Oct 22 2024

University of North Florida Poll Finds 66% of Likely Voters Support Amendment 3 to Legalize Marijuana

A new poll from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) has found that a strong majority of Florida voters favor legalizing recreational marijuana, with support well above the 60% threshold for Amendment 3 to be enacted into law.

“After years of polling on marijuana in Florida, both medical and recreational, it is clear that the majority is in favor of legalization,” said PORL faculty director and professor of political science Dr. Michael Binder. “Closing in on election day, despite some heavy campaigning, we’re seeing support for this amendment and is on track to exceed the 60% supermajority required to pass.”

The poll found that Amendment 3 received “definitive support” with 66% of likely voters indicating a vote of “yes,” 30% who said they would vote “no,” and 4% who said they don’t know. Support for this amendment has increased by two percentage points since the last PORL statewide poll in July of this year, in which 64% of likely voters indicated a vote of “yes.”
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Oct 22 2024

Study: History of Cannabis Use Linked to Reduced Postoperative Opioid Use in Lumbar Fusion Patients

A retrospective study published in the Asian Spine Journal suggests that patients with a history of cannabis use may require fewer opioids after lumbar fusion surgery.

Conducted by researchers from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, University of Illinois, Yale School of Medicine, and the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, the purpose of the study was “To examine the effect of cannabis use history on postoperative opioid utilization in patients undergoing one- to three-level lumbar fusion for degenerative spine disease.”

The study involved reviewing over 153,000 patient records, with 1,216 patients matched into cannabis user and non-user groups using propensity score matching.
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Oct 22 2024

Minnesota’s Recreational Marijuana Market On Track to Launch in 2025

Minnesota is gearing up for the launch of its recreational marijuana market in 2025.

The state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has released a draft of the regulations outlining how licensed marijuana businesses will operate once the legal market is up and running, which the group says is still on track for next year, likely in the spring.

While the OCM is gathering feedback on a second draft of the rules, which are expected to be finalized by early 2025, many businesses are in a holding pattern until they can officially start operations.
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Oct 21 2024

Study: Phytocannabinoids ike CBD and THC May Relieve Anxiety and Fear Triggered by Seizures

According to the results of a new study, phytocannabinoids derived from marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), may help manage emotional comorbidities often associated with epilepsy, including anxiety and fear responses.

Researchers observed that seizures led to increased anxiety- and fear-like behaviors in rats, but these effects were reversed by administering CBD (via vapor) and THC (orally). The study highlights that emotional disturbances linked to epilepsy may result from decreased anandamide signaling in the brain’s amygdala, which can be mitigated by phytocannabinoids.

In addition to exploring the anticonvulsant effects of CBD and THC, the study focused on how these compounds may also treat emotional symptoms tied to epilepsy, which significantly reduce the quality of life in those affected. The research showed that blocking serotonin 1A receptors before CBD exposure neutralized its protective effects, emphasizing the potential role of serotonin pathways in emotional regulation.
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Oct 21 2024

Study: Psilocybin Reduces Heroin Relapse in Animal Model

A study published recently in the peer reviewed journal Molecular Psychiatry found that psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, may help reduce heroin-seeking behavior.

Psilocybin mushroom.

Researchers from Temple University conducted experiments to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin on opioid addiction, particularly focusing on relapse behavior following heroin self-administration.

In the study, rats were given heroin at 0.075 mg/kg/infusion, followed by a period of forced abstinence. Psilocybin, along with 5-HT2A receptor antagonists ketanserin and volinanserin, was administered to test its impact on heroin-seeking behavior. The researchers found that while psilocybin did not reduce heroin intake, a single dose of 3.0 mg/kg significantly reduced cue-induced heroin-seeking behavior four to 24 hours after administration. On the other hand, the 5-HT2A receptor antagonists exacerbated heroin relapse.
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Oct 21 2024

New Poll Finds 50% of Utah Voters Support Legalizing Recreational Marijuana, 88% Support Medical Marijuana

New polling reveals that half of Utah voters now back the full legalization of recreational marijuana.

Conducted by Noble Predictive Insights and funded by the Utah Patients Coalition, the survey found that 50% of voters in the state support legalizing recreational cannabis. An additional 38% of respondents favor medical cannabis only, while just 9% believe marijuana should remain illegal. Three percent were undecided.

The poll highlighted a generational divide in opinions on recreational cannabis. Support is highest among younger voters, with 60% of those under 40 backing legalization. Meanwhile, only 29% of voters over the age of 65 support it, with the majority favoring medical use. Middle-aged Utahns showed a near-even split, with 49% supporting recreational legalization.
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Oct 21 2024

Catholic Church and GOP Join Forces to Oppose Florida’s Marijuana Legalization Initiative

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has released a public policy statement officially endorsing the No on Amendment 3 campaign, which is being led by Governor Ron DeSantis (R).

“Legalizing marijuana makes it more accessible, removes the criminal penalties and stigma attributable to it, and creates the impression that it is safe to use”, states the group.”Taken together, these factors ultimately lead to increased use of the drug—by as much as 20% in adults.”

The group, which calls itself “the nonpartisan public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Florida”, also brings up fears regarding marijuana’s potency, saying:
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Oct 21 2024

Alaska’s Marijuana Regulator Resigns

Alaska’s executive director of the Alaska Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office (AMCO), the state’s top marijuana and alcohol regulator, has resigned.

Joan Wilson has officially resigned from her role and is set to take on a new position as a judge in the Office of Administrative Hearings. Her new agency will oversee disputes and challenges related to administrative actions across the state, according to the Alaska Beacon.

Wilson’s departure comes after serving as head of the AMCO since April 2022. She was appointed by Governor Mike Dunleavy, who praised her 25 years of experience as both a civil and criminal law attorney at the time of her selection. Wilson succeeded Glen Klinkhart, who had held the role permanently since March 2021 after serving as interim director beginning in late 2019.
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Oct 21 2024

Trulieve Opens 155th Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Florida, Sixth in Orlando

Trulieve Cannabis Corp, a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the U.S., recently announced the opening of a new medical cannabis dispensary in Orlando, Florida.

Trulieve Orlando West Colonial, located at 7225 West Colonial Drive, Unit 100.

A grand opening celebration will be held for the new outlet (7225 West Colonial Drive, Unit 100) on Friday, October 25, beginning at 9 a.m., featuring music, specials, discounts, and opportunities to register for upcoming patient education sessions as well as learn about #YesOn3 and the ballot initiative to legalize adult cannabis use in Florida.

“This new dispensary offers greater convenience to patients and caregivers in the Orlando area,” said Trulieve’s Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers. “We look forward to serving customers in western Orange County with affordable, high-quality products and outstanding customer service.”
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Oct 21 2024

2024 Statewide Cannabis Ballot Initiatives: A Overview by the Marijuana Policy Project

Next month, four states will consider initiatives to legalize recreational or medical marijuana.

Below is a breakdown of these four measures, provided by the Marijuana Policy Project.
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