Tag: Media

Study: Patients With Hypermobility Disorders Report Sustained Improvements Following Cannabis Treatment

London, United Kingdom: Patients suffering from hypermobility disorders report sustained symptomatic improvements following their use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs), according to observational data published in the journal of the American College of Rheumatology, ACR Open Rheumatology.

British researchers assessed the use of botanical cannabis or oil extracts in 161 patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or similar hypermobility disorders enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. (British specialists may prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Researchers assessed changes from baseline in patient-reported outcomes at one, three, six, 12, and 18 months.

Patients reported sustained improvements in pain-specific metrics, as well as improvements in sleep and anxiety following cannabis therapy. The most reported adverse effects associated with cannabis treatment were headache and lethargy.

“This case series found improvements in perceived pain severity and interference, general HRQoL [health-related quality of life], sleep quality, and anxiety in patients with HSD [hypermobility spectrum disorder] or hEDS [hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome] after CBMP prescription,” the study’s authors concluded. “At 18 months, between 18.01 percent and 25.47 percent of individuals reported a clinically significant improvement in their pain depending on the assessment measure used. … [T]hese findings may help guide current clinical practice and shared decision‐making between patients and physicians.”

Other observational studies assessing the use of cannabis products among patients enrolled in the UK Cannabis Registry have reported them to be effective for those diagnosed with cancer-related pain, anxiety, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, post-traumatic stress, depression, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory arthritis, among other conditions.

Full text of the study, “UK Medical Cannabis registry: An analysis of outcomes of medical cannabis therapy for hypermobility-associated chronic pain,” appears in ACR Open Rheumatology.

Longitudinal Study: Childhood Depression, Suicidal Ideation Precede Cannabis Use

Los Angeles, CA: Emotional problems in early childhood are predictive of teen marijuana use – particularly among females, according to longitudinal data published in the Open Journal of Medical Sciences.

Investigators affiliated with the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles assessed the relationship between early childhood depression and marijuana use by mid-adolescence. Participants’ baseline emotional problems, including feelings of hopelessness, depression, and suicide attempts, were assessed at ages 9-10. Substance outcomes (marijuana and tobacco initiation) were tracked from baseline to follow-up at ages 14-15.

Researchers reported that childhood depression and other psychological factors significantly predicted future initiation of tobacco and cannabis. This relationship was especially significant among women.

“This study underscores the significant role of childhood depression, hopelessness, and suicidality in predicting the initiation of tobacco and marijuana use during adolescence,” researchers concluded. “Childhood depression, hopelessness, and suicidality may contribute to substance use through interconnected psychological, neurobiological, and social mechanisms. … The findings [of this study] emphasize the urgent need for policies that prioritize early mental health screening and intervention. … Investing in early mental health interventions, equitable policies, and multi-level approaches is critical for breaking the cycle of mental health challenges and substance use.”

The findings are consistent with those published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, which reported that adolescents who suffered from depression are more likely to use cannabis later in life, not vice-versa.

Full text of the study, “Childhood depression, hopelessness, and suicidal attempts predict earlier tobacco and marijuana use initiation during adolescence,” appears in the Open Journal of Medical Sciences.

Analysis: Historic Drop in Alcohol Sales as Legal Cannabis Sales Spike

Ottawa, Ontario: Sales of alcohol and cannabis in Canada are on opposite trajectories, according to data provided by Statistics Canada, the national statistical agency of the Canadian government.

For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, sales of alcoholic beverages experienced historic declines, with beer sales experiencing the largest overall decrease. In comparison, “Sales of recreational cannabis by provincial cannabis authorities and other retail outlets increased 11.6 percent or $0.5 billion from one fiscal year earlier, reaching $5.2 billion in 2023/2024.” Sales of cannabis products had previously grown nearly 16 percent in 2022/2023.

Canada legalized the adult-use marijuana market in 2018.

Separate data published in February in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reported that fewer young adults in the US acknowledge consuming alcohol following the opening of licensed marijuana retailers.

While survey data finds that many consumers acknowledge substituting marijuana for alcohol, observational data gathered from jurisdictions that have legalized cannabis is mixed – with some studies reporting dips in alcohol sales post-legalization and others reporting no significant changes at the population level.

Complete data sets are available from Statistics Canada.

Analysis: Most ‘Hemp-Derived’ Intoxicating Products Sold Online Contain Synthetically Produced Cannabinoids

San Diego, CA: Most commercially available hemp-derived intoxicating products are infused with synthetic cannabinoids, including novel cannabinoids like THCP and HHC, according to an analysis of 104 products by the San Diego/Imperial Counties Joint Labor Management Cannabis Committee.

