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Marijuana time-release pill gives med patients ‘cannabis alternative’

Posted at 1:59 PM, Jul 17, 2015
and last updated 2015-07-17 15:54:50-04

BOULDER, Colo. — A Boulder marijuana company has produced a breakthrough marijuana capsule that looks and acts more like traditional pharmaceuticals.

The company, Wana Brands, has produced capsules called Wana Caps, that it says are an alternative to smoking or edible marijuana.

“We feel like we are making an important step in giving patients another alternative in consuming cannabis,” said Wana Brands owner John Whiteman, in an interview with CBS 6 affiliate KCNC, in Denver.

Wana Brands worked with Israel-based Cannabics to develop the first extended- release formula to make marijuana last up to 12 hours. The capsules are filled twice — first with a dose that kicks in almost immediately, and then with a dose that starts to work after about four hours, according to KCNC.

Multiple sclerosis patient Hoot Gibson said the pills were the “most helpful things” he can take for his symptoms.

“This lets you get the relief you need without hitting such a high level,” said Gibson.”You don’t have to worry being seen medicating in the ‘old fashioned’ ways,” he said.

“The utility isn’t clear,” said Dr. Kennon Heard, who urged caution about marijuana that claims to be medicine.”

“We don’t have the medical knowledge to say that marijuana is useful to treat the vast majority of conditions that people are using it for,” he said.

He also said that in the hands of a novice user or a child the effect could be harmful.

The makers of Wana Caps said they think their product could offer a bridge to mainstream medicine.