The easiest way to convert THC-acid and CBD-acid into active THC and CBD is to spread your cannabis evenly on a cookie sheet and heat to 250 F for 30 minutes.

Then cook the cannabis in butter or oil in a double boiler for 30 minutes to 1 hour to extract the cannabinoids from the plant material.

One ounce of good leaf cooked into 1 cup of oil will make 25 cookies, and ¼ ounce of bud will make 150 cookies.

Add into your favourite recipe, trying to keep the cooking temperature under 300 F and around an hour or less.

It’s time to reveal the secret ingredient! LECITHIN! That’s right, lecithin. It comes from soybeans, eggs, corn, wheat and nuts. You can get it in liquid or powder for baking (also great for greasing your muffin tins with), or in capsules as a supplement. Lecithin is found in all living cells of the human body. It aids the body’s use of fats and oil-soluble vitamins by emulsifying them to a form we can use. This is why we add it to our cannabis baking, to help our bodies use all the Cannoil. Lecithin breaks up cholesterol to help prevent Arteriosclerosis. Lecithin is essential to a healthy nervous system as it is found in higher concentrations in the Myelin sheath, (the fatty protective coating of the nerves) so you can see how it will help things like Multiple Sclerosis and White Finger. A type of Super Lecithin (lecithin combined with other nutrients) has been found to arrest Alzheimer’s disease. It can also restore memory banks, prevent gallstones from forming and lower you blood pressure. A lack of lecithin can cause forgetfulness, nausea, and intolerance to fats, high blood pressure, joint and muscle problems such as bursitis, cramps and soreness.

Oils may be combined for specific uses as most plants work synergistically (better together). Our skin is our largest organ and is capable of absorbing medicine as well as expelling waste. It makes sense to apply medicine directly to the site of need whenever possible. In this day and age this is a very viable form of application because most people using a North American diet have compromised digestive systems.

Cannaplasts are a poultice made of recycled plant material produced in the making of cookies and oils, wrapped in new cheesecloth. They are applied directly to insect stings and bites, varicose veins, sore joints and muscles. They relieve arthritic inflammation and rheumatic pains. Cannaplasts may also be used to help sore or inflamed eyes, pull sties and alleviate pinkeye. They are warmed and place upon upset or cramping stomachs, irritable bowels, or used for menstrual cramps.

Also use on broken bones, sprains, strains and bursitis, for appropriate lengths of time.

They work best if you apply some massage oil first.

Cannabis can be used to replace almost any type of allopathic medicine, from diuretics to anti-depressants – ear oil to throat sprays, and salves to reduce tumours. Extracts have been found to be effective on everything from bacteria and fungi, to the herpes virus and staphylococcus that are resistant to penicillin and other antibiotics. You can virtually make medicine from every part of the noble cannabis plant, be it male or female, kola, root or seed. That one of the planet’s most precious plants is still oppressed must be one of our society’s greatest travesties.

It’s time to reveal the secret ingredient! LECITHIN! That’s right, lecithin. It comes from soybeans, eggs, corn, wheat and nuts. You can get it in liquid or powder for baking (also great for greasing your muffin tins with), or in capsules as a supplement. Lecithin is found in all living cells of the human body. It aids the body’s use of fats and oil-soluble vitamins by emulsifying them to a form we can use.

This is why we add it to our cannabis baking, to help our bodies use all the Cannoil. Lecithin breaks up cholesterol to help prevent Arteriosclerosis. Lecithin is essential to a healthy nervous system as it is found in higher concentrations in the Myelin sheath, (the fatty protective coating of the nerves) so you can see how it will help things like Multiple Sclerosis and White Finger.

Oils may be combined for specific uses as most plants work synergistically (better together). Our skin is our largest organ and is capable of absorbing medicine as well as expelling waste. It makes sense to apply medicine directly to the site of need whenever possible. In this day and age this is a very viable form of application because most people using a North American diet have compromised digestive systems.

Cannaplasts are a poultice made of recycled plant material produced in the making of cookies and oils, wrapped in new cheesecloth. They are applied directly to insect stings and bites, varicose veins, sore joints and muscles. They relieve arthritic inflammation and rheumatic pains. Cannaplasts may also be used to help sore or inflamed eyes, pull sties and alleviate pinkeye. They are warmed and place upon upset or cramping stomachs, irritable bowels, or used for menstrual cramps. Also use on broken bones, sprains, strains and bursitis, for appropriate lengths of time. They work best if you apply some massage oil first.

Warm Cannaplast by steaming or dry frying over low heat. Keep warm by wrapping with a towel.

