Aug 29 2024

Dallas, Lockhart and Bastrop, Texas Will Vote on Marijuana Decriminalization Ordinances in November

In a little over two months, voters in three Texas cities will consider ordinances that would decriminalize marijuana possession.

On the November 5 ballot in Lockhart, Bastrop and Dallas, Texas, are ordinances that propose to reduce penalties for possessing personal amounts of marijuana. Specifically, the measures would prevent law enforcement from arresting individuals found with up to four ounces of marijuana. Instead, they would receive a citation similar to a traffic ticket.

According to Ground Game Texas (GGT), the group behind the Dallas measure, the proposal would:
Continue reading

Aug 29 2024

MAPS Funds Study to Test MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD, Enrollment Underway

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has awarded Emory University researchers a $200,000 grant for a pilot study examining MDMA-assisted Massed Exposure Therapy for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

MDMA tablets, often referred to as “ecstasy”.

The study is being conducted by Dr. Barbara Rothbaum and Dr. Jessica Maples-Keller at the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program in Atlanta, Georgia. Enrollment for this study is open to any civilian who meets the criteria, including Veterans.

“Dr. Rothbaum, known for her groundbreaking research innovating evidence-based PTSD treatments since 1986, pioneered Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) and Massed Prolonged Exposure Therapy (MPE)”, states a press release. “These two evidence-based therapies for treating PTSD provide a safe environment for individuals to approach their trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations and learn that the trauma-related memories and cues are no longer dangerous. PE, which is one of only three front-line talk therapies currently recommended for PTSD, involves weekly sessions over three months, while MPE is an intensive version that is condensed into 10 daily sessions over two weeks.
Continue reading

Aug 29 2024

Report: Cannabis Cultivation Market Valued at $4.15 Billion, to More than Double by 2030

According to a new report by Research and Markets, the global cannabis cultivation market, already valued at billions of dollars, is expected to grow by 120% by 2030.

The report found that the cannabis cultivation market grew from $3.64 billion in 2023 to $4.15 billion in 2024, and it’s expected to continue growing at a compound annual growth rate of 14.09%, reaching $9.17 billion by 2030.

“In the Americas, cannabis cultivation has undergone significant transformation, especially in regions where legislation has shifted towards legalization”, states the report. “Canada and certain states of the USA have established robust legal frameworks that govern the production, sale, and consumption of cannabis. These regions host some of the world’s largest cannabis companies, which are heavily regulated, publicly traded, and adhere to strict quality controls.”
Continue reading

Aug 29 2024

Trulieve’s Employee Training Program Earns Gold Award for “Best Competencies and Skill Development”

Trulieve Cannabis Corp., one of the leading and top-performing cannabis companies in the United States, today announced its TruU-GROW cultivation training program has received a Gold award of excellence in the 2024 Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards.

“We are proud to see our TruU-GROW program continue to be recognized for its excellence in learning and development,” said Trulieve’s Chief Production Officer Kyle Landrum in a press release sent today. “This award is a testament to Trulieve’s commitment to quality by empowering our teams to cultivate their highest potential through training and education.”

The TruU-GROW program received a Gold award for Best Competencies and Skill Development, a new category in 2024, after earning six Brandon Hall Group Gold awards for excellence in 2023.
Continue reading

Aug 29 2024

Americans’ Support for Marijuana Legalization Up Almost 10% Since 2015, Finds Meta-Analysis

A growing number of Americans favor legalizing marijuana, with support rising steadily over the past decade, according to a recent analysis of more than 70 public opinion polls conducted since 2015.

The analysis, referred to as The Poll of Polls and released by consumer research firm CBD Oracle, reveals that public backing for marijuana legalization has increased from 53% in 2015 to 62% today.

