Oct 23 2024

Poll Shows 59% of Nebraska Voters Back Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiatives

A recent poll found that 59% of Nebraska voters plan to support the legalization of medical marijuana in the upcoming general election.

On the November 5 ballot are two medical marijuana-related measures that serve as companions.

The first measure, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act, would provide legal protections for patients and healthcare providers who recommend medical marijuana. The second initiative, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act, would allow for the licensed distribution of cannabis to qualified patients, establishing a state commission to oversee its regulation.
Continue reading

Oct 23 2024

Here’s the Most Popular Marijuana Strains in Oregon Right Now

As of October 2024, Oregon marijuana stores are seeing some familiar favorites retain popularity alongside emerging strains.

Gelato.

The state’s diverse cannabis market continues to reflect trends seen across the U.S., particularly in California and Washington, while also showing a distinct regional flair. Here are the strains making waves in Oregon right now, using data from Leafly and the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.
Continue reading

Oct 23 2024

Delaware to Begin Lottery for Issuing Marijuana Business Licenses on Thursday

Delaware is advancing its plans to regulate the legal marijuana industry, with the Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner (OMC) preparing to hold a lottery for business licenses.

A total of 727 applications have been approved to participate, significantly exceeding the number of licenses available. The lottery is set to begin on Thursday and will be livestreamed on the OMC’s Facebook page.

The first round of lotteries will focus on licenses for cultivation, manufacturing, and testing. Each county will have its own lottery. Additionally, due to the overwhelming number of applications for retail licenses, a separate lottery for this category will be held in December.
Continue reading

Oct 23 2024

Study: CBD Improves Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Adults with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

According to the results of a new study conducted by researchers from the National University Arturo Jauretche in Argentina, CBD is “effective and safe” in combatting drug-resistant epilepsy.

Researchers “conducted a prospective, observational, open cohort study, with a before-after design, in adult patients, we assessed the effectiveness, dosage, and tolerance of adjunctive CBD treatment.” The results were published in the journal Epilepsy & Behavior.

The aim of this study “was to evaluate, in the same patient population that was part of a previous observational study, depression, quality of life, anxious symptoms and daytime sleepiness before and after CBD treatment.”
Continue reading

Oct 22 2024

University of North Florida Poll Finds 66% of Likely Voters Support Amendment 3 to Legalize Marijuana

A new poll from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) has found that a strong majority of Florida voters favor legalizing recreational marijuana, with support well above the 60% threshold for Amendment 3 to be enacted into law.

“After years of polling on marijuana in Florida, both medical and recreational, it is clear that the majority is in favor of legalization,” said PORL faculty director and professor of political science Dr. Michael Binder. “Closing in on election day, despite some heavy campaigning, we’re seeing support for this amendment and is on track to exceed the 60% supermajority required to pass.”

The poll found that Amendment 3 received “definitive support” with 66% of likely voters indicating a vote of “yes,” 30% who said they would vote “no,” and 4% who said they don’t know. Support for this amendment has increased by two percentage points since the last PORL statewide poll in July of this year, in which 64% of likely voters indicated a vote of “yes.”
Continue reading

Oct 22 2024

Study: History of Cannabis Use Linked to Reduced Postoperative Opioid Use in Lumbar Fusion Patients

A retrospective study published in the Asian Spine Journal suggests that patients with a history of cannabis use may require fewer opioids after lumbar fusion surgery.

Conducted by researchers from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, University of Illinois, Yale School of Medicine, and the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, the purpose of the study was “To examine the effect of cannabis use history on postoperative opioid utilization in patients undergoing one- to three-level lumbar fusion for degenerative spine disease.”

The study involved reviewing over 153,000 patient records, with 1,216 patients matched into cannabis user and non-user groups using propensity score matching.
Continue reading

Oct 22 2024

Minnesota’s Recreational Marijuana Market On Track to Launch in 2025

Minnesota is gearing up for the launch of its recreational marijuana market in 2025.

The state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has released a draft of the regulations outlining how licensed marijuana businesses will operate once the legal market is up and running, which the group says is still on track for next year, likely in the spring.

While the OCM is gathering feedback on a second draft of the rules, which are expected to be finalized by early 2025, many businesses are in a holding pattern until they can officially start operations.
Continue reading

Oct 21 2024

Study: Phytocannabinoids ike CBD and THC May Relieve Anxiety and Fear Triggered by Seizures

According to the results of a new study, phytocannabinoids derived from marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), may help manage emotional comorbidities often associated with epilepsy, including anxiety and fear responses.

Researchers observed that seizures led to increased anxiety- and fear-like behaviors in rats, but these effects were reversed by administering CBD (via vapor) and THC (orally). The study highlights that emotional disturbances linked to epilepsy may result from decreased anandamide signaling in the brain’s amygdala, which can be mitigated by phytocannabinoids.

In addition to exploring the anticonvulsant effects of CBD and THC, the study focused on how these compounds may also treat emotional symptoms tied to epilepsy, which significantly reduce the quality of life in those affected. The research showed that blocking serotonin 1A receptors before CBD exposure neutralized its protective effects, emphasizing the potential role of serotonin pathways in emotional regulation.
Continue reading

Oct 21 2024

Study: Psilocybin Reduces Heroin Relapse in Animal Model

A study published recently in the peer reviewed journal Molecular Psychiatry found that psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, may help reduce heroin-seeking behavior.

Psilocybin mushroom.

Researchers from Temple University conducted experiments to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin on opioid addiction, particularly focusing on relapse behavior following heroin self-administration.

In the study, rats were given heroin at 0.075 mg/kg/infusion, followed by a period of forced abstinence. Psilocybin, along with 5-HT2A receptor antagonists ketanserin and volinanserin, was administered to test its impact on heroin-seeking behavior. The researchers found that while psilocybin did not reduce heroin intake, a single dose of 3.0 mg/kg significantly reduced cue-induced heroin-seeking behavior four to 24 hours after administration. On the other hand, the 5-HT2A receptor antagonists exacerbated heroin relapse.
Continue reading

Oct 21 2024

New Poll Finds 50% of Utah Voters Support Legalizing Recreational Marijuana, 88% Support Medical Marijuana

New polling reveals that half of Utah voters now back the full legalization of recreational marijuana.

Conducted by Noble Predictive Insights and funded by the Utah Patients Coalition, the survey found that 50% of voters in the state support legalizing recreational cannabis. An additional 38% of respondents favor medical cannabis only, while just 9% believe marijuana should remain illegal. Three percent were undecided.

The poll highlighted a generational divide in opinions on recreational cannabis. Support is highest among younger voters, with 60% of those under 40 backing legalization. Meanwhile, only 29% of voters over the age of 65 support it, with the majority favoring medical use. Middle-aged Utahns showed a near-even split, with 49% supporting recreational legalization.
Continue reading