By Dr. Jeff G. Konin

Recently van Breemen et al. from Oregon State University published a study titled “Cannabinoids Block Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 and the Emerging Variants” in the Journal of Natural Products. Published in a journal that likely even the most devoted of cannabis supporters do not read on a regular basis, this article swept the headlines of news agencies around the world. Why? Because the results show in a controlled in vitro environment that two cannabinoids (CBGA and CBDA) possess ligands with high affinity to the receptors where SARS-CoV-2 binds, serving as entry inhibitors and therefore preventing potential infection of the virus.

Further clinical phased trials are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of similar interventions in humans before we jump to conclusions and make false claims regarding the meaning and interpretation of this study. However, in a world grasping for solutions to the current pandemic, a glimmer of promise is pleasantly welcomed. The glimmer comes in the form of timely and quality research. To some, this also comes as a surprise that part of the natural cannabis plant may be a viable medical solution to what is arguably the largest global healthcare crisis in most of our lifetimes. Yet to others this is seen as an opportunity to spread the word that the cannabis plant does have natural benefits that remain to be seen and accepted in traditional modern medicine.

In the United States, many barriers exist that prevent much-needed cannabis-related research to occur. Research studies begin with a question. It could be a “why?” as in “why does this do what it does?” It could be a “how?” as in “How does this do what it does?” When it comes to cannabis as a medical intervention, there are many “why’s” and “how’s”. There are also many researchers, practitioners, educators, and especially patients who want to know the answers to the many questions surrounding the mystery of the cannabis plant. In fact, even those who condemn all things cannabis would benefit from knowing as much scientific fact as possible. If there are dangers and side effects, we all want to know. If there are benefits, we for sure all want to know.

Why is this particular study of such importance? It is important on so many levels. Let’s begin with the obvious: it is a positive story about cannabis that has sparked the interest of the media. The majority of media stories shared about cannabis have a negative angle. And the fact that it is positive and timely to a condition that nobody has truly seemed to find a great solution for makes it an interesting story to share with the public. The positive outcome of this initial work establishes and justifies continued work to advance the science in this area. Of course, the hope is that the laboratory studies have future clinical and translational impact.

Yet there is a greater effect that this study potentially has that reaches far beyond a potential COVID solution. Imagine, just imagine, if a cannabinoid is found to be a medically acceptable intervention or viable preventative approach. In addition to the openly receptive and perhaps even enthusiastically requested thirst for the successful cannabinoid, individuals from all facets of life may begin to wonder if components of the cannabis plant that some people have been claiming for years have medicinal value may in fact be true. Perhaps more patients would inquire about cannabis for their ailing short and long-term health conditions. Researchers might find increased amount of funding available for meaningful studies with less red tape to navigate through. Practitioners would listen to patients and adhere to their responsibility of knowing how cannabis works, for what conditions, in what dosages, etc… Educators in all walks of life from public health to business and marketing would be taught in school the most current information. In essence, what Malcom Gladwell eloquently refers to as “The Tipping Point” will have been reached.

This is a single study and rarely does a single scientific study serve to create cultural change. It is not likely this study will either. However, this study dominated a news cycle and helped to bring to the attention of the general public a positive study about cannabis in an extremely timely manner for an extremely important topic. Today covid. Tomorrow cancer? As more quality research is not only conducted but also disseminated, whatever effects cannabis has on the health of individuals will ultimately be known to all.

Dr. Jeff G. Konin is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Athletic Training in the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Florida International University (FIU) where he directs the Global Initiative for Cannabinoid Research and Education. To learn more about FIU’s cannabinoid research and education initiative you can visit their website at https://go.fiu.edu/GlobalCannabis. Views represented in this column do not reflect that of Florida International University and are solely attributed to Dr. Jeff G. Konin.



Beginning Monday, March 1, 2022, the Medical Marijuana Use Registry (Registry) will be updated to comply with section 381.986(8)(e)16.b., Florida Statutes (F.S.), which states, in part, medical marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs) “may not dispense more than one 35-day supply of marijuana in a form for smoking within any 35-day period to a qualified patient or caregiver.” As such, a 35-day rolling limit will now be used to calculate dispensation limits for marijuana in a form for smoking. This means the amount of marijuana in a form for smoking a patient may purchase on any given day is calculated as the difference between the amount permitted by the patient’s current order and the patient’s total dispensation history over the past 35 days. The 35-day cycle is not based on the calendar month or certification-issued date.

All patients will be given a 35-day transitionary period from March 1, 2022 to April 4, 2022. During this time, only dispensations made on or after March 1, 2022, for marijuana in a form for smoking, will be used to calculate the amount available to be dispensed to the patient. Beginning April 5, 2022, all patients will start their own 35-day rolling limit, and MMTCs will not be permitted to dispense an amount in excess of a patient’s 35-day rolling limit.

As part of this Registry update, patients and caregivers will see a new “Dispensable Amount” value on their orders. The “Dispensable Amount” value is the total available amount of marijuana in a form for smoking that a qualified patient or caregiver may receive at any given time due to the patient’s 35-day rolling limit.

For more details about a patient’s dispensation history and the date additional amounts will become available to the patient, you can access the new “Dispensation History” dashboard. This dashboard tracks all smoking dispensations used to calculate the patient’s “Dispensable Amount.” To view this new dashboard, expand your active Smoking Order in the Registry, and click the “See Calculation” link next to the “Dispensable Amount.” It is important to note that “Date Expires” means that the respective amount of marijuana in a form for smoking will become available the day following the date listed (i.e., the amount dispensed becomes available to the patient at midnight of the day following the date listed on “Date Expires”).

The Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) has published an instructional guide on how to understand the Amount Available Calculation Page. This guide can also be found on the OMMU’s website, here: https://knowthefactsmmj.com/registry/#instructional-guides.

For more information about this update, email the OMMU at MedicalMarijuanaUse@FlHealth.gov or by calling its support line at (850) 245-4657, option 2.



PūrWell launches PūrRelēf, a first-of-its-kind organic gummy that provides a safe and effective alternative to NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.) Millions of people rely on NSAIDs to control symptoms of chronic pain and inflammation, however, NSAIDs come with some risk. Studies have shown it may cause toxicity to one’s liver, kidneys, and upper GI-tract. PūrRelēf combines powerful flavonoids from Skull Cap and Green Tea to provide extraordinary anti-inflammatory support, while added benefits of Boswellia and Turmeric supercharge the anti-inflammatory action. CBG and Delta-8 isolate round out the overall analgesic effects. Unlike NSAIDs that may cause undesirable side effects, PūrRelēf is a combination of GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) ingredients, that have shown no toxicity over periods of long-term use. It is a COX-1, COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitor. PūrRelēf’s convenient form makes it easy to consume, and the Appleberry flavor is derived from organic fruit extract.



Many industry buyers discover products by seeing them in other stores or browsing through distributor catalogs, but who discovers the products in these catalogs in the first place?

Innovative buyers will tell you that the best place to find disruptive and unique products with the potential to become the next big thing is at trade shows. Brands like Redbull, Juul, and 5 Hour Energy were all discovered at these types of events before they went mainstream. The problem then lies in finding the right show to attend. Most trade shows tend to be industry-specific events, and so they only showcase specific types of products. This has made it difficult for buyers to choose which events to attend, never being able to find an event that manages to encompass multiple industries and types of products under one roof, that is, until now.

Alternative Products Expo emerged as an upgrade of the nation’s largest CBD and Hemp event, USA CBD Expo, to incorporate new audiences, new markets and new buyers in the most innovative industry event.

The Alternative Products Expo -or ALTPRO Expo- was created with the idea of bringing together an assortment of industries (and the disruptive products & services within) under one roof. With this in mind, the organizers behind this show, ZJ Events, have consistently adjusted and evolved their scope to remain at the vanguard of industry trends. This evolution has meant reaching out to include thousands of business owners from all spectrums of the alternative product market.

The largest gathering of:

● Hemp-derived products

● Semi-synthetic extracts (Delta8/10)

● Functional beverages

● Non-psychoactive mushrooms

● Kratom & Other Botanicals

● Nicotine Alternatives

● Nutraceuticals

● Other new, disruptive, innovative, trending, and high-demand products/services

A prime opportunity for:

● Convenience stores

● Smoke shops

● Tobacco chains

● Health, Wellness & Sports Centers

● Big-box Retailers

● Industry Buyers like you

“…our team has been working tirelessly to create a new kind of event where we could incorporate the wide plethora of products, services, and brands that make up the alternative product’s industry.” – said Jason Monti, Director of Sales at ZJ Events.

Join hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees who will gather in Ft. Lauderdale this upcoming March 11th to the 13th at The Greater Fort Lauderdale / Broward County Convention Center to experience an industry event where alternative products will take the spotlight. Participate in expert talks on the new Delta 8 craze, medicinal mushrooms extracts, and many other subjects relating to alternative product developments (where it’s going, trends, categories, etc).

To learn more about attending, exhibiting, sponsoring, or speaking at the ALTPRO Expo, visit altproexpo.com, email media@altproexpo.com, or call (631) 777-3455. Booth design, travel, and accommodation assistance are all available via the website.



January 5 2022 – Many industry buyers discover products by seeing them in other stores or browsing through distributor catalogs, but who discovers the products in these catalogs in the first place?

Innovative buyers will tell you that the best place to find disruptive and unique products with the potential to become the next big thing is at trade shows. Brands like Redbull, Juul, and 5 Hour Energy were all discovered at these types of events before they went mainstream. The problem then lies in finding the right show to attend. Most trade shows tend to be industry-specific events, and so they only showcase specific types of products. This has made it difficult for buyers to choose which events to attend, never being able to find an event that manages to encompass multiple industries and types of products under one roof, that is, until now.

Alternative Products Expo emerged as an upgrade of the nation’s largest CBD and Hemp event, USA CBD Expo, to incorporate new audiences, new markets and new buyers in the most innovative industry event. 

The Alternative Products Expo -or ALTPRO Expo- was created with the idea of bringing together an assortment of industries (and the disruptive products & services within) under one roof. With this in mind, the organizers behind this show, ZJ Events, have consistently adjusted and evolved their scope to remain at the vanguard of industry trends. This evolution has meant reaching out to include thousands of business owners from all spectrums of the alternative product market.

The largest gathering of:
● Hemp-derived products.
● Semi-synthetic extracts (Delta8/10).
● Functional beverages.
● Non-psychoactive mushrooms.
● Kratom & Other Botanicals.
● Nicotine Alternatives.
● Nutraceuticals.
● Other new, disruptive, innovative, trending, and high-demand products/services.

A prime opportunity for:
● Convenience stores.
● Smoke shops.
● Tobacco chains.
● Health, Wellness & Sports Centers.
● Big-box Retailers.
● Industry Buyers like you.

“…our team has been working tirelessly to create a new kind of event where we could incorporate the wide plethora of products, services, and brands that make up the alternative product’s industry.” – said Jason Monti, Director of Sales at ZJ Events.

Join hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees who will gather in Ft. Lauderdale this upcoming March 11th to the 13th at The Greater Fort Lauderdale / Broward County Convention Center to experience an industry event where alternative products will take the spotlight. Participate in expert talks on the new Delta 8 craze, medicinal mushrooms extracts, and many other subjects relating to alternative product developments (where it’s going, trends, categories, etc).

To learn more about attending, exhibiting, sponsoring, or speaking at the ALTPRO Expo, visit altproexpo.com, email media@altproexpo.com, or call 631-777-3455. Booth design, travel, and accommodation assistance are all available via the website.

About the ALTPRO Expo

Alternative Products Expo x USA CBD Expo is a B2B and B2C networking event for disruptive industries such as hemp-derived products, semi-synthetic extracts, functional beverages, non-psychoactive mushrooms, delta8, kratom, nicotine alternatives, nutraceuticals, and many more.