{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/news-and-events/4","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2372-markdown","title":"Elevate + Flow: A Cannabis & Yoga Retreat","slug":"elevate-flow-a-cannabis-and-yoga-retreat","content":"On Sept. 30, HelloMD was pleased to attend Elevate + Flow, a yoga and cannabis retreat hosted by [Geyser Peak Ranch](https://www.geyserpeakranch.com/home). Susan Hauser, renowned instructor at [New Om World Yoga](https://newomworld.com/), led the yoga portion of the event and Ona.Life helped curate the participation of top marijuana brands in the day-long health and wellness event. \n\nGeyser Peak Ranch is a spectacular four-generation family-owned property of 1,200 acres overlooking the Alexander Valley. Nielma Hock, co-owner of the ranch and the Elevate + Flow organizer, regularly hosts high-end cannabis experiences, inviting members of the cannabis industry to help normalize the conversation around marijuana. Her events are perfect for the “canna-curious” as well as those already well-versed in cannabis knowledge.\n\nNielma’s passion for shattering old stigmas about marijuana and introducing guests to a different side of cannabis comes from her personal experience of witnessing a cancer-stricken loved one refuse cannabis as medicine, despite its potential to help.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n\nRuby LaGranduer of LaGranduer sparkling beverages.\n\n### Cancer Battle Inspires Marijuana-Infused Events\n\nA few years ago, Nielma’s mother battled cancer. During the process, she was given multiple pharmaceuticals to deal with the pain associated with the disease as well as for the side effects from chemotherapy. But due to the stigma she felt for the plant, she refused cannabis and [Marinol, an FDA-approved pharmaceutical made with synthetic THC](http://www.marinol.com/patient/about-marinol). \n\nNielma reflects, “To this day, I think about how much better my mom’s quality of life would have been had she just opted to reach for cannabis instead of the pharmaceutical drugs. Cannabis may not have extended her life, but it may have allowed her to have the presence of mind to have more lucid hours spent with me and the people she loved. When someone is at their deathbed, every minute counts. I often think about how the stigma of cannabis robbed me of precious time with my mom.” \n\n### Cannabis Education at Elevate + Flow\n\nThe day began with [Pamela Hadfield, co-founder of HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/people/pamelahadfield), addressing the largely new-to-cannabis crowd on the health and wellness aspects of the plant. She began with her personal story of crippling migraines and [how she solved her own health crisis and got off opioids with the help of medical marijuana](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5595d75d3264380006170000/migraines-how-i-got-off-pain-meds-and-found-relief-with-cannabis). \n\nDuring her talk, she educated people on the [science of cannabis](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55da2ff26430380006690000/cannabinoids-chemical-compounds-with-huge-therapeutic-potential) and how it affects the [CB1 and CB2 receptors](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56ba6fd0023cd900080000b3/is-your-endocannabinoid-system-in-balance) in the body. Pamela also spoke about [the concept of microdosing](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/59c1b07e93afe720b53117a1/microdosing-a-better-way-to-take-cannabis) and the need to go “low and slow.”\n\n### Yoga & Top Cannabis Brands Close the Retreat\n\n`embed: https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ1bW81Dmij/`
\n\nFollowing the educational discussion and audience Q&A, the group adjourned to a ridge overlooking the Alexander Valley. Here Susan Hauser led a music-filled, open-air vinyasa yoga session. The breathtaking scenery combined with Susan’s yoga expertise created a unique experience that left participants invigorated and smiling. \n\nRELATED: [THE CONNECTION BETWEEN YOGA & CANNABIS](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/58a38cc01689ad0017e8493b/the-connection-between-yoga-and-cannabis)\n\nWalking down the ridge and back into the ranch, guests were then able to engage with brand ambassadors from some of California’s top marijuana lines. The brands present represented the movement in artisanal, microdosed consumption such as [La Grandeur](https://www.lagrandeur.co/), a sparkling cranberry beverage; [Atlas Edibles](http://atlasedibles.com/), which offers incredibly scrumptious granola treats; [HMBLDT vaporizers](https://hmbldt.com/); [Ona.Life delivery](https://www.ona.life), which offered a wide array of cannabis brands; and [Garden Society](http://www.thegardensociety.com/), a wildly popular gourmet confection edible.\n\n`embed: https://www.instagram.com/p/BZr3Cx-gGNq/`
\n\nNurit Raphael, co-founder of Ona.Life delivery, and one of the event coordinators, commented on the day saying, “I’m thrilled that we were able to bring together the network of cannabis industry leaders and brands with the community at large to make this elegant collaboration happen, and push the conversation around cannabis forward.”\n\nPhoto credit: [La Grandeur](https://www.lagrandeur.com)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAAPABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwAAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIEA//EABUBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oADAMBAAIQAxAAAAEefKyoUP/EABkQAAIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAhESI//aAAgBAQABBQJZZkuIsJXGT5n/xAAWEQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEhP/2gAIAQMBAT8BzQ//xAAWEQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEgH/2gAIAQIBAT8Btev/xAAbEAACAQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASECEDEyQf/aAAgBAQAGPwKHbZHTDZNJ/8QAGxABAAIDAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQARIUFxMeH/2gAIAQEAAT8h0SUPUIm5s7BgIz2UOxA2L59n/9oADAMBAAIAAwAAABALD//EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARUf/aAAgBAwEBPxBKJT//xAAXEQEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEVFh/9oACAECAQE/EJ0wf//EABwQAQEAAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAERADFRcSGRwf/aAAgBAQABPxA7G9zHzewZjw5zbBZT1dHn1llEClAH7grPWgQx/9k=","aspectRatio":1.3513513513513513,"src":"/static/bed6f8d0535e079c161dcca468c4c78a/14b42/a4b027cd54e29e2d66ee3ab5f2aaaf59.jpg","srcSet":"/static/bed6f8d0535e079c161dcca468c4c78a/f836f/a4b027cd54e29e2d66ee3ab5f2aaaf59.jpg 200w,\n/static/bed6f8d0535e079c161dcca468c4c78a/2244e/a4b027cd54e29e2d66ee3ab5f2aaaf59.jpg 400w,\n/static/bed6f8d0535e079c161dcca468c4c78a/14b42/a4b027cd54e29e2d66ee3ab5f2aaaf59.jpg 800w,\n/static/bed6f8d0535e079c161dcca468c4c78a/1d643/a4b027cd54e29e2d66ee3ab5f2aaaf59.jpg 1115w","srcWebp":"/static/bed6f8d0535e079c161dcca468c4c78a/58556/a4b027cd54e29e2d66ee3ab5f2aaaf59.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/bed6f8d0535e079c161dcca468c4c78a/61e93/a4b027cd54e29e2d66ee3ab5f2aaaf59.webp 200w,\n/static/bed6f8d0535e079c161dcca468c4c78a/1f5c5/a4b027cd54e29e2d66ee3ab5f2aaaf59.webp 400w,\n/static/bed6f8d0535e079c161dcca468c4c78a/58556/a4b027cd54e29e2d66ee3ab5f2aaaf59.webp 800w,\n/static/bed6f8d0535e079c161dcca468c4c78a/ac735/a4b027cd54e29e2d66ee3ab5f2aaaf59.webp 1115w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2456-markdown","title":"Why Doesn't My Doctor Know Anything About Marijuana?","slug":"why-doesnt-my-doctor-know-anything-about-marijuana","content":"Anxiety, stress, migraines, insomnia, chronic pain and even [opioid dependence](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55c91db33934390006220000/cannabis-may-be-safer-than-opioids-for-managing-pain)—there’s mounting evidence that cannabis can be used as an effective treatment for all of these conditions (and more). Yet many doctors don’t know much about the efficacy of marijuana. Attitudes towards cannabis and the people who consume it are improving, but unfortunately the stigma still lingers. And because marijuana is still illegal at the federal level and classed as a Schedule 1 drug, most physicians don’t receive formal training in schools on medicinal marijuana and there are very few medical studies done on the plant, so doctors don’t have any concrete information to go on. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Doctors Are Behind the Curve in Medical Marijuana\n\nA recent study conducted by the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis revealed that [medical schools are doing a very poor job in educating their students on cannabis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28892720)—medical or recreational. \n\nIn a survey that included more than 100 medical school deans and 258 medical residents and fellows, 85% of students admitted that they’d never received any sort of cannabis education. The study also revealed that only 9% of medical schools provide any kind of cannabis education to their students—despite 29 states (plus the District of Columbia) having access to some form of legal medical or recreational marijuana. \n\n### The Legal Gray Area in Marijuana as Medicine\n\nCannabis has been intentionally shut out of the conversation when it comes to medicine in the U.S. Although at the state level cannabis is legal in some locations, the federal government maintains that it's still illegal and has listed it as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, along with drugs like heroin, LSD and ecstasy. This classification means that in the eyes of the federal government, marijuana has no known medical uses whatsoever. This also makes it extremely difficult for researchers to gain access to marijuana for studies. \n\nHelloMD’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Perry Solomon notes, ”The U.S. government’s stance creates an environment of fear for most practicing physicians, who must keep up with the most current laws in their state to ensure that they're allowed to recommend cannabis to their patients. Even if this is the case, most worry, unnecessarily, that they’ll get in trouble with the D.E.A. if they do so. Thankfully, there hasn’t been a government crackdown on prescribing physicians in legal states in many years. \n\n“There have been more than 8,000 studies done worldwide showing the efficacy of cannabis in treating a variety of medical conditions. However, the tendency of U.S. physicians is to only look at studies that come from the mainstream medical schools and universities in this country. The Schedule 1 status of cannabis makes those studies very difficult to perform.”\n\nRELATED: [SURVEY REVEALS 76% OF DOCTORS WOULD APPROVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55f45ff26463310006530000/survey-reveals-76-of-doctors-would-approve-medical-marijuana-use)\n\n### Fighting on the Front Lines for Cannabis\n\nSome organizations within the medical community like [The American Cannabis Nurses Association](https://cannabisnurses.org) advocate for the use of cannabis in medical treatment. These groups raise awareness of medicinal cannabis among healthcare providers through education, research and policy development. \n\nHelloMD is also a great resource to connect to doctors who’ve studied medicinal marijuana extensively. We offer access to doctors for consultations as well as the [Answers](https://www.hellomd.com/answers) platform, where folks can ask a medical professional about anything and everything marijuana related.\n\n### Doctors Need to Know about Cannabis\n\nAs more people gain access to medical marijuana, doctors need to be knowledgeable about:\n\n>* how the plant affects the body—an in-depth understanding of how the endocannabinoid system functions.\n>* the various conditions that cannabis can treat.\n>* perhaps most importantly, how it interacts with other prescription medications. \n\nMost people rely on the folks at their local dispensary or more experienced friends for medicinal marijuana advice, but with other prescriptions you wouldn’t accept guidance in regards to dosage, consumption method or side effects from anyone but your doctor. It’s time for medical schools to get up to speed with the ways people are using cannabis as medicine so that patients receive informed, professional and safe advice.\n\nPhoto credit: [Jesse Orrico](https://unsplash.com/@jessedo81)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/35c9d58cf2942836a878fb2059a1791c/14b42/4c5ee15050b565fa4557b8602e086520.jpg","srcSet":"/static/35c9d58cf2942836a878fb2059a1791c/f836f/4c5ee15050b565fa4557b8602e086520.jpg 200w,\n/static/35c9d58cf2942836a878fb2059a1791c/2244e/4c5ee15050b565fa4557b8602e086520.jpg 400w,\n/static/35c9d58cf2942836a878fb2059a1791c/14b42/4c5ee15050b565fa4557b8602e086520.jpg 800w,\n/static/35c9d58cf2942836a878fb2059a1791c/47498/4c5ee15050b565fa4557b8602e086520.jpg 1200w,\n/static/35c9d58cf2942836a878fb2059a1791c/231d7/4c5ee15050b565fa4557b8602e086520.jpg 1393w","srcWebp":"/static/35c9d58cf2942836a878fb2059a1791c/58556/4c5ee15050b565fa4557b8602e086520.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/35c9d58cf2942836a878fb2059a1791c/61e93/4c5ee15050b565fa4557b8602e086520.webp 200w,\n/static/35c9d58cf2942836a878fb2059a1791c/1f5c5/4c5ee15050b565fa4557b8602e086520.webp 400w,\n/static/35c9d58cf2942836a878fb2059a1791c/58556/4c5ee15050b565fa4557b8602e086520.webp 800w,\n/static/35c9d58cf2942836a878fb2059a1791c/99238/4c5ee15050b565fa4557b8602e086520.webp 1200w,\n/static/35c9d58cf2942836a878fb2059a1791c/bd6e8/4c5ee15050b565fa4557b8602e086520.webp 1393w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2331-markdown","title":"How Cannabis Goes from Seed to Final Sale in New York","slug":"how-cannabis-goes-from-seed-to-final-sale-in-new-york","content":"Ever wonder what it takes to get cannabis from a tiny seed to the products that make their way to your local New York dispensary? We spoke to Mike Richards, [PharmaCannis](https://www.hellomd.com/biz/pharmacannis-albany/about) wholesale manager, to find out what that journey entails as well as how patients benefit from a program that’s vertically integrated—meaning participating organizations handle the entire process of cultivating, processing and distributing the cannabis that goes to patients in New York.\r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n\r\n### A Long Journey for Cannabis in New York\r\n\r\n“Everything starts as a seed, which is planted and cultivated the way that marijuana is usually cultivated and grown,” Mike says. In legal markets such as California, the harvested plant can then make its way to patients as dried flower. In the New York market however, this is only the first step. “We don’t have dried flower here,” he explains, “so everything goes through the extraction process.”\r\n\r\nExtraction isolates the medicinal aspects from the plant. “We do a CO2 supercritical extraction where we remove the cannabinoids,” Mike says, “and then we take that through refining processes to take out the fats, lipids—a lot of the parts of the medicine that don’t really give you medicinal benefit.” The result is pristine concentrated oil, which can then be used in various methods of ingestion.\r\n\r\n“In New York we have vaporizers, so patients are able to vaporize their medication. We have tinctures so that they can take it sublingually, and then we have capsules,” Mike adds. “[Marijuana] gets turned into any of these various forms of administration and products for patients to utilize the cannabinoids as medicine.” \r\n\r\nIt can take eight to 12 months for cannabis to go from a tiny seed to medicine on a dispensary shelf.\r\n\r\n### What’s the Deal with Vertical Integration?\r\n\r\nSome markets allow dispensaries to carry products from different suppliers, using cannabis grown by multiple cultivators and processed separately by individual manufacturers. Mike cites Illinois’ legal market as an example: “Out there, you have 60 dispensary licenses, you have 20 cultivation licenses, and there are people that are dispensing that aren’t processing or cultivating.”\r\n\r\nThe same is true for California—where products from different suppliers can populate the shelves of dispensaries statewide. Not so in New York, which requires that registered organizations (ROs) be vertically integrated.\r\n\r\n“Vertical integration is where a company or organization is able to not only cultivate and process medication,” Mike explains, “but also get it into patients’ hands through a dispensary. So everybody has a cultivation operation, everybody does processing, and everybody’s able to dispense the medication through their own means to patients.”\r\n\r\n### Keeping the Patient in Mind through the Entire Process\r\n\r\nWith a vertically integrated program, ROs are responsible for every step of the seed-to-sale process, making it easier for them to react to the needs of their patients. “The cultivators, the growers, the people that are actually making the medication are in better touch with the patients,” says Mike.\r\n\r\n“When you have somebody that’s not vertically integrated and they’re just dispensing medication, yes, they get the feedback from the patients,” he explains, “but they don’t have that backend cultivation or processing team to relay that information so that processing or cultivation methods can be geared towards the subjective feedback that patients have about the efficacy of the medication.”\r\n\r\nRELATED: [HOW TO GET YOUR MEDICAL MERIJUANA CARD IN NEW YORK STATE](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/how-to-get-your-medical-marijuana-card-in-new-york-state)\r\n\r\nMike’s perspective is informed even further by his personal experience as a medical cannabis patient. “I got into the industry three years ago after being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, and if it wasn’t for cannabis I wouldn’t be managing my Crohn’s as successfully as I am nowadays,” he reveals. “It’s an important perspective to really keep the patient in mind from the cultivation end of things, and people that aren’t vertically integrated don’t really have that backend network to help support the things they are hearing from patients.”\r\n\r\nPatients also reap the benefits of competition in a vertically integrated program, gaining access to a variety of products offered by multiple ROs as opposed to encountering the same items at multiple dispensaries. “It leads to a more robust market because everybody is producing, everybody is processing,” Mike says. “There are going to be more options for patients, more diversity of products and medication for patients.”