Hawaii Cannabis Expo 2018

   Medical and non-medical marijuana users unite at this year's 3rd Annual Hawaii Cannabis Expo at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall this past weekend (Feb 8-10). By far one of the most interesting functions I've attended, I could only kick myself at not having a medical license to buy some bud from the multitude of dispensaries that showed up for the event. At $20 at the door, this event was still very worthwhile, hosting a variety of vendors showcasing pipes, bongs, vapes, cartridges, various hemp products, clothing, packaged edibles, fresh CBD food, piece cases, holistic CBD remedies, and the newest technology in trimming and extraction, besides information booths for clear advocates of marijuana usage, seminars regarding cannabis as a medicine, growing practices, updates from Senator Espero about marijuana legalization in Hawaii, etc and even glass-blowing demonstrations. More than just a hub for stoners, I thought the expo was quite educational and ground-breaking in the open availability and legitimacy of information that was revealed and the possibilities that Cannabis can provide for us as a society and for Hawaii specifically.
   I was first drawn to the conference rooms where I caught the last half of Martin Lee's Beyond CBD: Cannabis Therapeutics And Holistic Healing and later listened in for Senator Will Espero's talk- Medical Cannabis, Hemp And Adult Use in regards to the current legalization issue in Hawaii. Below you can find summaries of both seminars as well as a list of vendors who showed face this year, and a few candid photos from the event (; Standouts include crystal pipes (from the B.I.;) and this yummy Hemp juice that tasted like non-sour strawberry sour-punch straws mmmmm!

Martin Lee (Project CBD) - Beyond CBD: Cannabis Therapeutics And Holistic Healing

• The Endocannabinoid system regulates brain activity, immune function, stem cell generation, glucose metabolism, pain perception and many physiological systems
• The Endocannabinoid system buffers stress
• Acute stress is vital for survival (fight or flight), while chronic stress depletes Endocannabinoid tone and elevates cortisol levels leading to inflammation, hypertension, hormone imbalances and cognitive impairment
• Endocannabinoids turn down stress levels back to the base line
• Cannabinoids are chemical compounds naturally found in the body that interact with our CB1 and CB2 receptors
• CBD is non-psychoactive, actually counteracting any high THC might provide
• Clinical Endocannabinoid deficiency results in migraines, Fibromyalgia, depression, Alzheimer's and PTSD
• Deficiencies are caused by chronic stress, genetic anomalies and lifestyle
• Disease is an expression of an organism's effort to cope with stress
• Enhance Endocannabinoid tone with diet, exercise, acupuncture, aromatherapy and medicinal herbs
• Exercise can change gene expression, reduce drug cravings and improve sleep
• Endocannabinoids regulate REM sleep and circadian rhythms
• Our own Cannabinoid levels shift throughout the day, which is why in Ayurvedic medicine certain herbs should be taken at certain times of the day
• Most herbal medicine bind directly with Cannabinoid receptors
• 75-90% of the world's rural people rely on traditional herbal medicine as their primary health care
• Kava activates the CB1 receptor
• Treatment with Curcumin results in sustained elevation of Endocannabinoids
• Echinacea herb activates the CB2 receptor
• Treatment with Turmeric shows a reduction of liver fibrosis
• Turpenes are what gives Cannabis its varying smell, taste and feel in different strains
• Beta-Caryophyllene is the only turpene that binds directly to the Cannabinoid receptors (also the most prevalent turpene in Cannabis)
• Beta-Caryophyllene is present in leafy greens, black pepper, cloves, basil, oregano and cinnamon
• Beta-Caryophyllene inhibits FAAH
• St John's Wort, an herbal anti-depressant is a FAAH inhibitor
• Nutmeg inhibits FAAH and MAGL
• Urine-drinking was actually considered medicinal in ancient times and will boost cannabinoids
• Fasting boosts Endocannabinoid levels
• Gut microbiota modulate intestinal cannabinoid tone
• Gut dysbriosis  linked to disease including Obesity and type 2 Diabetes
• Resveratrol is a natural compound and powerful antioxidant (found in wine)
• Quercetin (also found in wine, among other things) is a natural compound that helps receptors express themselves
• Olive oil reactivates CB1 expression, can reinforce cannabis levels and protect cells against cancer
• Deficiency in Omega 3s depletes Cannabinoids signaling and is associated with disease
• Healthy meal Plan: glass of red wine (yassssss!), truffles app (for the anandamides), miso soup (probiotic), curried veges (curcumin), leafy greens (beta-caryophyllene), olive oil, fruit compote, and a coconut dessert with hemp seeds
• Cannabis best used with a healthy lifestyle (:

Will Espero - Medical Cannabis, Hemp And Adult Use

• Marijuana and Hemp banned in the 40s due to fake news, perpetuated by people who competed with the Hemp industry (Hemp fuel vs fossil fuels, Hemp paper vs traditional paper etc)
• 60s- counter-revolution
• Hawaii needs to work first on decriminalization and then legalization
• Legislation has been passed, roadblocked by House of Reps.
• Currently talking about revenue to fund moving OCC to Halawa, moving schools, etc- option is new revenue which would be legalization and gambling
• Medical cannabis is here to stay
• By end of this year we might see double digits of states that legalize
• Dept. of Agriculture- industrial Hemp program (as of Jan 1st) is taking applications for Hemp growing license ($250 +$2/acre and up to 10 acres)
• "Hempcrete" used to build Hemp house on Maui
• Hopeful about Medical Marijuana Tourism (as Tourism is Hawaii's #1 industry)
• $6 Billion spent each year on imported bio-fuels, imagine bringing that revenue back in (Hemp oil)
• Edibles, from the regulatory perspective is going to take some time to reach dispensaries (hopefully by 2020)
• Another area of interest: medical-marijuana users getting drug tested at work- testing positive should not be a reason for termination (in jobs that have nothing to do with safety unlike bus drivers or airplane pilots)
• Vapes and joints currently not available at dispensaries (Dept of Health is anti-smoking)
• Bill currently working on: a collaboration between UH and Dept of Health to create internal database where patients can submit data about usage, amounts, and ailment and whether it is working or not
• Forecast for recreational use in Hawaii- 5 years (but as soon as 1)
• We need: 13 votes in the Senate, 26 in the House of Reps (advocate, lobby and let your elected officials know your opinions)
• Senator Will Espero supports releasing cannabis-holders in jail once legalized and purge citation from record
• Opposition with progress- law enforcement and very conservative people
• There are currently 8 licensed dispensaries in Hawaii
• Associations that are advocates- Drug Policy Forum, Hawaii Dispensary Alliance

Hawaii Cannabis Expo Exhibitors/Vendors: