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by russellropeMedia, News November 12, 2024November 10, 2024No Comments

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Study: Cannabis Provides Sustained Improvements in Patients With Post-Traumatic Stress
London, United Kingdom: Patients with post-traumatic stress report symptom improvements following their use of cannabis, according to observational data published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
British researchers assessed the use of THC-dominant cannabis flower in 58 patients with post-traumatic stress. (Since 2018, British specialists have been permitted to prescribe either cannabis or cannabis-based medicinal products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Researchers assessed changes in patient-reported outcomes measures at three months and at six months.
Participants, on average, attained a 16.8-point reduction in their symptom severity scores following six months of cannabis treatment. Patients also reported significant enhancements in general health, mood, and sleep quality.
The study’s authors concluded: “Results from this observational study suggest an association between treatment with THC-predominant cannabis flowers and symptomatic improvement for up to six months in a cohort of UK civilians diagnosed with PTSD. The treatment was safe and well tolerated and characterized by marked effects on quality of sleep, general mood, and severity of PTSD-associated symptoms. ... However, further research is needed to evaluate the long-term safety and outcomes of controlled inhalation of CBMP in patients naïve to cannabis.”
Other observational studies assessing the use of cannabis products in patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry have reported them to be effective for those suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, fibromyalgia, depression, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Full text of the study, “Controlled inhalation of tetrahydrocannabinol-predominant cannabis flowers mitigates severity of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and improves quality of sleep and general mood in cannabis-experienced UK civilians: A real-world, observational study,” appears in Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

Review: Clinical Trials Show Cannabis Improves Symptoms in Fibromyalgia Patients
Medellin, Colombia: The use of cannabis-based preparations, including flower, is associated with symptomatic improvements in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), according to a systematic review of clinical trials published in the journal Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy.
An international team of investigators reviewed safety and efficacy data from 14 clinical studies and five review papers. They reported that cannabis-based products reduced pain and other symptoms in fibromyalgia patients and did not possess serious side effects.
The study’s authors concluded: “Cannabis-based products for medicinal use … can improve musculoskeletal, somatic, and psychiatric symptoms in patients with FMS, mainly pain, fatigue, and depression; also, these products could be considered as safe. ... There is a need to conduct more comprehensive studies and clinical trials to establish the real efficacy/effectiveness in terms of pain management, quality of life, and improvement of associated symptoms, as well as the effect on the use of other medications for managing chronic pain and safety concerns.”
Surveys report that fibromyalgia patients frequently consume whole-plant cannabis and CBD products to manage their disease symptoms.
Full text of the study, “Effectiveness of cannabis-based products for medical use in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: A systematic review,” appears in Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy.

Study: Cannabis Use Associated With Fewer Sleep Problems in Young Adults With Anxiety, Depression
Los Angeles, CA: The use of cannabis is associated with improvements in sleep quality in young adults suffering from depression or anxiety, according to data published in the journal Addiction.
Researchers affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles and Boston University’s School of Public Health assessed the relationship between cannabis use and sleep quality in a cohort of 1,926 participants between the ages of 20 and 23.
“Among participants with anxiety and/or depression and pre-existing sleep problems at baseline, using cannabis ≥ 20 days/month (versus never use) was associated with fewer sleep problems at follow-up,” researchers reported. By contrast, no positive relationship was identified for those without anxiety or depression.
“Our analyses suggest that cannabis use might impact sleep differently among different subgroups defined by underlying mental health issues and sleep quality,” the study’s authors concluded.
Full text of the study, “Cannabis use and sleep problems among young adults by mental health status: A prospective cohort study,” appears in the journal Addiction.

Study: CBD Oil Mitigates Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer’s Patients
Medellin, Colombia: The daily consumption of plant-derived CBD oil relieves agitation, anxiety, depression, and other neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in patients who have Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), according to data published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
Colombian researchers assessed the long-term impact of CBD oil on NPS severity in a cohort of 65 patients with AD. Participants in the study were unresponsive to traditional medical treatments. Patients consumed CBD sublingually daily for up to 24 months.
Investigators reported that 95 percent of subjects achieved a reduction in their NPS severity scores by more than 30 percent following three months of CBD treatment. Their improvements were maintained for the length of the study. 
The study’s authors concluded: “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluated the use of CBD as a treatment in NPS in AD with a sample greater than 50 patients and with a follow-up of more than 1 year. … This study shows that treatment with CBD-rich oil is effective and safe for patients with NPS secondary to AD at a median daily dose of 111 mg, independent of sex, age, time with AD, type of AChEIs [acetylcholinesterase inhibitors], and NPI-Q severity score before CBD treatment. … Further information derived from randomized controlled clinical trials is needed to confirm the findings presented in this article.”
Placebo-controlled clinical trial data has previously demonstrated that the daily administration of oral synthetic THC (dronabinol) and THC-dominant extracts similarly reduces Alzheimer’s-related agitation.
Full text of the study, “Treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer’s Disease with a cannabis-based magistral formulation: An open-label prospective cohort study,” appears in Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.





	






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by russellropeMedia, NewsPosted on November 5, 2024November 2, 2024No Comments



	
	
			
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Analysis: Cannabis Use Not Associated With Elevated Risk of Carotid Artery Calcification
La Jolla, CA: People with a history of cannabis use do not possess higher rates of carotid artery calcification (CAC) in either middle age or older adulthood, according to data published in the journal Vascular Medicine. Carotid artery calcification is an established marker of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which is linked to an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, assessed the relationship between cannabis smoking and CAC in a representative cohort of 2,152 subjects between 45 and 84 years old.
Consistent with other studies, investigators determined, “In [this] racially and ethnically diverse cohort of older adults with a moderately high prevalence of carotid artery calcification, there were no statistically significant associations between a history of regular cannabis smoking, duration, or recency of cannabis smoking, and the prevalence of carotid calcified plaque.”
The study’s authors concluded: “The null findings reported herein are consistent with our previous research. … If smoking cannabis increases the risk of atherosclerotic disease, one would anticipate finding consistent evidence of adverse cardiac outcomes in human research. This is not the case.”
According to data published earlier this year in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the use of either alcohol or opioids is implicated in nearly 80 percent of all cardiovascular deaths related to substance use. By comparison, a history of cannabis use is associated with fewer than one percent of all substance use-related cardiovascular deaths.
Full text of the study, “Regular cannabis smoking and carotid artery calcification in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA),” appears in Vascular Medicine.

