Approaching the cannabis conversation with kids can feel daunting. Even rational adults have such wide-ranging reactions, so who can guess how kids will react if you tell them you use it?

Parents that drink alcohol can choose from a range of social examples to frame their conversation and can even joke its use. But the norms surrounding cannabis are changing so quickly that our conversations haven’t necessarily caught up, and the topic can feel heavy.
So, whether you’re already using or you plan to use, what should you do? Don’t avoid talking to your kids about cannabis. Just like the conversations you have with kids about sex and alcohol, “the sooner the better”, would be a good option.

This is especially important if you think you might consume cannabis in front of them—the same way you might drink a beer while the kids play in the backyard. If they see you doing something, of course they’re going to ask ‘What is that?’” The conversation will look different depending on your child’s age, but the point is, don’t avoid the conversation. You don’t drink alcohol in secret or avoid talking to your kids about it, so don’t do that with cannabis either.

It’s a big cultural shift going from hush-hush to corner store, and it’s OK to approach it cautiously. There’s no need to bombard kids with information. We’re setting an example for our kids of how we want them to proceed as they grow up, so go slowly and be thoughtful when you’re talking to your kids.

When in doubt, consider how you would answer their questions about alcohol. If they ask what it is, you can say that it’s something for grown-ups and that they can decide when they’re grown up if they want to have any.

If your kids are old enough that they’re already aware of cannabis (although they probably know it as marijuana or weed), then they might be shocked to know that their parents are “doing drugs.” This is where it will help for you to have a solid understanding of the safety, benefits and drawbacks of cannabis and how it differs from drugs, both legal and illegal. It’s best to describe cannabis as a natural plant and the federal government has classified it was a “drug”, but your physician does not agree, he has taught you that it has far reaching medical benefits that help people on many levels.

Curious kids might even like to be taught the reasons why cannabis was banned and why the government has changed its policy.

Cannabis is objectively safer than alcohol— it’s impossible to die from taking too much cannabis – advocates often avoid comparing the plant with alcohol, but from a recreational perspective, many of the lessons we preach about alcohol are transferable, particularly that it is a substance for grown-ups best enjoyed in moderation and under the care of a physician.

 Even though there’s the newer and very important conversation happening around the healthy benefits of cannabis and the idea that it can be used as medicine, I think it’s still an important conversation to have with your kids that too much of anything, even if it’s a good thing, can be detrimental. You want to give kids the good and the bad. Focus on why we use it and what it’s for. Parents should neither hide nor glamorize their consumption—this has been agreed on by parenting coaches and cannabis experts. Experts also agree that cannabis is not addictive and it does in fact have medicinal value.

Do yourself a favor and educate yourself on cannabis, knowledge is key. Share that knowledge with your kids. If you feel uncertain explaining the scientific/medical stuff, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Hashim so that he can sit down with you and your child and explain things from a medical perspective. Once the child hears what he has to say and if the child obtains his cannabis card, perhaps part of the conversation should be that “as your parent I would like to be with you the first time you try cannabis as I can provide sound guidance”.

As your kids get older, they’ll start to see and hear more about “pot”, and they may come to you with their questions. Satisfying your child’s need for information means educating yourself on the new cannabis landscape, whether you consume or not. Cannabis is everywhere, and it will not only look and smell like “weed” but also comes in a lot of different forms. (i.e. smoking, vaping, edibles, topical, etc…)

Also please educate your child about the dangers of delta-8 THC and other synthetic THC available outside the dispensary, along with the dangers of “street” cannabis because of the fentanyl crisis.

Ideally, parents should understand the differences to accurately explain the benefits and side effects to their kids. Dr. Hashim offers a great deal of educational research based information along with videos on his website at www.TheHerbalClinicMD.com as well.

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What about all these new synthetic cannabinoids ( DELTA-8 THC, DELTA-10, THC-P, THJCjd, THC-H, THC-O, HHC) showing up in gas stations, on line, convenience stores and smoke shops?

1. They are all synthetics made by manipulating hemp CBD using sometimes toxic and dangerous solvents. These are being exploited by “hemp” product manufacturers to sell extremely potent intoxicants that are more dangerous than anything sold at your dispensary.
2. There is no regard for public health and safety, little to no safety testing.
3. These products are rife with contaminants, inaccurately labeled and brazenly marketed to children.
4. “Hemp” manufacturers are producing compounds not native to the plant. The process involves the use of toxic and corrosive solvents and heavy metal catalysts, remnants of which can be found in the final product.

QUESTIONABLE SAFETY

These products are not the same as delta-9 THC.

Cannabinoid researchers note that “synthetic cannabinoids” cause various health problems that are potentially deadly! Here are just some of the health problems.

1. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (bleeding in the lungs)
2. Acute respiratory failure
3. Stroke
4. Seizures
5. Kidney damage
6. Increased risk of psychosis
7. Ketene gas in concentrations that is harmful when heated in a vape device (lethal at 5 parts/million) What caused the deaths at the height of the EVALI “vaping crisis”

As your physician I am begging you to never ever use any of these products and please speak to your children about this issue.

