Oct 23 2022

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Who Use Marijuana Report Decreased Emergency Room Visits

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology has found that those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) report improved symptoms and fewer emergency room visits following marijuana use.

Conducted by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Northwestern University and Stony Brook University Hospital, the objective of the study according to its abstract was to “investigate medical cannabis (MC) use patterns and adverse effects in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).”

A cross-sectional anonymous survey was conducted (October 23, 2020 to January 24, 2021) among patients accessing medical cannabis (MC) dispensaries in New York and Minnesota. The eligibility criteria was those age 18 years or older with a IBD diagnosis and who purchases marijuana from a dispensary.
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Oct 21 2022

CBD Mitigated Neuronal Damage Induced by Kainate In an In-Vitro Seizure Model

Cannabidiol (CBD) mitigated the neuronal damage caused by kainate in an in-vitro seizure model, according to a new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Neurobiology of Disease.

The study states that epilepsy “is one of the most common brain disorder and, despite the possible use of several therapeutic options, many patients continue to have seizures for their entire lifespan and they need new therapeutic approaches.” In recent years “the interest on the non-psychoactive compounds present in Cannabis sativa has massively increased, and cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of different types of neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases such as epilepsy, ischemia, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s Disease.”

For the study researchers “investigated the effects of the selected cannabinoids, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD and cannabigerol (CBG) in rat organotypic hippocampal slices exposed to kainate, an in vitro seizure model.”
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Oct 21 2022

Report: Global Legal Marijuana Market Valued at $27 Billion, to Grow to $82 Billion by 2027

Despite marijuana remaining illegal in many parts of the world, the global legal marijuana market is now valued at $27.7 billion and is expected to grow to over $80 billion by 2027.

The global cannabis market is estimated to be valued at $27.7 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $82.3 billion by 2027, recording a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.3% in terms of value, according to the Global Cannabis Market Report by Research and Markets.

The growing marijuana market is “driven by the rise in the use of cannabis for recreational and medical use.” Moreover, “there has been an increased legalization of cannabis in the US in states like Virginia in 2021 and Rhode Island in 2022 and in other countries like in Malta in 2021, and Thailand in 2018.”
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Oct 21 2022

Cannabis Extracts May Help Treat Dermatophytosis and Other Skin Diseases

A new study has found that cannabis extracts “may be of value to treat dermatophytosis and other skin diseases caused by various microorganisms.”

Published in the journal  Frontiers in Microbiology, the study was conducted by researchers at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague and Charles University, both in Czechia.

“Cannabis preparations are gaining popularity among patients with various skin diseases. Due to the lack of scientific evidence, dermatologists remain cautious about their prescriptions”, states the study. “So far, only a few studies have been published about the effects of high-potency cannabis extracts on microorganisms (especially dermatophytes) causing skin problems that affect more than 25% of the worldwide population.”
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Oct 21 2022

Some Cannabinoids Have Toxic Effect on Colon Polyps, Says New Study

An International Journal of Molecular Sciences study has found that cannabinoids have a toxic effect on colon polyps, indicating therapeutic potential in battling colon cancer cells.

“Purified cannabinoids have been shown to prevent proliferation and induce apoptosis in colorectal carcinoma cell lines”, claims the abstract of the study. The primary objective was to “assess the cytotoxic effect of cannabinoid extracts and purified cannabinoids on both colorectal polyps and normal colonic cells, as well as their synergistic interaction.”

For the study, various cannabinoid blends were tested to identify the optimal synergistic effect.  Biopsies from polyps and healthy colonic tissue were obtained from 22 patients undergoing colonic polypectomies.
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Oct 21 2022

Report: CBD Oil Market Valued at $2.42 Billion, to Grow to Over $15 Billion by 2028

According to a new report by Insight partners, the market for cannabidiol (CBD) oil has grown to $2.42 billion, and is expected to surpass $15 billion within the next six years.

The CBD Oil Market report found that the CBD oil market size is expected to grow from USD 2.42 billion in 2021 to USD 15.66 billion by 2028; it is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.2% from 2022 to 2028.

“Aurora Cannabis Inc.; Endoca; Medical Marijuana, Inc.; Nuleaf Naturals, LLC; Elixinol Global Limited; CV Sciences, Inc.; Canopy Growth, and Folium Biosciences are the leading market players profiled during the study”, states the report. “Several other major companies were also analyzed during the course study to get a holistic view of the global CBD oil market.”
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Oct 20 2022

Colorado Votes Next Month on Initiative to Legalize Psychedelics

Colorado voters in just 24 days will be deciding whether or not to legalize psychedelics, including licensed healing centers, making them just the second state to do so following Oregon.

Proposition 122 is on the November 8th ballot in Colorado. The measure would decriminalize the possession, cultivation, consumption and sharing (for those aged 21 and older) of the following hallucinogenic/entheogenic plants and fungi, which are currently classified as Schedule I controlled substances under state law:

  • dimethyltryptamine (DMT);
  • ibogaine;
  • mescaline (excluding peyote);
  • psilocybin*; and
  • psilocyn*.
*Hallucinogenic chemicals found in magic mushrooms

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Oct 20 2022

Study: Anxiolytic Effects of CBD on Frontline Health Care Workers Maintains for Up to a Month

The anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects of CBD in frontline health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic were maintained up to 1 month after the treatment discontinuation, “suggesting a persistent decrease in anxiety in this group in the real world”.

This is according to a new study published by the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology, and epublished by the National Institute of Health. The study is titled Maintained anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol after treatment discontinuation in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The objective of the study was to “assess whether the effects of oral administration of 300 mg of Cannabidiol (CBD) for 28 days on mental health are maintained for a period after the medication discontinuation.”
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Oct 20 2022

Study: Cancer Patients with Refractory Pain May Find Relief With Oral Marijuana Spray

A new study published in the journal PLOS One has found that terminal cancer patients with refractory pain respond favorably to a marijuana spray containing equal parts THC and CBD.

“This pilot study aimed to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and exploratory analgesic effect of a novel water-soluble oro-buccal nanoparticle spray of a cannabis-based medicine in patients with advanced incurable malignancy with unrelieved pain from opioid analgesic”, states the study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney.

For this multi-stage study, participants received a marijuana spray containing 2.5 mgs of THC and 2.5 mgs of CBD.
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Oct 20 2022

Australian Capital Territory Decriminalizes Drug Possession

The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory passed legislation today to decriminalize the possession of eight different drugs including MDMA, cocaine, psilocybin and LSD.

The Australian Capital Territory.

The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory passed the legislation by a vote of 13 to 6. The measure was introduced by Labor Party MP Michael Pettersson. The Australian Capital Territory houses Canberra, Australia’s capital.

The new law will take effect in October of next year, and will decriminalize the possession of cocaine (1.5 grams), heroin (2 grams), MDMA (3 grams), methamphetamine (1.5 grams), amphetamine (2 grams), psilocybin (2 grams), lysergic acid (2 milligrams) and LSD (2 milligrams). Under the law those caught with these drugs would receive a $100 AUD fine rather than jail time. The fine could be waived if the person voluntarily completes a drug diversion program.
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