Does Cannabis Help Protect The Brain From Injury And Other Issues

Medical Marijuana

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December 7, 2022

Does Cannabis Help Protect The Brain From Injury And Other Issues

Cannabis is certainly an excellent all-natural way to support our cognitive functions while also healing from emotional distress or brain injury.

Neuroplasticity is the medical term given to the brain’s ability to adapt and changed based on its environment and experience. The neural networks in the brain can change, organize themselves, and even grow new connections because of its malleability. Lots going on in the brain and like a car, it needs a bit of help to run smoothly. Does cannabis help protect the brain from injury and long term issues?

It is known that younger brains, such as those of children, are generally more malleable. Their brains are more sensitive to experience compared to those of older adults. Aging causes the brain to degenerate over time, due to the lack of brain cells, leading to disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

However, science tells us that older adults are still capable of experiencing neuroplasticity especially with the help of cannabinoids. Our very own brain contains cannabinoid receptors too, so when we consume cannabinoids, studies show that it can help create new brain cells, forge new synapses, and ensure the viability of existing brain cells.

marijuana brain — Photo by Bulat Silvia/Getty Images

Certain negative experiences such as stress, trauma, and depression can weaken the synapses in the brain, resulting in impaired memory, learning, and overall plasticity. Meanwhile, physical conditions such as strokes, inflammation (due to diet or exposure to stress), traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and others can also impair the brain’s ability to heal itself and forge new connections.

Again, that’s where cannabis can help. Here’s what the studies have to say.

Cannabinoids Reduce Plaque Proteins Which Leads to Alzheimer’s Disease

A 2016 study conducted by researchers at the La Jolla Salk Institute discovered that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as well as other cannabinoids can help get rid of amyloid beta, a protein considered as toxic because its accumulation can lead to Alzheimer’s disease especially in aging brains. The presence of amyloid beta is a hallmark feature of Alzheimer’s.

“Although other studies have offered evidence that cannabinoids might be neuroprotective against the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, we believe our study is the first to demonstrate that cannabinoids affect both inflammation and amyloid beta accumulation in nerve cells,” explains senior author David Schubert.

They also found that high levels of amyloid beta have been linked to cellular inflammation and higher risk for neuron death.

Cannabis Protects Neurons In Injured Brains and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A 2012 study involved researchers causing injuries on purpose, to the brains of rodent subject. They did this through repeated exposure to MDMA, carbon monoxide, and pentobarbital.

The rodents were administered with one low dose of THC, following the ratio of .002mg per kilogram of body weight. They found that just one low dose was protective against any damage to neurons, which are the cells in the nervous system responsible for transmitting signals and aiding us in memory, thinking, movement, and other cognitive functions.

A 2019 study that was published in the medical journal, Brain Injury, found that while cannabis use had no impact on the recovery time for those who suffered concussions, it was linked to a reduction in symptom burden especially during the 3rd and 4th weeks following injury.

Additionally, a July 2020 literature review stated that “the use of cannabinoids in TBI increases neurobehavioral function and working memory performance.” They explain that it does this through the “down-regulation of pro-inflammatory markers, edema formation and blood-brain barrier permeability, preventing neuronal cell loss and up-regulating the levels of adherence junction proteins.”

Cannabis Aids In Neurogenesis

Neurogenesis is the name given to the process of creating new brain cells. Neurogenesis plays an important role in improving synaptic plasticity, regulating our moods, and better memory.

There have been several studies proving how cannabis contributes to neurogenesis. In one study out of Italy, scientists discovered that cannabichromene (CBC), one of the lesser known cannabinoids in marijuana, can actually contribute to the growth of brain cells through neurogenesis.

In another study conducted by researchers from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, they sought to understand how cannabinoids impact the brain. Mice were injected with a synthetic drug called HU210, which is 100 times more potent than THC. A chemical tracer was then used to monitor the growth of any new cells. They found that HU210 was effective in promoting the growth of new brain cells, similar to how antidepressants work. “Most ‘drugs of abuse’ suppress neurogenesis,” says Dr. Zhang, who participated in the study. “Only marijuana promotes neurogenesis.”

cannabis brain — Photo by Feodora Chiosea/Getty Images

Other studies show that cannabidiol (CBD) is just as beneficial as THC for the brain, but both CBD and THC have neurogenic properties. “The pro-neurogenic effects of CBD might explain some of the positive therapeutic features of CBD-based compounds,” report German scientists back in 2010. In addition, CBD and THC have antidepressant properties, as well as other compounds in the cannabis plant, which help humans adapt to exposure to stress and injury.

