A collection of the most recent news, press mentions, and media assets.
Alive – January 31, 2023
Plant Allies for Mental Health
Realm of Caring, a non-profit dedicated to cannabis research and education, has partnered with John Hopkins University to gather longitudinal data on how cannabis use affects various health and quality of life markers. According to Realm of Caring’s Director of Research, Matthew Lowe, PhD, the results “support previous evidence that suggests cannabidiol (CBD) use reduces anxiety and may hold significant benefits for individuals experiencing anxiety-related disorders.”
Current studies all seem to agree there is promise here, and a little more digging should illuminate how best to leverage cannabis for calm.
WebMD – November 10, 2022
What’s Medical about Marijuana?
Adam Young knows something about devoting a career to cannabis. He works at Realm of Caring, a Colorado-based nonprofit that was launched by Charlotte Figi’s mom, Paige. Their volunteers have counseled 75,000 people worldwide on how to implement cannabinoid healing protocols, basing their advice on the experiences of other users, 800 peer-reviewed articles, and training in regulations and medical-cannabis history. Young and his associates have also created a giant database of patient reactions to various cannabis regimens, which is “anecdotal evidence” writ large. They also publish scientific studies based on that data.
Cannabis Health – September 7, 2022
Medical cannabis consumption can improve the quality of life for those who could not find reprieve from traditional methods, according to a large online study conducted by cannabis nonprofit advocacy organisation Realm of Caring and researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
The study’s results, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, showed that medical cannabis helped mitigate various neurological disorders and pain-related ailments that were impacting participants.
Study participants who consumed medicinal cannabis were invited to complete anonymous surveys and provide feedback about their experiences.
Benzinga – September 6, 2022
Medical Cannabis Alleviates Neurological & Pain-Related Ailments, Johns Hopkins Study Shows
An online study conducted by Realm of Caring, a cannabis nonprofit advocacy organization, and researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that “medical cannabis consumption can improve the quality of life for those who could not find reprieve from traditional methods.”
Study results, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, showed that medical cannabis helped mitigate various neurological disorders and pain-related ailments that were impacting participants.
“Realm of Caring takes part in IRB-approved (Institutional Review Board) research to ensure we are truly helping individuals to improve their quality of life,” said Sasha Kalcheff-Korn, executive director for Realm of Caring.
Cannabis & Tech Today – July 26, 2022
Is the Medical Cannabis Industry Failing Patients?
“Educating medical patients is a challenge faced by the medical cannabis industry in large part due to gaps in our understanding of the health effects of cannabis,” said Matthew Lowe, PhD, the research director at Realm of Caring, a Colorado non-profit that focuses on cannabinoid therapy access and research. Completing that necessary research is a monumental undertaking complicated partly by the bureaucracy the industry faces at organizational, state, and federal levels, he said.
Ganjapreneur – June 1, 2022
Matthew X. Lowe: Advancing Medicinal Cannabis & Psychedelics Research
Ganjapreneur recently connected with Matthew X. Lowe, the Research Director for Realm of Caring and for Unlimited Sciences — which is a psychedelics research firm — to discuss cannabis and psychedelics medicinal research.
This interview covers why this research is necessary, who benefits from it, the methods used to understand the healing possibilities of these compounds, and more!
Boulder Weekly – May 12, 2022
Originally, when Heather Jackson saw the language of SB 205, she agreed with the sentiment. It was just three pages long, she says, and it was aimed at regulating CBD products to prevent manufacturers from including too much THC—the active cannabinoid that gets you high—in products meant to be non-intoxicating.
Jackson, the co-founder and president of Realm of Caring (RoC), a nonprofit promoting cannabis education, research and support, was fine with all that. She agreed that CBD products, especially those going across state lines, should be regulated to control illicit levels of THC. But the next time Jackson saw the bill, she says it had swelled in size to 15 pages full of highly restrictive and, in her eyes, regressive cannabis policy.
NewsBreak Denver – May 2, 2022
Fast-tracked Colorado bill threatens families and CBD industry
“Although I support the intent of this bill, vested interests in Big Marijuana seek to destroy the natural, hemp-derived CBD industry,” said Heather Jackson, co-founder of Realm of Caring, a research, education and community-driven nonprofit that supports patients, caregivers, researchers and medical professionals.
Jackson said the consequence for her son Zaki, who relies on CBD, would be catastrophic. CBD has kept him alive and thriving for a decade. He is among tens of thousands of children who depend on safe CBD products for quality of life, said Jackson, who is working to amend the bill.
