Jan 03 2023

Study: CBD Suppresses Cytokine Storm and Protects Against Cardiac and Renal Injury Associated with Sepsis

According to the results of a new study cannabidiol (CBD) “could be repurposed to reduce morbidity in patients with cytokine storm particularly in severe infections such as sepsis.”

The study, titled Cannabidiol Suppresses Cytokine Storm and Protects Against Cardiac and Renal Injury Associated with Sepsis, is published in the most recent issue of the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoids Research and was epublished online ahead of print by the National Institute of Health. It was conducted by researchers from the University of Alberta in Canada and Qatar University in Quatar.

“Cytokine release syndrome, also termed “cytokine storm,” is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with various conditions such as sepsis”, states the study’s abstract. “While cytokine storm is associated with multiple organ damage, acute cardiac and renal injury represents a hallmark of cytokine storm.”
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Jan 01 2023

Over 40,000 Marijuana Convictions Automatically Erased in Connecticut

As of today, January 1, over 40,000 convictions for marijuana possession have been automatically expunged (erased) from people’s records.

“As of this morning, our administration has marked 42,964 cannabis convictions erased, as planned”, said Governor Ted Lamont in a public statement. “It’s one step forward in ending the War on Drugs and giving our citizens a second chance to achieve their dreams.”

As part of the expungements, those who have had a marijuana conviction erased may now tell employers, landlords, and schools that the conviction never occurred.

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Dec 30 2022

U.S. Virgin Islands Senate Votes 11 to 1 to Legalize Marijuana Sending it to Supportive Governor

Lawmakers from the U.S. Virgin Islands have passed legislature to legalize marijuana.

The legislation, filed by Senator Janelle Sarauw, was passed by the Senate in an overwhelming 11 to 1 vote. This sends the measure to Govenor Albert Bryan Jr., who has been a longtime proponent of legalizing marijuana and is expected to quickly sign it into law.

“Although there have been many politically driven false narratives about this cannabis legislation, I am proud of the work done by the Senators of the 34th Legislature, community stakeholders and advocates, all of who contributed to the structuring of the final bill voted upon in today’s Session,” said Senator Sarauw in a press release. “The body did its due diligence in protecting the masses and the best interest of our residents by ensuring that locals and minorities are not locked out of industry and have any opportunity to participate in its economic potential.”
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Dec 29 2022

Cannabis Products Associated With Reductions in Depression Severity at 1, 3, and 6 Months

Cannabis-based medicinal products are associated with a significant reduction in depression severity over the course of a six month examination period.

This is according to the findings of a study being published in the newest issue of the journal Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. The study was conducted by researchers at Kings College London, Imperial College London, St. George’s Hospital NHS Trust and the South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. The full text of the study can be found by clicking here.

The study included 129 patients treated with medicinal cannabis for depression at Sapphire Medical Clinics. The results showed that “medicinal cannabis was associated with improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as health-related quality of life, and sleep quality after 1, 3, and 6 months of treatment.”

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Dec 29 2022

Study Finds CBD “Has a Strong Inhibitory Effect Against Cariogenic Bacteria”

A new International Journal of Molecular Sciences study has found that the cannabis compound cannabidiol “has a strong inhibitory effect against cariogenic bacteria”.

Cariogenic bacteria is caused by biofilm-forming acidogenic bacteria that attacks dental enamel by converting sugar and starch into acids that dissolve out calcium from the enamel. This is one of the most prevalent human bacterial diseases.

Given that the “potential use of cannabidiol (CBD) in anti-bacterial therapies has recently emerged”, researchers “studied the anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activity of CBD against S. mutans.”
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Dec 29 2022

CBD Reduced the Severity of Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal in a New Animal Study

Cannabidiol reduced the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms of opioid withdrawal in male and female mice in a new study that researchers believe has strong implications for helping humans withdrawing from opioids.

As noted by the study’s researchers, although the negative symptoms of opioid withdrawal impacts potentially millions of people, there are “currently limited treatment options available for opioid withdrawal and cannabidiol (CBD) has been identified as a potential novel therapeutic.”

With that in mind, this study “explored the efficacy and dose dependency of CBD for reducing the severity of naloxone-precipitated and spontaneous oxycodone withdrawal (PW and SW, respectively) in male and female mice.” The study was published in the December, 2022 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Cannabis and Cannabinoids Research, and was epublished ahead of print on the website for the National Library of Medicine.
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Dec 29 2022

Legal Marijuana Sales Now Underway in New York

For the first time in state history legal recreational marijuana sales are underway in New York.

“Today’s the day: Legal, adult-use cannabis is now for sale in New York State!”, said Governor Kathy Hochul in a statement. “This is a historic milestone for New York’s budding cannabis industry, and I look forward to solidifying our state as a national model for building an industry that’s equitable and inclusive.”

The first legal sale of cannabis occurred at Housing Works Cannabis Co, a dispensary in Manhattan, one of 36 licensed dispensaries that opened recently – there are 139 licenses yet to be issued by the state (as well as over 900 applicants).
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Dec 28 2022

Certain Psychedelics Including Magic Mushrooms Now Legal in Colorado

The possession of several types of psychedelic drugs is now legal in Colorado.

Last month Colorado voters approved Proposition 122 to legalize the possession and use of certain psychedelic drugs. Yesterday Governor Jared Polis issued a proclamation officially allowing the law to take effect a week prior to when the constitution requires him to do so. Governor Polis, who has long supported the reformation of drug laws, expressed excitement following the initiative’s passage.

Under Proposition 122 the personal use and possession of several hallucinogenic/entheogenic plants and fungi is now legal for those 21 and older, including: Continue reading

Dec 27 2022

There Were More Cannabis Studies Published in 2022 Than Any Year Prior

2022 was a record-breaking year for cannabis-related research.

Researchers across the globe published a record-breaking 4,300 scientific papers on the subject of cannabis, according to an analysis of studies published by the National Library of Medicine/PubMed.gov website.

This exceeds the previous record of around 4,200, set just last year. There’s strong potential for this to increase even further given President Biden signed legislation earlier this year to greatly expand marijuana research in the United States.
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Dec 26 2022

The Top 10 Cannabis Studies of 2022

The number of legitimate, peer-reviewed cannabis-related studies released each year has grown at a rapid pace in recent years, and 2022 was no different.

Although there were hundreds of studies released in 2022 related to cannabis and/or its many chemical compounds, there are some that rise above the rest in terms of their importance and impact. With that in mind, those of us at The Marijuana Herald have compiled a list of what we believe to be the top 10 cannabis studies of 2022, in addition to a few honorable mentions.

Below is our list of the Top 10 Cannabis Studies of 2022, in no particular order (click on the titles for more information on each study):

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