Leaf411 Member Spotlight: Alan Greenberg, Founder/CEO of CBD Garage
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning
For many of us, our response to COVID-19 is an extension of work we were already doing before this virus hit—helping our communities, improving access to high-quality legal cannabis and CBD hemp products, and playing our part in building a sustainable, equitable industry.
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re proud of the steps that our Leaf411 supporting members are taking to ensure the safety of both employees and consumers as they continue to provide access to plant-based medicine. We really do believe that our members https://leaf411.org/member-directory/ are the best in the industry, and hope that you’ll consider supporting them when shopping. As a reminder, we vet all our members to ensure their products are fully compliant and lab-tested.
Today we’re talking with Alan Greenberg, founder of CBD Garage, an online retailer of high-quality, lab-tested Colorado-based CBD hemp products. Alan shares how he came to the CBD hemp space, products he’s most excited about, and some of the ways he’s working to ensure safe, affordable CBD hemp in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. This access is critical to people living in areas with stay-at-home orders, where most retail outlets selling high quality CBD hemp are closed.
From Nutrition to CBD Hemp
People come to CBD hemp from many different backgrounds. We asked Alan about his background as a nutritionist and how that connects to his work in the CBD hemp industry.
Alan explains, “I started out as a nutritionist. In 2017, I attended an event in Boulder, Colorado, called Functional Forum, which is a mini-medical conference put on by the Evolution of Medicine. During an afterhours gathering at the conference, I met a rep from Elixinol. I’d heard about CBD hemp oil, but I don’t come from the marijuana world, so I was kind of oblivious about what was going on with medical and recreational marijuana.”
“The Elixinol rep asked me, ‘Hey, have you heard of CBD hemp?’ She then started talking about the endocannabinoid system and the research done by Ethan Russo, a neuroscientist who’s one of the founders of the movement. I went home and read an article about endocannabinoid deficiency syndrome, which connected fibromyalgia, migraines and IBS.”
This knowledge led him to suggest CBD to a close family member who found that it provided relief. From there, Alan continued researching the endocannabinoid system, as well as reaching out to experts in the field who were successfully using CBD to treat patients and veterans.
“Nutritionists and functional medicine doctors have thousands of supplements available to them,” he says. “CBD is another tool in the tool bag, but this tool is completely different. CBD is really unique in the fact that it plugs into the endocannabinoid system. That’s where it really gets interesting.”
Like Dr. Dave Gordon and our own Leaf nurses, Alan recognizes that CBD provides another avenue of healing for people and works best in conjunction with other positive lifestyle changes.
“If you’re taking CBD and want to fully relieve your symptoms, as you feel better you should start thinking about moving more, finding stress relief or eating better. All these things are complementary to the use of CBD,” he says.
The CBD Garage Difference: High Quality CBD Hemp from Colorado Companies
With federal legalization of CBD hemp products containing less than 0.3% THC, thousands of new CBD manufacturers and retailers have entered the market. One of the biggest challenges in the marketplace is finding businesses and products you can trust.
“CBD Garage is a curated seller of artisan crafted products from Colorado. I like to say that if you want to buy whiskey, you go to Tennessee. If you want to buy cheese, you go to Vermont or Wisconsin. If you want to buy cannabis, you go to Colorado.”
Alan went on to explain how Colorado’s long history of cannabis has positively impacted CBD hemp in the state. Many of the cannabis cultivators and extractors have expanded to CBD hemp, bringing their knowledge of the plant and extraction processes.
“These are some of the early pioneers. They built their companies from scratch. And the fact that they’re still around says something about them. I have personal relationships with all these great growers and manufacturers of products here in Colorado where it started.”
“At CBD Garage, we know where our product is coming from. We know who’s making it.”
“I was just fortunate to be able to meet all these people all along the way and build up a collection of great manufacturers on our website. You’ll see products that are local to us that aren’t the big national brands. But these people are probably some of the best in the industry at making CBD hemp products.”
The Promise of Other Adaptogens and Medicinal Plants
We asked Alan about the types of products he’s most excited about, and learned about how products are combining CBD with other adaptogens—herbs which have been used medicinally for thousands of years.
