of driving safely (somewhat like being under influence of alcohol). There are several methods to determine this:
Saliva test Blood test Urine test
Not commonly used as a method of detection, consumption of THC could also be tested via faeces, body fats and breath.
The duration of the detectability is mainly defined by:
Amount of consumption (the more used, the longer detectable) Single use VS heavy use (length of detectability can differ from days to weeks between) Metabolism of the person (some people process things faster than others, although the variations are relatively insignificant) Which variant is tested and how it was taken (THC or its metabolites and was it smoked or eaten)
THCA It is not really clear whether THCA can be detected in saliva, blood or urine tests. But since THCA does not seem to have any psychoactive effects, it is not useful to test this anyway.
THC
Saliva test THC can be easily detected in the saliva via the swab test. When smoking THC, it can remain detectable up to 4 to 6 hours after the last inhalation.
Blood test THC can be detected in the blood, but depending on the method of consumption (smoked or eaten), the THC metabolizes faster or slower to its first metabolite 11-Hydroxy-THC.
Smoked Detected in seconds after inhalation. Peak at about 3-10 minutes. Detectable up to 3-4 hours.
Eaten Peak at about 1-2 hours Depending on how much is stored in the body fat (single use VS heavy users), it can be detectable from 1 day up to 13 days.
Urine test THC does not end up in urine, only its metabolized version does, and therefore cannot be detected in urine tests.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 25
Metabolized THC
Saliva test As far as research go, no metabolized THC can be found in saliva.
Blood test and urine test Both 11-Hydroxy-THC and 11-Nor-9-carboxy-THC can be detected in a blood and urine test, up to several days (again depending on how and how much THC is taken and how regular it is used).
11-Hydroxy-THC: Smoked Peak at about 15 minutes. Detectable up to 3-4 hours.
11-Hydroxy-THC: Eaten Peak at about 81 minutes (but in much higher levels than when smoked) Detectable up to 5 days.
11-Nor-9-carboxy-THC Detectable for 2-7days for single use Detectable up to 25 days with heavy use
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 26 Consuming THC There are different ways to consume THC. Each method will cause various effects, and may have specific side effects, downsides or even upsides.
As said earlier, due to laws against cannabis, some information conflicts, and therefore, you may find yourself not always agreeing on every statement described:
Inhaling When THC is inhaled, its psychoactive effects are usually experienced quite fast, from several seconds to minutes. It enters the lungs, goes into the bloodstream and reaches the brain.
As THC flows through the blood, it passes the liver and metabolizes in 11-Hydroxy-THC, which then again ends up in the brain, causing (to some theories) a much higher-feel.
The peak of the high-feeling usually lies around 30 minutes, which could be confirming the above statement.
The high disappears relatively fast, between 1 to 2 hours. In some occasion, it may last for 3 to 4 hours. This is probably because this method is the least efficient way to consume THC.
Downside When smoking it with tobacco (the joint), the chemicals in tobacco (like tar) are known to cause negative effects on the human health, and chemicals like nicotine, may lead to addiction.
Alternatively, vaping THC could get rid these downside effects, but many claim that all smoke contains formaldehyde, which is being known to also pose a significant danger to human health.
Upside Due to the fast upcoming effects, in general it is easy to predict when enough is enough, preventing the user of getting much higher than he or she intended.
Taken by mouth (edibles) When used in edibles(brownies, space-cake, candy, …) it will take much longer (30 minutes to 2 hours) before the start of the high-feeling is experienced, because the THC has to travel through to entire digestive system, is metabolized to 11-hydroxy-THC, and absorbed into the bloodstream via the small intestines. Compared to smoking (the same amount), the high-feeling is much more intense.
This again may be an indication that the 11-hydroxy-THC causes a much higher effect than THC itself.
The high-feeling also lasts much longer, even up to 8 hours.
Downside Because the high-feeling can take some time, some users may start eating more because they believe it is not working. Eventually the psychoactive component kicks in, putting the user in a much higher state than he or she intended.
Upside Since no chemicals of smoke are present, edibles may be considered healthier, although chocolate (in brownies) and sugar (in candy) or not considered healthy substances.
Using THC in edibles is also more efficient than smoking.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 27 Rectal use (suppositories) Not surprisingly, very little research has been done on the effects of THC when taken rectally. The intake is mostly done with suppositories. There are numerous anecdotes, from being high as a kite, to having no effect at all. Fact is: there is just no solid evidence that THC has any beneficial effect or not when used rectally.
HOWEVER, there are a few points that may lead to a plausible conclusion:
Here are a few facts:
The rectum is layered with an aqueous mucus (aqueous means containing water or being watery) In order for any substance to enter the rectal veins, it must pass this aqueous mucus Absorption from aqueous and alcoholic solutions in the rectum may occur very rapidly
So far, this is basically how our digestive system takes care of absorbing water and certain nutrients in the final stage.
The rectum does not absorb fats efficiently (due to the aqueous mucus) Cannabinoids are lipophilic (lipophilic means fatty or oily, and dissolvable in other lipophilic substances) Most (not all) THC suppositories are made in a fatty and oily base
So would that mean, it would be very difficult for this substance to be absorbed?
The brave lab rats There are some brave souls that actually experiment with various suppositories, and were willing to share their experiences. From those who did experience any effect, most claimed to experience a high-feeling that was different than the one from smoking or oral intake. Off-course, there is no real scientific support in this, and so far we can only assume that somehow, the rectal use can cause in some situations an effect on our body, whether it be medical or solely for recreational purposes.
