Jul 17 2023

Study: CBD Reduces Seizure Frequency and May Have a “Wide Range of Beneficial Effects”

A new study published by the Journal of Child Neurology has found that “in addition to reduced seizure frequency, CBD may have a wide range of beneficial effects beyond seizure control that warrant further investigation.”

The objective of the study was to “increase understanding of the impact of cannabidiol (CBD) on outcomes beyond seizure control among individuals with Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.”

Qualitative interviews were conducted with caregivers of individuals with Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome treated with plant-derived, highly purified CBD medicine (Epidiolex in the USA; Epidyolex in Europe; 100 mg/mL oral solution). Symptoms and impacts of Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome on individuals were explored, as were the effects of CBD. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
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Jul 16 2023

Idaho Group Aims to Put Medical Marijuana Initiative on 2024 Ballot

A group called Kind Idaho is working to put their medical marijuana legalization initiative to a vote of the people in 2024.

Kind Idaho’s initiative would legalize medical marijuana for those with a qualifying condition who receive a recommendation from a physician. The possession limit would be set at four ounces, with patients allowed to grow up to six plants for personal use. The initiative would also establish a licensed and regulated system of medical marijuana dispensaries.

The initiative campaign is funded in part by the Marijuana Policy Project, a group that has led successful initiatives to legalize medical and recreational marijuana in numerous states. The language of Kind Idaho’s initiative is identical the initiative proposed by Idaho Citizens Coalition in 2020 and 2022 (the Coalition “gifted” the initiative to Kind Idaho so they could lead the new effort).
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Jul 15 2023

North Carolina Tribe May Legalize Recreational Marijuana, Open Medical Marijuana Superstore to All

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) will soon vote on whether or not to legalize recreational marijuana for everyone 21 and older.

The EBCI, located on 57,000 acres in the western part North Carolina, legalized medical marijuana in 2021. The tribe recently began accepting applications for those wanting to become patients for their soon-to-open medical marijuana superstore, which is a refurbished bingo hall the tribe spent $50 million to renovate. At the moment the application process is open to anyone 18 and older, regardless of whether or not they’re a member of the tribe. Although a person applying would need to have one of around 20 medical conditions, no doctor’s recommendation is required.

The requirement to have a medical condition may soon vanish, with the EBCI Tribal Council voting to place a referendum on the September 7 general election ballot that would legalize recreational marijuana for everyone 21 and older, with no requirement to be a member of the EBCI.
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Jul 14 2023

Michigan: Record-Breaking $260 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in June

There was over a quarter billion dollars in legal marijuana sold in June in Michigan, a new monthly record.

Michigan marijuana sales reached $260.8 million in June, the highest single-month of legal marijuana sales in the state’s history. This marks a 6% increase from the total sales in May, and an almost 40% increase from June, 2022.

Of the $260 million in legal marijuana sold, just $6.6 million was purchased by medical marijuana patients, with the remaining $254 million sold to recreational consumers.
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Jul 14 2023

Study: Marijuana Enhances Runner’s High

According to a new study marijuana use prior to running is associated with greater feelings of enjoyment and tranquility.

The study is titled Running High: Cannabis Users’ Subjective Experience of Exercise During Legal Market Cannabis Use Versus No Use in a Naturalistic Setting, and is published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. The study was also published online by the US National Library of Medicine, and it was conducted by researchers at University of Colorado’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience.

“The use of cannabis with various forms of exercise (e.g., running) has received increased media attention in recent years, contradicting the popular stereotype that cannabis is associated with sedentary behavior”, states the study’s abstract. “Although cross-sectional evidence suggests a positive association between cannabis use and exercise engagement, to date, the acute effects of cannabis on exercise remain unclear.”
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Jul 14 2023

Study: In Cancer Patients Sustained Marijuana Use Associated With Improvements in Sleep, Cognitive Function and Pain Levels

According to a new study “Sustained cannabis use was associated with improvements in pain intensity, pain interference, sleep quality, subjective cognitive function, and reaction times” in cancer patients.

“Given the myriad of negative sequalae associated with cancer and its treatment, the palliative use of cannabis by cancer patients is increasingly of special interest”, states the study’s abstract, published in the journal Open Exploration. “This research sought to explore associations of acute and sustained use of legal market edible cannabis products on pain, cognition, and quality of life in a group of cancer patients.”

In this observational study, “cancer patients completed a baseline appointment, a two-week ad libitum cannabis use period, and an acute administration appointment that included assessments before cannabis use, one-hour post-use, and two-hour post-use.” Participants completed self-report questionnaires related to the primary outcomes and the Stroop task as a measure of objective cognitive function.
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Jul 14 2023

Michigan Regulators Vote To End Pre-Employment Marijuana Testing for Government Workers

The Michigan Civil Service Commission has given approval to a change in rules that bans pre-employment marijuana testing for most government employees.

The commission approved the amendment to the rules unanimously. The change is retroactive in that it gives people who’ve already been penalized for testing positive for marijuana an opportunity to have the punishment reversed. Although the change was proposed in May, a required public comment period prevented the issue from being approved by the commission until now.

Commission Chair Jase Bolger says “we’re going to treat them the same” when it comes to alcohol and marijuana use.
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Jul 13 2023

Washington D.C. Now Prohibits Most Employers From Punishing Marijuana Consumers

A law has taken effect in Washington, D.C. that prohibits most private employers from punishing an individual for using marijuana while off the job.

The new law, which took effect today, prohibits employers “from firing, failing to hire, or taking other personnel actions against an individual for use of cannabis, participating in the medical cannabis program, or failure to pass an employer-required or requested cannabis drug test, unless the position is designated safety sensitive or for other enumerated reasons”.

Although the law applies to most jobs, it would not apply to certain positions such as police, jobs that require a commercial driver’s license and jobs “with the potential to significantly impact the health or safety of employees or members of the public”.
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Jul 13 2023

Colorado: In June $21 Million in Taxes Garnered From $120 Million in Legal Marijuana Sales

Colorado garnered over $22 million in taxes and fees from the legal marijuana industry in June.

According to the Colorado Department of Revenue, Colorado made $21,157,517 in tax revenue from the legal distribution of around $120 million worth of marijuana and marijuana products. The state made another $966,702 from marijuana fees, bringing the total revenue generated to $22,124,218. This is a slight increase from the $22.9 million made in May.

Colorado’s year-to-date marijuana tax total is now nearing $150 million. The total since the start of legal sales in 2014 is roughly $2.5 billion.
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Jul 13 2023

Study: Topical Cannabinoids Promote Hair Growth in Alopecia Patients

According to newly published research the daily administration of topical cannabinoids, including CBD, THCV, and CBDV, is associated with hair regrowth in patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

The study is published in the International Journal of Trichology, with epublication by the US National Library of Medicine.

According to the study’s abstract, it was “conducted on subjects with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), as follow-up to a prior published study using hemp extract high in CBD without CBDV or THCV.”

That study “showed an average 93.5% increase in hair numbers after 6 months of use. This subsequent study is being done to determine if daily topical application of a hemp-oil high in CBD, THCV, and CBDV concentrations would result in improved hair regrowth in the area of the scalp most affected by AGA.”
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