Categorieën
Ecologie Gezondheid Onderzoek Wetgeving

The Decentralized Human Organisation (DHO)

The DHO is in many ways similar to a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organisation) Except in that it places the humans that comprise it in the center. Opposed to trying to automate humans away, the DHO seeks to automate the majority of tasks to empower humans to more effectively and joyfully collaborate.

The Decentralized Human Organisation (DHO)

Welcoming Hypha’s Decentralized Human Organisation

Rieki Cordon August 13, 2019

Photo by Marina Vitale – UnsplashFacebookTwitterEmailLinkedInWhatsAppTelegram

It’s said that the next wave of enlightenment won’t be individuals but a group of people coming together with a deep, committed and purposeful vision.

We’re living through the modern day Renaissance, while simultaneously experiencing peaks of ecological, political, economic and social crises. Future societies will look back and say that the “Dark Ages” hadn’t quite ended yet.

The Dark Ages are almost over.

We’re at the dawn of welcoming in new systems of governance, thought and value distribution. Human awareness and consciousness is shifting from a local awareness to a global awareness.

“We’re not defending nature; we’re nature defending itself.” — Unknown

You are a part of this transition. Your awareness comes with the duty to bring your unique perspectives and gifts to this new paradigm.

It’s important not to have a revolution.

A revolution is merely a shift in power from one group of people to another within the same paradigm.

This isn’t a revolution for some. This is a Renaissance for all of humanity.

We’ll need to navigate this new terrain with impeccable integrity and dedication to this new paradigm.

Otherwise we may revert into old systems of exploitation and domination and merely walk away with a revolution.

The Decentralized Human Organisation (DHO)

The DHO is in many ways similar to a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organisation) Except in that it places the humans that comprise it in the center. Opposed to trying to automate humans away, the DHO seeks to automate the majority of tasks to empower humans to more effectively and joyfully collaborate.

The old paradigm told us to show up, punch the ticket, appease the boss and generally do what we’re told.

In the DHO there are no bosses. You are accountable to your role and the other team members. But, most of all, you’re accountable to your purpose, your passion, your personal growth and your gifts.

It’s your responsibility (your ability to respond) to identify your gifts, create a role that best empowers you to share these gifts, then contribute to the creation of a new paradigm.

No one can tell you how to do this, what your gifts are, or how you’d like to receive value for your gifts. This is up to you to decide.

It is up to the other members of the DAO to decide whether or not to receive these gifts. But, it’s not up to them to tell you how to give, how to contribute, or what your purpose is.

This is going to be awkward at first as we learn to take our first steps in this new paradigm of self-empowerment and freedom.

We’ll need to exercise our atrophied communication and relationship skills.

Skills that we had as children when we — without hesitation — spoke truthfully, expressing our thoughts, concerns, opinions and emotions.

This new paradigm will require us to fully show up, wounds and all.

What you make of this structure is up you.

Success here isn’t just making (literally) money. Success is changing money. It’s changing how and what we value as a society.

Sure, there is enormous value to be made and shared. However, true success is a thriving planet, with a purpose driven society where people are deeply and truly nourished.
Welcome to the dawn of of these new systems. We’re building them now and Hypha DHO is a live experiment.

DHO = Decentralised Human/Holacratic/Holonic Organism/Organization

The DHO scales using nested (holonic) circles and breaks down decision making and role patterns that emerged from the practices and organisational patterns of Holacracy.
We use the term organism because the DHO is a structure that allows human collaboration to behave as the cells of our bodies do. Our bodies have no rigid hierarchy, no top-down control mechanisms but are able to coordinate actives on a massive scale to create an entirely new being — a human. The same is true for the DHO. What this new being looks like us up to us.

Are You Ready?

Overview of the DHO

The DHO: dho.hypha.earth (site)

Categorieën
Medisch Onderzoek Voeding Wetgeving

Agricultural Hemp Foods Improve Quality of Life

Restaurants Serving Agricultural Hemp Foods Improve Quality of Life
The oldest known food catering establishments dated as far back as the Song Dynasty (960-1279) whose paper money economy and healthy middle class allowed them to cater to the residents who lived there as well as travelers. All other examples of eating establishments came in the form of Inns and catered to the weary traveler. Though located in busy areas, the local residents were not patrons of these establishments.
The word Restaurant comes from the French Word Restaurur meaning “a food which restores”. The first restaurants emerging in Europe, specifically France, Spain and England in the 16th and 17th centuries served food family style or as buffets bringing people together to share a common meal. Waiters did not begin carrying around platters of food as a part of service until the beginning of the 18th century around the same time patrons began choosing items from a menu.
Throughout history, restaurants and eating establishments have provided nourishing social experiences locally and abroad. Community meetings are held in these spaces as well as personal and business engagements, making restaurants the backdrop for memorable human interactions. At this point there are so many restaurants in so many places many no longer eat at home preferring the convenience of a well cooked meal without having to deal with the business of making it. Serving a meal for people is an art that spans time and centuries, but today’s market is competitive and saturated.
It must be difficult to own and operate a restaurant. Politics, society and misinterpretations of what is real and healthy shape the decision businesses have to make. Tough times means cutting costs wherever possible and restaurants often times are forced to compromise quality products used in the foods served just to keep the lights on. To make matters more gloomy, today’s degrading economy brings health articles advising people not to eat out to avoid health issues and reports of families cutting their entertainment budgets to make ends meet.
What can a restaurant do to stand out in a sea of dining choices? Old marketing models sell atmosphere and service, friendly staff and discounts for large quantities of food. These models do not fit in a World where people care about what they eat. The staff can be as nice as they want, but ultimately, if the food lacks nutrition, there is no value in what’s being offered to the community.
Agricultural Hemp provides a solution. Hemp Seeds and Oils provide all of the amino acids, Omega 3 and 6’s and numerous other necessary nutrients the body needs to function properly. One is able to get the complete recommended daily supply in less than 3 Tablespoons of seed, oil or protein powder. On a molecular level, the proteins supplied by hemp rid the body of bad cells and replace them with new functioning cells daily. All of that and it’s organic, glutton free and hyper-allergenic.
Hemp Flour, Hemp Oil, Hemp Protein Powder and Hemp Seeds are easy to use as substitutions in recipes already served on the menu or inspire something new! Restaurants are able to boast the healthiest food in the market and the community benefits all the way down to the cellular level. It’s easy to produce effective, truthful marketing copy when the food served improves the quality of life in such a personal way. Mission statements should reflect the restaurants desire to serve food allowing them to live up to the standards the French name implies when defined as “a food which restores”.
Consumers have been known to choose healthier products and services over destructive ones. They have proven the value of focusing on buyers needs and many businesses have endured the downturn of the economy because of their commitments to the good of the communities they serve. This is the year to try something new and Agricultural Hemp Foods are a perfect way to show appreciation for your customers and communities as a whole. What could be more sustainable than that?
Get Hemp!! It is not only renewable it is Healthy for you!