Efficiency From the numerous journals, articles, anecdotes, … all agree that the efficiency of each method of taking THC clearly differs, and should more or less be:
Smoking, the least effective way, would only get 5% to 15% of the total amount in our body Oral use should result in about 35% to 50% And rectal use, which should be the most efficient way, would take up to 80%
Off-course, with rectal use being seriously doubted to have any effects, it would be safe to say that when you go for efficiency, the oral intake would be the most efficient one.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 28 Cannabis as a medicine
A little history Throughout history, the medical applications of cannabis have been widely spread, and are said to be able to cure numerous diseases, even diseases we are not able to cure today with modern medicine. So why is it, that today this cure seems to have been lost? Are they just some stories, or is there some truth behind all this? Well, there are many theories and stories to the why, some more adoptable than others, but almost every story points back to the period around the early 1900’s.
What happened around in beginning of the 20th century?
The 1930 Randolph Hearst and the DuPont Company conspiracy Many conspiracy theorists claim that it all started around 1930 with the William Randolph Hearst and the DuPont Company who used wood pulp for the production of paper. With hemp being a good alternative, and thus a threat to their business, they started a scam supported by the government to illegalise hemp.
Pharmaceutical take-over Other conspiracy theorists claim that the pharmaceutical sector has their share in the illegalization of cannabis. Whether this is true or not, is hard to prove, but it is a fact that around 1940-1945, the pharmaceutical sector started to thrive using synthetic drugs.
Harry Anslinger keeps popping up Also around the 1930’s the name “Harry J. Anslinger” keeps popping up. He was a US government official that raged a great war against cannabis. But many of the arguments in his campaign were pure lies and very often quite racist.
Just take a look into:
Anslinger’s Gore Files The Reefer Madness museum
The 21st century Whether any of the conspiracy theories are true or not is hard to prove. Yet with the research done in the 21st century, and still growing in numbers, it becomes more and more clear that the plant may not be as harmful as we were made to believe, and may indeed have quite some medical benefits, some of which are used in today’s modern medicine.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 29 Medicine or hoax So does cannabis has its medical use, or is it all just a hoax? Simple answer: it most definitely has its proven medical purposes.
Only opinions vary quite a bit on what it can be used for and on how well the effects are as a treatment. In most cases, the cannabinoids THC and CBD are the most focussed on.
Scientific research VS testimonies There are occasions where the scientific research supports the many testimonies you can find on the internet and newspapers. But in many other occasions, one seems to debunk the other. The question arises: “Why is that?”
There are some reasons that may explain (partly) why this is:
Isolated VS complete package Scientific research is often done with a single cannabinoid isolated and tested. Testimonies often come from people who just take some cannabis, not knowing which cannabinoids are in there and which not, and taking the “full package”.
It is known that some cannabinoids work together, either enhancing each other weakening each other. So in that perspective, research on a certain cannabinoid, can give a different result than a testimony assuming the cannabinoid is present.
Same dose VS random doses When scientific research wants to test a potential new medicine, a large a group of people is administered the exact same dose and product (example: pure THC, 15%).
People that share their personal results on their home made medicine, almost never use the same product (example: various amounts of THC and mixed with a variety of other cannabinoids). Logically, this will lead to different results amongst with other testimonies and scientific results.
Ex vivo (in vitro) VS in vivo “Ex vivo” is Latin for “out of the living” and means that organic tissue is taken from the organism and test are performed in an isolated environment, outside the organism’s body. Related to “In vitro” which is Latin for “in glass” (like test tubes and petri dishes).
“In vivo” mean “in the living”, so actually tested in the organism’s body.
The outcomes of the two may differ a lot. Experiments that work well in a petri dish, may fail in a human body (or rats), because there are so many other factor at work. It can also be the opposite.
Rats VS humans Before tests can be conducted on humans, they are mostly tested on rats first, since rats have a very similar system to humans (and are more docile than most other animals). But what seems to work in rats, doesn’t guarantee to work in humans as well.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 30 Applied medicine THC and CBD are already used in official medicine, although not really curing a certain disease but rather trying to get the symptoms under control.
“Dronabinol” is a drug with a synthetic form of THC and is used to stimulate appetite and to treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. “Nabilone” is an alternative to Dronabinol. “Sativex” is a mouth spray containing both CBD and THC that reduces muscle spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis. CBD oil is used for pain relief on patients with chronic pains from conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) and arthritis. It is even more effective when combined with THC.
Research pending and testimonies Looking at the scientific results and many testimonies, the list of medical uses keeps growing. Here are a few that are claimed several times to actually work:
CBD can reduce depression and anxiety. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties. CBD looks promising in the treatment of neurological disorders (like epilepsy). CBD reduces muscle spasms caused by conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) THC actives hunger feeling (the munchies) THC and CBD from landrace Indica strains cause relaxation THC and CBD from landrace Sativa strains cause an uplifting effect THC and CBD reduce the negative effects of chemo-therapy CBD cures phantom-pains (pains on amputated body parts) CBD restores damaged nerve systems THC kills cancers and tumours THC cares third degree burns THC and CBD ointments make bruises and cuts heal much faster Cannabis reduces amount of ticks on a patient with “la Tourette” Cannabis reduces migraine attacks (even to none) Cannabis regulates blood pressure CBN gives deep relaxation and sleep THCV supresses appetite and can be used for obesity (opposite effect of THC)
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 31 The Leafly Wheel The Leafly wheel is a chart that specifies which combination of cannabinoids is best to take for a certain condition.
Source: https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/cannabinoids-101-what-makes-cannabis-medicine Source from the Leafly website (www.leafly.com)
Off-course many critics will assume that this could be a chart that somebody just made up, but looking into the medical journals, there is quite some evidence to back this up. Read more about this in the chapter EXAMPLES OF CANNABIS AT WORK There’s also medicine available containing THC and/or CDB: read more in chapter APPLIED MEDICINE
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 32 Self-medicating
You shouldn’t self-medicate Although most people would agree with that statement, there surely are exceptions:
Let’s say you are in a state where western medicine has completely given up on you. Your life is nothing but a living hell and you decided to go for euthanasia anyway, or you are told that you are going to die in a matter of days or weeks. This may be a good moment to try the impossible and consider self-medication, even if it is based on just rumours. Who knows, it might just work. After all, what do have left to lose at this point?
