Weed Gum A Cure For Tummy Troubles?

no comments

Can you really chew your way to health with pot-infused gum? One company is testing that idea. 

AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc. has been working with CanChew Gum on a cannabis-infused product that’s recently entered a clinical trial for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) at Wageningen University in the Netherlands.

CanChew has been available, without a prescription, as a “great tasting gum for a healthier” lifestyle, infused with hemp oil and CBD oil (but no THC) since 2012. But recently, the company decided to take their product further by developing CanChew Plus, a gum that contains 5mg of CBD and 5mg of THC.

An early January press release hinted that the company was ready to show that their new gum was good for more than blowing bubbles; the CBD/THC combination it contained was proving to be a boon for those suffering from Irritable Bowl Syndrome. George E. Anastassov, MD, DDS, MBA and Chief Executive Officer of AXIM(R) Biotech stated, “These results show that excellent bioavailability for CBD may be achieved via our proprietary chewing gum delivery system, so that patients suffering from IBS may have symptomatic relief using an easy-to-use solution…We believe that we can match or improve the bioavailability profile for CBD compared to other delivery systems such as smoking or oral intake. We look forward to entering clinical trial and making available our cannabis-based medicinal solutions to patients suffering from IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders as soon as possible.”

CanChew gum

CanChew gum

Another statement, just two weeks later, announces that the trials had begun;

‘Functional, controlled-release Hemp oil CBD chewing gum and matching placebo gums will be tested for the clinical studies. The amount of the Hemp oil CBD gum is set at 50 mg CBD per serving. According to the trial protocol patients can use up to 6 chewing gums a day to control their stomach cramps, bloating, pain and other symptoms. The main study outcome is perceived pain reduction. Furthermore, the study will record general relief and change in stool frequency.’

While we may not want details about stool movements, considering the problems that scientists in the U.S. have had being allowed to study marijuana for medical issues, cannabis consumers may take heart knowing that there’s research being done abroad to prove its efficacy.

What’s bringing more players into the gum game, versus other edibles, is that it may be absorbed more quickly than ingested edibles, moving through the mouth’s lining rather than the whole digestive tract. 

Plus gum is offered as a gum or chewy candies

Plus gum is offered as a gum or chewy candies

Ex-Facebook employee, Jake Heimark has invented Plus Gum, which, according to the website, tastes like spearmint and a “hint of cannabis.” His claim is that the Plus Gum gets can reach its peak effect in 15 minutes rather than the hour-plus wait for other edibles to kick in. 

Heimark spent two years on Facebook’s risk management team, and has never really smoked pot, but he decided to get into the marijuana business anyhow. Rather than first-hand experience, he’s credited his time at Facebook for the move, by teaching him ‘how to build a great product and how to cultivate a company culture that values “moving fast.”’

Who’ll blow up and who’ll pop in the weed gum wars? If THC-infused gum can offer faster, more effective delivery, significant caloric savings (Plus Gum is ony 5 calories versus, say, a brownie), and medicinal effects to folks who don’t want to smoke, we’re confident saying that weed gum is here to stay. 

Please just try not to stick it under a table after you’re done; that’s just gross.