Cannabis Pharmacy--a Book Your Library Needs...

Book Review!

Cannabis Pharmacy By Michael Backes
978-1-57912-951-4

Michael Backes has done a great service by producing this wonderful book on medical cannabis.

His book covers a nice portion of material on cannabis and related subjects.  It is often hard to get all this material in one book.

Cannabis as medicine has a long history of usage.  

Here are the contents:

Contents of book.  Click image to enlarge.

This wonderful resource is broken into logical chunks of information for readers who want to learn about medical cannabis.  

Mr. Backes gives a great historical and social perspective on cannabis that is well-researched and is put in terms that the average reader can understand.

Adverse side effects are covered and explicated.

He then goes on to describe what makes the particular varieties of cannabis and shows a large sample of strains that have been developed by breeders.

Varieties of medical cannabis

He explains in detail the history, genetics and different types of cannabis strains and how they can be used to treat medical conditions. 

Strains of cannabis explained.

His notes and citations of different strains are profusely explained and the medical uses are broken out in handy little highlights.  

Disorders and other illnesses that can be treated with cannabis.

The notes and bibliography of this book are worth looking and and owning.  He even includes a handy glossary to help readers understand cannabis technical language.  

Book includes great notes.

I highly recommend this book for public libraries in states where cannabis is either medically legal, or recreational use is legal.  It would also be a nice addition to an academic library.  His writing is clear, cogent and to the point.  If you are looking for a primer on medical cannabis for your patrons--this book fits the bill nicely.  After July people will not need a medical cannabis card to purchase cannabis in Oregon.  I would anticipate that libraries will be getting questions on cannabis and also will be asked for resources.  Start building your collection now.  My local library is on it--that is where I found this book.  

Max with book from public library.

How to Survive Police Confrontation and Other Services for Library Patrons

Police Sniper in Ferguson.

Libraries should be developing programs to help people deal with the police.

There has been a huge increase in police shooting, beatings and other transgressions against citizens.

We, as librarians, should recognize the community's need for information on how to stay safe, avoid police confrontation, and how to act when confronted by police.

We can form partnerships with legal organizations to provide patrons with basic survival instructions for the world of today.

Lets do this!


#LibrariesAgainstPoliceBrutality

Tags, Tagging and Information Diffusion

I was was gazing at some train tags--some nice bombs in the train yard with my littler brother, who happens to be a graffiti artist.  He interpreted the tags and bombs I could not read.  He and I read me all kinds of information from throughout the country, from LA, to Chicago, to Seattle and other places.  Then a train yard cop came and chased us away.

Tags in Denmark

My brother Jaimie used to be well known throughout San Jo as Daze2000 back in the 80's, then went on to LOVE and other names throughout the years.  He's retired now.

For those unfamiliar with tagging--here is a sufficient definition from Wikipedia:

Some of the most common styles of graffiti have their own names. A "tag" is the most basic writing of an artist's name, it is simply a handstyle. A graffiti writer's tag is his or her personalized signature. Tagging is often the example given when opponents of graffiti refer to any acts of handstyle graffiti writing (it is by far the most common form of graffiti). Tags can contain subtle and sometimes cryptic messages, and may incorporate the artist's crew initials or other letters.Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tag_(graffiti)

Back in the day, I could be anywhere in San Jose and see my brother's tag.  I would immediately know it was him, and that he was getting up in a variety of places.  Tags can also be used for groups, or "crews" of artists, who tag their territory--similar to gang tags.  Gang tags convey a host of meanings to those who are aware of them.  They convey the name of the gang, that gangs history, and the implicit threat that this is "their" territory and they will protect it, etc..

Fab Five Freddy's tag travelling throughout NYC.

The above is a characterization of tagging as a folksonomy by artists and by gangsters.  The tags carry meaning, information and knowledge can be gleaned from them--for instance, the knowledge the one is in a particular gang's territory and more.

I would liken the above to information tagging on files on the internet and in computer systems in general.  There is a relationship between the two types of tagging that has yet to be explored.

Graffiti Tagging	Information Tagging
Imparts information to readers	Imparts information to users
Is portable, can travel	Is portable, can travel
Is a system of social classification	Is a system of social classification
Can be collaboratively created, or at least understood	Collaboratively created
Can be broad or narrow folksonomies	Can be broad or narrow folksonomies
Is a folksonomy	Is a folksonomy
Can satisfy information needs	Can satisfy information needs

Tagging information

Tagging became popular during the social software craze known as Web 2.0.  Pre-Yahoo Flickr was a major player when it came to bring tagging as a folksonomy on the web to the masses.

Graffiti tagging on buses or trains conveys travelling information--the tags are carried around town or around the country and people are shown the tag.  I would liken this to searching via tags in tag clouds or by other means--one will travel to the place where the information is located--it is in a way opposite of graffiti tagging, but closely related.


The above is meant to be a super brief sketch of an idea.  What do you think?  Do you agree?  Disagree?  Have something to add?


I would like to open up the study of the relationship between Hip Hop culture and Information Science.

Cannabis Resources for Librarians serving Medical Patients and Others

[Disclaimer--I am not a doctor, nor am I a lawyer--I am merely a librarian trying to help patrons who need this kind of information.]


Recently I have been thinking about Cannabis very much. It has been in the news, and has recently become "legal" in WA and CO. I began to think about the relationship between Libraries and Cannabis, particularly in states where it is now legal for recreation use. What got me thinking about this was a blog post by The Librarian in Black on Home Brewing information and how to sessions in the library.  I began to think of the information needs of medical cannabis patients and also for recreational users.

