Oct 21 2024

Study: Psilocybin Reduces Heroin Relapse in Animal Model

A study published recently in the peer reviewed journal Molecular Psychiatry found that psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, may help reduce heroin-seeking behavior.

Psilocybin mushroom.

Researchers from Temple University conducted experiments to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin on opioid addiction, particularly focusing on relapse behavior following heroin self-administration.

In the study, rats were given heroin at 0.075 mg/kg/infusion, followed by a period of forced abstinence. Psilocybin, along with 5-HT2A receptor antagonists ketanserin and volinanserin, was administered to test its impact on heroin-seeking behavior. The researchers found that while psilocybin did not reduce heroin intake, a single dose of 3.0 mg/kg significantly reduced cue-induced heroin-seeking behavior four to 24 hours after administration. On the other hand, the 5-HT2A receptor antagonists exacerbated heroin relapse.
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Oct 21 2024

New Poll Finds 50% of Utah Voters Support Legalizing Recreational Marijuana, 88% Support Medical Marijuana

New polling reveals that half of Utah voters now back the full legalization of recreational marijuana.

Conducted by Noble Predictive Insights and funded by the Utah Patients Coalition, the survey found that 50% of voters in the state support legalizing recreational cannabis. An additional 38% of respondents favor medical cannabis only, while just 9% believe marijuana should remain illegal. Three percent were undecided.

The poll highlighted a generational divide in opinions on recreational cannabis. Support is highest among younger voters, with 60% of those under 40 backing legalization. Meanwhile, only 29% of voters over the age of 65 support it, with the majority favoring medical use. Middle-aged Utahns showed a near-even split, with 49% supporting recreational legalization.
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Oct 21 2024

Catholic Church and GOP Join Forces to Oppose Florida’s Marijuana Legalization Initiative

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has released a public policy statement officially endorsing the No on Amendment 3 campaign, which is being led by Governor Ron DeSantis (R).

“Legalizing marijuana makes it more accessible, removes the criminal penalties and stigma attributable to it, and creates the impression that it is safe to use”, states the group.”Taken together, these factors ultimately lead to increased use of the drug—by as much as 20% in adults.”

The group, which calls itself “the nonpartisan public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Florida”, also brings up fears regarding marijuana’s potency, saying:
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Oct 21 2024

Alaska’s Marijuana Regulator Resigns

Alaska’s executive director of the Alaska Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office (AMCO), the state’s top marijuana and alcohol regulator, has resigned.

Joan Wilson has officially resigned from her role and is set to take on a new position as a judge in the Office of Administrative Hearings. Her new agency will oversee disputes and challenges related to administrative actions across the state, according to the Alaska Beacon.

Wilson’s departure comes after serving as head of the AMCO since April 2022. She was appointed by Governor Mike Dunleavy, who praised her 25 years of experience as both a civil and criminal law attorney at the time of her selection. Wilson succeeded Glen Klinkhart, who had held the role permanently since March 2021 after serving as interim director beginning in late 2019.
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Oct 21 2024

Trulieve Opens 155th Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Florida, Sixth in Orlando

Trulieve Cannabis Corp, a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the U.S., recently announced the opening of a new medical cannabis dispensary in Orlando, Florida.

Trulieve Orlando West Colonial, located at 7225 West Colonial Drive, Unit 100.

A grand opening celebration will be held for the new outlet (7225 West Colonial Drive, Unit 100) on Friday, October 25, beginning at 9 a.m., featuring music, specials, discounts, and opportunities to register for upcoming patient education sessions as well as learn about #YesOn3 and the ballot initiative to legalize adult cannabis use in Florida.

“This new dispensary offers greater convenience to patients and caregivers in the Orlando area,” said Trulieve’s Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers. “We look forward to serving customers in western Orange County with affordable, high-quality products and outstanding customer service.”
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Oct 21 2024

2024 Statewide Cannabis Ballot Initiatives: A Overview by the Marijuana Policy Project

Next month, four states will consider initiatives to legalize recreational or medical marijuana.

Below is a breakdown of these four measures, provided by the Marijuana Policy Project.
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Oct 21 2024

Massachusetts: Senator Elizabeth Warren Endorses Initiative to Legalize Psychedelics

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has announced her support for Massachusetts’ Question 4, a ballot initiative that would legalize certain psychedelics.

During a debate with Republican challenger John Deaton, Warren expressed cautious support for the measure, highlighting the importance of taking time to implement thoughtful regulations. Deaton opposed the initiative, arguing that Massachusetts should prioritize addressing the opioid crisis, though he indicated support for allowing certain psychedelics for medical use under a doctor’s supervision.

Question 4, set for a November 5 vote, would allow adults 21 and older to possess, grow, and share small amounts of certain psychedelics. Backed by the Massachusetts for Mental Health Options (MMHO), the initiative includes a two-year development phase and provisions for ongoing data collection and regulation adjustments.
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Oct 21 2024

Arkansas Supreme Court Blocks Votes on Medical Marijuana Initiative, Citing Misleading Language

The Arkansas Supreme Court has ruled that votes for a ballot measure seeking to expand the state’s medical marijuana program will not be counted due to concerns about the initiative’s wording.

The court found the language of the proposal misleading, citing that voters were not fully informed of its potential consequences.

In a narrow 4-3 decision, the court determined that the proposed amendment did not make clear that it would limit the state legislature’s authority to modify Arkansas’ 2016 medical marijuana law. The initiative also sought to expand the types of medical professionals who could certify patients, add more qualifying conditions, allow patients to grow their own marijuana, and extend the validity of medical cannabis cards to three years.
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Oct 21 2024

Marijuana Rescheduling: DEA’s Public Hearing Takes Place in 6 Weeks, Final Ruling Expected to Come Soon After

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is set to hold a public hearing in six weeks on December 2 regarding its proposal to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.

The DEA announced the hearing in August, stating, “This is notice that the Drug Enforcement Administration will hold a hearing with respect to the proposed rescheduling of marijuana into schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.” The rescheduling proposal was initially published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2024.

The hearing is scheduled to take place at 700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA, starting at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. Participants interested in speaking at the event were required to submit a notice of participation by September 30. The DEA also noted that the hearing could be moved to a different location or continued on subsequent days without prior notice, depending on the presiding officer’s discretion.
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Oct 20 2024

Willie Nelson to Host Rally in Support of Kamala Harris and Dallas Marijuana Initiative

Willie Nelson, a 15-time Grammy winner, is ramping up his advocacy for cannabis reform with a special event in support of Vice President Kamala Harris as Election Day nears.

On October 24, the country music legend will host a Zoom event from his Luck Ranch in Texas, focused on rallying support for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota’s Democratic nominee Tim Walz, as well as a marijuana decriminalization initiative being considered in Dalas. The event will feature a notable guest list, including Whoopi Goldberg, Governor Jared Polis, and Representative Brittany Pettersen, all discussing the importance of cannabis reform in America.

Nelson has long been a vocal supporter of marijuana legalization. In his statement about the upcoming event, he emphasized that “cannabis is a path to healing, opportunity, and justice,” pointing out the need to end federal prohibition. Nelson has faced multiple arrests over the years for marijuana possession.
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