Cannabis Aids In Healing of Mental Health Disorders

Many mental health disorders are affected by neuroplasticity. For one, post-traumatic stress disorder, which is characterized by recurrent nightmares, severe anxiety, and flashbacks. Trauma can change the actual structure of one’s brain, so there is a physical explanation to the changes in how the brain works.

Studies show that cannabis can help heal the brain and in doing so, help individuals heal from PTSD. A recent study revealed that CBD can boost blood flow to the brain, and positively affect memory processing. “There is evidence that CBD may help reduce symptoms of psychosis and anxiety. There is some evidence to suggest that CBD may improve memory function,” says the study’s lead author, Dr. Michael Bloomfield.

“Additionally, CBD changes how the brain processes emotional memories, which could help to explain its reputed therapeutic effects in PTSD and other psychiatric disorders,” he adds.

Conclusion

With all the valuable mechanisms that cannabis can help the human brain, it certainly is an excellent all-natural way to support our cognitive functions while also healing from emotional distress or brain injury. Making cannabis a part of your wellness regimen is a great way to give your brain the support it needs.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission.

International Cannabis Reform Ramps Up In Europe, South America

Marijuana Legislation

Green Market Report

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December 7, 2022

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International Cannabis Reform Ramps Up In Europe, South America

The majority of the world appears to be moving towards some form of cannabis regulation, with an eye towards liberalization.

By Andrew Ward

Global cannabis reform is gaining momentum. What started as a ripple in three countries has become a global policy movement.

While many countries, primarily in Africa and Asia, continue to ban cannabis, a hotbed of reform activity is transpiring everywhere else.

Stateside, U.S. cannabis advocates continue to push for federal and local reform. Simultaneously, notable international cases, including that of WNBA star Brittney Griner, remind us that even though reform is underway, it is far from the endpoint proponents would like to reach.

International Reform Gaining Steam

Global cannabis reform continues to gain momentum via various regulatory frameworks and proposals.

“The majority of the world appears to be moving towards some form of cannabis regulation, with an eye towards liberalization,” said Jason Adelstone, an associate attorney for Vicente Sederberg.

Adelstone, whose focus areas include cannabis compliance and international policy, added, “What those systems look like can vary greatly.”

Depending on the nation, programs vary from permissive medical regulations to heavily regulated, GMP-style pharmaceutical markets. Medical and export-only models, such as that seen in Lesotho, are popular legislative approaches. In South Korea, cannabis-based drugs Epidiolex and Sativex are approved in some instances.

Mexico and South Africa have taken different approaches, legalizing cannabis via Supreme Court rulings. Neither passed laws through their legislative bodies.

Lewis Koski, chief strategy officer for Metrc, believes the approaches being taken by Malta and Luxembourg could offer an alternative model with credentialed companies spanning cultivators to social clubs. Both countries passed reform laws in 2021.

While activity continues, demand for information is reportedly growing before significant change is made in other markets. “There’s a real interest in hearing from other countries, companies, and experts that have experienced it differently around the world,” Koski said.

Right now, all eyes are on Germany. Proposed regulations were released and approved by the Federal Cabinet earlier in November, but reform efforts could be halted by the European Union, where politicians opposed to legalization have been lobbying against the measure.

Other European countries, including the Netherlands and Portugal, have passed cannabis or drug reform laws in previous years but did not fully legalize the plant.

Michael Sassano, founder and CEO of EU-based pharmaceutical and biotech company Somai Pharmaceuticals, said medical is “clearly the easier road” to legalization. Still, news from Germany has surrounding health ministers on notice.

EU cannabis legalization — Photo by Anton Petrus/Getty Images

“The big question isn’t if cannabis will increase globally; it’s simply a matter of rules to open access to patients and adult use,” Sassano said.

Adelstone mentioned that additional countries, including the Czech Republic and Ireland, could soon join Germany in passing cannabis reform laws.

Susanne Caspar, CEO of Swiss-based botanical extract producer Linnea, feels “great progress” is underway. Switzerland’s progress includes legalizing medical cannabis this past summer.

Expanded access emboldened Linnea, a 40-year-old brand, to expand into the cannabinoid marketplace further, Caspar said. As more nations consider reform, she urges lawmakers to consider the various needs of the market when creating regulations.

“The needs of the medical patient and the recreational customer are not interchangeable,” stated Caspar.

Federal Movement in the U.S.

Back in the United States, two states, Maryland and Missouri, passed legalization ballot initiatives in November. Three other states — Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota — rejected their ballot measures, a distinct swing away from the green wave experienced two years ago.