“For the immune system, I love Boulder Hemp products that combine CBD hemp oil with medicinal mushrooms,” he says.
“We also have products that combine CBD hemp with adaptogens. Adaptogens are a class of botanicals that help the body adapt to stress. Every time you reduce stress in the body, you help to charge your immune system. When you combine adaptogens with CBD, it’s a great compliment. Cannadapt from Sun Horse Energy has several great CBD hemp adaptogenic formulas, including one with Kava Kava. They also just released a new product called Lung Support. It is a combination of adaptogens with immune and lung support botanicals.”
“Also, Quicksilver Scientific has their CBD Synergies line which combines a lot of their existing nutraceuticals and botanicals.”
The Need for CBD Education Continues to Grow
Despite growing acceptance of CBD hemp products, there’s still a lot of misinformation out there. Every day, we get questions on the Leaf411 hotline that reinforce the need for balanced, scientifically-based education on both CBD hemp and marijuana products sold in legal dispensaries.
On the CBD hemp front, CBD Garage provides robust education on CBD and the endocannabinoid system to the public. This includes an education section on the website and phone and chat support available to both customers and to people who have CBD questions but haven’t bought products from the website. They also partner with Leaf411 to provide guidance and answers to customers’ specific medical questions.
“Every product is a little bit different,” Alan says. “Depending on who manufactures the product, if they’re getting their cannabis from the same source or growing it themselves, everybody grows their plants differently. Everyone has a different genetic mix of the different hemp plants. Companies have different extraction techniques, whether it’s liquid infusion or alcohol extraction or CO2 extraction. These factors create different profiles for products.”
As a result, a product may not work for everyone the same way. You may need to try different products before finding what works best for you.
Education around different types of CBD hemp products and finding the best dose are also areas where Alan sees a need.
“There’s no magical dose. There are general protocols that we use, but everybody’s a little bit different. ‘Do I take CBD three times a day? Do I take CBD at night? Do I like a broad spectrum without THC? Am I better off with the THC in a full spectrum product?’”
“I suggest to people to keep track of what you’re using. Start with some guidelines and then work from there. When you’re starting out, you have to be patient.”
Alan explains that while some people experience positive effects on their first day of using CBD hemp, it may take longer for others.
“I had an uncle who tried CBD on a daily basis. He told me that he didn’t feel anything for two weeks and all of a sudden—bam—it kicked in. He was on the treadmill walking and didn’t even notice he passed the point where he couldn’t previously walk because his legs hurt.”
“Your benefit after a month is going to be different than your benefit after three months or after a year, because your body changes.”
Partnering with Leaf411 to Provide Medically-Sound Education
Alan recognizes that the voice of trained medical professionals is also invaluable, which led him to partner with Leaf411 as a supporting member.
“I’m not a licensed medical professional, nor are a lot of people selling CBD hemp oil. We can help people through general use of CBD as an adult, but specific medical questions are outside our scope of practice. Leaf411 provides licensed medical professionals who can answer those really detailed questions,” he says.
“For anyone under 21 or 18 who is considering using CBD, they should talk to a medical professional first, because children are much different than adults. If somebody is calling for their child, I always encourage them to talk to Leaf411. You need a licensed healthcare practitioner to talk to who has the experience and education to understand what’s going on (with your child).”
CBD Garage offers a list of resources including the free Leaf411 hotline as well as private practitioners who provide cannabis consultations for a fee.
How CBD Garage is Keeping Customers Safe During the COVID-19
Many of us are under stay-at-home orders. As a result, online ordering has surged in certain categories, including groceries, medicine and supplements.
But how do you know if the companies you’re ordering from are using safe handling practices?
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that, “The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low.”
Even with that reassurance, many online businesses are taking extra disinfection steps. We asked Alan what extra precautions CBD Garage is taking to reduce risk of infection.
“At CBD Garage, we’ve always kept a clean environment. We’re doing more disinfecting of all the surfaces, the mouse, the keyboard and the tables now. Also, we’ve begun wearing gloves while packing orders—that’s new.”