Study: Patients Report Reduced Pain, Improved Mental Health Following Medical Cannabis Treatment
Melbourne, Australia: Chronic pain patients report physical and mental health improvements following their use of medical cannabis preparations, according to observational data published in the Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy.
Australian researchers assessed the use of medical cannabis preparations in 96 chronic pain patients. (Under Australian law, physicians may only authorize cannabis products to patients unresponsive to conventional prescription treatments.) Study participants consumed cannabis formulations either high in CBD, high in THC, or containing equal ratios of both cannabinoids. Patients’ symptoms were assessed at three, six, and 12 months.
Investigators reported: “We identified clear associations between patient commencement of a prescribed medicinal cannabis product and improvements in pain, mental health and sleep difficulties, with the most pronounced therapeutic effects visible within the first six months of treatment. Furthermore, significant improvements were noted across diverse domains of symptom interference on daily functions, suggesting an improved quality of life for patients. In relation to pain management, the majority of patients exhibited a notable decline in their use of both prescription and over-the-counter pain medications. This reduction in the use of other medications is consistent with the substantial improvements in pain severity reported by most patients.”
The most frequently reported adverse events were dry mouth and sleepiness.
The study’s authors concluded: “Overall, we found that the use of medicinal cannabis was associated with reduced pain during the first six months and improved mental well-being over 12 months. … Further longitudinal and controlled studies are necessary to better understand the sustained effects of cannabis-based medications on pain and mental health.”
Similarly designed studies of patients enrolled in the United Kingdom’s medical cannabis access program have reported that medical cannabis treatment is safe and effective for those suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, fibromyalgia, depression, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other afflictions.
Full text of the study, “Changes in mental health symptoms associated with prescribed medicinal cannabis use: A one-year longitudinal study,” appears in the Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy.

Study: Those With a History of Cannabis Use Are Less Likely To Use Opioids Following Lower Back Surgery
Chicago, IL: Patients with a history of cannabis use consume fewer opioids following lower back surgery as compared to matched controls, according to data published in the Asian Spine Journal.
Investigators affiliated with the Chicago Medical School and Yale University assessed opioid utilization trends in a cohort of 1,216 patients who had undergone lumbar fusion surgery. Half of the cohort had a history of cannabis consumption and half did not. Participants were tracked for six months.
“Cannabis users had lower rates of opioid utilization compared to non-cannabis users as early as two months after fusion [surgery],” researchers determined. “[This] relationship … persisted at six months.”
The study’s authors concluded: “We found that cannabis users tended to wean off opioid analgesics earlier than non-cannabis users postoperatively, offering support for the opioid-sparing effect of cannabis theory. … Knowledge of cannabis use patterns may potentially allow physicians to cater to individual needs and provide appropriate dose titration over time. This may help reduce opioid dependence and improve patient outcomes.”
Separate studies have reported that postoperative patients who self-report consuming cannabis are less likely than non-users to engage in the long-term use of prescription opioids.
Full text of the study, “Effects of cannabis use surgery on post-operative opioid utilization in lumbar fusion patients: An American retrospective study,” appears in the Asian Spine Journal.

Survey: Six Years After Legalization, Nearly Two-Thirds of Canadians Approve of the Policy Change
Ottawa, Canada: Sixty-two percent of Canadians approve of Parliament’s 2018 decision to legalize cannabis use and retail sales nationwide, according to nationally representative polling data.
The percentage of Canadians expressing support for legalization has held steady for the past four years. Fewer than 20 percent of Canadians favor legalizing and regulating the use of other controlled substances.
Pollsters also reported that the majority of Canadians purchase “all” of their cannabis products from legal retailers. Separate polling data has previously reported that the percentage of Canadian consumers transitioning to the legal cannabis market has grown year over year.
Additional polling information is available from Research Co.





     



	



	
		
	

		

	
	
	




	






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by russellropeMedia, NewsPosted on October 29, 2024October 26, 2024No Comments



	
	
			
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Study: Cannabis Provides Sustained Benefits for Fibromyalgia Patients
London, United Kingdom: Patients with fibromyalgia (FM) report symptom improvements following their use of medical cannabis preparations, according to observational data published in the Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy.
British researchers assessed the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) consisting of either flower or oil extracts in 148 patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. (Since 2018, British specialists have been permitted to prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Researchers assessed changes in patient-reported outcomes at one, three, six, and twelve months.
“Improvements in the generalized anxiety disorder-7 questionnaire, single-item sleep quality scale, fibromyalgia symptom severity score and EQ-5D-5L Index values [a descriptive scale assessing mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression] were observed at each follow up period compared to baseline,” investigators reported.
Study participants also significantly reduced their use of prescription opioids during the trial. The most frequently reported adverse events were fatigue, headache, and dry mouth.
The study’s authors concluded: “Positive associations between initiation of CBMP therapy and decreased fibromyalgia severity were observed at all time points. … These findings are complemented by the wider literature.”
Other observational studies assessing the use of cannabis products in patients enrolled in the UK Cannabis Registry have reported them to be effective for those suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depression, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Full text of the study, “Comparison of cannabis-based medicinal product formulations for fibromyalgia: A cohort study,” appears in the Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy.

Study: Prenatal Cannabis Exposure Not Associated With Elevated Rates of ADHD, Behavior Disorders in Early Adolescence
San Francisco, CA: Infants who test positive for prenatal cannabis exposure are not at higher risk of being diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or DBD (Disruptive Behavior Disorder) in early adolescence, according to data published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.
Investigators affiliated with the University of California at San Francisco and Kaiser Permanente assessed the relationship between in-utero cannabis exposure and behavioral outcomes in a cohort of over 141,000 children born between 2011 and 2018. Children were followed up to a maximum age of 11.
“Maternal prenatal cannabis use was not associated with ADHD, and there was an inverse association with DBD,” researchers determined.
They added: “The data reflect offspring population-level outcomes and do not predict the outcome for any individual. Additional research is needed to tease apart the mechanisms underlying the inverse association between prenatal cannabis use and the risk of ADHD and DBD.”
The lack of association between prenatal cannabis exposure and ADHD is consistent with previous findings.
Several members of the same research team published separate studies in the Journal of the American Medical Association, finding that prenatal cannabis exposure is not positively associated with elevated rates of either childhood autism or an increased risk of early childhood developmental delays.
Studies assessing the relationship between in-utero cannabis exposure and various neonatal outcomes, such as birth weight, have historically yielded inconsistent results. However, longitudinal data suggests that cannabis exposure is not typically associated with adverse neurodevelopmental consequences in late adolescence, finding, “Although there is a theoretical potential for cannabis to interfere with neurodevelopment, human data drawn from four prospective cohorts have not identified any long-term or long-lasting meaningful differences between children exposed in utero to cannabis and those not.”
Full text of the study, “Prenatal cannabis use and offspring Attention Hyperactivity Disorder and Disruptive Behavior Disorders: A retrospective cohort study,” appears in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