Investigators assessed the composition and potency of 104 distinct products from 68 brands. All the products were available online and delivered to California by the US Postal Service. (Hemp-derived intoxicating products are not currently subject to federal regulations or oversight.) No age verification was required when purchasing any of the products. Most of the products were categorized as either vape products or gummies.

Researchers determined that 95 percent of the products sampled, including 97 percent of vape products, contained cannabinoids produced through a chemical synthesis rather than naturally extracted from the plant. While delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC were the most frequently identified synthetically derived cannabinoids, investigators also identified highly potent novel cannabinoids such as THCP and HHC in nearly one-third to one-half of products. Some products also tested positive for the presence of kratom, hallucinogenic mushrooms, or similar psychoactive substances.

The study’s authors cautioned that exposure to either synthetic cannabinoids or byproducts produced during the chemical conversion process can pose potential risks to consumers’ health.

They wrote: “The presence of synthetic cannabinoids in these products doesn’t just challenge their classification as ‘hemp’ – it also fundamentally distorts consumer expectations around potency. Many of the lab-made cannabinoids found in our analysis are far more potent than natural delta-9 THC, meaning a product’s psychoactive effects may be dramatically understated if potency is assessed solely by delta-9 THC content. … Novel and unknown isomers associated with chemically synthesized cannabinoids, like delta-8 THC, may present significant risks due to their unpredictable chemical and physical properties.”

They concluded: “To restore order to the market and bring clarity and certainty to consumers, all THC-containing products should be regulated as cannabis within California’s established framework. This will protect consumer safety, ensure tax compliance, and uphold the intent of the state’s cannabis laws.”

NORML and other groups have urged the FDA to establish regulatory guidelines governing the production, testing, labeling, and marketing of hemp-derived cannabinoid 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 often mislabeled and may contain impurities.

Full text of the white paper, ‘The Great Hemp Hoax,’ is available from the San Diego/Imperial Counties Joint Labor Management Cannabis Committee.

Survey: Nearly Half of Military Veterans Use Cannabis for Pain Relief

San Francisco, CA: An estimated 40 percent of veterans suffering from chronic pain consume cannabis products to mitigate their symptoms, according to survey data published in the journal Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health.

A team of investigators affiliated with the University of California at San Francisco and Yale University surveyed pain patients enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration primary care services program.

Forty percent of respondents acknowledged using cannabis products to manage their symptoms. However, the study’s authors suggested that this percentage may reflect under-reporting because cannabis use is discouraged within the Veterans Administration. Respondents were most likely to report using cannabis to manage pain or mobility (81 percent), sleep (62 percent), PTSD or anxiety (43 percent), stress (43 percent), and depression (29 percent).

Prior surveys indicate that veterans frequently consume cannabis to improve their health-related quality of life and to reduce their reliance on prescription medications.

Full text of the study, “Natural product use for chronic pain: A new survey of patterns of use, beliefs, concerns, and disclosures to providers,” appears in Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health.

Idaho: Voters May No Longer Be Able To Amend State’s Marijuana Policies

Boise, Idaho: State lawmakers have approved a resolution asking voters to provide legislators with the exclusive authority to amend state laws specific to the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana and other controlled substances.

Lawmakers in both chambers passed House Joint Resolution 4 along party lines. It asks voters to decide next year on the following ballot question: “Shall Section 26, Article III of the Constitution of the State of Idaho be amended to provide that only the Idaho Legislature shall have power and authority to legalize the growing, producing, manufacturing, transporting, selling, delivering, dispensing, administering, prescribing, distributing, possessing, or using of marijuana, narcotics, or other psychoactive substances?”

If enacted by voters, no future initiatives pertaining to how marijuana or other controlled substances are regulated will be permitted to appear on the Idaho ballot.

While the majority of Idahoans have expressed support for various drug policy reforms, such as the legalization of medical cannabis, GOP lawmakers who dominate the legislature remain steadfastly opposed to liberalizing the state’s marijuana laws. In February, Republican Gov. Brad Little signed legislation into law, making Idaho the only state to impose mandatory minimum penalties for low-level marijuana possession. That law takes effect in July.

North Dakota: Lawmakers Advance Competing Bills Permitting Edible Forms of Medical Cannabis

Bismarck, ND: Members of the House and Senate have passed competing bills through their respective chambers providing for the use of “cannabinoid edible products” by qualified medical cannabis patients. Under current law, state-registered patients may possess either herbal cannabis or infused tinctures, capsules, or topical patches.

