Is CBD-rich cannabis right for you?

Harborside Health Center is now offering a different type of medical cannabis -- strains that are relatively high in Cannabidol (CBD).

CBD is non-intoxicating. Patients who appreciate the euphoric effect of high-THC cannabis will probably not favor CBD-rich strains.

On the other hand, patients who want the anti-spasm or anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis delievered without an accompanying "high" might prefer a CBD-rich strain. CBD-rich cannabis is potentially effective, according to European and Israeli researchers, in easing the symptoms of rhumatoid arthritis, diabetes, nausea, and inflammatory bowel disorders, among other difficult-to-control conditions.

The safety of CBD has been well established in clinical trials in England, where a pharmaceutical company produces a CBD-rich plant extract with government approval.

In offering CBD-rich cannabis, Harborside staff -- and collective members who choose to try it out -- are participating in basic medical research. We are taking steps to determine which compounds in the plant are responsible for its varied effects on the mind and body. We look forward to the day when government health authorities take responsibility for this research.