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Dave Hepburn and Ted Smith: Cannabis Talks Series

In this series we sit down with Ted Smith and Dr. Dave Hepburn to discuss the medical intricacies of cannabis. Ted Smith is the founder and president of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club. Ted has been an advocate for medical cannabis, compassionate access and patients rights for 25 years. Dr. Dave Hepburn is a Canadian author and a retired medical doctor. He advocates for broader use of medical marijuana and cannabinoids. He is a member of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCC), International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines (IACM), the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids (CCIC) and Physicians for Medical Cannabis (PMC).

All videos are edited by John Giles.

Video #1:  Dave Hepburn and Ted Smith: Cannabis Talks Episode #1 – Cannabis & Pregnancy  

In this first episode of the series we address a controversial subject: we ask Dr Dave some tough questions about Cannabis and Pregnancy. There is a lot of controversy surrounding the pre-natal consumption of cannabis and here we get an opportunity to discuss to limited research, and what the limits are in this body of knowledge.

Video #2:  Dave Hepburn and Ted Smith: Cannabis Talks Episode #2 – Cannabis & Pets

Next up Dr. Dave and Ted talk about the many ways CBD and cannabis medicine can be used to heal our furry friends we love so much. Cannabinoids work for pets because all mammals have endocannabinoid systems and this episode Dr. Dave explains to us how this works.

Video #3: Dave Hepburn and Ted Smith: Cannabis Talks Episode #3 – Cannabis & Dementia

In the third video in the series we look to the ways in which cannabis can be used for managing the symptoms of complex mental conditions. Dr. Dave dives into the topic of dementia, how the condition develops, and how cannabis can be used as an ideal medicine for geriatric patients.

Video #4: Dave Hepburn and Ted Smith: Cannabis Talks Episode #4 – Cannabis & Cancer (Part 1 and 2)

In today’s fourth video in the series, Dr. Dave and Ted discuss the efficacy of cannabis as a treatment for cancer. In this Part 2 of the discussion on Cannabis and Cancer, Ted and Dr. Hepburn explore the relationships between different cannabinoids and cancerous cells. Is THC the best for fighting cancer? CBD? THCA? A combo of all of them? Dr. Hepburn explains the current research on these cannabinoids and their cancer fighting properties.

Video #5: Dave Hepburn and Ted Smith: Cannabis Talks Episode #5 – Cannabis & Suppositories

Many of us are familiar with taking our cannabis as an edible, or a tincture, or by smoking a joint or a vape pen. Few of us, however, are as familiar with taking cannabis via suppository. Today’s episode of Cannabis Talks explores the medical benefits of this backdoor medicine. It may seem uncomfortable at first, but cannabis is a powerful medicine that when in suppository form, can be used both rectally and vaginally.

“There are many advantages to the rectal administration of cannabis not afforded by other routes. Medicine may still be administered even if the oral route is impaired (e.g., due to vomiting, an injured jaw or throat, or gastrointestinal difficulties) or disallowed due to the oral intake restrictions that are frequently required both before and after surgery. Avoiding the gastrointestinal tract also prevents first-pass metabolism by the stomach and liver, which break down many different molecules into their constituent parts (including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, otherwise known as THC), and allows the active constituents to reach the blood in much higher concentrations. ” (Nicholas Fraleigh https://cannabisdigest.ca/cannatory/)

Suppositories used vaginally are an exceptional medicine for menstruation cramps, ovarian cysts, and any number of issues causing pain in the female reproductive system. Vaginal intake of cannabis is less psychoactive than rectal intake, meaning vaginal use of suppositories is an excellent option for managing pain without getting high.

Video #6: Dave Hepburn and Ted Smith: Cannabis Talks Episode #6 – Cannabis & Seizures

Medical cannabis made big waves in the health care scene when it was successfully used by cancer patients. Cannabis did so again when it’s shocking capacity to reduce the severity and frequency of seizures was uncovered. In today’s episode, Dr. Dave explains the significant ability of cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids in reducing the severity and frequency of seizures and discusses how the endocannabinoid system responds and alleviates the symptoms of seizures with the addition of exocannabinoids.

Video #7: Dave Hepburn and Ted Smith: Cannabis Talks Episode #7 – CBD Isolate vs. Full Spectrum CBD

In this video we get a professional take on the significant differences between CBD Isolate, a synthetically isolated CBD extract in the form of a white power; and full spectrum CBD that contains trace amounts of THC and other cannabinoids and terpenes. There is much debate over the utility of CBD Isolate, which is mass produced due to the ease of access to hemp plants globally. This availability of hemp derived CBD Isolate has flooded the cannabis market with cheap and bountiful CBD which is used in most edibles and oils. It is advantageous due to the fact that it is 99% pure CBD and it is easy to add to medicines, guarantees the product is THC free, and its easy to dose.

However, some argue that CBD Isolate isn’t as useful of a medicine as full spectrum CBD because full spectrum oil contains trace amounts of other cannabinoids and terpenes that can contribute to the pain relieving medicinal qualities of CBD. Dr. Hepburn breaks down the myths from the facts and brings to light some medical realities that add to this interesting topic of CBD Isolate vs. Full Spectrum CBD.

Video #8: Dave Hepburn and Ted Smith: Cannabis Talks Episode #8 – The Endocannabinoid System

This week Dr. Dave addresses the endocannabinoid system and how cannabinoids work in our body to influences our internal regulating systems. Endo means from within, and cannabinoids are the medicinal compounds in cannabis, therefore the endocannabinoid system refers to the internal cannabinoid system throughout our bodies that produces cannabinoids and has receptors for those cannabinoids all over our bodies. We were meant to consume cannabis on a biological level, and Dr. Dave takes the time to explain how our CB1 and CB2 receptors function and why cannabis works to relieve our symptoms.

Video #9: Dave Hepburn and Ted Smith: Cannabis Talks Episode #9 – Personalized Cannabis Medicine

In our final video in the Dr. Dave and Ted Smith talk series, we address the reality that cannabis works differently for different people. One of the greatest challenges and strengths of working with cannabis medicine is that some people reacts to cannabis differently than we expect, people need different intake methods and everyone has a different dose that works for them. Today, Dr. Dave addresses the concept of personalized cannabis medicine and whether or not we will ever be at a stage where we can curate personalized cannabis medicine therapies based on biological makeup of individuals.