Survey: Cannabis as Effective as Prescription Medicines for Treatment of Hand Pain
Chicago, IL: Patients with hand pain-related pathologies frequently turn to cannabis for pain relief, according to data published in the journal Hand.
Researchers affiliated with the University of Chicago surveyed 122 patients suffering from hand-related pain. Fifteen percent of respondents acknowledged using cannabis to manage their symptoms.
Investigators reported: “Compared with pre-usage pain scores, both cannabinoids and Rx/OTC medications induced significant reductions in pain associated with patients’ hand pathologies. … Subjectively, … cannabinoids were preferred over Rx/OTC medications by 64 percent of the cannabinoid cohort, and no respondents preferred traditional medications over cannabinoids.”
The study’s authors concluded: “Although this is a small-scale study, these findings support the idea that cannabinoids are used regularly and are effective for pain control in orthopedic hand patients. Given the variety of cannabinoids among patients surveyed, future directions include examining the formulations, ingestion methods, and potencies that most improve pain from hand pathologies. Orthopedic surgeons should continue working with their patients to find successful, safe, and personalized ways to achieve adequate pain control.”
Full text of the study, “Prevalence and effect of cannabinoids in pain management and hand pathologies,” appears in Hand. Additional information on cannabis and chronic pain is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

Delaware: Governor Signs Legislation Providing State-Level Protections for Businesses Providing Financial Services To Licensed Cannabis Retailers
Dover, DE: Democrat Gov. John Carney has signed legislation (HB 355) into law providing state-level legal protections for financial institutions and other entities that provide financial or accounting services to licensed cannabis-related businesses.
The law stipulates that “banks, credit unions, armored car services, and providers of accounting services are not subject to prosecution under Delaware law merely by providing lawful services to licensed businesses engaged in the production, distribution and sale of cannabis.”
Lawmakers passed legislation in 2023 regulating adult-use cannabis sales. However, regulators have yet to award licenses to cannabis business applicants.
The new law does not protect banks and other institutions from potential federal litigation. Federal law currently discourages financial institutions from partnering with state-licensed cannabis businesses because of their involvement with a Schedule I controlled substance.
Federal legislation seeking to amend the law currently has 36 co-sponsors in the US Senate and 130 co-sponsors in the House, but has yet to receive a floor vote in either chamber during the current session.





     



	



	
		
	

		

	
	
	




	






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by russellropeMedia, NewsPosted on October 22, 2024October 20, 2024No Comments



	
	
			
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Study: Cannabis Edibles Reduce Chronic Lower Back Pain
Boulder, CO: The consumption of cannabis-infused edible products, particularly those that are higher in THC content, provides acute relief for patients with chronic lower back pain, according to data published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology.
Researchers with the University of Colorado at Boulder assessed the ad libitum use of three distinct edible products (THC-dominant products, CBD-dominant products, or products containing similar amounts of THC and CBD) in 249 subjects with low back pain. Participants consumed the products for two weeks. Researchers evaluated changes in patients’ pain intensity and subjective mood, which were assessed at the conclusion of the study.
“Pain intensity following edible cannabis use decreased over time across all three broadly defined product groups,” investigators reported. Decreases in pain intensity were most pronounced in patients who consumed THC-dominant edibles. CBD-dominant products were “primarily associated with short-term tension relief” rather than significant reductions in acute pain.
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The study’s authors concluded: “These findings support the short-term analgesic effects of THC and anxiolytic effects of CBD … [and] indicate that edible cannabis may be a safe and suitable alternative pain therapy for those looking to substitute more traditional pain medications.”
Longitudinal data published in 2022 determined that patients suffering from chronic back pain reduce their use of prescription opioids and report improvements in their condition following medical cannabis treatment.
Full text of the study, “Edible cannabis for chronic low back pain: Associations with pain, mood, and intoxication,” appears in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology.

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Harris Campaign Pledges To Work With Congress To Legalize Marijuana at the Federal Level
Washington, DC: The Kamala Harris campaign released a policy agenda this week that includes a pledge to “legalize marijuana at the federal level.”
If elected, Harris promises to “work with Congress to ensure that the safe cultivation, distribution, and possession of recreational marijuana is the law of the land.” 
The pledge comes nearly two weeks after Harris said in an interview, “I just think we have come to a point where we have to understand that we need to legalize [marijuana] and stop criminalizing this behavior.”
Republican Presidential contender Donald Trump had previously declared that he intends to vote ‘yes’ on a Florida ballot initiative legalizing adult-use marijuana sales, and if elected, he would work with Congress to enact reforms at the federal level, including SAFER Banking.
As a US Senator, Kamala Harris sponsored legislation to end the federal prohibition of cannabis. In 2022, the Biden administration provided pardons to low-level offenders convicted of federal marijuana offenses and initiated an administrative petition to reclassify cannabis under federal law. In March, Harris led a round-table discussion with marijuana pardon recipients. 

Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Enacts Ordinance Protecting Medical Cannabis Patients From Employment Discrimination
Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh lawmakers have enacted municipal legislation protecting state-registered medical cannabis patients from employment discrimination due to their off-the-job marijuana use.
The law defines patients as a “protected class” under local law, thereby making it unlawful for most employers to require them to participate in pre-employment drug testing for marijuana. It also limits most employers’ ability to require qualified patients to undergo marijuana testing while they are on the job, absent suspicion that they are impaired.
Certain employers, such as construction companies and companies subject to federal drug testing regulations, are exempt from the ordinance.
“Gainful employment should be accessible to everyone regardless of the type of medical treatment they receive,” said Rachel Shepherd, The Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations.
Theresa Nightingale, Executive Director of Pittsburgh NORML – which lobbied on behalf of the bill – added: “Many of these patients are seniors, low-income and middle-class Pennsylvanians. Being able to provide for their families is integral to their survival. [It’s] discriminatory to deny them employment based on their medical conditions.”
In recent years, lawmakers in three states – Michigan, Nevada, and Washington – and in numerous other municipalities and counties nationwide – including Atlanta, Cleveland, the District of Columbia, Philadelphia, and St. Louis – have similarly ended pre-employment marijuana screening for most public employees. Several other states — including California, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island — have enacted broader workplace protections limiting employers’ ability to either test or sanction workers for their use of cannabis use while off the job.

Nebraska: Judge Sets Trial Date in Medical Cannabis Ballot Fight
Lincoln, NE: A judge has set a trial date to hear arguments brought by litigants who oppose the certification of a pair of medical cannabis access ballot initiatives.
State regulators affirmed on August 30th that advocates Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana had gathered the requisite number of signatures to place the measures before voters. Opponents filed litigation shortly thereafter, alleging several thousand signatures should have been determined invalid because of clerical errors or malfeasance.
The judge has requested to hear evidence substantiating litigants’ allegations on October 29th. If substantiated, the trial will continue, and representatives of the campaign will have the opportunity to respond on October 31st. If the case extends beyond that date, it is unlikely that the issue will be resolved prior to Election Day.
Early voting has already begun in Nebraska and paper ballots have already been printed containing both ballot questions.
In a prepared statement responding to the allegations, the Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana campaign said: “It is appalling that the State of Nebraska is working to silence and disenfranchise the voices of tens of thousands of Nebraskans based on primarily unsubstantiated technical issues. These issues have absolutely nothing to do with the more than 115,000 voters who signed each of these petitions, or the dedicated patients and Nebraska citizens who worked hard to get the issue on the ballot.”
The two proposed ballot measures (Initiated Measures 437 and 438) are complementary. The first permits qualified patients to possess and use cannabis. The second measure regulates the production and distribution of cannabis to authorized patients. Advocates had to frame the issue as two separate ballot questions so as not to run afoul of the state’s ‘single subject’ rule. In 2020, the state Supreme Court invalidated a similar stand-alone measure for addressing issues that it deemed were “not naturally and necessarily connected to the [initiative’s] primary purpose.” A 2022 effort failed to obtain sufficient signatures to qualify for the ballot.
Voters in Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota will be deciding on adult-use legalization measures this fall.