Both measures – House Bill 1203 and Senate Bill 2294 – define “cannabinoid edible products” as “soft or hard lozenges in a geometric square shape into which a cannabinoid concentrate or the dried leaves or flowers of the plant of the genus cannabis is incorporated.” The Senate version of the bill limits edible products to no more than 5 mg per serving, while the House version imposes a 10 mg limit.

Edible cannabis products possess a longer duration of effect compared to inhaled or vaporized herbal cannabis.

Voters approved the state’s medical cannabis law nearly a decade ago. Nearly 10,000 North Dakotans are currently registered to access medical cannabis.

Separate legislation (HB 1596) fully decriminalizing low-level marijuana possession by adults was passed by the House in February and awaits further action by the Senate.

Study: Cannabis Consumption Associated With Opioid Cessation in Polydrug Users

Vancouver, British Columbia: Polydrug consumers are more likely to cease using non-prescription opioids if they consume cannabis, according to data published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Review.

Researchers affiliated with the University of British Columbia assessed the relationship between the use of cannabis and unregulated opioids among people who use drugs (PWUD) living with chronic pain.

They reported that the daily use of cannabis was positively associated with opioid cessation, particularly among males.

“Participants reporting daily cannabis use exhibited higher rates of cessation compared to less frequent users or non-users,” the study’s authors concluded. “Our findings add to the growing evidence supporting the potential benefits of cannabis use among PWUD, underlining the need for further research.”

The findings are consistent with prior data suggesting that cannabis use can mitigate opioid-related cravings and manage withdrawal symptoms.

Full text of the study, “Cannabis use and illicit opioid cessation among people who use drugs living with chronic pain,” appears in Drug and Alcohol Review.

Clinical Trial: Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids Improve Sleep Quality

Jacksonville, FL: The oral administration of a hemp-derived supplement containing precise percentages of THC, CBN, and CBD is associated with improved sleep quality, according to placebo-controlled trial data published in Health Science Reports.

Researchers affiliated with the University of North Florida and Jacksonville University assessed the impact of an orally administered cannabinoid supplement versus a placebo in 20 subjects with subthreshold insomnia symptoms.

Compared to the placebo, cannabinoid administration was associated with “significant improvements [from] baseline for sleep latency, sleep duration, and global sleep quality.” Participants also experienced “significant improvements in ‘mental health,’ [and] ‘feeling healthy and full of energy’” after using the cannabinoid supplement for ten days.

“The purpose [of this trial] was to examine the effectiveness of a hemp‐based supplement with CBD, CBN, THC, and a standardized terpene blend on sleep quality/quantity, anxiety, perceived stress, mood, pain, and HRQoL (health-related quality of life) in adults with subthreshold insomnia symptoms using a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled crossover pilot trial. We found the CS (cannabinoid supplement) was well‐tolerated and resulted in significant improvements in several sleep quality and health outcomes compared to both baseline and placebo,” the study’s authors concluded. “Improvements in daytime fatigue, pain affected sleep, mood, and anxiety were also associated with CS, though these were nonsignificant condition differences. In conclusion, [hemp-derived cannabinoid] supplementation may be a simple, effective, and well‐tolerated alternative to improve sleep quality and related health outcomes in adults with subthreshold insomnia symptoms.”

The trial’s results are consistent with those of several observational studies finding that patients with insomnia and other sleep disorders experience improvements following their use of cannabis. Studies have also identified a correlation between the adoption of statewide marijuana legalization laws and declining sales of over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aid medications.

Full text of the study, “Effectiveness of a cannabinoid supplement on sleep and mood in adults with subthreshold insomnia: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover pilot trial,” appears in Health Science Reports.

Texas: Judge Denies Effort To Enjoin Dallas’ Voter-Approved Marijuana Depenalization Ordinance

Dallas, TX: A Texas judge has denied a request from the state’s Republican Attorney General to enjoin Dallas’ voter-approved marijuana depenalization ordinance.

On Election Day, voters in Dallas (population 1.3 million) and two other cities (Bastrop and Lockhart) decided in favor of municipal ballot initiatives limiting the ability of local law enforcement to make misdemeanor marijuana possession arrests. Following the election, state Attorney General Ken Paxton filed litigation to prevent Dallas officials from implementing the law. (City officials in Bastrop and Lockhart declined to adopt their ordinances out of fear of litigation.)

In recent months, Paxton has filed lawsuits against multiple cities that have moved to end low-level marijuana arrests. To date, none of his lawsuits have been successful.