\r\n\r\nPatients can also expect to feel the impact of this competition in their wallets. “It’s actually going to lower cost for patients which, in my opinion, is a good thing.” \r\n\r\n### Taking Marijuana to the Next Level \r\n\r\nIf there’s one downside to vertical integration, it’s that ROs don’t have the ability to focus on a single aspect of the seed-to-sale process. “It removes some of the specialization that sometimes you have (with non-vertically integrated markets) because everybody is focused on doing everything,” Mike explains. “When somebody is just focused on cultivation or on processing, by having that specialization, they can do things a little bit differently because they aren’t doing so many things at once.”\r\n\r\nThat said, New York’s recent expansion of the market to bring on five additional ROs—bringing the total to 10—and launch a wholesale program in January paves the way towards a more streamlined program that serves patients by fostering cooperation between organizations. “We have the opportunity to have conversations so that we can collaborate and decide that even though we’re vertically integrated, do we all really need to be growing Blue Dream? Do we all really need to be making a one-to-one capsule?” Mike says.\r\n\r\n“I think we have a unique window to shape the New York market based on the fact that, yes, we’re all vertically integrated, but being in a more collaborative environment—that is going to really be what does the industry best and brings it to the next level.” \r\n\r\nMike is enthusiastic about the changes happening in New York and all of the programs nationwide. “We’ve learned a lot from the other states and the other medical cannabis programs,” he says. “It’s just exciting the way regulations are changing and different programs are setting different standards, whether it’s everybody being vertically integrated, or incorporating an educational component where certain organizations partner with universities. It’s really exciting where the industry is going.”\r\n\r\nMike makes one final point by challenging a longstanding stigma about the people who grow, cultivate and process medical cannabis. “We have scientists who are [working] to get this from a plant format to medicine for our patients. Sometimes people have the stereotype that guys and gals that are growing this medication are up in a field somewhere with dreadlocks listening to Bob Marley,” he explains. “Not to say we don’t have a good time doing what we do because we’re very passionate about providing medication and helping patients. But really … there are professionals doing science to get very scientifically based medication into patients’ hands.”\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: [@exxteban](https://unsplash.com/@exxteban)\r\n\r\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/2c5334364d270004b8effd5d1adf0ec8/14b42/49239f8a871b7c122f6d90547ea3befd.jpg","srcSet":"/static/2c5334364d270004b8effd5d1adf0ec8/f836f/49239f8a871b7c122f6d90547ea3befd.jpg 200w,\n/static/2c5334364d270004b8effd5d1adf0ec8/2244e/49239f8a871b7c122f6d90547ea3befd.jpg 400w,\n/static/2c5334364d270004b8effd5d1adf0ec8/14b42/49239f8a871b7c122f6d90547ea3befd.jpg 800w,\n/static/2c5334364d270004b8effd5d1adf0ec8/47498/49239f8a871b7c122f6d90547ea3befd.jpg 1200w,\n/static/2c5334364d270004b8effd5d1adf0ec8/a3c2c/49239f8a871b7c122f6d90547ea3befd.jpg 1397w","srcWebp":"/static/2c5334364d270004b8effd5d1adf0ec8/58556/49239f8a871b7c122f6d90547ea3befd.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/2c5334364d270004b8effd5d1adf0ec8/61e93/49239f8a871b7c122f6d90547ea3befd.webp 200w,\n/static/2c5334364d270004b8effd5d1adf0ec8/1f5c5/49239f8a871b7c122f6d90547ea3befd.webp 400w,\n/static/2c5334364d270004b8effd5d1adf0ec8/58556/49239f8a871b7c122f6d90547ea3befd.webp 800w,\n/static/2c5334364d270004b8effd5d1adf0ec8/99238/49239f8a871b7c122f6d90547ea3befd.webp 1200w,\n/static/2c5334364d270004b8effd5d1adf0ec8/1defc/49239f8a871b7c122f6d90547ea3befd.webp 1397w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2256-markdown","title":"As NorCal Growers Rally, Marijuana Industry Still Set to Boom","slug":"as-norcal-growers-rally-marijuana-industry-still-set-to-boom","content":"Wildfires in California’s northern counties are still raging, but containment is in sight. As the hard-hit counties of Sonoma and Mendocino assess losses and begin recuperation efforts, industry experts think that California’s cannabis market will likely absorb the losses. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n“The cannabis industry has operated without a safety net for so long that we tend to look out for one another,” says Ned Fussell, Co-CEO of CannaCraft, who has donated $50,000 in medical marijuana to local dispensaries and allowed the Red Cross to set up relief headquarters in their warehouse in Santa Rosa. \n\n### Marijuana Losses in the Hundreds of Millions\n\nWith little to no insurance to cover fire- and smoke-damaged crops, outdoor grows are likely to suffer losses estimated in the hundreds of millions. California Grower’s Association (CGA) has set up a [cannabis relief fund](https://emeraldgrowers.nationbuilder.com/wildfire) after their initial YouCaring page was taken down due to “strict policies regarding cannabis campaigns.” CGA is also encouraging those who have lost homes, farms or businesses to the fires to send their loss reports and needs to . \n\nRELATED: [MARIJUANA GROWERS SUFFER HUGE LOSSES IN CALIFORNIA FIRES (https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/59dfd3e2eb4cfa003297ccc0/marijuana-growers-suffer-huge-losses-in-california-fires)\n\nWith farmers distributed throughout the state and indoor grows that produce cannabis year round, it’s unlikely that the 17 wildfires in Northern California—which burned more than 330 square miles and took 41 lives—will have a huge impact on a massive state market that produces 13 million pounds of marijuana a year.\n\nIn preparation for legalization and in lieu of already decreasing prices, growers planted more cannabis this year to make up for foreseen losses in revenue. They were also aware that 2017 was the last year in which they could grow completely unregulated crop—prompting them to go big. \n\n### NorCal Fires a Mere Dent in the CA Cannabis Industry\n\nBoth of these factors add up to a mere dent in the state’s massive cannabis industry. While it’s difficult to see positives in the wake of such decimation, Kevin Jodrey, a long-time grower and universally recognized industry expert, notes that the destruction of prominent outdoor grows could help stabilize market prices.\n\nThere’s an ocean of those people [small businesses] getting knocked out because they can’t compete [on price],” says Jodrey in an interview with _GreenState_. “But when you knock all this outdoor out, this will allow people to survive for another season and they really needed it,” he says.
\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/680b54270e852ae1ddf66b6a09850297/14b42/7268e59a1afdc5c1fa5eb43655130af4.jpg","srcSet":"/static/680b54270e852ae1ddf66b6a09850297/f836f/7268e59a1afdc5c1fa5eb43655130af4.jpg 200w,\n/static/680b54270e852ae1ddf66b6a09850297/2244e/7268e59a1afdc5c1fa5eb43655130af4.jpg 400w,\n/static/680b54270e852ae1ddf66b6a09850297/14b42/7268e59a1afdc5c1fa5eb43655130af4.jpg 800w,\n/static/680b54270e852ae1ddf66b6a09850297/47498/7268e59a1afdc5c1fa5eb43655130af4.jpg 1200w,\n/static/680b54270e852ae1ddf66b6a09850297/54ac5/7268e59a1afdc5c1fa5eb43655130af4.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/680b54270e852ae1ddf66b6a09850297/58556/7268e59a1afdc5c1fa5eb43655130af4.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/680b54270e852ae1ddf66b6a09850297/61e93/7268e59a1afdc5c1fa5eb43655130af4.webp 200w,\n/static/680b54270e852ae1ddf66b6a09850297/1f5c5/7268e59a1afdc5c1fa5eb43655130af4.webp 400w,\n/static/680b54270e852ae1ddf66b6a09850297/58556/7268e59a1afdc5c1fa5eb43655130af4.webp 800w,\n/static/680b54270e852ae1ddf66b6a09850297/99238/7268e59a1afdc5c1fa5eb43655130af4.webp 1200w,\n/static/680b54270e852ae1ddf66b6a09850297/5e0b8/7268e59a1afdc5c1fa5eb43655130af4.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2447-markdown","title":"Marijuana Growers Suffer Huge Losses in California Fires","slug":"marijuana-growers-suffer-huge-losses-in-california-fires","content":"With fires still raging in Northern California, cannabis farmers in the region—who were in the midst of harvesting season—are suffering huge losses. Northern counties are big contributors to the state’s burgeoning marijuana industry—according the _San Francisco Chronicle_, there are 3,000 to 9,000 cannabis gardens in Sonoma County alone. “This is going to leave a deep scar,” said Hezekiah Allen, executive director of the California Growers Association. \r\n\r\nRevenue losses are likely to be in the millions of dollars. This devastation comes at an already difficult time for the cannabis industry: Many businesses invested thousands of dollars in warehouse space to obtain licensing under Proposition 64. In just hours, these warehouses went up in smoke.\r\n\r\nTo make matters worse, most cannabis farmers can’t obtain standard crop or fire insurance—and coverage that’s available is expensive and offers minimal protections. Moreover, crops exposed to fire tend to develop an undesirable smoky flavor; they’re also more susceptible to disease from insects and fungi. Industry reps say they won’t know the extent of the damage until the close of the growing season, which is the end of October.\r\n\r\n“Folks are out their entire life savings. … There’s no crop insurance, there’s no FEMA aid coming to our growers. It's a pretty extreme situation out here,” said Allen in an interview with the _Chronicle_. \r\n\r\nWith cannabis still illegal at the federal level, community support is the key to recovery for farmers. Allen has started [a crowdfunding relief effort to help affected marijuana growers](https://emeraldgrowers.nationbuilder.com/wildfire) recuperate by next spring.\r\n\r\nIn the meantime, many organizations are calling for volunteers to help with overall relief efforts. Donations are also welcome, although check-in first to see what’s needed. HelloMD has already donated $1,000 to Kentfield PTA via backpacks containing personal care and comfort items for children affected by the fire. \r\n\r\n`embed: https://www.instagram.com/p/BaHfkLhHOxd/`\r\n\r\n
