Raphael Mechoulam: The Father of Medical Marijuana Research

Israeli pharmacologist  Raphael Mechoulam was a part of the research team responsible for identifying and synthesizing THC over 50 years ago. He continues to explore the chemistry and pharmacology of cannabinoids.

Raphael Mechoulam

“I believe that the cannabinoids represent a medicinal treasure trove which waits to be discovered,” says Mechoulam.

Dr. Mechoulam officially retired 15 years ago but continues to write grants and works from his lab at the Department for Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products at the Hadassah- Hebrew University medical school in Israel.

Early in his research, he had difficulty obtaining high potency cannabis for his studies. Indeed, this remains a significant problem for researchers today. He contacted the army buddy of a colleague, who was the head of the investigative branch of the national police. Unaware of official protocol, the officer provided the young faculty member with five kilograms of seized Lebanese hashish. He credits some of his success to working in a small country where such connections were possible.

1963
Mechoulam and his research partners revealed the structure of cannabidiol (CBD), an ingredient in cannabis with anti-inflammatory properties.
1964
Mechoulam and his research partners isolated THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, for the first time, established its structure and synthesized it.

Some of Mechoulam's latest research is focusing on the chemical basis of personality. "We have started looking at something nobody has yet really looked at thoroughly: The chemical basis for why eight billion people in the world have different personalities. The same compounds are found in all our brains; however, they all go up and down constantly.”

Thanks to Dr. Mechoulam for his contributions to science and we wish him the best on his future research endeavors.

-------- (C) 2012 Stoner Living

I-502 Comment Period Open Rules for Marijuana Producer Licenses in WA State

Dear Concerned Marijuana Cultivators,

Now's the time to submit your input to help shape the face of the legal marijuana industry! Hearings about the I-502 'producer', 'processor' and 'retailer' licenses will be held separately. First up is producing...

This rulemaking will address rules regarding marijuana producer licenses and the requirements for those licenses as stipulated by I-502. Additional rulemaking will be filed at a later date to address the other new licenses created in the initiative.

I-502 Implementation

 The Liquor Control Board encourages you to give input on the rules. The Rules Coordinator will set up at least two meetings to collect stakeholder input prior to drafting proposed rules. As required by the initiative, rules for implementation of I-502 must be complete by December 1, 2013.

 Look for more information at http://www.liq.wa.gov/laws/laws-and-rules under Proposed Rules.

The meeting schedules will be posted on the LCB website once the dates are established. The Washington State Liquor Control Board has entered into the initial stage of rulemaking to begin implementing Initiative 502 by writing rules to implement marijuana producer licenses and their requirements. You have a unique opportunity to stand up and help shape the future of marijuana legalization!

The procedure for establishing the "producer"license rules goes like this:

Following the comment period (which ends February 10, 2013), the agency will send out and publish proposed rules, establish a comment period on the proposed rules, and hold at least one public hearing before rules are adopted.

Public Comment on Producer Licensing: Now through February 10, 2013

e-mail:  rules@liq.wa.gov

By mail: Rules Coordinator 

Liquor Control Board
P.O. Box 43080
Olympia, WA 98504-3080

Don't miss your chance to be a part of history in the making! The Stoner Living Blog is not affiliated with the Liquor Control Board, but we do encourage our readers to make a difference by participating in the process.

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(c) 2012 Stoner Living