State law defines marijuana possession of 2 ounces or less as a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a $2,000 fine, and a criminal record. According to data compiled by Texas NORML, police made an estimated 219,000 marijuana-related arrests between 2017 and 2021. Ninety-seven percent of those arrested were charged with possession only. Fifty-six percent of those arrested were under 25 years of age.

Additional information is available from Ground Game Texas.

Montana: Opponents of THC Limit Bill Outnumber Proponents by More Than 2 to 1 During Legislative Hearing

Helena, MT: Opponents of legislation imposing a 15 percent THC potency cap on adult-use marijuana products made their voices heard at a legislative hearing last week before members of the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs committee.

Opponents of the bill, Senate Bill 443, outnumbered proponents by a margin of more than two to one. Many witnesses represented state-licensed cannabis businesses, who argued that passage of the measure would recriminalize most of their products. Others argued that the bill sought to unreasonably undermine the state’s marijuana legalization law, which was approved by 57 percent of voters.

NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano provided testimony against the bill, stating: “Prohibiting adults from accessing products with more than 15 percent THC from state-licensed retailers will not eliminate consumers’ demand for them. Rather, it will encourage consumers to seek out these products in the unregulated market. It will also move the production of these products exclusively underground – thereby undermining the primary goal of legalization, which is to provide adults with safe, affordable, above-ground access to lab-tested products of known purity, potency, and quality.”

Some witnesses also pushed back against language in the bill equating the availability of higher-THC products with slavery.

In 2021, lawmakers approved legislation imposing a 35 percent THC potency limit on botanical products. They also capped the amount of THC permissible in edible products and concentrates. Montana is one of the only states in the nation to impose limits on the THC content of legally regulated cannabis products.

Following the hearing, committee members moved to table the bill – thereby suspending it from further consideration. A motion to reconsider the bill also failed.

Separate legislation, Senate Bill 255, establishing a mandatory registry for cannabis consumers and tracking their purchases was also scheduled to be debated last week, but it was never brought before the committee.

Study: Adjunctive Use of CBD Mitigates Severe Behavioral Symptoms in Children With Autism

Buenos Aires, Argentina: The adjunctive use of CBD is safe and effective in mitigating severe behavioral symptoms in pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to data published in the journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior.

Argentinian researchers assessed the efficacy of purified CBD in young patients (ages three to 17) with autism. CBD was administered as an add-on medication for six to 12 months.

Consistent with prior studies, investigators reported that CBD treatment improved the quality of life of patients and their families. In nearly half of the patients treated, the use of prescription medications decreased following the initiation of CBD therapy.

The study’s authors concluded, “Our results suggest that treatment with purified CBD is effective and safe and could benefit patients with severe ASD by improving some of the core symptoms, including repetitive behaviors and social interaction, as well as associated comorbidities.”

The findings are consistent with those of placebo-controlled trial data showing improvements in ASD-related symptoms following the use of cannabinoid products. Observational studies have also shown that the use of cannabis can provide benefits to young people and adults with autism.

Full text of the study, “Purified cannabidiol leads to improvement of severe treatment-resistant behavioral symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder,” appears in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. Additional information on cannabinoids and ASD is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

Clinical Trial: Concomitant Administration of THCV and CBD Promotes Weight Loss, Improves Cholesterol

St. Petersburg, FL: The daily administration of hemp-derived CBD and THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) is associated with clinically significant weight loss, according to placebo-controlled clinical data published in the journal Cannabis.

An investigator affiliated with the biotechnology company Nex Therapeutics assessed the metabolic effects of the concomitant use of THCV and CBD versus placebo in obese adults. Study participants consumed mucoadhesive oral strips containing either cannabinoids or placebo daily for 90 days, with no additional changes to their diet or exercise routine.

Compared to those consuming the placebo, subjects taking THCV and CBD experienced significant weight loss and other metabolic improvements. Most subjects who consumed cannabinoids reported no adverse effects.

The study’s author concluded, “90-day use of once-daily THCV and CBD-infused mucoadhesive strips was associated with clinically significant weight loss, decreases in abdominal girth, systolic blood pressure, and total and LDL cholesterol.”

A 2023 placebo-controlled study reported that diabetic patients who received a sublingual spray containing CBD and THC improved their blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Clinical trial data has also shown that the cannabinoid THCV decreases fasting glucose levels in type 2 diabetics.
Full text of the study, “Weight loss and therapeutic metabolic effects of tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)-infused mucoadhesive strips,” appears in Cannabis.

