Tag: Weed Connection

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.

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: 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.

Study: Plant-Derived THC Extracts Reduce Fibromyalgia-Related Pain

Novara, Italy: Fibromyalgia (FM) patients suffering from treatment-resistant pain experience therapeutic benefits following the daily use of plant-derived cannabis extracts, according to observational data published in the Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Critical Care.

Italian investigators assessed the safety and efficacy of THC-dominant cannabis extracts in a cohort of 65 FM patients. Study participants, on average, had lived with the disease for seven years and were generally unresponsive to conventional pharmacological therapies. Patients in the study administered THC extracts three times daily for six months.

On average, participants experienced a 2.6-point reduction in pain on a ten-point numerical rating scale. Improvements were most pronounced in younger patients. Six patients elected to discontinue the study because of self-reported side effects, including dry mouth, headache, drowsiness, and impaired thinking.

In December, British researchers published longitudinal data finding that the adjunctive use of cannabis preparations provided sustained improvements in fibromyalgia patients’ pain, anxiety, sleep, and overall quality of life. Numerous other studies have reported similar results.

Full text of the study, “Real-world use of cannabis oil for pain management in fibromyalgia,” appears in the Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Critical Care.

Study: Medical Cannabis Products Provide Improved Sleep Outcomes for Patients With Insomnia

London, United Kingdom: Patients diagnosed with insomnia experience sleep-related improvements following their use of medical cannabis preparations, according to long-term observational data published in the journal PLoS Mental Health.

British investigators assessed the adjunctive use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) in a cohort of 124 patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. (British healthcare providers may prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Patients’ outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. Study participants consumed either herbal cannabis or oil extracts containing standardized concentrations of THC and CBD.

Consistent with other studies, participants reported improvements in their sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life. Fewer than 1 in 10 participants reported an adverse event, most of which were categorized as mild or moderate (e.g., fatigue, dry mouth).

“These findings indicate a promising association between cannabis-based medicinal product treatment and improvements in sleep-specific outcomes and general HRQoL [health-related quality of life] measures,” the study’s authors concluded. They cautioned, however, that the magnitude of participants’ improvements declined over time – suggesting that some patients may become tolerant to the sleep-inducing effects of cannabis. Therefore, there remains “a need for high quality RCTs [randomized clinical trials] to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of cannabis-based medicinal products for primary insomnia.”

Placebo-controlled clinical trial data have previously documented the short-term efficacy of plant-derived cannabis extracts in patients suffering from chronic insomnia. A 2025 observational study reported sustained improvements in subjective sleep scores among state-registered medical cannabis patients over one year.

Other observational studies assessing the use of cannabis products among patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry have reported them to be beneficial for those diagnosed with treatment-resistant epilepsy, cancer-related pain, anxiety, endometriosis, inflammatory bowel disease, hypermobility disorders, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, substance use disorders, and inflammatory arthritis, among other conditions.

Full text of the study, “UK Medical Cannabis Registry: A clinical outcomes analysis for insomnia,” appears in PLoS Mental Health.

Analysis: Over One-Third of US Adults Acknowledge Having Consumed CBD Products

Palo Alto, CA: A growing percentage of those ages 18 and older have consumed CBD products, according to nationwide survey data published in The Journal of Cannabis Research.

Investigators at Stanford University and the University of California at San Diego surveyed a nationally representative sample of adults regarding their use of CBD, as well as other plant-derived or synthetic cannabinoids.

More than 35 percent of those surveyed acknowledged having consumed CBD, with respondents indicating that they primarily used it to mitigate pain, relieve anxiety, or improve sleep. Fewer than five percent of respondents acknowledged having consumed products containing the plant cannabinoids CBN (cannabinol) or CBG (cannabigerol).

Nearly eight percent of respondents acknowledged having used delta-8-THC products. Most respondents said they did so primarily for recreational purposes. (Elevated quantities of delta-8 THC in commercially available products are typically the result of a chemical synthesis during which manufacturers convert hemp-derived CBD to delta-8 THC.) Fewer than two percent of respondents said that they had ever tried the synthetic novel cannabinoid HHC (hexahydrocannabinol). Both products are mood-altering.

“A considerable proportion of US adults have ever used cannabinoid products, especially CBD and delta-8 THC,” the study’s authors concluded. Pain, anxiety, insomnia and arthralgia [are] common medical reasons for use across the different cannabinoids assessed. These differences underscore the complexity of the derived cannabinoid product landscape and the diverse motivations driving their use.”

Consumers are more likely to use delta-8-THC products in jurisdictions where cannabis remains legally unavailable. Neither commercially available delta-8-THC nor HHC products are subject to regulatory testing for purity or potency.

Full text of the study, “Prevalence and reasons for using cannabidiol, delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabinol, cannabigerol, and hexahydrocannabinol among US adults,” appears in The Journal of Cannabis Research.

Analysis: Medical Cannabis Products Provide Sustained Improvements in Patients With Chronic Pain, Anxiety, and Depression

Toronto, Canada: Patients authorized to use medical cannabis products experience sustained improvements in their pain, anxiety, depression, and quality of life, according to observational data published in the Canadian Journal of Pain.

Researchers assessed the real-world effectiveness of cannabis products in a cohort of 139 Canadian patients authorized to use medical cannabis. (Nearly 200,000 Canadians are currently registered in Canada’s medical cannabis access program.) Patients’ symptoms were assessed at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 weeks.

Consistent with other long-term observational studies, patients experienced notable improvements in their pain, anxiety, depression, sleep duration, and quality of life. These improvements were maintained throughout the duration of the study. Few, if any, significant adverse events were associated with cannabis treatment.

The study’s authors concluded: “Patients in the study had improved scores with respect to a reduction in pain and pain-related disability, anxiety, depression, sleep, and overall quality of life. Often, the benefits of MC [medical cannabis] were maintained long-term into Week 24. Further data from the … study may offer additional insights into the usage of medical cannabis products and their potential benefits in the general population and inform dosing for future clinical trials focused on cohorts with specific medical conditions or indications.”

According to a recently published meta-analysis of 64 studies, most patients consuming medical cannabis products experience sustained improvements in their health-related quality of life. “Improvements [are] observed across multiple health conditions over short-, medium- and long-term follow-up,” researchers determined.

Full text of the study, “Canadian real-world evidence: Observational 24-week outcomes for health care practitioner authorized cannabis,” appears in the Canadian Journal of Pain.