Resolve Digital Health is set to change the way cannabis is prescribed by physicians and experienced by patients with $5 million raised in a Series A round led by Aphria Inc (TSX:APH)(OTCQB:APHQF) and brokered by Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. This marks the next phase in the company’s development with an upcoming California launch of their debut medical device system, Breeze. The technology behind the product has been in development since 2015, following an initial seed investment with CannaRoyalty Corp. (CSE: CRZ) (OTCQB: CNNRF). 

 
Unlike existing cannabis products, Breeze provides a more accurate, metered, treatment solution with pre-packaged, single use Smartpod™ filled with the highest quality cannabis buds or oil. The cannabis Smartpod™ is inserted into the Company’s proprietary patent pending vaporizer. The patient experience is tracked through a mobile application with all data securely stored for sharing with doctors, pharmacists and other caregivers. 
"Patients have specific needs and clear expectations around how prescribed solutions should address their pain," Rob Adelson, Founder and CEO of Resolve Digital Health. "The last couple of years have been focused on listening, researching, exploring, testing and ultimately ensuring that our solution is more than just another product option – Breeze represents significant advancements in the consistency, reliability and positive results within the patient experience." 
In recent years, growing awareness of the medical benefits of cannabis has spurred a rapid increase in the number of medicinal users. In Canada, the number of registered medical cannabis patients has increased five-fold in the last eighteen months, and by more than 2.5x in 2016 with a 76% increase in medical patients by March 2016 when compared to the same time just a year prior. By September 2016, there was a 26% increase in registered patients from the previous quarter alone.1 
However, despite a dramatic increase in market awareness and acceptance, there remain numerous barriers to widespread adoption of cannabis as a credible, legitimate replacement or complement to pharmaceutical care. With limited clinical research to validate the respective efficacy of the over 750 strains available, combined with inconsistent physician knowledge of dosing requirements, creates a volatile environment where standardization is needed most. Resolve’s standardized pre-packaged solution is a marked departure from the current unmetered solutions using unknown strains via uncontrolled delivery methods with no process or system to track or monitor dosage and usage. 
"The need to standardize and systematize the patient experience is part of an industry evolution that is ready to ‘grow up’ and get serious," said Vic Neufeld, President & CEO of Aphria. "We know that patients are seeing the benefits of cannabis. We know they are eager to see solutions appear that are truly medical – with more than just superior strains, but superior technology delivering patient relief." 
In Q4 2015, CannaRoyalty entered into an agreement with Resolve and acquired a 35% ownership position, thereby providing substantial seed capital and resources to support the research and development of Breeze. Over the past seventeen months, the partnership behind such a transformative technology continues to create significant mutual shareholder value between Resolve and CannaRoyalty. Following the completion of the Series A financing with Aphria, CannaRoyalty will maintain 27.2% of the existing Resolve shares on a non-diluted basis. 
"2016 was a landmark year for cannabis and we’re just getting started," said Marc Lustig, CEO of CannaRoyalty. "Seeing the revolutionary strides made by the Resolve team over the last seventeen months has been remarkable to say the least – now we’re ready and thrilled about this next phase as Breeze officially enters the market." 
With an initial product launch planned with exclusive dispensary partners in California, Resolve is committed to building a repertoire of patient success stories before rapidly expanding into additional key markets across the United States and Canada throughout 2017 and into 2018. 
 


My prediction is that we will start seeing CBD’s in vitamins, smoothies, and all types of nutritional supplements. We are already starting to see CBD’s in dog food as the veterinarians start to awaken to the presence of Endocannabinoid receptors in dogs. Humans also have Endocannabinoid receptors throughout the body and this was discovered just over 20 years ago. In fact, research has shown that we are significantly deficient in cannabinoids which we used to get in our food source from the fact that animals used to eat Cannabis/ hemp plants as they grazed. The human body has receptors for CB1 and CB2. These receptors are located in areas of the body such as the Brain, Spinal cord, cerebellum, Thalamus, Thyroid, Liver, Adrenals, Ovaries, Uterus, Prostate, Eyes, Stomach, Heart, Digestive Tract, and others. CBD’s are now being investigated as treatment for Parkinsons disease, epilepsy, and even Cancer. Cannabinoids bind to these receptors and produce the medical benefits of immune system strengthening and other pharmacological effects.