“Colorado has been a leader and safe haven for patients and policymakers need to understand that nefarious economic interests have no positive place in our lives,” Jackson said.
Nutraceuticals World – April 14, 2022
Beyond CBD: Cannabis Compounds Warrant Recognition and More Research
“In partnership with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, our Observational Research Registry (ORR) is the largest cannabinoid therapy research program in the U.S.,” said Matthew Lowe, PhD, director of research at RoC. “The registry is an Institutional Review Boards-approved, longitudinal survey study examining the health effects of medicinal cannabis use, and it’s open to anyone in the world with internet access.”
The cannabis plant contains more than 500 compounds, including about 125 phytocannabinoids that produce pharmacological effects through their interaction with cannabinoid receptors, Lowe explained. “Major cannabinoids that have been identified include delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC; the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis), cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabichromene (CBC).”
High Times – April 13, 2022
As co-founder of the Colorado Springs, Colorado-based Realm of Caring (RoC), Heather Jackson is also president of the board. RoC is an independent 501c3 non-profit organization who serves anyone in need of more information about cannabinoid therapies. Through revolutionary research, innovative education, and life-changing grants, RoC seeks to facilitate and encourage the mainstream acceptance of transformative, plant powered therapies to benefit individuals and families and serve healthcare providers as well as the hemp and cannabis industries.
Happi – April 1, 2022
There are nearly 28,000 peer-reviewed articles on cannabis in the U.S. National Library of Medicine, noted Matthew Lowe, PhD, director of research for the Realm of Caring Foundation (RoC), a non-profit that has been facilitating mainstream acceptance of cannabinoid-based therapies since its inception in 2013.
“In partnership with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, our Observational Research Registry is the largest cannabinoid therapy research program in the U.S.,” said Lowe. “The therapeutic potential of cannabis is now well known, but its mechanisms of action on the human nervous system, treatment effectiveness, and safety are still being explored.”
Mind Body Green – April 1, 2022
Spilling The Tea On CBD Drinks: Pros, Cons & 7 Top Brands
“[CBD] is going to be more easily absorbed by the body when it is found in, for example, a tincture with a fat-based carrier oil such as MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) or olive oil,” says Sasha Kalcheff-Korn, executive director of the cannabinoid research nonprofit Realm of Caring.
Benzinga – January 4, 2022
What 2021 Taught Us About Youth Cannabis Use
The October 2021 report saw usage among minors aged 12-17 drop from 13% to 10% in 2020–however, the decline could be associated with research methodology changes due to the pandemic. 49.6 million Americans in the age group reported using cannabis during the analysis period.
Nicolas Schlienz, Ph.D., research director at cannabis education platform Realm of Caring, was encouraged by the results but urges additional analysis.
Healthline – December 9, 2021
How Cannabis Use Can Disrupt Your Sleep
Nicolas Schlienz, the research director at cannabinoid research non-profit Realm of Caring, told Healthline two of the primary psychoactive compounds in cannabis — THC and CBD — “affect our endogenous cannabinoid system, which, in turn, is thought to influence the sleep-wake cycle”
“Still, the precise mechanisms through which major and minor cannabinoids promote relaxation and sleep remain unclear,” he said.
Cannabis Patient Care – November 24, 2021
Realm of Caring is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that conducts their own research such as their endeavor of the Observational Research Registry (ORR) study. They are also involved in advocacy work to help battle the stigma surrounding cannabis. In this interview, Nicolas Schlienz, PhD, Research Director at Realm of Caring, discusses the organization’s efforts to educate the public and healthcare professionals on the research being done on medical cannabis.
Green Entrepreneur – November 4, 2021
New Study Backs Claims That Cannabis Reduces Anxiety and Depression
Cannabis is becoming universally known as a mood enhancer and anxiety-reducing substance. However, the plant notoriously lacks clinical research to inform its safe and correct use in specific psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression.
A new study published last month is shedding light on the plant’s therapeutic potential.
Benzinga – October 26, 2021
Johns Hopkins: New Study Backs Claims That Cannabis Can Reduce Anxiety And Depression
Cannabis is becoming universally known as a mood enhancer and anxiety-reducing substance.
However, the plant notoriously lacks clinical research to inform its safe and correct use in specific psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression.
A new study published last month is shedding light on the plant’s therapeutic potential.