Keep cold by applying an ice bag over the Cannaplast, then wrapping with a towel. May contain cannabis butter, olive oil or grape-seed oil.

Drink as much water as possible while using a Cannaplast to assist your body in flushing toxins the Cannaplast may release. 

Tape Cannaplast directly over affected area. (If skin is broken, cover with sterile gauze and put cannaplast on each side of wound). Tape Cannaplast in place for 10 days to 3 weeks to help heal broken bones. (Replace Cannaplast with a fresh one every 23 days.) Sprains and strains may lake longer depending on extent of damage and state of personal health. Apply directly to insect stings and bites, varicose veins, sore joints and muscles. Relieves arthritic inflammation and rheumatic pains. Cannaplast may be used to pull infections. Make size of cannaplast slightly larger than infection, and replace twice a day. Do no! re-use Cannaplast used on infections. Dispose of appropriately.

Store in the freezer between uses. Each Cannaplast may be used several times if it is not applied to infection or directly onto bleeding. (Raw bud is best for this.) For sensitive skin, rub some cannabis massage oil on skin first. If skin is broken, cover with sterile gauze first and arrange the cannaplast as close as possible without getting in the wound. Keep Cannaplast in place with a tensor bandage or first aide tape. Make sure not to impede circulation.

Cannaplasts may also be used to relieve sore or inflamed eyes. Pulls sties and alleviates pinkeye. Warm and place Cannaplast on upset or cramping stomachs, irritable bowels, or menstrual complaints. Cannaplasts may be used to treat Is‘ degree burns and chemical burns not requiring medical attention.2″” and 3′” degree burns should always be seen by your doctor. Cannaplasts are an excellent muscle relaxant and provides superior pain relief, including migraines. May be used with your regular pain medication.

Cannabis can be used to replace almost any type of allopathic medicine, from diuretics to anti-depressants – ear oil to throat sprays, and salves to reduce tumours. Extracts have been found to be effective on everything from bacteria and fungi, to the herpes virus and staphylococcus that are resistant to penicillin and other antibiotics. You can virtually make medicine from every part of the noble cannabis plant, be it male or female, kola, root or seed. That one of the planet’s most precious plants is still oppressed must be one of our society’s greatest travesties.

After spending 12 days in court in May and June, the trial of Mathew Beren and Micheal Swallow has another 8 days scheduled from July 31 to Aug 10. That will probably not be enough time yet to hear all of the testimony. In May, 2004, the Vancouver Island Compassion Society had its production facility raided by the police in Metchosin (Cannabis Digest #3). It has taken three years to get to court because the defense has fought every possible angle and has filed a constitutional challenge against the cultivation charges and the Medical Marijuana Access Regulations.

The first 1½ days of this stage of the proceedings was used by the defense arguing the trial had been delayed so long that the charges should be thrown out. The judge ruled that none of the delays had been the fault of the crown lawyers and the trial should proceed. The next 1½ days were spend by the defense and crown going over the credentials of Lynn Belle-Isle, author of a recent study by the Canadian Aids Society reviewing the federal Medical Marijuana Access Regulations (www.cdnaids.ca & Cannabis Digest #11). This study focused upon the use of cannabis by people living with HIV/AIDS, though the problems they identify apply to other medical applicants to the MMAR. The report supported the continued existence of medical cannabis providers. “We favour providing authorized persons with a variety of legal options and projects,�? reads the CAS study. “Offering only one legal source and one strain of cannabis for distribution to authorized Canadians may not be a constitutionally adequate alternative…�?

Obviously Lynn’s testimony will be very important to the trial, however, she could not continue on the stand because she had to fly to Poland for a conference. She will come back to finish her testimony in August.

The next two days had Dr. Robert Melamede, Associate Professor and Biology Chairman of the Biology Department of Colorado on the stand informing the court about cannabinoids, endocannabinoids, gamma radiation, and the medical cannabis laws in his state. While he has not tested the effects of gamma radiation on cannabis, he has extensively studied its effects upon other food products. This meant he could not prove that applying gamma radiation to cannabis significantly changes the chemical structure of the cannabinoids, terepenes and flavinoids, therefore altering and possibly reducing the medical benefits normally experienced from a normal plant. Since Health Canada has not publicly released any information they have collected about the effects of gamma radiation on cannabis, something that should occur when the crown calls witnesses in defense, the court is only able to speculate what these effects may be. His other testimony regarding the endocannabinoid system was fascinating. He actually teaches a full 4th year level course on the endocannabinoid system, as science is proving the ability of these naturally produced chemicals regulate most important bodily functions. Being a medical cannabis user himself, Dr. Melamede also had many things to say about the current laws in some of the states, especially California and Colorado. It was refreshing to hear about changes happening south of the border, where we usually hear nothing but horror stories about the drug war.

