Oct 23 2024

Alabama Judge Appoints Mediator in Medical Marijuana Licensing Dispute

A judge has appointed a mediator to address the ongoing legal battle over Alabama’s medical marijuana licensing.

Montgomery Circuit Judge James Anderson named retired Circuit Judge Eugene Reese as the mediator in an effort to resolve disputes between companies vying for licenses to grow and sell medical cannabis, reports the Associated Press. Anderson emphasized that mediation could lead to a “speedy and just resolution.”

Although Alabama lawmakers approved a medical cannabis program in 2021, legal challenges have delayed its implementation. The dispute revolves around the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission’s process of awarding licenses. Companies denied licenses have accused the commission of violating state law, prompting the court to block the third attempt at issuing licenses in July.
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Oct 23 2024

Poll: 56% of Voters in Kansas Support Legalizing Recreational Marijuana, Just 30% Oppose

According to the results of newly released polling, a strong majority of voters in Kansas support legalizing recreational marijuana.

The Emerson College Poll, which covered Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska, asked participants “Would you support or oppose Kansas legalizing recreational marijuana?”

For Kansas voters, 56% said they support the measure, with 30% opposed and 14% undecided. If all 14% who are undecided chose to oppose legalization, the issue would still have a double-digit lead in support.
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Oct 23 2024

Poll Shows 59% of Nebraska Voters Back Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiatives

A recent poll found that 59% of Nebraska voters plan to support the legalization of medical marijuana in the upcoming general election.

On the November 5 ballot are two medical marijuana-related measures that serve as companions.

The first measure, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act, would provide legal protections for patients and healthcare providers who recommend medical marijuana. The second initiative, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act, would allow for the licensed distribution of cannabis to qualified patients, establishing a state commission to oversee its regulation.
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Oct 23 2024

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

As of October 2024, Oregon marijuana stores are seeing some familiar favorites retain popularity alongside emerging strains.

Gelato.

The state’s diverse cannabis market continues to reflect trends seen across the U.S., particularly in California and Washington, while also showing a distinct regional flair. Here are the strains making waves in Oregon right now, using data from Leafly and the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.
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Oct 23 2024

Delaware to Begin Lottery for Issuing Marijuana Business Licenses on Thursday

Delaware is advancing its plans to regulate the legal marijuana industry, with the Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner (OMC) preparing to hold a lottery for business licenses.

A total of 727 applications have been approved to participate, significantly exceeding the number of licenses available. The lottery is set to begin on Thursday and will be livestreamed on the OMC’s Facebook page.

The first round of lotteries will focus on licenses for cultivation, manufacturing, and testing. Each county will have its own lottery. Additionally, due to the overwhelming number of applications for retail licenses, a separate lottery for this category will be held in December.
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Oct 23 2024

Study: CBD Improves Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Adults with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

According to the results of a new study conducted by researchers from the National University Arturo Jauretche in Argentina, CBD is “effective and safe” in combatting drug-resistant epilepsy.

Researchers “conducted a prospective, observational, open cohort study, with a before-after design, in adult patients, we assessed the effectiveness, dosage, and tolerance of adjunctive CBD treatment.” The results were published in the journal Epilepsy & Behavior.

The aim of this study “was to evaluate, in the same patient population that was part of a previous observational study, depression, quality of life, anxious symptoms and daytime sleepiness before and after CBD treatment.”
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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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