Cannabis Culture – September 30, 2021
Report Shows Cannabis is Effective in Treating Anxiety, Depression
Medical cannabis has shown to be effective in treating mental health conditions, according to a new report.
Realm of Caring (RoC), a nonprofit dedicated to cannabinoid research, has published a paper in Frontiers in Psychiatry that examines the benefits of medicinal cannabis products for individuals with anxiety and depression, two of the most common mental health conditions. Both conditions can be debilitating if not well-managed and medical marijuana can be an effective treatment option.
Legal Reader – September 30, 2021
Report Shows Cannabis is Effective in Treating Anxiety, Depression
Realm of Caring (RoC), a nonprofit dedicated to cannabinoid research, has published a paper in Frontiers in Psychiatry that examines the benefits of medicinal cannabis products for individuals with anxiety and depression, two of the most common mental health conditions. Both conditions can be debilitating if not well-managed and medical marijuana can be an effective treatment option.
The Cannabis Scientist – September 07, 2021
Pharmaceutical CBD is currently a restricted prescription medication in the US, and insurance coverage is often limited to those with specific approved indications.
Unsurprisingly, a large number of patients with epilepsy seek an alternative: either in the form of dietary CBD supplements sold by commercial vendors or less refined cannabinoid products, often containing THC. Despite the widespread availability of these cannabinoid products, controlled studies evaluating their safety or efficacy are rare. But now a study has made a compelling case for these alternative therapies as a means of improving quality of life.
Runner’s World – August 20, 2021
Is Weed Really Performance-Enhancing?
When sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson won the 100 meters on June 19 at the 2021 Olympic Track and Field Trials, the world was abuzz about her chances of bringing home the gold medal in Tokyo.
But less than two weeks later, news broke that Richardson had failed an in-competition drug test on the day of her victory. She tested positive for Carboxy-THC, the main ingredient in marijuana, and was suspended from the sport for one month, starting on June 28, making her ineligible to race at the Olympics.
News Medical – August 11, 2021
CBD may reduce the adverse effects of anti-seizure drugs in people with epilepsy
Artisanal (non-pharmaceutical) cannabidiol (CBD) products have become popular in recent years for their apparent therapeutic effects. CBD — a naturally occurring compound of the cannabis plant legally derived from hemp — is used widely as a naturopathic remedy for a number of health conditions, including epilepsy and seizure disorders. Now, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers, in collaboration with the Realm of Caring Foundation and other institutions, have conducted an observational study with participant-reported data to better understand the impact these products may have on people with epilepsy.
Analytical Cannabis – August 9, 2021
Epilepsy Patients Who Use Commercial CBD Products Have Higher Quality of Life, Study Finds
People with epilepsy who use non-prescription CBD products have a higher quality of life and benefit from improved sleep and less anxiety compared to their peers who do not use CBD, according to new research.
The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Epilepsy & Behavior, did not see any significant changes in seizure frequency between these two groups. However, the researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Realm of Caring Foundation believe that future studies with more narrow inclusion criteria may see a different outcome.
The Fresh Toast – August 3, 2021
CBD May Offer More Benefits To Epilepsy Patients Than Previously Thought
Despite years in the medical marijuana market, many still doubt the efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD) in treating symptoms for physical and mental health conditions such as anxiety or epilepsy. But a new study published in the journal Epilepsy & Behavior indicates that epilepsy patients who used a form of artisanal CBD-based product showed “higher quality of life, lower psychiatric symptom severity, and improved sleep” than those who did not.
Yahoo! Finance – July 27, 2021
Realm of Caring (RoC), a nonprofit dedicated to cannabinoid research, has appointed Nicolas Schlienz, Ph.D., as its Research Director, a new role in the organization’s leadership. His first initiative is co-authoring an original study on epilepsy using survey data gathered from RoC’s innovative Observational Research Registry (ORR).
Marijuana Moment – July 27, 2021
Epilepsy Patients Who Use “Artisanal CBD’ Have Higher Quality of Life, Study Finds
Epilepsy patients who used nonprescription CBD products reported a higher quality of life and better sleep than patients who did not take the cannabinoid, according to the results of a newly published study in the peer-reviewed journal Epilepsy & Behavior.
Patients who used CBD products also better tolerated epilepsy medications, used fewer prescription medications overall and experienced reduced psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, the study found.
Cannabis & Tech Today – April 23, 2021
Nonprofit Realm of Caring Carries on Charlotte Figi’s Legacy
Charlotte Figi’s passing on April 7, 2020, rocked the cannabis community. Figi suffered from a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome, which she treated with CBD.