\r\nIf you can spare the time and funds, here’s a list of some centers and organizations who are helping evacuees—they can really use your help. \r\n\r\n>* [CA Growers Association](https://emeraldgrowers.nationbuilder.com/wildfire)\r\n>* [CannaFam Support Fund](https://www.gofundme.com/cannafam-fire-victims)\r\n>* [Bay Area Red Cross](https://www.redcross.org/sso/vc0?resume=%2Fidp%2Fw0wjq%2FresumeSAML20%2Fidp%2FSSO.ping&spentity=http%3A%2F%2Fpingone.com%2Fd5b109be-ce0e-4a23-b2ea-171a180ac2a5&arcPartnerId=VC0&forgotPwdResume=https%3A%2F%2Fvolunteerconnection.redcross.org%2F%3Fnd%3Dlogin%26sso_save_state%3D653424364%26t%3DY8f1ADGRdWAJHb53VRi37GimMycu1wgzxhP0H8GD&_requestid=615942) is looking for volunteers.
\r\n>* [Veterans Memorial Building and Hall](http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/General-Services/Administration/Veterans-Memorial-Buildings/Sonoma/) in Santa Rosa is hosting evacuees.\r\n>* [Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership](https://cvnl.org/) in San Rafael is looking for volunteers and donations.
\r\n>* [Napa Valley Community Foundation](http://www.napavalleycf.org/fire-donation-page/) is taking donations.\r\n\r\nFor a more comprehensive list, check out [7x7’s article featuring ongoing relief and recovery efforts in Northern California](http://www.7x7.com/how-to-help-north-bay-fires-2494885475.html?utm_source=7x7+List&utm_campaign=f4341af73b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_10_10&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f27205de8b-f4341af73b-186228625).\r\n\r\n\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/519f8bf11140e187d67e8625fe1dffd0/14b42/82f7fd6f449b020dfa2a0140f4e96de6.jpg","srcSet":"/static/519f8bf11140e187d67e8625fe1dffd0/f836f/82f7fd6f449b020dfa2a0140f4e96de6.jpg 200w,\n/static/519f8bf11140e187d67e8625fe1dffd0/2244e/82f7fd6f449b020dfa2a0140f4e96de6.jpg 400w,\n/static/519f8bf11140e187d67e8625fe1dffd0/14b42/82f7fd6f449b020dfa2a0140f4e96de6.jpg 800w,\n/static/519f8bf11140e187d67e8625fe1dffd0/47498/82f7fd6f449b020dfa2a0140f4e96de6.jpg 1200w,\n/static/519f8bf11140e187d67e8625fe1dffd0/54ac5/82f7fd6f449b020dfa2a0140f4e96de6.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/519f8bf11140e187d67e8625fe1dffd0/58556/82f7fd6f449b020dfa2a0140f4e96de6.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/519f8bf11140e187d67e8625fe1dffd0/61e93/82f7fd6f449b020dfa2a0140f4e96de6.webp 200w,\n/static/519f8bf11140e187d67e8625fe1dffd0/1f5c5/82f7fd6f449b020dfa2a0140f4e96de6.webp 400w,\n/static/519f8bf11140e187d67e8625fe1dffd0/58556/82f7fd6f449b020dfa2a0140f4e96de6.webp 800w,\n/static/519f8bf11140e187d67e8625fe1dffd0/99238/82f7fd6f449b020dfa2a0140f4e96de6.webp 1200w,\n/static/519f8bf11140e187d67e8625fe1dffd0/5e0b8/82f7fd6f449b020dfa2a0140f4e96de6.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2365-markdown","title":"California is Not Ready For Legal Marijuana Sales","slug":"california-is-not-ready-for-legal-marijuana-sales","content":"In November 2016, voters in California agreed to make cannabis consumption legal for adults over the age of 21. With Proposition 64 people will no longer be convicted of possessing or gifting (not selling) up to an ounce of marijuana or seven grams of hash. It also gives residents the ability to smoke in the privacy of their homes and grow up to six cannabis plants indoors. Legal recreational marijuana sales in the state are supposed to begin January 1, 2018, prompting many people to wonder if they will need a medical recommendation after this date—the short answer is yes. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Understanding the Difference Between Medical and Adult Use Marijuana\n\nIn states with medical marijuana programs, a medical recommendation must be issued by a licensed physician before you can legally buy cannabis. California voters passed [Prop 215](http://vigarchive.sos.ca.gov/1996/general/pamphlet/215text.htm) in 1996, allowing patients with eligible conditions to be approved for medical cannabis. The ailments that qualify include arthritis, cancer, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, anxiety, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, migraines and “any other chronic or persistent medical symptom that substantially limits the ability of the person to conduct one or more major life activities.”\n\nIn states where adult use or recreational cannabis is legal, anyone over the age of 21 with a valid I.D. can purchase marijuana from a licensed dispensary. As long as there are clear rules, regulations and legislation in place, there is no need for a recommendation from a doctor or to carry a medical marijuana card that designates you as a legal consumer. \n\n### Recreational Cannabis in California\n\nWith the passing of Prop 64, California joined Colorado, Alaska, Oregon, Nevada and Washington as states where cannabis is recreationally legal. But unlike these other states, California still has a long way to go—it could take months or even years before Californians can casually walk into a dispensary and purchase cannabis.\n\nDispensaries must acquire licenses from both the state and their city to sell recreational cannabis—but most cities have yet to set up a regulatory framework that decides who gets these permits and who doesn’t. This is compounded by the fact that the state itself has yet to issue its final regulations. A few cities and counties such as Emeryville and Santa Cruz are rushing to set up a licensing infrastructure, but stores in those cities may still not be ready to open up shop by the start of the new year. \n\nMoreover, many dispensaries will only be getting medical licensing, so these dispensaries will always require a recommendation to purchase. Additionally, many counties will only be issuing medical licenses and zero recreational licenses, so residents of those counties will still need a medical card. \n\nCities and counties that will allow recreational sales must hunker down and make explicit permitting guidelines—until then most Californians will still need to rely on the medical marijuana model to legally purchase cannabis. \n\n\nRELATED: [Marijuana is Legal in California: What Happens Next?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/marijuana-is-legal-in-california-what-happens-next)\n\n### How to Get a Medical Recommendation \n\nUntil all the grey areas are cleared up and licenses are issued, California residents will still need a medical marijuana card to purchase cannabis in dispensaries. There are a number of ways to get one—such as visiting a marijuana evaluation center, where a licensed physician will ask about your medical history and need for cannabis before signing a recommendation. An easier way to get a recommendation is online—HelloMD offers convenient [telehealth services](https://www.hellomd.com/talk-to-doctor) seven days a week; California residents can get their recommendations after consulting with a doctor on live, streaming video. After the approval, you can immediately download an electronic version and you’ll be mailed a hardcopy version that can be used at any dispensary in the state.\n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient. \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/2269e9cbcdca2c09f59ca3a3259895d0/14b42/b4e10977df4c3fcd35174a851be709ee.jpg","srcSet":"/static/2269e9cbcdca2c09f59ca3a3259895d0/f836f/b4e10977df4c3fcd35174a851be709ee.jpg 200w,\n/static/2269e9cbcdca2c09f59ca3a3259895d0/2244e/b4e10977df4c3fcd35174a851be709ee.jpg 400w,\n/static/2269e9cbcdca2c09f59ca3a3259895d0/14b42/b4e10977df4c3fcd35174a851be709ee.jpg 800w,\n/static/2269e9cbcdca2c09f59ca3a3259895d0/47498/b4e10977df4c3fcd35174a851be709ee.jpg 1200w,\n/static/2269e9cbcdca2c09f59ca3a3259895d0/54ac5/b4e10977df4c3fcd35174a851be709ee.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/2269e9cbcdca2c09f59ca3a3259895d0/58556/b4e10977df4c3fcd35174a851be709ee.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/2269e9cbcdca2c09f59ca3a3259895d0/61e93/b4e10977df4c3fcd35174a851be709ee.webp 200w,\n/static/2269e9cbcdca2c09f59ca3a3259895d0/1f5c5/b4e10977df4c3fcd35174a851be709ee.webp 400w,\n/static/2269e9cbcdca2c09f59ca3a3259895d0/58556/b4e10977df4c3fcd35174a851be709ee.webp 800w,\n/static/2269e9cbcdca2c09f59ca3a3259895d0/99238/b4e10977df4c3fcd35174a851be709ee.webp 1200w,\n/static/2269e9cbcdca2c09f59ca3a3259895d0/5e0b8/b4e10977df4c3fcd35174a851be709ee.