Study: Medical Cannabis Dosing Doesn’t Negatively Impact Driving Performance in Experienced Patients

Queensland, Australia: Patients who consume botanical cannabis over extended periods do not exhibit significant changes in their simulated driving performance, according to data published in the Journal of Safety Research.

Australian researchers assessed patients’ simulated driving performance at baseline and 45 minutes after they vaporized prescribed doses of cannabis flowers. (Under Australian law, physicians may authorize cannabis products to patients unresponsive to conventional prescription treatments.)

“After vaporizing one dose of their prescribed cannabis flower, participants exhibited no significant changes in performance on any of the video-based tasks (hazard perception skill, gap acceptance, following distance or speed) compared to baseline,” investigators reported.

The study’s authors concluded, “The findings … suggest that a dose of vaporized cannabis (consumed in accordance with prescription) may not affect hazard perception ability or driving-related risk-taking behavior among medicinal cannabis patients.”

The study’s findings are consistent with those of several others determining that daily cannabis consumers, and patients especially, exhibit tolerance to many of cannabis’ psychomotor-influencing effects. According to the findings of a literature review published in the journal of the German Medical Association, “Patients who take cannabinoids at a constant dosage over an extensive period of time often develop tolerance to the impairment of psychomotor performance, so that they can drive vehicles safely.”

Full text of the study, “The acute effects of vaporized cannabis on drivers’ hazard perception and risk-taking behaviors in medicinal patients: A within-subjects experiment,” appears in the Journal of Safety Research.

Idaho: Governor Signs Law Imposing Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Low-Level Marijuana Possession

Boise, ID: Republican Gov. Brad Little has signed legislation (HB 7) into law imposing new mandatory fines for people convicted of minor marijuana possession offenses.

Under the law, which takes effect on July 1, 2025, those convicted must pay a mandatory fine of at least $300. (Total fines may be as high as $1,000.) Those convicted of possessing marijuana also face up to one year in jail.

NORML issued an action alert opposing HB 7, arguing that it is overly punitive, inconsistent with voter sentiment, and improperly strips Idaho judges of their power.

NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: “Currently, judges may use their discretion when determining whether it is appropriate to impose fines upon violators. Passage of this bill removes this discretion and mandates judges to impose a fine of not less than $300, even in instances where they believe that such a punishment is inappropriate. House Bill 7 is mean-spirited and its one-size-fits-all approach is inconsistent with our longstanding principles of justice and fairness.”

Between 2018 and 2023, state and local police made over 31,000 marijuana-related arrests. Over 94 percent of those arrests were for marijuana possession, not sales. In total, approximately half of all drug-related arrests in Idaho are marijuana-related.

Separate legislation (House Joint Resolution 3) restricting voters from weighing in on ballot measures specific to the liberalization of marijuana or other controlled substances is currently pending in the state legislature.

New Hampshire: Marijuana Bills Advanced to Senate, Where Their Future Remains Uncertain

Concord, NH: House lawmakers have approved a trio of bills significantly liberalizing the state’s marijuana laws. However, it is uncertain whether Senate lawmakers will take up any of the measures.

House Bill 75 removes criminal and civil penalties for the possession and use of marijuana by adults. (State law currently imposes civil fines for the possession of up to three-quarters of an ounce of cannabis. Possessing greater amounts is punishable by jail time.) House Bill 196 provides for the annulment of certain marijuana-related convictions. House Bill 53 provides qualified patients the option to home-cultivate medical marijuana. (The state’s medical marijuana law mandates patients purchase cannabis products from state-licensed dispensaries.)

All three measures passed the House by voice votes.

The three bills now await action from the Senate, which is more politically conservative than the House. Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte, who has historically opposed any liberalization of the state’s marijuana laws, is likely to oppose all three bills.

Analysis: Marijuana Access Associated With Decreasing Use of Prescription Opioids

Chicago, IL: Opioid prescription rates decline following the opening of licensed marijuana retailers, according to data published in the scientific journal Cannabis.

A team of researchers affiliated with the University of Chicago and the University of Georgia assessed the relationship between the establishment of state-licensed cannabis retailers and the use of prescription painkillers. Researchers tracked opioid prescription trends, as well as prescription rates for NSAIDS and other pain medications, for 13 years.

Consistent with the findings of prior studies, investigators reported declining rates of prescription opioid use following the legalization of cannabis access. However, changes in patients’ use of NSAIDs were not statistically significant following legalization. Researchers speculated that the availability of marijuana retailers may encourage patients to switch from exclusively using opioids to concurrently using cannabis and NSAIDs to manage their pain symptoms.

