Nov 26 2024

Clinical Trial Finds Combination THC and Acetazolamide Reduces Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in SLEEP by Oxford Academic found that a combination treatment of dronabinol (IHL-42X), a synthetic form of THC, and acetazolamide, significantly reduced the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Conducted by researchers from The University of Western Australia, Monash University, and several Australian hospitals, the study explored the safety and efficacy of this pharmaceutical approach for patients struggling with traditional OSA treatments.

The study enrolled participants with moderate to severe OSA, defined as having an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 15 or more events per hour. Eleven participants underwent one week of nightly IHL-42X at low, medium, and high doses, as well as a placebo, with a one-week washout period between treatments. The primary outcomes measured were changes in AHI, oxygen desaturation index (ODI), daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), and mood, while adverse events (AEs) were monitored throughout.
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Nov 26 2024

North Carolina: Despite Success of Tribal Marijuana Store in Cherokee, Other Tribes Remain Reluctant to Open Their Own Stores

Despite the success of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ marijuana megastore, other tribes in North Carolina remain hesitant to open their own.

It’s been over 80 days since The Great Smoky Cannabis Company in Cherokee, North Carolina, opened their doors to everyone 21 and older, becoming the first and only place in North Carolina to legally purchase marijuana and marijuana products. During this time, the outlet has drawn tens of thousands of customers.  Despite concerns that police would set up checkpoints outside tribal land, not a single arrest related to store purchases have been reported.

With this apparent success, The Marijuana Herald reached out to the other seven tribes in North Carolina to ask if they had any plans to try and legalize marijuana on their own land.
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Nov 26 2024

Judge Halts Minnesota Marijuana License Lottery Initially Scheduled for Tuesday

A Minnesota judge on Monday halted a planned lottery to award adult-use marijuana licenses after applicants who were denied access filed a lawsuit alleging the process lacked transparency and did not provide an appeals mechanism.

Ramsey County District Court Judge Stephen Smith made the decision following an hourlong online hearing, calling off the lottery that was set for Tuesday, according to MPR News. The state retains the option to appeal the ruling.

The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) warned before the hearing that postponing the lottery could jeopardize it entirely due to logistical and financial challenges, MPR News reported.
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Nov 26 2024

Over a Dozen Lawmakers Urge Biden to Expand Marijuana Clemency and Stop Marijuana Seizures Before Leaving Office

A coalition of Democratic senators and representatives is urging the Biden administration to finalize plans to limit federal marijuana prosecutions and expand clemency efforts before President Joe Biden’s term concludes in January.

In a letter sent Tuesday, first reported by Rolling Stone, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) joined Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) in emphasizing that marijuana rescheduling alone is insufficient. They argued that it would not end federal criminalization or address the persistent disparities between federal and state marijuana laws. “Possession and use of recreational marijuana — and much state-legal medical marijuana — will continue to be a violation of federal law,” the letter stated.

The letter. co-signed by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), as well as Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Dina Titus (D-NV), James McGovern (D-MA), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), says “The Biden Administration has the opportunity to further reduce the harms of marijuana’s criminalization before the end of this Administration by issuing another round of clemency and an updated memorandum on prosecutorial discretion for marijuana offenses.”
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Nov 25 2024

Sunburn Cannabis Opens Cape Coral Retail Location, its 15th in Florida

Sunburn Cannabis, a Florida-based and vertically integrated cannabis operator, has announced the opening of its first dispensary in Cape Coral, the Company’s 15th store in the state.

The store is located at 1628 Del Prado Blvd S and regular hours are Monday-Sunday from 9 AM–8:45 PM, according to a press release. Sunburn Cannabis is inspired by Florida’s rich history and the true story of CEO and Founder, Brady Cobb, and his late father, Clyde Walton “Bill” Cobb, who was a cannabis smuggler in Florida in the 1970s and 1980s. The brand is named after “Operation Sunburn,” the joint federal and state investigation that brought down Brady’s father’s Florida-based cannabis smuggling crew in 1982.

“We are excited to open the newest Sunburn location in Cape Coral, a significant milestone for us and a testament to the growing demand for cannabis in Florida. Although the recent vote on Amendment 3 did not pass, there remains a strong desire for safe, regulated cannabis,” said CEO and Founder Brady Cobb. “Our presence in Cape Coral not only enhances local access to medicinal cannabis but also reflects Sunburn’s commitment to serving the needs of Floridians. We hope as more people experience the benefits of the plant, the fight for adult-use legalization will continue to evolve, paving the way for a brighter future in this industry.”
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Nov 25 2024

Kentucky Awards First 36 Medical Marijuana Dispensary Licenses Through State Lottery

Kentucky has issued its initial 36 medical marijuana dispensary licenses through a lottery conducted Monday at the Kentucky Lottery Corporation in Louisville.

The recipients, selected from specific regions, were chosen from a pool of 4,075 applicants, according to Sam Flynn, executive director of the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis.

“This marks another significant step in providing Kentuckians suffering from cancer, PTSD, and other severe conditions with access to safe and affordable medical marijuana,” said Governor Andy Beshear.
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Nov 25 2024

America’s Best Marijuana Strains of 2024 According to Budtenders

Just in time for Thanksgiving and the holiday season, the top marijuana strains and flower brands of 2024, according to budtenders, have been unveiled by Leafly.

This fall, more than 900 budtenders from across the country cast their votes to identify the best cannabis strains and brands in their states.

The final results highlight winners in 18 states, offering a comprehensive guide for those staying local or traveling during the holidays and into 2025. This curated list of award-winning strains and brands ensures smarter shopping across legal markets in America.
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Nov 25 2024

Survey: 70% of Indiana Voters Support Marijuana Legalization, Including Majority of Republicans

A new survey reveals that approximately 70% of Indiana voters support legalizing marijuana for adults 21 and older.

The survey, conducted by Causeway Solutions, asked registered voters in the state two key questions: whether they favor legalizing marijuana for adults and how a state legislator’s support for legalization would influence their vote.

The findings indicate that support spans political affiliations. Among Republicans, 58% back legalization, with 70% of independent voters and nearly 90% of Democrats expressing the same stance. Geographically, 70% of suburban voters and 63% of rural voters voiced support for legalization efforts.
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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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