Categorieën
Gezondheid Medisch Onderzoek Productie THC Wetgeving

Where Did 0.3% THC So Called Hemp Definition Come From? CANADA!

The hemp definition that is spreading like a virus in the United States of America of a 0.3% THC limit, is an illusion to distract many from the bigger opportunities in hemp in the U.S.A.. However, there is a legal definition which has existed long before this by the National Laboratories. Hemp is not illegal and this is reinforced by the United States of America signing with 72 other countries, agreeing to the 1969 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. The 0.3% THC limit comes from the Canadians and reiterates the concern that The United States hemp opportunities are being crushed by Canadian influences, most likely because they want to prevent the U.S.A. from achieving a thriving and robust hemp industry here. Even the Canadian, Dr Ernest Small Ph.D., who is considered the architect of 0.3%, says that the number is really meaningless. Another effect is the current costs of products like CBD are also extremely inflated because of this definition. This pattern shows in some of the hemp associations, with Canadian board members. Canadian legislation restricts hemp and treats it like marijuana, which slows their industry down. Don’t let them drag our opportunities down because of their poor foreign legislation.

Dr. Small “drew an arbitrary line on the continuum of cannabis types, and decided that 0.3 percent THC in a sifted batch of cannabis flowers was the difference between hemp and marijuana.”
Larsen continues. “Small clearly noted that among the hundreds of strains he experimented with, ‘plants cultivated for fibre [sic], oil and birdseed frequently had moderate or high amounts of THC’… thus the worldwide 0.3 percent THC standard divider between marijuana and hemp is not based on which strains have the most agricultural benefit, nor is it based on an analysis of the THC level required for psychoactivity. It’s based on an arbitrary decision of a Canadian scientist growing cannabis in Ottawa.”
-Dana Larsen, author of The Illustrated History of Cannabis in Canada.

When looked at from a different perspective, a scientific view, another picture appears. Taking the view through the definition of hemp and over laying it with the data set of so called “certified” seed cultivars versus the data set of all hemp defined by the National Labs above. There are products such as Satvex from GW Pharmaceuticals which have Cannabinoids and are in a ratio of 1:1 to 1:20 (THC:CBD). This is exactly within the National Laboratories definition.

The National Laboratories “Recommended methods for the identification and analysis of cannabis and cannabis products”

The graphic shows that the natural tendency of the Cannabis Sativa L. plant is to be 1:2 THC to CBD well bellow the National Laboratory definition of hemp. There is a fear that if we grow hemp the THC will increase, it will actually decrease in natural settings.

Looking at the line that represents the so called 0.3% THC definition, the yellow area, show that the faux definition actually violates the National Laboratory definition, on the left in the orange area. In addition, the graph show the aggregate of the so called “certified” seed cultivars have a tendency to naturally increase in THC, which creates the need for consistent breeding and “certification.” This is a manipulated approach to the cultivation of hemp and a takes advantage of the lack of information shared with the public.

This is also affecting farmers ability to thrive because the DEA claims they can control hemp, they can’t. In 2004 a 9th Circuit case, HIA v. DEA determined that the DEA has no jurisdiction over hemp. The strange thing is that HIA did NOT publicize this ruling back then, now it is clear as to why they kept it quiet, they do NOT represent the United State’s interests at all.

IV. CONCLUSION
The DEA’s Final Rules purport to regulate foodstuffs containing “natural and synthetic THC.” And so they can:  in keeping with the definitions of drugs controlled under Schedule I of the CSA, the Final Rules can regulate foodstuffs containing natural THC if it is contained within marijuana, and can regulate synthetic THC of any kind.   But they cannot regulate naturally-occurring THC not contained within or derived from marijuana-i.e., non-psychoactive hemp products-because non-psychoactive hemp is not included in Schedule I. The DEA has no authority to regulate drugs that are not scheduled, and it has not followed procedures required to schedule a substance.
The DEA’s definition of “THC” contravenes the unambiguously expressed intent of Congress in the CSA and cannot be upheld.   DEA-205F and DEA-206F are thus scheduling actions that would place non-psychoactive hemp in Schedule I for the first time.   In promulgating the Final Rules, the DEA did not follow the procedures in §§ 811(a) and 812(b) of the CSA required for scheduling.   The amendments to 21 C.F.R. § 1308.11(d)(27) that make THC applicable to all parts of the Cannabis plant are therefore void.   We grant Appellants’ petition and permanently enjoin enforcement of the Final Rules with respect to non-psychoactive hemp or products containing it.

“the DEA makes no showing that extracts from parts of hemp seeds or stalks other than resin are used or could be used for psychoactive purposes.”