“One thing great about us is we don’t use a fulfillment center. We pack every order ourselves. You don’t have to worry about who’s packing your items. We have the same people processing orders every day, following the same protocols. It’s a very controlled environment.”
You can learn more about the precautions that CBD Garage is taking at this link.
Extending CBD Hemp Discounts to All CBD Garage Customers
When we talked to Alan, he recognized that many people are facing financial difficulties that could lead to tough decisions around medications and wellness products, including CBD hemp.
“We understand that people are going through some serious financial hardships these days,” he says.
In response, he opened up the paid membership-based Buyer’s Club so that it’s now available as a free benefit for all customers, with no joining fees, monthly fees or renewal charges. Buyer’s Club members get a 25% discount on everything in the CBD Garage store.
Buyer’s Club members also receive 25% off supplements sold on the Fullscript and Wellevate online stores, if you link to those sellers through the CBD Garage links (more info in the “Support” section here).
Leaf411 Can Help With Your Questions
At Leaf411, we’re thrilled to have members like CBD Garage who share our ethos of professionalism, kindness, and commitment to CBD hemp consumers.
While CBD Garage offers education on CBD hemp products, we know not all businesses are able to do that right now.
In some cases, businesses are closed. In other cases, they may be working under very restrictive conditions that limit interaction with customers, meaning that questions don’t get answered.
Leaf411 can help! Whether you have questions about CBD hemp products, legal marijuana sold at dispensaries, or even about COVID-19, our fully-licensed registered nurses (RNs) have the education and experience to provide balanced information and guidance. Call us for free at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411).
The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.
Standing in Solidarity With Nurses and Other Frontline Workers
How Leaf411 is Helping With the COVID-19 Response
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning
Back in early January, we planned the month of March to highlight nurses—especially cannabis nurses—on our blog. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated 2020 as the year of the nurse, and we were eager to highlight the incredible work being done by our Leaf nurses as well as other nurses working in the cannabis space.
Little did we know that an emerging novel virus, COVID-19, was poised to rapidly spread across the world, touching every aspect of life.
Now, many of us are doing our part to “flatten the curve” by staying at home and limiting close contact with anyone outside of our immediate household. For our Leaf nurses on the hotline, that means working from home.
Not everyone has the option to work remotely, however.
Acknowledging the Work of Nurses and Healthcare Professionals
Today, we’re acknowledging the healthcare professionals, including nurses, who are already on the front lines providing care to COVID-19 patients, often in stressful environments with limited resources. Many other nurses stand ready, waiting in the wings to help as COVID-19 hospitalizations rise.
One of the best ways you can help healthcare workers is by doing your part to flatten the curve. Limit your exposure to other people, even if you feel well.
You can also check out this link for other ideas on supporting nurses who are working long hours on the front lines.
How Leaf411 Hotline Nurses Are Helping to Increase Capacity
Our Leaf nurses are helping to take pressure off the hospitals and primary care clinics by opening up our free Leaf411 hotline (1-844-LEAF411) to your COVID-19 questions. Our nurses’ backgrounds extend far beyond cannabis nursing, with clinical and hospital experience.
We cannot provide diagnoses or order tests—that falls outside of our scope of practice as RNs. However, we can point you to the best resources based on your specific concerns and needs. We’re also able to answer general questions about COVID-19 and provide context for the emerging research and recommendations.
Check out our Leaf library as well for resources like general guidelines for reducing risk of infection as well as Dr. Dave’s input on cannabis and coronavirus.
Of course, we’re still available to answer your cannabis questions, too. With dispensaries switching to online ordering and curbside pickup, consumers will no longer be able to chat with budtenders about different cannabis products.
For example, if you’re switching from smokable cannabis to edibles or tinctures, we can provide guidance to help make that transition as successful as possible.
Recognizing All the Frontline Workers Providing Essential Services
We also want to recognize other non-healthcare frontline workers who keep essential services up and running. This includes employees at grocery stores, distribution centers, gas stations and restaurants, as well as delivery drivers and truck drivers.
