Which are the differences between Cannabis Light and Therapeutic Cannabis?

Which are the differences between Cannabis Light and Therapeutic Cannabis?

We often receive messages from consumers asking information on the topic and what emerges is the necessity to make clarity by giving precise information.

Today, we are assisting a Cannabis boom; compared to some years ago, more and more people have heard talking at least once of the plant with its innumerable properties. 

What do we mean when we talk about Cannabis light?

With the term cannabis light or legal Hemp, in common use we intend the inflorescences of industrial hemp, having an active principle not superior to 0,6%.

According to the Italian law, n. 242 approved in December 2016, the production and marketing of industrial hemp is allowed in Italy, as long as the presence of THC does not exceed 0.2% and the seeds are included in directive 202/53 of The European Union.

In case the percentage of THC is higher than 0.2% but remains within the limit of 0.6%, the agriculturist is relieved of any responsibility in this regard.

If, on the other hand, the limit of 0.6% is exceeded, the legal authorities can destroy or confiscate the field. Law nr. 242 also prohibits the importation of seeds not present in the European catalogue.

It should be noted, however, that percentages from 0.5% and more in inflorescences used for recreational purposes, will fall under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

What do we mean when we talk about Therapeutic Cannabis?

In Italy, medical doctors can prescribe magistral preparations containing active plant substances with cannabis for medical use, to be prepared in nominated structures. 

The inflorescences for the galenic preparations are produced at the Military Chemical and Pharmaceutical Plant of Florence.

As provided for by the Ministerial Decree of November 9, 2015 the prescription of cannabis “for medical use” in Italy, is limited to its engagement in “chronic pain and pain associated with multiple sclerosis as well as in spinal cord injuries; in nausea and vomit caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, HIV therapies; as an appetite stimulant in cachexia, anorexia, loss of appetite in cancer patients or patients affected by AIDS and in anorexia nervosa; for its hypotensive effect in glaucoma; in the reduction of involuntary movements of the body and the face in the Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome.”

THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)

THC was isolated and synthesized for the first time in the Sixties by Raffael Mechoulam, “the Cannabis doctor”, Israeli, who was amongst the very first scientists studying Cannabis and its potentials.

In 1985 the “Food and Drugs Administration” recognized its therapeutic abilities, developing a medical drug, Dronabinol, developed by Unimed Pharmaceuticals and financed by the National Cancer Institute.

THC is responsible for the psychotropic effect, developed during the consumption of Cannabis. THC stimulates the brain to release dopamine which creates an effect of euphoria and wellbeing.

CBD (Cannabidiol)

CBD  is an active compound of Cannabis Sativa and represents the main Phytocannabinoid present in the entire plant complex (hundreds of chemical substances and more than 70 Phytocannabinoids, of which some are still little examined).

For some years now, we’ve been assisting a renewed interest in CBD by the Scientific and Medical Community, mainly due to the discovery of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and neuroprotectant activities.