82
Conference Reports
ICRS Symposium on Cannabis and the Cannabinoids
The 1996 Symposium on Cannabis and the Cannabinoids, sponsored by the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS), was held at The Lighthouse Inn, West Dennis (Cape Cod), Massachusetts, USA from June 14-16. Cannabis researchers from around the world convened to share their research results on a wide range of topics on the chemical, pharmacological and medical aspects of this field. What follows is a condensed summary of just the highlights from that 3-day meeting.
June 14
Donald Tashkin of UCLA,
demonstrated (contrary to his stated conclusions!) that a doubling of marijuana potency
(1.77% vs. 3.95% THC) eliminated 2/3 of both the tar and carbon monoxide inhaled
by the user (averaged data adjusted) per unit of THC delivered. Michael Roth of
UCLA, revealed that the combination of tobacco smoking with marijuana smoking presented
more potential health problems than either practice alone, tobacco affecting primarily the
alveoli and marijuana primarily the bronchi. John Morgan of City University of New
York presented data refuting US government claims that potency of marijuana has increased
substantially over the last 20 years. Dave Pate of HortaPharm B.V. in Amsterdam,
demonstrated the ocular anti-hypertensive potential of alpha-substituted
anandamide analogs dissolved in a cyclodextrin solution, when topically applied to the
eyes of rabbits. Paul Consroe of the University of Arizona in Tucson, talked about
his survey of MS patients that are using medicinal marijuana and concluded that they do
have specific therapeutic reasons for smoking Cannabis. Esther Shohami of the
Hebrew University in Jerusalem, recounted the use of HU-211 (a non-psychoactive THC analog
just out of Phase I clinical trials) to reduce the damaging effects of head trauma, septic
shock and meningitis. Pierre Casellas fo Sanofi Research in Paris, Sasha Noe and
Sumi Lee of the University of South Florida in Tampa, each demonstrated populations of
cannabinoid receptors in immunologically-related cells of such tissues as the tonsil and
spleen. Herb Seltzman of the Research Triangle Institute in North Carolina,
announced the development of new, more potent synthetic anandamide analogs. Donald
Skifter of Winona State University in Minnesoata, presented evidence in mice for the
potential use of a THC analog to attenuate hyperactivity in children. Frederick
Struve of Louisiana State University reported that subjective self-report evaluations for
excluding potential drug study subjects are often inadequate. Lindsey Swenson of
Winona State University, suggested that lower abstract thinking ability reported by
researchers among heavy chronic marijuana users is probably due to depression rather than
the drug. Shanmugam Muthian of the Medical College of Wisconsin, revealed the
development of new HPLC and GC/MS methods for the detection of anandamides in tissues and
incubates.
Last, but certainly not least among these three
days of scientific results, Daniele Piomelli of the Scripps Institute, gave an
unscheduled, but enthusiastically received extemporaneous lecture on his group's findings
that anandamide occurs in chocolate, particularly of the Dutch variety!
June 15
David Compton of Virginia
Commonwealth University related the surprising finding that SR141716A (a well-known
cannabinoid receptor antagonist) failed to block the effects of anandamide in his tests on
mice, while administration of anandamide and PMSF (a cata-bolism-blocking agent)
accentuated anandamide effects or even imitated these effects with PMSF alone, when
administered in sufficient doses. Kristy Lake of the Medical College of Virginia,
told how anandamide and THC elicit reduced blood pressure via CB-1 (brain-type) receptors
located not in the central nervous system, but on the presynaptic terminal of
postganglionic sympathetic neurons. Ian McGregor of the University of Sydney,
Australia, demonstrated both the calming effect of a synthetic cannabinoid analog (CP
55,940) and the opposite effect observed for a synthetic cannabinoid receptor antagonist
(SR141716A), when each was administered to infant mice. John Robinson of S.U.N.Y. at Stony
Brook, reported qualified experimental support for the hypothesis that administration of
the anandamide precursor, ethanolamine, induces excess anandamide production in vivo,
with associated behavioral effects. Christian Felder of NIH mentioned how his group
has confirmed for the first time, the existance of anandamide in human brain and
peripheral tissues. Cecilia Hillard of the Medical College of Wisconsin related how
anandamide is transported across cerebellar granule cell membranes by a substrate
selective, carrier-mediated process.
June 16
Nancy Buckley of the NIH,
suggested a possible regulatory role for anandamide, acting through the CB-1 receptor, on
ionic transport within the Loop of Henle of the kidney. Brian Thomas of the Research
Triangle Institute compared the receptor binding properties of various natural and
synthetic cannabinoids, using two separate methods. Julian Romero of Complutense
University in Madrid, Spain, indicated that specific binding for CB1 receptors can be
detected in the brains of rat fetuses at gestational days 14 and 16, a time when most of
the classical neurotransmitter activities emerge that have been reported to be affected by
cannabinoids. Yannick Maneuf of the University of Manchester, presented results
which indicate that cannabinoids might modulate GABA uptake in a manner not involving
cyclic AMP and raised questions concerning the nature of the link between the effects of
cannabinoids on adenylyl cyclase and the other physiological actions of cannabinoid
receptor activation. John Huffman of Clemson University described a very potent
synthetic THC analog and provided details of its synthesis and pharmacology. William
Ryan of Organix, Inc. of Woburn, Massachusetts, discussed some novel branched chain
anandamide analogs. Ruoxi Lan of the University of Connecticut recounted their
exciting achievement of an Iodine-123 labeled cannabinoid analog synthesis, now permitting
direct PET and SPECT visualization of the cannabinoid receptors in the living brain.
These and other developments
indicate that exploration of the physiological role for cannabinoids is entering an
advanced state of scientific sophistication, after a recent period of relative stagnation.
While a complete elucidation of cannabinoid-related mechanisms will take many
years, at least now the basic pharmacological tools (i.e., receptor, ligand and
antagonist) for this exploration are at hand and a significant acceleration of
experimental progress is evident.
Renaissance of Hemp Sym-posium
A scientific meeting entitled
"Renaissance of Hemp" convened on September 20, 1996 at the fair grounds and
conference facility in Novi Sad, Serbia (formerly Yugoslavia) and was the first hemp
symposium held in Yugoslavia in more than 30 years. Novi Sad is the home of the
Research Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, who sponsored the event. Dr. Janos
Berenji (see interview pg. 68) planned the meetings and coordinated the symposium.
The symposium was attended by nearly 120 delegates ranging from factory directors
to law enforcement officials. Displays of fiber, seed and wood products made by
local hemp companies offered an array of basic hemp products.
Twelve papers were presented, covering a wide
range of topics concerning hemp. Presentations by Yugoslavian researchers about the
history and present situation of hemp cultivation, hemp breeding and seed production,
fiber production technology, hemp pests and their control, mechanization of hemp
harvesting, and application of hemp in the textile, paper and bird seed industries, gave a
broad overview of the Yugoslavian hemp industry. An evaluation of hemp as a seed oil
crop preceded a discussion of the essential fatty acid (EFA) content of hemp seed.
Robert Clarke of the IHA was the only foreign
speaker and presented a summary of the potential uses of Cannabis as a source of
"nutriceuticals" and pharmaceuticals before making the suggestion that the local
hemp industry in the near future should concentrate on both improving the hemp products
they presently produce and searching for "high-end" specialty markets.
Serbia produces rough cordage, rope and textiles that could be fashioned into
higher-value consumer goods for the domestic and export markets.
Serbia is the southern-most commercial hemp
seed producer on the European continent. Their seed producing region lies along the
Danube river in fertile lands drained and irrigated by numerous channels that mediate soil
moisture during times of flooding or drought. The climate and topography are ideal
for seed production and the cultivar 'Novosadska konoplija' consistently produces tall
uniform stands that yield large completely ripe seed.
Yugoslavia was once a world leader in hemp
production. If the level of enthusiasm of the delegates is an accurate measure, then
the future of the hemp industry in the new Yugoslavia should be very bright indeed.
NAIHC Annual Conference
The North American Industrial
Hemp Council held their annual conference in Visalia, California, in the heart of
California's San Joaquin Valley. With cotton growing as far as the eye could see and
manure piles in need of some farm management, about 80 people spent three days discussing
industrial hemp's opportunities and obstacles. Dr. David Morris of the Institute for
Local Self Reliance and NAIHC Vice Chair provided an overview of progress in the last
year, including two research bills passed in the states of Vermont and Hawaii.
Various updates from countries around the world gave a somewhat sobering view of
the significant challenges that lay ahead for the hemp industry. Geof Kime of
Hempline indicated that the Canadian government is proceeding slowly in developing
regulations for commercial production, with 1998 being a realistic time frame. Gero
Leson of the nova-Institute discussed Germany's first-year attempts to develop a domestic
hemp fiber processing infrastructure. Ian Low of Hemcore, whose contract farmers
grew 4,000 acres in the 1996 season, explained the importance of building strong markets
and partnerships with industry and entrepreneurs. On the research front, Curt Koster
of International Paper provided a practical overview of the nuts and bolts of large-scale
fiber processing. International Paper is pursuing research on kenaf and plans to
apply the knowledge of processing other annual crops to hemp. Dr. Robert Steele of
the University of Wisconsin, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Research, outlined
the upcoming role of land grant universities across America in doing basic research on
hemp agriculture. Dr. David West of GameTec laid out the importance of developing
hemp seed cultivars specifically for North American hemp agriculture.
The section on Annual Fibers for Sustainability
brought home the important reasons why people all over the world are passionate about
industrial hemp. Andy Kerr of The Larch Company and NAIHC Board Member provided an
interesting analogy of mining and the current practice of clear cutting our forests.
John Roulac of HEMPTECH, NAIHC Secretary, discussed how various companies such as
Masonite and Interface Research Corporation are developing, respectively, building
products and carpets as sustainable fiber resources utilizing industrial hemp. Emily
Miggins of Rethink Paper helped coin a provocative phrase, "tree flesh", in her
presentation on the vital importance of moving away from trees and towards annual fiber
crops for paper.
Medwick Byrd of North Carolina State University
gave a passionate presentation on the various technical options for processing
agricultural fibers as well as providing an over-view of the current state-of-the-art of
zero emission pulping facilities. Conference participants broke into round-table
discussions focusing on agriculture, textiles, building products and seeds and oil.
Ken Friedman, NAIHC Board Member, from American Hemp Mercantile, Jason Finnis from
British Columbia Hemp Company and Dennis Crone of Mackie International all spoke on
building markets for hemp products around the world.
Jeffrey Gain, Chairman of the U.S.D.A.
Alternative Agriculture Research Corporation, presented the NAIHC legislative and
strategic plan recommendation - a two-page over-view including definitions and research
(available at www.naihc.org). This included a
definition of industrial hemp: "Industrial hemp means all parts and varieties of the
plant Cannabis sativa whether growing or not that contain a tetrahydrocannabinol
concentration of 1% or less and are possessed by a grower and handler in compliance with
the provisions of this article. Industrial hemp is separate and distinct from
"marihuana or marijuana". Mr. Gain indicated that legislation is expected
to be introduced in at least a half dozen or more states for the 1997 legislative season.
Cynthia Thielen, a Hawaii State Legislator, discussed her state's efforts at
introducing industrial hemp. The state of Hawaii will be producing a report due in
January on the potential of industrial hemp in Hawaii.
In the evening, Dr. Ralph Hardy gave a banquet
presentation on bio-based industrial products and the role of bio-technology in the 21st
century. Overall, attendees seemed positive on the information exchange and
net-working at the conference, which received extensive media coverage including The Wall
Street Journal and live from the local ABC and FOX broadcasts networks, as well as
representation from several local papers.
To receive more information on NAIHC, please visit our web site at: www.naihc.org. or: e-mail: john@hemptech.com, www.hemptech.com
John W. Roulac
NAIHC Board Secretary
"Ernte '96" Expo-Conference-Festival in Berlin
From September 27-29, the
first "hemp Thanksgiving" in modern German history was held at the "UFA
Factory" in Berlin. "Ernte '96" (Harvest '96), which celebrated the
first year of industrial hemp cultivation in Germany, was opened by the minister of the
environment for the state of Brandenburg, Matthias Platzeck. While the first day's
trade show was comparatively quiet and largely attended by professionals, Ernte '96 was
turned into a festival by 6,000 visitors over the following two days. The media's
continuing interest in the subject of hemp was reflected by a large number of reports on
the event in newspapers, TV and radio.
The spectacle had been divided into a technical
trade show, a conference and a small hemp museum. At the trade show, several of the
young hemp industry's leading entrepreneurs presented their technologies, products and
services. They included the Badische Naturfaseraufbereitung (BaFa) from Malsch near
Karlsruhe, HempFlax from the Netherlands, the processing equipment manufacturers Gebruder
Bahmer (Germany) and Charle (Belgium), HanfHaus (Berlin), Institute for Applied Science
(IAF) Reutlingen (Germany), nova Institute, Cologne, the International Hemp Association
(Amsterdam) and many others. There were several first-time presentation of hemp
products, notably of hemp beers: Wadi Brew from Switzerland and CannaBia by Natur Products
Alfredo Dupetit. Thus well fed by tasty hemp foods, professional visitors
(representing, for example, suppliers to automobile manufacturers) were well prepared for
rather concrete negotiations (e.g., the purchase of processed fiber for press-molded
parts).
Three years after publication of the book
"The rediscovery of hemp" (by Jack Herer, Matthias Brockers and Michael Karus)
had started the "Hemp Renaissance" in Germany, the authors answered the public's
questions at the conference. Other presentations covered "Hemp as a Renewable
Resource" on the first day, "Hemp as Medicine" on the second, and
"Hemp in Politics" on the third day.
Michael Karus, nova-Institute, opened the first
day with an overview of nova's recently completed study on "Short-term feasibility of
hemp based product lines". Other topics included results from farming trials,
industrial products and textiles from hemp, and hemp oil based foods. Two
presentations addressed the use of hemp for energy production. The first one
discussed the conversion of the entire stalk into biogas, the second one the use of hemp
oil in a combustion engine. Of particular interest was a presentation by the
Austrian firm Neusiedler AG, the worldwide first manufacturer of high quality paper from
70% pine and 30% hemp hurds.
The Saturday session on the medicinal use of
hemp comprehensively covered recent legal developments, current research, experiences from
clinical trials, and the political activities of the affected patients.
On Sunday morning, Matthias Schillo, Managing
Director of TreuHanf, summarized his company's various activities, focusing primarily on
providing financing for projects involving the farming and processing of hemp. He
indicated that TreuHanf may soon offer the first German hemp stock shares.
While the hemp community is
known for its grand visions and creative ideas, it was a pleasant surprise to observe the
interest of the media in hemp, as well as the fact that domestic sales of hemp based
products continue to grow. Even the expectedly difficult implementation of regional
hemp industries has gone off to a good start in 1996.
Michael Karus1 and Gero Leson2
1nova - Institute for Political and Ecological Innovation, 1Cologne, Germany and 2Berkeley, California.
First International Canna-Business ® Exposition
The First
International CannaBusiness ® Exposition was held in Castrop-Rauxel, Germany on
November 29-December 1. The exposition featured the first trade show committed to
the full range of Cannabis-related products including smoking paraphernalia and
marijuana growing equipment, as well as industrial hemp products. Although the first
two categories of booths were the most popular attractions, many sophisticated hemp
clothing and apparel items were also exhibited. Some of the most interesting were
pure hemp knitted underwear produced in Italy and fashions incorporating tribal hemp cloth
from China, Nepal and Thailand. The exposition was very well organized and was
attended by many curious visitors.
Accompanying the exposition, a lecture series
was given concerning the use of Cannabis as a medicine. The series opened
with a greeting from Dr. Ellis Huber, president of the Medical Council of Berlin, and
began with a lecture on Cannabis for medical treatment, written by Franjo
Grotenhermen and presented by Michael Karus. Case studies were mentioned in which
patients accidentally discovered the helpful pharmacological properties of Cannabis products
used illicitly. The history of its use in the older medical literature was
recounted, as well as the relatively recent discovery of the brain's THC receptor and its
natural ligand, anandamide. Dr. Robert Gorter, a physician at Berlin's Institute for
Oncological and Immunological Research presented his plans for a multi-center trial of Cannabis
as a medicine in the treatment of AIDS patients (see page 71). Dr. Rudolf
Brenneisen, a pharmacologist at the Pharmaceutical Institute of the University of Bern
(Switzerland), recounted his work with MS patients given THC in both oral and rectal
forms, and talked of plans for wider studies with MS patients (see page 71). Lastly,
Alexander Remmele of Berlin announced the formation of a German self-help group known as
"Cannabis as Medicine", to help those in need of Cannabis for
therapeutic purposes.