Correspondence with dr. med. Franjo Grotenhermen

Letter to Frank Fuchs from:
Dr. med Franjo Grotenhermen, Chairman of the Working Group on Cannabis as Medicine e.V.

Comment on the therapeutic uptake of cannabinoids by hot air extraction or evaporation: Individual cannabinoids or natural cannabinoid mixtures of the hemp plant are taken up by inhalation or orally for medical use. Intake via the lungs offers pharmacokinetic advantages that are well-researched compared with absorption via the gastrointestinal tract, in particular a faster onset of action, as well as easier controllability of the required dose by titration after the effect that has occurred, as well as greater bioavailability. The inhalation of cannabinoids by the smoking of cannabis products, however, is associated with the drawback of uptake of about 200 combustion products, including benzyrenes, nitrosamines and other cell damaging and potentially carcinogenic substances, such as those known from tobacco smoking or smoke burning other plants , This disadvantage is avoided by the hot air extraction or the evaporation of the cannabinoids below the combustion temperature of the plant material, so that with appropriate inhalers, the advantages of the inhalative application without the disadvantages of smoking can be used. The ACM therefore sees a very welcome and worthwhile initiative in the development and distribution of such inhalers.

Cologne, 11th August 1999