Thought this would interest some of you....



Israel 'Highless' Marijuana Offers Medical Benefits Without The High

By Maayan Lubell

SAFED, Israel (Reuters) - They grow in a secret location in northern Israel. A tall fence, security cameras and an armed guard protect them from criminals. A hint of their sweet-scented blossom carries in the air: rows and rows of cannabis plants, as far as the eye can see.

It is here, at a medical marijuana plantation atop the hills of the Galilee, where researchers say they have developed marijuana that can be used to ease the symptoms of some ailments without getting patients high.

"Sometimes the high is not always what they need. Sometimes it is an unwanted side effect. For some of the people it's not even pleasant," said Zack Klein, head of development at Tikun Olam, the company that developed the plant.

Cannabis has more than 60 constituents called cannabinoids. THC is perhaps the best known of those, less so for its medical benefits and more for its psychoactive properties that give people a "high" feeling.

But cannabis also contains Cannabidiol, or CBD, a substance that some researchers say has anti-inflammatory benefits. Unlike THC, it hardly binds to the brain's receptors and can therefore work without getting patients stoned.

"CBD plants are available in different forms all over the world," said Klein, adding that the company's plant is free of THC and very high in CBD.

Tikun Olam began its research on CBD enhanced cannabis in 2009 and about six months ago they came up with Avidekel, Klein said, a cannabis strain that contains 15.8 percent CBD and only traces of THC, less than one percent.

CANNABIS AS MEDICINE

Marijuana is an illegal drug in Israel. Medicinal use of it was first permitted in 1993, according to the health ministry.

Today cannabis is used in Israel to treat 9,000 people suffering from illnesses such as cancer, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease and post traumatic stress disorder, according to Israel's health ministry.

Drug companies have also been interested in cannabis as a medicine. Britain's GW Pharmaceuticals, with Bayer and Almirall, sells an under-the-tongue spray called Sativex that is designed to minimize highs by manipulating ratios of active ingredients.

Raphael Mechoulam, a professor of medicinal chemistry at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said Avidekel is thought to be the first CBD-enriched cannabis plant with no THC to have been developed in Israel.

"It is possible that (Avidekel's) CBD to THC ratio is the highest among medical marijuana companies in the world, but the industry is not very organized, so one cannot keep exact track of what each company is doing," he explained.

Although there have been no clinical trials in humans, Mechoulam, who is a leading researcher of cannabinoids, said that Avidekel showed promise as a potent anti-inflammatory.

Ruth Gallily of the Hebrew University who works for the company and has been studying CBD for more than 12 years, said she has found that the substance has impressive anti-inflammatory qualities. She has been testing the effects of Tikun Olam's CBD-enhanced cannabis on mice and expects clinical trials to begin in a few months.

Avidekel is a new strain of a plant that is already permitted for medical use so there is nothing stopping patients who are already being treated with marijuana from trying Avidekel. About 10 patients began using it in the past six months, Klein said.

"The cannabis plant, enriched with CBD, can be used for treating diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, liver inflammation, heart disease and diabetes," she said, adding there are no side effects.

"It's a huge advantage," said one 35-year-old patient who asked not to be identified, "I can smoke during the day, function with a lot less pain and still be focused, work and drive. It is a great gift."

The woman began suffering chronic pains after a tumor was removed from her spine. She began treatment with regular THC-containing marijuana eight months ago. Two months ago she started smoking Avidekel.

"The difference is huge. Before, I would only smoke at the end of the day and stay in pain." Now, she said, with the highless marijuana "my life is so much better."

Despite Avidekel's highless benefit, Klein does not see regular marijuana disappearing any time soon. THC has its own unique effects that alleviate illness symptoms.

"Don't worry, I think that cannabis with THC will still be (around)," he said.

(Editing by Jeffrey Heller and Paul Casciato)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-07-04 18:33 by latebloomer.

It's like orgasmless sex.

Actually I'm glad if they can for those who don't want the high. But leave the high alone. Stop persecuting the bud!

I think I bought some of that crap back in the 70s

Sounds like it has some medical advantages. I understand the demand for such a plant. The potency has been getting a bit out of control for a while now, imho. While this is healthier for the lungs because it only takes a couple puffs to get ripped, some strains these days are too strong for some after just one puff.

Mixing with tobacco has been practised by the Jamacians and others for years, both to keep the fire HOT and deliver all the chemicals and to dilute the potency somewhat. Anyone who has ever tried the Lambsbread strain that was popular around Island Records in the 70's will know what I'm talking about....if they can remember.

Just quit putting people in jail for the stuff and I'll be happy. peace



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-07-04 20:57 by Naturalust.

Never got that 'mix it with tobacco' thing. They should let people grow their own. It's a friggin' plant!

'Highless' Marijuana

"Rockman" will never stand for this!!!

That can be had in dime bags on any street corner here in Reading, PA.

Worst idea EVER.

..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-07-04 20:57 by Naturalust.

Absolutely criminal.

Highless Pot...What's the point?

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BluzDude
Highless Pot...What's the point?

Obviously medicine, loads of chemicals in that plant, about time we started understanding them. peace

Leave my nature alone! Don't mess with my White Widow and Purple Kush. Leave it be! "Whats wrong when a man wanna smoke a little dope!?" Nothing at all Muddy! Nothing at all. LeGaLiZe iT NOw.

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jazzbass
That can be had in dime bags on any street corner here in Reading, PA.

Shout out to jazzbass in Reading. I grew up in Hershey. You have my deepest sympathy.

the cerebral high is minimized, however, the effects on the rest of the body is the important thing.there are a few indica strains available at medical MJ dispensaries in the USA that carry these. highly effective if you have arthritis,bad muscle tension, headaches and insomnia.a GREAT alternative if you have the need and live in a state that has approved medical marijuana.

"Israel 'Highless' Marijuana Offers Medical Benefits Without The High"

WHHHHHHAT? I say to Ahmadinejad : bomb this country NOW!

(just kissing Sway : c'est une blague!)

I remember going to the midwest as a young long haired lad and driving with my father past a huge wild marijuana field in Missouri. Once we got to our destination, I found a friend willing to drive back to that field with some garbage bags and we went to town, only harvesting the large colas on the top of the biggest plants.

It smelled great and we got a few pounds. Whoo Hoo! Thought we would sell a bit smoke a bit and basically have found a way to get through the rest of the year in style.

Dried out the first batch, started smoking it, ...kept smoking it, kept smoking a bit more. Man we tried HARD to convince ourselves that we were getting high but in reality all we got was nasty headaches and a room full of useless green flowertops.

So this highless pot is no new thing to any who live in the USA in States where "hemp" was grown. In fact outdoor growers have suffered from the cross pollenation effect of these wild hemp fields for years. But obviously this plant has a long history of helping humans in many different ways.

Give me nylon rope and weed that works, for what it's worth.

peace

Oh yeah, a six pack of O'Doul's and then twist up a fatty of some dank Avidekel bud... Good times

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its good to be anywhere
Oh yeah, a six pack of O'Doul's and then twist up a fatty of some dank Avidekel bud... Good times

More like "a sign of the times". peace

.....what next crutch-less blow up dolls ........ Hu Ha

ROCKMAN

Sounds like something Ralph Kramden would have invented along with his ideas for lo-cal pizza and glow in the dark wallpaper.

photograph: medical application

I had heard about that place by some relatives of mine in Israel.
Next time I get there I will ask if it is a common use against pain in the hospitals