     



	



	
		
	

		

	
	
	




	






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by russellropeMedia, NewsPosted on October 15, 2024October 15, 2024No Comments



	
	
			
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Clinical Trial: Topical Cannabis Cream Mitigates Pruritus
Pathum Thani, Thailand: The topical application of a cream containing CBD and THC reduces itch severity in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated pruritus, according to placebo-controlled clinical data published in the journal Kidney Medicine.
Investigators associated with Thammasat University in Thailand assessed the use of a cannabis-infused cream versus placebo in pruritus patients. Subjects were administered either the cream or the placebo for four weeks. Patients were assessed at baseline and at two weeks and four weeks.
Compared to the placebo group, kidney disease patients using the cannabis-infused cream experienced less itching and improved quality of life.
The study’s authors concluded: “This study demonstrated that a cannabis-containing cream might be an effective treatment for CKD-associated pruritus in hemodialysis patients with limited adverse side effects. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer durations of follow-up are suggested to ensure the reliability of the results, especially regarding itch-related quality of life.”
Full text of the study, “Cannabis-containing cream for CKD-associated pruritus: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial,” appears in Kidney Medicine.

US Territory Halts Pre-Employment Marijuana Testing
Saipan, CNMI: The Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), a US territory with a population of approximately 56,000 people, has signed legislation into law ending pre-employment marijuana screening as a requirement for most government jobs.
Public Law 23-27 eliminates pre-employment testing for most public jobs. However, the ban does not apply to those seeking safety-sensitive positions or those subject to federal drug testing regulations.
The US territory legalized the retail sale and use of cannabis in 2018.
In recent years, lawmakers in three states – Michigan, Nevada, and Washington – and numerous other municipalities and counties nationwide – including Atlanta, Cleveland, the District of Columbia, Philadelphia, and St. Louis – have similarly ended pre-employment marijuana screening for most public employees. Several other states — including California, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island — have enacted broader workplace protections limiting employers’ ability to either test or sanction workers for their use of cannabis use while off the job.

Clinical Trial: Oral THC Significantly Reduces Agitation in Alzheimer’s Patients
Baltimore, MD: The twice-daily administration of dronabinol capsules (FDA-approved, synthetically produced THC) significantly mitigates agitation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to placebo-controlled clinical trial data presented at the 2024 International Psychogeriatric Association conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Investigators affiliated with John Hopkins University in Baltimore and Tufts University in Boston assessed the safety and efficacy of dronabinol versus placebo in 75 patients with severe Alzheimer’s-associated agitation.
Compared to the placebo group, subjects who consumed 5-milligram doses of dronabinol experienced a 30 percent reduction in agitation. Researchers said that the efficacy of oral THC was similar to that of traditional antipsychotics, but that dronabinol possessed a superior safety profile.
Several clinical trials dating back to the 1990s have similarly shown positive results for the use of dronabinol in patients with AD. More recent studies have also reported that the use of cannabis plant-derived extracts reduces AD-related symptoms, including agitation, irritability, and sleep disturbances.
Preclinical data has shown that both THC and synthetic THC agonists can modulate neuroinflammation and the formation of amyloid plaque in the brain – both of which are believed to play a key role in the development of AD.

Case Report: CBD Dosing Mitigates Pain Due to Spondyloarthritis
São José do Rio Preto, Brazil: The daily administration of plant-derived CBD oil is associated with reduced spondyloarthritis-related pain and increased physical activity, according to a case report published in the journal Cureus.
A Brazilian researcher documented improvements in a 72-year-old male patient with neuropathic pain from spondyloarthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease that predominantly affects the spinal column. The patient suffered from chronic pain, numbness, diminished muscle strength, and limited movement due to his condition.
Treatment with CBD oil resulted in initial improvements within 20 days. These improvements became more pronounced over time. “After 90 days of treatment, the patient reported the absence of pain, the return of physical activity (walking and swimming), and the suspension of the use of analgesics. Muscle strength increased considerably and tremors in the left arm had diminished by 90 percent.”
The study’s author concluded, “Based on this result and considering scientific evidence of the effectiveness of CBD in the treatment of patients with chronic pain due to different illnesses, this therapeutic option may be beneficial to such patients when conventional medicinal treatment is unsatisfactory.”
Full text of the study, “Cannabidiol for the treatment of spondyloarthritis-related pain: A case report,” appears in Cureus.





     



	



	
		
	

		

	
	
	




	






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by russellropeMedia, NewsPosted on October 8, 2024October 5, 2024No Comments



	
	
			
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California: Governor Signs Legislation Permitting Live Events at Cannabis Cafes, Other Measures
Sacramento, CA: Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several pieces of marijuana-related legislation into law, including a California NORML-backed bill expanding services at on-site cannabis consumption lounges.
The newly signed law, which takes effect on January 1, 2025, permits on-site facilities to expand their operations to include the sale of non-cannabis-infused food and beverages and tickets to live performances.
California NORML’s Director Dale Gieringer praised Gov. Newsom’s decision to sign the bill, stating, “We thank Governor Newsom for this much-needed support of social use by California’s cannabis consumers, as well as supporting the state’s cannabis industry in this way.”
California is among a limited number of states that license and regulate on-site cannabis consumption lounges.
The Governor also signed separate legislation into law extending cannabis donation programs and amending the manner in which localities impose certain taxes upon cannabis retailers (SB 1059). He vetoed legislation (AB 1111) that would have permitted certain proprietors to sell cannabis at farmers’ markets.

Arkansas: Election Officials Find Marijuana Initiative Falls Short of Ballot Requirements, Advocates File Lawsuit
Little Rock, AR: State election officials have determined that proponents of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024 failed to collect sufficient signatures to qualify the measure for the November ballot. Campaign proponents Arkansans for Patient Access have filed a lawsuit with the state Supreme Court contesting the Secretary of State’s decision.
In their lawsuit, proponents allege that election officials “arbitrarily” excluded an estimated 20,000 signatures from registered voters. They have asked the court to take expedited action on the matter.
Ballots for the 2024 election have already been printed.
The Amendment seeks to revise the state’s existing medical cannabis access law, which voters approved in 2016. (Voters rejected a separate adult-use legalization initiative in 2022.) It expands the pool of practitioners permitted to recommend medical cannabis and it would allow providers to recommend cannabis to any patient who they believe will benefit from it, among other modifications. Separate provisions in the amendment authorize adults to legally possess up to one ounce of cannabis if the federal government removes it from the Controlled Substances Act.
If proponents’ litigation is successful, Arkansas will join four other states -- Florida, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota -- where election officials have certified marijuana-related ballot measures for the ballot. (In Nebraska, the state’s decision to certify a pair of medical cannabis legalization initiatives is being challenged in court.)
Statewide survey data published last month finds that most likely voters support the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment.

