CBD/THC CO2 EXTRACT ADMINISTRATION GUIDE
I. General:
Cannabis Medicine is comprised of nearly 100 cannabinoid molecules, around
150 terpenoid molecules and perhaps another 100 or so alkaloids of which we
don’t know a lot about.
Cannabinoids
The cannabinoids most notably known are THC and CBD. Other cannabinoids
such as CBC, CBG, CBN and others are often identified but in our experience so
far, we have not found plants rich in cannabinoids other than THC and CBD.
THC is the most psychoactive cannabinoid in the plant. CBD or Cannabidiol is
non-psychoactive and even blocks much of the psycho activity of THC. The
actions of these two cannabinoids will be discussed below.
Terpenoids
The terpene molecules are essentially small cannabinoid molecules that are found
in all plants we know. The cannabinoids are only found in the cannabis plant.
The terpenes and related flavanoids are the molecules that give the cannabis their
taste, scent and character. In addition, many terpenoid molecules are active at
several central nervous system receptors and help give us the good feeling we so
often get from cannabis. We all get a good feeling from smelling a lemon. This is
due to a terpene called limonene found in cannabis and lemons and other citrus
fruits. We like those terpenes a lot.
All the various cannabinoids, terpenoids, flavanoids and other alkaloids all
combine to give us the effects we desire. This “whole plant” approach is different
than the typical “single molecule” approach in allopathic medicine. It is known as
“The Entourage Effect”, by Dr. Ethan Russo and again emphasizes ALL the
molecules in the plant working together to help humans.
StateWide Collective believes that this “Entourage” effect of the Whole Plant
Cannabis Medicines is the best cannabis therapy for the majority of patients.
“Molecular” or lab created CBD will also play a major role in the treatment of
cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and many other diseases.
II. Making Cannabis Extracts – Step by Step
1. The genetics of known cannabis plants are tested extensively until it is pretty
much known which genetic strains will producethe types of medicine desired.
If the plant is rich in THC and has no CBD, then the extract will have all THC
and associated “Entourage” of other molecules, but no CBD.
2. The plants are all grown organically and specific plants are specifically
extracted for specific extracts. There is nothing done to alter the ratio of
cannabinoids. There is no “removal” of THC during the extract; all molecules
are extracted. The terpenes are extracted separately and re-combined at the
end of the process.
3. The known plant material is placed into a stainless steel chamber and is
extracted using super-critical CO2 technology. This is a very green technology
and no chemicals, butane, hexane or alcohol is used in the extraction.
4. After the extraction, the plant material is now separate from the “oil” or
extract. This is sent again to the lab to know precisely the content of
cannabinoids and terpenes.
5. Finally, prior to bottling, the extracted oil is diluted with sterile water and
organic glycerin, as well as 5% alcohol for preservation.
III. The Psycho-Active Scale
Before discussing the various available extracts, it is important to discuss how to
interpret the “red number” in the red circle on the label. These numbers rage
from 1-10. An extract with a red “1″ would be an extract with virtually no psychoactivity. A number “5″would signify moderate psycho-activity and a “10” is VERY
psychoactive.
An extract with a #1, will most likely be very rich in CBD and have very little THC
in it. However, “whole plant” extracts have nearly 450 molecules in them and all
of them make a difference. So, there may be a lower or higher psychoactive
number with the same THC or CBD levels, as the terpenes and other molecules
make a significant clinical difference.
Patients should use the psycho-active number as a guide to how “altered” they
will feel, but NOT as a guide necessarily as to which extract will work best. For
example, there are some symptoms, such as pain with Multiple Sclerosis that
appear to be treated very well with CBD, but nocturnal spasms seems to be better
handled with some THC. These are all still unknowns, but it is often beneficial to
obtain a few different CBD/THC ratio extracts to see which works best for which
time of day and for which symptoms. As always, there are a number of
individual-to-individual differences, but the general rules seem to be holding
true.
Another little trick is to get a #1 “pure” CBD extract and a rich THC extract and
use both sprays titrating which medicine/cannabinoids/extract is best for you at
specific times.
IV. Groups of Products
1.
THC Rich Products
A. The THC rich products come in 5 cc and 30 cc Miron glass spray bottles.
Each spray equals 2 mg of THC.