“Overall, we find recreational cannabis dispensary openings are associated with a significant decrease in opioid fills among commercially insured adults in the US,” the study’s authors concluded. “Our study adds to the growing evidence of the substitutability of cannabis for opioids and non-opioid pain medications. … Importantly, this study provides evidence of potential concomitant use of cannabis and non-opioid pain medications as an alternative to opioids when individuals have easier access to legal cannabis through recreational dispensaries.”

Prior assessments have similarly linked marijuana access laws to declines in the use of other medications, including benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and sleep aids.

Full text of the study, “Recreational cannabis laws and fills of pain prescriptions in the privately insured,” appears in Cannabis.

Study: Cannabis Treatment Provides Sustained Relief for Cancer-Related Pain

London, United Kingdom: Cancer patients report less pain and improved sleep following their use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs), according to observational data published in the Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy.

British researchers assessed the use of botanical cannabis or oil extracts in 168 cancer patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. (British specialists are permitted to prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Researchers assessed changes in patient-reported outcomes at one, three, and six months.

Patients’ use of cannabis products was “associated with improvements in all pain-specific PROMs [patient-reported outcome measures] at all follow-up periods,” investigators reported. Study participants also reported improved sleep and less anxiety. No significant adverse effects from cannabis were reported.

The study’s authors concluded: “Initiation of CBMPs is associated with improvements in pain-specific and general health-related quality of life outcomes in CP [cancer pain] patients over six months, with a relatively low incidence of mild-to-moderate AEs [adverse events] and no life-threatening AEs. … RCTs [randomized controlled trials] and longer observational case series are warranted, but this study can help inform their rollout, serving as a valuable pharmacovigilance tool for the use of CBMPs in CP, either as an alternative therapeutic option or as one part of multimodal treatment.”

Other observational studies assessing the use of cannabis products among patients enrolled in the UK Cannabis Registry have reported them to be effective for those diagnosed with anxiety, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, post-traumatic stress, depression, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory arthritis, among other conditions.

Full text of the study, “UK Medical Cannabis Registry: An analysis of clinical outcomes of medicinal cannabis therapy for cancer pain,” appears in the Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy.

Minnesota: Many Patients Experience “Meaningful Reductions” in Pain Following Use of Medical Cannabis

St. Paul, MN: Nearly one-third of patients enrolled in the state’s medical cannabis access program experience significant reductions in their pain symptoms within their first four months, according to data provided by the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management.

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 10,000 pain patients enrolled in the program. They reported: “Among all pain-related conditions, almost one-third (31.7 percent) of patients experiencing moderate to severe pain at enrollment saw a meaningful reduction in pain symptoms within four months of treatment. Of those patients experiencing a meaningful reduction in pain symptoms, 49.7 percent of them were able to maintain the pain reduction for an additional four months after achieving it.”

Investigators further acknowledged that many patients taking prescription pain medicines upon their enrollment in the program decreased their use of prescribed analgesics at six months.

Most subjects in the study inhaled THC-dominant botanical cannabis. The most frequently reported side effects were dry mouth, mental clouding, fatigue, and increased appetite.

A prior analysis of patients enrolled in Minnesota’s medical cannabis registry reported that those suffering from post-traumatic stress experience “substantial benefits” following cannabis therapy.

Full text of the report, “Chronic Pain Patients in the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program,” is available the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management.

Analysis: Marijuana Retailers Linked To Fewer Opioid Deaths, No Increase in Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Emeryville, CA: Counties with a high volume of marijuana retailers have reduced levels of opioid-related deaths and do not experience increases in either traffic-related fatalities or suicide, according to data published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

A pair of researchers affiliated with the Public Health Institute in California assessed the relationship between cannabis retail store density and countywide mortality rates from suicide, motor vehicle accidents, opioid poisoning, homicide, and accidental poisonings in Washington state.

They reported, “Significant reductions in mortality rates were associated with increased county recreational cannabis store rates for both accidental poisonings and opioid poisoning deaths.”

Researchers theorized that these reductions “could be due to substitution of cannabis with opioids, alcohol and other drug use or quantities of use among those with heavy habitual use and use disorders.” Survey data published in November in The Harm Reduction Journal found that consumers frequently use cannabis as a substitute for other substances, including alcohol, methamphetamine, morphine, and tobacco.

Investigators did not find any correlation between retail store density and elevated rates of either motor vehicle accidents, homicide, or suicide.