Legislation has been manipulated at the hands of lobbyists in many states across the country and you will find the word “certified” as a requirement in some of the language, we do not encourage limiting a brand new growth industry right out of the gates. BEWARE the Farm Bills as they are trying to force the 0.3% THC illusion upon us. The new farm bill HR 3530 is DANGEROUS TO OUR FARMERS AND PEOPLE. This is an absolute travesty for the average farmer. Hemp is supposed to be for all.

In reference to a study for the treatment of epilepsy patients:
GW Pharma can’t Compete with the Cannabis Plant nor can they make it better in a lab… A study’s findings “support efficacy of artisanal CBD preparations in seizure reduction with few significant side effects. While highly purified CBD awaits Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, artisanal formulations of CBD are readily available and are seeing increased use in our patient population. In summary, these findings support efficacy of artisanal CBD preparations in seizure reduction with few significant side effects.”
-Cannabis News Journal

Considering the complexity of legislation, media, subjective and objective opinions, science and other factors, we must stay vigilant and pay close attention to every word pushed into legal language. This is critical at this time while GW Pharmaceuticals is attempting to take CBD and push it into pharmaceuticals. Remember, the DEA has NO CONTROL, we do, unless it is given to these corporations and other countries. Fight for Industrial Hemp in the United States of America.

This is another clear example of why people must be concerned:
18 States with Laws Specifically about Legal Cannabidiol (CBD) (as of July 24, 2017)

“We shouldn’t be discussing CBD in terms of being non-psychoactive, that’s a vague and nebulous term with no consensus as to meaning, and just plays into the hands of Prohibitionists. Better that we discuss it in terms of what’s really important: non-intoxicating. Many things are psychoactive, including yoga, sex, meditation, jogging, exercising, deep breathing, cola, tea, coffee, medicines, praying, kissing, and cuddling, among others. But none are intoxicating, the only real metric that matters when discussing driving or dangerous jobs and the like. Non-intoxicating, not non-psychoactive.” -Richard Rose

Resources: Search string: Ernest AND Small AND “0.3” AND THC AND hemp

Categorieën
Brandstof Ecologie Industrie Onderzoek

Hemp fuel

Hemp fuels- Environmentally friendly fuel sources

The basics: Hemp can provide two types of fuel.
1.  Hemp biodiesel – made from the oil of the (pressed) hemp seed.
2.  Hemp ethanol/methanol – made from the fermented stalk.

To clarify further, ethanol is made from such things as grains, sugars, starches, waste paper and forest products, and methanol is made from woody/pulp matter. Using processes such as gasification, acid hydrolysis and enzymes, hemp can be used to make both ethanol and methanol.

In this day of oil wars, peak oil (and the accompanying soaring prices), climate change and oil spills such as the one in the gulf by BP, it’s more important than ever to promote sustainable alternatives such as hemp ethanol.  Hemp turns out to be the most cost-efficient and valuable of all the fuel crops we could grow on a scale that could fuel the world.

And as it turns out, the whole reason for hemp prohibition – and alcohol prohibition – may have been a fuel the realization that OIL production is threatened by any competing fuel source, especially one that requires no modifications to your car!

What is Hemp Biodiesel?
Hemp biodiesel is the name for a variety of ester based oxygenated fuels made from hemp oil.  The concept of using vegetable oil as an engine fuel dates back to 1895 when Dr. Rudolf Diesel developed the first diesel engine to run on vegetable oil. Diesel demonstrated his engine at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900 using peanut oil as fuel.  Hemp biodiesel come from the pressing of the hemp seeds to extract the oil.  Through a process explained here , hemp biodiesel can be made.

Hemp biodiesel can be made from domestically produced, renewable oilseed crops such as hemp. With over 30 million successful U.S. road miles hemp biodiesel could be the answer to our cry for renewable fuel sources.  Learning more  about renewable fuels does not mean we should not cut back on consumption but does help address the environmental affects of our choices.  There is more to hemp as a renewable fuel source than you know

Why Hemp Biodiesel?

  • Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that runs in any conventional, unmodified diesel engine.
  • It can be stored anywhere that petroleum diesel fuel is stored. Biodiesel is safe to handle and transport because it is as biodegradable as sugar, 10 times less toxic than table salt, and has a high flashpoint of about 300 F compared to petroleum diesel fuel, which has a flash point of 125 F.
  • Biodiesel can be made from domestically produced, renewable oilseed crops such as hemp.
  • Biodiesel is a proven fuel with over 30 million successful US road miles, and over 20 years of use in Europe.
  • When burned in a diesel engine, biodiesel replaces the exhaust odor of petroleum diesel with the pleasant smell of hemp, popcorn or french fries.
  • Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel in the US to complete EPA Tier I Health Effects Testing under section 211(b) of the Clean Air Act, which provide the most thorough inventory of environmental and human health effects attributes that current technology will allow.
  • Biodiesel is 11% oxygen by weight and contains no sulfur.
  • The use of biodiesel can extend the life of diesel engines because it is more lubricating than petroleum diesel fuel, while fuel consumption, auto ignition, power output, and engine torque are relatively unaffected by biodiesel.
  • The Congressional Budget Office, Department of Defense, US Department of Agriculture, and others have determined that biodiesel is the low cost alternative fuel option for fleets to meet requirements of the Energy Policy Act.

Categorieën
Europa Industrie Onderzoek Productie Wetgeving

News: 13th European Industrial Hemp Association Conference 2016

The Voice of the Hemp Industry

On June 1st & 2nd 2016 EIHA (European Industrial Hemp Association) held its 13th Annual Conference. It is the leading event of the sector worldwide with hundreds of participants and contributors. With EIHA & Nova Institut spearheading its organisation, the event has established itself as the central locus of both networking and technical dissemination within the Hemp Sector. It was an opportunity for the Hemplab Institute to cement various contacts made during previous projects as well as expand into new and exciting possibilities.