Clinical Trial: CBD Mitigates Symptoms in Patients at Clinically High Risk for Psychosis
London, United Kingdom: The daily use of cannabidiol reduces symptom severity in patients at clinically high risk of suffering from psychosis, according to placebo-controlled clinical trial data published in the journal World Psychiatry.
Thirty-one patients completed the study. Subjects received 600 mg of CBD or a placebo daily for three weeks. None of the participants received any prescription medications during the trial. Patients were assessed at baseline, at seven days, and at 21 days.
Compared to the placebo group, those who received CBD had lower total CAARMS (Comprehensive Assessment of At‐Risk Mental States) scores following treatment. CBD dosing was associated with a “reduction in the severity of CHR [clinically high
 risk] symptoms and the distress associated with psychotic experiences,” investigators reported.
The study’s authors concluded: “Short‐term treatment with CBD can ameliorate the symptoms of CHR state for psychosis and is well tolerated. These results highlight the potential of CBD as a novel treatment for psychosis, and the need for large‐scale efficacy studies to further evaluate its clinical utility.”
Separate studies have demonstrated that the use of CBD reduces psychotic symptoms and the use of antipsychotic medications in patients with schizophrenia.
Full text of the study, “Effects of cannabidiol on symptoms in people at clinical; high risk of psychosis,” appears in World Psychiatry.

Survey: Majority of Pain Physicians Favor Federal Legalization of Medical Cannabis
New Brunswick, NJ: Most physicians who specialize in treating patients with chronic pain favor the legalization of medical cannabis, according to survey data published in the journal JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Network Open.
Researchers at Rutgers University surveyed pain specialists and chronic pain patients regarding their attitudes toward cannabis. Seventy-one percent of patients and 59 percent of physicians supported the “federal legalization of medical cannabis.” Most patients, but not most physicians, favored the federal legalization of marijuana for adults. Doctors who had no experience recommending medical cannabis were least likely to express support for legalization.
Data published by the same journal in 2023 reported that nearly one in three patients with chronic pain use cannabis as an analgesic agent, and many of those who do substitute in place of opioids. A 2017 report by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that “conclusive” evidence exists for cannabis’ efficacy in patients suffering from chronic pain, stating, “Patients who [are] treated with cannabis or cannabinoids are more likely to experience a clinically significant reduction in pain symptoms.”
Full text of the study, “Support for expanding access to cannabis among physicians and adults with chronic pain,” appears in JAMA Network Open.

Report: Allegations of Marijuana Use Frequently Trigger CPS Investigations
New York, NY: Tens of thousands of expectant parents nationwide face investigations from child protective services over allegations of marijuana use, according to a year-long investigation by Rolling Stone magazine.
Reporters identified nearly 100,000 marijuana-related investigations in six states (Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Louisiana, Ohio, and West Virginia) over the past five years. (Reporters were unable to obtain specific data from other jurisdictions.) Marijuana-related investigations far outnumbered those triggered by allegations of maternal tobacco or alcohol use. Those targeted were disproportionately people of color.
Studies have previously confirmed that those selected to undergo marijuana-specific drug screening during the labor and delivery process are significantly more likely to be Hispanic or African American. Black newborns are also more likely to undergo drug testing than other babies, according to data published last year in the journal JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Network Open.
A separate report published by the advocacy group Pregnancy Justice identifies nearly 100 recent cases where expectant people have been criminally prosecuted for their use of cannabis.
In recent months, courts in two states -- Arizona and Oklahoma -- have explicitly ruled that the maternal use of medical cannabis does not constitute child neglect. Other states, like Maryland and New York, have recently enacted legislation shielding parents from neglect investigations based on cannabis alone.
Data assessing the relationship between in utero cannabis exposure and various neonatal outcomes, such as birth weight, is inconsistent and may be confounded by various socioeconomic factors. However, longitudinal data indicates that prenatal cannabis exposure alone is rarely linked with adverse neurodevelopmental consequences, finding, “Although there is a theoretical potential for cannabis to interfere with neurodevelopment, human data drawn from four prospective cohorts have not identified any long-term or long lasting meaningful differences between children exposed in utero to cannabis and those not.”
Full text of the investigation is available from Rolling Stone.





     



	



	
		
	

		

	
	
	




	






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by russellropeMedia, NewsPosted on October 1, 2024September 28, 2024No Comments



	
	
			
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Study: Cannabis Access Laws Associated With Reduced Use of Benzodiazepines
Atlanta, GA: The adoption of state laws legalizing marijuana for either medical or adult-use is associated with declines in benzodiazepine prescriptions, according to data published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
Researchers affiliated with the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Georgia assessed the relationship between legalization laws and the dispensing of psychotropic medications used to treat mental health disorders.
“Both medical and recreational cannabis policies were consistently associated with reductions in benzodiazepine dispensing,” investigators determined. Specifically, the implementation of medical cannabis laws was associated with a 12.4 percent reduction in the prescription fill rate per 10,000 patients while adult-use legalization was associated with a 15.2 percent reduction.
Other studies assessing patients’ use of prescription medications following their initiation of medical cannabis have similarly reported decreases in the use of benzodiazepines.
Researchers also acknowledged slight upticks in prescriptions for antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs – a finding that is inconsistent with prior studies. Specifically, a 2022 paper published in the same journal found no association between the adoption of marijuana legalization and overall rates of psychosis-related diagnoses or prescribed antipsychotics.
The study’s authors concluded: “We found that cannabis laws and dispensaries were associated with significant decreases in the dispensing of benzodiazepines in a commercially insured population. … These results have important implications for health outcomes. ... Benzodiazepine use can lead to harmful adverse effects, including respiratory depression, which can be fatal. ... Thus, if patients are, in fact, reducing their benzodiazepine use to manage their anxiety symptoms with cannabis, this may represent a safer treatment option overall.”
They further acknowledged, “Conversely, the positive association found between state cannabis laws and dispensing of antidepressants and antipsychotics is cause for concern, although perhaps unsurprising given the unsettled literature surrounding cannabis use and depression or psychosis. ... Overall, our results suggest that additional research is needed to assess whether changes in dispensing of MHDs [mental health disorder medications] are associated with differences in health care outcomes.”
Full text of the study, “Cannabis laws and utilization of medications for the treatment of mental health disorders,” appears in JAMA Network Open.

Analysis: States Generated Nearly $9 Billion in Cannabis-Related Tax Revenue Since 2021
Washington, DC: States that have legalized the sale of cannabis for either medical or adult-use have collected more than $8.7 billion in marijuana-related taxes since 2021, according to calculations compiled by the federal government.
The analysis includes tax revenue estimates through the second quarter of this year. However, the report’s authors acknowledge that not all states provided up-to-date data -- meaning that the total amount of state taxes collected during this period is likely higher than $8.7 billion.
According to the analysis, California collected $156 million in cannabis taxes during the reporting period, followed by Michigan ($75 million), Illinois ($72 million), Colorado ($61 million), Massachusetts ($50 million) and Arizona ($45 million).
A prior analysis published earlier this year by the Marijuana Policy Project reported that retail sales of adult-use cannabis products have generated more than $20 billion in state tax revenue since 2014.
Tables from the report are available from the US Census Bureau.

Driving Study: Alcohol and Cannabis Have Contrasting Effects on Speed Control
Iowa City, IA: Subjects who operate a vehicle under the influence of cannabis tend to drive more slowly while those under the influence of alcohol tend to increase their speed, according to driving simulator data published in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention.
Investigators with the University of Iowa assessed simulated freeway driving performance in subjects following their use of cannabis, alcohol, and placebo.
Both cannabis use and alcohol use were associated with increased incidents of weaving, a finding that is consistent with prior studies. Compared to the placebo group, those under the influence of cannabis “spent more time at speeds significantly below the speed limit.” By contrast, those under the influence of alcohol “spent close to 40 percent of their time more than 10 percent above the speed limit.”
Several other studies have similarly reported that drivers under the influence of cannabis tend to exhibit more compensatory driving behaviors, while those under the influence of alcohol tend to drive in a more reckless manner.
The study’s authors concluded: “This comparative analysis sought to assess the effects of cannabis on driving and put them into context by looking at the magnitude of the effects compared to those of alcohol on driving. … “Ultimately, three primary conclusions can be drawn with respect to the effects of acute cannabis use on freeway driving relative to those of alcohol: 1) driving after acute use of cannabis in this population produced impaired lateral control that was similar in magnitude and effect to driving under the influence of alcohol at approximately .05 BAC; 2) the effects on lateral control are not dissimilar to those observed in other driving environments, and 3) driving after acute use of cannabis and alcohol produced opposite effects on speed control, with slower driving following cannabis use and faster driving following alcohol use.”
Full text of the study, “Assessing the impact of cannabis use on freeway driving performance and practices: A comparative analysis with placebo and alcohol-influenced driving,” appears in Traffic Injury Prevention. Additional information on cannabis and driving is available from the NORML Fact Sheet, ‘Marijuana and Psychomotor Performance.’

Illinois Supreme Court: Marijuana Odor Is Not Probable Cause for a Vehicle Search
Chicago, IL: Justices on the Illinois Supreme Court have ruled that a police officer may not conduct a warrantless search of a motor vehicle based solely upon the smell of burnt marijuana emanating from the vehicle.
Justices opined that the odor of cannabis “lacks a clear and direct enough connection to illegal activity to make it ‘probable’ that a crime has recently been committed or is being committed” because the possession and use of marijuana is legal in the state. They further acknowledged that the defendant in the case exhibited no signs of marijuana-induced impairment and that the arresting officer failed to identify either cannabis or cannabis paraphernalia in plain view.
They concluded, “We hold that the odor of burnt cannabis is a fact that should be considered when determining whether police have probable cause to search a vehicle, but the odor of burnt cannabis, standing alone without other inculpatory facts, does not provide probable cause to search a vehicle.”
Courts in several other states where cannabis is legal for either medical or adult-use purposes -- including Delaware, Maryland, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Vermont – have similarly determined that the odor of marijuana, absent other evidence of a crime, does not provide probable cause to justify a warrantless search of a motor vehicle.
The case is People v. Redmond.





     



	



	
		
	

		

	
	
	




	






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by russellropeMedia, NewsPosted on September 24, 2024September 23, 2024No Comments



	
	
			
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Analysis: Medical Cannabis Legalization Associated With Lower Healthcare Premiums



Miami, FL: Medical cannabis access is associated with significant decreases in employees’ healthcare premiums, according to data published in the journal Applied Health Economics and Health Policy.


Researchers affiliated with the medical cannabis technology company Leafwell assessed the relationship between medical cannabis legalization laws and employer-sponsored healthcare premiums over ten years (2003-2022).


They determined, “For states that adopted a medical cannabis law, there was a significant decrease in the … average total premium per employee for single and employee-plus-one coverage plans per year … compared with states without such laws. … Our results are significant as healthcare costs, primarily driven by the cost of premiums, have grown in the past decade or more and account for an increasing proportion of an employer and employees’ budget.”


The authors’ findings are consistent with a 2023 study, which reported that medical cannabis access is associated with “a sizeable and statistically significant reduction in annual per-enrollee premiums of about $1600.”


Authors of the latest study also acknowledged, “Had all 50 states implemented medical cannabis at the same time, employers may have experienced a total savings of $14.9 billion for single coverage plans and $8 billion for employee-plus-one coverage plans in a given year; employees may have seen a total savings of $4.2 billion for single plans and $2.3 billion for employee-plus-one plans in a given year. Under this assumption, medical cannabis laws could have reduced healthcare expenditure GDP by 0.65 percent in 2022 had all states adopted this policy change at the same time.”


They concluded, “Medical cannabis laws ... likely decrease the cost of private, employer- sponsored health insurance for both single and employee-plus-one coverage plans. … States should consider these positive externalities associated with medical cannabis legalization when considering whether or not to adopt a medical cannabis law.”


Full text of the study, “Measuring the impact of medical cannabis law adoption on employer-sponsored health insurance costs: A difference-in-difference analysis, 2003-2022,” appears in Applied Health Economics and Health Policy.



Study: Medical Cannabis Associated With Clinically Meaningful Quality of Life Improvements



Philadelphia, PA: Newly authorized patients who begin using medical cannabis products experience rapid and clinically meaningful improvements in their health-related quality of life, according to data published in the Journal of Cannabis Research.


Investigators affiliated with Philadelphia’s College of Osteopathic Medicine assessed changes in patients’ general health prior to their use of medical cannabis and then three months later. Researchers described their study as “one of the largest longitudinal studies of quality of life in individuals using medical marijuana in the US.”


They reported, “New medical marijuana users experienced improvements across all domains of HRQoL [health-related quality of life] over the first three months of medical marijuana use. ... We believe that these HRQoL gains represent clinically meaningful change in our participants.”


Specifically, respondents reported greater than 20 percent improvements in their physical health, social functioning, and emotional well-being.


“In conclusion, the use of medical marijuana for three months was associated with improvements in physical, social, emotional and pain-related HRQoL,” the study’s authors determined. “Results from this study can help patients, their caregivers, and their providers to make more informed and evidence-based decisions on whether to incorporate medical marijuana into their treatment regimens.”


Their conclusions are consistent with those of several other studies, finding that medical cannabis use is associated with sustained quality of life improvements in a broad range of patient populations.


Full text of the study, “Changes in health-related quality of life over the first three months of medical marijuana use,” appears in the Journal of Cannabis Research.



Clinical Trial: Topical Application of Hemp Seed Oil Reduces Osteoarthritic Knee Pain



Rafsanjan, Iran: The daily topical application of hemp seed oil improves osteoarthritic knee pain, according to placebo-controlled clinical trial data published in the journal Pain Management Nursing.


Iranian investigators assessed the efficacy of cold-pressed hemp seed oil versus either placebo or the NSAID diclofenac (aka Voltaren) in 90 patients with osteoarthritic knee pain and stiffness. Patients enrolled in the trial were between the ages of 45 and 70 years old. Study participants were assessed at baseline and again at four weeks and at eight weeks.


Researchers reported that the topical application of hemp seed oil provided therapeutic effects similar to those of diclofenac and superior to those of the placebo. Investigators reported that the oil was “safe and well tolerated.”


The study’s authors concluded: “This randomized controlled trial found that the daily application of topical hemp seed oil improved knee pain, physical function, and perceived knee stiffness. ... Topical herbal compounds may have a role in the treatment of painful chronic conditions, such as knee OA [osteoarthritis], to reduce the systemic adverse effects of oral drugs.”


Full text of the study, “Effect of topical hemp (cannabis sativa) seed oil on knee osteoarthritis: A randomized double-blind controlled trial,” appears in Pain Management Nursing.



Swing State Voters Overwhelmingly Favor Marijuana Legalization, Banking Reforms



Alexandria, VA: Likely voters in Arizona and Nevada strongly support allowing adults to use marijuana and other related reforms, according to polling data compiled by the market research firm The Tarrance Group.


Specifically, supermajorities of voters in both states favored legalizing cannabis, removing it from its Schedule I classification under federal law, and permitting banks and other financial institutions to explicitly partner with state-licensed cannabis businesses.


Polling previously compiled by the firm reported similar results in the battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.


“Legalizing and regulating adult-use cannabis access is not only good policy, but it’s also good politics,” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. “State and federal politicians who continue to ignore their constituents’ sentiments on these issues do so at their own political peril.”


In recent weeks, both Presidential candidates have called for ending marijuana-related possession arrests. Donald Trump also recently tweeted his intention to vote for Florida’s Amendment 3 initiative, which permits existing medical cannabis facilities to engage in adult-use marijuana sales.


On election day, voters in four states – Florida, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota – will decide on cannabis-specific ballot measures.







     

 

	




	

		

	


		

	
	
	




	






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by russellropeMedia, NewsPosted on September 17, 2024September 16, 2024No Comments



	
	
			
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Fourth Circuit Ruling Contradicts DEA’s Opinion on the Legality of Certain Hemp-Derived Products
Richmond, VA: Judges with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals have ruled that all hemp-derived products, including those that undergo a chemical synthesis during manufacturing, are legal under federal law.
The decision is consistent with a 2022 Ninth Circuit ruling, but contradicts guidance provided more recently by the Drug Enforcement Administration. In a February 13, 2023 letter, the DEA argued that the 2018 Farm Bill never intended to legalize products “that do not occur in the cannabis plant and can only be obtained synthetically,” such as THC-O, regardless of their THC content.
In its ruling, judges acknowledged that the DEA and the Ninth Circuit disagreed on the matter.  “The Ninth Circuit held that it didn’t need to consider the DEA’s position on synthetically derived substances because the definition of ‘hemp’ under the 2018 Farm Act was unambiguous in its application to all products derived from the cannabis plant, ‘so long as they do not cross the 0.3 percent delta-9 THC threshold,'” the Court determined. “Between the DEA’s February 2023 letter and [the Ninth Circuit decision], we think the Ninth Circuit’s interpretation of the 2018 Farm Act is the better of the two. And we’re free to make that determination ourselves, despite a contrary interpretation from the DEA, because we agree with the Ninth Circuit that § 1639o is unambiguous.”
The case before the Court centered on whether an employer could fire a worker for using hemp products. Ultimately, judges upheld the defendant’s termination because they failed to provide sufficient evidence that the products consumed possessed THC at limits below the threshold (0.3 percent) established by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.
NORML and other groups have urged the FDA to establish regulatory guidelines governing the production, testing, labeling, and marketing of certain intoxicating hemp-derived products. In 2021, NORML issued a report on delta-8 THC and other novel, synthetically derived cannabinoids that cautioned consumers to avoid these unregulated products because they are untested and may contain impurities.

Survey: Patients With Rheumatic Conditions Frequently Substitute Cannabis for Prescription Medications
Montreal, Canada: Patients with neuropathy, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and other rheumatic conditions frequently substitute cannabis in place of prescription medications, according to survey data published in the journal Open Neurology.
Researchers affiliated with McGill University in Montreal and the University of Michigan surveyed 763 US and Canadian patients with rheumatic conditions.
Consistent with other studies, 63 percent of respondents reported substituting cannabis products for other medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (55 percent), opioids (49 percent), sleep aids (30 percent), and muscle relaxants (25 percent). Following substitution, most participants reported decreases or cessation in their medication use. Respondents typically reported turning to cannabis because it offered “better symptom management” and was associated with “fewer adverse effects.”
Those who substituted medical cannabis in place of other medications reported greater improvements in pain, sleep, joint stiffness, muscle spasm, inflammation, and global health.
“The acceptance of MC [medical cannabis] as a treatment strategy for rheumatic conditions is evolving,” the study’s authors concluded. “These encouraging results of medication reduction and favorable effect of MC require confirmation with more rigorous methods. ... Comparative effective clinical trials of MC versus other pain treatments are needed, as are more prospective studies investigating the effects of MC on the use of medications and other substances in rheumatic populations.”
Full text of the study, “Substituting medical cannabis for medications among patients with rheumatic conditions in the United States and Canada,” appears in Open Neurology.

North Carolina: Cherokee Tribe Expands Retail Marijuana Sales to Those Ages 21 and Older
Qualla, NC: Members of the North Carolina Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have begun selling cannabis products to patrons ages 21 and older, regardless of whether they are members of federal recognized Indian tribes.
Tribal members initially began selling marijuana products to authorized patients in April. In July, they began engaging in adult-use sales exclusively to other tribal members. On Saturday, they expanded sales to anyone over 21 years of age. That day, an estimated 4,000 customers were on hand to purchase cannabis products.
According to data published in May in the trade journal Marijuana Business Daily, federally recognized tribes are currently operating cannabis businesses in nine states: California, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington.
Neither the recreational use nor the medical use of cannabis is permitted in North Carolina. Senate lawmakers earlier this year advanced legislation to regulate medical cannabis access, but House leaders failed to take up the measure. Statewide polling shows that 78 percent of North Carolina voters support legalizing cannabis for eligible patients.
In response to the Cherokee tribe’s actions, Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-NC) introduced federal legislation (HR 5323) seeking to withhold federal funding from jurisdictions that permit marijuana sales. The bill is not anticipated to receive a hearing.