Another hotbed of movement is New York. Ryan Kocot, a cannabis attorney licensed in California, Massachusetts, and New York, is interested to see if the Empire State’s model will shut out multi-state operators as some say the plan suggests.

“There may be some unintended consequences, but the intention is to give smaller operators a chance,” he said.

The impact of that effort is to be determined. A mid-November lawsuit from an out-of-state retailer temporarily halted license issuances in five regions, including Brooklyn. The case, brought by Michigan-based Variscite NY One, contests New York’s CAURD program and its priority licensing for drug war victims.

legal marijuana — Photo by Baris-Ozer/Getty Images

For now, reform at the national level continues to be a wait-and-see game. Rumors about SAFE Banking Bill passing during the Congressional lame-duck swirl. If the U.S. does pass a significant piece of legislation, Sassano feels nearby nations could follow suit.

“South America will flip when the USA gets their federal act together,” he said. That continent has seen a flurry of medical laws implemented in several countries in recent years.

Boundaries of Legalization

Meanwhile, the Biden administration took action in October to correct damage caused by the War on Drugs, pardoning thousands who were convicted of simple federal cannabis possession. The move has split opinions.

Dr. Chanda Macias, CEO of Ilera Holistic Healthcare, approved. She said the action “sent a strong signal to the whole world the direction that the U.S. is headed towards in its cannabis policy, and hopefully, it’s a direction other countries will follow.”

David Holland, a cannabis attorney, wasn’t as sure. Holland, who has worked with federal regulators for more than 30 years, said he couldn’t recall a simple federal possession case.

“It’s such a small group of people,” he said of the roughly 6,500 records reportedly affected by the decision.

However, the action also drew attention to the struggles of individuals convicted in outside the U.S. border. Cases like Griner’s have bred numerous public discussions about the collision between international and U.S. policy.

Calls for the release of Griner and similar individuals serving international cannabis sentences have grown recently. In November, Griner was transferred to a penal colony in Mordovia, Russia, to serve her nine-year sentence.

Kassia Graham, director of community and strategy for Cannaclusive, feels the ruling highlights the ongoing global drug war.

“As too many countries are enmeshed in the war on drugs, they have archaic rules that are an affront to a modern and informed society,” she said.

Holland feels Griner’s situation, which began during the onset of the recent U.S.-Russia-Ukraine tensions, isn’t a cannabis charge at its core.

“She’s a political prisoner,” Holland stated.

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report and has been reposted with permission.

The New Marijuana Research Bill Is Sign Federal Prohibition Is Ending

Marijuana Legislation

Daniel Shortt

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December 7, 2022

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The New Marijuana Research Bill Is Sign Federal Prohibition Is Ending

More research will give HHS and DOJ more data that will support the fact that marijuana’s Schedule I status is absolutely ridiculous.

On Friday, December 2, 2022, the White House announced that President Biden signed House Resolution 8454, into law. The new Marijuana Research Bill is a sign federal prohibition is ending. What passed is:

H.R. 8454, the “Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act,” which establishes a new registration process for conducting research on marijuana and for manufacturing marijuana products for research purposes and drug development.

According to Kyle Jaeger of Marijuana Moment, this is a significant and historic moment in cannabis reform:

President Joe Biden has officially signed a marijuana research bill into law, making history by enacting the first piece of standalone federal cannabis reform legislation in U.S. history.

HR 8454 is not just historic because it’s the first standalone cannabis legislation in US history, it is also likely going to play a major role in ending federal prohibition.

In October, Biden requested that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) evaluate marijuana’s Schedule I status.

RELATED: Marijuana Supports Veterans

The CSA establishes a process for determining the scheduling of substances and relies on research to support any movement across the schedules or to remove a substance from the CSA all together. For years, the feds have used the same outdated studies showing that marijuana is dangerous and without medical benefit. This has created a Catch-22 as described by cannabis policy expert John Hudak in a 2016 interview with NPR:

There is this cannabis Catch-22 and it is, as a Schedule 1 drug, it is very difficult to do research on the plant. There are only certain researchers who will get the certification and licensure necessary to handle the drug. Then, of course, you need the funding to study it. You need approval from university institutional review boards, and the burdens that exist to do the type of research on a Schedule 1 drug are tremendous. But that research is what will inform the medical community as to its medical use, and so what you need and what you can do are entirely prevented by this federal government policy.

