ASK DR. ETHAN

Medicine is an ever-changing science. While suggestions for
therapeutic use of cannabis or other drugs may be made herein, this
forum is designed solely for educational purposes, and neither the
author, publisher, nor other parties, will assume any liability
whatever for application or misapplication of any information
imparted. We cannot claim scientific proof or accuracy of the material
discussed, and no warranty, expressed or implied is advanced with
regard to the information.

Cannabis is illegal in most jurisdictions, and the reader must apply
awareness of this fact when considering its usage. Medical use of
cannabis may or may not be a viable legal defense where you reside.
Canadian clinical cannabis patients are encouraged to seek exemptions
under existing law from Health Canada. The proper forms and procedures
are available on their web site.

Full disclosure and discussion of medical issues with your health care
providers is encouraged, as is proper education with respect to
effects and side effects of existing medication.

Q.1: Dear Dr. Russo,

We have a grow operation next to us we are working with and in the
evening, during the venting process (this crop is only nearing the
harvest), the odour is fairly bad - our children are getting severe
headaches and stomach cramps. We are also experiencing headaches and
upset stomachs. Are these fumes harmful to our health and the health
of our children? Is there a medication we can take? Our family doctor
has prescribed inhalers, as he suspects we may have an allergy to something.

Please answer back as soon as possible, as the crop is coming into
maturity and the odour has started again. The ozoneator just can't
keep up, I suspect.

Thanks! - Kelly

A: I must say that your question is an unusual one, but has a ready
explanation. While many people find the scent of growing cannabis
pleasant, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. I suspect
that your family members are sensitive to the high quantity of fumes.
Perhaps you are migraine-susceptible, as people who are may experience
similar symptoms with any strong odour, such as diesel, perfume,
chlorine bleach, etc. This is not an allergy. There is no long-term
risk from it. While migraine-preventing drugs might help, it makes
absolutely no sense to medicate this problem, when the answer is
common sense: you must limit your exposure. The solution would be to
manage the venting more efficiently, aim it somewhere else, or isolate
family members from the grow-op.

Q.2: Dear Dr. Russo, I am 58 years old and use cannabis to relieve the
pain of arthritis. I smoke and eat cannabis that I grow myself. I have
a black lab named Arthur (Art to his friends) who is almost 10 years
old and has lots of old dog problems and is in his final few years.
About 6 months ago I started to share my brownies with Arthur. I have
given him very small amounts but I am convinced he is more active and
in less pain. I have been frightened to ask my vet for fear of being
accused of animal abuse.

Am I helping him?

Gloria T. - Montreal, Quebec

A: I was initially hesitant to respond to this question, but as the
son and brother of veterinarians, I felt compelled to do my best. Dogs
and humans are much more alike than different. Cannabis has had a
venerable history in veterinary medicine, particularly as a colic
treatment in horses and mules, two difficult species that do not have
the equipment to vomit when they need to do so. Dogs are particularly
sensitive to getting ataxia (wobbliness) when overdosed on cannabis.
That would be a sure sign of giving too much. Although I think that
'Rover' may well benefit from such treatment, I would advise caution,
and certainly hope that you do not run afoul of the Humane Society or
other agencies interested in the welfare of our domestic companion
animals. Cheers.

Q.3: Dear Dr.Russo,

Oh no! I ate the whole brownie.

A friend of mine who is a Leukemia survivor recently had a very bad
experience after eating a small piece of a cannabis brownie. She has
used Cannabis successfully over the last few years for pain and nausea
relief, but is now afraid to try it again. About 1 hour after
consuming the quarter-sized brownie she started to feel slightly
nauseated, dizzy and disoriented. But the feelings quickly intensified
to panic, anxiety, increased heart rate, sweating and vomiting.

A friend took her to the hospital and they told the doctor about the
brownie. The doctor was not overly concerned about the cannabis
itself, but felt is was more of a drug interaction to the large
quantities of cancer maintenance medications she was also taking.

The doctor gave her Benadryl, Prochlorperazine (Stemetil), Magnesium
which seemed to help after a 3 hour delay.

My question is: Is there anything a person can take or do to
counteract the feeling of being overstoned?

A: It is hard to be absolutely specific in responding to this
question, as the exact drugs your friend was taking are not listed.
Chances are that the reaction may have had very little to do with the
cannabis per se. However, the anxiety and increased heart rate are
typical of what can occur with cannabis. The usual treatment is
talking down, since the symptoms are self-limited, and very amenable
to suggestion.

In general, cannabis may have additive sedative effects with other
drugs in that classification. It has been reported that indomethacin
(Indocin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) may counteract a
cannabis high. As with any drug combinations, caution is advisable,
and use of low doses that are increased as needed. Situations such as
this are better treated with a vapourizer, where a slow and steady
dose titration is possible, as opposed to a single dose of oral
cannabis that may come on slowly, irregularly, or too strongly.