That being said, there are a few things that you will have to take into account. The big question is, which type of cannabis plant, dosage, method, … is good for you? Unfortunately, there is no straight answer. It seems to depend from person to person, and what kind of illness you are fighting. But this may help you in getting started.
Which strain Depending on which disease you want to battle, it is important to choose the right strain of cannabis. Each strain is known to hold certain levels of cannabinoids. Certain strains will have high levels of THC, and low levels of CDB or vice versa. Other strains may have high levels of both THC and CBD. And off course, there are many other cannabinoids that each have their medical purposes, and can be found at various levels in various strains. Also the general effect of Sativa versus Indica strains may be important on the choice of strain.
What dosage This may be a hard one. There are a few points that are difficult to measure, but play a vital role in finding the right dosage:
Some people react better than others (and thus need less) The level of CBD or THC (or any other cannabinoid you need) in your medicine is not always known. (lower levels in the medicine will require to use more medicine). Is some cases, you may need to take more over time, since you may built a certain tolerance to the THC or CBD.
Important to keep in mind is: you cannot overdose on THC or CBD, so don’t worry on taking too much. The worst that can happen is that you get very high (on THC), or may suffer from some nausea and vomiting.
Which method Choosing the right method may be the easiest part. Since smoking is known to be not very efficient, and your medicine will very likely be an oily substance, oral will in most cases be your best method. It will take most of the medicine in your system, and will last longer, which is preferred when relieving pain or supressing symptoms like spasms or ticks.
But maybe, you just need a short quick fix, in which case smoking (or better vaping) may be good enough. It won’t last as long as the oral method, but will generally kick in much faster.
And there’s also the combination of methods which gives you the best of both sides.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 33 Examples of cannabis at work
Besides THC and CBD there are numerous other cannabinoids that each seem to have their own use. However, little research has been done on these cannabinoids so far, and many findings are considered un- official or even hoaxes. But then again, misinformation goes both ways!
So here are a few of the claims and research that shows the medical purpose of some cannabinoids. Most claims can be backed up with official research (relevant references included).
THC improvises appetite CB1 receptors occur in several areas in our body with the highest density in the brain. Depending on the area the CB1 receptors occur, activating these receptors will cause different effects. CB1 receptors are also involved with the receptors for ghrelin, a hormone that contributes to an increase in the sensation of hunger. THC binds with these CB1 receptors.
THCV decreases appetite THCV looks a promising cannabinoid to be used on patients suffering from obesity and diabetes. It appears to have the opposite effect on hunger-sensation than THC.
The CB1 Neutral Antagonist Tetrahydrocannabivarin Reduces Default Mode Network and Increases Executive Control Network Resting State Functional Connectivity in Healthy Volunteers. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26362774 Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabivarin on Glycemic and Lipid Parameters in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group Pilot Study. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27573936
THC and/or CBD cures “Crohn's disease” Cannabis oil is used as cure against crohn’s disease and other diseases in the bowels.
Therapeutic Use of Cannabis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5193087/ Documentary: Illegally Alive (2017) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6030176/ THC and/or CBD reduces ticks from “Gilles de la Tourette” Tourette is the result of an imbalance of hormones on the limbic system. CBD is known to “calm” neural impulses. Patient that suffer from Tourette, have been found when treated with cannabis, to show significantly less ticks.
Testimonies: https://www.reddit.com/r/Tourettes/comments/7dtoy3/cbd_oil_thc_free/ Treatment of Tourette syndrome with cannabinoids. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23187140 Cannabinoid receptor-mediated disruption of sensory gating and neural oscillations: A translational study in rats and humans. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=CBD+agonist+neural+system Pure delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and its combination with cannabidiol in treatment-resistant Tourette syndrome: A case report. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30058466 Significant Tic Reduction in An Otherwise Treatment-Resistant Patient with Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome Following Treatment with Nabiximols. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28445405
Related Other neural conditions like epilepsy, ADHD, … can also be influenced by the usage of THC/CBD.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 34 CBD relieves pain (chronic pain) CBD shows promising results in relieving chronic pain for patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), arthritis …
THC even seems to enhance this effect, but is used in low levels so the users won’t experience the high- effect.
Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by targeting α3 glycine receptors. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22585736
CBD regulates blood pressure Multiple cases of using CBD on patients with high blood pressure have shown to drop the blood pressures significantly. It does appear to have various influences depending on the cause of the high blood pressure (stress, intoxication, anxiety, …).
The novel endocannabinoid receptor GPR18 is expressed in the rostral ventrolateral medulla and exerts tonic restraining influence on blood pressure. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24431468
CBN causes deep relaxation Recent research has shown that CBN seems to cause deep relaxation (meaning it makes you very sleepy). CBN is also believed to be not psychoactive, unlike THC, and therefore not popular for recreational use. However, more recent research shows that CBN is the most sedative cannabinoid (meaning it will make you sleepy), and therefore has drawn the attention for its medical use.
What Is CBN and What Are the Benefits of This Cannabinoid? https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-cbn-and-what-are-the-benefits-of-this-cannabinoid
CBD reduces THC effects CBD reduces the activity of liver enzymes, causing the THC not to metabolize to 11-Hydroxy-THC as much or as fast as with normal liver activity. Because most theories claim that 11-Hydroxy-THC is more psychoactive than THC, this could explain why the high-feeling is reduced by CBD.
CBD-DRUG INTERACTIONS: ROLE OF CYTOCHROME P450 https://www.projectcbd.org/science/cannabis-pharmacology/cbd-drug-interactions-role-cytochrome-p450
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 35 Buying cannabis medicine
Cannabis is illegal in your country When cannabis is illegal in your country, it still appears to be possible to purchase it in some stores. But there are a few points you should be aware of:
THC oil When THC oils are for sale, you can be sure this is definitely a scam. THC is what makes cannabis illegal in the first place. So any product that claims to hold THC, is either a pure scam, or very illegal.
