VOLUME 40

The Harborside Illuminator: Publisher: Harborside Health Center. Editor: Samantha Campos. harborsidehealthcenter.com (888) 99-Harborside

Until recently, medical cannabis research has focused almost exclusively on cannabinoids—like THC, CBD, THCa, CBN, etc. Cannabis contains over 80 identified cannabinoids out of over 400 different chemical compounds, including proteins, fatty acids, vitamins and terpenes. Terpenes are the chemicals that give everything in nature its own unique flavor and scent; without them, cannabis would have no smell or taste. Just like the cannabinoids, terpenes have many known medicinal properties. 

This month's terpene is linalool, which is commonly found in mint, cinnamon, other aromatic herbs, and numerous species of tree. It is most notably the terpene that makes lavender smell so enchantingly sweet, making up over half of the total terpenes in lavender essential oil. Linalool is described as having a sweet floral scent with a hint of spiciness, and will impart a similar flavor to cannabis strains.

Linalool has powerful relaxing effects and has been shown to be effective at treating both anxiety and depression. On top of its calming properties, linalool is also a strong sedative and has been used for centuries in

aromatherapy as a sleep aid. Like most cannabinoids and terpenes, linalool has both painkilling and anti-inflammatory properties. In a 2010 study on mice, linalool was found to be a powerful anti-convulsant, with pharmacological activity similar to Valium (diazepam) and was found to be more effective than the anti-seizure medicine, Dilantin (phenytoin).

Prana Medicinals has lavender essential oil in both their Massage Oil and Roll-On Transdermal Oil, boosting the medicinal effects of the THC in it. Prana's CBD Roll-On actually won Best Topical at this year's High Times Cannabis Cups in Northern and Southern California. The Purple Hindu terpenes by Blue River Extracts have elevated levels of linalool, as do many purple strains (which is why purples tend to be very relaxing and sedating). If you're trying to find a strain rich in linalool, smell for anything that reminds you of lavender, and it will likely have higher amounts of this sweet-smelling terpene.

What’s Your Terpene? A profile of the therapeutic aromatic hydrocarbon known as linalool By Mitchell Colbert, Patient Consultant

L-R: Prana's Transdermal Aromatherapy Roll-On, and Massage & Body Oil

Introducing One-Hour Delivery! BIG NEWS! Delivery orders to Oakland and Alameda can now be made in about an hour! Here's it how it works:

• Visit the Online Delivery Menu at www.harborsidehealthcenter.com. • Place an order of $50.00 or more (before tax) to secure free delivery. • A driver will call shortly after to confirm your delivery order. • Please pay your driver with exact cash.

Delivery Hours: 10am to 6:30pm Learn more about our delivery service

Call 888-994-2726 ext. 1

Team Cannabis is Walking!Walk it out. Walk it off. Walk of faith. As noted by Katy Bowman, a scientist and author: “Walking is a superfood. It’s the defining movement of a human.”

Team Cannabis, as part of San Francisco’s annual AIDS Walk, represents all the reasons why we as patients need to exist. We know what stigma is, we know what alternative health is, we know how important it is to have a hand in our own healing. In 2014, SF AIDS walkers chuckled at our picket sign and booth for “Team Cannabis.” In 2015, walkers probed, “Where can we get one of those T-shirts?” and we scored the SF Weekly headline, “Marijuana Is Beating Google and Twitter at Fighting AIDS.”

Walking my third year in a row, I look forward to seeing as many patients who have Sunday, July 17, off as possible! Momentum is a beautiful thing. I walk because there’s nothing more electrifying than physically doing something for a noble cause while surrounded by 20,000 other people doing the exact same thing. Also, I believe minorities need agency in order to thrive. Just like cannabis users, persons affected by AIDS and HIV are minorities who face daily prejudices and it’s imperative that we show up, educate, and change the stigmas that surround us.

Located in beautiful Golden Gate Park, people are happy, the weather is beautiful, and it all ends with a free BBQ! Get there early for a community aerobic warm-up, live music, mingling

with 10-20 cannabis companies, and industry freebies! Multiple check points along the way provide free fresh fruit, snacks, coconut water, popsicles, and high fives by volunteers. After all that hard work walking and making new friends, be sure to make it back to the Team Cannabis booth for a grilled lunch and post-walk concert.

I walk because more people get treatment, because it’s fun, and because it’s the right thing to do. Sign up now! www.teamcannabis.gives. — Alia Dolphin, Administrative Assistant

A few members of Team Cannabis walking at last year’s SF AIDS Walk in Golden Gate Park.