IN an interview with the Highway Mail, New Germany resident, Lawrence Kuhn, who was arrested for possession of a R1-million drugs, explained his role in producing cannabis oil – a medicinal product, not a drug. Kuhn was arrested last Sunday, 15 January, for producing and supplying various cannabis products.
Police seized 164.4 kilograms of higher grade compressed dagga and 640 litres of benzine and magic mushrooms at his home.
As a single father of three children, Kuhn realised the benefits of cannabis oil after he began his research four years ago. His tragic story follows his father’s diagnosis with cancer in his hip in 2003. His father underwent radiation and died within six weeks. A year later, doctors diagnosed Kuhn with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He went for chemo for a year.
He only discovered his calling 10 years later due to propaganda about cannabis.
“People are bred to think cannabis is wrong and are just afraid of the stigma that is attached. But in reality, I have found it to be an amazing, natural product that has various healing treatments,” said Kuhn.
For the past four years, Kuhn, has been producing medicinal cannabis products at his home and supplying many people desperately in need. He said many of his clients are sick, poor people who can not afford the costs of drugs sold by pharmaceutical companies.
Healing aid
“My clients range from a twoyear-old epileptic to a 83-year old woman in pain. Even racing fraternities use cannabis oil on their horses for pain and stress. It is a known fact that all animals in nature gravitate to cannabis when injured, as cannabis has healing properties,” said Kuhn.
His method of manufacture is based on the Rick Simpson method (Canadian) of making cannabis oil on a small scale but Kuhn tips the scale a little to get the effect that he needs for his medication. He added that you can use cannabis oil to make bio fuel, food, plastic, hemp rope, hemp homes, clothing and more.
But more importantly, he said cannabis oil in its various extractions methods can assist in relieving pain and in some cases cure up to 70 000 diseases.
“There are different ways to use cannabis – it is used as a topical application for sunburn, skin cancer, skin issues and some cases of eczema; it can also be used for oral consumption and in suppository form, which has a high absorption level. The key to taking if for medicinal purposes is to start off small to condition your body,” said Kuhn.
Despite the negative perceptions, Kuhn said the only symptom of overdose is sleep and hunger (munchies). Another side effect is euphoria. Medicinal cannabis products retail from R1.50 a gram to R150 a gram.
Support
Bobby Greenhash Foundation (BGF), a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping anybody who needs information, advice and support in the use of natural cannabis hemp and medical marijuana dagga extracts and health products, was alerted to Kuhn’s predicament after his arrest and said it stands firmly with Kuhn in this situation.
Two legal representatives of the BGF were dispatched to assist Kuhn at the police station after his arrest.
They said they believe cannabis oil makers are being targeted before cannabis is made legal later this year, so that pharmaceutical companies have no competitors.
Legal stance
However, Hawks spokesperson, Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, said he was not aware of the allegations of companies putting pressure on the police to target illegal cannabis oil producers.
Mhlongo added that dagga (cannabis) is considered to be an illegal drug in South Africa and therefore police will continue to arrest those who are using or dealing in it.
He said he believes the problem with backyard operations is that their products are not manufactured in a regulated way to meet the standards in terms of medication.
An announcement was made in Parliament in November 2016 that access to medicinal cannabis for prescribed health conditions will soon be regulated by the Department of Health. Kuhn appeared before the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 16 January, and was released on R5 000 bail.
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