Cannabis Oils Now Available

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While cannabis has become a recognized treatment option for the symptoms related to a large number of conditions, many patients are uncomfortable with having to smoke or vaporize to get the medicinal benefit.

Edible cannabis oils have just become available through our CARP Recommended Partner, CanniMed Ltd.

Under Canada’s medical marijuana program, eligible patients can access a trusted supply of quality controlled medical cannabis, as long as they have the authorization by their physician. Cannabis is being used to treat symptoms related to hundreds of conditions, including arthritis, pain and nausea as a result of cancer treatments, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and migraines, to name a few.

In addition to the wide range of dried/herbal cannabis options, new Health Canada regulations allow patients to access derivatives as well, including edible oils.

CanniMed CEO, Brent Zettl, explains why cannabis oils are attractive alternative for patients. “A significant percentage of our current patients are interested in exploring this alternative preparation of their medical cannabis. Cannabis oils are gaining in awareness, and will be a welcome change for patients with chronic or acute respiratory related conditions or those who prefer to manage their symptoms through an oral or edible dose delivery system.”

Once approved by a physician and registered with the company, CanniMed® Oils are discreetly delivered by Canada Post or Purolator directly to the patient’s door.

How Cannabis Oils are made

CanniMed® Oils are made using a food-grade alcohol process whereby dried cannabis flowers – no leaf, trimmings or waste material – is processed into edible oils. This industry-leading process ensures product consistency – each order will be delivered with the same potency, resulting in a consistent dose.

Food-grade alcohol is pumped through the cannabis that is compressed into a chamber, extracting the THCA (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiolic acid), CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) and other medicinal ingredients. The alcohol and excess water is then removed through evaporation, resulting in a pure cannabis resin.

Olive oil is added and then heated, resulting in the THCA and CBDA become THC and CBD through a heat-induced reaction called decarboxylation. This process is how the medicinal ingredients in the oils become active, meaning patients do not need to additionally heat the cannabis, like through a vaporizer when herbal cannabis is used.

Additional olive oil is added prior to being bottled to ensure the correct concentrations of THC and CBD.

Cannabis Oil Precautions

It is important to remember that cannabis is a medicine, and as a result needs to be initiated carefully to avoid side effects. Cannabis oils do offer some benefits including the ability to accurately measure a dose. Once a patient determines the amount of cannabis oil that works to manage their particular symptom, they can ensure that doses remains consistent time after time with the use of a measured oral syringe.

Here are some pointers to keep in mind regarding cannabis oils:

1. Takes longer to take effect: When cannabis, or cannabis oil, is ingested it is processed through the liver. What this means is that compared to cannabis inhaled through vapor or spoke that takes effect almost immediately, oil preparations will have a much slower onset time and the effects will last longer.

2. Wait before the next dose: It can take anywhere from 1 to 1½ hours before patients notice the effects and can take two to four hours to reach its peak effect. To avoid overconsumption, patients are encouraged to wait four hours after the first dose before taking a second.

CanniMed Ltd. is one of Canada’s licensed producers of medical cannabis, and a CARP Recommended partner. To learn more about medical cannabis visit www.cannimed.ca/pages/CARP.