Standardisation, GMP / GAP & Hemp Market Projections

The repetitive theme of this year’s event, echoed by concerns from participants and contributors alike, was that of Standardisation of practices particularly GMPs & GAPs. This marks an evolution from earlier market concerns centred primarily on agricultural legislation, financial viability and agricultural techniques & equipment. It is testimony to the maturing process the industry is undergoing, with an ever growing list of products and hemp applications. The next step of this process is producing ‘mainstream’ products – particularly in the food & pharmaceutical markets – which invariably implies highest consumer standards, validation and analytical precision.

CANNABINOID ECONOMY HEMP MARKET DEVELOPMENTS HEMPLAB INSTITUTE

EIHA 2016 Conference – HEMPLAB Institute

Another marker of maturity evident during this year’s event was the presentation and discussion of much more comprehensive and authoritative market data and projections of the industry – with aptly demarcated analyses of particular sub-categories of products such as ‘self-care CBD’ products or food supplements. Key market risks relate to the lack of uniform legislation (on a European level) – a concern which was identified by our 2015 report.

Hemp: A market for Analytical Laboratories

With the concept of ‘Standardisation’ on everyone’s mind, the discussion naturally progressed towards the existence of institutions and companies capable of carrying out such programmes and their analytical methodologies. Analytical equipment manufacturer Waters was present with a dedicated stand and the presence of North American laboratories (e.g. ProVerde) to share technical know-how, with which we had the chance to discuss in depth our mutual experiences. With analytical standards and methodologies still absent for cannabinoids across the world, it provides a major opportunity on commercial grounds, as well as scientific and policy requirements.

We look forward to the 14th edition of this informative event!

 

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Categorieën
Ecologie Gezondheid Medisch Onderzoek Productie Recreatief Wetgeving

Medical v Recreational Cannabis: Policy Considerations – Part B.

Introduction: Cannabis Policy

In the concluding remarks of Part A, we noted that the very setting of the dichotomy along with the stereotypical connotations associated with each term restricts and hides important aspects of the debate. But how and why, did this way of framing the debate come about?

The distinction became increasingly popular in the mouths of policy makers and people alike following a very simple conscious and subconscious observation: Cannabis policy needs reform. The latter was arrived at after years of failed repressive policies, failing on two main domains: 1) Public Health 2) Criminological considerations and prison population. It is within this context that novel approaches and policies, as well as public perception of the issue, have increasingly been centred on the ‘Medical v Recreational’ distinction.

Public Health & Harms Reduction

 A notable recent example of policy-analysis that resists the ‘Medical v Recreational’ temptation is a report originating from France (April 2016). Following a public debate in cooperation with La Direction Génerale de la Santé, the report tackles the issue for all ‘substances that can potentially lead to addictive behaviours’. It argues for a decriminalisation of all such substances (including Cannabis) regardless of nature of use, focusing instead on a ‘Risks & Harms Reduction Principle’ (RdRD).

The strengths of such approaches are best appreciated form a Public Health perspective. However they fail to address another large-scale socio-economic aspect, leaving aside the issue of re-articulating the existing demand and providing adequate models of distribution*. On the other hand, they offer the best short-term approach on how to begin tackling the existing situation with its determinate and known parameters. It is interesting to examine some assumptions of the ‘Medical v Recreational’ distinction and their impacts in terms of distribution and economic activity.

Cannabis Legislation Models: Use, Distribution & Demand

It is often taken for granted that the ‘Medical v Recreational’ dichotomy maps exactly onto the ‘Regulated v Unregulated (Market)’ distinction. It is true that ‘Medical Cannabis’ (in our western understanding of the word ‘medical’) implies a highly regulated market and distribution mechanism. However it doesn’t follow that ‘Recreational Cannabis’ implies necessarily an unregulated market free of a ‘Risks & Harms Reduction Principle’. A parallel illuminating example is the tobacco industry – taxes, limited marketing, restrictions on points of sale, age etc.

From a somewhat sceptical standpoint one could argue for a legalisation and regulation of Cannabis exclusively for medical purposes. Arguing on the basis of a fully regulated market along the lines of the existing Healthcare & Pharmaceutical models, stressing that such an approach is supposed to only benefit people that could potentially gain actual medical improvements on their existing conditions, thus implicitly taking the ‘Risks & Harms Reduction Principle’ to its maximum application. However there are drawback to such restrictive policies.

The main concern of the above model is that it doesn’t address the so-called recreational demand for cannabis that exists in our (European) societies. Paralleling western Healthcare Models, ‘Medical Cannabis’ would most likely be available to ‘eligible’ patients on prescription, based on a set of criteria. The very high proportion of users who would not fit those criteria would still drive the ‘underground’ demand, thus maintaining the black market and its criminal organisations in place. Furthermore, it still criminalises a high proportion of users, thus failing to solve another societal issue (criminalisation of cannabis users is often linked to marginalisation which leads to violent behaviours).

Restrictive Medical Cannabis models also run the risk of excluding patients that could potentially benefit from cannabinoid consumption but do not fit the official criteria for prescription. It would be a mistake to try and fit a versatile plant like cannabis to our traditional Healthcare Distribution Models. There is also an argument to be made on human right’s grounds in the sense of the right to self-determination and self-care – allowing people to treat themselves the way they see fit. Furthermore, cannabinoid consumption is liable to bring overall improvements on quality of life which are not necessarily perceived from a purely bio-medical standpoint. Rigorous and well-funded scientific research is necessary to further our understanding of the plant and its beneficial applications. However, the implementation of those scientific findings into prescriptive, normative policies is a very different issue.

A Hybrid Model is therefore necessary to provide value for society as a whole, addressing public health concerns as well as criminological and socio-economic considerations and at the same time integrating cannabis into established medical and scientific practices. There are several questions that need answering though, pertaining with the distribution and Harms-Reduction principle of use that falls outside explicitly medical bounds. Distribution in that case can take several forms. Which is actually adopted in particular instances is highly dependent on cultural factors as well as goal-oriented considerations such as economic activity, employment, human rights, use reduction, public health etc. Approaches can vary from favouring small individual cultivation models to extremely liberal Colorado-Dispenser systems depending on local culture and perceived objectives of the policies (of course, in the majority of countries cannabis is still outright illegal).