Tennessee: Supreme Court Rules Drug-Sniffing Dog Alerts Still Constitute Probable Cause for Certain Marijuana-Related Searches
Nashville, TN: Judges on the Tennessee Supreme Court have determined that an alert from a drug-sniffing dog justifies a broader search of a defendant’s automobile, despite acknowledging that dogs cannot distinguish between legal hemp products and marijuana.
In its ruling, the Court affirmed that an alert from a drug dog -- absent other evidence of suspicious activity -- is not probable cause for a search. Rather, judges determined that probable cause is “based on a totality of the circumstances, and a positive indication from a drug-sniffing dog is part of the total circumstances.”
A summary of the case posted on the Tennessee Courts website stated, “Even though Tennessee’s decision to legalize hemp made the dog alert less certain, probable cause does not demand absolute certainty and an alert from a drug-sniffing dog still shows a likelihood that illegal drugs are present.”
Tennessee legalized the possession and use of hemp products in 2019. Marijuana remains illegal in the state.
Judges in the case concluded: “We hold that a positive indication from a drug-sniffing canine may continue to contribute to a finding of probable cause when examining the totality of the circumstances, notwithstanding the legalization of hemp. … Sufficient facts existed for [law enforcement] to conclude that contraband or evidence of a crime was present inside the vehicle. … Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeals reinstating the indictments against the defendant and remanding for further proceedings.”
A trial court had previously granted the defendant’s motion to suppress evidence obtained in the search. The Court of Criminal Appeals reversed that decision.
The case is Tennessee v. Green.
Courts in several other states where cannabis is legal for either medical or adult-use purposes – including Delaware, Maryland, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Vermont – have previously determined that the odor of marijuana emanating from a motor vehicle is not by itself sufficient grounds to justify a warrantless search.





     



	



	
		
	

		

	
	
	




	






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by russellropeMedia, NewsPosted on September 10, 2024September 7, 2024No Comments



	
	
			
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Trump Criticizes Low-Level Marijuana Arrests, Predicts Passage of Amendment 3 Legalization Initiative
Palm Beach, FL: Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump has declared that low-level marijuana arrests are a “waste [of] taxpayers’ dollars,” and he is predicting that Florida voters will approve an initiative this fall legalizing cannabis sales.
In a social media post, Trump stated: “[P]ersonal amounts of marijuana will be legalized for adults with Amendment 3. ... We do not need to ruin lives and waste taxpayers’ dollars arresting adults with personal amounts of it on them.”
Trump’s post also implied that he would prefer a legal marijuana market over an unregulated one.
His post did not explicitly state whether he would be voting in favor of the Amendment 3 initiative, which permits existing medical cannabis facilities to engage in adult-use marijuana sales. Because the ballot proposal is in the form of a constitutional amendment, it requires approval from a super-majority of Florida voters (60 percent) to become law.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis strongly opposes passage of Amendment 3.
In follow-up comments, Trump added that the Amendment’s success would be “very good” for Florida. He also lauded the use of medical marijuana, saying, “I’ve had ... doctors telling me that it’s been absolutely amazing.”
While Trump has previously expressed support for the use of cannabis for medical purposes, he has also been critical of states’ decisions to legalize the adult-use of marijuana – opining that, in some instances, legalization has led to “big problems.”
Late last month, Trump added former independent Presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, Jr. and former Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard to his transition team. Both have long been outspoken advocates of legalizing marijuana.
Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has repeatedly said that “nobody should have to go to jail” for possessing marijuana. As a US Senator, she sponsored legislation to end the federal prohibition of cannabis. In March, Harris led a round-table discussion with marijuana pardon recipients. Her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, signed adult-use legalization legislation into law in 2023, stating: “We’ve known for too long that prohibiting the use of cannabis hasn’t worked. By legalizing adult-use cannabis, we’re expanding our economy, creating jobs, and regulating the industry to keep Minnesotans safe.”

Clinical Trial: CBD Dosing Reduces Daytime Fatigue Compared to Placebo
Split, Croatia: CBD administration is associated with decreased daytime fatigue and improved psychological well-being, according to randomized placebo-controlled data published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
A team of Croatian researchers assessed the use of CBD versus placebo on participants’ quality of life. Subjects consumed either CBD or placebo for five-week intervals.
“Five-week administration of CBD, but not of placebo, resulted in improvement of ESS [Epworth sleepiness scale] score as well as fatigue/vitality and psychological well-being,” investigators concluded. Although subjects reported reduced incidents of daytime sleepiness, they did not similarly report improvements in their overall sleep quality.
Prior studies have reported that CBD dosing before bedtime is associated with improved sleep quality in patients with a history of sleep disturbances.
Full text of the study, “Chronic cannabidiol administration mitigates excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue in patients with primary hypertension: insights from a randomized crossover trial,” appears in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

Study: Endometriosis Patients Report Quality of Life Improvements Following Cannabis Use
Berlin, Germany: Nearly one in five patients with endometriosis report using cannabis to effectively manage their pain or other related symptoms, according to survey data published in the journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
German investigators surveyed over 900 patients with endometriosis. Consistent with prior analyses, a significant percentage of respondents acknowledged using cannabis products and most said that they were highly effective at mitigating their symptoms.
“Seventeen percent of the respondents used cannabis or cannabis-related products as a self-management method,” they determined. “Cannabis was rated as the most effective self-management strategy to reduce symptom intensity (self-rated efficacy 7.6 out of 10). Additionally, ~ 90 percent of the participants were able to decrease their pain medication intake. The greatest improvement was observed in sleep (91 percent), menstrual pain (90 percent), and non-cyclic pain (80 percent). Apart from increased fatigue (17 percent), side effects were infrequent (≤ 5 percent).”
The study’s authors concluded: “The use of cannabis [has] a significant impact on the overall well-being and quality of life of women with endometriosis. ... The study indicates that there is a significant interest and demand for additional therapeutic options, and cannabis can potentially become an important part of a multimodal therapy approach for treating endometriosis.”
The study’s findings are consistent with those from Canada and Australia, which have similarly reported that cannabis relieves endometriosis-related pain and other symptoms. According to a recent scientific review, “The use of cannabis for endometriosis-related pain holds promise for addressing the often-debilitating discomfort experienced by those with this condition.”
Full text of the study, “Cannabis use in endometriosis: the patients have their say – An online survey for German-speaking countries,” appears in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.





     



	



	
		
	

		

	
	
	


	
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