The study’s authors concluded: “The results … do not provide any evidence of increased mortality associated with having more stores selling cannabis. … While these findings should be interpreted in the context of the broader literature on cannabis legalization, they are consistent with the possibility that increased access to legal cannabis reduced poisoning mortality in the first seven years of recreational stores operating in the state of Washington.”

Other studies have similarly documented an association between cannabis dispensaries and declines in opioid-related mortality, while assessments correlating adult-use marijuana access and motor vehicle accident trends have yielded less consistent results.

Full text of the study, “Cannabis retail store density and county-level mortality from injury in the state of Washington from 2009-2020,” appears in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

Federal Appeals Court Rejects Disarmament of Marijuana Consumers

St. Louis, MO: Judges on the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals have rejected arguments that the federal government can unconditionally bar adults from possessing firearms because of their status as cannabis consumers.

The Court opined that “Nothing in our tradition allows disarmament simply because [the defendant] belongs to a category of people, drug users, that Congress has categorically deemed dangerous.” Rather, judges determined that constitutional questions surrounding the disarmament of drug users must be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Federal officials have long maintained that marijuana’s illicit status under federal law precludes any consumer from legally owning a firearm.

The ruling is the latest in a series of decisions challenging the government’s interpretation of a 1968 law prohibiting the possession of a firearm by an “unlawful user” of a federally controlled substance. Judges on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals have twice ruled that Americans’ 2nd Amendment rights cannot be infringed solely based upon one’s substance use.

A separate legal challenge to the federal government’s ban, initially brought by former Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (who now serves as a member of NORML’s Board of Directors) and several medical cannabis patients, remains pending in the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.

The case is United States v Cooper.

Study: Retail Cannabis Sales Associated With Reduced Drinking Among Young Adults

New York, NY: Fewer young adults report using alcohol following the opening of licensed marijuana retailers, according to data published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Researchers affiliated with the City University of New York and the University of Alabama at Birmingham assessed the relationship between adult-use legalization laws and consumers’ use of alcohol and tobacco. Data was gathered from a nationally representative cohort of more than 400,000 respondents over ten years.

While investigators reported limited effects on population-wide alcohol and tobacco consumption post-legalization, they did acknowledge reduced use among particular demographic cohorts. Specifically, college-educated adults and those aged 30 to 39 reduced their use of alcohol and cigarettes following marijuana legalization. Alcohol use also declined among young adults (those between the ages of 18 and 29). Among older adults (those aged 50 to 59), binge drinking frequency declined, as did their use of cigarettes.

“The findings suggest that the impact of RCLs [recreational cannabis laws] on alcohol and tobacco use is complex,” the study’s authors concluded. “Alcohol and cannabis, as well as tobacco and cannabis, may function as both complements and substitutes. Different individuals may use these substances for either reason, and the same individuals may engage in complementary or substitute behaviors depending on personal preference and accessibility. … More research is needed to evaluate the effects of RCLs over time.”

While survey data finds that many consumers acknowledge substituting marijuana for alcohol, observational data gathered from jurisdictions that have legalized cannabis is mixed – with some studies reporting dips in alcohol sales post-legalizations and others reporting no significant changes at the population level.

Full text of the study, “The effect of recreational cannabis laws on alcohol and tobacco use among US adults, 2012 to 2022,” appears in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Trump Taps Veteran Drug Warrior To Lead DEA

Washington, DC: President Donald Trump has nominated career DEA official Terry Cole to be the head of the drug enforcement agency. If approved, Cole will replace Acting Administrator Derek S. Maltz.

Cole previously spent over 20 years in leadership roles at DEA. Currently, he serves as Virginia’s secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Throughout his tenure in law enforcement, Cole has taken a hardline approach to marijuana and has expressed support for the ‘Just Say No’ strategies of the 1980s.

If confirmed, Cole will oversee the next phase of an ongoing administrative petition to reschedule marijuana. Hearings were set to begin in January but were postponed pending the resolution of an interlocutory appeal.

Commenting on the appointment, NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: “Trump’s nominee to head the DEA is a lifelong drug war hawk whose outdated attitudes toward cannabis are out of step with those of most Americans. At a time when most Americans are demanding long overdue changes in federal cannabis policy, Trump’s pick epitomizes the failed policies and approaches of the past.”

Analysis: More Than One in Ten Americans Use CBD

La Miranda, CA: More than ten percent of the US population ages 12 and older acknowledge consuming CBD within the past 30 days, according to data published in Preventive Medicine Reports.