States and cities are designating marijuana dispensaries as “essential” as well, recognizing that many people rely on cannabis medicine to manage health conditions like pain, nausea and PTSD. While we’re thrilled about this designation, we also know it means that dispensary employees take on increased risk to maintain our access to safe, legally-compliant cannabis. To help out dispensaries, Leaf411 developed Preparedness Plans which we’re sharing with both member and non-member dispensaries through the end of the month.
We’re Ready to Help With Your Questions
Our Leaf nurses are available to answer your questions, whether you’re a clinician, dispensary representative or member of the public. Call us for FREE at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411).
The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.
The State of Cannabis Nursing
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning
We often remind you that Leaf411 hotline is staffed by cannabis-trained nurses.
But what exactly does “cannabis-trained nurse” mean? A lot of people have no idea that cannabis nurses even exist!
As part of our series on nurses this month, we’re sharing the state of cannabis nursing in the U.S. Whether you’re a patient or a registered nurse (RN) interested in pursuing cannabis training, you’re sure to learn something new.
How Cannabis Nurses Help Patients
You’ve likely had a nurse help you with medication-related questions before. Now imagine if a nurse could provide the same type of guidance on using cannabis to manage health conditions.
In fact, cannabis nursing is a thing!
Cannabis nurses complete specialized education on the human endocannabinoid system and cannabis as medicine.
They use this knowledge along with their years of clinical experience to help guide your decisions around using marijuana (cannabis containing >0.3% THC, which is sold legally in dispensaries), or cannabidiol (CBD) hemp products that are federally legal and sold in retail stores and online.
Cannabis nurses can help you save money and time by suggesting general types of products that may work best for your health concern. For example, if you’re dealing with inflammation pain, a cannabis nurse might suggest a specific CBD:THC ratio based on clinical guidelines and evidence.
Where can you find a cannabis-trained nurse? The free Leaf411 hotline is a great place to start!
You can speak to a cannabis-trained RN at no cost via our hotline: 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411).
The Bigger Picture: Cannabis and The American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the largest nursing association in the United States, with over 4 million nurse members. They’ve supported the need for research and evidence-based use of cannabis since 1996!
In their latest position statement (2016), the ANA advocates for reclassification of cannabis so it’s no longer considered a Schedule I controlled substance by the federal government. This change would make clinical research on cannabis’s medicinal benefits much easier.
The ANA also supports development of dosing/recommendation standards, along with legal protections for both patients who use cannabis therapeutically and for the clinicians who discuss or recommend cannabis.
Not all nurses are up-to-date on the potential therapeutic value of cannabis. However, many nurses are hearing more each day from patients who have benefited from using cannabis to manage health conditions. As awareness grows, interest grows as well.
The American Cannabis Nurses Association
The American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA) is a national organization dedicated to expanding the knowledge base of endo-cannabinoid therapeutics among nurses. It was formed in 2006 by several nurses who were involved in the Patients Out of Time Fourth National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics. These dedicated nurses saw the need for an organization to bring nurses together in a collegial and informational capacity to discuss the growing use of cannabis in medicine.
The ACNA’s ultimate goal is to develop specialty recognition for cannabis nursing, in the same way that other nursing specialties are recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which is a division of the American Nurses Association (ANA).
To date there are over 1,300 nurse members who proudly follow the ACNA’s scope and standards of practice of the emerging role of the cannabis nurse in the United States. The standards of any specialty area of nursing are built upon the foundation of standards of practice expected of all registered nurses (Mariano, 2015) and cannabis nursing is no exception to this rule.
Creating Nursing Guidelines for Medical Marijuana
Professional organizations are also developing guidelines for nurses to use when suggesting CBD hemp or medical marijuana as a treatment option. This work is being undertaken by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) which developed the National Nursing Guidelines for Medical Marijuana.
The NCSBN guidelines set six principles of essential knowledge for cannabis nurses:
- Working knowledge of the current state of legalization of medical and recreational cannabis use.
- Working knowledge of the jurisdiction’s (state/local) medical marijuana laws and regulations.
- Understanding of the endocannabinoid system and how cannabinoids (THC, CBD and others) interact with the endocannabinoid system receptors.
