Nov 25 2024

Study: Patients With Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis Report Pain Relief and Reduced Fatigue With Cannabinoid Use

A study published in The Cureus Journal of Medical Science highlights the potential benefits of cannabinoid use for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Conducted by researchers from Concentra Urgent Care (Orlando), the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, the study explored patient-reported outcomes related to cannabinoid use.

The cross-sectional study surveyed 290 patients at a rheumatology outpatient clinic between October 2019 and March 2020. Among participants, 84.9% were diagnosed with RA, while 15.1% had PsA. Most respondents (82.3%) were female, with an average age of 57.1 for RA patients and 56.2 for those with PsA. The survey revealed that 16.95% of RA patients and 11.63% of PsA patients reported using cannabinoids, primarily through inhalation for RA and topical or liquid forms for PsA.
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Nov 24 2024

New York’s Legal Marijuana Market Nears $1 Billion in Sales

New York’s legal marijuana market is on track to surpass $1 billion in sales by the end of December, according to state officials.

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Since its launch two years ago, the market has recorded $863.9 million in sales, with recent months showing substantial growth. The state reached $500 million in cumulative sales by August, signaling accelerating momentum.

“These numbers clearly indicate that New York is open for business,” said John Kagia, policy director for the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). “There’s strong momentum behind the market right now.”
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Nov 24 2024

Trulieve Opens New Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Jacksonville, 160th Florida Location

Trulieve Cannabis Corp., a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the U.S., opened a new medical cannabis dispensary in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, November 23.

The new location means that Trulieve now has 160 dispensaries open throughout Florida, more than any company in any medical marijuana state.

A grand opening celebration will be held Friday, December 6, beginning at 9 a.m., featuring music, specials, discounts, and opportunities to register for upcoming patient education sessions.
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Nov 24 2024

Here’s the Most Popular Marijuana Strains in Florida as of November 2024

As of November 2024, Florida’s cannabis market showcases a diverse array of strains that have captured the preferences of consumers statewide.

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Despite recreational marijuana remaining illegal in Florida, the state has a burdening medical marijuana market featuring hundreds of dispensaries. This, combined with the underground market and online, have allowed specific strains to soar in popularity.

Drawing from data compiled from surveys we conducted amongst our readers, as well as data compiled by Leafly, below are the most popular marijuana strains in Florida right now.
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Nov 24 2024

Nebraska Judge Dismisses All 24 Charges Against Notary in Medical Marijuana Petition Case

In a significant legal development, Hall County Judge Alfred E. Corey III has dismissed 24 counts of official misconduct against Jacy Todd, a notary public from York, Nebraska.

The charges stemmed from allegations that Todd improperly notarized petition pages for initiatives aimed at legalizing medical marijuana in the state. The two initiatives were overwhelmingly approved in this month’s election.

The court’s decision centered on the classification of notaries public under Nebraska law. Judge Corey determined that notaries are not considered public servants performing governmental functions. He stated, “While notary publics are appointed by the Secretary of State, they are not officers or employees of the State of Nebraska, and their duties… are not governmental functions.”
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Nov 23 2024

Oregon: Over 16,000 Legal Psilocybin Doses Administered Since June 2023, Just Five Hospital Visits Reported

Oregon continues to lead the nation in legal psilocybin use, with over 16,000 doses administered at licensed facilities since June 2023, according to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

The state’s psilocybin services program, the first of its kind in the U.S., provides supervised administration of the psychedelic substance for therapeutic and personal development purposes. Currently only Colorado offers a similar program.

The OHA reports that out of these 16,000 sessions, there have been only five instances where facilitators contacted 911 or sought hospital care for clients. These cases underscore the generally safe nature of the program when overseen by trained professionals in controlled environments.
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Nov 23 2024

Ohio’s New Speaker of the House Promises to Undo Cannabis Legalization

Ohio House Republicans have chosen Matt Huffman, the current Senate president, as their next House speaker.

Huffman, unopposed in the caucus vote, is known for his hardline conservative agenda, including his intent to reverse Ohio’s recently implemented recreational marijuana legalization law.

Huffman’s leadership approach signals a significant shift for Ohio. His priorities include restricting marijuana policies, including making recreational marijuana illegal. Huffman says he believes voters were misinformed when they approved legalization. He has previously proposed revisiting the policy to drastically limit THC levels in products.
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Nov 22 2024

Medical Marijuana Now Covered as Employee Benefit in Three New Jersey Municipalities

In a groundbreaking move for public workers, three New Jersey municipalities are introducing medical marijuana coverage as a healthcare benefit.

Employees in the city of Trenton, as well as the boards of education in Orange and Teaneck, will gain access to discounts at participating dispensaries and cannabis-related telehealth services. The program is facilitated by Bennabis Health, a company specializing in cannabis-related employee benefits.

Workers participating in the program will reportedly receive at least 15% off the typical costs associated with medical marijuana. Bennabis Health has also expanded its reach beyond New Jersey, partnering with dispensaries in Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Mexico, Washington, D.C., and, most recently, Maine. In Maine, the company announced new agreements with Sweet Dirt Dispensaries and Brilliant Buds, which will offer Bennabis Health Premium members a 15% discount.
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Nov 22 2024

Minnesota’s Cannabis License Lottery to Grant 200 Preapprovals Next Week, Out of Over 600 Applicants

Hundreds of applicants seeking cannabis business licenses in Minnesota will learn their fate on Tuesday as the state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) conducts a lottery to award preapprovals.

(Photo credit: Vicente LLP).

This initiative, part of a social equity program, is designed to support individuals disproportionately impacted by past marijuana prohibition, veterans, and residents of high-poverty areas.

In 2023, Minnesota lawmakers legalized marijuana for adults 21 and older, creating a regulated system for retail outlets supplied by licensed growers and processors. Possession and cultivation became legal in August 2023, with over 3,000 business licenses already preapproved. Additionally, the University of Minnesota School of Public Health launched the state’s first Cannabis Research Center in August, funded by a $2.5 million state appropriation.
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Nov 22 2024

Marijuana and THC Improve Working Memory in Aging, Finds Animal Study

With marijuana use surging among older adults, researchers are uncovering how it may influence age-related cognitive decline.

A new study, published by the National Library of Medicine and as a preprint in bioRxiv, reveals that cannabis and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9THC) may enhance working memory in aged individuals without worsening other cognitive impairments.

The study concluded that “cannabis and Δ9THC can attenuate working memory impairments that emerge in aging” while not exacerbating hippocampus-related cognitive decline.
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