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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Jul 13 2023

New York Legislation Would Allow Out-of-State Patients to Take Part in Medical Marijuana Program

A New York lawmaker has filed legislation that would allow medical marijuana patients who live outside New York to take part in the state’s medical marijuana program while visiting.

Assemblymember Crystal Peoples-Stokes filed Assembly Bill 7826 last month, and it was swiftly assigned to the Assembly Health Committee.

The proposed law establishes reciprocity for out-of-state patients, allowing qualified medical marijuana card holders from other states to participate in New York’s medical marijuana program. This means that in accordance with local laws, tourists to New York who are qualified patients will be allowed to purchase marijuana and marijuana products from licensed dispensaries.
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Jul 12 2023

Hearing Scheduled for Massachusetts Bill to Legalize Curbside Marijuana Pickup

A legislative proposal that would allow marijuana stores in Massachusetts to sell marijuana via curbside pickup has been scheduled for a hearing on July 18.

The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy has scheduled a hearing at 10:30 AM on July 18 to consider House Bill 121. Under the proposed law, a marijuana establishment “may create retail drive-up curbside pickup for the sale of medical and recreational marijuana, including but not limited to both external and internal curbside pickup.”

The establishment “must seek approval from the town or city where the establishment is located. The establishment’s drive-up curbside pickup must be in compliance with all town or city ordinances regulating drive-up curbside pickup.”
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Jul 12 2023

Pennsylvania Senate Committee Votes to Allow Doctors to Recommend Medical Marijuana for Any Condition, Legalize Edibles

Pennsylvania’s Senate Law and Justice Committee has passed legislation that would allow physicians to recommend medical marijuana and medical marijuana products for any reason or ailment they see fit.

The committee voted 10 to 1 to move Senate Bill 835 to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Passage through Appropriations would allow the measure to be considered by the full Senate.

Filed by Republican Senator Mike Regan, who chairs the Law and Justice Committee, SB 835 would make Pennsylvania one of the only states to allow doctors to recommend medical marijuana for any ailment they deem it useful, rather than requiring the patient to have one of a set list of medical conditions. Under current Pennsylvania law someone must have one of 24 medical ailments in order to be legally recommended medical marijuana.
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Jul 12 2023

California Governor Signs Bill Allowing Marijuana to be Sold at Events Such as County Fairs

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law legislation that allows marijuana to be sold legally at a variety of events.

San Diego County Fair.

Assembly Bill 128 allows state regulators to issue licenses for Cannabis Event Organizers, which would be defined by law as “a licensee authorizing onsite cannabis sales to, and consumption by, persons 21 years of age or older at a county fair event, district agricultural association event, or at another venue expressly approved by a local jurisdiction.”

The proposal was signed into law by Governor Newsom on July 10. The measure was passed with overwhelming support in the state legislature, with a 75 to 1 vote in the Assembly and a 40 to 0 vote in the Senate.
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Jul 12 2023

Rhode Island: Another Record-Breaking Month With $9.1 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in June

For the second straight month marijuana sales in Rhode Island set a new monthly record.

There was $9,170,619.08 in legal marijuana and marijuana products sold in June throughout Rhode Island, according to data released by the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulations. This surpasses the $8.89 million sold in May, at the time a monthly record.

$2,877,986.35 of the $9.1 million sold in June was purchased by medical marijuana patients, with $6,401,678.67 being purchased by recreational consumers.
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