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Week 1 — Cannabis for Health & Wellness
From Ancient China to Castro Street, the Long History of Medical Cannabis
Legal medical cannabis in California will celebrate its 25th birthday this year. That may seem like a long time, but let’s put it in perspective: humankind has been cultivating cannabis for more than 10,000 years. Exactly when our ancestors realized the plant’s benefits for wellness is hard to say, because that moment predates the written word. But the evidence is clear that people have appreciated the healing effects of cannabis for thousands of years. Legalization is the norm, not the outlier, for the miraculous herb called ma in Chinese, bhang in Hindi, and “cannabis” in English.
Ancient Wisdom: Cannabis in Traditional Medicine
The earliest record of the medicinal effects of cannabis dates to 5,000 years ago, when Chinese emperor Shen-Nung compiled a treatise on the uses of various medicinal herbs that recommended cannabis for malaria, constipation, rheumatism and menstruation pains. Shen-Nung is known today as the father of Chinese medicine, but he also laid the groundwork for the tradition of medical cannabis. During the second century A.D, a Chinese surgeon named Hua T’o made the first documentation of cannabis’ incredible ability to relieve pain. By combining cannabis resin with wine, he was able to anesthetize his patients and reduce their suffering during complex surgeries—a simple predecessor to the incredible tinctures available on the market today.
Global Healing Traditions: Cannabis Across Civilizations
While the Chinese were the first to record written evidence of their medical cannabis use, the herb was used by civilizations around the globe. In a grave in what is today the Netherlands, scientists have found evidence that Neolithic cultures used cannabis for pain relief alongside other fever-reducing drugs. In ancient Egypt, it was used to ease hemorrhoids. India, Greece and medieval Islamic cultures also used it to treat ailments from inflammation to nosebleeds.
The Scientific Breakthrough: Understanding Cannabis in the 20th Century
Though cultures around the world agreed that cannabis has medicinal benefits, it wasn’t until the 1970s that we began to understand why. Dr. Raphael Mechoulam was the first to synthesize tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), the two molecules that define the interactions between cannabis and the human body. Mechoulam also discovered the so-called “entourage effect,” or the phenomenon of interaction between CBD, THC and other cannabinoids. With this research, medical cannabis began its long journey back into the mainstream.
Overcoming Prejudice: The Fight for Medical Cannabis in the 20th Century
Of course, this time around advocates of medical cannabis had to contend with the prejudices and restrictive laws of the 20th century. Far from having the stamp of approval of the emperor, cannabis had been effectively outlawed around the United States since 1937. Changing public opinion around the plant would be a long, difficult task.
Much of that work happened right here in Northern California. In San Francisco in the 80s and 90s, AIDS patients realized that cannabis could help with nausea and pain. Activists like Dennis Peron and Mary Rathbun (aka “Brownie Mary”) provided guerrilla support to their HIV-positive friends and family, and the city’s LGBTQ community challenged the city to legalize medical cannabis.
They collected signatures, made phone calls and won influential supporters, and finally, in 1996, California Proposition 215 passed, permitting the use of medical cannabis despite the federal government’s continued prohibition of the substance. It was a victory for San Francisco and for people seeking relief everywhere, and it paved the way for our modern reality of accessible, safe wellness products.
Modern Wellness: Cannabis Products for Health and Wellness
Today, cannabis still performs many of the same medicinal functions it did throughout history. The difference? Modern technological and scientific advances have made the products safer, more consistent, and more specific in the relief they offer. Read on to learn about our favorite cannabis products for health and wellness. And save 25% through April 6, 2021.
Care By Design
An incredibly robust offering of CBD products including cartridges, soft gels, gummies, tinctures and topicals. Ratios ranging from 40:1 to 1:1 to offer the right kind of relief, whether you’re looking to ease pain, sleep better or simply relax.
Papa & Barkley
The #1 brand of wellness products in California. Products produced from locally grown cannabis sourced right here in Northern California We appreciate their commitment to small farms and sun-grown flower, and the incredible quality of their solvent-free tinctures, topicals, chocolates, gummies and capsules.
Mary’s Medicinals
At the cutting edge of cannabis technology, you’ll find Mary’s. With innovative delivery methods like CBD transdermal patches and the incorporation of more rare cannabinoids like CBN and CBG, Mary’s offers more options to discover what works best for you.
Rosette Wellness Tinctures
A favorite in the Solful community, this incredibly effective line of full spectrum tinctures has helped Rosette’s customers with everything from arthritis to fibromyalgia to insomnia. 20 years of cannabis experience in every drop.
Electric Jah & Love and Laughter
With these two strains of CBD flower, enjoy the beneficial effects of cannabis in a smokeable form with minimal to no psychoactive effects—perfect for unwinding and relaxing after a long day or awakening your senses before a hike or a creative project.
Glentucky Family Farm First Class Funk
For those who are comfortable with higher doses of THC and looking for soothing strain of cannabis, this product is a great choice. Enjoy a great body high and a relief of tension before bed.
*To qualify for a gift with purchase your purchase must total a minimum of $100 before taxes. There are limited quantities of gifts with purchase and we reserve the right to change these items. Valid from April 1 – 6, 2021 only. 25% off discount applies to Care by Design Cartridges, Soft Gels, Gummies, Tinctures and Topicals, Papa & Barkley Capsules, Topicals, Patches and Tinctures, Mary’s Medicinals Capsules, Topicals, Patches and Tinctures, Rosette Wellness, Electric Jah and Love and Laughter CBD Flower and Glentucky Family Farm First Class Funk Flower. Valid from April 1 – 6, 2021.