A Review of Black Pepper

In a blog we posted earlier this year, we defined Plant-Based Therapies and explained that it is not simply the use of the Cannabis plant, but in fact, the use of all plants. The plants you choose to incorporate into your health journey are what provide the natural resources that feed and drive the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The natural resource we are talking about this week is black pepper! Black pepper is one of the most widely used and earliest known spices across the globe, a kitchen staple that many people know of. Piper nigrum, more commonly known as black pepper, is a flowering vine cultivated for its fruit, known as peppercorn, which when dried and ground creates the spice we are all familiar with.

 

Benefits of Black Pepper

Black pepper is rich in piperine, a plant compound that studies have found to have potent antioxidant properties.1 Studies suggest that a diet high in antioxidants may help prevent or delay the damage caused by free radicals which are unstable molecules that can harm the cells in your body. Studies also suggest that piperine has anti-inflammatory properties making it useful in fighting inflammation.1 More research is needed but there is evidence to show that piperine may also help improve blood sugar metabolism and even lower cholesterol levels.1 Additionally, black pepper can help if you get “too high” – when ingested, it interacts with the Cannabis already in your system to create an effect that’s similar to CBD.2

Terpenes in Black Pepper

This study3 looked at Piper nigrum or peppercorn (which is black pepper before it is ground) and found that it contains various terpenes including, but not limited to, pinene, limonene, caryophyllene. Pinene is found not only in black pepper, but also pine, rosemary, parsley, and Cannabis. It exhibits anti-inflammatory properties while aiding memory. It also acts as a bronchodilator and provides relief from asthma.5 Limonene can also be found in Cannabis, citrus fruits, and juniper. It can be used to help with depression and GERD and it also assists with skin absorption of other terpenes.5 Caryophyllene is also found in clove, cinnamon, and Cannabis. It has anti-anxiety properties and assists with chronic pain, epilepsy, muscle spasms, and insomnia.5 Caryophyllene is presently the only known terpene that is classified as both a terpene and cannabinoid. The reason for this is that is directly binds to our endocannabinoid CB2 receptors.4

 

 
Where to Find Black Pepper

Black pepper, in the form of black pepper oil, is used in our proprietary blend of essential oils for our very own Hawkeye Relief Pain Stick! It helps to provide rapid relief for inflammation, stiffness, muscle recovery, dry/cracked skin and so much more. Hawkeye Relief is a potent, fast-acting, and soothing formula specially designed for immediate and long-lasting relief. Click here to order a Hawkeye Relief Pain Stick or call (301) 778-4295 for any questions you may have!

 

Sources

Source 1

Source 2

Source 3 – Zhehao Jin, Moonhyuk Kwon, Ah-Reum Lee, Dae-Kyun Ro, Juraithip Wungsintaweekul, Soo-Un Kim. Molecular cloning and functional characterization of three terpene synthases from unripe fruit of black pepper (Piper nigrum), Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Volume 638, 2018, Pages 35-40, ISSN 0003-9861. Accessed 24th June, 2022.

Source 4

Source 5 – Beyond Buds : Next Generation by: Ed Rosenthal with Greg Zeman

Vote, Voting, Voted!

On June 26th in 2018 Oklahomans came together at the voting polls to pass State Question 788 which gave us the Medical Marijuana program we have today. Now, nearly four years later, it is time for Oklahomans to come together again, this time to save our medical program. State Questions 818 and 819 protect the patient rights as established in SQ 788 with SQ 819 extending those rights to create a Recreational program. Vote YES on SQ 818 and SQ 819 and vote NO on SQ 820. Here is a further breakdown on the State Questions that will be on the ballot on June 28th 2022.

