Community cannabinoid testing project

[eridani]

Dr. Michele Sexton is a clinical researcher at the UW Department of Pharmacology, working in the Laboratory of Brain Immunology run by Dr. Nephi Stella. The Stella Lab is currently researching the cannabinoid signaling system in the brain, and specifically whether agents acting through CB2 receptors can boost the brain’s immune system against brain tumors and/or temper the autoimmune response associated with multiple sclerosis. It is, in short, amazing research, happening right in our own back yard. See:

http://depts.washington.edu/stellalb/researchinterests.shtml

Dr. Sexton has proposed a community cannabinoid testing project, which would allow Washington State patients and providers to test medicinal cannabis for cannabinoid content -- THC, CBD, CBN, etc. After recent visits to similar testing sites in California and Montana, Dr. Sexton believes we can have this project up and running for around $3,500. With that we could purchase the methodology, the "standards," and everything necessary to create testing samples. Cost per test would likely be between $100-200 and would require one gram of sample material.

Can you imagine being able to test your medicinal cannabis for constituent cannabinoid content? Medical marijuana has been a reality in our state for 12 years, and we have never had real access to scientific cannabis testing and analysis. Different strains of cannabis differently affect different people and different conditions. Some folks explain this as simply as "the sativa strains give you more of a heady high, and the indica strains give you more of a body high." In reality it has to do largely with the varying levels of cannabinoids in the plant at hand. And there is no home testing kit for that, so pretty much Washington State patients *can never know*.

This would change that situation, take us out of the unknown and down the path of knowing. The cost to make that dream a reality is $3,500. The CDC has pledged to fundraise $1,500 of that, but we're hoping we can do better. Please consider taking one or more of the following actions:


1. Go to http://cdc.coop/testing and "chip in" with a paypal donation.

2. Send money to Testing Project c/o CDC, Box 45622, Seattle, WA 98145.

3. Drop by the new Cannabis Resource Center, 1714 1st Ave S. and donate in person.

4. Respond to this email with a pledge, e.g. "I'm good for $100 on this project."

5. We are trying to gauge community interest. Let us know if you or anyone you know would be interested in using this service, how often, how many samples, etc.

Such thoughtful, cost effective projects need real support. The cannabis community is well served by small tithing to projects like this. Small contributions compounded can generate great return.