Apr 25 2023

Minnesota Marijuana Legalization Bill Passed by Full House of Representatives

A Minnesota bill to legalize recreational marijuana has been passed by the state’s full House of Representatives by a vote of 71 to 59.

The House’s approval of HF 100 comes after the measure was passed through 15 different committees. A companion bill in the Senate (SF 73) has been passed by nearly as many committees, with the Finance Committee serving as the last stop before it can be considered by the full chamber.

Although the two measures differ slightly due to committee amendments, both would legalize the possession of up to two ounces of marijuana and the personal cultivation of up to eight marijuana plants for those who are at least 21 years old. Marijuana and marijuana products would be sold through licensed marijuana retail outlets, with regulations and licensing overseen by a newly created Office of Cannabis Management.
Continue reading

Apr 25 2023

Bipartisan Maine Bill Would Legalize Marijuana Delivery Services, Allow Marijuana Advertisements

Legislation filed last week by Maine Representative David Boyer would legalize marijuana delivery services and would allow marijuana companies to advertise under the same rules as alcohol products.

According to the official summary of HP 1079, it “allows adult use cannabis and cannabis product stores, certain cultivators and products manufacturers to operate a delivery service to commercial locations, including locations operated as short-term rental properties”.

The proposal also “allows an adult use cannabis and cannabis product licensee to advertise, market and display signs promoting the licensee’s business and products in a manner no more restricted than the sale or promotion of alcohol, tobacco products or prescription drugs is restricted. This bill allows signs for adult use cannabis and adult use cannabis products on the exterior of motor vehicles.”
Continue reading

Apr 25 2023

Study: Chronic CBD Use Reduces Blood Pressure in Those With Hypertension

According to a randomized, placebo-controlled study, “chronic administration of CBD reduces ambulatory blood pressure in those with untreated and treated hypertension.” In addition, a “lack of serious AEs (adverse effects) implies safety and tolerability”.

The study was conducted by researchers at the University Hospital of Split and the University of Split School of Medicine, both in Croatia. It’s being published in the upcoming issue of the peer-reviewed journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, with the abstract published ahead of print by the US National Library of Medicine.

The primary aim of this randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, and crossover study “was to examine the influence of chronic CBD on 24-h ambulatory BP [blood pressure] and arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients.”
Continue reading

Apr 24 2023

Nevada Assembly Passes Resolution Urging Feds to Deschedule Marijuana

Nevada’s full Assembly has overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling on the federal government to remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances.

Nevada Assembly Joint Resolution 8 was passed today by a vote of 37 to 5, sending it to the Senate for consideration. The resolution was filed by State Representative Reuben D’Silva along with a bipartisan coalition of 35 cosponsors.

“[T]he members of the 82nd Session of the Nevada Legislature hereby urge Congress to support legislation to remove cannabis from schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act”, states the resolution.
Continue reading

Apr 24 2023

Study Finds CBD Prevents Osteoporosis in an Animal Model and Increases Cell Viability and Proliferation

The marijuana compound cannabidiol (CBD) may be useful for those with osteoporosis, according to a new study.

(Photo Credit: Tinnakorn Jorruang/Getty Images Plus)

The study is being published in the journal Calcified Tissue International, and it was epublished online ahead of print by the National Library of Medicine, with the title Non-psychoactive Cannabidiol Prevents Osteoporosis in an Animal Model and Increases Cell Viability, Proliferation, and Osteogenic Gene Expression in Human Skeletal Stem and Progenitor Cells.

“CBD is marketed as a potential therapeutic agent and has been studied for its roles in reducing inflammation and managing neuropathic pain”, states the study’s abstract. “Some studies have reported that CB1 and CB2 receptor activation can attenuate and reverse bone loss in experimental animal models. Despite this, little is known about the impact of CBD on fracture healing.
Continue reading

Apr 24 2023

Study: Worms Get the Munchies From Marijuana Just Like Humans

According to a new study published in the journal Current Biology, cannabinoids give worms the munchies just as they do humans.

“Cannabinoids make nematodes [roundworms] hungrier for their favored foods and less hungry for their non-favored foods,” said study co-author Shawn Lockery in a press release. “Thus, the effects of cannabinoids in nematodes parallels the effects of marijuana on human appetites.”

Lockery notes that “Nematodes diverged from the lineage leading to mammals more than 500 million years ago. It is truly remarkable that the effects of cannabinoids on appetite are preserved through this length of evolutionary time.”
Continue reading

Apr 24 2023

The American Pharmacists Association Endorses Decriminalizing All Drugs

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has passed a resolution endorsing the decriminalization of all drugs for personal use.

Founded in 1852, the APhA is the nation’s first professional society of pharmacists and currently consists of more than 62,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in the profession.

The group’s 2023 House of Delegates recently voted in favor an amendment to their existing policy that states “APhA supports decriminalization of the personal possession or personal use of illicit drug substances or paraphernalia.
Continue reading

Apr 24 2023

North Carolina House May Soon Consider Senate-Approved Medical Marijuana Bill, Says House Speaker

In March North Carolina’s Senate voted 36 to 10 to pass a medical marijuana legalization bill, sending it to the House. The House could begin debate on the measure within the next month according to House Speaker Tim Moore.

Under Senate Bill 3 –  the “Compassionate Care Act” – those with a “debilitating medical condition” such as cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and post-traumatic stress disorder would be allowed to possess and consume medical marijuana and marijuana products if they receive a recommendation from a licensed physician. Although the House in previous years has failed to act on medical marijuana legislation, Republican House Speaker Tim Moore thinks that could change this year.

“We have not voted on it yet in caucus”, Moore said in a recent interview. “I get the sense that there is a decent amount of support for medicinal use of cannabis. I don’t know that count but I suspect it will be a divided vote, much like the healthcare expansion legislation was”.
Continue reading

Apr 24 2023

Four New Jersey Cops to File Lawsuit After Being Fired for Marijuana Use

Four police officers in Jersey City, New Jersey say they plan to sue the city after being fired for off-the-job marijuana use.

The four officers have already filed civil service complaints and plan to file lawsuits in the coming days. The officers were fired for legally purchasing and consuming marijuana while off work. A recent memo from Attorney General Matthew Platkin clarified that employees, including government positions like police officers, should not be fired or face disciplinary actions for testing positive for marijuana they use while not at work.

The officers are seeking to be fully reinstated to their position with back pay, according to their attorney Peter Paris, who also serves as legal counsel for the Jersey City Police Officer Benevolent Association. The officers have chose to thus far remain anonymous.
Continue reading

Apr 24 2023

Two New Polls Show 64% of Americans Support Legalizing Marijuana

Two separate nationwide polls, released around the same time, have came to the same conclusion – a large majority of Americans want marijuana to be legal.

According to a CBS News poll released on April 20, 64% of Americans support the legalization of recreational marijuana. This includes a majority of Republicans at 53%, with support even higher among independents (66%) and Democrats (73%). Interestingly the CBS poll found that 53% of Americans believe that “using marijuana openly is socially acceptable.”

The poll found that at least 28% of Americans live near a recreational marijuana businesses, and 62% support having such a store in their neighborhood. The CBS poll was conducted between April 14 and April 18 with a margin of error of +/- 3.5%.
Continue reading