 
SQ 818

State Question 818, or SQ 818, is a constitutional measure; meaning it is amendable by the legislature as specified by SQ 818. The proposal of SQ 818 is for Medical Marijuana; this differs from SQ 788 as it was a statutory measure. Note: Constitutional measures overrule statutory measures. If SQ 818 passes, it will override SQ 788 and any changes made since the passing of SQ 788. For any changes to be made by SQ 818 it would require a vote by the people as it is a constitutional measure. The enactment timeline for SQ 818 phases in over the course of one year. Patient rights begin the day of passage and SQ 818 creates benefits for the industry, requires financial transparency, and an audit of the program. Additionally, OMMA will become the Oklahoma State Cannabis Commission also in the course of one year. As far as product sales go, SQ 818 is for Medical Marijuana only. This measure would allow for license reciprocity with other state’s MMJ card holders. It also allows all legal US residents to obtain an Oklahoma patient license. The license requirement for a commercial license is a $2500 license fee and no limit on licenses as written in SQ 788. The product tax retains the 7% excise tax on MMJ as written in SQ 788. Regulatory requirements will work with existing regulations and modifies requirements for product testing and tracking.

 

 
SQ 819

State Question 819, or SQ 819, is a constitutional measure; meaning it is amendable by the legislature as specified by SQ 819. The proposal of SQ 819 is for Recreational Marijuana for ages 21 and over. The enactment timeline for SQ 819 phases in over the course of one year. Individual rights begin on the day of passage and SQ 819 creates benefits for the industry as a whole. Additionally, it will phase out the 7% excise tax on Medical Marijuana which should happen over the course of one year. With regards to product sales, recreational sales begin 60 days from passage. Medical and recreational sales are separated at time of payment by either a medical license for the medical tax rate or a state/federal ID for the recreational tax rate. The license requirement is a single license system, with no additional license cost. All current MMJ commercial license holders are automatically licensed for recreational sales. Future licenses are one for both MMJ and recreational products. There is no limit on licenses as written in SQ 788. As far as product tax goes, SQ 819 creates a 15% state excise tax on recreational sales. This 15% tax rate could be lowered, but not raised by the legislature. It also creates a 3% wholesale tax on future export sales and additionally, it eliminates the 7% excise tax on Medical Marijuana. The regulatory requirements are that it works with the existing regulations and tracks future regulation to those of the MMJ program. Essentially, SQ 818 constitutionally protects medical patient’s rights and SQ 819 constitutionally protects those same rights and actually goes one step further and adds a recreational program that turns the taxes onto recreational and removes them from the medical program.

 

SQ 820

State Question 820, or SQ 820, is a statutory measure; meaning it is amendable or erasable by the legislature, like SQ 788. The proposal of SQ 820 is for Recreational Marijuana for ages 21 and over. The enactment timeline is to be determined. SQ 820 becomes law 90 days from passage. From that date, OMMA is given 90 days to issue rules and begin accepting commercial license applications. As a statutory measure, the legislation has total authority to modify the enactment timeline. The timeline for product sales is also to be determined. As written, OMMA would be required to begin accepting applications for recreational licenses. There is currently no limit placed on the time that OMMA has to issue licenses. Sales would begin once a license has been issued. The license requirement would be for a dual license system; $2500 license fee for recreational commercial license, in addition to the current cost for a commercial Medical Marijuana license. SQ 820 also allows for up to $2500 application fee in addition to the license fee. For the first 2 years from enactment, MMJ licenses that have been in effect for more than one year may apply for a recreational license. There is no limit on licenses as written in SQ 788. The product tax is also to be determined but SQ 820 creates a 15% excise tax on recreational sales. This 15% rate can be raised or lowered by the legislature. SQ 820 also retains the 7% excise tax on Medical Marijuana as written in SQ 788. As for regulatory requirements, SQ 820 requires OMMA to produce and maintain a separate set of regulations for Recreational and Medical Marijuana. Note: constitutional measures overrule statutory measures. If both SQ819 and SQ820 pass, the law of SQ819 will override SQ820 where there is a conflict in language.

 
More Resources

Keep up with Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA) by following their Facebook page or by checking out their website!

If you are in Northwest Oklahoma and are interested in signing the petition to save our Medical Program and create a prudent Recreational Program, here are the locations that have petitions available for you to sign!