HR 8485 could allow researchers to finally break this Catch-22 loop. More research will give HHS and DOJ more data that will support the fact that marijuana’s Schedule I status is absolutely ridiculous. That could very well lead Biden’s administration to remove marijuana from Schedule I and hopefully from the CSA all together.

cannabis research — Photo by Nastasic/Getty Images

How HR 8485 Works

The CSA governs drugs at the federal level, including marijuana. Any controlled substance must be handled in compliance with the CSA. Marijuana is a Schedule I substance, which is the most restrictive category for any drug in the US. Schedule I substances are nearly impossible to research because they are deemed to have no medical use and too dangerous for use even with a doctor.

The registration requirements for any person or entity hoping to research scheduled substances are contained in 21 USC 823(f). The new law amends 21 USC 823(f) by requiring the Attorney General to register practitioners to conduct research on marijuana and its derivatives, extracts, preparations, and compounds, if the applicants research protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Department of HHS, the National Institute of Health, and otherwise in compliance with federal regulations on research protocols. The applicant must also demonstrate how it will control marijuana to prevent diversion or otherwise unlawful use.

HR 8454 also outlines what an application for marijuana research will entail. It also establishes security requirements and requires that the Attorney General and HHS consult to determine if there is an adequate supply of marijuana, including specific strains for research, and prepare a report to Congress on the matter.

HR 8485 also allows institutes of higher education, practitioners, or manufacturers to manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess marijuana or cannabidiol if the purpose is for medical research for drug development so long as that person or entity is registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

HR 8485 also mandates that HHS, the National Institute of Health, and other federal agencies all report to Congress on the CBD, marijuana (including delta-9 THC), and the barriers associated with researching marijuana and CBD in states that have legalized their use. HHS and company will also be required to make recommendations on whether state-legal cannabis can be researched by federal agencies.

Daniel Shortt is a corporate and regulatory attorney based in Seattle, Washington who works extensively with entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry. You can contact him at info@gl-lg.com or (206) 430-1336. This article originally appeared on Green Light Law Group and has been reposted with permission.

What Is A Jamaican Steam Chalice? And Should You Try Smoking Weed Out Of One?

Terry Hacienda

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December 2, 2022

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What Is A Jamaican Steam Chalice? And Should You Try Smoking Weed Out Of One?

Mastering the steam chalice can take a few tries, especially if you’re a dedicated joint smoker. Even if you’re used to working with glass bongs, a Jamaican steam chalice will undoubtedly feel strange in your hands at first.

Although smoking marijuana is widespread throughout the world, Jamaica has one of the most profoundly rooted cannabis cultures. The Rastafari, a 20th-century movement that reveres marijuana as a sacred plant, originated in Jamaica. They believe that smoking marijuana fosters calm, love, and depths of reflection and medication that can serve as a gateway to the divine.

Suppose you’re looking for more conventional ways to enjoy cannabis, or you’re tired of your regular routine. In that case, you should try burning with a Jamaican steam chalice. These organic devices are said to be the first and original vaporizers. The steam chalice, which originated with the Rastafari faith in Jamaica, vaporizes weed using bamboo sticks, coconuts, and hot coals instead of electricity.

cannabis marijuana flower — Photo by Yarygin/Getty Images

The steam chalice may be used by contemporary non-Rastafaris for various reasons. There are several methods to consume weed, but burning plant material harms the lungs. Hence, many cannabis consumers are switching to alternative forms of use, such as edibles, drinks, and—increasingly—vaporizers.

Why not choose the Jamaican steam chalice, which has the most heritage and personality, if you’re going to smoke a vape? It’s a one-of-a-kind, highly potent, spiritually charged way of consuming weed.

What Is a Steam Chalice?

The Jamaican steam chalice is a traditional method of inhaling cannabis, although it is distinct from other conventional methods. Why? Because it does not burn the flower but rather “steams” it. The steam chalice could be considered the earliest vaporizer. This method of inhaling weed, similar to modern vapes, frees up terpenes and cannabinoids without generating as many potentially toxic byproducts as combustion.

Surprisingly, the steam chalice combines all significant elements: fire, air, water, and earth. Looking at the components, steam chalices are made up of four essential parts:

Coconut: The steam chalice’s main component is a coconut. It is comparable to the bong’s chamber. Its water content aids in filtering the vapour that is produced from the bowl to produce smoother hits. When holding and smoking a steam chalice, the coconut acts as the “handle.”

Cutchie: A cutchie is a clay pipe that resembles a sizable bong bowl. This part of the steam chalice supports the flower over the downstem. It keeps it out of the heated temperatures when THC and other phytonutrients are released from the charcoal.

Bamboo tubes: The downstem and the mouthpiece of a steam chalice are made of two bamboo tubes. In contrast to typical bongs, this one has a downstem and bowl positioned precisely above the chamber and a mouthpiece extending from the coconut’s side.

