Oct 29 2024

Study: Psilocybin Shows Promise as Treatment for OCD and Tourette’s Syndrome

A study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, led by Professor Bernard Lerer from the Department of Psychiatry at the Hadassah—Hebrew University Medical Center shows promising results for using psilocybin as a potential treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette’s syndrome.

Dried psilocybin.

The study, titled “Striking Long Term Beneficial Effects of Single Dose Psilocybin and Psychedelic Mushroom Extract in the SAPAP3 Rodent Model of OCD-Like Excessive Self-Grooming”, was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

The study included 50 genetically modified mice that displayed excessive grooming and anxiety, similar to human OCD behaviors and head-body twitches similar to tics suffered by patients with Tourette’s syndrome.
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Oct 29 2024

Costa Rica Awards 57 New Hemp Licenses, Expands Medical Marijuana Production

Costa Rica has officially concluded the licensing process for businesses in the hemp industry, finalizing 57 licenses for hemp cultivation and production.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) recently awarded the licenses, marking the culmination of a process that began two years prior.

The  licenses, each valid for six years, primarily cover operations in the capital, San Jose, and the Guanacaste province. These locations include a range of entities, such as the National University of Costa Rica, which received a research license in August 2023. The country’s first business license for hemp products was granted in November 2022 to Ingenio Taboga.
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Oct 29 2024

The Top Marijuana Strains for the Holidays (2024 Edition)

As the holiday season approaches, cannabis consumers often seek strains that capture the spirit of the season.

Sugar Cookie.

From Christmas-inspired names to flavors reminiscent of holiday favorites, these strains offer both seasonal appeal and current popularity, making them readily available in most states where cannabis is legal.

Whether you’re selecting for yourself or as a gift, here are the top marijuana strains for the holidays.
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Oct 29 2024

Arizona to Launch Statewide Marijuana Delivery for Recreational Consumers Starting November 1

The Arizona Dispensaries Association (ADA) today announced an historic milestone for the state’s marijuana industry: Starting November 1, 2024, marijuana deliveries will be available to adult-use consumers across Arizona.

Previously, legal marijuana delivery services were only available to the state’s medical marijuana patients. The expansion represents a significant step forward for Arizona’s marijuana market and consumer accessibility.

This expedited timeline, well in advance of the January 1, 2025, deadline, comes thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Arizona Department of Health Services all while maintaining the directive of creating a safe, highly regulated marijuana program. Along with the changes to the adult use marijuana program additional changes to the medical marijuana program have also been published. The final rules for both programs can be found on the Arizona Department of Health Services website or Title 9 Chapter 17 Medical Marijuana and Chapter 18 Adult Use Marijuana.
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Oct 28 2024

Kentucky Awards 26 Medical Marijuana Business Licenses for Cultivators and Processors

The Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis has announced 26 winners of medical marijuana cultivation and processing licenses in a lottery managed by the Kentucky Lottery Corporation.

The lottery, held today, granted licenses in four categories: Tier I-III cultivators and processors. Among the successful applicants were Jefferson County’s 1248 KYP LLC and Synapse Remedies LLC, announced by Governor Andy Beshear.

The licensing draw was conducted by officials from both the Office of Medical Cannabis and the Kentucky Lottery Corporation.
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Oct 28 2024

Industrial Hemp Market Valued Over $7 Billion, Projected to Reach $25 Billion by 2032

The Industrial Hemp market grew in value from $6.03 billion in 2023 to $7.07 billion in 2024, according to a new report.

The report anticipates that the market will continue to see rapid growth. At an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.29%, the market is expected to be valued at $25.33 billion by 2032.

According to the report, the market “is expanding steadily due to the significant changes in legislative frameworks that have made it easier for hemp to be grown and processed, the growing awareness of the advantages hemp has for the environment, and the expansion of hemp applications into a wide range of end-use industries.”
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Oct 28 2024

Missouri to Launch Marijuana Testing Lab Amid Rising Safety Concerns

Missouri is setting up a state-run marijuana testing laboratory to enhance regulatory oversight of the cannabis industry, using funds sourced from state marijuana taxes.

This lab, aimed at bolstering quality control, will test products for safety and potency, addressing the potential for misleading claims in a market with over $1 billion in annual sales of joints, edibles, and other cannabis products.

This new laboratory, expected to be operational by fall 2025 according to a report from The Beacon, will be based at the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory in Jefferson City. The state has allocated $3.8 million for the lab in fiscal year 2024, followed by $2.4 million in 2025, to support its establishment and operations. Testing will focus on cannabinoid levels, especially THC, and will screen for contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.
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Oct 28 2024

Poll: 69% of Americans Support Rescheduling Marijuana, More Trust Democrats Over GOP on Marijuana Policy

A new YouGov poll shows that a strong majority of American voters support rescheduling marijuana, and more trust the Democratic presidential nominee to address cannabis policy effectively.

According to the survey, 27% express confidence in the Democratic candidate’s handling of the issue compared to 20% favoring the GOP nominee. The poll also found that marijuana policy is a greater priority for Trump supporters, 17% of whom say it is an important issue, compared to 11% among Harris supporters.

When asked about current cannabis rescheduling efforts, respondents across the political spectrum showed support for the Biden administration’s push to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. Support was particularly high among Harris supporters, with 86% endorsing the rescheduling move, while 51% of Trump supporters also approved. Among registered voters overall, 69% backed the policy change.
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Oct 28 2024

Here’s the Most Popular Marijuana Strains in New York Right Now

As New York’s legal marijuana market matures, certain strains have become clear favorites among consumers.

Apple Fritter.

Based on data from the New York Office of Cannabis Management as well as sources such as Leafly and Weedmaps, the following list highlights the top 10 strains currently in high demand across the state. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many of these strains are also popularity in other parts of the country like California and Oregon, while some are only
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Oct 28 2024

Study: CBD and THC Show Anti-Metastatic Potential in Breast Cancer Cells

Researchers from Lebanese American University and Germany’s University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover have published findings in the journal Scientific Reports indicating that cannabinoids derived from Lebanese cannabis may offer significant anti-cancer properties.

Specifically, their study explored how CBD and THC mixtures influence the growth and motility of breast cancer cells in vitro.

The research team focused on a cannabinoid blend that mirrors the natural composition of Lebanese cannabis. They conducted various assays, including cell cycle analysis, immunofluorescence, and ELISA, to observe how the compounds affect cell death and autophagy in breast cancer cells.
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