By Dr. Jeff G. Konin

As the landscape for marijuana in Florida is changing at warp speed, this is a good time to put a plug in for a program that only began in 2019. The Consortium focuses on conducting, sharing, and supporting research on the effects of medical marijuana on health conditions and symptoms. Medical marijuana clinical outcomes research is accomplished through 5 identified pillars:

  1. Grants program
  2. MEdical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes RepositorY (MEMORY)
  3. Clinical Research Core
  4. Scientific Expert Group
  5. Outreach program

The Consortium is housed at the University of Florida and is comprised of 9 member Universities:

*Florida Atlantic University

*Florida A & M University

*Florida Gulf Coast University

*Florida International University

*Florida Memorial University

*Florida State University

*University of Central Florida

*University of Florida

*University of Miami

The need for research in this area driven by our flagship institutions is supported by the more than 650,000 Floridians now holding medical marijuana cards. Since its inception, the Consortium grants program has awarded 30 researchers from 7 of the 9 member institutions a total of over $2 million. Recent awarded projects have studied the acceptance of medical marijuana and CBD as a form of palliative care, characterizing adverse drug events reported with cannabis use, cannabis and its role with acute and chronic pain, inflammation, neuropathies, and fibrosis to name a few. Specific conditions being studied have included Crohn’s disease, diabetes, anxiety, anorexia nervosa, and headaches.

The Consortium provides resources for patients, practitioners, researchers, and industry. This includes a quarterly newsletter and an annual report that share many nuggets of information for all stakeholders. As noted in the “Winter 2021 Medicament” newsletter published by the Consortium, “a lack of cannabis use assessments contributes to under-documenting cannabis use, unprepared clinicians, low quality health record data, and limited research on a wide array of cannabis-related health outcomes.”

On May 19th – 20th of 2022 the Cannabis Clinical Outcomes Research Conference will be held in Orlando and will serve as a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, findings, and potential for future collaborative work. This year’s keynote speakers will include Dr. Staci Gruber from McLean Hospital in Massachusetts who heads up the Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscience Discovery (MIND) program, Dr. Samer Narouze who serves as the President of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine who is a professor in the College of Medicine at Ohio State University, and Dr. Kent Hutchison, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

There are many more programs sponsored by the Consortium that have rapidly developed as reputable statewide offerings. To learn more about these programs you can visit https://mmjoutcomes.org/

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.

 



Leading CPG and cannabis packaging design and development company takes charge in addressing the 100,000-metric ton plastic elephant in the room

In honor of Earth Day, AE Global (AEG), a custom packaging design company and supply chain solution provider, announced it is joining 4G Recycling, its joint venture and event sponsor Ocean Recovery Group (ORG), and Clean Miami Beach for a beach cleanup. Together with 100 volunteers, they will clean one of the dirtiest stretches of public waterways along Interstate 195 in the heart of Miami.

Plastic waste in the cannabis industry is a growing problem, and AE Global has estimated that in North America in 2021, the sector created 100,000 metric tons of plastic waste in purchased products alone – or roughly 50,000 cars stacked on top of each other. To combat the global plastic problem, AEG recently partnered with 4G Recycling to form the joint venture, Ocean Recovery Group. ORG is a social-business enterprise that leverages over 100 years of recycling-industry experience to better collect, clean, and recycle ocean-bound plastics.

“As a CPG packaging design and development company, we are acutely aware of the growing plastic problem, both on land and in the ocean,” said AE Global Managing Partner Mike Forenza. “We want to be good stewards of sustainable practices and walk the walk. This beach cleanup with 4G Recycling, Ocean Recovery Group, and Clean Miami Beach ensures we keep our beautiful, shared beaches in our backyard pristine for everyone to enjoy.”

The inaugural beach cleanup was held on Friday, April 22, 2022, at 3 PM EST at Julia Tuttle Causeway, 195 E, Miami, FL 33140. Volunteers can reach out to info@aegpkg.com to learn more or join.



By Daniel Casciato

Trulieve launched an exclusive partnership in Florida on April 20 with DeLisioso, a cannabis company specializing in high-end adult use and medical cannabis products. Through the agreement, Trulieve became the exclusive producer, processor and retailer of DeLisioso branded products throughout the state, beginning with Flamingo Kush by DeLisioso pre-rolls.

