Today's Flash Back Friday comes from Episode 118, originally published in January 2013. It is commonly known that cannabis (marijuana) helps with glaucoma and the side effects of chemotherapy. What isn’t widely known is that our bodies possess an endocannabinoid system, which regulates almost every system of our health. The phytocannabinoids produced in marijuana are very similar in molecular structure to the cannabinoids that our bodies produce. Author Clint Werner joins Jason Hartman to discuss studies that have proven the health benefits of marijuana, including for the treatment of Alzheimers, protecting the health of diabetics and fight the spread of breast cancer cells. Clint talks about the demonizing of marijuana that started in the ‘30s by Federal agents and a journalist spreading “reefer madness” throughout the country. He also discusses needed reforms. Other facts about marijuana include protecting the brain by reducing inflammation and by stimulating the production of healthy new brain cells and reducing the risk of chronic, long-term smokers for developing lung cancer. Additionally, Clint talks about the differences between strains of marijuana grown in various climates and conditions, including indoors in artificial light versus outdoors in sunlight; the health benefits of THC; smoking versus vaporization; and the numerous forms in which it is available, such as tinctures and salves. Clint Werner has degrees in journalism and library science and has worked in the field of preventive health care for over 25 years. He studied macrobiotic cooking and practice in Boston in 1985, relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area where he co-authored the San Francisco Police Department’s health and fitness plan in 1987 and worked teaching AIDS, cancer and heart disease patients how to improve their health with diet and lifestyle changes. His writing has appeared in the book Cannabis Therapeutics in HIV/AIDS, the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, Macrobiotics Today, Canine Chronicle, the San Francisco Sentinel and other publications. Clint has been named “Activist of the Month” for June by NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Website: www.MarijuanaGatewayToHealth.com