  • Hawkeye Consulting @ 109 E Broadway St Leedey OK 73654
  • Cimarron Pharma @ 120 East HWY 54 Guymon OK 73942
  • Kush Gardens – Guymon @ 1315 NE HWY 54 Guymon OK 73942
  • Mary Janes @ 2927 US 54 Guymon OK 73942
  • Two Ts Trees @ 721 HWY 54 Hooker OK 73945
  • Alternative Cures @ 3611 Williams Ave Woodward OK 73801
  • Lucky Monkey Buds – Woodward @ 1212 1st Street Woodward OK 73801
  • Lucky Monkey Buds – Clinton @ 1740 Suite A S HWY Clinton OK 73601
  • Cody’s Cannabis @ 1750 US-183 HWY Clinton OK 73601
  • The Dank Tank @ 701 N 4th Weatherford OK 73096
  • Good Medicine @ 4200 Carriage Way Weatherford OK 73096
  • Releaf Resolutions @ 1021 E Davis Weatherford OK 73096

Eucalyptus 101

In a blog we posted earlier this year, we defined Plant-Based Therapies and explained that it is not simply the use of the Cannabis plant, but in fact, the use of all plants. The plants you choose to incorporate into your health journey are what provide the natural resources that feed and drive the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The natural resource we are talking about this week is eucalyptus! As you might have guessed, Eucalyptus oil is derived from Eucalypts, which are often called gum trees. This flora is native to Australia and there are more than 800 species.1 The Australian Aborigines used eucalyptus leaves to administer to wounds and inhibit infections.

 

Benefits of Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus has been used for several years to alleviate coughing. Even today, there are over-the-counter cough medications, such as Vicks VapoRub, that have eucalyptus oil as one of the active ingredients.2 Another popular use for eucalyptus oil is using it as an insect repellant, especially the oil of lemon eucalyptus. You can also recreate what the Aborigines did even today by using eucalyptus essential oils in a topical application to help fight inflammation and improve your wellness. Eucalyptus oil shows potential as a remedy for diabetes—while more research is still needed on the matter—experts consider that it may play a role in reducing blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.2 We believe that eucalyptus oil has a role in easing joint pain as it helps to reduce pain and inflammation associated with numerous conditions.

 

 

Terpenes in Eucalyptus

With so many different species of Eucalyptus, it is hard to pin down the exact terpene profile as there will be some variances between the plants. This study3 looked at two different species (Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus maculata) and the major identified terpenes between the two were Eucalyptol, p-cymene, a-pinene, β-myrcene, and y-terpinene. Eucalyptol is found not only in eucalyptus, but also in Cannabis, bay leaves, wormwood, tea tree, and basil. It exhibits anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as providing relief from asthma.4 p-Cymene can also be found in Cannabis, cumin, thyme, coriander, and oregano. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-biotic properties as well as preventing acute lung injury.4 a-Pinene is also found in Cannabis, pine, rosemary, and parsley. It has anti-inflammatory properties as well as providing relief from asthma. a-Pinene exhibits bronchodilator qualities as well as aiding memory.4 β-Myrcene can also be found in Cannabis, hops, mango, and lemongrass. It has antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. β-Myrcene can also be used as a sedative.4 Terpinene is also present in Cannabis, cardamom, marjoram, and juniper oils. It exhibits antioxidant properties but further research is needed to discover more properties as it is one of the lesser researched terpenes.5 While not discussed in that particular study, Beyond Buds states the terpene Phellandrene can also be found in Eucalyptus. Phellandrene is an expectorant and exhibits anti-depressant and anti-cancer properties.

 

 

Where to Find Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is used in our proprietary blend of essential oils for our very own Hawkeye Relief Pain Stick! It helps to provide rapid relief for inflammation, stiffness, muscle recovery, dry/cracked skin and so much more. Hawkeye Relief is a potent, fast-acting, and soothing formula specially designed for immediate and long-lasting relief. Click here to order a Hawkeye Relief Pain Stick or call (301) 778-4295 for any questions you may have!

 

Sources

Source 1

Source 2

Source 3 – Ismail Almas, Ester Innocent, Francis Machumi, William Kisinza. Chemical composition of essential oils from Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus maculata grown in Tanzania, Scientific African, Volume 12, 2021

Source 4 – Beyond Buds : Next Generation by: Ed Rosenthal with Greg Zeman

Source 5