To Your Health,

Mark Hashim, MD

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Endocannabinoid Enhancing Foods

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS

A well balance ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 ratios are necessary to promote optimal functionality of the endocannabinoid system since our endogenous cannabinoids are produced from something called arachidonic acid.  Most western diets unfortunately have a ratio of 1:10 omega-3:omega-6. When our ratios are 1:10 the body down-regulates the cannabinoid receptors (i.e.makes less receptors so cannabis has less to work on). It is desirable to have a 1:1 ratio to optimize the receptors. Most poor western diets contain too much omega-6 found in cooking oils like corn, sunflower, safflower and soy and in animal products and eggs.

Omega-3 are needed to balance the omega-6, but are harder to come by in the diet.  Also these omega-3 are very important for neurological and cardiac function.

Sources of endocannabinoid foods:

•  Pasture raised eggs (not pasteurized) or eggs enriched with omega-3
•  Ground flax seeds and flax seed oil
•  Chia seeds
•  Hemp seeds and hemp oil
•  Walnuts
•  Sardines and anchovies

Chocolate

Cocao powder has three compounds that have very similar chemical structures to endocannabinoids.  These three compounds can slow down the metabolism of your cannabinoids, resulting in higher levels of endocannabinoids and also have some activity similar to cannabinoids. An added bonus is it may help prevent dementia, heart disease and strokes.

The key is to obtain a chocolates with a high cocoa content greater than 70% or raw cacao nibs.

TEAS AND HERBS

Many herbs contain chemicals that enhance the endocannabinoid system.  Black pepper, clove, cinnamon, oregano and cannabis all have beta-caryophyllene, a terpene that actually stimulates our CB2 receptors that are present throughout our body, immune  and inflammatory systems. Echinacea also contains CB2 binding capacity to help fight infections and inflammation.  

Tea contains chemicals that prevent the breakdown of endocannabinoids and stimulates the CB1 receptors that are mainly in the brain.  This is an added benefit from making Dr. Hashim’s cannabis tea.

Curcumin (found in one of our OptiHeal CBD products) comes from the spice turmeric and raises endocannabinoid levels.

Maca root powder is known to increase sexual vitality and improve reaction to stress, and it too slows the breakdown of endocannabinoids.

Probiotics and fermented foods also help the endocannabinoid system in the gut.

ORGANIC FOODS AND AVOID PLASTIC

Pesticides are known to disrupt the endocannabinoid system, so it is important to shop for organic foods especially when it comes to dairy, meats and high pesticide containing produce ( see www.ewg.org/foodnews/).

Phthalates are added to plastic, tin containers and water bottles and they are known to block cannabinoid receptors and negatively impact our hormonal system.  Use glass or stainless steel food containers and packaging and never eat food that’s been heated in plastic.

Moderate to high quantities of alcohol impairs the endocannabinoid system, so avoid or consume very little alcohol.

Endocannabinoid Enhancing Activities

Certain activities not only enhance the endocannabinoid system, but also allow you to feel great, improve your health and effectiveness of cannabis.

STRESS REDUCING ACTIVIES

Chronic stress depletes the endocannabinoid system, a well tuned endocannabinoid system protects from the ill effects of stress.  A daily exercise routine keeps the endocannabinoid system optimized, but only if you enjoy it.

Reiki (energy healing), offered at The Herbal Clinic, MD, is a valuable tool to help bring balance to chakras, align the body and assist the endocannabinoid system to optimize functionality.

Social interactions (not social media), have been shown to lower stress and enhance endocannabinoid function.  This means actually in person interaction, not virtual interaction.

Other suggestions include:

• Meditation
• Massage
• Yoga
• Acupuncture
• Osteopathic manipulation
• Breathing exercises
  

I hope this is helpful to start your journey along a healthy path with the incorporation of cannabis.

Resources

McPartland JM, Guy GW, Di Marzo V. Care and Feeding of the Endocannabinoid System: A Systematic Review of Potential Clinical Interventions that Upregulate the Endocannabinoid System. Romanovsky AA, ed. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(3):e89566. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0089566, 

Jürg, et al. “Beta-caryophyllene is a dietary cannabinoid.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 105.26 (2008): 9099-9104.

Di Tomaso, Emmanuelle, Massimiliano Beltramo, and Daniele Piomelli. “Brain cannabinoids in chocolate.” Nature 382.6593 (1996): 677-678.

Quistad, Gary B., et al. “Cannabinoid CB1 receptor as a target for chlorpyrifos oxon and other organophosphorus pesticides.” Toxicology letters 135.1-2 (2002): 89-93.Dhopeshwarkar, Amey S., et al. “The actions of benzophenanthridine alkaloids, piperonyl butoxide and (S)-methoprene at the G-protein coupled cannabinoid CB1 receptor in vitro.” European journal of pharmacology 654.1 (2011): 26-32.

Russo, Ethan B. “Beyond cannabis: plants and the endocannabinoid system.” Trends in pharmacological sciences 37.7 (2016): 594-605.

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