21 May 2015

The eCS Therapy Center, a 501(c)(3) organization Launches with Affiliate Cannabis Patient Network Institute

posted in: Cannabis | 0

Denver, CO (PRWEB) April 21, 2015

On the eve of 4/20, the celebrated marijuana holiday Cannabis Patient Network Institute, Co-Founder Regina Nelson made a big announcement. Now, CEO of The eCS Therapy Center an approved 501(c)(3) organization, Nelson states, “The eCS Therapy Center is an organization focused on cannabis education for the masses and providing cannabis patient services like peer-counseling and therapy planning.” The eCS Therapy Center will go beyond services currently offered by dispensaries because I.R.S. regulations prevent even patient-centered owners from deducting salaries and other normal expenses associated with the sale of cannabis. Nelson hopes The eCS Therapy Center and the network of peer-counselors she’s already begun training will fill this void. She says she is looking forward to hosting cannabis therapy centers across the nation.

The eCS Therapy Center will open its first office in Colorado Springs, CO late in the summer and a second office in Peoria, IL before the end of the year. As well, a national toll-free hotline is expected to be fully operational this summer. Nelson has her hands full with the launch of this new organization and Cannabis Patient Network Institute (CPNI) the non-profit she and Mark Pedersen co-founded in 2013. Pedersen is also the author of the “Missouri Cannabis Restoration and Protection Act” now petitioning for the 2016 ballot.

In 2014 CPNI managed to provide more than $ 70,000 in educational services, patient counseling, and cannabis oil on a budget of only $ 20,000—most of which Nelson and Pedersen funded personally. Nelson is hoping that the launch of The eCS Therapy Center and CPNI’s Affiliation with it will help CPNI grow into a larger benevolence ministry. “Our sponsors understand the need is great.”

Nelson plans to release the “My eCS Therapy Journal” in June—calling the book a resource text for patients desiring more information on the use of cannabis as medicine. Her book, “Theorist-at-Large: One Woman’s Ambiguous Journey into Medical Cannabis” is now available on Amazon.

For more information on The eCS Therapy Center or Cannabis Patient Network please visit http://www.MyECSTherapy.Org or http://www.CPNInstitute.Org or email ReginaNelson.CPN(at)gmail.com







14 May 2015

Study: Gay Men Have High HPV Infection Rates; The Center for the Biology of Chronic Disease (CBCD) Reviews a Study

posted in: Cannabis Science | 1


Rochester, NY (PRWEB) February 11, 2015

“Infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV)? The CBCD, which conducted two separate post-marketing clinical studies on the natural, antiviral formula of Novirin, recommends taking this effective HPV remedy to help the immune system target the latent HSV virus.” – Greg Bennett, CBCD

Research shows that men who have sex with men (MSM) have higher rates of HPV infection in the mouth. This is important to note since oral infection with the high-risk HPV-16 is now known to be a cause of head and neck cancer. During the study it was found that “oral high-risk HPV infection was significantly associated with a higher number of recent oral sex partners among MSM overall … (and) … oral-anal contact in the previous six months was significantly associated with incident oral high-risk HPV infection….” (1) For HIV infected men, the rates of HPV infection are even higher. “A much higher prevalence of up to 25% has been reported among HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM).” For these individuals, risk factors included “a higher number of recent oral sex partners and both recent tobacco smoking and cannabis use were associated with incident oral high-risk HPV infection in multivariable analyses.” (1) The CBCD recommends that HPV infected men take Novirin. This HPV remedy was shown to effectively reduce HPV symptoms in two separate post-marketing clinical studies that followed FDA guidelines.

Click to learn more about HPV symptoms.

The formula of Novirin was tested by Hanan Polansky and Edan Itzkovitz from the CBCD. The studies showed that the Novirin formula is effective against the human papillomavirus (HPV). The clinical studies were published in the peer reviewed, medical journal Pharmacology & Pharmacy, the first, in a special edition on Advances in Antiviral Drugs. Study authors wrote that, “individuals infected with HPV…reported a safe decrease in their symptoms following treatment….” (2) The study authors also wrote that, “We observed a statistically significant decrease in the severity, duration, and frequency of symptoms.” (2)

Novirin can be ordered on the product website here: http://www.novirin.com

Novirin is a natural antiviral dietary supplement. Its formula contains five natural ingredients: Selenium, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Quercetin, Cinnamomum Extract, and Licorice Extract. The first ingredient is a trace element, and the other four are plant extracts. Each ingredient and its dose was chosen through a scientific approach. Scientists at polyDNA, the company that invented and patented the formula, scanned thousands of scientific and medical papers published in various medical and scientific journals, and identified the safest and most effective natural ingredients against latent viruses. To date, Novirin is the only natural antiviral product on the market with published clinical studies on its formula that supports its claims.

