Nov 21 2024

Texas Attorney General Sues Dallas Over Marijuana Decriminalization Ordinance

Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the City of Dallas and local officials for adopting a city charter amendment that would “illegally decriminalize marijuana-related offenses and prohibit police from enforcing Texas law.”

Earlier this month, the City of Dallas adopted Proposition R, which “prohibits the Dallas Police Department from making arrests or issuing citations for marijuana possession [up to four ounces] or considering the odor of marijuana as probable cause for search or seizure.” The measure was approved with over 66% support.

Now, Paxton is attempting to prevent the implementation of the proposal. Paxton has filed similar lawsuits in Killeen, Elgin, Denton, Austin, and San Marcos, which have all approved similar marijuana measures. In Austin and San Marcos, the lawsuits have already been dismissed by a judge.
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Nov 20 2024

Survey Finds Over 80% of Parkinson’s Disease Patients in France Support Cannabis and CBD Use

A study published in Clinical Parkinsonism & Related Disorders has found that the vast majority of those in France with Parkinson’s disease support medical marijuana and CBD use.

In France, cannabis use is illegal outside the current restricted medical cannabis experimental framework which does not include Parkinson’s disease (PD) as an eligible condition. In contrast, CBD products are legal and are easily available. In this study, the aim was to “evaluate the acceptability of therapeutic cannabis and CBD use, and to assess cannabinoid-related attitudes among people with PD in France, with a view to assessing the potential inclusion of medical cannabinoids in PD treatment options. ”

Researchers conducted a nationwide online survey involving 1,136 participants with Parkinson’s disease. Results showed high levels of acceptability: 81.7% for medical cannabis and 87.4% for CBD. Factors linked to increased acceptability included the presence of anxiety symptoms, greater knowledge of cannabinoids, active information-seeking about medical cannabis, and perceiving the risk of cannabis dependence as low.
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Nov 20 2024

DEA Judge Rules on Standing for Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing

All parties opposing the rescheduling of marijuana to Schedule 3 of the Controlled Substances Act will have full standing to participate in a landmark marijuana rescheduling hearing, according to a ruling by DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney II.

However, only one organization supporting rescheduling—the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)—has been granted full standing. Mulrooney ruled late Tuesday that two pro-rescheduling groups “may not independently continue to participate” in the proceedings. Mulrooney’s decision was obtained by MJBizDaily.

Mulrooney applied a four-part test to determine standing: whether the party had a substantial interest in the outcome, adhered to procedural directives, stayed within the scope of rescheduling, and could assist the decision-making process. Of the nine remaining pro-rescheduling parties, seven can continue to participate with limited involvement, while two were excluded for failing to demonstrate any tangible interest. Those excluded include Florida-based My Doc App and Ellen Brown, chair of the Massachusetts Cannabis Advisory Board’s research subcommittee.
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Nov 20 2024

67 Members of Congress Urge President Biden to Expand Marijuana Clemency Efforts Before End of Term

67 members of the U.S. Congress are urging President Joe Biden to build on his record of executive clemency during the final months of his presidency.

Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Jim Clyburn (D-SC), and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) sent a letter today along with 64 of their colleagues urging President Biden to “reunite families, confront deep-seated injustices in the legal system, and guide the nation toward ending mass incarceration”, during his final weeks in office.

“Mass incarceration remains a persistent, systemic injustice that erodes the soul of America”, states the letter. “Our nation has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with nearly two million people locked in jails and prisons throughout the country. The extreme use of incarceration has resulted in one in two adults having an incarcerated family member. People of color are disproportionately put behind bars, along with individuals from low-income communities, LGBTQIA+ folks, and those with disabilities.”
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Nov 20 2024

Medical Cannabis Market Projected to Reach $91 Billion by 2032, Driven by a 24% Growth Rate

The global medical cannabis market is expected to experience rapid growth, with projections showing an increase from $13.12 billion in 2023 to $91.065 billion by 2032.

This reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.02% over the forecast period, according to a new report by Introspective Market Research.

This growth is attributed to the increasing acceptance of cannabis-based treatments for a variety of medical conditions, including chronic pain, epilepsy, and cancer-related symptoms. As public perceptions shift and healthcare professionals become more open to its therapeutic potential, the market continues to expand, notes the report. Innovations in product development, such as oils, tinctures, edibles, and topicals, are improving accessibility and offering patients diverse options tailored to their needs.
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Nov 20 2024

FDA Approves Landmark Study on Smoked Marijuana for Treating PTSD in Veterans

Researchers are set to launch a groundbreaking clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of smoked medical marijuana in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among military veterans.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Division of Psychiatry Products has cleared the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)’ Phase 2 study of smoked cannabis in Veterans for the treatment of PTSD (MJP2) to proceed. Initially placed on partial clinical hold by the FDA in 2021, MJP2 is a randomized, placebo-controlled study of 320 Veterans suffering from moderate to severe PTSD who have previously used cannabis.

Funded by the Michigan Veteran Marijuana Research Grant Program, trial will investigate the effects of inhaling high-THC dried cannabis flower versus a placebo, allowing participants to self-titrate their dosage. MAPS noted the study reflects real-world consumption patterns, aiming to assess both the benefits and risks of cannabis use for PTSD treatment.
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Nov 19 2024

U.S. Marijuana Sales Reach $1.872 Billion in October

In October, legal marijuana states collectively generated $1.872 billion in sales.

This total, based on an analysis by The Marijuana Herald, represents a marginal decrease from September’s $1.877 billion, highlighting the market’s stability. Sales data for most states was sourced from their regulatory bodies overseeing the marijuana industry. In instances where this data was unavailable, figures from the research firm Headset were used.

Looking ahead, monthly revenues are expected to rise in 2025 as Delaware and Minnesota prepare to launch their legal marijuana markets.
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Nov 19 2024

Dallas City Council Rejects Effort to Block Marijuana Decriminalization Initiative Approved by Voters

The Dallas City Council voted today against adding language to a resolution that sought to block implementation of Proposition R, a recently approved measure decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The proposed amendment, introduced by District 12 Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn, claimed the voter-approved initiative conflicted with state law and should not be enforced. Proposition R, which passed with 66% support on November 5, decriminalizes the possession of up to four ounces of marijuana, and prohibits Dallas police from using the smell of marijuana as probable cause for searches, seizures, or arrests unless a felony is involved.

“The core of this is that state law preempts our ability to enforce this ordinance,” Mendelsohn said.
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Nov 19 2024

Study: Cannabis Use Associated with Less Cognitive Decline Over Lifetime

Lifetime cannabis use does not appear to negatively impact cognitive decline, and may actually protect against it, according to a longitudinal study published in Brain and Behavior.

The research assessed the relationship between marijuana use and age-related cognitive changes in a cohort of 5,162 Danish men over a span of 44 years.

Participants’ IQs were evaluated in early adulthood, with a mean age of 22, and again in late midlife, at an average age of 62. The study found that men with a history of cannabis use experienced “significantly less cognitive decline” over their lifetimes compared to non-users.
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Nov 19 2024

Study: Injectable CBD-Loaded Microparticles Show Promise in Nerve Injury Repair

Researchers from Texas A&M International University and several Iranian universities have unveiled a novel approach to peripheral nerve tissue repair, employing injectable hyaluronic acid-based microparticles loaded with cannabidiol (CBD).

The study, published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, highlights the potential of these biomimetic microparticles in regenerating damaged nerve tissue.

The team used a microfluidic device to create hydrogel microparticles through horseradish peroxidase-mediated crosslinking in a water-in-oil emulsion system. These microparticles, composed of phenol-substituted hyaluronic acid (HAPh), CBD, and laccase, exhibited favorable physical properties, including controlled swelling, mechanical durability, and sustained CBD release, making them ideal for tissue engineering and targeted drug delivery.
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