Nov 21 2024

Study: Medical Marijuana Associated with Sustained Pain Relief and Improved Sleep in Chronic Pain Patients

A recent study featured in the journal Pain Practice reveals that individuals living with chronic pain experience significant and sustained relief in pain severity and related symptoms through the use of medical marijuana.

Drawing on data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry, the research tracked patient-reported outcomes over a 12-month period, shedding light on the therapeutic potential of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) for managing both chronic pain and sleep-related challenges.

British researchers evaluated 1,139 chronic pain patients who were prescribed either cannabis flower or oil extracts. Patients were grouped based on their baseline sleep quality, categorized as either sleep-impaired or unimpaired. Researchers assessed changes in several metrics, including sleep quality, anxiety, pain severity, and overall health-related quality of life, at intervals of one, three, six, and 12 months.
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Nov 21 2024

Kentucky to Launch Medical Marijuana Program December 1: Over 150 Doctors Ready

Starting December 1, qualified patients in Kentucky will be able to obtain doctor recommendations to access medical marijuana, according to Governor Andy Beshear.

This marks a major milestone for the state, following the governor’s signing of medical marijuana legislation last year.

State regulators have been building the medical marijuana program in preparation for its rollout. Over 150 doctors are already certified to issue recommendations, with the number steadily increasing. To streamline the process, the state has launched the “Kentucky Medical Cannabis Practitioner Directory,” an online portal that helps patients locate certified practitioners by city, county, or specialty.
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Nov 21 2024

Georgia Senate Study Committee Recommends $5 Million for Psychedelic Research to Aid Veterans

The Georgia Senate Study Committee on Veterans’ Mental Health and Housing has urged state officials to allocate $5 million for research into the use of psychedelic drugs like MDMA and psilocybin as potential treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

MDMA (left) and psilocybin mushrooms (right).

The recommendations, presented during Wednesday’s meeting, highlight the growing interest in psychedelics for addressing mental health issues.

MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, and psilocybin, the active compound in “magic mushrooms”, are gaining traction in clinical settings for their therapeutic potential. Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed a new drug application for MDMA capsules as a PTSD treatment. However, in August, the FDA requested additional safety and efficacy studies from biotech firm Lykos Therapeutics. Despite this, Georgia lawmakers remain optimistic about the benefits these therapies could provide for veterans.
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Nov 21 2024

Oakland City Council Votes Unanimously to Exempt Marijuana from Residential Smoking Ban

The Oakland City Council has unanimously voted to exempt cannabis from a proposed ordinance that would prohibit smoking in multi-unit residential buildings.

The ordinance was approved 6 to 0 through its first reading, with two members abstaining. A final decision is set for December 3.

The cannabis exemption was strongly opposed by the state’s anti-smoking lobby, funded by the tobacco tax. They argued that second-hand marijuana smoke is as dangerous as tobacco smoke and poses unacceptable hazards to people in neighboring apartments.
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Nov 21 2024

Study: Marijuana-Based Medicines Show Promise for Treating Peripheral Neuropathy

According to a new study, marijuana-based medicines show promise in treating peripheral neuropathy, a chronic and debilitating condition often resistant to traditional nonsurgical treatments.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Virginia, explored the potential of cannabis-based medications for managing pain and symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy, including cases caused by nerve injury, trauma, and other noncompressive etiologies. The findings were published online by the US National Library of Medicine.

Using a systematic search of databases such as PubMed, Cochrane, Ovid Medline, and CINAHL, the researchers identified 14 randomized controlled trials from 927 initial studies. The review evaluated study design, medication, dosage, and effects on neuropathic pain, alongside secondary outcomes such as sleep, sensory symptoms, and quality of life. From these, a meta-analysis of seven studies revealed a statistically significant reduction in neuropathic pain scores, with a mean difference of −0.67 on a 0–10 scale compared to placebo.
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Nov 21 2024

Texas Attorney General Sues Dallas Over Marijuana Decriminalization Ordinance

Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the City of Dallas and local officials for adopting a city charter amendment that would “illegally decriminalize marijuana-related offenses and prohibit police from enforcing Texas law.”

Earlier this month, the City of Dallas adopted Proposition R, which “prohibits the Dallas Police Department from making arrests or issuing citations for marijuana possession [up to four ounces] or considering the odor of marijuana as probable cause for search or seizure.” The measure was approved with over 66% support.

Now, Paxton is attempting to prevent the implementation of the proposal. Paxton has filed similar lawsuits in Killeen, Elgin, Denton, Austin, and San Marcos, which have all approved similar marijuana measures. In Austin and San Marcos, the lawsuits have already been dismissed by a judge.
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Nov 20 2024

Survey Finds Over 80% of Parkinson’s Disease Patients in France Support Cannabis and CBD Use

A study published in Clinical Parkinsonism & Related Disorders has found that the vast majority of those in France with Parkinson’s disease support medical marijuana and CBD use.

In France, cannabis use is illegal outside the current restricted medical cannabis experimental framework which does not include Parkinson’s disease (PD) as an eligible condition. In contrast, CBD products are legal and are easily available. In this study, the aim was to “evaluate the acceptability of therapeutic cannabis and CBD use, and to assess cannabinoid-related attitudes among people with PD in France, with a view to assessing the potential inclusion of medical cannabinoids in PD treatment options. ”

Researchers conducted a nationwide online survey involving 1,136 participants with Parkinson’s disease. Results showed high levels of acceptability: 81.7% for medical cannabis and 87.4% for CBD. Factors linked to increased acceptability included the presence of anxiety symptoms, greater knowledge of cannabinoids, active information-seeking about medical cannabis, and perceiving the risk of cannabis dependence as low.
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Nov 20 2024

DEA Judge Rules on Standing for Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing

All parties opposing the rescheduling of marijuana to Schedule 3 of the Controlled Substances Act will have full standing to participate in a landmark marijuana rescheduling hearing, according to a ruling by DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney II.

However, only one organization supporting rescheduling—the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)—has been granted full standing. Mulrooney ruled late Tuesday that two pro-rescheduling groups “may not independently continue to participate” in the proceedings. Mulrooney’s decision was obtained by MJBizDaily.

Mulrooney applied a four-part test to determine standing: whether the party had a substantial interest in the outcome, adhered to procedural directives, stayed within the scope of rescheduling, and could assist the decision-making process. Of the nine remaining pro-rescheduling parties, seven can continue to participate with limited involvement, while two were excluded for failing to demonstrate any tangible interest. Those excluded include Florida-based My Doc App and Ellen Brown, chair of the Massachusetts Cannabis Advisory Board’s research subcommittee.
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Nov 20 2024

67 Members of Congress Urge President Biden to Expand Marijuana Clemency Efforts Before End of Term

67 members of the U.S. Congress are urging President Joe Biden to build on his record of executive clemency during the final months of his presidency.

Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Jim Clyburn (D-SC), and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) sent a letter today along with 64 of their colleagues urging President Biden to “reunite families, confront deep-seated injustices in the legal system, and guide the nation toward ending mass incarceration”, during his final weeks in office.

“Mass incarceration remains a persistent, systemic injustice that erodes the soul of America”, states the letter. “Our nation has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with nearly two million people locked in jails and prisons throughout the country. The extreme use of incarceration has resulted in one in two adults having an incarcerated family member. People of color are disproportionately put behind bars, along with individuals from low-income communities, LGBTQIA+ folks, and those with disabilities.”
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Nov 20 2024

Medical Cannabis Market Projected to Reach $91 Billion by 2032, Driven by a 24% Growth Rate

The global medical cannabis market is expected to experience rapid growth, with projections showing an increase from $13.12 billion in 2023 to $91.065 billion by 2032.

This reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.02% over the forecast period, according to a new report by Introspective Market Research.

This growth is attributed to the increasing acceptance of cannabis-based treatments for a variety of medical conditions, including chronic pain, epilepsy, and cancer-related symptoms. As public perceptions shift and healthcare professionals become more open to its therapeutic potential, the market continues to expand, notes the report. Innovations in product development, such as oils, tinctures, edibles, and topicals, are improving accessibility and offering patients diverse options tailored to their needs.
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