Gritty: This essential clay grate rests above the flower and has many tiny holes. It limits direct contact and burning of the plant material while acting as a base for the burning of charcoal.

Now that you’re acquainted with steam chalices and their components, it’s time to learn how to handle one.

How to Use a Steam Chalice

Mastering the steam chalice can take a few tries, especially if you’re a dedicated joint smoker. Even if you’re used to working with massive and complex glass bongs, a Jamaican steam chalice will undoubtedly feel strange in your hands at first.

We’ve included some simple instructions below to help you get started with this vintage piece of equipment. Follow them carefully for an easy introduction to this innovative cannabis use.

RELATED: What Is A Chillum?

Fill the coconut with water first before doing anything else. The mouthpiece can be pulled from the coconut’s side to accomplish this. After that, add water below the orifice before reinstalling the bamboo mouthpiece. Take a bare tear. The sound that comes out should closely resemble the bong’s bubbling. If you don’t hear that distinctive sound, the water content of the coconut is either too high or too low.

The cutchie needs to be filled with herbs next. However, traditional cutchies link to the downstem through significantly larger holes in the bottom. So, to prevent flowers from falling into the chalice, many chalice users put in the part or whole torn buds. If you’d instead grind your bud, cover the hole with a large enough sheet of metal gauze before adding the flower.

Put the gritty in the cutchie after it has been filled. Depending on your type, some cutchies have a lip where you can insert the gritty to keep it from touching the herb below.

At this stage, things become even more unusual. You’re undoubtedly used to flicking the lighter or vape button before inhaling. You’ll find yourself grabbing into a bag of coal instead when using a cannabis chalice. Fill the top chamber of the cutchie with adequate charcoal. Then, use a blowtorch lighter to light the pieces. You’re ready to go when the charcoal chunks are steadily burning.

Now comes the exciting part. In the same way, you would hit a pipe or bong, place your finger over the coconut’s shotgun hole and hit the steam chalice. To clear the coconut, let go of your finger at the end of every hit. You’ll feel a clean, terpene-rich, and slightly vegetal flavor; keep in mind you’re vaping weed, not burning it.

You’ll need to wash your cutchie at the end of the operation. Remove the hot charcoal pieces with care and empty the steamed cannabis. Pour the water from the coconut and save your marijuana chalice for later use. Use a couple of pipe cleaners to clean the inside of the bamboo sticks every now and then.

Conclusion

Thinking of owning a Jamaican steam chalice? An expertly designed smoking chalice will be easy to buy online. However, if you’re thinking of executing a do-it-yourself project, you’ll get a pretty good understanding of how to build one from scratch by watching a YouTube video or two.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission.

Legal Medical Marijuana Linked With Less Opioid Use From Patients

Maria Loreto

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December 2, 2022

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Legal Medical Marijuana Linked With Less Opioid Use From Patients

A new study by the AMA found medical marijuana curbed opioid use and provided an alternate route for cancer treatment.

Legal medical marijuana has been linked with reduced opioid use according to a new study conducted by the American Medical Association. Results add more evidence to the argument that legal marijuana can curb and manage opioid use, and could have a significant impact on the opioid crisis.

The study, published in JAMA Oncology, analyzed the results of thousands of patients with different types of cancer.

marijuana joint — Photo by FOTOGRAFIA INC./Getty Images

Researchers explained that the study was conducted in order to explore the links that exist between marijuana legalization and opioid use. They concluded that medical marijuana curbed opioid use and provided an alternate route for treatment.

“Findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that medical marijuana legalization implemented from 2012 to 2017 was associated with a lower rate of opioid dispensing and pain-related hospital events among some adults receiving treatment for newly diagnosed cancer,” they wrote.

“The nature of these associations and their implications for patient safety and quality of life need to be further investigated,” researchers added.

prescription drugs opioids — Photo by Christina Victoria Craft via Unsplash

Despite the fact that the study had some limitations and that the topic of marijuana and opioids should be researched further, the results are still important and should at least prove how important it is to conduct the necessary research on the matter.

Previous studies have found similar connections, with medical marijuana giving patients suffering from different conditions an alternative to opioids, and that the new industry has the power to impact pharmaceutical companies.

While many things remain unknown about cannabis and its relationship with opioid use, it remains important to explore this connection and figure out if the plant could become a healthier outlet for people suffering from various medical ailments.

Does Marijuana Legalization Increase Teen Use? New Study Has Answers

Lydia Kariuki

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December 1, 2022

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Does Marijuana Legalization Increase Teen Use? New Study Has Answers

Though preliminary, the results from this study offer a glimmer of hope that marijuana legalization could have more benefit than harm to offer.

By Lydia Kariuki

A federally funded study has found no correlation between marijuana legalization and cannabis use among teens, which is relief for marijuana enthusiasts. At the same time, this study, which was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), has poked holes in the theory that’s often fronted by legalization opponents — that legalization will increase teen consumption of marijuana.

Currently, adult-use marijuana is legal in 21 states and DC. Maryland and Missouri joined this list through the midterm elections that happened barely a month ago.

teens high school — Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, reviewed data collected from three longitudinal studies relating to use of cannabis among teens in New York, Oregon, and Washington between 1999 to 2021. The researchers found that teens in states that have legalized cannabis are not any more likely to abuse cannabis than teens in states that have not legalized cannabis.

Though preliminary, the results from this study offer a glimmer of hope that marijuana legalization could have more benefit than harm to offer. Study author Jennifer Bailey has, however, advised cautious optimism, saying, “Although things look encouraging now, as we note in our paper, alcohol use increased slowly over 40 years after the end of alcohol prohibition.”

This article originally appeared on MyCannabis.com and has been reposted with permission.

Bill Would Make Cannabis Companies Eligible For SBA Loans

Green Market Report

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December 1, 2022

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Bill Would Make Cannabis Companies Eligible For SBA Loans

Barriers to SBA assistance were a major complaint from cannabis companies during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the fact that the industry was designated as “essential” by nearly every state with a functional marijuana market.

By John Schroyer

A Democratic senator has formally introduced a bill that, if successful, would make U.S. cannabis companies fully eligible for federal loans through the Small Business Administration.

According to a news release, Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada put forth the Fair Access for Cannabis Small Business Act, which would reverse the current prohibition on financial assistance for marijuana businesses.

cannabis banking money — Photo by jirkaejc/Getty Images

“The unfair barriers to basic federal support and resources have hurt our state’s legally operating cannabis small businesses,” Rosen said in the announcement. “This legislation will level the playing field so that cannabis small businesses — including those owned by people of color, women, and veterans — have access to the same federal resources and loans that other legal businesses are entitled to.”

Barriers to SBA assistance were a major complaint from cannabis companies during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the fact that the entire industry was designated as “essential” by nearly every state with a functional marijuana market. And the overall lack of access to traditional financial services and banking has been an ongoing hurdle.

Rosen’s bill, according to the release, would give marijuana businesses access to “7(a) loans, disaster loans, microloans, the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program, and SBA’s resource partners including SCORE, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, and Women’s Business centers.”

Several industry leaders hailed the bill and said it could be a major financial boost to much of the cannabis sector.

The bill, however, likely faces an uphill climb given the political dynamics in the Senate, where Democrats only hold a slim majority. A 60-vote majority would be needed to break a Republican filibuster.

Earlier this year, the Nevada senator urged the Senate Appropriations Committee to push for similar reforms through federal spending bills and also advocated with House Armed Services Committee leaders for the passage of the SAFE Banking Act.

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report and has been reposted with permission.

Cannabis Has Unique Benefits For People With Bipolar Disorder, Finds New Research

Medical Marijuana

Terry Hacienda

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November 30, 2022

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Cannabis Has Unique Benefits For People With Bipolar Disorder, Finds New Research

Researchers found that cannabis was effective in improving cognitive function while helping reduce risky decision making, which is common among individuals with bipolar disorder.

Around 46 million people around the world struggle with the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Also known as manic depression, bipolar disorder can disrupt daily life, affecting relationships and ability to work.

There are three kinds of bipolar disorder: bipolar I, with symptoms including manic episodes that can last at least a week and may even require admission to the hospital; bipolar II is characterized by patterns of manic and depressive episodes, particularly elevated moods that make patients more agitated and energetic; and cyclothymic disorder, with symptoms including a rapid cycling of high and low mood swings, going from excessively energetic and happy to depressive in a switch.

depression anxiety — Photo by Maskot/Getty Images

Psychotherapy and medications are recommended for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Pharmaceutical medications are conventionally seen as necessary to help regulate moods. However, many patients don’t find relief from symptoms from pharmaceutical medications especially its effects take a while, and they usually come with side effects.

Cannabis is a safer, more natural alternative that can help patients with bipolar disorder.

A brand new study, that sought to understand how cannabis affected cognitive and goal-directed behaviors among people with bipolar disorder, reveals that marijuana may have “uniquely beneficial effects” for this condition. Researchers, who presented the findings at the Neuroscience 2022 conference, specifically found that cannabis was effective in improving cognitive function while helping reduce risky decision making, which is common among individuals with bipolar disorder.

The researchers also suggest that cannabis reduces the dopaminergic activity in the brain to help suppress its symptoms.

“Chronic cannabis use may have uniquely beneficial effects in people with BD. Previous studies suggest that some people with BD have increased dopaminergic activity due to a reduced dopamine transporter expression,” they concluded. “Chronic cannabis use has been shown to reduce dopamine release, thus chronic cannabis use may result in a return to dopamine homeostasis in people with BD and consequently normalizing their deficits in goal directed behaviors. We are engaged in additional studies that explore this potential,” wrote the authors.

Other Studies

There have been similar findings in other older studies.

According a 2018 clinical trial data, researchers found that cannabis consumption is linked to improvement in clinical symptoms of bipolar disorder. It also doesn’t negatively impact cognitive performance, they shared. Researchers from Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, and Tufts University analyzed the impact of cannabis on cognitive function and moods among patients who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This marked the first clinical trial to ever be conducted with the goal of analyzing how marijuana affects neuropsychological performance and mood.

They found that cannabis use resulted in reduced scores for depression, anger, and tension. It was also associated with increased vigor. However, patients who consumed marijuana also showed no significant changes in cognitive performance compared to subjects who abstained.

“The current study highlights preliminary evidence that patients with BPD who regularly smoked marijuana reported at least a short-term clinical symptom alleviation following marijuana use, indicating potential mood-stabilizing properties of marijuana in at least a subset of patients with BPD,” they concluded.

ADHD anxeity — Photo by SIphotography/Getty Images

A significant portion of the population do not even know they have bipolar disorder. They do, however, experience mild symptoms of mood swings and other symptoms of dysregulated moods. For them, cannabis can also help.

A 2020 review from researchers at the University of New Mexico involving the analysis of real-life information taken from the Releaf App found that cannabis was effective in treating the symptoms of depression. “One of the more interesting findings from this study, is that cannabis flower with relatively high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is particularly associated with immediate reductions in the intensity of depressive feelings,” explains researcher Jacob Miguel Vigil.

“With no end to the depression epidemic in sight, and given the limitations and potential severe negative side effects of conventional antidepressant medications, there is a real need for people to be able to treat mood disturbances with natural, safe, and effective medications, and the cannabis plant checks off all three boxes,” he added.

Boosting the endocannabinoid system with the use of cannabinoid-based products has been shown to positively impact the neuroendocrine, neurotransmission, and neuroimmune systems. These systems are all greatly affected by those who suffer from depression and other mood disorders such as bipolar disorder.

In a 2006 study out of Montreal, researchers found that increasing the amount of endocannabinoids produced by the brain is effective in improving one’s mood. Investigators from the McGill University Health Center revealed that using the synthetic URB579 agent resulted in “potent anti-depressant-like effects” in animal models because it was successful in preventing cannabinoids from degrading.

It was the first study to ever prove that something external can help boost cannabinoids and overall mood.

According to lead researcher Gabriella Gobbi, “This is the first time it has been shown that a drug that increases cannabinoids in the brain can improve your mood,” she said.

Additionally, a 2020 report from BMC Psychiatry found that whole plant cannabis and plant-based cannabinoids are effective in improving moods and sleep while reducing anxiety and psychotic disorders.

Conclusion

While the body of research on cannabis for bipolar disorders is fairly young, the studies and anecdotal evidence is promising. If you or a loved one struggle with bipolar disorder and want to use cannabis or CBD products, be sure to do so with the guidance of your physician.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission.

Here Are The Products That Drove Green Wednesday Sales (And The Ones That Tanked)

Cannabusiness

Debra Borchardt

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November 30, 2022

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Here Are The Products That Drove Green Wednesday Sales (And The Ones That Tanked)

This year’s Green Wednesday was the third-highest grossing day of sales after 4/20 and the Friday before the 4th of July.

By Debra Borchardt, Green Market Report

The joke about going for a walk with your cousin every Thanksgiving may be a thing of the past. With so many new forms of cannabis consumption, that “walk” to go smoke a joint with your cool cousin undetected could become Thanksgiving lore.

Beverages, edibles, and, in some cases, the convenient vape pen dominated Green Wednesday sales, as the day before Thanksgiving has come to be called.

Inflation also seemed to rear its ugly head this year. Sales transactions were up, but the amount customers spent was less. Data from both Headset and Jane Technologies demonstrate that Green Wednesday continues to be a winner for cannabis consumption.

Headset ran the numbers to see if Green Wednesday sales popped versus previous Wednesdays for dispensaries — and indeed they did. Combined sales data from California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington state saw sales jump by 48% compared with previous Wednesdays in November.