In an attempt to become qualified as an expert witness as a medical cannabis cultivator, researcher, distributor, and authority on the MMAR, the next 7 days in court were spent with the VICS founder, Phil Lucas, on the stand. The crown has argued against Mr. Lucas being qualified as an expert on any issue in this case because he was the employer of Matt and Mike as the director of VICS, which set this operation up in an attempt to supply the VICS with all of its medicine while conducting research with the rest. Mr. Lucas has been a legal advocate for the defendants since the raid began taking place, sending information immediately to the RCMP in the hope of saving some or all of the plants. He has admitted on the stand that he has been surprised not to be charged, or even questioned, by the police at any time. The crown prosecutors said that they would have no problem admitting evidence from Mr. Lucas as a qualified witness with extensive experience and direct knowledge of the facts of the case but that they would not accept his evidence as an expert.

The defense has admitted that Mr. Lucas has a bias in the case and is attempting to use the Morgentaler case to argue that a defendant can submit expert testimony. They have submitted income statements, balance sheets and other records to the court to show how much was being produced in the facility and the financial dealings of VICS in the hope that the court will consider the economic components of the operations acceptable. The judge will be accepting written arguments in regards to whether or not Mr. Lucas will be able to testify as an expert, though he will not finish making his decision until sometime after the trial starts again.

Several members of VICS are expected to testify about the problems they have experienced with the MMAR and the benefits they get from working with a local compassion club. Also expected to testify is Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, the chair of the 2002 Report of the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs that recommended legalizing cannabis. Part of the Senator’s research with that report involved the medical uses and distribution of cannabis, including the MMAR. Of course, Lynn Belle-Isle is also expected to return to finish her testimony. Eric Nash for Island Harvest might also appear to discuss the various problems that his clients have experienced with the MMAR.
The crown may call Dr Richard Viau, Acting Director General of Health Canada’s Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances Program, and Valerie Lasher, former head of the Medical Marijuana Access Division in Health Canada. They are expected to provide scientific, regulatory, financial and political explanations for the problems that exist with the MMAR. However, the crown may not call these witnesses if they do not feel it is necessary.

It is difficult to speculate how the trial will work out. Though many firmly believe that the MMAR are inadequate and unconstitutional, as previous court cases have shown, most judges are reluctant to strike down federal regulations unless absolutely necessary. Since this will be a decision from the Supreme Court of B.C., it is not binding upon other courts. If the crown loses, they are likely to go to the next level, the B.C. Court of Appeal but no further because they have never appealed a medical cannabis case to the Supreme Court of Canada. The defense may not be able to afford an appeal because the cost of printing the transcripts will be staggering and there is only a certain amount of time to pay for them before the file is permanently closed. My last appeal was dropped for this very reason. As this is a trial for a grow operation, losing would not mean that the clubs would be shut down, especially if the judge gives the guys a light sentence. He could, though, give them a harsh sentence if he is not happy with the financial records or the fact that they made a mockery of the MMAR by growing 937 plants with a valid license to grow 9, with another 2 licenses in process that would have allowed 34 more for a total of 43 legal plants. Certainly we hope that the MMAR will be ruled unconstitutional and for Health Canada to be forced to work with compassion clubs and that this decision will be upheld by higher courts. For now it does not look as though the trial will end until September, before the judge starts another longer case.

The International Hempology 101 Society will be having its 9th Annual General Meeting at 7 pm on Thursday August 16 at 826 Johnson St.

This meeting is open to all members of the society and the public interested in at least witnessing the discussion. Members of the society can nominate other members to fill the 9 positions on the board. The agenda will cover the financial statements, UVSS club and lecture series, web page, newsletter, textbook and the Cannabis Buyers Clubs of Canada. We have not yet incorporated the CBC of C as a non-profit and will only do so when we can create a coop with full legal protection. Until that time, the International Hempology 101 Society has accepted responsibility to provide any legal resources necessary to ensure that CBC of C operates. This allows for us to make financial arrangements, like utilities, without having to record every transaction at the club or pay taxes that do not guarantee police protection.

Anyone interested in helping or finding out more about the society should attend the meeting.