- Understanding of cannabis pharmacology and the research associated with the medical use of cannabis.
- Capacity to identify safety considerations for patient use of cannabis.
- Ability to approach patients without judgment regarding their choice of treatment or preferences in managing pain or other health symptoms.
We share these guidelines so that you can see how cannabis nursing is actually a serious endeavor, going far beyond the typical budtender or non-clinician’s knowledge!
It makes sense for professional organizations like the NCSBN to develop guidelines for medical marijuana, because several pharmaceutical marijuana products are already on the market, such as cannabidiol-based Epidiolex, as well as several synthetic marijuana drugs designed to reduce nausea, including Marinol and Syndros.
But all cannabis products, synthetic or full-plant, are not created equal, so nurses need to be familiar with the benefits and shortcomings of both.
In addition, clinicians are aware that many of their patients use cannabis either recreationally or for therapeutic purposes. While cannabis has fewer side effects than many pharmaceuticals, there are precautions that patients should be aware of, especially around potential medication interactions.
So how do nurses and other clinicians gain medically-sound knowledge about cannabis?
The Need for Cannabis Education is Growing
As cannabis legalization expands across states, there’s increasing demand for education designed for growers, manufacturers, dispensary workers and medical professionals.
The Medical Cannabis Institute (TMCI) partnered with the ACNA to create the “Medical Cannabis Curriculum for Nurses” which addresses the National Nursing Guidelines for Medical Marijuana. All our Leaf411 hotline nurses have completed the TMCI program.
In addition to our nurses being members of ACNA and having completed TMCI training, Leaf411 has partnered with Radicle Health for additional education. All Leaf411 nurses have completed Radicle Health’s “Cannabis Therapeutics for Nurses/Medical Professionals” course.
Radicle Health and TMCI are helping to lead the way for clinicians to integrate knowledge of the endocannabinoid system and cannabis into their practice. As more nurses and doctors become aware of the professional resources that exist, we anticipate that demand for cannabis clinician training will continue to grow.
Leaf411’s Perspective on the Future of Cannabis Nursing
The nursing profession holds that health is a universal right, which includes access to health care and education concerning the prevention of health issues. In the words of the American Nurses Association, “It is the shared responsibility of professional nursing organizations to speak for nurses collectively in shaping health care and to promulgate change for the improvement of health and health care” (ANA, 2015).
At Leaf411, we believe cannabis nursing is a viable, emerging specialty. With the ongoing support of national organizations like the ANA and ACNA, we can move forward confidently caring for our public as we do in any other specialty.
Interested in becoming a cannabis nurse? We offer tips and resources at this link.
Get Help With Your Cannabis Questions
Our Leaf nurses combine nursing expertise with specialized knowledge of the medicinal benefits of cannabis, providing balanced, research-based information and support. Call us for FREE at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411).
The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.
Recognizing Leaf411 Nurses During the Year of the Nurse
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning
Have you ever wondered who answers the calls to the Leaf411 hotline?
We’re proud to say that all our hotline calls are answered by fully-licensed registered nurses (RNs) who’ve completed specialized cannabis clinician training. Our nurses are also members of American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA).
This month, as part of the Year of the Nurse, we’re focusing on the pioneering nurses working in the cannabis space, including the nurses who answer your calls to the hotline!
Keep reading to hear directly from our nurses and learn more about the ways they can help with your questions.
2020 Is the Year of the Nurse and Midwife
Early in 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that 2020 would be the Year of the Nurse and Midwife.
In recognition of the Year of the Nurse, we chose the month of March to put a spotlight on the profession that touches the public everyday though our hotline and outreach programs.
Who Do You Trust with Your Health Questions?
For the past 18 years, nurses have topped the list of most trusted professionals in the United States, according to an annual Gallup poll. Nurses’ honesty and high ethical standards are the reasons for those continued high rankings.
We also think that our ability to listen (bedside manner) and how we work together with patients, their loved ones and their entire clinical care team is another reason nurses are held in high regard.