A liberal proponent of cannabis legalisation might take, however, a different approach. Favouring the legalisation of cannabis simpliciter, the argument makes the point that in such scenario cannabis would effectively be available for any use (including medical), avoiding any discrimination based on usage and/or outcome. The merits of this view are to be found in its simplicity as well as its inherent non-discriminatory commitment – traits which ought to be transposed to actual policies. It nonetheless skips over some potential pitfalls.

Assuming that there is legitimate medical use for cannabis there need to be social-security mechanisms for reimbursement of treatment. This issue is notoriously problematic and a ‘simple legalisation’ policy does not guarantee the production of cannabis products and treatment procedures that are liable to be recognised by insurance bodies (both public and private) as reimbursable. This would lead to a major social injustice which is precisely what the above argument was purporting to dispense with. Furthermore, proper medical accompaniment, expertise and research should be available to those explicitly medical users that wish to access it. Again, there is no guarantee that such tangible and intangible social goods will emerge out of minimalist policies.

Medical v Recreational: What to make of it?

As we have previously argued, the ‘Medical v Recreational’ distinction cannot be effected by the plant in isolation, barring any contextualisation with actual usage and individual biological interaction. Even when usage is defined, the relationship is not straightforward considering that medical use can have recreational effects and vice versa. However the distinction is somewhat illuminating on a policy level – not in a descriptive / ontological sense, but rather as decent model to represent actual use-patterns. It helps bring into focus some issues of social justice, human rights and criminological considerations as argued above. There is one direct way of effecting this distinction, namely in the event whereby a person is explicitly treating a serious a recognised disease / condition with cannabis. In that case it can unambiguously be labelled as ‘Medical’ and enjoy the same status as other medical treatments.

In Part C. of this series of articles, a brief overview of some actual European examples will be presented.

*This is not aimed to be a severe criticism. The report is very thorough within its intended scope and provides detailed arguments for its conclusions, particularly in terms of Justice, Public Health & Safety, Employment, Social Life and Education.

 

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Categorieën
Europa Gezondheid Medisch Onderzoek Productie Wetgeving

Medical v Recreational Cannabis: Initial Remarks – Part A.

Medical Cannabis: Debunking the Myth

A lot of air is being vented around the dichotomy of ‘Medical’ v ‘Recreational’ Cannabis. On the policy and public opinion level, this distinction is highly operative as countless legislative plans around the world are centered on it. However is there a sound scientific or medical basis that can support it?

The Plant & The Body: A Complex Interaction

In order to start the analysis of this question it is necessary to understand the plant & the human body holistically as a system of interaction. To the best of our current knowledge the Cannabis components active on the human body are Cannabinoids. These can, but do not necessarily carry with them psychotropic effects. Cannabinoids are particularly susceptible to interact in profound ways with the human body given a particularity of the latter. Humans have what has come to be known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is a group of endogenous cannabinoid receptors located in the mammalian brain and across various parts of the nervous system – it plays an important regulatory role in pain, appetite, mood and others*. In short, the human body is naturally calibrated to recognize and utilize the chemical compounds produced in Cannabis. Even though true, this statement is in danger of producing the naïve conclusion that any/all cannabinoids in any form of intake are beneficial and free of negative side-effects – a conclusion that needs to be resisted. What is undeniable on the other hand is that cannabinoids have a strong effect on the human regulatory system (of which ECS is a major component).

Human Consumption

Cannabis Sativa L. (Cannabis / Hemp) has been used by humans for thousands of years. With that in mind it is virtually impossible to give a comprehensive list of methods of consumption, let alone the psycho-social and / or medical and self-care motivations that underlie it. However interesting pointers can be given in order to commence an analysis relevant to the 21st century.

A salient operative distinction is the presence (or absence) of a particular condition for which Cannabis is used. In the former case, from a usage point of view, it is appropriate to apply the label ‘medical use of cannabis’. Things, however, are never as simple as they seem initially – important considerations are needed to supplement this simplistic distinction.

Firstly, it needs to be separated from the question of the Efficacy of the Treatment. The latter needs to be independently and objectively determined through appropriate scientific and quantitative standards. However the degree of efficacy doesn’t alter the motivation or use as medical from a subjective point of view. Furthermore, a distinction needs to be made between curative & condition management approaches. Cures are not the only relevant medical category. Secondly, the presence of a clearly defined condition is sufficient for the ‘medical’ label but not necessary inasmuch as one’s subjective experience of an ailment might not be represented in medical orthodoxy. More importantly, in line with the mood, sleep and appetite regulatory virtues of cannabinoids, maintaining an overall quality of life through their consumption has strong arguments for the ‘medical’ label. Illuminating examples are stress/anxiety management and insomnia suppression – both liable to have a huge impact in a person’s quality of life and overall health.

Another importantCannabinoid table JP-01 parameter to consider is which cannabinoids, or combination thereof, achieves the desired effects in an individual user, whether or not directly related to a specified treatment. There exists a general combinatory classification of cannabinoids and particular effects (see Table). However self-reported effects and outcomes are relevant given the uniqueness of each individual ECS. Furthermore, there is a strong a case to be made for ‘holistic’ effects of the plant as a combination of dozens of cannabinoids, terpenes and other micro-elements.

A major dichotomy within the cannabinoids is effected between the psychotropic and non-psychotropic elements. The best representatives of each group respectively are THC and CBD. However it is wrong to presume that psychoactive cannabinoids are automatically associated with recreational or non-medical uses. Research shows that both these cannabinoids have major medical applications that range from mental conditions to cancer and multiple sclerosis. THC rich cannabis can therefore have medical applications in all its forms and methods of consumption. In conclusion it is misguided to naively conclude that the psychotropic effects of Cannabis are devoid of medical virtues.