On July 13, 2007, Judge Borenstein of the Ontario Court of Justice dismissed charges of possession of a few grams against a man from Toronto and declared that the law was invalid because the Medical Marijuana Access Regulations had not been passed in law.  Lawyer Brian McAllister successfully argued the MMAR should have been passed into law according to the July, 2000 Parker decision that forced the feds into starting the cannabis programs.  The MMAR has been a policy since July 31, 2001, but has never been law through parliament.  That process would involve a committee made of with representatives from different political parties.  This decision will be appealed to the Ontario Court of Appeal, which could give the government more time or could strike down the possession law for everyone until the MMAR is passed into law.  Courts in other provinces are expected to follow this decision by throwing out possession charges until the law is passed.

Willie Nelson was born April 30, 1933 in a tiny Central Texas farming community. Willie reached fame during the outlaw country movement of the 1970s. Legendary singer and advocate for the American farmer, he has also become recognized for his participation in the movement to legalize marijuana and hemp in North America.

“HEMP IS INTERTWINED WITH AMERICAN HISTORY. We grew it to rig the great New England sailing ships, traveled west in Conestoga wagons covered in hemp, dressed in homespun hemp cloth when we got there and wound up wearing hemp jeans. We tied our cargo with hemp rope and fed the poultry with hemp seed. We used hemp to help develop this country.” Willie Nelson.

It’s no big surprise that Willie Nelson believes in hemp. A long time advocate of smoking cannabis has now moved his advocacy into a different realm. He is spreading the word that hemp can help save the planet.

Willie is on the road again, embracing biodiesel and becoming an icon of biodiesel use. BioWillie (www.biowillieusa.com) is the singer’s unique brand of B20, a fuel made of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent gasoline. He has also developed his own line of biodiesel run vehicles; the limited edition “Willie’s Willys�? pickup was unveiled at the 2006 National Biodiesel Conference at the San Diego Convention Center.

His personal vehicles and tour bus all run on biodiesel. Biodiesel is the name for a variety of ester-based oxygenated fuels made from hemp oil, other vegetable oils or animal fats. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that runs in any conventional, unmodified diesel engine. The lifecycle production and use of biodiesel produces approximately 80% less carbon dioxide emissions, and almost 100% less sulphur dioxide. Biodiesel is safe to handle and transport because it is as biodegradable as sugar. Biodiesel can be made from domestically produced, renewable oilseed crops such as hemp.

The Department of Defence used more than 10 million gallons of biodiesel in its non-combat vehicles last year. The singer logs thousands of miles on the road, but instead of filling up his customized bus with diesel fuel, he uses his own brand of BioWillie.

“”It’s cheap, and we don’t have to start a war over it,” Willie says.

“It” is an alternative fuel, made from crops grown in America; while slightly more expensive than regular diesel, its sweet smell already has its namesake crooning.
“I sleep right back there over that engine,” says Willie as he gives a tour of his bus. “I’d rather be breathing french-fries or soybeans than diesel fuel.”

“I see this as a way for the farmer to grow fuel and food and put him back in business again,” says Nelsen.

Willie has even lent his name to a small company dubbed the Willie Nelson Hemp Collection – all items are made of hemp or a blend of hemp and cotton. Already acquainted with the plant’s recreational possibilities, Willie quickly became sold on hemp’s value as a cash crop that could save America’s family farmers, and freely bought into the clothing enterprise.

Willie is unabashed in his views, “As far as I can tell, the primary reasons and uses for the hemp plant are to smoke it, wear it, or use it to make fuel to burn in our cars. And I’m in favor of all three.�?

On September 18, 2006 Willie and several of his traveling companions were issued misdemeanour citations for possession of pot and mushrooms during a traffic stop in central Texas. Troopers say they smelled a strong odour of marijuana when the driver opened the bus door. During a search of the bus, approximately 1 1/2 pounds of marijuana and 2/10 of a pound of hallucinogenic mushrooms were found on the bus.

The 73-year-old Willie, his 50-year-old manager David Anderson, his 75-year-old sister Bobbie Nelson, and two driver’s age 59 and 54 were issued citations for possession of mushrooms and marijuana and released.

Willie won’t land in the joint, nor will any of his posse’ after pleading guilty to a misdemeanour count of marijuana possession.

On April 24, 2007 State District Judge Paul deMahy fined Nelson and Anderson $1,024 US each, along with six months probation. As part of a plea agreement, the citations against Bobbie Nelson and the two drivers were dismissed.

Willie Nelson participates as Co-Chair on the NORML Advisory Board, and will be headlining the 2007 Austin Freedom Fest in August – a benefit concert to help end marijuana prohibition in America.