Men have weaker immune responses to the human papillomavirus (HPV) in comparison to women (See Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations, from January 2014) (3). In other words, male immune systems are unable to control the latent HPV as efficiently. “This is supported by serologic studies (studies of the blood) that find a higher prevalence of HPV antibodies (proteins used by the immune system) in women than in men across all ages (3).”

New HPV infections are found in up to 39% of men every year (3). In men with healthy immune systems, HPV infections are cleared in 6 months or longer. However, in about 10% of all cases, when men have a weak immune system, HPV infections will persist. This can cause a variety of serious health problems. (See the CDC website last updated on July 25, 2013) (4).

For men, an HPV infection can lead to conditions, including genital warts, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancer (head and neck cancer) (4).

The CDC notes that “HPV may … be passed on during oral sex and genital-to-genital contact. HPV can be passed on between straight and same-sex partners-even when the infected partner has no signs or symptoms.” (See the CDC’s Website, last updated on February 5, 2013) (5).

What treatments are currently available against the HPV?

“There are no drugs approved against the HPV. Current treatments include procedures, such as cryotherapy, conization, and the Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP). These procedures use liquid nitrogen, a surgical knife (scalpel), a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, or electrical current to remove the abnormal growths caused by the HPV. These growths include cells that harbor the active virus. The procedures do not target cells with the latent virus. Since they do not remove the latent virus, these procedures only produce a temporary remission.” (5) In contrast, the formula of Novirin was designed to target the latent HPV.

Click to learn more about Novirin and HPV.

All orders of Novirin are completely confidential and no information is shared or sold to any third party. Privacy is assured.

Reference:

(1) van Aar F, Mooij SH, van der Sande M, Meijer C, King AJ, Verhagen D, Heijman T, Coutinho RA, Schim van der Loeff MF. “Twelve-month incidence and clearance of oral HPV infection in HIV-negative and HIV-infected men who have sex with men: the H2M cohort study.” BMC Infect Dis. 2014 Dec 31;14(1):3845.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25551194

(2) Polansky, H. Itzkovitz, E. Gene-Eden-VIR Is Antiviral: Results of a Post Marketing Clinical Study. Published in September 2013.

http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=36101#.U-s9ouOSz90

(3) Amber Flaherty, M.D.a, Timothy Kim, M.D.b, Anna Giuliano, Ph.D.c, Anthony Magliocco, M.D., Ph.D.d, Tariq S. Hakky, M.D.b, Lance C. Pagliaro, M.D.e, Philippe E. Spiess, M.D., M.S. “Implications for human papillomavirus in penile cancer.” Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations. Published in January 2014.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1078143913003207

(4) CDC – Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) – Genital HPV Infection – Fact Sheet. Last updated on July 25, 2013.

http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm

(5) CDC – Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – What is HPV? Last updated on February 5, 2013.

http://www.cdc.gov/hpv/whatishpv.html







5 May 2015

Oaksterdam University Presents Todd McCormicks Grow Medicine to provide marijuana education at the Rhode Island Convention Center in August

posted in: How to Grow Cannabis | 0


Oakland, CA (PRWEB) June 19, 2014

Oaksterdam University and Todd McCormick are offering three one-day presentations, best taken together. The event will be held in Todd’s hometown, at the Rhode Island Convention Center together August 15, 16 and 17.

Friday, August 15: Part 1 – Personal Cultivation Seminar

From Seed to Sale – An Overview of Cannabis and the Growing Opportunity

Saturday, August 16: Part 2 – Advanced and Commercial Cultivation Seminar

Dutch Method: Secrets of Cannabis Cultivation from Amsterdam to California

Sunday, August 17: Part 3 – Everything Extracts Seminar

Hashish: From Dry Sieve to Modern Gas Extraction & Terpenes

“People are seeking information they can trust from reliable sources with demonstrable backgrounds in the cannabis industry. Participants in professional cannabis education are quickly becoming the leaders in this emerging industry,” explained Todd McCormick, when asked why it was important to attend. Todd started growing marijuana in 1984 to combat the side effects of cancer treatments. Between the ages of two and ten, Todd underwent long-term chemotherapy & radiotherapy treatments, as well as nine major operations in his fight against a rare disease called Histiocytosis X. When his mother feared that he would not survive a new tumour in soft tissue next to his heart, she decided to give him some marijuana medicinally. Todd was nine years old at the time and his mother’s decision saved and changed his life.    