The Source
The Cannabis plant has over 100 cannabinoids that we are only just learning the medical benefits of. Cannabinoids are the primary compound found in the cannabis plant. The two main cannabinoids are Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which has a euphoric/ psychoactive effect and Cannabidiol (CBD) which is non-euphoric. CBD was originally patented by the United States Government in 2003 as a neuroprotectant and antioxidant. Over 90% of the Cannabis plant can by used for medical and functional purposes. Although the plant and THC products are considered Schedule I drugs under Federal standards, there is a growing legal market for “hemp oils” and “CBD oil”.
 
Where can you get it?
The interesting thing about CBD products is that they are most commonly found in “vape shops” in Florida. With this considered, it is important to research and understand the purity and extraction methods used. There are also content verified brands such as Green Roads World which is based in Florida and has all of its products made in South Florida under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist and is produced in an ISO 6 clean room with over 5,000 distribution points. You can even purchase hemp oil in Whole Foods now. Green Roads World has a wellness brand of products that is pharmacist formulated and only available to physicians currently.
 
Effective Delivery Systems
CBD products are administered in many ways that are similar to THC consumption, except it is not traditionally smoked. CBD extracts are used to make edibles such as gummies, lollypops, and teas. There are also capsules containing CBD and drops that are administered sublingually. You will find that the individuals that sell CBD will not recommend a particular amount or dosage and will refer the customer back to a physician for specific recommendations.
 
Extraction Method
In order to extract CBD from the Cannabis plant, a CO2 (Carbon dioxide) extraction method is typically used where CO2 is contained in a low temperature and high pressure environment. This process of extraction is highly scientific. With CO2 in a liquid state, it is then possible to extract CO2 and terpenes from the plant. Terpenes are found in other foods such as apples and chocolate as well. It is critical that the plants (cannabis flower) used are free from contaminants and pesticides, which is why it is best to use a brand that has third party testing results as well as pharmacist supervision if at all possible.
 
Determining which patients will benefit
It is recommended that physicians attend seminars and educate themselves on the endocannabinoid system in the body. There will be more and more patients initiating the discussion about how CBD or THC can help them with their ailments. There is an upcoming symposium especially for physicians that is taking place in South Florida on March 11, 2017. Visit website www.cannaholdings.com for more information.


The policy makers in new cannabis complicit states, as backed by cannabis industry leaders and organizations around the country, have a unique opportunity to set a new standard through embracing science and its invaluable role in quality assured, authenticated cannabis products to both the medical and retail marijuana markets. Science should be an unbiased articulation in objectively promoting cannabis for its many medicinal benefits by clearly communicating the many benefits while curtailing any potential detrimental impacts from adulterants, including pesticide and microbial contaminants.

 
There is a pressing obligation and need to unite in a collective effort to standardize cannabis testing methodologies and reporting so there can be no disputing or questioning of the results. In the absence of any Federal oversight, this effort will require the inclusion of scientists in policy-making in implementing solutions and justifying current expenditures to prevent damages to future generations’ health; rewarding collective rather than individual efforts.
 
Independent testing laboratories are the gatekeeper in the cannabis marketplace. All products must first successfully pass through a testing lab before they reach the dispensary shelves. The testing labs’ role in the quality assurance of cannabis and cannabis-based products demands that uniform testing standards be adopted in order to provide consistent, robust and comparable results across the country.
 
Digipath Labs both documents the potency of cannabis and cannabis-based products as well as screens for potentially harmful adulterants including pesticides, heavy metals, microbes and mycotoxins. Potency is comprised of 33 distinct data points including 11 cannabinoids and 22 terpenes. Cindy Orser, Ph.D., a 25-year biotech and diagnostic industry veteran, leads these efforts on behalf of Digipath, serving as the liaison between cannabis providers and regulatory agencies. Through Dr. Orser’s work with Nevada state officials, Digipath has pioneered cannabis lab testing protocols in Nevada’s implementation of the nation’s most stringent policies on cannabis safety.
 
Dr. Orser recently penned a blog post, entitled “The Role of Science in Society and Cannabis”, in which she elaborates on the need for further scientific participation and investigation in the cannabis industry as well as society as a whole:
 
“The dilemma at hand is how to get scientists to more broadly communicate with society as a whole and to have policy makers and governmental leaders listen to and value scientists. Scientists should be part of policy making. We can look to cannabis policy as a good example to explore on this urgently evolving societal topic. While science has demonstrated the medical benefits of cannabis and the importance of quality assurance testing, our policy makers at the Federal level from the DEA and NIDA to the White House, continue to deny the scientific evidence. We might think that State level policy makers are doing a better job but a recent publication in Drug Policy has just concluded that scientific evidence was not a major factor in policy development across the 28 U.S. states and the District of Columbia that have created medical marijuana laws.”(1)
 