DeLisioso was founded by Richard DeLisi and his son Rick. Richard DeLisi is one of the longest-serving nonviolent cannabis prisoners in United States history having served 32 years of a 90-year sentence.

“Richard gained back his freedom after being severely sentenced for a non-violent cannabis offense with the help of the Last Prisoner Project,” says Valda Coryat, Trulieve’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Now he is using his products and his journey to fight for the freedoms of those still incarcerated for unjust cannabis prosecutions. We partnered with DeLisioso because we believe in Richard, we support his cause, and he makes a high-quality product that our patients in Florida are going to enjoy.”

DeLisioso products join the extensive portfolio of medical products offered by Trulieve. Each product uses the most advanced technology, ensuring the highest quality product available on the market, as well as independent third-party testing.

As the leading medical cannabis provider in Florida, Trulieve offers the largest selection of THC and CBD products in a variety of delivery methods, including edibles, smokable flower, concentrates, tinctures, topical creams, vaporizers, and more.

Trulieve also offers statewide home delivery, convenient online ordering, and in-store pickup. The Company’s products are hand-grown and specially cultivated in state-approved, climate-controlled environments to ensure purity and safety.

“We offer a wide range of premium cannabis solutions that have been fine-tuned to meet even the most specific of patient’s needs,” says Coryat. “We take pride in empowering our consumers to live their lives without limits.”

In the fall, Trulieve announced the launch of a new line of premium cannabis live concentrates made through a hydrocarbon extraction.

“A Live product means that the extract or concentrate in question was created using flower that was frozen immediately after being harvested,” explains Coryat. “Few extraction methods can process true ‘Live’ material as well as hydrocarbon extraction.”

Typically, “Live” products show themselves to be higher in terpenes as well as more diverse due to the nature of using fresh-frozen flower. Terpenes are sensitive and tend to evaporate over time; during the process of drying and curing cannabis, some of the most sensitive terpenes may be lost to evaporation.

“This is a normal part of the curing process and is why freezing the fresh flower immediately after harvest is so important; the extremely cold temperatures help to keep all the delicate aromatic properties of the living plant preserved,” adds Coryat. “The capturing of these extra sensitive terpenes is one of the major reasons for the increase in flavor and effects experienced with “Live” medicines.”

New to CBD? Coryat offers some advice. CBD products require specific delivery methods, which means each of them provides different bioavailability and some can act faster than others.

“There are topicals, edibles, tinctures and many more; pick the one that best fits your needs,” she said. “CBD products also come in different concentrations, with some containing higher amounts of cannabidiol than others. If you are new to CBD, the general rule of thumb is to start with a low dose, gradually increasing it until desired effects take place.”

For more information, visit www.trulieve.com.



By Jackie Rothman

Do you, or someone you know, suffer from some type of stress or anxiety disorder? Many people don’t handle stress and anxiety well. Managing stress is essential to a patient’s overall well-being. If left untreated, patients may deal with increased anxiety, depression, and in severe cases, even heart disease. Stress and anxiety may not be a disease, but as a disorder, patients need to manage levels to avoid potential potential health problems. Using medical marijuana offers our patients a solution that also reduces the risk of substance abuse and self-medication.

During the past 2 years, the effect of COVID has greatly increased the number of patients who report suffering from stress and anxiety disorders. Patients are having difficulty coping with normal daily functions and getting a good night’s sleep. At DocMJ, we are proud to be able to provide recommendations to qualified patients so they can receive the relief they need from their stress and anxiety disorders.

Over the past few years, there has been an increasing amount of research specifically focused on how medical cannabis may be an excellent treatment for a variety of stress and anxiety disorders. In fact, a large portion of our patients at DocMJ have achieved great success using medical cannabis to treat their stress and anxiety disorders, allowing them to function in activities of daily living. This treatment success is supported by multiple studies. A recent study out of Washington State University and published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, found that medical cannabis can significantly reduce levels of anxiety, stress, and even depression.

Additionally, our patients at DocMJ have found that when they use medical marijuana to help relieve stress, they often experience a variety of additional benefits such as pain relief, improved overall relaxation, and improved sleeping quality. Although medical marijuana is not a cure for a patient’s stress and anxiety, our patients report it absolutely does help with their overall stress levels.

