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Toronto, Canada: Young and middle-aged adults who consume cannabis are no less likely than non-users to engage in daily physical activity, according to data published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

Canadian researchers assessed physical activity in a cohort of 4,666 US adults ages 18 to 59 years old. Subjects wore a portable accelerometer that tracked participant’s daily activity levels. Researchers collected data for a minimum of four days.

Investigators reported that cannabis consumers were slightly more likely than non-users to engage in light physical activity. Researchers reported no differences between the two groups with respect to median daily sedentary time, time spent engaging in vigorous physical exercise, or sleeping.

“Recent cannabis use in young to midlife adults was not associated with accelerometer-measured sedentary or MVPA [moderate-to-vigorous physical activity] time, but it was associated with a marginal increase in LPA [light physical activity] time,” the study’s authors concluded. “Our findings provide evidence against existing concerns that cannabis use independently promotes sedentary behavior and decreases physical activity.

“This study provides useful insight into the association between cannabis use and physical activity, which may help inform clinicians and prescribers with patient counseling, patients and their lifestyle choices, as well as policy makers around public health resource allocations.”

The findings are consistent with those of several prior studies “challenging the stereotype that marijuana … users are less active than their non-using counterparts.” Among those age 60 and older, marijuana use has been associated with increased exercise frequency.

Full text of the study, “Recent cannabis use and accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary behavior among young-to-midlife adults: An analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2014,” appears in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

Canada: No Increase in Hospitalizations Following Adult-Use Legalization

Toronto, Canada: Policies legalizing the use and sale of cannabis products have not led to an increase in marijuana-related hospitalizations, according to data published in the Journal of Addictive Diseases.

Canadian investigators tracked rates of cannabis-related hospitalizations in Alberta in the years prior to and following legalization. Canadian lawmakers legalized the use and sale of cannabis flowers for those ages 18 and older in October 2018. Retailers began engaging in the sales of cannabis concentrates and edible products in 2020.

Researchers identified an increase in hospitalizations among those ages 18 to 24 in the period immediately prior to legalization, but they acknowledged that there were no increases in hospitalizations following legalization among representatives of any age group.

“Legalization was not significantly associated with immediate or ongoing changes in hospitalization rates … for either younger or older adults,” the study’s authors concluded.

Separate Canadian analyses have failed to identify an increase in either traffic-related hospitalizations or ER visits attributable to cannabis-related psychosis following legalization.

Full text of the study, “Cannabis legalization and hospitalizations in Alberta: Interrupted time series analysis by age and sex,” appears in the Journal of Addictive Diseases.

Analysis: Growing Number of Native American Tribes Engaging in Cannabis Sales

Minneapolis, MN: A growing number of Native American tribes are operating marijuana retail businesses, according to data published in the trade publication Marijuana Business Daily.

Nationwide, nearly 60 cannabis retailers are tribally owned – an increase of nearly 25 percent since 2023. Currently, tribes are operating businesses in nine states: California, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington. About three-quarters of tribes engaging in marijuana sales also own and operate casinos.

The greatest number of tribal-owned retailers is in Minnesota. State lawmakers legalized the adult-use marijuana market last year, but regulators have yet to begin licensing retail establishments.

In April, members of the North Carolina Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians opened a medical cannabis dispensary on tribal lands. Tribal leaders are anticipated to approve a separate ordinance to expand sales to adults. Marijuana is not yet legal for either medical use or adult use in the state.

The federal government recognizes 574 Native American tribes, and roughly 350 are in the contiguous 48 states.

The full text of the column, “Tribally owned marijuana store numbers up 25% since 2023,” is available from MJBizDaily.

California: State Assembly Overwhelmingly Approves Bill Permitting Cannabis Retailers To Hold Live Events

Sacramento, CA: Lawmakers in the State Assembly have overwhelmingly voted in favor of legislation, Assembly Bill 1775, permitting cannabis retailers to expand their operations to include serving food and beverages and holding live events.

Lawmakers voted 56 to 6 to advance the bill to the Senate.

The measure authorizes eligible retailers to hold musical and other live performances on their premises. It also permits them to serve non-cannabis infused food and beverages to patrons.

State law already permits authorized facilities to engage in on-site cannabis use.

Lawmakers in both chambers advanced similar legislation last year, but the bill was ultimately vetoed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

NORML’s action alert in support of AB 1775 is available in the Take Action Center.