Quality, Transparency and Ethical Responsibility

Transparency and accountability are the marks of any and all ethically sourced products. It is undoubtedly true that products marketed as ‘medical’ share a much heavier degree of responsibility however the principle is valid for all products destined to human consumption. In that respect there exist quality standards which can effect the Medical v Recreational distinction. Complete product characterization and ‘free of harmful exogenous substances’ are necessary conditions for the achievement of the desired medical effects as well as the protection of the user from potential harms (that could be caused from exogenous substances). If therefore a ‘Medical Cannabis’ legislation is adopted, it is necessary that the products available to consumers be of the accepted consumer, ethical and safety standards. As such, standardization and testing is necessary for a wide application of such a program, e.g. on a national level.

Concluding Remarks

In conclusion it is important to say a few words on the semantics of the ‘Medical’ v ‘Recreational’ distinction. The very setting of the debate implies the mutual exclusion of each term involved. However this is, at the very least, a hasty assumption. The term ‘recreational’ has been further hi-jacked by the political debate and necessarily associated with pejorative connotations – with negative implications and stereotypes flourishing liberally. The point is not to defend one or the other use (or any use), rather illuminate the assumptions and premises of the argument and its modes of presentation.

Cannabinoids are chemically relevant to the human body in ways which our scientific culture has come to label medical or medicinal. This is the base-fact of the plant as a relation to the human body, regardless of particular uses and regional legislation. From there on, particular uses of the plant can be for explicitly medical or non-medical purposes – however the modality through which cannabinoids interact with the body can always be viewed from the medical point of view. It is therefore a logical conclusion that appropriate use of cannabinoids, in light of the right evidence and research, can have medically positive outcomes.

This concludes the end of Part A. of this presentation. In the second part (Part B.), policy implications will be explored and related with actual examples and developments on the European level in Part C.

*Non-Exhaustive list / Internet Sources

 

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Categorieën
Europa Medisch Onderzoek Wetgeving

Medical v Recreational Cannabis: Some European Examples – Part C.

Introduction

The following is meant as a short overview of current state of affairs with regards to Cannabis and / or Drug Policies in three European countries. It is intended as a short supplement to Part A. and Part B.

Portugal

Portugal, since 2001, has ambitiously decriminalised all drug usage and possession, based on the assumption that it is a Public Health issue rather than a Criminal one. This approach does not make an explicit distinction, in the case of cannabis, with regards to medical or recreational use and is centred on a usage and harms reduction approach. In the words of Dr. João Goulão, Director-General of The General-Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (SICAD) in Lisbon:

“It’s difficult to measure the impact of decriminalization as an independent variable; the evolution of the indicators has to be seen as a result of the development of all those responses. Considering different indicators of changing drug use patterns and demographics, some effects of decriminalization have included:

Portugal’s case is generally accepted, including by the French report discussed, as a relative success with promising aspects to implement more generally. Given that it is not cannabis specific, it is difficult to assess its impact, particularly in terms of Harms Reduction. Although a bold and commendable policy decision, it fails to address distribution side of things, particularly in the case of large-scale organised crime. The existence of such organisations can divert significant police resources and have spill-over effects into unrelated criminal activities, with drug distribution often being a major source of income. This also makes a case for the notion that no matter the amount of prevention, drug usage as whole is not an issue that can be tackled in isolation. It is extremely unlikely that demand for cannabis will evaporate instantaneously. It is therefore necessary to address the issue and distribution resulting from that demand.

For a detailed overview of all European countries’ drug policies and harm-reduction initiatives visit EMCDDA.

Germany

German Health Minister Hermann Gröhe has recently announced the country’s plans to make Medical Cannabis available to seriously ill patients by 2017. The law is rather an amendment on previously existing Medical Cannabis policies, relaxing conditions giving patients access to the plant.  Due to Germany’s federal makeup, there are various degrees of tolerance of cannabis not explicitly destined to medical use, with notable examples like Bremen and Berlin which are spearheading progressive policies.

With regards to medical cannabis and the 2017 amendment, there have been several critical voices, particularly when it comes to reimbursement and social security. Incorporated within the proposal is the clause that makes reimbursement available only to those patients that agree to participate in research programs. What those ‘research programs’ entail is not yet defined, however that requirement creates issues of social justice even in principle. Adding the mobility restriction of many patients this stands to be a very controversial issue.

Another issue of concern is production. With distribution ensured through the existing network of traditional pharmacies, Germany also intends meet its internal demand with domestic production. However initial estimates are skeptical of the country’s ability to develop appropriate facilities in time. In that case, Germany will be depended on imports. One can speculate as to the possible source of the product but it is hard to overlook Bedrocan form the Netherlands. Concerns from the Dutch experience pertaining to an over-centralisation of production are an interesting case-study for German politicians and decision-makers.

With an estimated 800.000 potential patients making use of the coming law, it is not an inconsequential change. It is very interesting to see how the implementation will be carried out, what measures are taken towards training the medical professionals to prescribe, monitor and get the better out of the plant, as well as the production and quality measures.

Combined with some relatively tolerant cannabis policies, this amendment to medical cannabis improves significantly the aggregated effect of the legislations, giving access to the plant to those that need it most while resisting the outright criminalisation of non-medical users. According to recent polls, the vast majority of Germans support the legalisation of medical cannabis, with a significant chunk of them favouring outright legalisation. It is therefore not unwarranted to expect further changes, whether regional or national, on cannabis legislation in Germany.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands are known worldwide for very a tolerant cannabis policy. With regards to medical cannabis, patients with prescriptions can buy purpose-grown cannabis from pharmacies since the spring of 2000. The product originates from Bedrocan, the grower designated by the Dutch Office of Medicinal Cannabis (part of the Ministry of Health) in order to ensure the necessary quality of the final product. Further Quality Control procedures and check-ups are performed along its production and distribution life-cycle.