These information needs are gleaned from some informal field work I have undertaken--I have asked some patients, and some recreational users what kinds of information would be helpful to them and to a new patient or recreational user.  The information can be broken into the categories below.  The information presented is not meant to be exhaustive, nor authoritative, but helpful to those librarians and others who may need to help people who have cannabis information needs.  It is meant to be an example and a place to begin.  Due to the illegal nature of cannabis in many places--resources have been hard to come by and also solid scientific research is only just beginning.  

Responsibility

Responsible use from Leafly: http://www.leafly.com/knowledge-center/responsible-use/how-to-be-a-responsible-medical-marijuana-pat 

Strains

     Sativa 

The primary effects are on thoughts and feelings. Sativas tend to produce stimulating feelings, and many prefer it for daytime use. Some noted therapeutic effects from use of Sativas:

• Stimulating/energizing
• Increased sense of well-being, focus, creativity
• Reduces depression, elevates mood
• Relieves headaches/migraines/nausea
• Increases appetite

Some noted Side-Effects from use of Sativas

• Increased anxiety feelings
• Increased paranoia feelings

     Indica

The primary effects are on the body. Indicas tend to produce sedated feelings, and many prefer it for nighttime use.
Some noted Therapeutic Effects from use of Indicas:          

• Provides relaxation/reduces stress
• Relaxes muscles/spasms
• Reduces pain/inflammation/headaches/migraines
• Helps sleep
• Reduces anxiety
• Reduces nausea, stimulates appetite
• Reduces intra-ocular pressure
• Reduces seizure frequency/anti-convulsant
• Some noted side-effects from use of Indicas:
• Feelings of tiredness
• “Fuzzy” thinking

     Hybrids

Strains bred from crossing two or more varieties, with typically one dominant. For example, a sativa-dominant cross may be helpful in stimulating appetite and relaxing muscle spasms. Crosses are reported to work well to combat nausea and increase appetite.

Information from: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/using_medical_cannabis 

Cannabis Mediums

     Flowers

The buds, or flowers of the cannabis plant. 

     Concentrates 

"Hash and concentrates have the same goal of removing the plant matter and extracting the resin glands, which contain the THC.  The technique for the extraction of resin glands differs from one concentrate to the next."  

Source: 

http://www.coloradopotguide.com/colorado-marijuana-blog/2014/february/06/different-types-of-marijuana-concentrates-available-in-colorado/

     Edibles

Edible Cannabis in a variety of formats from cookies to soda pops.

     Tinctures, Topicals, etc...

"A tincture is typically an alcoholic extract of plant or animal material or solution of such or of a low volatility substance (such as iodine and mercurochrome). To qualify as an alcoholic tincture, the extract should have an ethanol percentage of at least 25–60% (50–120 US proof).^{[citation needed]} Sometimes an alcohol concentration as high as 90% (180 US proof) is used in such a tincture.^[1] In herbal medicine, alcoholic tinctures are made with various ethanol concentrations, 25% being the most common."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tincture

Information from Safe Access Now about mediums:http://www.safeaccessnow.org/using_medical_cannabis

Delivery Methods

Leafly's complete list of delivery Methods: http://www.leafly.com/knowledge-center/cannabis-101/the-complete-list-of-cannabis-delivery-methods

     Smoking

A traditional method.

     Vaporizing

"Vaporization is a technique for avoiding irritating respiratory toxins in marijuana smoke by heating cannabis to a temperature where the psychoactive ingredients evaporate without causing combustion."

Source: http://www.canorml.org/health/vaporizers

     Eating, or drinking

Cannabis foods (including hash brownies and space cakes), more informally known as edibles, are food products made with cannabis in herbal or resin form as an ingredient. They are consumed as an alternate delivery means to experience the effects of cannabinoids without smoking orvaporizing cannabis or hashish. Instead, the cannabinoids are put into cake, cookie, brownie, or other foods, and are consumed for recreational or medicinal purposes.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_foods

Side Effects

These are some negative effects of Cannabis.  Due to the unscientific research conducted by most agencies about the negative impacts of cannabis, I am wary of listing any others.

     Lethargy

     Faster Heart rate

     Red eyes

     Dry mouth

Dispensaries

Leafly's Wonderful Dispensary Finder: http://www.leafly.com/finder

Weed Maps Dispensary Finder: https://weedmaps.com/

Cultivation Methods 

Amseterdam Marijuana Seed Banks Marijuana Growing Pages: http://www.amsterdammarijuanaseedbank.com/marijuana-grow-guides.html

MI Medical Marijuana Program's Grow Help Pages: http://michiganmedicalmarijuana.org/forum/35-general-growing-information/

Ed Rosenthal's Marijuana Growers Handbook: http://mjgrowers.com/home.htm

Jorge Cervantes Blog: http://www.marijuanagrowing.com/blog.php?

s=ccd1005cd7873f467b97d16f87641a46

Cannabis Resources for Librarians:

Information on Strains

Leafly: http://www.leafly.com/

Seed Finder : http://en.seedfinder.eu/research/


Safe Access Now's Research Pages: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/research 


 Seed Finders Research Pages: http://en.seedfinder.eu/research/

Business

WA State's Marijuana Business Daily: http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/category/news-by-state/washington-state/

National Cannabis Industry Association: https://thecannabisindustry.org/events/

Cannabis Business Alliance: http://cannabisalliance.org/

Legal

Canna Law Blog: http://www.cannalawblog.com/  

Canna Law Group: http://cannalawgroup.com/ 

Marijuana Policy Project: http://blog.mpp.org/category/general/ 

NORML: Legal Issues:  http://norml.org/legal  

Lets help libraries improve on this document and help serve patrons who need these resources.  Librarians should be sponsoring programs in libraries that convey information needed by medical cannabis patients and, in legalized states,  for consumers.