Aug 29 2024

Americans’ Support for Marijuana Legalization Up Almost 10% Since 2015, Finds Meta-Analysis

A growing number of Americans favor legalizing marijuana, with support rising steadily over the past decade, according to a recent analysis of more than 70 public opinion polls conducted since 2015.

The analysis, referred to as The Poll of Polls and released by consumer research firm CBD Oracle, reveals that public backing for marijuana legalization has increased from 53% in 2015 to 62% today.

Support for legalization is unsurprisingly highest among Democrats, with 71.4% in favor. A strong majority of independents also back the move, though at a lower rate of 63.5%. While Republican support has not yet reached a majority, it’s close, with 47.6% in favor of legalization.
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Aug 29 2024

Here’s All 113 Members of US Congress Sponsoring Legislation to Deschedule Marijuana and Allow Expungements

In the United States Congress, legislation to deschedule marijuana and allow for the expungement of past marijuana offenses has 113 bicameral sponsors.

In the House of Representatives, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act would also deschedule marijuana, effectively decriminalizing it nationwide. The measure, filed in April, would also expunge past marijuana convictions, and it would establish a federal excise tax on marijuana sales. The MORE Act twice passed the House, in 2020 and 2022, when the Democrats controlled the chamber. Proponenents of the measure are hopeful that if Democrats take back the House this November, they will make the MORE Act a priority. Currently the measure has 95 sponsors, all Democrat.

In the Senate, the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA) would also deschedule marijuana, allow the expungement of past marijuana convictions, and establish a federal marijuana excise tax. However, it would go a step further by creating regulatory and safety standards for legal marijuana sales, including creating a marijuana department within the FDA. Filed in May, the measure has 18 sponsors in the US Senate, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Currently there is not enough support in the Senate to pass the CAOA, but the Democrats were to gain even one or two seats in the November election, or if a couple Republicans decide to get onboard, it could significantly alter the political dynamic.
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Aug 29 2024

Study Finds 94% of Nursing Students Support Legalizing Medical Marijuana

A significant majority of nursing students believe that patients should have legal access to medical marijuana, yet many report a lack of adequate training on the subject during their education, according to a recent survey published in the journal Nurse Practitioner.

Researchers from Simmons College in Boston conducted a survey of over 100 nurse practitioner (NP) students. Researchers found that most students (94%) felt that medical marijuana (MM) should be legalized in all US states. Likewise, 97% felt that MM education should be included in NP program curricula.

However, researchers found that “only 30% reported receiving in-depth education on the topic.”
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Aug 29 2024

Federally Funded Study: Marijuana and Psychedelics Use at Historic Highs, Cigarette Use at Historic Low

The past-year use of cannabis and psychedelics (referred to in the study as hallucinogens) stayed at historically high levels in 2023 among adults aged 19 to 30 and 35 to 50, according to the latest findings from the Monitoring the Future survey.

In contrast, past-year use of cigarettes remained at historically low levels in both adult groups. Past-month and daily alcohol use continued a decade-long decline among those 19 to 30 years old, with binge drinking reaching all-time lows. However, among 35- to 50-year-olds, the prevalence of binge drinking in 2023 increased from five and 10 years ago.

The Monitoring the Future study, which has been issued annually since 1975, is conducted by scientists at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, and is funded by the National Institutes of Health.
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Aug 29 2024

Study: Cannabinoids Associated With Improved Quality of Life in Both Chron’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

According to a new meta-analysis of clinical trials, “cannabinoids are associated with improved quality of life in both CD and UC, as well as improved disease activity”.

Titled Meta-analysis of the Therapeutic Impact of Cannabinoids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, the study was published in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, issued by Oxford University, and it was conducted by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania.

“With the increasing legalization of medical and recreational cannabis, patients and providers have growing interest in the role of cannabinoids in treating inflammatory bowel disease”, states the study’s abstract. “Prior meta-analysis has shown inconclusive evidence for efficacy of cannabinoids.” With that in mind, researchers “sought to produce an up-to-date meta-analysis that pools new data to evaluate the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids in both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).”
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Aug 29 2024

California Legislature Passes Bill to Legalize Marijuana Cafés, Sending it to Governor Newsom

California’s full legislature has passed legislation to legalize marijuana cafés, officially sending the bill to Governor Gavin Newsom.

Yesterday the Assembly concurred with changes that the Senate made to Assembly Bill 1775 prior to its passage. Both chambers have now passed the same version of the bill, allowing it to be sent to Governor Newsom.

The final vote in the Assembly was 58 to 6, with the final vote in the Senate being 30 to 7.
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Aug 28 2024

Psilocybin Therapy for Chronic Lower Back Pain: University of California Seeks Participants for Clinical Trial

The University of California (UC) is seeking participants for a double-blind, randomized clinical trial “examining the preliminary efficacy of psilocybin therapy for people with chronic low back pain”.

(Photo credit: TheScientist).

“This study evaluates whether psilocybin therapy helps patients cope with chronic low back pain more effectively”, states a public posting .” Patients may be recruited at Stanford and University of California San Francisco (UCSF), study procedures will occur at UCSF.”

Each participant “will receive a dose of psilocybin with possibly one or more other drugs. Participants will undergo two preparation sessions, a dosing session, three integration sessions to discuss their psilocybin experience, and several follow up sessions.”
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Aug 28 2024

California Senate Gives Final Approval to Legislation Allowing Marijuana Growers to Sell at Farmers Markets

Legislation that would allow certain licensed marijuana growers in California to sell directly to consumers at farmers markets has been passed through its third and final reading in the Senate.

Last week we reported that Assembly Bill 1111 was passed through its second reading in the full Senate and was ordered to a third and final reading. Now, the measure has been passed by the Senate through its third reading by a vote of 27 to 5.

Sponsored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D), AB 1111 authorizes the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) to issue temporary event licenses, enabling on-site cannabis sales and consumption at approved venues within jurisdictions that explicitly allow such activities. The bill also includes specific criteria for small marijuana producers eligible for these licenses, limiting cultivation to no more than one acre or specific square footage under different types of licenses.
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Aug 28 2024

Canada: Over $2.4 Billion in Legal Marijuana Sold in First Half of 2024

According to data compiled and released by Statistics Canada, there was over $2.4 billion worth of marijuana and marijuana products sold legally in the first half of 2024.

Between January and June of this year, licensed marijuana stores sold $2.425 billion in legal marijuana, putting the nation on track for nearly $5 billion for the year.

During this period, May saw the highest amount of marijuana sales with $413.6 million. February experienced the lowest sales with $386.8 million.
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Aug 28 2024

Yale School of Medicine Paying $495 to Participate in Stress-Related Marijuana Study

The Yale School of Medicine is seeking those 18 and older for a paid marijuana study.

The Yale Stress Center at the Yale School of Medicine “is looking for individuals who are at least 18 years old and smoke marijuana at least once per week to participate in a research study.” Participants will receive compensation up to $495.

At the Yale Stress Center, researchers “develop, test and validate both behavioral and pharmacological interventions strategies to reduce the toxic effects of trauma and stress and help promote resilience.” These include “mindfulness, stress reduction, nutrition, and physical activity counseling to enhance your health and the health of your family.”
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