Her story hasn’t ended and will continue to grow with each patient who has found healing in the cannabis plant.
Heather Jackson knew Figi firsthand; she bonded with the family due to her own son’s battle with epilepsy and found solace in cannabis. Jackson founded the nonprofit Realm Of Caring (RoC) alongside Figi’s mother Paige, to help other patients experience the benefits of cannabis.
Benzinga – April 5, 2021
Benefit Concert to Honor the Legacy of Charlotte Figi
The event is named Rock the RoC, as a reference to the Realm of Caring, a non-profit organization that supports cannabinoid research and patients who need life saving medicine.
Heather Jackson, the president of Realm of Caring and host for the event explained the influence Charlotte had on the popularity of CBD: “She was the catalyst. She was the sort of patient zero, if you will. So we need to continue to serve the community that was started by her bravery.”
The Associated Press – March 30, 2021
Benefit Concert ‘Rock the RoC’ Assembles Global Community Support of Awareness for Hemp and Cannabis
Rock the RoC, the upcoming virtual tribute concert hosted by cannabinoid research, education, and advocacy nonprofit Realm of Caring (RoC), will unite a global community that is dedicated to improving quality of life.
High Times – April 2, 2021
Colorado Benefit Concert to Honor the Memory of Charlotte Figi
The legacy of Charlotte Figi, the young Colorado girl whose struggle with epilepsy made CBD known worldwide, will be remembered next week with a benefit concert taking place in her honor.
The April 7 live streamed concert, featuring performances by acts including The Avett Brothers and Jason Mraz and appearances by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, has been dubbed Rock the RoC. The name of the event is a reference to the Realm of Caring (RoC), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting research into cannabinoids and helping patients who need them gain access to lifesaving medications.
High Times – December 28, 2020
Higher Profile: Heather Jackson, Co-founder & President, Realm of Caring
If you want to see change in the world, tell a mother she can’t help her child. That’s how Heather Jackson came into the cannabis space, for the love of her child, Zaki.
“I am a byproduct of the 1980s, ‘this is your brain on drugs, egg in the frying pan,’ ‘Just Say No’ campaigns,” she explained. “So, I always believed that marijuana was probably bad for you. Although I have never been one to believe anything anyone in authority told me, blanketly.”
Cannabis Health, UK – March 3, 2021
“It’s time to celebrate” Charlotte FIgi to be remembered with tribute concert
RoC co-founder and president Heather Jackson, says Charlotte’s story had a direct impact on saving her son Zaki, who suffers from a rare genetic, catastrophic epilepsy.
Heather and Paige met when their children shared a hospice counsellor while both were receiving palliative care. Despite strict rules around patient confidentiality, the counsellor risked her job to put them in touch, when she saw the benefits cannabis was having on Charlotte.
Benzinga – November 13, 2020
Johns Hopkins University to Research Cannabinoid Therapies Via New Partnership
Johns Hopkins University is collaborating with Realm of Caring and Bloom Medicinals on a research initiative focused on cannabinoid therapies.
The research will center on the collection of “substantive, educational data” currently available in legal medical cannabis markets.
Realm of Caring is a Colorado-based nonprofit seeking to facilitate and encourage the mainstream acceptance of plant-powered therapies by supporting cannabinoid research and education. The one-year partnership will allow multi-state operator Bloom Medicinals to provide its patients with the option to participate in a questionnaire survey.
Sweet Jane Magazine – December 19, 2020
CBD and Pandemic Parenting: One Mom’s Direct Experience
Parents: How are you doing? If you’re like me, you’ve been taking it day by day, adjusting to new routines and doing your best to keep old habits from creeping in.
It’s not easy right now, to say the least. Since this pandemic started, countless parents have been working 9 to 5 jobs from home while holding down a second full-time job as school teacher or educational administrator for their children’s virtual learning. Many other parents have lost their livelihoods altogether or had to make the difficult decision to leave hard-earned jobs and careers just to keep up with the demands of having their children home from school every day.
We improve lives through Research, Education, and Community. By funding and conducting Research, we learn more about cannabis and its effects while legitimizing the therapy. Education empowers consumers to select the best products for their individual needs, and informs healthcare professionals about options for their patients. Through Community, we spread the truth about cannabis and advocate for access to those in need.
Contact: rocteam@mygrasslands.com