CBD oil In some countries where cannabis is illegal, CBD oils appear to be allowed but usually under certain conditions. In most cases, the CBD oils are very watered (or oiled) down, and barely hold any CBD. According to most experts, any CBD oil that has less than 5% CBD is pretty worthless anyway.
Cannabis or hemp products You may find products like “Cannabis oil” or “Hemp oil” or even “Cannabidol” (which almost sounds like cannabidiol, which is CBD). In many cases, these products don’t even contain any CBD, but are just oils from the hemp seeds. This doesn’t mean that they have no medical benefits, but you’d probably be better off buying vitamins.
Cannabis is legal in your country If cannabis is legal in your country, that is a whole different story. It doesn’t guarantee that what you purchase is a good and potent product, but changes are real that you can buy it.
Usually, CBD products are easily to get, but when it comes to THC products, often it requires you to show some ID, proving you are a local. So it won’t be that easy to get what you need if you just cross the border.
Cannabis is legal, but cannabis medicine is illegal This is probably hard to believe, but there are actually countries and states where using cannabis for recreational purposes is legal, but medical use (CBD oil, THC oil, …) is illegal.
Buying off the internet When buying of the internet always keep in mind that the internet has at least as much criminals and scammers trying to rip you off, if not more, than in real life. So don’t go just buying any magical cure on the internet. That doesn’t mean that it is all a scam, but the stuff that works, is usually very hard to find, and doesn’t come that cheap. So if you choose to buy, make sure to do your research properly.
One tip: if the (online) store you buy from is in a country where cannabis is illegal, changes are very big you are buying placebos. If however you can buy from countries where cannabis is legal, it is possible to get some potent product however it doesn’t guarantee anything, so always be cautious!
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 36 THC as a cure for cancer
Rumours or fact By now hundreds of articles, testimonies and interviews have appeared on the internet from people all over the world, claiming they cured cancer with THC, after modern medicine had given up on them. But is it true? Can cannabis really cure cancer?
Well, the internet is the internet, and not all information and stories are true. There are as much claims that THC doesn’t cure cancer, as there are stories that THC does cure cancer. So let’s try to figure out fact from fiction.
The theory why cannabis can cure cancer
Experiments in petri dish Certain cannabinoids have been found to kill cancer cells in a petri dish. But so does bleach, only the bleach will kill all cells. The cannabinoids however only seemed to kill the tumour cells, leaving the normal (healthy) cells unharmed. This is not proof that it would work in the human body, but it surely looks promising.
Experiment in rats Just as with the experiments in a petri dish, the same results were witnessed with cancerous cells in rats. Rats are not humans but their genetic and biological characteristics closely resemble those of humans. So again, this points in a promising direction.
Receptors on tumour cells It has been found that tumour cells have more cannabinoid receptors than healthy cells of the same type. This means that it is more receptive to cannabinoids than its healthy version, and therefore will very likely have a more significant reaction.
Note: Patients with disorders like Parkinson’s disease, have higher endocannabinoid levels.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 37 Effects of cannabinoids on cancer cells Certain cannabinoids have been found to have several effects that are beneficial in medicine for cancer:
Antiproliferative effects Antiproliferative means the prevention of cells, especially malignant cells (cancer, tumour) from reproducing (into surrounding tissues).
Antiangiogenic effects Antiangiogenic is the prevention, or reduction of the formation of new blood vessels, needed by the tumour to grow.
Antimetastatic effects Antimetastatic is the prevention of malignant cells (cancer, tumour) from spreading to other organs.
Apoptotic effect Apoptosis is a natural process of a cell to seek its own death, triggered by the presence or absence of a certain stimuli.
For example: The average adult human loses between 50 and 70 billion cells each day due to apoptosis.
The cannabinoids somehow seem to aid this system in effectively killing cancer cells and leaving the healthy cells around it unharmed.
Conclusion There are significant amounts of data indicating that cannabinoids (especially THC) has an effect on cancer. However, to say that this is proof that THC kills cancer would not be scientifically correct since there is not enough research conducted that can replicate this and thus confirms that THC effectively can kill cancer.
However, for someone dying from cancer, this may be all the proof someone needs to get their hope up and give it a try.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 38 Making THC oil
Where to start If you choose to treat cancer with THC oil you will have to make it yourself. Good news is that it is not that difficult. All you need is the right information. Some very good places to start are:
The Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) Very famous for his research on the cancer cure how to create the THC oil is Rick Simpson, to who the oil is often referred to as the “RSO” or “Rick Simpson Oil”.
Note that Rick Simpson does only explain how it is made, and what the recommended dosage is. He does not sell any products, so anything you may find on the internet for purchase under his name, is definitely a scam!
Jeff Ditchfield Another great place to look is at the video and book of Jeff Ditchfield. There’s a ton of information there about growing, harvesting and processing cannabis to the oil.
Where else to look Tons of other helpful videos (and articles, blogs, …) can be found on how to get the THC oil Just open your browser and search for
decarboxylation THC how to make THC oil
The methods may vary a little, but they all do the job, some more efficient than others.
Quick summary Whatever method you find, basically, making the oil is done in a few steps
Growing, harvesting and drying the female buds (or buying the buds) Getting the cannabinoids (THCA) from the resin (putting the buds in a solvent) Filtering the solution (getting rid of the plant material) Optional: retrieving some of your solvent (using a distiller) Converting the THCA to THC (through decarboxylation) Optional: testing the product on THC levels (quality check) Taking the “medicine” (getting healthy again)
Highlights The remainder of this document are more or less the highlights of all these methods, giving an overview of most info found online combined with some personal experiences.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 39 Picking the right plant
Which strain: Indica or Sativa or Hybrids The biggest difference between (pure) Sativa and Indica strains is the Indica strains will cause you to relax and feel sleepy. It will help very well getting a good night rest. Sativa strains have quite the opposite effect; they will elevate your energy, getting you easier through the day.
When curing cancer, the most sensible strains to go for are the Indica strains, since they will bring you relaxation and good rest. It is known that every form of healing starts with a good rest.
If the cancer is not too far advanced, you may choose to use a combination of the two. Use Sativa strains in the morning, to get you through the day, and Indica strains in the evening so you can have a nice nightly sleep.
Look out for certain hybrids though. Some hybrids may be 90% Indica and 10% Sativa, and still have an uplifting effect. But when choosing seeds or buds, the effects are clearly specified so it won’t be too difficult to choose the right strain.
What levels of THC and CBD Keeping in mind the Indica vs Sativa effects, when it comes to choosing strains for curing cancer, make sure to go for strains with THC levels as high as possible (20% or more). Usually, you will end up with a hybrid of Sativa and Indica which is fine.
Once you have your selection of candidates, narrow it down to strains that also have a high level of CBD. The CBD will counteract on the high, but enhance the medical effect.
Alternatively you can mix the buds from 2 different plants where one has high THC and the other has high CBD levels, ending up with a final product that (when done properly) has both in high levels.
Indoor or outdoor growing In most cases, the choice is growing indoor or outdoor is limited to the possibility of where you can grow it (for example: no garden available). But if you can choose, when grown outside, the yield is usually higher, so go for outside if you can.
HOWEVER, there are a few downsides to this like wind could break the branches, bugs could eat the plant (which can happen indoor too), smell that your neighbours may not like, … so keep these things in mind when you choose to grow outside.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 40 From planting seed to drying harvest There is just too much to be said about planting seeds, nurturing the plant, harvesting, drying and curing … But there are many forums, books, blogs, … that have tons of information to get you started.
It is also handy to join a group of enthusiast on social media like facebook, twitter, … who will definitely overwhelm you with advice and dos and don’ts.
There are a few points that are good to know when growing for medicine though:
Inside or outside growing Depending on where you live, outdoor growing may be a bit difficult, but if possible in any way, always go for outside growing. The natural sunlight is ALWAYS better than artificial light, and it will affect the plant’s growth and yield. It will also save a lot of money on the electrical bill. Pay some attention to wind because it will break the branches, but a few poles and rope can prevent that. Same goes for rain, the branches become heavy and may break on their own weight, but again some poles and rope can prevent that.
Broken branches Broken branches are very likely to occur when growing outside, especially the lower ones, which usually are the bigger ones. If there is not much sunlight reaching the lower branches, just cut them away since there won’t be much yield on them anyway. If there is a nice amount of buds on them, try to support because cannabis is a strong plant, and even with a branch broken half, it will still continue to grow, but may result in a bit smaller yield.
Broken plant laying on the ground If the entire plant is broken and laying on the ground, don’t get rid of it (unless it is completely separated from its roots). Very likely, when put back up, or just left laying, it will still provide quite some yield.
Trim big leaves Under every branch and every split, there are some big leaves which can be very easily removed by just slightly pulling down. It is also a good idea to trim away the bigger leaves once the plant has some height, which gives quite some advantages:
It will make the branches lighter, so less easier to break. The wind will pass through easier, reducing the change to break and reducing the risk of moulds and fungi. The sunlight gets easier to the bottom parts of the plant.
Harvesting, drying, curing Most harvesting, drying and curing that is described online is done with the intention to get the optimal product for recreational purposes (taste and high effect). When cannabis is used for medical purposes, there are quite a few things that are not important to take into consideration.
Trimming the buds, cutting the leaves One example is how much of the leaves should be cut. Notice that some leaves have trichomes with resin (these are called the sugar leaves and are usually the smaller leaves close to the buds) and some leaves don’t seem to have any resin on them (these are called the water leaves and are usually the bigger ones). Often it is stated to cut away as much leaves as possible, but this is just for taste and when it comes to making a medicine, taste is not top priority. So it is better to leave the sugar leaves, and it is not a problem if some water leaves are not properly cut away. This could save you quite some time when trimming the buds.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 41 The way of drying Most seem to prefer to cut the plant into smaller pieces, trim away the bigger leaves, and hang these braches upside down to dry. This takes up quite some space. Afterwards, when everything is dried, then further trim the unwanted plant material away until only the dry buds are left. This method is called “dry trimming”.
The alternative way is called “wet trimming” and basically, you trim directly from the plant, and only keep the trimmed buds. They are then put to dry on drying nets or shelves which takes up much less space. It takes more time to do this, but once dried, it doesn’t require any extra work.
Place and time of drying is important The place and time of drying are important:
Dry in well ventilated areas, or use a dehumidifier (an air-conditioning unit can do this as well) to prevent moulds and fungi to form on the harvest. Regularly, check up on the drying harvest for anything suspicious.
Don’t dry directly in the sun. The sun will convert some of the THCA to THC, which is good, but it will also degrade the THC to CBN (Cannabinol), not to be confused with CBD (Cannabidiol), which usually is not preferred. It is always best to dry in places with low light.
When the material is dry, don’t leave it lying but store it as soon as possible or better, process it right away. The longer the dried material is exposed to the air, the more of the THC will degrade to CBN.
Storage The best way to store it, is using class jars, and put them in a dark place (away from direct light). Plastic containers is another option, but a little bit of the cannabinoids may end up in the plastic, although this will be very minimum.
The “undesirables” When taking about “undesirables”, this refers to chlorophyll, sugars, terpenes, … and again, this is all about taste. For a medicine, this is not very important and most of the steps taken to prevent these undesirables are not needed, saving quite some time and energy. However, terpenes do have their own medicinal effect.