“Willie Nelson has been the most prominent proponent for legalizing marijuana in America for several decades, and he has never wavered from his commitment,” said NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre. “The 2007 Austin Freedom Fest is a wonderful opportunity for NORML supporters to gather for a celebration in a unique, and to demonstrate their support for ending America’s laws criminalizing cannabis.”

After first being told by Judge Pepler that he would be allowed to use his medicine while serving a 4-month sentence in jail, Grant Krieger was forced to spend 9 days in the Calgary Remand Center without cannabis. He was released only because his lawyer filed an appeal, not because he was so quickly overcome with symptoms from MS that he could not get around the jail without a wheelchair.

Grant is one of the most determined medical cannabis advocates in Canada (see Cannabis Digest #2, 11 and 13). His battles in and out of court span over a decade. Despite his own severe medical problems, Grant began to establish medical distribution ‘safe houses’ and delivery systems across the prairies in 1999.

However, since his release it appears as though these clubs have stopped operating so as not to violate Grant’s release conditions. Hopefully others will be inspired to start clubs in the absence of Grant’s network. If the Alberta Court of Appeal forces the jails to allow Grant to smoke cannabis while incarcerated, it would be the first time in Canadian history that an inmate can use the herb while behind bars. It is likely that the case will be to the Supreme Court of Canada, which will take a few years, if Grant can afford to take it that far. We wish the best of luck to Grant and send a thank you to all his Alberta supporters.

Another visit to the laboratory of the Green Cross Society of B.C. in Vancouver in June will help the CBC of C make even better food and skin products. Approaching one year of existence, the Green Cross is a busy place. (See Cannabis Digest #12). One of the best features of this new club is a cannabinoid profile of their products they show on the daily menu.

The Green Cross has retained the services of Dr. Paul Hornby to test the cannabis products and has given him space in the basement for his company HEDRON ANALYTICAL INC. With his mass spectrometer he can test for cannabinoids, molds and trace amounts of heavy chemicals. Last year, Dr. Hornby taught the ½ hour Cannabis Chemistry lecture at the University of Victoria and found the time went by too quickly. This year he will be teaching the class again, though we plan upon having a full 1 hour special lecture.

We had Dr. Hornby test 3 of our 27 edible and topical cannabis products: Ryanol, Cannoil and a cookie. Time and the cost of chemicals placed a limit on the number of items we could. The test results showed the amounts of CBD, CBN, THC and THC-acid that were present in each sample.

Many people are not aware that THC-acid, not THC, is present in the plant, and that it is only by heating, by either burning, vapourizing or cooking, that the conversion from THC-acid to THC occurs. That is why you cannot simply eat a bud and get high. There are some medical benefits from THC-acid, so it is not entirely without effect. We thought that the double-boiler method that we used to heat the vegetable oils and butter that we use in all of our products, except the rice crispie squares, did a good job of generating this chemical change. However, these test results have proven that there is still more THC-acid that can be converted into THC if the cannabis preparation is cooked properly. The results from the test were as follows:

CBN CBD THC THC-acid
Ryanol .065% .019% .49% .64%
Cookie .049% .017% .62% .35%
Cannoil .068% .026% .57% 3.7%

As you can see, the cookies have the highest percent THC and the best conversion rate. This is because when we bake the cookies more of the THC-acid gets converted into THC. It is surprising, though, considering that the cookie has extra food material that is included in the test. The Cannoil could have 6 times more THC is it is all properly converted, something we are keen to do. Now we will be cooking all of our cannabis in the oven for 1 hour at 200 C before cooking it into the butter or vegetable oils. By the time you are reading this, all of our products should be made using this new technique.

Sometime in the fall we will return to test the same products made with the new process to see if there is a better conversion rate. In the meantime, we have already heard back from members that the products seem more potent. When Gayle and I go back in the fall the renovations will definitely be completed. The Green Cross is fixing up a large basement for members to use computers, listen to music and smoke their medicine. It is taking them much longer than they hoped to finish the space, but when it is finally done it will be the best medical cannabis facility in the country. If you are ever in Vancouver, you should check them out. They accept membership cards from the CBC of C, and other recognized medical cannabis clubs.

1. Mix 1/4 – 1/2 cup of hemp hearts with one cup of water and let soak over night
2. Blend on med. high, or with a hand blender until a smooth consistency. Strain if desired and dilute with up to another cup of water. More hemp hearts make milk thicker and tasty.
3. Add vanilla, honey, or other flavourings to taste. Enjoy!
Store in a glass jar in the fridge. Use within a couple of days.

You can buy hemp hearts at Simple Remedies, Shift and Hemp & Co. Show your membership card for a discount.