Dec 01 2024

Study: CBD May Reverse Behavioral Impairments Linked to Autism

A new study published in the journal Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior shows that CBD may reverse the behavioral impairments associated with autism spectrum disorder.

Researchers from the University of São Paulo and the Oswaldo Cruz Institute examined the effects of CBD on adult male mice exposed to valproic acid (VPA) during embryonic development, a model commonly used to study autism spectrum disorder (ASD) characteristics.

The study explored the impact of acute CBD treatment on mice subjected to various behavioral tests, including the Pre-Pulse Inhibition Test (PPI), Marble Burying, Social Interaction, the Actimeter Test, and the Novel Object Recognition Test (NOR). Results revealed that CBD significantly improved several behavioral deficits in VPA-exposed mice.
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Dec 01 2024

Study: CBD May Offer Neuroprotective Benefits to Fetuses Exposed to Inflammatory Conditions During Pregnancy

Researchers from Suleyman Demirel University in Türkiye have published a study in the journal Reproductive Toxicology examining the potential of cannabidiol (CBD) to mitigate neuroinflammation and enhance neurogenesis in the offspring of pregnant rats subjected to systemic inflammation.

The findings, available through the U.S. National Institute of Health, highlight the therapeutic potential of CBD during pregnancy under certain inflammatory conditions.

The study involved 30 pregnant rats divided into five groups: a control group, a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-only group, and three LPS groups treated with varying CBD doses (5, 10, and 30 mg/kg). Following LPS injections to induce systemic inflammation, researchers collected blood, fetuses, and placentas for analysis, performing histopathological assessments, immunohistochemical staining, ELISA, and immunoblotting.
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Dec 01 2024

The Six Federal Marijuana Bills Most Likely to Pass With a Republican Congress and Trump as President

As the United States prepares for a Republican-controlled Congress and the inauguration of President Donald Trump in January 2025, we take a look at federal marijuana bills that may stand a chance of being enacted into law.

Despite the GOP’s historical reservations about cannabis reform, several bipartisan bills have garnered support and stand a decent chance of enactment. This is especially true when you consider that in the leadup to the election, Trump endorsed legalizing marijuana in Florida, rescheduling marijuana federally and establishing federal marijuana banking reform.

With that said, here are six federal marijuana bills that are the most likely to advance under the forthcoming administration and Congress.
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Dec 01 2024

Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Reduces Anxiety, Depression, and Other Psychiatric Symptoms in Cancer Patients

Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) has demonstrated promising outcomes in addressing multiple psychiatric symptoms in patients with cancer-related distress, according to a new study published in Nature Mental Health.

Psilocybin mushrooms.

Conducted by researchers from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Columbia University, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, and Yale University, the study analyzed data from two randomized, placebo-controlled phase II trials involving 79 participants.

While PAP has previously been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, this study evaluated its impact on a broader spectrum of psychiatric dimensions. Researchers assessed nine categories, including interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, obsession–compulsion, somatization, phobia, paranoia, and psychosis.
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Dec 01 2024

The Top Marijuana Strains in the United States as of December 2024

With an ever-growing number of marijuana strains available, these ten have captured the attention of consumers across the U.S., dominating menus and online discussions.

Permanent Marker.

This list, crafted from data provided by various state regulatory agencies and Leafly, features strains celebrated for their flavor, effects, and versatility.
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Dec 01 2024

Judge Rules Nebraska Medical Marijuana Initiatives Legally Sufficient, Will Go Into Effect December 12

A Lancaster County District Court judge has upheld the validity of petitions circulated by Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, rejecting a legal challenge that sought to invalidate the ballot initiatives.

Judge Susan Strong determined that attorneys for former State Senator John Kuehn and Secretary of State Bob Evnen failed to demonstrate a sufficient number of invalid signatures to disqualify the petitions. In a 57-page ruling, Strong noted that evidence presented showed only a few hundred invalid signatures on each petition, far below the threshold needed to declare them insufficient.

“The court finds that they have fallen short,” Strong wrote, concluding that both initiatives met the legal requirements for signature validity.
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Nov 30 2024

Colorado Marijuana Sales Top $110 Million in September, Bringing Year-to-Date Total to Above $1 Billion

Colorado’s legal marijuana market has generated over $1 billion in revenue so far in 2024.

There was $112,429,698 worth of legal marijuana and marijuana products sold in September in Colorado, bringing the year-to-date total to $1,060,994,048. This is according to data released today by the Colorado Department of Revenue

Of the $112.4 million in marijuana sold legally in September, $100,516,124 was purchased for recreational use, whereas medical marijuana patients purchased $11,913,574 in product. September sales resulted in $20,927,011 in tax revenue.
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Nov 29 2024

Massachusetts Marijuana Sales Surpass $7 Billion as Prices Hit Record Low

Despite prices reaching an all-time low, there was an uptick in marijuana sales from September to October, with all-time sales passing the $7 billion mark.

In October, licensed marijuana stores in Massachusetts sold $138.8 million in recreational marijuana and $14.8 million in medical marijuana, totaling $153.6 million. Combined with $119 million in November sales through the 24th, the year-to-date total is now $1.5 billion, with an all-time total of $7.01 billion, according to data released today by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC).

In October, average marijuana prices reached an all-time low of $4.78 per gram and $135.53 per ounce. Only Oregon has cheaper legal cannabis prices.
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Nov 29 2024

Arapahoe County, Colorado Commission Unanimously Approves Psilocybin Business Regulations

Arapahoe County commissioners have unanimously approved a comprehensive set of regulations governing psilocybin businesses as Colorado prepares to begin licensing these operations in January 2025.

The decision follows the voter-approved Proposition 122, which decriminalized the use, possession, and cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms, making Colorado the second state to take such a step.

Under Proposition 122, individuals aged 21 and older can legally use certain plants and fungi for personal and therapeutic purposes. Unlike marijuana legalization under Amendment 64, which allowed local jurisdictions to ban retail marijuana businesses, Proposition 122 prohibits local governments from banning natural medicine businesses. However, counties like Arapahoe retain the authority to regulate these businesses’ time, manner, and location within the bounds of state law.
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Nov 29 2024

Marijuana Use Associated with Large Reduction in Opioid Prescriptions Among Chronic Pain Patients in Utah, Finds Study

According to the results of a newly published study conducted in Utah, cannabis has the potential to to serve as an alternative to opioids for chronic pain management.

For the study, published on Utah.gov, researchers analyzed the impact of medical cannabis on opioid prescription rates, focusing on 186 patients with chronic pain diagnoses. The study utilized patient data from Dragonfly Wellness dispensaries and electronic health records, revealing a compelling trend of reduced opioid use following cannabis initiation.

The study found that 84.4% of participants experienced a decrease in their opioid prescriptions after beginning cannabis treatment. On average, opioid consumption, measured in Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MME) per month, dropped by 53.1%. This equated to a reduction from 3,832 MME/month before cannabis use to 1,798 MME/month afterward. Patients using cannabis products with a THC:CBD ratio of 1:0 showed the most significant reductions.
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