New film “CBD Nation” documents the research behind cannabis

To the uninitiated, the healing potential of cannabis may seem like a pipe dream to a community seeking to legalize the herb for other than medicinal uses. But for those who take the time to unpack the ballast associated with cannabis and take a look at the science, the value of the plant and its proprietary compounds for treating, or perhaps even curing, disease and promoting general wellbeing becomes readily apparent . CBD Nation, a new documentary to be released later this month, seeks to demystify the medicinal value of cannabis and serves as an introduction to some of the scientists studying it as well as some of the many patients who benefit from its use. And for director David Jakubovic, who said in a virtual interview with The High Times that "everything I've learned about cannabis came as a surprise to me," the experience of making the film was both an intellectual journey of discovery a creative endeavor. "I had vaguely heard of CBD and really didn't know anything about it other than that it was somehow associated with cannabis," he explained in an email. "Honestly, my instincts told me that CBD was just another over-the-top wellness scam. I didn't think I could add anything to the conversation that hasn't been covered in other films. Because of this misunderstanding and the stigma that still haunts the plant, when Jakubovic was asked to make a documentary about CBD and the medical science of cannabis, he agreed with the idea. But those prejudices began to break down when he gave a TED Talks presentation from Dr. Dedi Meiri saw, a biologist studying the apparent ability of cannabis to induce self-destruction, or apoptosis, in cancer cells. After agreeing to make the film, Jakubovic spent six months interviewing more than 30 doctors, clinicians, researchers, activists and patients to understand their connection to the advancement of medical cannabis. He traveled to Israel, a country at the forefront of cannabis research, to learn more about the plant's ability to dramatically reduce the effects of graft-versus-host disease, and thus significantly reduce the outcome of patients undergoing bone marrow transplants to improve. Other directions of research, including cannabis as a potential treatment for a variety of diseases, including cancer, endometriosis, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, are also being explored. "The most important finding is that science is real and that all of the stigmas surrounding this plant are not rooted in the reality of facts and research," Jakubovic explained. "It's that simple," said Jakubovic. Cannabis has spent long enough in our culture as an unwitting punch line for many. It is time that it was presented 100% seriously ". Film reveals the determination of pioneering patients However, CBD Nation is not all about the nuts and bolts of scientific research documenting the medicinal potential of cannabis. It is also a moving tribute to some of the patients with serious illnesses who have found little relief or even great harm from the drugs routinely prescribed for them. Patients like Jayden David, a young boy whose persistent seizures caused by a rare form of epilepsy were finally put to rest by the CBD. Or Rylie Maedler, a young girl with a potentially life-threatening and disfiguring tumor that attacked the bones of her face and is now kept in check with medical cannabis. And patients like Colin Wells, a combat veteran with PTSD, who was prescribed drugs that made him want to kill himself and who could now find peace with the CBD. It is to his credit that Jakubovic's CBD nation has value to viewers wherever they may be on the continuum of understanding regarding medical cannabis. The film serves as an excellent primer for those just starting out into the medicinal uses of the plant, but even those who grapple with the subject are likely to find new information to add to their arsenal of activism. Perhaps most importantly, the documentary could have the power to change the minds of prohibitionists whose thinking is clouded by preconceived notions and misinformation. Mad Machine Films' production of CBD Nation will be available in North America beginning August 25th via video-on-demand platforms and streaming services such as Amazon and iTunes under a distribution agreement with Gravitas Ventures. A trailer for the documentation can be viewed on YouTube.