Contact DocMJ by visiting our website at www.docmj.com or call us at 888-908-0143 and learn more about the benefits of medical marijuana and how we can help get you a recommendation if you qualify.

 



What benefits do you see for patients throughout Florida within this space?

The history of medicine is littered with anecdotes detailing the usefulness of medical cannabis for the treatment of patients. It was a commonplace medication prescribed by physicians for a vast array of ailments. In the early 1900s cannabis was finally banned in the United States. In the late 1900s, the endocannabinoid system was discovered and the interest in medical cannabis resurged. Unfortunately, people still associate a stigma when discussing cannabis. We are seeing more and more studies that are proving the efficacy of medical cannabis as a treatment alternative to opioids and anxiolytics. These opioids and anxiolytics can oftentimes lead to drug addiction, overdose, and death. The horrors of the national opioid epidemic continue to ravage the lives of patients and their loved ones across the nation. Fortunately, recent medical and scientific advancements into cannabis and the endocannabinoid system have thrust medical marijuana to the forefront of homeopathic treatment. Medical cannabis provides a safe, all natural treatment option.

What motivates you to be a part of the cannabis Industry?

Despite those still clinging to the antiquated “Reefer Madness” ideology, my practice, Atlantic Coast Cannabis, MD., relies on the most current medical and scientific evidence, as well as first-hand patient testimonials, that clearly demonstrate the efficacy of medical cannabis for a vast array of illnesses. I believe that medical cannabis is a natural and holistic medication for the treatment of many health conditions. I believe it is a better alternative to the “pills” that the pharmaceutical companies are supporting. We know that as patients become more informed about medical marijuana, they will appreciate its value in medicine.

What field are you in within the cannabis space?

I am a medical cannabis physician and owner at Atlantic Coast Cannabis MD in Edgewater. I became certified to qualify patients for their medical cannabis cards in 2018. I am a board-certified Anesthesiologist and thus have been using “chemical” means to treat pain in a controlled environment for more than 30 years. But I always knew there was something more for me to do as a physician.

How can people in Florida benefit from the company you represent?

I believe my 30+ years in Anesthesiology gives me an advantage in making recommendations for medical cannabis patients. Anesthesiologists use the titration method of medication administration in their routine approach to treating patients. Titration is the process of determining the medication dosage that reduces one’s symptoms to the greatest possible degree while avoiding as many side effects as possible. With medical cannabis, patients get to titrate their own medication and they will continue to do this over the course of their treatment. Patient controlled medication administration is not new to anesthesiologists. Because of this, I feel qualified to participate, treat and qualify patients for medical cannabis in the state of Florida. I do this through extensive education of my patients and continued support and education after they have qualified for their card.

How did you get started within the cannabis industry? 

In the late 1980’s I chose the field of Anesthesiology due to a strong desire to help patients suffering with all types of pain. After many years as a successful Anesthesiologist, I knew there was something more that I could do to help ease the pain and suffering of patients. When Florida legalized medical cannabis for a broad range of illnesses in 2016, I became intrigued and wanted to become part of this holistic treatment. I felt like this was a natural transition for me, to further my desire to help patients who are suffering from a variety of ailments. My own mother was a chronic pain patient and I knew that I needed to be part of the solution. This desire inspired me to begin researching medical cannabis and to become a qualified medical cannabis provider. In 2018, I became certified to qualify patients and in 2019, I opened my practice. I started part time for 2 years and as of July 2021, I was able to transition to a full-time job. I truly feel blessed to be able to work my passion.

Do you see Florida moving forward with recreational Marijuana/cannabis and how will that affect your business?  

I do believe at some point this wonderful plant will be made available to all people on a legal basis. For some people, this will be all that they need. For the vast majority of patients, I believe that they will want to continue to be in the medical programs due to the education that they receive from physicians and the access to discounts and support that we are able to provide them. Our evaluations are comprehensive and include education about the different types of plant-based medications, the different routes of administration, how it can be beneficial, dispensary instructions and the requirements of the state of Florida for having a medical card. We are also a participating member in an online peer-to-peer portal for medical professionals to share HIPAA protected info to improve the future of medical marijuana treatments. Through this portal, we are able to evaluate current patient treatments and efficacies and use this info to better treat our patients.