Currently, the lack of standardized naming conventions in the cannabis industry (use of acronyms, non-standard abbreviations, etc.) is making it increasingly difficult to know what is on the market and to make effective comparisons. This uncertainty is impacting many ancillary efforts, including patients’ confidence, and is creating a regulatory quagmire for trademarking and patenting strains (i.e. cultivars). Digipath Labs has embarked on an ambitious multivariate analysis of over 5,000 potency chemoprofiles from flower samples evaluated in its Las Vegas laboratory. This analysis is expected to result in the consolidation of unique flower chemoprofiles that will be instrumental in defining clinically relevant chemotypes masquerading under a plethora of strain names in the State of Nevada. Representative strains for each distinct chemotype cluster have been submitted for genotype analysis to help establish standardized conventions for the classification of cannabis strains, and pinpointing what clinically relevant strains are being cultivated, as well as illuminating the numerous pseudonyms under which these true cultivars have been marketed, all beginning in Nevada and expanding to other markets worldwide.
 
Digipath, Inc. is a publicly traded (OTCQB: DIGP) independent laboratory testing and media firm for the cannabis industry whose cannabis testing business is operated through its wholly owned subsidiary, Digipath Labs, Inc., which performs all cannabis related testing using FDA-compliant, state-of-the-art laboratory equipment at its flagship laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada.
 
1) Grbic J, Goddard P, Ryder D (2017) Observations of the role of science in the United States medical cannabis state policies: Lessons Learnt. Drug Policy http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.12.019
 
 


 
 
The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) today released Canadian Youth Perceptions on Cannabis, a new study that offers a detailed look at the youth perspective on marijuana. 
Against the backdrop of changes to the legal framework for marijuana, Canadian rates for marijuana use by young people remain among the highest in the world. To contribute to a better understanding of the issue, CCSA held focus groups with Canadians between the ages of 14 and 19. 
Building on our 2013 report on the same subject, we developed Canadian Youth Perceptions on Cannabis to gain a more intimate understanding of the kinds of conversations that are taking place about marijuana every day in schools, at home and in the community. Youth views on marijuana, where they get their information and how they understand that information were all key questions that drove the research and laid the foundation for the key findings of this report. 
 
The primary purpose for gathering these insights is to inform education, health promotion and prevention initiatives. Combining CCSA’s previous research on youth perceptions and the current study, we are providing a clearer picture of what Canadian young people think about marijuana, what common misconceptions they hold, where there are gaps in the evidence and how best to move forward with prevention and education efforts, especially in light of anticipated changes to marijuana legislation. 
Among the key findings from Canadian Youth Perceptions on Cannabis is that young people think marijuana is neither addictive nor harmful, and that it affects individuals differently. Some youth "self-prescribe" marijuana for stress and mental health management, such as for anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, as well as for relaxation purposes. And, while they have a preference for messaging about marijuana that is based on the evidence, the Internet, media, enforcement practices and government’s intention to legalize it are important influences on the views of young people about marijuana. 
Other key findings of the study include: 
•Participants identified peers, family, the availability of marijuana and the belief that marijuana is acceptable as influencing their decision to use it. 
•Some participants were also influenced by their beliefs in the medical, physical and mental health benefits of marijuana. 
•Participants thought that the effects of marijuana are based on the person and his or her attitudes, rather than the drug itself, a rationale that provides youth an opportunity to selectively decide when it is safe or harmful to use marijuana. 
•Most youth felt that long-term, frequent marijuana users were subject to negative health effects, whereas recreational users were not. 
•Many young people believe marijuana is less impairing than alcohol when it comes to driving, but recognize that using it before driving can slow reaction time and affect other skills needed to safely operate a vehicle. 
•Although many youth want facts about marijuana, the study found that they have difficulty navigating through conflicting messages, resulting in confusion, false beliefs and the likelihood that youth will rely on friends, drug dealers or personal experiences to form their opinions. 
Next Steps 
Canadian Youth Perceptions on Cannabis illustrates the complexity around the issue of youth marijuana use and confirms the importance of providing evidence-informed messaging to young people about the science around the effects of the substance. 
By integrating findings from this report into future education and prevention efforts, those who work in health promotion and with youth can better address the misconceptions of young people while also promoting a dialogue that can lead to a greater understanding of why youth start using the drug. The study reveals that clear messaging about the legality of marijuana, the role of police, the health risks and risks related to marijuana-impaired driving, and the definition of marijuana impairment might help to increase awareness of its overall harms. A desire for low-risk cannabis use guidelines — a harm reduction approach — was also suggested by youth. 
Quotes 
"Over the years, CCSA has produced research reports and policy briefs, and mobilized knowledge about marijuana aimed at increasing awareness of the evidence on this topic and informing policy and practice. To that end, we hope that the findings from our second Canadian Youth Perceptions on Cannabis report will help support the federal and provincial governments’ work in establishing a framework for legalization, with a particular focus on keeping the substance out of the hands of youth and establishing public education efforts that reflect what we know from the evidence." 
Rita Notarandrea, CEO, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse 
"It is essential that we have a balanced, evidence-informed picture of youths’ perceptions of cannabis in order to move forward in providing a comprehensive body of evidence to parents and others who support youth and, of course, youth themselves. This report addresses that need." 
Joanne Brown, Executive Director, Parent Action on Drugs 
"This study connects us to the latest evidence which, in turn, helps us inform our own communication with youth and youth-centred organizations and schools in communities across Canada. This is particularly important at a time when we are preparing for legalized marijuana, with an expressed purpose in keeping the substance out of the hands of youth. We need more of this on the ground research for the future." 
Mario Harel, President, Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police 
"Legalization and regulation is an important, positive step towards a public health approach to cannabis and we know there is a higher proportion of cannabis users among youth aged 15–25 in Canada than in other developed countries. This report by CCSA sheds light on youth perceptions and provides some of the much-needed information for the public health community to craft evidence-informed health promotion messages and educational materials." 
Ian Culbert, Executive Director, Canadian Public Health Association 
CCSA was created by Parliament to provide national leadership to address substance use in Canada. A trusted council, we provide national guidance to decision makers by harnessing the power of research, curating knowledge and bringing together diverse perspectives. 
CCSA activities and products are made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada. The views of CCSA do not necessarily represent the views of the Government of Canada. 
 


