Setting the standard in care for medical marijuana in Arizona.
On Friday, June 28th, SWC Arizona will be celebrating 6 years serving Arizona patients. This is a proud moment for our team and we’re grateful to our patients in Prescott and Tempe for sharing this journey with us. As a thank you, we’ll be featuring an exciting line-up of specials at both dispensaries on 6/28/19. Please see below for details and we’ll hope to see you there!
SWC Arizona would like to personally invite you to take part in a focus group on Wednesday, January 30th to discuss your opinions about cannabis and your experience with us. We’re offering each participant a $40 and a swag bag for your time and thoughts. The focus group will last no longer than 90 minutes and all shared information will be kept highly confidential. Learn more about SWC Arizona in Tempe, AZ today.
If you are available to participate, please complete the form below.
What: SWC Arizona Patient Focus Group Clinical Trial
When: 5pm or 7pm, Wednesday, January 30th (choose your preferred time below)
Where: SWC Tempe, AZ
Thanks so much for your participation. We’ll be in touch soon with further details. Contact Us to learn more.
The documented medical use of cannabis dates back thousands of years, but modern science is just beginning to reveal the fascinating story of how cannabis evolved into the plant we know today. New research from the University of Toronto offers remarkable insights into how key cannabinoid components first developed and diverged into distinct varieties:
THC and CBD, bioactive substances produced by cannabis and sought by medical patients and recreational users, sprung to life thanks to ancient colonization of the plant’s genome by viruses, University of Toronto researchers have found.
…
The gene sequences for the THCA and CBDA synthases are nearly identical, supporting the idea that they come from the same gene that was duplicated millions of years ago. Over time, one or both gene copies became scrambled by invading retroelements, and by evolving separately, they eventually came to produce two different enzymes – CBDA synthase found in hemp (fibre-type), and THCA synthase in drug-type (marijuana). [utoronto.ca]
It will no doubt come as a surprise to many that the most sought-after components of the cannabis plant may have emerged from an ancient virus affecting its genome. Still, another way of explain this would be to recognize that these changes in the plant’s genetic code ultimately formed a powerful adaptation. The properties attained through the plant’s ability to produce THC and CBD led to a symbiotic relationship with humans that would lead to its gradual proliferation across the globe.
Previous research has traced the transcontinental trade routes through which cannabis was exchanged between ancient societies. As its utility came to be understood, resulting commercial trade allowed the plant to travel great distances and adapt to new environments. These events, thousands of years in the past, played an important role in promoting the genetic diversity that makes possible the many unique flavors, aromas, and effects patients appreciate today. For example, indica strains, adapted to high-elevation environments, often exhibit differing characteristics than the equatorial sativa varieties. When modern cannabis breeders select for unique attributes in a new strain, they are building upon distinctive parental traits derived through several millennia of environmental adaptation to varied climates around the world.
Among the most significant implications to unlocking the cannabis genome, therefore, would be the potential ability to further hasten and perfect the process by which we isolate the plant’s most desirable traits:
The researchers expect the map will speed up breeding efforts to create new strains with desired medical properties as well as varieties that can be grown more sustainably, or with increased resistance to diseases and pests.
Such efforts will be aimed at enhancing the range of treatment options available to patients as a more complete picture of the cannabis plant’s therapeutic potential comes into view. The future of cannabis may bear little resemblance to its past, but the ancient roots of this important medicine remain relevant as we work to demonstrate its promise towards addressing the unmet medical needs of many patients today. Learn more from SWC Arizona in Tempe, AZ today.
Read More: New Study Traces Evidence of Cannabis Use in Ancient Cultures
There’s no question that vape cartridges are one of the fastest-growing product categories among cannabis consumers. Viewed by some as the future of cannabis consumption, these modern devices offer patients a range of benefits in a compact package. For anyone new to the world of cannabis cartridges, the following guide will explain how these innovative products work and how to get the most out of your cartridge purchase.
Put simply, a cannabis vape cartridge is a small, pre-filled unit containing extracted cannabis oil designed for vaporization. Products in this category may vary in style and branding, but they typically follow a standard design formula. Most products are offered in the form of a small cylinder containing the following key parts:
Vape cartridges offer a number of advantages that contribute to their growing popularity with patients:
Cartridges are known for their simplicity, but it’s important to use the product correctly in order to get the most out of your purchase. Please note that most cartridge products work similarly, but there may be some variation in how individual products are properly operated. Be sure to follow any instructions listed on the packaging or provided to you by your sales associate.
For stand-alone cartridges, you’ll need a standard 510-threaded rechargeable battery to connect to the product and turn it into a “vape pen”. If you don’t have a battery on hand, ask your sales associate for assistance selecting one.
Once you have your cartridge and battery in hand, here are the steps you’ll need to follow:
Once you’ve got your unit set up and working properly, there are still a few things to keep in mind. The following tips will help you get the most value out of your vape cartridge:
Vape cartridges are a great example of innovation in the medical cannabis industry. We expect to see continued advances in the quality of the products we offer and we’re excited to introduce patients to new ways this medicine can improve their quality of life. We hope this guide has been helpful and our dispensary staff is always available to demonstrate products and answer any questions you have.
Read More: How to Use a Vape Pen for Concentrates
As marijuana laws continue to undergo significant changes in the U.S. and beyond, the question of how youth could be affected remains a topic of frequent discussion. Critics have expressed concern that increased availability through dispensaries could result in marijuana products falling into the wrong hands, while supporters often point out that regulated facilities offer heightened security and control over how marijuana is distributed.
To better illuminate these issues, a new study published in Current Addiction Reports reviewed extensive data from states that have approved the medical or adult use of marijuana. After examining the results of 55 prior studies on the subject, the researchers found no evidence of increased marijuana use among youth:
Liberal forms of medical cannabis regulation have probably reduced prices and increased the availability of cannabis. Analyses of survey data suggest that these changes have increased the prevalence and frequency of cannabis use among adults over the age of 21 years, but they have not to date increased rates of cannabis use among adolescents. [Springer Link]
This conclusion serves as a valuable point of reference as policymakers work to meet the needs of medical marijuana patients in a manner that is consistent with broader public health goals. More than 20 years have passed since the first medical marijuana law was established in the U.S. and with such laws now on the books in a majority of states, our ability to assess public health outcomes is greater than ever before. Evidence that rates of marijuana use among youth remain unaffected reflects well on the efforts of numerous stakeholders to implement medical marijuana programs responsibly.
Though these findings may come as a surprise to some, they serve to illustrate principles that medical marijuana patients and providers have long advocated. First, they demonstrate the efficacy of ensuring that well-regulated dispensaries are available to meet the needs of eligible patients. Such facilities establish high levels of accountability in how cannabis products are dispensed and replace previous distribution models that operated outside of regulatory oversight.
In a broader sense, there is likely additional value in promoting a more complete public understanding of how marijuana works and when its use is appropriate. As the public dialogue surrounding medical marijuana makes factual information more available, we may find that young people are empowered to make better choices in their own lives. With time, we expect ever stronger data to draw upon as we work to promote the parallel goals of patient access and public health.