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2348-markdown","title":"Sign Dr. Oz's Petition to Increase Funding for Medical Marijuana","slug":"sign-dr-ozs-petition-to-increase-funding-for-medical-marijuana","content":"The opioid crisis rages on and yet critics of cannabis continue to call it a ‘gateway drug’. Dr. Mehmet Oz, in contrast to this, recently stated on Fox News that he believes cannabis may be [the ‘exit drug’](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/dr-oz-marijuana-can-help-the-opioid-epidemic) for opioid addiction. Dr. Oz has released a petition on [Change.org](https://www.change.org/p/national-institutes-of-health-fund-more-research-for-medical-marijuana-as-a-solution-to-the-opioid-crisis) asking the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the White House to quadruple its funding for cannabis research. NIH currently allots $111 million dollars for studies involving cannabis—only 0.3% of their entire spending total on research.\r\n\r\n[SIGN THE PETITION: Fund More Research for Medical Marijuana as a Solution to the Opioid Crisis](https://www.change.org/p/national-institutes-of-health-fund-more-research-for-medical-marijuana-as-a-solution-to-the-opioid-crisis)\r\n\r\n`embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4qbSRy-Xog` \r\n\r\n### Outdated Marijuana Beliefs\r\n\r\nAccording to Dr. Oz, “Outdated beliefs and policies have prevented our country from funding medical cannabis research but the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has reviewed other scientific research and found evidence that patients treated with cannabis or cannabinoids were more likely to experience a significant reduction in pain symptoms. Yet the government still says cannabis has no proven medical value.“\r\n\r\nThis statement mimics the results from the recent HelloMD [study](http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/can.2017.0012) published in conjunction with the University of California, Berkeley. Results of this study which focused on chronic pain, opioids and cannabis showed that 97% of patients were able to decrease their opioid consumption when using cannabis.\r\n\r\n### Cannabis as a Viable Alternative to Opioids\r\n\r\nOpioids have their place for use in short-term acute pain, but their effectiveness in the management of chronic pain been falsely perpetuated by Big Pharma companies and physicians to patients since the late 1990s. With 91 deaths per day attributed to these addictive narcotics, more must be done to help raise the awareness that cannabis is a viable alternative to opioids. With this petition, we hope that NIH will start to take this issue more seriously and increase funding for these studies, which are desperately needed. Please join me in [signing this petition](https://www.change.org/p/national-institutes-of-health-fund-more-research-for-medical-marijuana-as-a-solution-to-the-opioid-crisis) NOW.\r\n\r\n[SIGN THE PETITION: Fund More Research for Medical Marijuana as a Solution to the Opioid Crisis](https://www.change.org/p/national-institutes-of-health-fund-more-research-for-medical-marijuana-as-a-solution-to-the-opioid-crisis)\r\n\r\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient. \r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/25fd4459915bad1dc64434317e16eabd/14b42/9230e46855adc93761dd4430453ec3a3.jpg","srcSet":"/static/25fd4459915bad1dc64434317e16eabd/f836f/9230e46855adc93761dd4430453ec3a3.jpg 200w,\n/static/25fd4459915bad1dc64434317e16eabd/2244e/9230e46855adc93761dd4430453ec3a3.jpg 400w,\n/static/25fd4459915bad1dc64434317e16eabd/14b42/9230e46855adc93761dd4430453ec3a3.jpg 800w,\n/static/25fd4459915bad1dc64434317e16eabd/47498/9230e46855adc93761dd4430453ec3a3.jpg 1200w,\n/static/25fd4459915bad1dc64434317e16eabd/54ac5/9230e46855adc93761dd4430453ec3a3.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/25fd4459915bad1dc64434317e16eabd/58556/9230e46855adc93761dd4430453ec3a3.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/25fd4459915bad1dc64434317e16eabd/61e93/9230e46855adc93761dd4430453ec3a3.webp 200w,\n/static/25fd4459915bad1dc64434317e16eabd/1f5c5/9230e46855adc93761dd4430453ec3a3.webp 400w,\n/static/25fd4459915bad1dc64434317e16eabd/58556/9230e46855adc93761dd4430453ec3a3.webp 800w,\n/static/25fd4459915bad1dc64434317e16eabd/99238/9230e46855adc93761dd4430453ec3a3.webp 1200w,\n/static/25fd4459915bad1dc64434317e16eabd/5e0b8/9230e46855adc93761dd4430453ec3a3.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2257-markdown","title":"Dr. Oz: Marijuana Can Help the Opioid Epidemic","slug":"dr-oz-marijuana-can-help-the-opioid-epidemic","content":"The miseducation of the public on the healing effects of cannabis has had a huge impact on how stigmatized the plant is in our society. For example, its listing as a Schedule I substance with no medicinal benefits has led to the widespread misconception that cannabis is a gateway drug, which has been [proven to be far from true](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/57eac97c6c3015000798bacd/research-shows-marijuana-is-not-a-gateway-drug). Cannabis may actually be the way out of abusing certain drugs and now this concept may have a popular proponent. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Marijuana Could Be the Answer to the Drug Epidemic\n\n`embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPscrN8134E`\n\nSurgeon and popular television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz has voiced his support for cannabis as an alternative to opioids in a recent appearance on Fox & Friends. Although he has been known to discuss some interesting and at times controversial practices on his show (most likely for ratings), his ability to take useful information about cannabis and share it with a mainstream audience who are not usually open to positive perspectives on marijuana is important. Especially his claim that marijuana “may be the exit drug to get us out of the narcotic epidemic.\"\n\n### Cannabis and the Gateway Drug Myth\n\nThe term “gateway drug” refers to the idea that there are substances that are highly likely to lead to the use of harsher drugs with more intense effects. The idea behind the myth is that people who try and regularly consume cannabis will eventually grow a tolerance to the high and seek other substances. But this idea fails to address one important aspect of the plant, which is that it does more than just get you high—it improves your mood, helps relieve consistent stress and anxiety, reduces inflammation, helps decrease feelings of nausea, assists with symptoms related to insomnia, and it also plays a major role in the moderation of chronic pain. \n\nRELATED: [Myth-busting Marijuana: How the Gateway Theory Holds No Clout](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/573a52b0e80d140008000067/myth-busting-marijuana-how-the-gateway-theory-holds-no-clout)\n\n### Opioid Abuse in the United States\n\nThe opioid epidemic has been an ongoing issue for quite some time. The United States has a particularly [long history of opioid abuse](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/599e10ff7af635002f2d28f2/the-long-history-of-opioid-abuse-in-the-united-states) that dates back to the introduction of the hypodermic needle, morphine and eventually heroin. Now, these widely abused prescription drugs are responsible for large numbers of deaths among communities of color, veterans and other groups who have turned to the highly-addictive substance for pain relief. The use of these drugs continues despite [evidence](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/59a6db00d651df299fd05eab/cannabis-a-way-out-of-the-opioid-epidemic) that cannabis could put an end to the cycle of dependence and misuse. \n\n### How Marijuana Helps with Chronic Pain\n\nCannabis can be a [safer pain management option](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55c91db33934390006220000/cannabis-may-be-safer-than-opioids-for-managing-pain) than opioids and has already been proven to effectively [control chronic pain](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/598f893156ef1d0031b26cb0/new-research-proves-marijuana-effectively-controls-chronic-pain) in a number of studies. A Harvard review found that from 1948 to 2015, six out of six general studies on chronic pain revealed that cannabis was responsible for significant improvements for sufferers and this year, a landmark [study](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/595413ae914ae4001b40307a/hellomd-and-uc-berkeley-release-study-on-cannabis-use-as-a-substitute-for-opioid-and-non-opioid-based-pain-medication) released by HelloMD and UC Berkeley showed that 92% of cannabis patients prefer using cannabis to opioids when managing their chronic pain.\n\n### The Support for Cannabis Keeps Growing\n\nThe increasingly undeniable proof of the efficacy of cannabis has inspired people who would not normally show support for cannabis to come forward, like Utah senator Orrin Hatch who has introduced legislation that seeks to expand medical marijuana research. His [new bill](https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ID=B9FCD1A1-1BA8-4E48-8AA4-A3FCA2E9D777) is called Marijuana Effective Drug Study (MEDS) Act of 2017 seeks to loosen the restrictions for researchers who are trying to study the medical benefits of cannabis. This bill could not only have a major impact on the future of opioid abuse, but the management of other conditions as well. \n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient. \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/39a34f9066849ad062dfc6665a9a60d4/14b42/53f765d45f50e7f71ed2b32871e9ff16.jpg","srcSet":"/static/39a34f9066849ad062dfc6665a9a60d4/f836f/53f765d45f50e7f71ed2b32871e9ff16.jpg 200w,\n/static/39a34f9066849ad062dfc6665a9a60d4/2244e/53f765d45f50e7f71ed2b32871e9ff16.jpg 400w,\n/static/39a34f9066849ad062dfc6665a9a60d4/14b42/53f765d45f50e7f71ed2b32871e9ff16.jpg 800w,\n/static/39a34f9066849ad062dfc6665a9a60d4/47498/53f765d45f50e7f71ed2b32871e9ff16.jpg 1200w,\n/static/39a34f9066849ad062dfc6665a9a60d4/54ac5/53f765d45f50e7f71ed2b32871e9ff16.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/39a34f9066849ad062dfc6665a9a60d4/58556/53f765d45f50e7f71ed2b32871e9ff16.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/39a34f9066849ad062dfc6665a9a60d4/61e93/53f765d45f50e7f71ed2b32871e9ff16.webp 200w,\n/static/39a34f9066849ad062dfc6665a9a60d4/1f5c5/53f765d45f50e7f71ed2b32871e9ff16.webp 400w,\n/static/39a34f9066849ad062dfc6665a9a60d4/58556/53f765d45f50e7f71ed2b32871e9ff16.webp 800w,\n/static/39a34f9066849ad062dfc6665a9a60d4/99238/53f765d45f50e7f71ed2b32871e9ff16.webp 1200w,\n/static/39a34f9066849ad062dfc6665a9a60d4/5e0b8/53f765d45f50e7f71ed2b32871e9ff16.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2245-markdown","title":"First Marijuana and PTSD Study Struggles to Get Underway","slug":"first-marijuana-and-ptsd-study-struggles-to-get-underway","content":"It’s been an uphill battle for Arizona psychiatrist Sue Sisley who has experienced an ongoing series of obstacles that have prevented her from completing her study on how marijuana interacts with and affects military veterans with treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Her groundbreaking research trial—approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)—aims to look into the efficacy of cannabis treatment for PTSD-related symptoms that can range from irritability, severe anxiety and social isolation to night terrors, flashbacks and insomnia. It would be the first of its kind in the United States to be completed—if Sisley can get the help of the medical community in her state.\r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n\r\n### Sisley Faces Controversial Dismissal from Her Professorship \r\n\r\nSisley first came into the spotlight a few years ago when the University of Arizona College of Medicine chose not to renew her contract position as clinical assistant professor of psychiatry back in 2014. Although the college declined to offer any reason for her dismissal, she believed that her firing was a political move inspired by her connection to her cannabis and PTSD study, which she’d been working on get approved since 2009 and which drew unwanted attention to the school.\r\n\r\nAfter the controversy, Sisley was able to bounce back thanks to help from the founder and owner of the Weed Depot, a marijuana marketplace directory and social platform. Howard Baer offered her an office space to use for her telemedicine practice as well as a warehouse space where the study could be conducted, putting Sisley back on track after such a big setback. \r\n\r\nRELATED: [Recovery from Trauma: The Role of Medical Marijuana in PTSD Treatment](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/recovery-from-trauma-the-role-of-medical-marijuana-in-ptsd-treatment)\r\n\r\n### Marijuana Trial Faces Obstacles at the Phoenix VA Hospital\r\n\r\nThe randomized, blind, controlled trial is being funded by a generous grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), a nonprofit research and educational organization. That said, the trial has been plagued with obstacles, making it a struggle to recruit the 76 participants needed to complete the study. The biggest challenge has been around Phoenix Veterans Administration (VA) hospital’s failure to help with the study’s patient recruitment efforts, leaving Sisley with less than one third of the needed number of participants to complete the research. \r\n\r\nIn a [letter of appeal to David Shulkin](https://reason.com/assets/db/15040399002827.pdf), the secretary of Veterans Affairs, Sisley writes that the VA hospital’s current director told her that she “cannot support any research that does not utilize VA personnel.” Hospital regulations prevent advertising any outside research that isn’t being conducted by the VA. Also, because cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, the hospital maintains it can’t advertise the study in their facilities or inform patients who could potentially participate about the opportunity, even though the study has federal approval and medical marijuana is legal in the state.\r\n\r\n“The fact that the VA is blocking Dr. Sisley’s attempts to recruit patients for her study speaks volumes as to how serious the VA is about treating veterans with PTSD,” says Perry Solomon, M.D. and Chief Medical Officer at HelloMD. “Our veterans have found out for themselves that cannabis has helped them in their daily lives. Here is a outstanding physician who wants to use scientific methods to validate cannabis’s efficacy and she is getting no help from the agency that has been charged with protecting the health of our veterans.”\r\n\r\nWithout support from the VA hospital, there have been no new inquiries or enrollments. If Sisley can’t recruit enough participants soon, she’ll run out of time—she’s been given a deadline to recruit—and lose the grant awarded to her from the CDPHE.\r\n\r\n**Watch:** [Dr. Sue Sisley Talks about Medical Marijuana, PTSD and Scientific Freedom](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU7hVRiQHG8)\r\n\r\n### Sisley Calls on the Secretary of VA for Help with her Cannabis Study\r\n \r\nRight now, Sisley’s efforts are focused on getting the secretary of Veterans Affairs to take a series of actions that she’s outlined in her letter. One such action involves contacting the Phoenix VA hospital director to ask for approval to pass out a physician referral letter that has been approved by the Institutional Review Board to all of the hospital's medical and support staff including its social workers. Sisley’s also seeking permission to post fliers in designated areas around the hospital, targeting parts of the facility that cater specifically to veterans where the desired demographic would be able to see the information. \r\n\r\n“With 22 veterans committing suicide each day, one would think that the VA would do anything possible to help decrease this shocking number. This study is good place for them to start,” says Dr. Solomon. \r\n\r\nUnless some of her requested changes are implemented, the success of the study will rely heavily on word-of-mouth information.\r\n\r\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient. \r\n\r\nPhoto credit: cannabisreports.com\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAAPABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwAE/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAv/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAABPCgBJDFf/8QAGhAAAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIAEhARE//aAAgBAQABBQLq5NyzbEDVlGbH/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABH/2gAIAQMBAT8BV//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR/9oACAECAQE/AUf/xAAaEAACAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARASAhEi/9oACAEBAAY/AtKp3Fh5x//EABwQAQADAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAESExUUFhkf/aAAgBAQABPyGmrL5Zl7TL4j7vsSlbeopExe5c/9oADAMBAAIAAwAAABDrP//EABcRAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABESH/2gAIAQMBAT8QiTwo/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAERIf/aAAgBAgEBPxC1aQf/xAAaEAEBAQEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABEQAhUZHx/9oACAEBAAE/EGG2XrADS58yuPWAwIMFIJR8h+XFyGpet13f/9k=","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/d5844b3b3bd3d642281687336dbc1dfa/14b42/2626b98af6ac20083093aad258e6436b.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d5844b3b3bd3d642281687336dbc1dfa/f836f/2626b98af6ac20083093aad258e6436b.jpg 200w,\n/static/d5844b3b3bd3d642281687336dbc1dfa/2244e/2626b98af6ac20083093aad258e6436b.jpg 400w,\n/static/d5844b3b3bd3d642281687336dbc1dfa/14b42/2626b98af6ac20083093aad258e6436b.jpg 800w,\n/static/d5844b3b3bd3d642281687336dbc1dfa/47498/2626b98af6ac20083093aad258e6436b.jpg 1200w,\n/static/d5844b3b3bd3d642281687336dbc1dfa/06b8e/2626b98af6ac20083093aad258e6436b.jpg 1362w","srcWebp":"/static/d5844b3b3bd3d642281687336dbc1dfa/58556/2626b98af6ac20083093aad258e6436b.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d5844b3b3bd3d642281687336dbc1dfa/61e93/2626b98af6ac20083093aad258e6436b.webp 200w,\n/static/d5844b3b3bd3d642281687336dbc1dfa/1f5c5/2626b98af6ac20083093aad258e6436b.webp 400w,\n/static/d5844b3b3bd3d642281687336dbc1dfa/58556/2626b98af6ac20083093aad258e6436b.webp 800w,\n/static/d5844b3b3bd3d642281687336dbc1dfa/99238/2626b98af6ac20083093aad258e6436b.webp 1200w,\n/static/d5844b3b3bd3d642281687336dbc1dfa/8103a/2626b98af6ac20083093aad258e6436b.webp 1362w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2339-markdown","title":"New West: The Biggest Tech Cannabis Conference of the Year","slug":"new-west-the-biggest-tech-cannabis-conference-of-the-year","content":"HelloMD is excited to be an exhibitor at New West Summit, the biggest Technology & Scientific based conference in the cannabis industry. This year we hope you can join us and we have a [special 50% off ticket](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-west-summit-30-tickets-30967047272?discount=hellomd) offer to share with you below.\r\n\r\n`embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQyv39KHl-E` \r\n\r\nNew West is by far the biggest tech cannabis event in California. This year is exciting because there is also a [Consumer Day](https://www.newwestsummit.com/consumer-day/) on Sunday October 15. Consumer day will offer education and interaction with participating brands and dispensaries. There will be free cannabis product samples for attendees over the age of 21.The keynote speaker will be George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic and other notable figure will appear. But best of all, 100+ brands will be present with product samples and will be available for interaction.\r\n\r\n[RECEIVE a 50% DISCOUNT OFF NEW WEST](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-west-summit-30-tickets-30967047272?discount=hellomd)\r\n\r\nThe New West Summit takes place in Oakland, CA on Oct 13-15, 2017. Over 100 of the top cannabis companies will be participating, with high level speaking panels focused on the future of the industry, and networking with the top players shaping the cannabis space. Last year Richard Branson was the keynote speaker, this year speakers include Jason Silva of Nat Geo and George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic.\r\n\r\n[](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-west-summit-30-tickets-30967047272?discount=hellomd) \r\n\r\nCheck out the event at [New West Summit](https://www.newwestsummit.com/). If you would like to attend this great event we have a special [discount offer of 50% off tickets](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-west-summit-30-tickets-30967047272?discount=hellomd).\r\n\r\nWe hope to see you in Oakland this October 13-15!\r\n\r\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient. \r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAAPABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwAAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQFA//EABYBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAv/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAABRH9iSWC6/8QAHBAAAQQDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACAxIEEyEU/9oACAEBAAEFAmjmtU75XBCCSox3r//EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEiFR/9oACAEDAQE/AaIrp//EABcRAQADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAREmH/2gAIAQIBAT8BlbH/xAAdEAABBAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAREhMRAScYGR/9oACAEBAAY/ArTwtMI7PyTHZOp//8QAGRABAQEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQAhEYHB/9oACAEBAAE/IViMQnr5dwDUyQcGR5pvt//aAAwDAQACAAMAAAAQT+//xAAYEQEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABABHh8P/aAAgBAwEBPxAE4W4G7//EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAhQf/aAAgBAgEBPxBIL//EAB0QAQEAAgIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAERADEhUUFhcbH/2gAIAQEAAT8QTEaSIX8wTS5pvHKBF+TEFkSiihesQ0MF6L1vxlHUb4Z//9k=","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/01976e1c342f12778b3c93036bded8f4/14b42/3765275ac09b298ca46bee2c61472146.jpg","srcSet":"/static/01976e1c342f12778b3c93036bded8f4/f836f/3765275ac09b298ca46bee2c61472146.jpg 200w,\n/static/01976e1c342f12778b3c93036bded8f4/2244e/3765275ac09b298ca46bee2c61472146.jpg 400w,\n/static/01976e1c342f12778b3c93036bded8f4/14b42/3765275ac09b298ca46bee2c61472146.jpg 800w,\n/static/01976e1c342f12778b3c93036bded8f4/47498/3765275ac09b298ca46bee2c61472146.jpg 1200w,\n/static/01976e1c342f12778b3c93036bded8f4/54ac5/3765275ac09b298ca46bee2c61472146.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/01976e1c342f12778b3c93036bded8f4/58556/3765275ac09b298ca46bee2c61472146.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/01976e1c342f12778b3c93036bded8f4/61e93/3765275ac09b298ca46bee2c61472146.webp 200w,\n/static/01976e1c342f12778b3c93036bded8f4/1f5c5/3765275ac09b298ca46bee2c61472146.webp 400w,\n/static/01976e1c342f12778b3c93036bded8f4/58556/3765275ac09b298ca46bee2c61472146.webp 800w,\n/static/01976e1c342f12778b3c93036bded8f4/99238/3765275ac09b298ca46bee2c61472146.webp 1200w,\n/static/01976e1c342f12778b3c93036bded8f4/5e0b8/3765275ac09b298ca46bee2c61472146.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2260-markdown","title":"New Yorkers Rejoice - Medical Marijuana Now Delivered to Your Door","slug":"new-yorkers-rejoice-medical-marijuana-now-delivered-to-your-door","content":"New York City is a town that’s always embraced delivery. Neighborhood markets and local pizza joints were bringing goods to customers’ front doors well before the smartphone was invented. These days, New Yorkers can have anything from razors to fresh ingredients for dinner delivered within a few minutes or days of placing an order.\n\nAnd so, it should probably come as no surprise that qualified patients in New York will now be able to count medical marijuana as yet another item they can have delivered right to their door.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### The Benefits of a Medical Marijuana Delivery Service\n\n**Delivery serves patients who aren’t geographically close to a dispensary.**\n\nNew York is home to a population of 20 million people, but there are only 20 dispensaries in the entire state. As [Jeremy Unruh, General Counsel at PharmaCannis](https://www.hellomd.com/people/jeremyu) explains, “Even when they double that number of dispensaries, that’s only 40 dispensaries for 20 million people, so delivery is a large piece of the puzzle for patients.” \n\nRELATED: [HOW TO GET YOUR MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD IN NEW YORK STATE](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/59683dbc1ebad11ae965b491/how-to-get-your-medical-marijuana-card-in-new-york-state)\n\nProviders like PharmaCannis, whose dispensaries are located in Amherst, Liverpool, Albany and the Bronx, want to be able to serve patients no matter where they live, and this is now possible with delivery. “We’ve done a soft rollout of our delivery system in the Bronx,” Jeremy continues, “and we’re looking forward to rolling that out to our other dispensaries in a matter of weeks.”\n\n**Delivery offers convenience to patients unable to visit a dispensary.**\n\nIf the emergence of on-demand delivery tells us one thing, it’s that people want convenience. For patients balancing family life with a 40-hour work week or others who are too sick to drive or navigate public transportation, getting to a dispensary can be challenging. By offering a delivery service, dispensaries like PharmaCannis can more easily accommodate patients’ particular circumstances. \n\n“It’s very much an on-demand delivery service,” Jeremy says, “meaning you call and talk to one of our pharmacists, schedule your delivery, then we send it out and a courier brings it to wherever you want the delivery to go.” \n\nNow patients can enjoy the ease of having their medicine delivered to them during times and to a location that suits them. That said, the convenience goes beyond just delivery—patients can also choose how to pay. “We love the cashless transactions,” says Jeremy. “But a patient can manage payment for that transaction when she or he contacts the dispensary to arrange the delivery.” \n\n### PharmaCannis’ Delivery Service Coming Soon\n\n\nTinctures are one of the products that may be delivered from a licensed NY dispensary. \n\nIn the coming weeks, patients will have a much easier time getting their medicine, thanks to more options for delivery. No doubt this benefit will likely help expand New York’s medical marijuana program as news travels about the added convenience. Pilot programs like the one launched by PharmaCannis in the Bronx are opportunities to tighten the delivery process in preparation for serving greater numbers of people in various locations. \n\n“Our goal is to expand the delivery schedule profile so that it’s functionally on-demand,” Jeremy explains. “But it’s going to take a little bit of time to get there.” \n\nWhile patients shouldn’t initially expect their medicine to be delivered in the same amount of time it takes to request an Uber, plans are for the program to adapt and scale quickly. “We need a day or two heads’ up for delivery at this juncture,” says Jeremy. “But that will evolve over time.”\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/a29d9ad9195da68be6e40cc334f58563/14b42/9981d66ac5d185427c6e59731ef2df79.jpg","srcSet":"/static/a29d9ad9195da68be6e40cc334f58563/f836f/9981d66ac5d185427c6e59731ef2df79.jpg 200w,\n/static/a29d9ad9195da68be6e40cc334f58563/2244e/9981d66ac5d185427c6e59731ef2df79.jpg 400w,\n/static/a29d9ad9195da68be6e40cc334f58563/14b42/9981d66ac5d185427c6e59731ef2df79.jpg 800w,\n/static/a29d9ad9195da68be6e40cc334f58563/47498/9981d66ac5d185427c6e59731ef2df79.jpg 1200w,\n/static/a29d9ad9195da68be6e40cc334f58563/54ac5/9981d66ac5d185427c6e59731ef2df79.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/a29d9ad9195da68be6e40cc334f58563/58556/9981d66ac5d185427c6e59731ef2df79.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/a29d9ad9195da68be6e40cc334f58563/61e93/9981d66ac5d185427c6e59731ef2df79.webp 200w,\n/static/a29d9ad9195da68be6e40cc334f58563/1f5c5/9981d66ac5d185427c6e59731ef2df79.webp 400w,\n/static/a29d9ad9195da68be6e40cc334f58563/58556/9981d66ac5d185427c6e59731ef2df79.webp 800w,\n/static/a29d9ad9195da68be6e40cc334f58563/99238/9981d66ac5d185427c6e59731ef2df79.webp 1200w,\n/static/a29d9ad9195da68be6e40cc334f58563/5e0b8/9981d66ac5d185427c6e59731ef2df79.