However the Dutch notoriety for tolerant policies obfuscates various grey zones of the Dutch system. In particular, personal growing and cannabis growing in general is illegal (and attacked) in the Netherlands, which means that effectively coffee shops are breaking the law on a daily basis. This has created a monopoly – a monopoly which is significant on commercial terms, but even more so on ideological terms. The latter refers to the resulting conception of the plant as determined exclusively within the constraints of the coffee shop system (quality, use, method of delivery, personal and societal consequences etc.). This confusion, sustained by commercial interests, has created a chasm between perceived and actual cannabis and has fostered short-termism in plant manipulation and potency increase as opposed to sustainable scientific research & development.

Focusing on the explicitly medical side of things, a number of criticisms have been voiced by patients and patient organisations as well as NGO’s such as ENCOD (For a 2015 ENCOD-sponsored report click here). Criticisms tend to converge on the following points:

  1. Lack of strains and medical cannabis derivatives (edibles, oils, pills etc.)
  2. Overall quality of final product
  3. Lack of dedicated training for health professionals resulting in a reluctance towards prescribing cannabis

A highly centralised system, modeled on some aspects of the existing pharmaceutical industry, has created a very monolithic environment for medical cannabis users. With limits placed on the strains and products that can be labelled ‘medicinal’, the patient’s ability to find the right care for themselves is severely restricted. Furthermore, stringent decontamination methodology with gamma-ray irradiation over the final product, has a created a quality-compromised product. The main reason being, according to literature, the fact that gamma-rays destroy the terpenes of the plant, responsible for cannabis’ distinctive taste and smell. It is also believed, although scientific confirmation is still lacking, that terpenes can have a modulatory effect on the main cannabinoids – the entourage effect (Gamma-ray irradiation is an FDA approved technique for decontamination of food products, particularly ones destined for import / export).

With a relatively restrictive list of ‘recognised conditions’, one could easily argue this as a negative of the system on both medical and social justice / human rights grounds. Coupled with a reported reluctant health establishment to prescribe cannabis, serious concerns have been voiced over the ability to access the medicine. The latter is further aggravated by a repressive policy on personal growth. A February 2016 court ruling, in a highly publicised case, gave permission to a patient to grow his own cannabis for treating his HIV. This is however an individual result that applies only to that person which further points out the need for access to medicine.

Overall the Dutch system has the merits of not criminalising a whole section of its population who choose to use cannabis for whatever reason. However, reluctance to update and evolve the system, namely by integrating production into mainstream economic activity, the underground market hasn’t evaporated. This can partly be explained away by what is known as the ‘neighbour effect’ – meaning that neighbouring countries with repressive cannabis legislations drive that demand. However, there are important reasons to doubt that argument when the origins of coffee shop cannabis is considered. Furthermore, the Netherlands has a relatively sophisticated, albeit extremely rigid, medical cannabis infrastructure. However the aggregate of both policies stands to greatly benefit from a progressive amendment.

This concludes our short introductory articles on Medical v Recreational Cannabis. You can find Part A. and Part B. on their respective links.

More detailed presentations and argumentation of this work is available for interested parties. Please do not hesitate to contact us in this regard by clicking here.

 

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Categorieën
Gezondheid Onderzoek Social Clubs Wetgeving

Cannabis Social Club: Recent Developments in Belgium & the Netherlands

Cannabis Social Clubs – 10 years on

Ten years since the emergence of Trekt Uw Plant (TUP) in Belgium – pioneers of the Cannabis Social Club (CSC) model – CSCs have gone through various motions across Europe. The aim of this short article is to retrace a rough, and by no means exhaustive, topology of these recent developments focusing on Belgium and the Netherlands.

Belgian Trials & Closures

The tragic passing of Mr Joep Oomen – emblematic leader of TUP & ENCOD – coincided with a relative recession of the CSC movement in Belgium. The success of TUP both legally and practically was the catalyst for the setting up of similar organisations along with an activist impetus for change. However, the past months have effected a pragmatic rebuttal of many such efforts. Mambo Social Club lost its ‘day in court’, convicted for possession (but acquitted for charges of ’incitement to’ or ’facilitation of drug use’). Even though Mambo SC will appeal the decision, the latter is unquestionably a blow in terms of legal precedent*.

Further indications of pragmatic restrictions came when the continued efforts of Liege Social Club ‘Peace’ to create a dialogue with the local authorities were routinely rebuffed – whilst the organisation is at its infancy from and operational point of view. After almost two years of activity, CSC The Herbclub saw its doors close in June 2016 due to unspecified internal reasons. These legal, practical and pragmatic inefficiencies of the various Belgian CSCs are the reflection of an uncompromising rigidity from the Belgian authorities combined with a real need for structural change – perceived or not.

Paradoxically, Belgium is (accidentally) in possession of a suitable legal fame-work for CSCs, even though cannabis is strictly illegal. This is provided by the 2003/2005 directive which allows the possession / cultivation of one female cannabis plant per adult. Even though the ‘collectivisation’ of this provision in the form of CSCs is a non-trivial issue, the gap is not ‘unbridgeable’ particularly given some external factors: 1) existing Belgian production, consumption and (illegal) export of cannabis 2) a coherent a cohesively expressed public demand – along with an acute sense of social and ethical responsibility and transparency. 3) Public Health & Medical Cannabis

Even with the introduction of Sativex to the Belgian market, implicitly reproducing the notion that cannabinoids have at least some medical value, the political class has failed at the minimal task of initiating a meaningful public debate on cannabis – let alone leading serious initiatives of reform or the implementation of a (UN mandated) Cannabis Bureau**.