Nervous About Your Cannabis Questions? Here’s What Our Nurses Wish You Knew
We recently asked two of our Leaf nurses to share their perspectives on Leaf411’s hotline and community education events. Note: We’re using anonymized initials for both nurses.*
“We are non-judgmental. We’re here to help and give you as much accurate information as possible.” explains R.W., one of the hotline nurses. “We interpret for doctors every day. We can interpret (the medical cannabis research) for you, too.”
D.J., another of our hotline nurses, adds, “I would invite anyone to look around our website if they don’t feel comfortable speaking with one of us just yet.”
Leaf411 offers several online resources, including our Leaf Library, Member Directory and our blog. We also offer an online chat function that can translate just about any language during our hotline hours, from Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 am-8:00 pm MST. You can find the chat button on the Leaf411.org homepage.
How a Cannabis Nurse’s Advice is Different than a Budtender’s Advice
You may be wondering how a call to the Leaf411 hotline is different from simply researching your question online or asking a budtender for advice on a health issue.
While budtenders have expertise in the products their dispensary carries, they are not clinical providers. In fact, the law prevents budtenders from providing specific medical recommendations to dispensary customers.
On the other hand, our cannabis nurses have the licensing, clinical background and training to provide individualized medical guidance. However, while our nurses understand the science supporting cannabis, they are not experts in the thousands of different products out there on the market.
In other words, our nurses are not here to sell you a specific product or to convince you to try cannabis. Instead, our mission is to provide the education and resources to guide you in making the best choice, based on your health needs and your budget. We are 100% patient and public advocates.
Empowering Patients with Education and Resources Through the Leaf411 Hotline
When someone calls the hotline, “We take things one step at a time,” D.J. explains. “We take time to discuss with the caller what their goals are.”
“For example, if they’re having insomnia, we can discuss a higher THC product which is good for nighttime,” she says. “If they’re having issues with pain throughout the day, we can talk about starting off with a non-intoxicating CBD product in the morning that contains little or no THC.”
“By taking it one step at a time, we can make it not so overwhelming. That way, the caller can go into a dispensary with more confidence,” she says.
“It’s really about empowering the consumer to be able to walk in (a store or dispensary) and know, ‘Here’s what I’m looking for. Here’s what I don’t want, and here’s what I do want,’” D.J. says.
By knowing your goals and understanding which types of products might help most, you can be more confident shopping for marijuana and CBD hemp products, quickly finding something that will be successful for your specific needs.
Our Nurses Are Passionate About Providing Medically-Sound Cannabis Information
R.W. already had over a decade’s worth of experience as an RN when she began studying cannabis’s therapeutic benefits. Like many clinicians, she was motivated to look at the research after seeing family members, friends and patients struggle with pain and treatment-related nausea.
Through her help at Leaf411 community-based events, R.W. sees the value of the work she does.
“I get to see how valuable this service is, and how badly it’s needed. People are able to call and get information (about cannabis) for free. That’s phenomenal!” R.W. says.
She notes that some cannabis clinicians charge upwards of $300 per hour for the same level of service that Leaf411 provides to the public for free.
“Knowing how many people are interested (in cannabis) and experimenting on their own, we can’t leave it to Joe Blow to answer their questions. As wonderful as cannabis is, there are interactions with certain medications and important considerations people need to be aware of. There needs to be someone who can speak to those things,” R.W. says.
As a clinician herself, R.W. knows that many general practitioners are unaware of the research and guidelines supporting medicinal use of cannabis, since it’s not being taught in medical school or traditional nursing programs.
“Unfortunately, you can’t get information from your family doctor because they’re either uneducated (on cannabis) or scared of the ramifications,” she says.
Addressing the Knowledge Gap Around Cannabis
D.J., another of our other Leaf nurses, came to cannabis nursing after first working in cannabis cultivation. As she learned more about the therapeutic benefits of the plant, she gravitated toward the medical field.
“I knew the possibility existed that there was going to be a gap in the public’s knowledge, the medical profession’s knowledge as well as how quickly the industry was moving forward and someone would eventually need to fill in the gaps,” D.J. says.
This need motivated D.J. to return to school to earn a Bachelor in Nursing (BSN) degree, as well as pursue cannabis nurse education.