Trial and error It doesn’t matter how well informed you get yourself. There will always be variables you didn’t take into account, so trial and error will be your best tools. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work well in the beginning. Cannabis is a very though plant, and even if half of the branches are broken, and the plant is laying on the ground, you may be surprised how much yield you could get, and anything is always better than nothing.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 42 Which solvent to use
How does a good solvent look like First of all, you need to make sure that your solvent is pure (usually 99%). A good solvent will:
be clear as water evaporate on your finger in 30-45 seconds leave no residues (like oil) when vaporized
Bad solvents Bad solvents will look quite the opposite:
not clear but cloudy or coloured evaporate slow (example 3-4 minutes) substances are left after evaporation (usually oil)
Polar vs non-polar solvents A solvent can either be “polar” or “non-polar”.
“Non-polar” solvents will extract the “non-polar” compounds from the plant like
Cannabinoids like THC, CBD, … Terpenes
Non-polar solvents will NOT extract the polar compounds like
Chlorophyll (water-soluble compound)) Metabolites
“Polar” solvents (like ethanol) will extract both “polar” and “non-polar” compounds
TIP: Preventing chlorophyll to be extracted By freezing the alcohol and the plant material before extraction, the chlorophyll will not be absorbed in the solution. Caution with freezing though, it will also freeze the crystals and they may fall off the plant material, so do the freezing in the pot you will pour the alcohol in later.
TIP: Removing chlorophyll afterwards By placing the green(ish) solution in the sun for ±1h, the colour will turn red-brown(ish).
Toxic solvent residues Some solvents are more toxic than others, but since they are completely vaporized, the amount of possible residue of the solvent is too low to cause any negative effect, and if any residue present, its negative effect will be nullified by the medical effect of the THC. So as long as done properly (all solvent is vaporized), there is no reason to be afraid for toxic residues.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 43 List of useable solvents Below is a list of solvents that are reported usable for the extraction of cannabinoids. For each solvent, the most important specifications are listed:
Boiling point: Absolute maximum temperature the solvent can reach Flash point: Minimum temperature of the solvent to be able to ignite (do not confuse with auto-ignition) Stoichiometric ratio: The air/solvent ratio (fumes) in order for the mixture to ignite (burn or explode) Auto-ignition: Temperature on which the solvent will automatically starts to burn Flame: Whether the flame is visible or not, or has a special colour Liquid density: Relative density to water (1.0) in liquid form. Anything lower than 1.0 will float on water, anything higher than 1.0 will sink in water. Vapour density: Relative density to air (1.0) in gas form (vapour, fumes) Anything lower than 1.0 will fly up (towards the air which is considered safe), anything lower will sink down (towards the heating element which could set off a fire or explosion).
Isopropyl Alcohol (99.9%) (IPA) “Isopropyl alcohol” (or Isopropanol) is easily available and not expensive but not optimal for creating THC oil.
If possible, get the HPLC-grade version (slightly more expensive, but suitable for food industry) Make sure to get the “2-Propanol” and not the “1-propanol” (boiling point at 97°C).
mid-level polarity (slightly polar) extracts the chlorophyll (and some sugars) toxic: similar to ethanol cheaper than ethanol easier to get
Specifications Boiling point: 83°C (180°F) Flash point: 12°C (54°F) Stoichiometric ratio: 2% - 12.7% Auto-ignition: 399°C (750°F) Flame: Visible Liquid density: 0.79 (floats on water 1.0) Vapour density: 2.1 (heavier than air 1.0)
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 44 Acetone “Acetone” is considered to be one of the most efficient and safest (non-toxic) solvents.
“non-polar” as well as “polar” characteristics does not extract chlorophyll “non-toxic” (it is easily metabolized and driven off by the human body) low boiling and flash point (very flammable !)
Specifications Boiling point: 56°C (133°F) Flash point: -20°C (-4°F) Stoichiometric ratio: 2.2% - 13% Auto-ignition: 465°C (869°F) Flame: Visible Liquid density: 0.8 (floats on water 1.0) Vapour density: 2.0 (Heavier than air 1.0)
Ethanol (also known as grain alcohol) “Ethanol” (the active ingredient in alcoholic drinks) is also considered one of the most efficient and non- toxic solvent, but has the wrong polarity so it will extract the undesirables too.
“polar” extracts chlorophyll “non-toxic” (also used as an additive and food preservative) It is the basic ingredient in alcoholic drinks can be expensive (due to taxes) illegal in some countries (due to alcohol abuse)
Only use the 95% or 96%. Any lower values are not very useful. Be careful with the 99.9%, they usually are “denaturalized” !
Specifications Boiling point: 79°C (174°F) Flash point: o 96%: 17°C (62°F) o 95%: 17°C (62°F) Stoichiometric ratio: 3.3% - 19% Auto-ignition: 363°C (685°F) Flame: blue flame / not always visible in daylight !!! Liquid density: 0.8 (floats on water 1.0) Vapour density: 1.59 (heavier than air 1.0)
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 45 Hexane “Hexane” is a good solvent, but may be expensive and hard to get.
“non-polar” will not extract chlorophyll Non-toxic (used for food products and pharmaceuticals) can be expensive and hard to get
Specifications Boiling point: 69°C (156°F) Flash point: -22°C (-7°F) Stoichiometric ratio: 1.1% - 7.5% Auto-ignition: 225°C (437°F) Flame: visible Liquid density: 0.7 (floats on water 1.0) Vapour density: 3.0 (heavier than air 1.0)
Benzene Another effective solvent according to Rick Simpson is “Benzene”.
!!! very toxic (it is carcinogen) !!!
Specifications Boiling point: 80°C (176°F) Flash point: -11°C (12°F) Stoichiometric ratio: 1.2% - 7.8% Auto-ignition: 250°C – 498°C (482°F – 928°F) Flame: visible Liquid density:0.88 (floats on water 1.0) Vapour density: 2.7 (heavier than air 1.0)
Naphtha “Naphtha” is claimed by Rick Simpson as the most efficient solvent, though many others show concerns due to the possibility of containing impurities that can be harmful to our health.
