DOSAGE & DIRECTIONS
Most health practitioners know little about Cannabis and its medicinal use and therefore cannot advise in the proper indications, dosage, and methods of administration. Cannabis provides safe, natural and inexpensive treatments that stimulate the body's ability to heal itself and help us improve our quality of life. S.A.C.C.R.A. is committed to establishing standards, developing protocols, and informing patients and healthcare providers on the basic protocols of cannabis and cannabinoid use, and to training excellent producers, retailers and producers, suppliers and Cannabis Medicine Practitioners.
Any information required beyond what is available on this website can be given in a one on one consultation at a rate of R150 for 45 minutes.
CANNABIS CAUSES US TO HEAL OURSELVES
Research is now proving what the pioneers of Cannabis medicine have been aware of, and criminalised for, for decades, and what traditional medicine has known for millennia - Cannabis cures! "Research has shown that small doses of cannabinoids from cannabis can signal the body to make more endocannabinoids and build more cannabinoid receptors. This is why many first-time cannabis users don't feel an effect, but by their second or third time using the herb they have built more cannabinoid receptors and are ready to respond. More receptors increase a person's sensitivity to cannabinoids; smaller doses have larger effects, and the individual has an enhanced baseline of endocannabinoid activity. I believe that small, regular doses of cannabis might act as a tonic to our most central physiologic healing system."Introduction to the Endocannabinoid System Dustin Sulak, DO Healer.com (NORML)
THE "PILL FOR EVERY ILL" MENTALITY
Some people cringe at the thought of using a botanical substance as medicine, and are outright mortified by the idea of smoking it. Our conditioned mindset is more comfortable with single, isolated substances that can be swallowed or injected. Unfortunately, this significantly limits the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids. Herbal cannabis and its extracts contain up to one hundred plus different cannabinoids, including THC, which all work synergistically to produce better medical effects with virtually no side effects. In green protocol treatments the probability of side effects with correct dosage and directions is virtually nil.
THE BOTTOM LINE
This initial reluctance to "go herbal" is despite a 5,000 year history of safe beneficial use, the astounding work of the pioneers of Cannabis medicine, and masses of published research. The bottom line is that all the medicine required to maintain health and even treat many serious conditions is present in the raw plant, perfectly bio-available and perfectly designed to be processed by the endocannabinoid system. SA.C.C.R.A. has a vision of Cannabis grow cupboards being standard in every household for personal use, whether in teas, direct extracts, smoked, baked or made into simple tinctures as our ancestors did. When it comes to serious breakdowns in the body such as cancer, specific protocols are required, best engaged with the supervision of a medical doctor.
DOSAGE RULE OF THUMB
Based on available science, experience and results achieved, the S.A.C.C.R.A. Medical Council, in consultation with many pioneering Cannabis medicine practitioners, herbalists, medical doctors and of course people using Cannabis as medicine, has come up with both "rule of thumb" and specific dosage protocols, according to the R.A.G. (red, amber, green) treatment protocol, and the application used. Dosage protocols are given in individual consultation. Specific protocols for specific ailments and specific Cannabis oil and essential oil blends are currently being researched and developed.
​"Slowly is Holy" is one rule of thumb that will ensure a pleasant and safe experience for most people. Patience is required. The "slowly is holy" rule of thumb applies to any ingested product, such as capsules containing oil or extracts, full extract, tincture, direct extract oils and basically all products taken orally or inhaled, as the psychoactive effects are generally more intense and last longer when eaten. Cannabis sensitive people should build tolerance as slowly and comfortably as possible unless life is immediately threatened, in which case have a carer with you who will see you through the experience if necessary.
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Since only a very few suppliers have access to consistent plant genetics and testing, and therefore can be reasonably certain of the strength and constituents of their product, taking it slowly is wise. Tolerance will build quickly and saturation generally occurs within about three months depending on the strength of the oil and dosage. Of course that does not mean there should be no effect - a good Cannabis product will produce immediate relief of pain for example. Other conditions heal over time and it will take longer to see results. However, always be proactive in inquiring as to the quality of plant and solvents used.
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Suppositories work wonders for people who have to saturate and don't want the psychoactive effects. For example when treating a cancer and building up quickly to saturation by taking around a gram of full extract a day. There is little to no psychoactive effect if taken rectally or vaginally. However this will also depend on where in the body the problem is, as introducing the medicine directly or as close as possible to the problem is ideal. You can either make your own or buy from a verified supplier.
DIRECTIONS RULE OF THUMB
Many Cannabis products come extracted into cold press virgin coconut, olive or other edible organic oils, called carrier oils. This is because the cannabinoids bind to certain molecules in the natural product and are then carried through to the cell receptors. Most of these extracts are applied directly to the skin (topically), taken as drops under the tongue (sub-lingually) or through the gums directly into the blood stream, depending on the carrier oil used of course.
Whichever method is used these products should be kept refrigerated as they can go rancid and spoil over time if not cared for properly. The rule of thumb here is "when in doubt, throw it out". This goes for all products - if they have harsh chemical, or unpleasant smells there is something wrong! There are no known side effects to using the organic products topically unless there is a pre-existing allergy.
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Cannabis oils stored in plastic containers are not ideal and must never be exposed to heat, even a really hot room temperature, as toxins from the plastic are liable to leach into the medicine. This is how come most reliable oil makers will store their products in glass. S.A.C.C.R.A. recommends infusing the full extract oil into a small amount of olive oil as this is much easier to titrate precisely by counting drops.