Dutch Troubles

In the Netherlands CSCs have faced a continued battle for existence in an environment dominated by commercialisation of cannabis. The ambiguity rests on the fact that coffeeshops are technically ‘tolerated’ given the existing cannabis growing / production laws. Where the authorities show tolerance towards coffeeshops, tables are turned with regards to CSCs. Statutes concerning ‘personal growing’ of 0-5 plants where toughened up whilst the sale of growing equipment was outright banned. Evidently the measure failed to impact coffeeshop supply, it was however an attack on a fundamental premise of CSCs which curtailed timid existing efforts.

New Ideas: Research, Medical Cannabis & Quality Control

Organisational limitations of CSCs in their present form along with an unresponsive public policy can be a pessimistic assessment of the past 18-24 months in Belgium and the Netherlands. Paralleling this analysis however, there are clear markers pointing towards a development of CSCs both on the conceptual and practical level. Academically, the University of Ghent has obtained a an FWO research grant for the first ‘in depth empirical analysis of the [CSC] model as developed in Belgium’ – led by Professor Tom Decorte. Speaking to Mafalda Pradal, doing her PhD as part of this project, says ‘The overarching aim of the project is to improve the understanding of the Cannabis Social Club phenomenon as a model for the supply of cannabis’. In addition to empirically gathered operational and structural descriptions of CSCs and CSC-members’ demographics, the study aims to assess the ‘quality, purity and potency of the cannabis produced and distributed by the Belgian CSCs’. Conducted by Prof. Dr. Jan Tytgat and Prof. Dr. Eva Cuypers, ‘pending approval from FAGG, the toxicological analysis of cannabis samples is expected to start in 2017’. The study is due to complete in 2019.

As a long a term research project, this initiative represents a clear indication that the CSC model carries some weight in cannabis policy debates (informally at least). It is a well-defined and rational assessment of a current model whilst adhering to evidence-based methodological criteria. Even though some limitations can be found in the scope of research and conceptual reach, it is an eagerly awaited assessment. Whilst the exact efficacies that made this project possible are difficult to establish, it represents a maturing of the CSC movement by virtue of the latter’s verifiable social inscription through academic research.

This ‘step in the right direction’ is reflected in the recent activities of younger CSCs in terms of their operational ethos and pragmatic understanding of the present legal and policy situation. A notable example is MCC VZW – active since 2015. Guy Hoffman, its founder, has explained to us his commitment in a number of measures and protocols looking to increase product quality, purity and diversity of cannabis products as well as operational efficiency and transparency. It has to be added that MCC is an explicitly Medical social club (MCSC) – understood in terms of membership criteria. Specific measures include considerable efforts in clean room technology implementation in production, patient/member follow up and data-collection, product labelling and packaging amongst others.

MCC’s attitude, whether consciously or not, demonstrates a developed sense of social responsibility as well as a pragmatic understanding of organisational limitations – addressing them by implementing evidence-based methodologies to increase efficiency, transparency and quality standards. The pragmatic attitude is extended to legal and policy considerations whereby it is understood that legitimisation is inevitably linked with the above standards. This ethos is mirrored in the activities of Mr Romain Gosseries, who is in the process of setting up his own Medical Cannabis organisation along the MCSC model. His organisation, MCRC (Medical Cannabis Research & Consultancy), aims to grow specifically medical cannabis along, although not identical to, the BEDROCAN protocols. This implies rigorous growing conditions, strain stabilisation and quality control analyses of the plants to verify the claimed standards. There is a long-term ambition behind MCRC which is to provide a sustainable model for the provision of the Belgian medical cannabis needs. Given the lack of a Belgian Cannabis Bureau the project faces considerable political obstacles. The idea, however, remains to countenance political rigidity with solutions crafted from established (and comparable) commercial / production standards as well as a sense of social responsibility.

CSC as a concept is a mutant. It is a concept standing for certain core values but it often associates with other principles of self-organisation. The result is a great diversity in the form of CSCs across Europe. Exemplifying that point is the case of another Belgian cooperative (anonymity preferred), which is currently setting up what they call a ‘communal garden’. The idea is for people to join in the communal garden to the best of their abilities and resources, whilst a core of herbalists take care of plants, and share in the harvests. The principle extends beyond cannabis and the aim is to have it running by the end of summer 2016. While previous cases examined showed the practical and organisational limitations of CSCs, other very current cases exemplify the drive of individuals involved in the sector imbued by a sense of renewal and progress.

Human Rights Arguments from the Netherlands

Further away from the grassroots origins of CSCs, Radboud University has provided an unexpected argument for the legitimisation of CSCs. The paper in question was published in the spring of 2016 and examined the possibility of justifying some form of cannabis production / consumption on human rights grounds (as opposed to standard UN conventions). Without being explicitly voiced in support of CSCs, Mr Everhardt of the city of Utrecht, has harpooned onto the new argument in order to re-ignite the debate within his community – particularly when it comes to alternatives in cannabis regulation and modes of production. The typical societal and public health benefits are targeted.

Invoking human rights with regards to organisational forms of cannabis consumption / production is something previously alluded to in an article on Medical v Recreational Cannabis. However, the argument was not spelled out and it ran on a different direction to the one considered here, which is strictly of the domain of international law. The principle is nonetheless similar to some extent in the sense that given some basic conditions are met, there is an unalterable right to self-determination – over and above particular international conventions as the paper argues.

Concluding Remarks: Cannabis Social Club Endurance

A short overview of recent developments in CSCs obtains two contrasting pictures. Shortcomings, legal and practical limitations of CSCs are met by renewed efforts, with new organisations picking up where others left off. This indicates that the longevity of CSCs is at issue, with TUP being the only notable exception. It also indicates that among adversity, CSCs as a concept and mode of organisation persists and it is often related with close notions of Medical Cannabis and Self-Care. Finding a regulatory frame encompassing these activities is necessary in order for CSCs to find the legitimization they require for delivering the organisational & societal benefits they claim.

*Conflicting info gathered on that point

**UN conventions state that any Nation State desiring a Cannabis Program (medical or other) need to establish a Cannabis Bureau

 

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Ecologie Kleding Onderzoek Productie

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