Nov 22 2024

Minnesota’s Cannabis License Lottery to Grant 200 Preapprovals Next Week, Out of Over 600 Applicants

Hundreds of applicants seeking cannabis business licenses in Minnesota will learn their fate on Tuesday as the state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) conducts a lottery to award preapprovals.

(Photo credit: Vicente LLP).

This initiative, part of a social equity program, is designed to support individuals disproportionately impacted by past marijuana prohibition, veterans, and residents of high-poverty areas.

In 2023, Minnesota lawmakers legalized marijuana for adults 21 and older, creating a regulated system for retail outlets supplied by licensed growers and processors. Possession and cultivation became legal in August 2023, with over 3,000 business licenses already preapproved. Additionally, the University of Minnesota School of Public Health launched the state’s first Cannabis Research Center in August, funded by a $2.5 million state appropriation.
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Nov 22 2024

Marijuana and THC Improve Working Memory in Aging, Finds Animal Study

With marijuana use surging among older adults, researchers are uncovering how it may influence age-related cognitive decline.

A new study, published by the National Library of Medicine and as a preprint in bioRxiv, reveals that cannabis and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9THC) may enhance working memory in aged individuals without worsening other cognitive impairments.

The study concluded that “cannabis and Δ9THC can attenuate working memory impairments that emerge in aging” while not exacerbating hippocampus-related cognitive decline.
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Nov 22 2024

Here’s the Most Popular Marijuana Strains in Ohio Right Now

As Ohio’s legal cannabis market continues to evolve, certain strains have emerged as favorites among consumers.

Ohio began licensed recreational marijuana sales on August 7. Since then, the emerging market has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in sales. Drawing from recent data and trends, here are the top 10 most popular marijuana strains in Ohio:
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Nov 21 2024

Sacramento, California Approves Pilot Program for Social Cannabis Consumption

The Sacramento City Council has approved an ordinance establishing a pilot program to permit social cannabis consumption at designated locations.

The program will allow permitted dispensaries to apply for licenses enabling on-site use of cannabis products, marking a significant step for the city’s cannabis industry.

Dispensaries can apply for two types of permits under the new program. Type 1 permits allow for the consumption of cannabis-infused food and beverages, while Type 2 permits also permit smoking cannabis products such as flower, pre-rolls, and concentrates, provided businesses meet ventilation requirements. Applicants must submit plans addressing operations, impaired driving prevention, and compliance with local and state safety regulations. Patrons must be 21 or older to enter consumption lounges.
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Nov 21 2024

Study: Medical Marijuana Associated with Sustained Pain Relief and Improved Sleep in Chronic Pain Patients

A recent study featured in the journal Pain Practice reveals that individuals living with chronic pain experience significant and sustained relief in pain severity and related symptoms through the use of medical marijuana.

Drawing on data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry, the research tracked patient-reported outcomes over a 12-month period, shedding light on the therapeutic potential of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) for managing both chronic pain and sleep-related challenges.

British researchers evaluated 1,139 chronic pain patients who were prescribed either cannabis flower or oil extracts. Patients were grouped based on their baseline sleep quality, categorized as either sleep-impaired or unimpaired. Researchers assessed changes in several metrics, including sleep quality, anxiety, pain severity, and overall health-related quality of life, at intervals of one, three, six, and 12 months.
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Nov 21 2024

Kentucky to Launch Medical Marijuana Program December 1: Over 150 Doctors Ready

Starting December 1, qualified patients in Kentucky will be able to obtain doctor recommendations to access medical marijuana, according to Governor Andy Beshear.

This marks a major milestone for the state, following the governor’s signing of medical marijuana legislation last year.

State regulators have been building the medical marijuana program in preparation for its rollout. Over 150 doctors are already certified to issue recommendations, with the number steadily increasing. To streamline the process, the state has launched the “Kentucky Medical Cannabis Practitioner Directory,” an online portal that helps patients locate certified practitioners by city, county, or specialty.
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Nov 21 2024

Georgia Senate Study Committee Recommends $5 Million for Psychedelic Research to Aid Veterans

The Georgia Senate Study Committee on Veterans’ Mental Health and Housing has urged state officials to allocate $5 million for research into the use of psychedelic drugs like MDMA and psilocybin as potential treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

MDMA (left) and psilocybin mushrooms (right).

The recommendations, presented during Wednesday’s meeting, highlight the growing interest in psychedelics for addressing mental health issues.

MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, and psilocybin, the active compound in “magic mushrooms”, are gaining traction in clinical settings for their therapeutic potential. Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed a new drug application for MDMA capsules as a PTSD treatment. However, in August, the FDA requested additional safety and efficacy studies from biotech firm Lykos Therapeutics. Despite this, Georgia lawmakers remain optimistic about the benefits these therapies could provide for veterans.
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Nov 21 2024

Oakland City Council Votes Unanimously to Exempt Marijuana from Residential Smoking Ban

The Oakland City Council has unanimously voted to exempt cannabis from a proposed ordinance that would prohibit smoking in multi-unit residential buildings.

The ordinance was approved 6 to 0 through its first reading, with two members abstaining. A final decision is set for December 3.

The cannabis exemption was strongly opposed by the state’s anti-smoking lobby, funded by the tobacco tax. They argued that second-hand marijuana smoke is as dangerous as tobacco smoke and poses unacceptable hazards to people in neighboring apartments.
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Nov 21 2024

Study: Marijuana-Based Medicines Show Promise for Treating Peripheral Neuropathy

According to a new study, marijuana-based medicines show promise in treating peripheral neuropathy, a chronic and debilitating condition often resistant to traditional nonsurgical treatments.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Virginia, explored the potential of cannabis-based medications for managing pain and symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy, including cases caused by nerve injury, trauma, and other noncompressive etiologies. The findings were published online by the US National Library of Medicine.

Using a systematic search of databases such as PubMed, Cochrane, Ovid Medline, and CINAHL, the researchers identified 14 randomized controlled trials from 927 initial studies. The review evaluated study design, medication, dosage, and effects on neuropathic pain, alongside secondary outcomes such as sleep, sensory symptoms, and quality of life. From these, a meta-analysis of seven studies revealed a statistically significant reduction in neuropathic pain scores, with a mean difference of −0.67 on a 0–10 scale compared to placebo.
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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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