Data gathered from a nationally representative cohort estimated that 10.5 percent of Americans currently consume CBD products. Respondents who identified as cannabis consumers were more likely to use CBD than those who did not. Females, as well as those who reported being in poorer health, were also more likely to use CBD products as compared to their peers.

“This is the first study to date that provides the prevalence of CBD use in the general United States population,” the study’s author concluded. “Given the widespread use of CBD products, …it is important to implement public health education targeting the public about safe use, effectiveness, and efficacy of CBD products and potential drug interaction effects when used in conjunction with marijuana.”

Prior studies have reported a rise in the popularity of CBD products among patients age 65 or older – many of whom acknowledge using the products in lieu of other medications.

Despite the popularity of commercially produced CBD products, they remain largely unregulated. Accordingly, analyses conducted by the FDA and others consistently report that over-the-counter CBD products are of variable quality and potency and may contain contaminants, adulterants, or elevated levels of heavy metals.

Full text of the study, “Patterns of cannabidiol use among marijuana users in the United States,” appears in Preventive Medicine Reports.

Study: Cannabis More Effective Than Prescribed Analgesics for Patients With Chronic Pain

Pittsburgh, PA: Chronic pain patients are more likely to respond favorably to cannabis than they are to prescription analgesics, according to data published in the journal Pain.

Researchers affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh assessed outcomes in 440 pain patients certified to consume medical cannabis products and 8,114 pain patients prescribed traditional analgesics.

They reported that those in the cannabis-treatment cohort were slightly more likely than controls to experience clinically meaningful improvements in their pain. Investigators further reported that subjects who used both cannabis and opioids were more likely to reduce their opioid use over time as compared to those who did not. “Our results do point to possible use [of cannabis] as an adjunct in trying to wean opioids successfully,” they wrote.

The study’s authors concluded: “In sum, … we found that medical marijuana was comparatively more effective than prescription medication treatment for chronic pain, with the odds of responding being 2.6 times higher in the medical marijuana group and having twice the predicted probability of a positive response. While we found that medical marijuana was comparatively more effective, we cannot extrapolate to conclude that medical marijuana is likely more effective in other populations, particularly because we compared two different (albeit similar) populations. Because the rate of response in the control group (34.9 percent) was very similar to the marijuana group (38.6 percent) at three months, a more conservative interpretation of our results is that medical marijuana is at least as effective as prescription medications for chronic pain.”

Data published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that nearly one in three patients with chronic pain use cannabis as an analgesic agent and many of those who do substitute it in place of opioids.

The full text of the study, “The comparative effectiveness of medicinal cannabis for chronic pain versus prescription medication treatment,” appears in Pain.

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Missouri: Officials Expunge Over 140,000 Marijuana-Related Convictions

Jefferson City, MO: State officials have expunged more than 140,000 marijuana-related convictions over the past two years, according to updated data provided by the Missouri Supreme Court.

Voters in 2022 approved an initiative legalizing the adult-use marijuana market. Provisions in the law called upon courts to automatically review and vacate eligible marijuana-related convictions. Since then, courts have reviewed over 307,000 cases. Forty-six percent of those cases have been deemed eligible for legal relief, resulting in 140,429 expungements to date.

Courts in several counties are now reviewing paper records to identify additional cases eligible for expungement relief.

Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws providing explicit pathways to either expunge (or otherwise set aside) the records of those with low-level marijuana convictions. According to publicly available data compiled by NORML, state and local officials have issued over 100,000 pardons and more than two million marijuana-related expungements since 2018.

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Texas: Lawmakers in Two Cities Set aside Voter-approved Marijuana Measures

Bastrop, TX: City council members in Bastrop (population: 11,700) and Lockhart (population: 15,300) have declined to implement voter-approved ballot initiatives that sought to end marijuana possession arrests within the cities’ limits.

Their decisions follow legal actions taken by state Attorney General Ken Paxton, who sued city officials in Dallas for implementing a similar ordinance.

Voters in all three cities overwhelmingly passed municipal ballot measures on election day that sought to halt local police from making low-level marijuana possession arrests.

In recent years, voters in several additional Texas cities, including Austin, have approved similar depenalization ordinances. Although the Attorney General has also filed suit against several of those cities, his office has thus far been unsuccessful in winning judgments against them.

State law defines marijuana possession of two ounces or less as a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a $2,000 fine, and a criminal record. According to data compiled by Texas NORML, police made an estimated 219,000 marijuana-related arrests between 2017 and 2021. Ninety-seven percent of those arrested were charged with possession only. Fifty-six percent of those arrested were under 25 years of age.