“I have put a lot of heart and soul into developing myself as a cannabis nurse,” says D.J. “As a nurse, I can see both the anecdotal evidence (hearing from individual patients), and the empirical evidence. I can help explain what that empirical evidence means to patients.”
Serving the Needs of All the Public: Patients and Clinicians
Four years ago, our co-founder, Katherine Golden, RN, began looking into cannabis as a treatment option when helping a family member who was fighting cancer.
“Once I started looking through all the science I could find, through the most reputable resources, I was angry, angry that more wasn’t done to shout this information from the rooftop for all of us medical professionals to take a deeper look at,” Katherine says.
In fact, that moment was the beginning of a journey to provide evidence-based, medically sound information to not only her own family, but also to the general public and to other clinicians.
“We’ve had calls from social workers and other nurses battling medical conditions and seeking plant education themselves, to nutritionists, acupuncturists, physical therapists, and MDs thanking us for providing this type of resource for them to ask us questions that they can then relay the answers back to their patients or clients or send them to us directly,” Katherine says. “When you open your arms and knowledge to allow other colleagues in, you in turn lessen the burden each one of us carries to bed at night.”
When You Call the Leaf411 Hotline, You’ll Get a Cannabis-Trained RN
From the first day, we knew that we wanted the Leaf411 hotline calls to be answered by licensed medical professionals. Registered nurses were the perfect fit.
By staffing our hotline with RNs who have completed additional cannabis education through Radicle Health and The Medical Cannabis Institute, we make sure that you receive consistent, medically-sound guidance based on research. Our nurses use a medical framework for understanding your health concerns and goals and providing guidance.
Whether you are a patient or clinician, we are here to help! Call us at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) or use the chat function on our home page.
*You may be wondering why we use anonymized initials instead of our nurses’ real names in this post.
Here’s why: There can be employment or licensing consequences for nurses and doctors who work in the cannabis space, even though their recommendations are in line with the research and comply with state laws. This will only change once federal laws are updated in line with the growing evidence showing the medicinal benefits of cannabis.
The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.
Addressing Cannabis Stigma on the Leaf411 Nurse Hotline
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning
The cannabis sativa plant has been used as medicine for over 1,500 years, according to historic records.
That can be hard to imagine sometimes, after nearly 100 years of cannabis prohibition in the United States.
Chances are good that you grew up hearing messages about the dangers of marijuana, complete with scary stories of addiction, irresponsible behavior, and negative health impacts.
Where did these messages come from? It’s a long story that we’ll be covering in a future blog, but the takeaway is that many of these negative stories and stereotypes were driven by politics and money, not by research.
Now, research is showing that much of the old propaganda simply isn’t true.
With legalization expanding at the state level, many people across all walks of life are going public with their use, showing that cannabis can be used responsibly for therapeutic or recreational purposes.
The cannabis plant contains many different cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). When we talk about cannabis, we’re really talking about two categories of products:
- CBD hemp products are now legal under federal law and almost all state laws (Idaho, Nebraska and South Dakota are the exception). CBD hemp comes from hemp plants—cannabis plants bred and grown to contain very little to no THC. Under federal law, CBD hemp products are limited to less than 0.3% THC.
- THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the “high” that people feel when using cannabis. Products containing over 0.3% THC are legally sold in dispensaries in states that have voted for legal recreational or medical marijuana.
Despite growing acceptance, many people run headfirst into misconceptions and stigma when considering whether to try cannabis themselves.
Tackling the Stigma: Cannabis Will Not Destroy Your Brain
Our hotline callers are often concerned about whether cannabis will kill brain cells. When we recently talked to Dave Gordon, MD, one of our Leaf411 Advisory Board members, he shared similar stories of patients who worried that cannabis would hurt their brains. Dr. Dave explained that in response, he shares the research showing that in fact, cannabis won’t harm the adult brain, and may even be protective against certain neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Likewise, our hotline nurses always go to the research when answering specific questions about how cannabis may impact brain health. Peer-reviewed studies can be hard to decipher if you don’t have a medical background and clinical training. One reason we created the FREE Leaf411 cannabis hotline is to help bridge the gap between cannabis research and the public.