Specifications Boiling point: Flash point: Stoichiometric ratio: Auto-ignition: Flame: Liquid density: Vapour density:
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 46 Diethyl ether Another possible solvent is “Diethyl ether”.
“non-polar” used for pharmaceutical production due to fast dissipation very flammable (use with extreme caution)
Specifications Boiling point: 35°C (95°F) Flash point: -45°C (-49°F) Stoichiometric ratio: 1.9% - 36% Auto-ignition: 180°C (356°F) Flame: visible Liquid density: 0.7 (floats on water 1.0) Vapour density: 2.6 (heavier than air 1.0)
Methanol Methanol is pretty poisonous, so personally, I would NOT recommend using methanol for this..
“polar” will extract chlorophyll
Specifications Boiling point: 65°C (147°F) Flash point: -? Stoichiometric ratio: 6.0% - 36% Auto-ignition: 464°C (867°F) Flame: blue flame / not always visible in daylight !!! Liquid density: 0.79 (floats on water 1.0) Vapour density: 1.1(heavier than air 1.0)
Other solvents Any “Petroleum based” solvent is considered to be a good solvent.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 47 The part of the plant you need The cannabinoids are mainly found in the resin on the buds (female plants), and in lower levels on the leaves with crystals on the trichomes. This resin is quite sticky, so be careful not to get it too much on your hands. It won’t cause any harm, but you will waste part of your product.
Trim as much of the stems and leaves (that hold no resin). You can dispose the rest, although they can have their own medical purpose, even the root of the plant, but not for THC oil.
Source: Healing Cannabis Buds
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 48 Ratios and dosage
Plant material/oil ratio How much plant material (buds) is needed and how much oil will that provide?
It all depends on the quality of the buds but roughly (more or less):
1kg of low quality buds will provide about 70 – 80 grams of oil 1kg of high quality buds will provide about 120 – 200 grams of oil
Note that 1 gram of oil is roughly 1 ml (so 60 ml of oil weighs about 60 grams).
Plant material/solvent ratio The quantity of solvent to be used for a certain amount of plant material depends a little on the quality of the plant material and the solvent used, but a rule of thumb is:
About 1.0 litres to 1.5 litres per 100 gram plant material (it depends a bit on the purity of the plant material)
What is the dosage to take For a complete cure the amount needed is about 60 grams taken over 90 days (3 months). When the cancer is at critical levels and chemo was involved, triple to cure to 180 grams! For a maintenance dose (cancer free) take 1 to 2 grams per month.
BUT this is assuming that:
The buds are high quality: holding 20% of THC (or more) Decarboxylation was done properly (all THCA is converted to THC)
Take the oil 3 times per day (about 1 gram per day) and try to spread as evenly as possible (every 8 hours). Try to take the last dose 1 hour before bedtime (especially with Indica strains).
Building up tolerance Starting with 1 gram per day will cause extreme feeling of high, and may lead to undesirable symptoms. So build up a tolerance by beginning with a lower dosage:
Start the dosage with the size of half a rice grain After 3 to 5 days, double the dosage Continue to double the dosage every 3 to 5 days until the 1 gram per day is reached
Depending from person to person, building up the tolerance may take a more or less time, so increase the dosage at a speed that you feel comfortable with.
When in critical condition: just start with the 1 gram per day right away.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 49 What other gear is needed
Filters In order not clog up the filter to quickly, it is best to filter through a coarse filter first, then through a fine filter.
Coarse filter The coarse filter will filter out the larger parts of the plant material like the buds, leaves and seeds. For the coarse filter you can use
A clean cloth with loose weavings A sieve
Fine filter The fine filter will filter out the rest like small plant material, sand, pollen, … For the fine filter, a simple coffee filter works perfect, but best to use non-bleached coffee filters!
White coffee filter are bleached ones DO NOT USE Brown(ish) coffee filter are the non-bleached ones OK
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 50
Buckets, beakers, funnels
For extracting the cannabinoids from the plant material, a solid bucket or bowl would be a good option so the plant material can be smashed with a stick without breaking the bucket or bowl.
Another reason for using non-plastic buckets is that the solvent may melt the plastic (depending on the quality of the plastic).
To poor the solution through the filter into a beaker, a funnel may be a good idea to hold the filter.
A stainless steel funnel and glass beaker are better than a plastic one, since the solvent may react with the plastic.
Tip: use an old (broken) coffee maker
If you have an old (or broken) coffee maker that is not being used anymore, it makes a great filter holder (it is designed for it), and you don’t need a beaker since there is already a glass jar included.
Another advantage is that the filter holder as well as the glass jar have a lit, so the solvent won’t vaporize as quickly as with the open funnel and beaker.
Do note that the filter holder is usually plastic, so test the solvent on the plastic before you start using it.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 51 Optional: Blender
As an alternative to smashing the plant material in the bucket with a stick, you could use a blender to cut the plant material into small pieces for you.
Always use small doses of plant material to blend so you won’t overload the blender. Poor the cut up plant material in the bucket and repeat until all the plant material you want to process is done.
Rinse out the blender with the solvent so any cannabinoids that are in the blender get washed out. Again be careful if you use a plastic blender that the solvent won’t react with the plastic.
Don’t forget to stir the plant material in the bucket once the solvent is added to properly extract the cannabinoids from the plant material.
Off course, a soep mixer can do also do the stirring for you. It will also further cut up the plant material which makes it easier to extract the cannabinoids.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 52 Optional: distiller When using a distiller, the big advantage is that you can recover about 80% of your solvent. It is not necessary, and it is a little investment, but it will save money over time, especially if you are using expensive solvents.
Some popular distillers are:
Megahome Water Distiller (MH943SBS) Megahome Alcohol Distiller (MH-DA4B)
There are many other water distillers of many other brands, who all do the job quite fine.
When distilling the solution (solvent holding the cannabinoids), the decarboxylation is already partly done, so the second step, the full decarboxylation won’t take as much time.
