CBD Oil

CBD oil.  What’s that?

If you are confused in regards to the differences between hemp oil and cannabidiol (CBD) oil, you are not alone.  Even public health legislators are confused it seems.
While marijuana and hemp are related (like cousins), the amount of psycho-active ingredient (THC) that is in marijuana is extremely low in hemp.  In the United States, several states have legislated to allow the use of “medical marijuana”, which permits the use of low-THC, high CBD strains of the plant.
There is mounting evidence that such compounds (i.e. cannabinoids, as opposed to cannabis) may have potential as pain-relieving medication http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18728714 , increased survival in cancer (this study was a mouse-model of breast cancer).  Other work suggests that these plant compounds may be beneficial in a range of nervous system disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons Disease, brain injury and stroke (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12617697).  One cannabinoid is licensed in the USA (nabilone) for use as an adjunct to chemotherapy to prevent or treat treatment-induced vomiting.

So what is the problem in Wellington?

You’ve possibly heard of a family’s bid to get this currently banned substance to treat a young man in a coma in Wellington Hospital. The doctors involved in this case have approved the use of CBD oil in the case of this young man, but getting it into the country is the next hurdle.  You can help – sign the petition here.