Grandma and Her Gummies

Beating Cancer with Cannabis. Chardele’s Inspiring Story.

Beating Cancer with Cannabis. Chardele’s Inspiring Story.
In this episode of "Grandma and Her Gummies," host Steve shares an inspiring story about Chardele, a woman in her late 60s who beat stage X esophageal cancer using cannabis. Chardele discusses her experience with Rick Simpson oil (RSO) and how it contributed to her being three years scan-free, or ‘NED’ meaning no evidence of disease or signs of cancer in her scans.
Chardele’s story is inspiring as it showcases how cannabis, specifically RSO, played a significant role in her journey towards remission. Her experience is a powerful testament to the potential benefits of cannabis as an alternative or complementary treatment option for cancer patients. She offers tips and advice for others facing cancer and invites listeners to reach out for support.
Tune in to hear Chardele's powerful journey and learn about the potential benefits of cannabis in cancer treatment.
Also, please share this episode and podcast with anyone you love who might benefit! We’re all in this together.
Resources:
To contact Chardele for more information, text: +1 520-483-9558
Other great podcast stories about people beating cancer with cannabis: https://cannabishealthradio.com/
Cannabis Education Resources and how to contact Steve if you have a cannabis story to share: https://grandmaandhergummies.com/resources/

Understanding Rx Drug Interactions with Cannabis: A Nurse’s Perspective

Understanding Rx Drug Interactions with Cannabis: A Nurse's Perspective
In this episode, Nurse Whitt Wacker, a registered nurse in Colorado and the nurse manager at LEAF 411, joins host Steve on the podcast to discuss drug-to-drug interactions with cannabis. LEAF 411 is a national nurse hotline that provides guidance to individuals with cannabis-related questions and concerns. LEAF 411 has received over 10,000 calls from people all over the world, demonstrating the demand for cannabis education and support.
Nurse Whitt and Steve emphasize the importance of educating oneself about how cannabis may interact with prescription drugs, especially for those taking multiple medications. She highlights the safety profile of cannabis, citing research that shows it is generally safe to ingest with mild side effects such as sedation and dry mouth. Nurse Whitt also emphasizes the need to consult with healthcare providers and provides resources for further research.
CBD and pharmaceutical drug interactions.
CBD and pharmaceutical drug interactions can have significant implications for individuals who use both cannabis and prescription medications. Host Steve and Nurse Whitt shed light on the topic by discussing specific examples of drug interactions and providing guidance on how to navigate them.
They mention medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and opioids, which are commonly prescribed to individuals and the importance of being aware of potential interactions between these medications and CBD. For example, Losartan, a blood pressure medication, may have an increased effect when combined with CBD. Similarly, the SSRI Lexapro may also be affected by CBD use. However, it is noted that this interaction could potentially be advantageous, as it may allow for a reduction in the dosage of these pharmaceutical medications, and as a result a lower cost.
By highlighting these interactions, the podcast emphasizes the importance of discussing CBD and cannabis use with healthcare providers and potentially adjusting medication dosages under their guidance.
One helpful hint is to keep a journal to track the effects of both cannabis products and pharmaceutical medications. Healer, which provides journal books and inventory sheets to help individuals track their cannabis journey. By keeping a record of how you feel while using these substances, individuals can have informed and transparent conversations with their medical providers. This can help ensure the effectiveness of prescribed medications and over-the-counter cannabis products and can aid in evaluating trends and adjusting medication use under the guidance of healthcare providers.
Drug interactions with edibles.
Nurse Whitt explains that when cannabis is ingested as an edible, it goes through the stomach and undergoes first-pass metabolism in the liver, which can convert Delta 9 THC into a more potent form called Delta 11THC. This highlights the importance of a ‘start low, go slow’ approach to consuming THC edibles as it may take up to 2 hours to feel the effect. (Meaning start at a low dose, wait to feel an effect, and increase slowly, if at all).
Nurse Whitt emphasizes that the metabolism of cannabis can vary depending on an individual's metabolic rate. Fast metabolizers may feel the effects of cannabis quicker, while slow metabolizers may experience a delayed onset of effects. She reiterates that once the stomach has finished processing the cannabis, it is sent to the liver, where other medications are also processed, and this is where interactions may occur.
Specific conditions that could be affected by drug interactions with cannabis are discussed. These include statins, blood thinners, blood pressure medications, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression, and opioids. Nurse Whitt also mentions that statins such as Crestor, commonly taken for cholesterol, often come with a warning about grapefruit juice. This is because grapefruit can reduce the effectiveness of the enzyme responsible for metabolizing the statin drug. Steve notes that CBD can have a similar effect.
Cannabis has a safe profile.
It is crucial to understand how cannabis is absorbed, distributed, and metabolized in the body, and how it may interact with pharmaceutical medications.
One of the main points from this episode is that cannabis has a safe profile and that there has never been an overdose death from cannabis. This is a significant statement, as it highlights the fact that cannabis is not as dangerous as some other substances, such as opioids, which can cause respiratory depression and potentially stop a person's breathing. The absence of cannabinoid receptors in the brain that affect breathing centers contributes to the higher safety profile of cannabis compared to many pharmaceutical medications.
The podcast host Steve acknowledges that more research needs to be done on the specific drug interactions with CBD and THC. However, they highlight the availability of online resources and books that provide information on potential interactions. They mention a book called "Pain Free with CBD" that includes a chart highlighting the most prescribed drugs and how they interact with cannabis. They also mention online resources like drugs.com and go.drugbank.com, which offer interaction checkers to help individuals understand potential interactions.
Education, research, and awareness are key to ensuring safe and effective cannabis use for everyone.
At key points in this episode, you will learn about:
[01:38] Drug to drug interactions.
[04:25] Cannabis safety profile and side effects.
[06:44] CBD and THC differences.
[08:40] Drug interactions with cannabis/CBD.
[19:09] Journaling for patient-centered care.
[22:33] Cannabis vs. Opioids.
[26:14] THC and CBD dosages. A personal story.
Resources:
Pain Free with CBD: (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Pain-Free-with-CBD/Alice-OLeary-Randall/9781641525541)
Drug Interaction Checker Tools (enter your drug names and see)https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html
https://go.drugbank.com/drug-interaction-checker
Healer Hemp (medicinal hemp, CBD products): https://healercbd.com/coupon/cwg20/?ref=173
Cannabis Education Resources and how to contact Steve if you have a cannabis story to share: https://grandmaandhergummies.com/resources/

Mama, Don’t Let Your Kids Use Delta-8. Here’s Why!

Mama, Don’t Let Your Kids Use Delta-8. Here’s Why!
In this episode of "Grandma and Her Gummies," host Steve welcomes Dr. Leah Johnson, a medical cannabis specialist pharmacist to talk about cannabis and CBD synthetics. Their discussion focuses on the safety of Delta-8, a naturally occurring compound found in cannabis. The danger lies not in the compound itself, but in the additives such as sulfuric acid used during the extraction process, which is especially concerning as products with Delta-8 and Delta-10 are being marketing ubiquitously across the U.S. and online. Dr. Johnson provides insight into the upcoming changes to the 2023 U.S. Farm Bill which may address this important issue and provides excellent advice for anyone interested in trying any ‘Delta’ products currently available on the market.
 
Beware of synthetic cannabis products.
Cannabis and CBD synthetics are becoming more common in the market, and it's important to be aware of their potential dangers.
One of the products that gained a lot of attention in the past year is Delta-8, which is often referred to as the gentler cousin of Delta-9, the naturally occurring compound in THC that gets people high. Delta-8 is legal in some states where cannabis is not, which has led to confusion and questions about its safety. Dr. Johnson explains that Delta-8 is a cannabinoid that is also naturally occurring in the cannabis plant. However, to get around the law in many states, it is produced by converting CBD from the Hemp plant into Delta-8, Delta-9 or Delta-10 THC using chemical processes. This means that the quality and safety of these ‘Delta’ products can vary greatly, and some may contain harmful contaminants.
The availability of synthetic cannabis products such as Delta-8 in convenience stores and gas stations is concerning, as these products may not be regulated or tested for safety. Dr. Johnson advises caution when considering the use of any synthetic cannabis product, and encourages consumers to seek out high-quality, lab-tested naturally occurring cannabinoid products from reputable sources.
 
“What I recommend to my patients at this point is that if you see the word ‘Delta’ on the product, don’t buy it.”Dr. Leah Johnson, Medical Cannabis Specialist Pharmacist
 
Delta-8 is synthetically sprayed.
One of the key takeaways from this episode is the revelation that Delta-8, a popular cannabinoid, is synthetically sprayed onto hemp flour. The process of creating Delta-8 involves heating and acidifying CBD molecules, often with sulfuric acid, which are then converted into Delta-8 THC. This synthetic liquid is then used to soak, spray, or roll onto hemp flour, creating the Delta-8 infused product. This process is not only unnatural, but it also raises concerns about the safety and purity of the final product.
 
Beware of synthetic cannabis products.
Dr. Johnson emphasizes that synthetic cannabinoids are not the same as natural cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Additionally, even if a product claims to be made in a pharmaceutical-grade lab and tested for safety, there is no research that verifies that milligram level of Delta-8 THC is safe over a long period of time.  
Education, research, and awareness are key to ensuring safe and effective cannabis use for everyone.
 
At key points in this episode, you will learn about:
[00:05:35] Cannabis synthetics and what are they?
[00:07:36] Delta-8 THC Products at Grocery Stores.
[00:11:12] If it says the word ‘Delta’ it’s probably synthetic.
[00:14:11] Cannabis research, safety, and regulation.
[00:16:50] The U.S. Farm Bill and hopeful changes.
[00:22:08] Synthetic Delta THC Spraying on Hemp Flower.
Resources:
Cannabis Education Resources/Share your story: https://grandmaandhergummies.com/resources/