It’s a popular theme in marijuana use – the “entourage effect.” It’s defined as the broad-spectrum sense of wellness derived from consuming an unaltered or concentrated form of cannabis. All the natural chemicals found in cannabis are ingested simultaneously.
Any single chemical in isolation does not perform in the same way that a substance will when associated with other chemicals found in the original, natural source. The three primary components of the marijuana chemical cocktail include CBD, THC and the phytocannabinoid group of terpenoids.
CBD by itself performs different than CBD in conjunction with THC, and both perform differently when in the presence of terpenoids. Marijuana’s strength and effect varies by strain based on the ratio of these three components, among other factors.
“It’s a mixture of CBD, cannabidiol, THC and the phytochemicals, the terpenoids,” says Harvard Professor, Dr. Lester Grinspoon. “You need all three of them to get the best therapeutic effect.”
But Dr. Grinspoon says that he entourage effect, the broad-based experience cannabis users have when they consume marijuana containing all three components, is improperly named, Grinspoon told listeners of the Planet Green Trees Radio Show on Thursday, March 10. He prefers the term “therapeutic ensemble.”
“I think that the ensemble is a better idea than entourage, because the word ‘entourage’ implies one item moving in this direction – and it has company,” Dr. Grinspoon explained, “and it is [the item] that is responsible for that activity, and the others just go along. That’s entourage.
“The word ‘ensemble’” he continued, “means that these are the three things that are required for the best therapeutic effect, but you can manipulate the percentage of two of them.”
Those are THC and CBD, Dr. Grinspoon stated. “The phytochemicals, the terpenoids, they come with it, as long as it is derived from the bud, from the plant and not from some oil where all the phytochemicals have been distilled out. As long as you are getting it from the bud you can manipulate by mixing strains.”
Dr. Grinspoon illustrated the advantage of the therapeutic ensemble, and the effect seen when it is absent: “Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, which in fact opposes tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive. If you take a large dose of CBD for therapy during the day and you try to use THC at night you won’t get high. On the other hand, you can make the THC high compared to the CBD, the ratio is reversed, and you will get a high. As long as you have the two of them, and the phytochemicals, the terpenoids, you will get a therapeutic effect.”
Charlotte’s Web, a strain of cannabis known for its high CBD and low THC ratio, was cited by Dr. Grinspoon as an example of plant manipulation to express effect. “People can use [that strain] for therapeutic utility and they won’t get high, and that’s great. On the other hand, there are some people who like to have more THC in it so they get somewhat of a high, because high equals antidepressant for some people and that is very important.”
The therapeutic ensemble is the key to maximizing medicinal effect. “In the world of the future we’re gonna have this therapeutic ensemble. You’ll be able to go into the medical store… and you can get a mix where you get the right ratio of cannabidiol to THC,” Dr. Grinspoon opined. “As long as that has terpenoids with it, it will be therapeutic.”
Advances in marijuana testing are making medicinal cannabis use more user-friendly by identifying the product’s ratio of components. Patients can look past flashy names to find medicine that will deliver consistent, predictable effects. “It will be very easy for [medical marijuana patients] to pick it out because it isn’t the name of the strain; it’s how much of these three constituents the marijuana-based medicine contains,” Dr. Grinspoon said.
One group that could benefit from this kind of targeted therapy: veterans. “PTSD is very responsive to cannabis,” Dr. Grinspoon related to PGT host, attorney Michael Komorn.
Dr. Grinspoon is a pioneer in marijuana science. During the interview he discussed some of his earliest experiences with marijuana and how they were influenced – some might say, peer-pressured – by a young Carl Sagan.
Michael Komorn was quoted in an article about Detroit law enforcement raiding dispensaries instead of licensing them.
“The current policy to shut down, raid and deny safe access is a losing hand to play,” said Michael Komorn, an attorney from Southfield and the 2015 ‘Right To Counsel Award’ winner. “Medical cannabis is a public health issue, not a public safety issue.”
“Detroit was one of remaining compassionate cities allowing safe access to medical cannabis. It has been difficult to watch the medical cannabis issue framed the way it has by the city government and community leaders. The lack of honest communication and dialogue seems to have detracted from diplomacy.”
The Criminal Defense Attorney of Michigan’s Award Committee has selected Michael J. Komorn as the recipient of their Right to Counsel Award. This award recognizes the amazing contributions of a group or individual in the form of legal representation or other extraordinary service.
Komorn will be recognized at CDAM’s Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet, Friday, March 11, 2016, at the Troy, Marriott. The Cocktail Reception begins at 6:15 with dinner at 7:00p.m. For those interested in attending, visit www.CDAMonline.org and click Registration Annual Awards Dinner Tickets ONLY. For those wishing to attend the CDAM Spring Conference AND dinner, click on 2016 Spring Conference Registration OPEN. This link will allow your to register for the conference and dinner. Tickets are $65 per person
Said CDAM President Patricia A. Maceroni, “CDAM is delighted to recognize Michael Komorn for his extraordinary work in uncovering testing irregularities at the Michigan State Police Forensic Crime Lab while representing his client, Max Lorincz, pro bono.”
While defending Lorincz, Komorn obtained emails through the Freedom of Information Act uncovering recent changes in Crime Lab policies. These policies allowed for the reporting of marijuana abstract residue as “origin unknown” allowing prosecutors to charge someone with having synthetic THC, a felony, rather than marijuana, a two year misdemeanor.
Said Komorn during a recent interview with Michigan Radio, “The lab specifically changed their policy to report these things in a way that they could arrest patients or caregivers, instead of honoring the protections of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act.”