Since Florida lacks education on cannabis as medicine, Florida-based Canna Holdings brings together an esteemed group of physicians, medical practitioners, attorneys and industry experts for the second medical symposium in the state of Florida. Experts Dustin Sulak, M.D., Gregory Gerdeman, Ph.D., and Gregory Smith, M.D., will speak and present scientific research on how medical marijuana can benefit debilitating conditions such as pain and Alzheimer’s disease. A group of Florida licensed attorneys will sit on a legal panel to discuss key points from Amendment 2 and potential liability issues. 

“Our goal for the symposium is to create an environment where physicians and medical professionals can learn about the science and research behind medical cannabis and the human endocannabinoid system,” says Gregg H. Weiss, founder of Canna Holdings and event organizer. “In addition to CMEs, our event will confront the legal issues Florida physicians are facing. Education is a key component to a successful rollout of the medical marijuana program in Florida. If physicians do not have the facts along with recent science and research, it will be nearly impossible for the projected 450,000 patients in Florida to have access to this medicine”.
 
The South Florida Medical Cannabis Symposium is specifically targeted towards licensed Florida Physicians in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. With the overwhelming passage of Amendment 2 and the current confusion on how the program will be rolled, physician education and legal guidance are critical.
 
Dr. Dustin Sulak, commented, “Thousands of patients and their doctors want to know how it’s possible that one herb can safely and effectively treat so many medical conditions. The answer lies in the endocannabinoid system. Strangely, endocannabinoid physiology is omitted from almost every medical school curriculum – it’s time for health care providers to discover what researchers know to be the one of the most important physiologic system involved in establishing and maintaining human health. I’m excited to be a part of the symposium that Canna Holdings has organized – it will ultimately benefit patients more than anyone else”.
 
The symposium is scheduled for Saturday, March 11, 2017 at The Westin in Fort Lauderdale. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. Tickets can be reserved prior to the event at CannaHoldings.com. Only 300 tickets will be sold for this exclusive event on a first come, first serve basis. Attendees have the option to purchase a CME Ticket with the ability to earn up to 6 AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credits provided at TheAnswerPage.com
 
Title sponsor of the symposium, CHT Medical, one of seven licensed dispensing organizations recently started home delivery service to qualified patients. Other sponsors include Modern Health Concepts, CannaKorp, Greenspoon Marder, AltMed, The Florida Medical Cannabis Industry Association, TheAnswerPage.com, South Florida Hospital News and the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida.