Pubdate: Mon, 21 Mar 2016 Source: Penticton Herald (CN BC) Copyright: 2016 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers Contact: http://www.pentictonherald.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/664 Author: Susan McIver Page: A3 MEDICAL CANNABIS MYTHS AND FACTS SUMMERLAND - Dozens gathered Saturday afternoon at the Summerland library to learn about medical cannabis from a registered nurse and a research scientist. "I am here for several reasons including being a registered nurse and a family member of a medical cannabis patient," said Jennifer Dunne, director of Vital Alternatives Healing in West Kelowna. Dunne's husband has experienced benefits from medical cannabis used to treat his multiple sclerosis. She spoke about the various ways in which the psychoactive THC and non-psychoactive CBDs or cannibidiol portions of cannabis affect health. In general terms, medical cannabis reduces pain and inflammation and acts as an antioxidant through stimulation of the endocannabidinoid system, a relatively recently discovered portion of the human immune system, she said. Dunne stressed the importance of each person determining the optimum dosage of the appropriate strain. Philippe Henry, who holds a doctorate in genetics and is a scientific advisor for alternative medicine, provided insights into the extensive genetic variables within the cannabis plant. "We are determining the genetic blueprints of the different strains," Henry said. This information lays the groundwork for identification of various strains or cultivars of cannabis and their effects on specific health conditions. Matching the optimum strain to a particular person also depends on the genetic composition of that person and the route of administration, that is, inhalation, ingestion, sublingual or as a suppository. "What might be the best strain and route of administration for you might not work for me," Henry said. Henry told the audience of recent work by Israeli scientists that found a 90 percent reduction in seizures in patients suffering from seizures disorders such as epilepsy. "Medical cannabis is not the silver bullet. But it is one thing we can use to help," Henry said. Saturday's event was the third in an ongoing educational series on medical cannabis organized by Dunne and Elaine Nuessler of Kyla's Quest: Medical Cannabis for Sick Kids. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt