The Cannabis Corner Ep #16: The Entourage Effect & Cancer; Plus Testing Truths, Labels & Tests

On Episode 16 we speak with cancer survivor Karam Levi who discusses an upbringing of drug use and family tumult which led him to avoid all drugs including cannabis until he's diagnosed with a very rare mouth cancer. He is reluctant to take cannabis, makes him feel paranoid, although friends are saying ti will take the edge off. Very sick from chemo, in bed all day, he reluctantly smokes and in 15 minutes he feels his senses come to life and his energy boosted and his interests in film and food come to life. Karam’s mind was given a new window of possibility. He felt like having fun, as the entourage effect had begun. Aside from the physical healing components, still to be determined by research, the energy and ability to think clearly and spiritually, opened his healing to more possibility. Isaac Roth of Anresco Labs in San Francisco, CA, joins us to discuss how cannabis is tested for labeling. The process of determining the ratio of CBD to THC is expensive and currently a bit subjective. Isaac discusses the specifics of how these numbers are determined. Potency tests, residual solvent testing for pesticides. Why should consumers trust these numbers? Isaac feels the final results should be taken with a grain of salt, because the research methods are still limited due to the product being a schedule 1 drug. With federal legalization these tests will be more consistent. Also terpene testing could be included, something currently not listed on cannabis packaging.