An oily situation
Bible Hill grad student researches methods of stabilizing cannabis oil
Seeing the effects of opiates on a family member with cancer, Amy Unicomb became convinced of the value of medical marijuana.
The opiates prevented her relative from taking part in activities she had previously enjoyed and left her feeling ill.
In an effort to improve life for others, Unicomb, a Dal AC grad student, researched methods to improve cannabis oil’s resistance to rancidity and make it more stable so that it can be used in foods and medication.
“The difficulty is producing a safe and reliable product,” she said. “The oil’s not currently very stable. It lasts about three months in a dark, cool spot.
“Things are probably going to go in the direction of edible products for medication. They’re safer and healthier than smoking, and people who aren’t
familiar with marijuana products are more comfortable with them.”
She has been studying the
oil for a few years, and for the last 12 months has been working with hemp oil for her Masters. Hemp and marijuana oils both react the same and spoil quickly.
“A lot of my work involved eliminating what doesn’t work and finding out how the oil reacts with other compounds,” she said.
“The more we eliminate the closer we are to finding out what does work. There’s still a lot of work to be done, and we need government and citizen action.”
She said cannabis oil can be used to treat conditions including cancer, anxiety, PTSD, cardiovascular problems, immune system issues, migraines and inflammation.
“Most people want relief from the symptoms without being high or smoking. I would hate to see it acceptable for recreational use, yet patients still having trouble getting it for medical use. There’s so much evidence for its benefits.”
She hopes to have her research published by the end of the summer.