The Fear of Getting Too High from Cannabis
When people first call the hotline, they often express concerns that using any amount of THC at all, even the very small amount in CBD hemp products, will make them too high.
THC is not like a simple on-off light switch, though.
Instead, you can think of it like a gas pedal in a car, where more gas equals greater speed. The amount of THC you use will impact how much of the “high” you feel—or whether you feel those intoxicating effects at all.
For example, the amount of THC in a full spectrum hemp product is not enough for you to feel it—but it is enough to contribute to the entourage effect when the different plant compounds work together to provide enhanced therapeutic benefits.
Some people are most comfortable starting with CBD hemp products to test the waters and see if it helps their health concern. And CBD hemp is the only legal option for people living in states where recreational and medical marijuana are outlawed.
When you call the hotline, we listen and take your goals and priorities into consideration. We can provide specific guidance to help you minimize the risk of feeling “too high,” while also helping you find a product that is a good match for your needs.
THC: Bogeyman or Powerful Plant Ally?
You may still be skeptical about the power of THC, since that cannabinoid is at the root of the propaganda from the past century.
If full-spectrum CBD hemp products contain all the plant compounds, after all, then why is more THC needed?
It’s true that full spectrum CBD hemp alone provides relief for many people, especially when dealing with inflammation pain.
However, when someone is dealing with chronic neuropathic pain, a higher dose of THC may offer more relief, due to the fact that THC works with the same nervous system receptors that opiates do, without the problematic side effects that come with opiates.
The THC cannabinoid can also help with relaxation and mental release, whether you’re dealing with pain, anxiety or other health concerns. However, it can take some trial and error to find the best product, dose and even CBD:THC ratio for your needs.
At Leaf411, our goal is to empower our callers so that your experiences with cannabis are positive. Our hotline nurses have the training and experience to help guide you in the right direction on your journey.
Addressing Cannabis Stigma Among Clinicians
We know that not all doctors, nurses and other clinicians are on the same page when it comes to the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis.
Keep in mind, clinicians grew up with the same stereotypes and stigmas as the rest of us. Odds are good that when they went to nursing or medical school, they received little to no education on cannabis, either. For example, a study published in 2017 found that only 9% of medical schools included education on prescribing medical marijuana.
As clinicians ourselves, we always suggest that you discuss your cannabis use with your primary care provider. As providers see more patients who are successfully using cannabis to treat different health conditions, their own minds may be changed about the power of plant-based medicine. In our interview with Dr. Dave, he makes some suggestions for how to broach the topic with your primary care provider.
State legalization, as well as federal legalization of CBD hemp, has put cannabis on the radar for many physicians, nurses and other clinicians. When we talk to our colleagues, we hear them saying that they know their patients are turning to CBD hemp and marijuana as an alternative.
However, as long as cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, many clinicians are reluctant to proactively suggest this option to patients, especially when they don’t have specialized education to guide their recommendations. In addition to a lack of knowledge, they face potential professional repercussions from their own employer or licensing bodies.
Pioneers in the Field: Cannabis Doctors and Nurses
Despite the challenges, many doctors and nurses are actively seeking out the research and training to provide medically-sound guidance to patients on cannabis as a treatment option.
They may be like Dr. Dave, who saw the limits of conventional medicine in bringing relief and balance back to patients’ lives. He began digging deep into the research after realizing he needed better tools.
They may also be like our very own CEO, Katherine Golden, RN, a nurse with over 22 years of experience. She turned to the research when helping a family member who had a cancer diagnosis, and found compelling research on cannabis in well-known medical databases like PubMed and ScienceDirect.
In the coming month, we’ll highlight our Leaf411 hotline nurses, as well as the special training they undergo to prepare them for your calls.
The Leaf411 Hotline: A FREE Public Resource for Your Cannabis Questions
Our hotline nurses are ready to answer your questions on our free anonymous hotline. We combine our nursing expertise with specialized knowledge of the medicinal benefits of cannabis, providing balanced, research-based information and support. Call us at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411).
The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.