Aug 06 2024

Psilocybin Shows Promise as Potential Alzheimer’s Treatment, Study Finds

A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience explores the potential of psilocybin as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms.

“Alzheimer’s disease (AD) stands as a formidable neurodegenerative ailment and a prominent contributor to dementia”, states the study, conducted by researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Binzhou Medical University Hospital. “The scarcity of available therapies for AD accentuates the exigency for innovative treatment modalities.”

Psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound found in magic mushrooms, has “garnered attention within the neuropsychiatric realm due to its established safety and efficacy in treating depression”, notes researchers. “Nonetheless, its potential as a therapeutic avenue for AD remains largely uncharted.”
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Aug 06 2024

For the First Time in US History, Both Nominees on a Major Party Presidential Ticket Support Marijuana Legalization

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice presidential candidate, marking the first time in U.S. history that both members of a major party’s presidential ticket openly support the legalization of marijuana.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Vice President Kamala Harris at a rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Kamala Harris, a former US senator and attorney general from California, has long been a vocal advocate for marijuana reform. During her tenure in the Senate, she co-sponsored the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which would have descheduled marijuana at the federal level, and expunge certain cannabis-related convictions. Although she opposed legalization as attorney general, Harris announced her support for legalizing marijuana in 2019, a stance that has remained consistent ever since.

Earlier this year Harris said “we need to legalize marijuana“, becoming the first vice president to ever declare support for legalization while in office.
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Aug 06 2024

Missouri Recalls Thousands of Marijuana Products

The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation announced a recall Tuesday for thousands of marijuana products sold to dispensaries by NGWMO, LLC, a cultivation facility based in Marceline.

The recall includes 2,649 products from the brand Twenty Twenty. Products include dried marijuana flower, ground flower, and pre-rolls. The full recall list can be found by clicking here.

According to a DCR news release, the products were recalled due to non-compliant testing before being sold to patients and consumers. While the items were tested at the unprocessed bud and flower stage, they were not tested at the final product stage, as mandated by state law. As of Tuesday, no adverse effects had been reported.
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Aug 06 2024

Report: Handheld Marijuana Vaporizer Market Worth $5.4 Billion, to Grow to $18 Billion by 2033

The global handheld marijuana vaporizer market was valued at $5.4 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach $18.1 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 12.9% from 2024 to 2033.

This is according to a new report conducted by Allied Market Research. The growth of the handheld marijuana is driven primarily by “the increasing legalization of cannabis for both medicinal and recreational use, which expands the consumer base”, notes the report. “Rising health consciousness among consumers, who perceive vaping as a safer alternative to smoking, further boost the market demand.”

The report states that “Technological advancements in vaporizer design, offering improved functionality, portability, and user experience, attract a wide range of users. Additionally, evolving consumer preferences for discreet and convenient cannabis consumption methods, along with the growing acceptance and normalization of cannabis use in society, significantly contribute to the market expansion.”
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Aug 06 2024

Rhode Island: More Recreational Marijuana Sold in July than Any Previous Month

July broke the monthly record for recreational marijuana sales in Rhode Island.

According to the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulations, there was $8.04 million worth of recreational marijuana sold in July, in addition to $2.04 million in medical marijuana sales. Although the combined $10.08 falls narrowly short of the record-setting $10.20 million sold in December, the $8.04 million in recreational marijuana sold is a new monthly record for the state.

This brings the total sales for 2024 to $68,597,681, with an average transaction amount of $37.02. Last year, the total sales amounted to $107,816,615, contributing approximately $15 million in tax revenue.
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Aug 06 2024

US Senate Committee Approves Bill to Continue Blocking Washington D.C. Marijuana Sales

A key Senate committee has passed legislation that would continue to prohibit Washington D.C. from allowing recreational marijuana sales.

The Senate Appropriations Committee recently voted to approve the 2025 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Act. The measure, which was advanced by a unanimous vote of 27 to 0, includes a provision that prevents D.C. from implementing a 2014 law that legalized recreational marijuana within the district, including licensed retail outlets. Although the portion of the law allowing marijuana to be possessed is currently in effect, the US Congress has prevented the opening of marijuana stores for a decade.

The provision states:
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Aug 05 2024

Bipartisan Coalition of 80 US Lawmakers Send Letters to FDA and President Biden Urging Approval of MDMA-Assisted Therapy

A bipartisan coalition of 19 U.S. Senators and 61 Members of the House of Representatives have sent letters to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and President Biden, urging swift and scientifically-based approval of MDMA-Assisted Therapy (MDMA-AT) for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

MDMA, often referred to as “ecstasy”.

Led by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), alongside Reps. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.), Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), the letters highlight the urgent need for new PTSD treatments, especially for veterans. This initiative is backed by 15 additional senators and 57 more members of the House, reflecting widespread bipartisan support.

“MDMA-AT has shown incredible promise, with 71% of phase-three trial participants no longer meeting a PTSD diagnosis after three eight-hour sessions of MDMA-AT”, states a press release from Rep. Bergman. “Moreover, 86.5% of participants experienced “clinically significant” improvements in their PTSD symptoms. These results are more than double that of the current best treatment for PTSD.”
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Aug 05 2024

New Hampshire Governor Approves Medical Marijuana for All Conditions

Legislation allowing medical marijuana for any condition a physician deems necessary has been signed into law by New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu.

House Bill 1278, filed by State Representative Wendy Thomas, successfully passed both the House and Senate last month. Governor Sununu has now signed it into law, officially removing the state’s list of qualifying medical marijuana conditions. The new law permits medical marijuana for “any debilitating or terminal medical condition or symptom for which the potential benefits of using therapeutic cannabis would, in the provider’s clinical opinion, likely outweigh the potential health risks for the patient.”

The measure stipulates that certifying providers must include the patient’s specific condition or symptom on the written certification and attest to their clinical opinion.
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Aug 05 2024

These 5 States Will Vote on Marijuana Initiatives in Just 3 Months

With the November 5 election just three months away, voters in five states—North Dakota, South Dakota, Florida, Arkansas, and Nebraska—are gearing up to consider various marijuana initiatives.

It’s shaping up to be a big election for marijuana law reform, with five states set to consider statewide measures to legalize recreational or medical marijuana. With that in mind, here’s a look at the five states with marijuana initiatives set to be considered this November, and where they stand in the polls.
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Aug 05 2024

Missouri’s July Recreational Marijuana Sales Hit $123 Million, Cumulative Sales Pass $2.6 Billion

In July, Missouri recorded $123 million in recreational marijuana sales, nearly identical to the sales in July 2023.

This brings the state’s total marijuana sales for the year to approximately $824 million, putting the state on track to pass $1 billion in sales in September. Overall, cumulative sales since February 2023 have now reached $2.66 billion, resulting in over $250 million in tax revenue.

In 2023, Missouri generated $1.3 billion in legal marijuana sales, contributing over $130 million in tax revenue to the state.
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