Oct 15 2024

Study: CBD Shows Therapeutic Potential for Gut Health and Related Conditions

A recent literature review published in the journal Cells by explores the multifaceted therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on the gastrointestinal (GI) system.

This non-psychotropic compound, found in Cannabis sativa, has demonstrated promising modulatory effects across various bodily systems, including the central nervous and immune systems.

The review, conducted by researchers from the University of Toledo, the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and Tulane University School of Medicine,  highlights CBD’s ability to interact with multiple receptors—both cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid—while also exhibiting antioxidant properties that function independently of these receptors. These interactions play a crucial role in influencing intestinal permeability, the microbiome, immune cells, and cytokines, making CBD a potential therapeutic agent for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
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Oct 15 2024

Report: US Cannabis Industry Needs Up to $130 Billion to Grow, Offering $2.4 Billion in Potential Interest for Banks

A new report released today by Whitney Economics (WE) highlights the significant financial needs of the U.S. cannabis industry, projecting that between $65.6 billion and $130.7 billion in sustainable growth capital will be necessary to support new cannabis businesses and refinance existing ones over the next decade.

This investment could generate an estimated $1.0 billion to $2.4 billion in interest revenue for financial institutions that engage in cannabis lending.

Published with support from CTrust—a business credit scoring and monitoring agency for the cannabis industry—and Green Check, a fintech connector for the emerging market, the report emphasizes the industry’s expanding financial landscape. It projects U.S. cannabis retail sales to grow from $28.8 billion in 2023 to $87.0 billion by 2035. To sustain this growth, the number of cannabis licenses is expected to increase from approximately 40,000 today to between 65,000 and 70,000, providing new opportunities for lending and investment.
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Oct 15 2024

Supreme Court Weighs RICO Lawsuit Over Hemp-Based CBD Product That Cost Trucker His Job

The U.S. Supreme Court held a hearing today to deliberate on a case involving a truck driver, Douglas Horn, who was fired after testing positive for THC following the use of a hemp-based CBD product.

Horn claims the product, marketed as containing “0% THC” by companies including Medical Marijuana Inc. and Dixie Holdings LLC, led to his wrongful termination. His lawsuit hinges on the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, a law typically reserved for combatting organized crime but also applicable to civil claims.

Horn, who had been a truck driver for 14 years, began using the hemp-based supplement to alleviate chronic pain from a car accident. The product, Dixie X, was advertised as THC-free and compliant with federal regulations. After testing positive during a random drug screening, Horn was dismissed from his job, despite his assertion that he had never used marijuana and relied on the product in good faith.
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Oct 15 2024

Vermont: Record-Breaking $12.8 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in August

For the second month in a row, Vermont has broken its record for legal marijuana sales.

(Photo credit: Peter Kim/Fotolia)

In August, legal outlets sold $12.87 million worth of marijuana and marijuana products, according to the state’s Department of Taxes, generating $1.80 million in tax revenue.

This marks a slight increase from the previous record of $12.27 million in July. Before that, May’s sales set a record at $11.45 million.
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Oct 14 2024

Every State Voting On Marijuana Initiatives Next Month

The November 5, 2024 election is just weeks away, and it’s shaping up to be a pivotal moment for marijuana law reform across the U.S.

With the election fast approaching, several states are preparing to weigh in on initiatives that could drastically change their marijuana laws. Below is a breakdown of these states, with a look at the initiatives being considered.
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Oct 14 2024

Study: CBD Reduces Arsenic-Induced Kidney Damage

Researchers from Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in Iran have discovered that cannabidiol (CBD) can significantly reduce kidney damage caused by arsenic exposure in mice.

Published in the peer-reviewed journal Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, the study explored how CBD influences specific pathways involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death, particularly the NOX4 and NF-kB pathways.

The study involved 48 male mice divided into six groups. Some groups received only arsenic, while others were treated with varying doses of CBD prior to arsenic exposure. The researchers measured several markers of kidney health, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, as well as performed histological analyses on kidney tissue.
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Oct 14 2024

Study of Over 100,000 Finds Maternal Marijuana Use Not Associated With Increased Risk of ADHD or Behavior Disorders in Children

A large-scale study involving over 100,000 participants has found that maternal marijuana use during early pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of offspring developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or disruptive behavior disorders (DBD).

The study, titled Prenatal Cannabis Use and Offspring Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Disruptive Behavior Disorders: A Retrospective Cohort Study, was published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics and was conducted by researchers from Kaiser Permanente Northern California, the University of California, and The Permanente Medical Group.

The researchers analyzed data from 141,570 children born between 2011 and 2018 to 117,130 pregnant individuals in Northern California. All participants were screened for prenatal cannabis use during early pregnancy, defined as self-reported use or a positive toxicology test. The study aimed to assess any potential links between prenatal marijuana use and diagnoses of ADHD or DBD in the children by age 11.
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Oct 14 2024

Michigan: September Marijuana Sales Top $265 Million, Prices Down Over 20% From Previous Year

In Michigan, there was over $265 million worth of marijuana and marijuana products sold legally in September, despite a significant drop in prices from the previous year.

There was a total of $266,883,894 in legal marijuana sold in September, with just 1% purchased by medical marijuana patients, according to the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency. Although this is a slight dip from the roughly $275 million sold in September 2023, prices are down over 20% since then, with the average price per ounce currently $78.68, down from $100.14.

The year-to-date total for marijuana sales in Michigan is now around $2.2 billion, with all-time sales nearing $10 billion.
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Oct 14 2024

Report: Marijuana Packaging Market to Grow from $3 Billion in Value in 2024 to $22 Billion by 2034

The global size of the marijuana packaging market is predicted to increase from $3.49 billion in 2025 to approximately $22.10 billion by 2034, according to a study published by Towards Packaging, a sister firm of Precedence Statistics.

The market was estimated at $2.85 billion in 2024 and is projected to expand at a double-digit CAGR of 22.74% between 2024 and 2034.

“The cannabis packaging market revolves around strong and tamper-evident packaging which provides child-resistance protection”, states the report. “Along with this, providing accurate information with labels and providing temperature and humidity resistance are the leading objectives of the market.”
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Oct 13 2024

DOJ Urges Court to Uphold Federal Marijuana Ban, Citing Supreme Court Precedent Amid Growing State Legalization Push

The U.S. Department of Justice is pushing back against a challenge to the federal ban on marijuana, defending Congress’s authority to regulate the plant despite state-level legalization.

In a recent filing with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, the DOJ maintained that the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) remains valid law, even as marijuana reform gains momentum in many states.

The case was brought by Massachusetts-based Canna Provisions Inc., along with several other cannabis companies, seeking to overturn federal marijuana prohibition. They argue that widespread legalization at the state level undermines the need for federal restrictions. However, the DOJ pointed to the 2005 Supreme Court ruling in Gonzales v. Raich, which upheld the CSA and reaffirmed Congress’s right to regulate interstate commerce, including marijuana.
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