Caution with some solvents The silicon gasket reacts to solvents like alcohol and acetone and it will expand causing leaks during the process. Just let it cool down and it will get to its original shape. Make sure to keep an eye on the process.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 53 Heating device With the heating device two actions are achieved:
Decarboxylation happens: THCA is converted to THC Solvent is vaporized from the solution, leaving only the oily substance behind
There are several options when it comes to the heating device, each having their pros and cons
Rice cooker (good) As weird as this may sound, the rice cooker appears to be a great device for decarboxylation, since it regulated the temperate in such way that the solution will not exceed the 150°C (do check the rice cookers specifications and settings though).
Some who tried this method claim that the solvents may degrade the plastic and sealing of the rice cooker, so make sure to go for the stainless steel ones, which very likely are a bit pricier.
Pot in boiling water In order to keep the temperature under control, some prefer the “crock pot” or “water bath” method, which basically is to put the pot or jar with the solution in a pot of cooking water. That way the temperature can be kept under control because the boiling point of water is 100°C (212°F). However, it appears to be not ideal since the time to convert all the THCA to THC takes quite long and degradation may start to occur, since decarboxylation is not a linear process.
Source: Sensi Seeds
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 54
Oven and microwave oven Unless you can keep the oven below 150°C (°F) and around 120°C (°F) - which you cannot with any oven - using an oven may not be the best method to use.
For the microwave oven, it is a very clear NO!
Coffee machine Another option is to use a coffee machine. The hot plate to keep the coffee warm can be used as the heating element, while the filter holder can be very handy when pouring the solution through the fine filter. You may want to keep an eye on the temperature though.
Off-course, this is only a good solution to be used in combination with the distiller.
Hot furnace A bit more challenging is to use a hot plate. But that will require keeping a close eye on the temperature of the solution.
Syringes Collect the oil in syringes. Don’t go for big ones (100ml or 150ml) which would seem the logic thing to use if you make large batches. Use smaller ones (10ml) which off-course will require to get more off, but it will be much easier to collect the oil and administer it.
Also make sure you get syringe caps so no dust or dirt can enter the tip when stored, and the oil won’t run out.
Fan (or something similar) Since the fumes of most solvents are heavier than air (vapour density > 1.0), the fumes will rise out of the pot and then fall down in the direction of the heating element (which can be a hot plate or fire). Most solvents are flammable and this may lead to fire or an explosion. Therefore make sure to do this outside and let a fan blow over the pot, away from any heating source and any humans.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 55 Quick steps Once you have the plant material (preferably dried so there won’t be too much water), go through these steps to get the oil.
Safety first Since working with solvents that vaporize quickly, using a fan at all times is strongly advised. Also mind your position and always drive the fumes from the solvents away from you and never towards heating sources (flames, stoves, cookers, …)
Extracting the cannabinoids Put the plant material in the bucket or bowl and pour the solvent over it. Use a stick or your hands to “wash” the plant material in the solvent. This will result in getting the resin (holding the cannabinoids) from the plant material into the solution. (Optionally you can use a blender first)
Pour the solution through the coarse filter and re-use the plant material for a second wash. This will get remaining resin from the plant material. Usually washing twice will get most of the cannabinoids. Estimated per wash you will get:
First wash: about 75% to 80% Second wash: about 95% to 98% Optional third was: up to 99%
It makes sense to wash twice, since the benefits of the third wash are not in relation with the cost of the solvent (unless you can get the solvent for free).
Filtering the solution Using the course and fine filters, filter the solution so no plant material, dirt, pollen, … are left in the solution. Don’t worry if it is not perfectly filtered.
Optional step: distilling To recover some of the solvent, distilling is the next step. Depending on the solvent used (boiling point), the decarboxylation may occur.
If for example Isopropyl Alcohol is used, the boiling point is about 83°C (181°F) which will set off the decarboxylation. When Acetone is used instead (boiling point is about 56°C (133°F), the decarboxylation will be much less since the minimum temperature is not reached.
Version: 2019-01-04 (23:19) 56 Decarboxylation
Temperatures and times For optimal decarboxylation, the temperature should be maintained between 106°C to 110°C which corresponds with 223°F to 230°F, for about 1,5 hour to 2 hours.
If the temperature rises above 120°C (248°F), the terpenoids will start to vaporize. This may be a wanted side effect in some cases.
If the temperature rises above 155°C (311°F), THC (and other cannabinoids) will start to vaporize and/or degrade, rendering the oil less potent or even useless.
If the duration of the decarboxylation is too short, a lot of THCa will not be converted to THC. (This have some uses for several other medicinal uses.)
If the duration of the decarboxylation is too long, the THC will start to degrade to CBN which will lead to a less potent oil, but may be very useful if you want an oil that makes you very relaxed and sleeping.
SIDE NOTE Evaporation is the process of a substance in a liquid state changing to a gaseous state on its surface. For example water evaporates by the sun. Vaporization is the process of a substance in liquid state changing to a gaseous state but above the boiling point of the liquid. For example when boiling water.
When using the rice cooker, controlling the right temperature and time may be a bit difficult, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t end up with potent oil. It just won’t have reached its full potential. Many of the THCa won’t be converted to THC (as with the other cannabinoids like CBDa etc). This is not necessarily a bad thing since all cannabinoids work together in a way that we don’t really understand at this time. However, for cancer cure, most people believe that the more of the cannabinoids are converted, the better medicine you have.
Pay extra attention at this time, since the fumes of the vaporized solvents are heavier than air so they will rise out of the rice cooker, and drop down in the direction of your heating device. If you are using a hot plate, you could get a fire on your hands, so ALWAYS make sure the fan is driving away the fumes.
Collecting When the oil stops bubbling, it should be good to collect. Do collect it when it is still warm because it will be liquid. Once cooled down, it hardens quite a bit making it very difficult to collect in the syringes.
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