B. These products, often with psycho-active scales above “8” can be very
“stony.”
C. These products can be taken sublingually or orally as discussed below.
D. There are at times two or more different rich THC extracts with the same
mg/ml of THC but one higher on the psycho-active scale. We believe this is
all due to the “Entourage Effect” of the whole plant.
E. These rich THC extracts can also be taken at the same time as the rich
CBD extracts. This is very often quite useful for patients, as they can to a
large extent vary the “ratio” for their particular needs. Remember none of
us are the same and therefore no plants or extracts will always be the best
for everyone.
F. For the time being, all THC rich extracts will be around 13mg/ml and with
the Miron Glass Sprays, will equal 2 mg of whole plant THC with each
spray.
2. CBD Rich Extracts
A. The CBD products are always diluted with water and glycerin to achieve a
concentration of 7.2 mg/ml. The THC level varies, as well as the
psychoactive level.
B. The CBD rich products come in 5 cc and 30 cc Miron glass spray bottles.
Each spray equals 1 mg of CBD.
C. These products can be taken sublingually or orally as discussed below
D. These products generally have psycho-active values in the 1-2 range.
E. These rich CBD extracts may be taken at the same time as the rich THC
extracts to improve clinical efficacy. These should be discussed with your
physician, but trial and error on the part of the patient is generally very
safe and often necessary.
F. For the time being, all CBD rich extracts will be fixed at 7.2 mg/ml and
with the Miron Glass Sprays, will equal 1 mg of whole plant CBD for every
spray.
V. Administration of Extracts
1. CBD Rich:
i. It is always encouraged to start with a single spray or 1 mg of CBD. It should
be sprays under the tongue and using your tongue, GENTLY spread the extract
on the soft pink tissue in your mouth. Be CERTAIN to only do two or three
“swipes” around your month and then swallow. If too much saliva is generated
the medicine will be diluted and then swallowed and much of the benefit lost.
ii. A warm and relaxed feeling is generally the first change to be noted. This will
be followed by increased focus and clarity.
iii. Maximal benefit of sublingual use will be present in around 30 minutes.
Maximal benefit of oral use in water is around 90 minutes.
2. THC Rich:
i. As with CBD, start slow and go slow. PLEASE GO VERY SLOW WITH THE
THC. Take a dose and wait 90 minutes before increasing. If you are taking it
orally by spraying the rich THC, #8.5, into water, start with as little as 4-6 mg, or
2-3 sprays. Wait…Wait…Wait… You will slowly find your dose and then take it
without so much caution. The other caution is that the liquid/oral THC is way
stronger on an empty stomach. So, be forewarned!!
ii. It is possible and often desirable to mix the rich 2mg/ml THC extract with the 1
mg/ml CBD extract either in water or sublingually. Make 1 spray changes every
day or two as tolerated.
VI. Products
THC – 8.5 on the psycho active scale and contains 13 mg Whole Plant THC/ml
CBD –
1.
Seabdx is currently the highest ratio extract available. It is 21:1 CBD:THC. No Psycho-
activity present and there is extreme focus. For inflammatory pain and neuritic pain this
extract seems to be excellent. In addition, for those patients with cancer who are considering
using CBD as "preventive", this is probably the best ratio as very large doses can be taken
without any psycho-activity
2.
Seabdx Plus 1:1 is a blend of a THC extract and our 4.5:1 CBD extract. The terpenes
from the THC extract are not present, so only the Terpenes from the rich CBD strain are used.
3.
Seabdx Plus 4.5:1 is also a blend, but it was a combination of Harlequin, Omrita and
two Cannatonic strains all extracted in one extracted "batch". This is not our first choice for
obvious reasons and within six months, all extracts will be of unique strains. So, there will be,
for example, an Omrita Extract or a Harlequin Extract......
4.
Seabdx Plus 10:1 is a blend of Seabdx Extract and Seabdx Plus 4.5:1
Ultimately all extracts will represent as pure a strain as possible, but
blends offer a reasonable option in the interim. Patients are encouraged
to try various options and report back to SWC (in fact you will be
contacted anyway :) ) what is working best for you and for which
symptoms.
Storage:
It is best to keep refrigerated or below 70 degrees F. The expiration date is
printed on the label. In general, it is one year from bottling.