In January 2016, Komorn was successful in getting Max Lorincz’ two year felony charge dismissed.
For more information, contact CDAM at (517) 579-0533.
One of Michigan’s most active medical marijuana attorneys was honored by the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM) with their “Justice For All” Award.
Attorney Michael Komorn was announced as recipient of the honor. Of the thousands of criminal defense attorneys in the state, Komorn’s record of challenging the system and winning propelled him into the top spot.
The award is described by CDAM below:
“The Justice for All Award is given to recognize a particular extraordinary contribution of a group of individuals. This contribution can be in the form of legal representation or other extraordinary service.”
Most recently Komorn won a dismissal of charges in the Max Lorincz case, which involved a prosecution and removal of a child from a loving home based on a tiny smear of purportedly marijuana concentrate discovered by law enforcement.
This case and the depth of Komorn Law’s digging into the back story, revealed the scientifically invalid and politically motivated changes in reporting marijuana concentrates as ‘origin unknown’ by the Michigan State Police Crime Lab.
The Lorincz case underscores what Komorn has been fighting for all along: an unyielding pursuit of the truth and exoneration for patients caught in a system designed to capture them.
Attorney Komorn was honored at a special dinner at the Troy Marriott, along with “President’s Award” winner William Maze, on Friday March 11.
Although the Lorincz case is the most recent and notable victory for Komorn Law, his other accomplishments stand out as well.
“I’ve got two rules about working with attorneys,” said Jeff Frazier, lawyer, who worked with Komorn on the MSP Crime Lab case. “They have to be great at it and they have to love it. I’m proud to work with Michael.”
Just a few of Komorn Law’s case highlights include:
Having the entire Lapeer County Prosecutor’s office tossed off a medical marijuana case for being biased.
Challenging the Michigan State Police Crime Lab as they pervert scientific method to satisfy the political needs of prosecutors
Becoming involved as a Commission Member on the new Marijuana Law Section of the State Bar Association of Michigan
As well as many successful defenses of patients and caregivers registered with the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA) in courts across Michigan.
“There are times that justice may seem blind, in this circumstance it was not deaf,” offered Lapeer attorney Bernard Jocuns, the newly-elected Chair of the Marijuana Law Section. “Perseverance, diligence and sincerity for marijuana patients as a whole brought a selfless victory that will be remembered for the ages.”
Komorn is more than just a criminal defense attorney. He is the Executive Director of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association and the host of a weekly radio talk show dedicated to MMMA patients and the attorneys that represent them. The Planet Green Trees Radio Show has received notoriety nationally; interviews with legislators, scientists and attorneys for the past five years have offered revelations and brought clarity to what can be a very confusing medical marijuana program.
Activist and producer of the Planet Green Trees Show, Jamie Lowell of MILegalize and the 3rd Coast Dispensary, said, “Michael Komorn doesn’t just take cases, he takes on an emotional commitment to sincerely help each client to the best of his ability.
“In the case of Max Lorincz, Michael was so moved by the unjust treatment of a man and his family, that he took the case pro-bono and has regularly driven three hours each way to the court house on the west side of the state, to help Max reclaim his life.”
The Criminal Defense Attorneys have already posted the award notice and the dinner details. CDAM offers this description of their organization on the group’s website :
Allen Peisner, criminal defense attorney and member of CDAM, said, “I can think of no one more deserving of this award than Michael Komorn. I am honored to know him and be a participant on his weekly internet radio show.”
“Michael Komorn’s zealous advocacy and activism in the field of marijuana law has been impressive and has inspired many lawyers, including myself, to do the same through his accomplished example,” said Barton Morris, also a CDAM member.
“Michael is a pioneer and champion in marijuana law in Michigan.”
GRAND HAVEN, MI — A judge has sided with a Spring Lake man in his battle to get a felony marijuana charge dismissed, a case that hinged on controversial state police testing methods.
Ottawa County Circuit Court Judge Ed Post granted a motion to quash the case against 35-year-old Max Lorincz, who was charged with possessing synthetic THC.
Lorincz was charged in early 2015 with possessing marijuana after police responded to his house for a medical call and found a small container containing a dab of marijuana oil. Lorincz uses the oil to control pain after a 2005 debilitating back injury.
Lorincz argued he was a registered medical marijuana patient and refused to plead guilty to the charge. Prosecutors then upgraded the count to the felony.
Prosecutors alleged the charge was appropriate because state police crime lab technicians simply listed the oil as containing THC, with the origin unknown because there was no plant-based material found.
But Lorincz’s attorney, Michael Komorn, argued that prosecutors need more evidence before they can file a charge of synthetic THC. In Lorincz’s case, the oil was from marijuana, he said.
Komorn argued some prosecutors across the state have pressured the crime lab to report oils and waxes as “origin unknown,” allow them to pursue harsher charges.
The troubles surrounding the felony charge for Lorincz involved more than just a criminal case.
Authorities placed the 6-year-old son of Lorincz and his wife into foster care after an Ottawa County Family Court petition was filed. Their son has been in foster care for more than a year and the couple, as of late October, only had supervised visitation rights.
A hearing is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 22, to review the Family Court case.
Frantz issued the following statement following Post’s ruling:
“The court’s decision turned on definitions and statutory language that we believed supported the charge as written. The District Court judge found our interpretation to be correct, Circuit Judge Post disagreed and ruled otherwise,” Frantz wrote.
“We believe the increasing prevalence of extremely high potency marijuana-based and synthetic-based drugs is reason to update and clarify our statutes,” he said.
