Jan 01 2025

Study Finds CBD Reduces Costs and Improves Outcomes for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome

A cost-utility analysis has shown that CBD in combination with usual care offers a cost-effective treatment option for patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) or Dravet syndrome (DS) in the Netherlands.

This study, published in the Journal of Health Economics and Outcomes Research, evaluated the economic and clinical benefits of using plant-derived, highly purified CBD (Epidyolex) alongside standard antiseizure medications compared to usual care alone.

LGS and DS are severe, treatment-resistant epileptic disorders that primarily affect infants and young children. In December 2022, Epidyolex was approved for reimbursement in the Netherlands as an adjunctive treatment for seizures associated with these conditions.
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Jan 01 2025

Colorado: Applications for Psilocybin Treatment Centers Now Open

Colorado has officially launched its application process for psilocybin treatment centers.

Dried psilocybin.

Approved by voters in 2022, Proposition 122 (the Natural Medicine Health Act) allows regulated use of psilocybin for conditions such as depression and PTSD, for those 21 and older. As of today, January 1, licenses for treatment centers are now open for those interested in applying. Although it will take months for services to commence, this marks a significant milestone in the 2022 law being fully enacted.

The move has sparked heated debates, particularly in conservative areas like Colorado Springs, notes the Associated Press. Local leaders have imposed restrictions on psilocybin “healing centers,” limiting their proximity to schools and other locations. Despite objections from veterans advocating for access, the City Council passed a measure extending these restrictions, citing safety concerns.
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Jan 01 2025

New Oklahoma Bill Would Establish Weekly Purchase Cap for Medical Marijuana Patients

Senator George Burns (R) has prefiled Senate Bill 320 for the 2025 legislative session. The bill would establish a new purchase limit for medical marijuana patients in Oklahoma.

If enacted, SB 320 will amend existing state law to limit medical marijuana purchases to no more than two and one-half ounces (70.9 grams) within a one-week period. This provision will join the current regulations allowing licensed patients to legally possess up to three ounces of marijuana on their person and additional quantities in various forms, such as edibles and concentrates.

The measure, which will receive its first reading in the Oklahoma Senate on February 3, will leave other possession limits for plants and processed marijuana products unchanged.
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Jan 01 2025

Ohio Marijuana Sales Update: Over $378 Million in Combined Sales Since August, $2.3 Billion All-Time

Between August 7 and December 28, marijuana sales in Ohio have reached a total of $378,503,351. This includes $136,336,331 in medical marijuana purchases and $242,167,020 in recreational marijuana sales.

The average price per gram has dropped to $7.01, reflecting a continued trend of declining costs for consumers. The average price of a gram of dried marijuana flower was $9.40 on August 10, according to the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC).

Since the launch of legal marijuana sales in Ohio, the state has recorded a cumulative total of $2,296,801,457 in sales from 21,000,446 transactions.
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Jan 01 2025

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Says He’s “Not a Fan” of SAFER Banking Act, Appears Unsure of Marijuana Rescheduling

Senator John Thune, who will take over as Senate Majority Leader later this month, says he’s “not a fan” of SAFER Banking while appearing unsure of his opinion on marijuana rescheduling.

Senator John Thune (photo credit: Allison Robbert/Bloomberg).

When asked by Matt Laslo of Ask a Pol “What are your thoughts on the SAFER Banking Act?”, Senator Thune responded by saying “I’m not a fan”, while refusing to elaborate further.

Furthermore, when Laslo asked Thune if he had “Any thoughts on the DEA rescheduling marijuana?”, Thune said “Ummm”, while continuing to walk into the US Capitol. He gave no further answer.
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Jan 01 2025

New York Governor Celebrates New York Surpassing $1 Billion in Retail Marijuana Sales

Governor Kathy Hochul today proudly announced that New York State’s cannabis industry has reached a historic milestone of more than $1 billion in retail sales.

This achievement “reflects the dedication of entrepreneurs, consumers, and communities who have embraced the legal market and helped to establish New York as a national leader in cannabis equity and innovation”, according to a press release sent by Governor Hochul’s office.

“Earlier this year, my administration took critical steps to promote progress and economic opportunity within New York’s budding cannabis industry, including signing new enforcement powers into law that expedited the closure of unlicensed storefronts and, as a result, bolstered our legal market,” Governor Hochul said. “Today, we recognize the $1 billion milestone as more than just a number—it’s a testament to the hard work of those who helped build the strongest cannabis industry in the nation: one that prioritizes equity, ensures public safety, and empowers communities.”
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Dec 31 2024

Federal Judge Rules Gun Ban for Marijuana Consumers is Unconstitutional

A federal judge in Texas has dismissed an indictment against a man who was charged with possessing firearms while using marijuana, ruling the federal law prohibiting such conduct unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge David Briones, presiding over the Western District of Texas, ruled against the prosecution of Adrian Gil, II, citing that the Government failed to prove that Gil was intoxicated at the time of his arrest. The case (United States of America v. Adrian Gil, II) was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled, marking another significant decision challenging federal restrictions on firearm ownership for marijuana users.

The case originated in July 2021, when El Paso police responded to a call about a disturbance at Gil’s residence. Upon entering, officers discovered two large vacuum-sealed bags of marijuana and several firearms. Gil, a daily marijuana user since age 14, acknowledged owning the firearms and possessing a medical marijuana card from New Mexico but admitted he was aware that federal law prohibited gun ownership for marijuana users. He was indicted under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), pled guilty, and was sentenced to 35 months in prison before appealing the case.
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Dec 31 2024

SciSparc Secures Renewed Approval by Israel Cannabis Agency for Clinical Trial in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

SciSparc Ltd., a specialty clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focusing on the development of therapies to treat disorders of the central nervous system,  has received renewed approval from the Israeli Medical Cannabis Agency to conduct a clinical trial of SCI-210, a CBD and CannAmide combination, for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

This renewal reaffirms the Company’s compliance with IMCA regulatory requirements and enables the continued progression of its clinical trial, according to a press release sent today. The approval was received for a period of 30 days and will be extended pending the final approval by the Israeli police department, which is expected to be received within 30 days. SciSparc has also previously received the necessary approvals from the Soroka University Medical Center Ethics Committee and the Israeli Ministry of Health to conduct the trial, advancing its innovative treatments for ASD.

The clinical trial for SCI-210 is a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled study conducted at Soroka University Medical Center in Israel, involving 60 children aged 5 to 18 with ASD. The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SCI-210, a proprietary combination of CBD and CannAmide™ (SciSparc’s novel Palmitoylethanolamide formulation), compared to standard CBD monotherapy. Participants will undergo a 20-week treatment program, focusing on symptom management and therapeutic outcomes.
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Dec 31 2024

New York Lawmaker to Refile Legislation to Legalize Medical Psilocybin and Establish Licensed Service Centers

New York Assemblymember Amy Paulin (D) plans to refile her psilocybin legalization bill for the January 2025 legislative session after the measure failed to advance in 2024.

Dried psilocybin mushrooms.

The proposed legislation, titled Assembly Bill 10375 during this year’s session, was introduced in May 2024. The measure sought to establish a comprehensive framework for the “regulated adult use, support services, and cultivation of psilocybin-containing fungi.” Despite significant interest, the bill did not progress through the legislature this year.

Paulin’s bill outlines a system for licensing and regulating psilocybin therapy, allowing qualified adults to use the substance under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals in designated service centers. The measure would also remove psilocybin from the state’s list of controlled substances.
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Dec 31 2024

CBD Has Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Potential, “Exhibiting Promise as a Therapeutic Alternative for Oral Diseases”, Finds Study

A new study suggests cannabidiol (CBD) could be a game-changer in fighting gum disease, showing significant antibacterial and antibiofilm effects against harmful oral bacteria.

Researchers from Brazil’s Federal University of São João del Rei and Universidade Federal de Uberlândia found CBD to be both effective and non-toxic, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic option for periodontal health.

In the study, researchers explored the potential of CBD as an antimicrobial agent to combat bacteria associated with periodontitis. Their findings, being published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology and published online ahead of print by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, suggest that CBD may serve as a therapeutic option for oral diseases while exhibiting minimal toxicity.
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