Since 1994, Todd has been an activist, publicist and researcher of Cannabis. He collaborated with Jack Herer on the ground-breaking book, “The Emperor Wears No Clothes”. In the mid-90s he lived in Amsterdam, where he became one of the first 10 patients in the Netherlands to receive a prescription for medicinal marijuana. Best-selling author Peter McWilliams brought McCormick back to California in 1997 in order to write his first book: How to Grow Medical Marijuana. That summer, the DEA raided Todd’s Bel Air home and destroyed all the legal plants on the premises; years of work and rare genetics were lost forever. After a three-year long legal battle, Todd would be denied a medical necessity defense in federal court and imprisoned for five years. His only crime was growing and studying the medicine that had saved his life.

In addition to being an uncommonly dedicated activist and expert on the Cannabis plant, Todd continues the fight to rehabilitate the image of the hemp plant as the owner of HEMP.xxx, an online magazine and community, and producer of the THC EXPO at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Todd was featured in the award winning Canadian documentary “THE UNION: The Business Behind Getting High” and is an executive producer on the currently in-production follow-up film: “THE CULTURE HIGH”. In 2012, along with Sir Richard Branson, Todd was awarded the Cannabis Culture Award for a lifetime of dedication to Cannabis legalization. His next book, titled “GrowMEDICINE” will be released this summer.

America’s first cannabis college was founded to provide students with the highest quality training. Oaksterdam University became the first institution to address the growing needs of the marijuana movement, from patients to regulators. The faculty is comprised professionals, academics and many of the most recognized names in the cannabis industry. Oaksterdam launched the Prop 19 campaign, the blueprint campaign for legalizing Cannabis for adult consumption. The Oakland campus is located across from the historic FOX Theater in revitalized downtown Oakland, California.

Since 2007,Oaksterdam University has provided quality training about Cannabis and marijuana policy reform for over 17,000 students at several campuses in the United States. “The institution offers the chance to learn about this controversial plant, and creates an interesting blend of individuals and opportunity,” said Dale Sky Jones, Executive Chancellor. “OU welcomes diverse students who are looking to change careers; some simply want to brush up on their horticulture skills. OU also attracts business owners who want to train their staff, folks who want to open their own business, and patients simply trying to understand the law and their rights. More and more baby boomers are discovering they would rather smoke pot than reach for pharmaceuticals.”

The Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC) is one of New England’s premier meeting and exhibition facilities. Located in the heart of downtown Providence, the RICC is within walking distance to restaurants, hotels, shops, art galleries, nightclubs, museums and a superb in-house catering team.

To schedule an interview with Todd McCormick or Dale Sky Jones, please contact (510) 251-1544 or email events(at)oaksterdamuniversity(dot)com.







18 Mar 2015

Novus Medical Detox Center Addresses Workplace Implications of Federal Medical Marijuana Ban Ending

posted in: Cannabis | 0


New Port Richey, FL (PRWEB) February 23, 2015

Employers’ policies regarding workplace drug testing and employees’ cannabis use have recently fallen under question since Congress voted to end the federal ban on medical marijuana in December. In light of those questions, Novus Medical Detox Center analyzes the workplace implications of the policy change. The Florida drug detox facility emphasizes that under current law in most states, employers are still allowed to conduct drug testing and make hiring and firing decisions based on the results—regardless of whether a worker has a valid prescription for medical marijuana.

While the provision passed by Congress prohibits federal agents from prosecuting individuals who are buying or selling medical marijuana in accordance with state law, there are no federal restrictions on workplace policies concerning medical marijuana use. An employer’s right to enforce a drug-free workplace policy is left for the individual states to decide. So far, only a few states (including Arizona, Delaware and Minnesota) have statutes that prohibit employers from firing workers for a positive marijuana drug test if the employee holds a valid medical marijuana card; and in states without such prohibitions, the courts have generally ruled in favor of the employer. (1) Furthermore, because the federal government still classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, it must be treated as a prohibited substance in any workplace that is subject to federal regulations requiring drug testing of safety-sensitive workers or that receives federal funding. (2)

Novus previously analyzed the broader issue of substance abuse among American workers and found that drug use had a negative effect on employee productivity. Several studies have specifically explored the impact of marijuana use among workers and reported similar findings. One study noted that smoking cannabis impairs performance for a period of about four hours and presents an increased risk for injury or accidents when used before work or on the job. (3) Another study examined postal workers who tested positive for marijuana on a pre-employment drug test and found that they had 55% more industrial accidents, 85% more injuries and a 78% increase in absenteeism compared to workers who tested negative for marijuana use. (4)

“Given that marijuana has been shown to have a negative impact on job performance and safety, employers have a legitimate concern regarding its use in the workplace,” said Will Wesch, Director of Admissions for Novus Medical Detox Center. “Businesses still maintain the right to conduct drug testing among workers and job candidates. And while a few states offer protections for people who hold a valid medical marijuana prescription, the majority of states do not. This means employers may terminate employment or rescind job offers for anyone who tests positive for marijuana use, and legal precedent has been on the employers’ side.”

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, marijuana’s classification as a Schedule I substance means that it has “a high potential for abuse and potentially severe psychological and/or physical dependence.” (5) Wesch cautions that this potential for addiction may result in marijuana serving as a gateway to harder drugs: “Many people dismiss marijuana as a ‘soft drug’ and don’t see the harm in using it. But among the patients admitted to Novus for substance abuse treatment and detox, we’ve found that an overwhelming percentage of them started out using marijuana before graduating to cocaine, heroin, opiates or other illicit drugs.”

Wesch advises workers to be aware that marijuana use can jeopardize their employment, health and safety, and urges them to proceed with caution even in states when medical marijuana is legally permitted. For those using cannabis in addition to other prescription medications or illicit drugs, Novus offers customized substance abuse treatment programs that can help individuals overcome dependency and addiction. The Florida drug detox facility features a home-like residential setting, medically supervised care and a personalized treatment program that is designed to minimize the discomfort of withdrawal and contribute to a successful recovery.

For more information on Novus Medical Detox Center and its substance abuse treatment programs, visit http://www.novusdetox.com.

About Novus Medical Detox Center:

Novus Medical Detox Center is a Joint Commission Accredited inpatient medical detox facility that offers safe, effective alcohol and drug treatment programs in a home-like residential setting. Located on 3.25 tree-lined acres in New Port Richey, Fla., Novus is also licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families and is known for minimizing the discomfort of withdrawal from prescription medication, drugs or alcohol by creating a customized detox program for each patient. By incorporating medication, natural supplements and fluid replenishment, Novus tailors the detox process for each patient, putting the dignity and humanity back into drug detoxification. Patients have 24/7 medical supervision, including round-the-clock nursing care and access to a withdrawal specialist, and enjoy comfortable private or shared rooms with a telephone, cable television and high-speed Internet access. Novus’ expansion is tied to their contribution to their industry and their local community, ranking number 48 on the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2014 Fast 50 Awards list of the fastest-growing companies in Tampa Bay, and number 2,936 on the 2014 Inc. 500/5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America. For more information, visit http://www.novusdetox.com.

1. Rojas, Jasmin. “Marijuana and the Workplace. What’s an Employer to Do?”; HR and Employment Law News on HR.BLR.com; January 21, 2015. hr.blr.com/HR-news/Performance-Termination/Alcohol-and-Drugs-Testing/Marijuana-and-workplace-Whats-an-employer-to-do#

2. Becker, Jamie. “The State of Marijuana in the U.S. in 2015”; Lifelines; February 2015. lhsfna.org/index.cfm/lifelines/february-2015/the-state-of-marijuana-in-the-u-s-in-2015/

3. Macdonald, Scott; Wayne Hall; et al. “Testing for Cannabis in the Work-Place: A Review of the Evidence”; Addiction; March 2010. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02808.x/abstract

4. Zwerling, Craig; James Ryan; and Endel John Orav. “The Efficacy of Preemployment Drug Screening for Marijuana and Cocaine in Predicting Employment Outcome”; JAMA; November 28, 1990. jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=384067

5. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Drug Schedules; no date; accessed February 16, 2015. dea.gov/druginfo/ds.shtml







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