Microencapsulated cannabinoid compositions

Abstract

The present invention relates to cannabinoid compositions. These compositions can be encapsulated (e.g., microencapsulated). In particular, these compositions can be administered to a subject, such as through oral consumption or topical treatment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cannabinoid-containing composition comprising a plurality of droplets in an emulsion, wherein an individual droplet of said plurality comprises:
 (i) at least one cannabinoid compound; and   (ii) at least one terpene compound present in an amount of at least about one microgram.   
     
     
         2 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 1 , wherein said droplet has a size less than or equal to about 0.5 micrometers. 
     
     
         3 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 1 , wherein said emulsion comprises a natural surfactant or a natural oil. 
     
     
         4 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 3 , wherein said natural surfactant is a saponin or rice bran. 
     
     
         5 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cannabinoid compound comprises cannabidiol (CBD). 
     
     
         6 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 1 , wherein said individual droplet comprises less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). 
     
     
         7 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cannabinoid compound has a bioavailability of at least twice that of said at least one cannabinoid in non-droplet-encapsulated form. 
     
     
         8 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         9 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a stabilizer. 
     
     
         10 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 9 , wherein said stabilizer is alginate. 
     
     
         11 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one agent selected from the group consisting of an herb, an essential oil, a therapeutic compound, a food product, a mushroom, pregnenolone, MSM, fulvic acid, L-Theanine, Fish Oil, phenyl ethyl amine (PEA), tulsi, lemon balm, passion flower, blue lotus, cacao, maca, schizandra, Siberian  ginseng , kava, skullcap, valerian, hops, California poppy, catuba,  epidmedium , pao d'arco, ashwaganda, ginko, albiza, reishi, lion's mane, maitake, chaga, MSM, vitamin C, turmeric, CBD oil, bioperine, and xanthohumol. 
     
     
         12 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 1 , wherein said individual droplet of said plurality of droplets is characterized by at least one of:
 i. a sigmoidal release profile of said at least one cannabinoid compound;   ii. a plasma half-life of said at least one cannabinoid compound greater than twice that of said at least one cannabinoid compound in non-encapsulated form;   iii. a first pass metabolism of said at least one cannabinoid compound reduced by at least 50% compared to said at least one cannabinoid compound in non-encapsulated form;   iv. a rate of excretion of said at least one cannabinoid compound from a subject's body reduced by at least 20% compared to said at least one cannabinoid compound in non-encapsulated form; and   v. a degradation rate at an ambient temperature of at least 20° C. of said at least one cannabinoid compound of less than about 50% of a degradation rate of said at least one cannabinoid compound in non-encapsulated form.   
     
     
         13 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 12 , wherein said individual droplet has a size less than or equal to about 0.05 micrometers to 1 micrometer. 
     
     
         14 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 12 , wherein said emulsion comprises a stabilizer. 
     
     
         15 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one cannabinoid compound comprises cannabidiol (CBD). 
     
     
         16 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 12 , wherein said individual droplet comprises less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). 
     
     
         17 . The cannabinoid-containing composition of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one cannabinoid compound has a bioavailability of at least twice that of said at least one cannabinoid in non-encapsulated form. 
     
     
         18 . A method for preparing a cannabinoid-containing composition, comprising:
 (a) providing a solution comprising cannabinoids; and   (b) using said solution to generate a plurality of droplets in an emulsion, wherein a given droplet of said plurality of droplets comprises (i) at least one cannabinoid compound and (ii) at least one terpene compound present in an amount of at least about one microgram.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said given droplet has a size less than or equal to about 0.5 micrometers. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said emulsion comprises a natural surfactant or a natural oil. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said natural surfactant is a saponin or rice bran. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said at least one cannabinoid compound comprises cannabidiol (CBD). 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said given droplet comprises less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said at least one cannabinoid compound has a bioavailability of at least twice that of said at least one cannabinoid in non-droplet-encapsulated form. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said emulsion comprises a stabilizer. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the stabilizer is alginate. 
     
     
         27 . A system for administering a cannabinoid-containing composition to a subject, comprising a container comprising said cannabinoid-containing composition comprising a plurality of droplets in an emulsion, wherein an individual droplet of said plurality comprises (i) at least one cannabinoid compound, and (ii) at least one terpene compound present in an amount of at least about one microgram. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein said container is a float tank. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein said emulsion comprises a natural surfactant or a natural oil. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein said natural surfactant is a saponin or rice bran.