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2330-markdown","title":"New York Allows More Methods of Marijuana Consumption ","slug":"new-york-allows-more-methods-of-marijuana-consumption","content":"In August, the New York Health Department announced planned changes to the state’s medical marijuana program. Under the proposed regulations, the list of approved methods of administration will broaden to include topical applications, additional oral methods, and ground plant material. People will also be allowed to visit dispensaries whether or not they’re state-certified medical cannabis patients, granting prospective patients easier access to pharmacists when seeking information about the program.\n\nTo learn more about these changes and what they mean for patients and producers, we spoke to [Jeremy Unruh, General Counsel at PharmaCannis]( https://www.hellomd.com/people/jeremyu). \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Greater Variety for NY Medical Marijuana Patients and Producers \n\nThe program’s original list of forms approved non-smokable consumption via inhalation (vaporizers) and oral methods of the medication (capsules, oils, tinctures and sprays). “At first, New York’s program was understandably restrictive,” Jeremy says, “and they limited us to five brands—each brand basically a different cannabinoid profile of product—and a list of forms.” \n\nNew regulations, likely to be adopted in September, authorize the inclusion of ointments, tablets, lozenges, patches, and certain non-smokable ground plant material among the program’s approved forms of administration. “What they’re proposing to do is open up that list of potential forms for us to develop and consider making,” explains Jeremy.\n\nJeremy believes this change not only presents greater variety for patients, but it also offers producers like [PharmaCannis](https://www.hellomd.com/biz/pharmacannis-bronx) even more ways to serve them. “Any move by the department to expand the delivery systems will invariably expand the versatility of medical cannabis for qualifying patients in New York.” \n\nRELATED: [WHY DOCTORS IN NEW YORK AREN’T RECOMMENDING](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56eb327eed004d0008000011/why-doctors-in-new-york-arent-recommending-marijuana)\n\n### Increased Innovation for Administering Cannabis\n\nProducers will be able to focus on the development of products in new delivery methods that not only offer variety, but also may be better suited for some patients and their particular circumstances. “We’re learning as our pharmaceutical knowledge increases that there’s a lot of differentiation among these seemingly similar delivery devices,” Jeremy explains. “A tablet is not a capsule, and a capsule is not a lozenge, even though from a lay perspective they can be viewed as similar delivery devices.” \n\n\nCannabis topicals are a great option for localized pain relief.\n\nThese options may all be taken orally, but the experience of doing so varies—from whether the patient actually has to swallow the form to its activation time. These variances serve as inspiration for producers like PharmaCannis, who now have the opportunity to develop products that weren’t available previously.\n\n“It really allows us to take the expertise of our research and development team, who came to us from a traditional pharmaceutical background,” says Jeremy, “to use their professional creativity to come up with product strategies that are more in keeping with New York’s true healthcare model.” \n\n\nCannabis lozenges appeal to many people as it is a familiar way to ingest medicine.\n\nTo illustrate this point, Jeremy mentions a product that PharmaCannis will be debuting in the coming weeks: a self-emulsifying capsule. Explains Jeremy, “What our capsule technology does is it emulsifies the cannabinoids in the stomach, allowing absorption in the intestines, which allows the cannabinoids to bypass the liver, which would be vetted out in the stomach area.”\n\nThis new type of capsule demonstrates a focus on improving the methods of administration that patients have become accustomed to, while offering a glimpse into the innovation that occurs even in a restrictive program like New York’s. “Injecting what we think is a true pharmaceutical research perspective into these forms allows us a lot wider latitude to develop the sort of products that we think New York patients want,” says Jeremy.\n\nEven the inclusion of ground flower to the list of approved forms, while not exactly innovative, provides patients with something they didn’t have before: the ability to create their own delivery method. As Jeremy points out, “For the first time, we have the opportunity to sell dried flower in New York. It can’t be sold for purposes of smoking, but it certainly can be taken home and used to make a butter or an oil for a patient to cook with. This change enhances the options that a patient has, and it increases the versatility of the product for the patient.”\n\n\nGround plant material can be used for at-home use for recipes or otherwise.\n\n### Greater Access for Medical Marijuana Patients in New York\n\nThe updated regulations also allow people to visit local dispensaries for information and education without having to be state-certified medical cannabis patients. This marks a dramatic shift from when only patients or certified cardholders could enter a dispensary—if a caregiver, accompanying family member or prospective patient didn’t have a card, they weren’t allowed in.\n\n“We’ve realized that when you create this barrier to visibility and have this heavy, dark curtain over the entire program, then you’re discouraging new patients because they don’t know what’s behind that heavy dark curtain,” Jeremy says. Statistics on the number of participants in the program seem to support his theory: As of August 22, 2017, only 28,077 medical cannabis patients have been certified in the entire state of New York.\n\n“We had an obligation under the former regulation regime to bar people who may be cancer patients or have one of the qualifying conditions,” Jeremy continues, “but they couldn’t even come in and talk to our pharmacist about whether or not medical cannabis was a viable option for them, because they weren’t allowed in a dispensary.”\n\nEqually as critical was the denial to access that the previous restrictions presented for certain types of card-carrying patients. For example, “If mom shows up [with her card], and her 21-year-old son is the one who drove her because she’s so sick she doesn’t drive anymore, unless he has a card, her son is technically not allowed in the dispensary with her even if she is in a wheelchair,” says Jeremy. \n\nThis access to dispensaries and pharmacists helps remove the mystery from medical cannabis and empowers individuals to discover more about the program for themselves and for loved ones. It also empowers the dispensaries to offer resources to anyone who walks in the door, whether they’re familiar with cannabis or learning about it for the first time. “This change enhances the ability for us to create a public access space in our dispensary,” explains Jeremy, “so that members of the general public who are interested in learning about medical cannabis, and interacting with our patient care representative or pharmacist can come in and do that.“\n\n### New NY Medical Marijuana Regulations Take Effect This Fall\n\nThe regulatory changes were published August 23 and now must undergo a 30-day notice and comment period before they’re finalized. From there, the Department of Health will need time to formally activate the program’s changes. What this means is that changes may not begin to take effect for another six weeks or so following their adoption. To learn more, visit [New York’s Department of Health website](https://www.health.ny.gov/regulations/medical_marijuana/).\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/24eb04bf06568b99ffdb36a69603b094/14b42/7142760d29e9c2a3459651d2cea1d845.jpg","srcSet":"/static/24eb04bf06568b99ffdb36a69603b094/f836f/7142760d29e9c2a3459651d2cea1d845.jpg 200w,\n/static/24eb04bf06568b99ffdb36a69603b094/2244e/7142760d29e9c2a3459651d2cea1d845.jpg 400w,\n/static/24eb04bf06568b99ffdb36a69603b094/14b42/7142760d29e9c2a3459651d2cea1d845.jpg 800w,\n/static/24eb04bf06568b99ffdb36a69603b094/47498/7142760d29e9c2a3459651d2cea1d845.jpg 1200w,\n/static/24eb04bf06568b99ffdb36a69603b094/54ac5/7142760d29e9c2a3459651d2cea1d845.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/24eb04bf06568b99ffdb36a69603b094/58556/7142760d29e9c2a3459651d2cea1d845.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/24eb04bf06568b99ffdb36a69603b094/61e93/7142760d29e9c2a3459651d2cea1d845.webp 200w,\n/static/24eb04bf06568b99ffdb36a69603b094/1f5c5/7142760d29e9c2a3459651d2cea1d845.webp 400w,\n/static/24eb04bf06568b99ffdb36a69603b094/58556/7142760d29e9c2a3459651d2cea1d845.webp 800w,\n/static/24eb04bf06568b99ffdb36a69603b094/99238/7142760d29e9c2a3459651d2cea1d845.webp 1200w,\n/static/24eb04bf06568b99ffdb36a69603b094/5e0b8/7142760d29e9c2a3459651d2cea1d845.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":36,"numPages":13,"currentPage":4,"id":5567,"name":"News & Events","slug":"news-and-events","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}