Support for legalization is unsurprisingly highest among Democrats, with 71.4% in favor. A strong majority of independents also back the move, though at a lower rate of 63.5%. While Republican support has not yet reached a majority, it’s close, with 47.6% in favor of legalization.
Continue reading

Aug 29 2024

Here’s All 113 Members of US Congress Sponsoring Legislation to Deschedule Marijuana and Allow Expungements

In the United States Congress, legislation to deschedule marijuana and allow for the expungement of past marijuana offenses has 113 bicameral sponsors.

In the House of Representatives, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act would also deschedule marijuana, effectively decriminalizing it nationwide. The measure, filed in April, would also expunge past marijuana convictions, and it would establish a federal excise tax on marijuana sales. The MORE Act twice passed the House, in 2020 and 2022, when the Democrats controlled the chamber. Proponenents of the measure are hopeful that if Democrats take back the House this November, they will make the MORE Act a priority. Currently the measure has 95 sponsors, all Democrat.

In the Senate, the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA) would also deschedule marijuana, allow the expungement of past marijuana convictions, and establish a federal marijuana excise tax. However, it would go a step further by creating regulatory and safety standards for legal marijuana sales, including creating a marijuana department within the FDA. Filed in May, the measure has 18 sponsors in the US Senate, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Currently there is not enough support in the Senate to pass the CAOA, but the Democrats were to gain even one or two seats in the November election, or if a couple Republicans decide to get onboard, it could significantly alter the political dynamic.
Continue reading

Aug 29 2024

Study Finds 94% of Nursing Students Support Legalizing Medical Marijuana

A significant majority of nursing students believe that patients should have legal access to medical marijuana, yet many report a lack of adequate training on the subject during their education, according to a recent survey published in the journal Nurse Practitioner.

Researchers from Simmons College in Boston conducted a survey of over 100 nurse practitioner (NP) students. Researchers found that most students (94%) felt that medical marijuana (MM) should be legalized in all US states. Likewise, 97% felt that MM education should be included in NP program curricula.

However, researchers found that “only 30% reported receiving in-depth education on the topic.”
Continue reading

Aug 29 2024

Federally Funded Study: Marijuana and Psychedelics Use at Historic Highs, Cigarette Use at Historic Low

The past-year use of cannabis and psychedelics (referred to in the study as hallucinogens) stayed at historically high levels in 2023 among adults aged 19 to 30 and 35 to 50, according to the latest findings from the Monitoring the Future survey.

In contrast, past-year use of cigarettes remained at historically low levels in both adult groups. Past-month and daily alcohol use continued a decade-long decline among those 19 to 30 years old, with binge drinking reaching all-time lows. However, among 35- to 50-year-olds, the prevalence of binge drinking in 2023 increased from five and 10 years ago.

The Monitoring the Future study, which has been issued annually since 1975, is conducted by scientists at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, and is funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Continue reading

Aug 29 2024

Study: Cannabinoids Associated With Improved Quality of Life in Both Chron’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

According to a new meta-analysis of clinical trials, “cannabinoids are associated with improved quality of life in both CD and UC, as well as improved disease activity”.

Titled Meta-analysis of the Therapeutic Impact of Cannabinoids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, the study was published in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, issued by Oxford University, and it was conducted by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania.

“With the increasing legalization of medical and recreational cannabis, patients and providers have growing interest in the role of cannabinoids in treating inflammatory bowel disease”, states the study’s abstract. “Prior meta-analysis has shown inconclusive evidence for efficacy of cannabinoids.” With that in mind, researchers “sought to produce an up-to-date meta-analysis that pools new data to evaluate the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids in both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).”
Continue reading

Aug 29 2024

California Legislature Passes Bill to Legalize Marijuana Cafés, Sending it to Governor Newsom

California’s full legislature has passed legislation to legalize marijuana cafés, officially sending the bill to Governor Gavin Newsom.

Yesterday the Assembly concurred with changes that the Senate made to Assembly Bill 1775 prior to its passage. Both chambers have now passed the same version of the bill, allowing it to be sent to Governor Newsom.

The final vote in the Assembly was 58 to 6, with the final vote in the Senate being 30 to 7.
Continue reading