Headset also found that this year’s Green Wednesday was the third-highest grossing day of sales after 4/20 and the Friday before the 4th of July. Green Wednesday overtook Black Friday as the highest-grossing day during the Thanksgiving holiday stretch. In 2021, Green Wednesday saw a 61% increase in sales compared to a typical Wednesday.

As expected, sales fell on Thanksgiving Day as many dispensaries closed for the holiday, and Black Friday only experienced a slight increase of 1%. It looks as if consumers stocked up before heading out to relatives for the weekend.

Secret Stoners

Category Performance

The products that people could consume without Aunt Gertrude being any wiser grew. Headset noted that topicals (15.7%), beverages (13.2%), and edibles (6.1%) all experienced sales growth during the holiday stretch. Popular inhalable products, such as concentrates (-11.4%) and flower (-10.8%), took the biggest hit.

In Jane’s data, vape cartridges were the top-selling category, beating out flower by 20%. Vapes are easy to carry and not nearly as stinky as smoking flower.

Sales Lift

Jane Technologies looked at nationwide sales and in particular the new market of New Jersey. Jane found that Green Wednesday’s total sales increased by 77% compared to the previous four Wednesdays in a nationwide view. The average store saw sales increase by 20% over last year.

In New Jersey, sales increased by 100%. More mature markets saw sales fall or grow only slightly. California sales fell by 8%, Colorado fell by 7%, and Massachusetts dropped by 30%. Illinois’ Green Wednesday average store sales increased by 9%.

It seems consumers were on a budget this year. Transactions were up, but shopping carts weren’t full. Nationwide, Jane Technologies said that the average cart size fell by 8% from last year. In California, the cart size fell by 18%, in Colorado by 8%, Massachusetts carts fell by 17% and in Illinois, shoppers’ carts dropped by 14%.

Cannabis sales — Photo by Ivan-balvan/Getty Images

Discounts

Headset noted that discounts increased across the board during the holiday stretch with the average discount increasing 7.3 percentage points to 21.8% across the three days of holidays.

While Green Wednesday was the largest sales day, it had the smallest average discount (19.8%), though an increase of nearly 6 percentage points from a typical Wednesday. Thanksgiving (22.2%) and Black Friday (23.7%) saw the largest average discounts both with an increase of more than 8 percentage points compared to a typical Thursday and Friday.

In Closing

Grabbing a beverage or munching an edible during the holiday may have replaced the annual walk with your cousin. It might lower the tensions that come with some family gatherings and even boost the munchies so that you can avoid insulting Granny by not eating that second piece of pie.

Ultimately, the cannabis industry, which has seen declining sales in some markets, must’ve been pleased to see customers pouring in on Wednesday. Let the holidays begin! And let’s keep that tradition of walking with your cousin — just bring them a gummy instead.

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report and has been reposted with permission.

How Marijuana Affects Us Differently As We Age

Cannabis

Tom Gaffey

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November 29, 2022

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How Marijuana Affects Us Differently As We Age

With seniors becoming a crucial part of the retail market, it seems high time we understand the different ways marijuana impacts us as we age.

If you use cannabis regularly or have casually enjoyed it for many years, you may have noticed it affects you differently today than it did 5, 10 or even 20 years ago. A lot of this change may have to do with factors like tolerance, the weed itself or even life experience. Here is how marijuana affects us differently as we age.

After all, once we get used to a substance it doesn’t quite feel the same as it once did, and it takes more of the substance to feel the similar effects. But there could be something else contributing to this change you feel. Your age might be one of the reasons that cannabis affects you differently today than it did when you were younger.

seniors cannabis — Photo by Westend61/Getty Images

Marijuana use has increased significantly in the older demographics in the last several years. According to a 2020 study published in the JAMA Network, “Marijuana use in the prior year among people over 65 had jumped 75 percent from 2015 to 2018, from 2.4 percent of that group to 4.2 percent. By 2019, use had reached 5 percent.” With this steady increase in older folks getting high, it is more pertinent than ever to understand if and how marijuana use affects people differently based on age.

Cannabis use is only now starting to be widely studied and tested. It will take years of data and more cannabis decriminalization before we get the more nuanced answers to how marijuana affects us as we age. But while much more research must be done, with the limited research available, scientists are uncovering some very interesting findings – and some might even surprise you.

For one, there is memory and mental capacity to consider. You might think that as we get older, marijuana might mess with our memory and cognition more than it once did. After all, as we age, our minds aren’t exactly what they used to be. But this might not be the case when it comes to marijuana use. According to a 2021 study titled “Are the Acute Effects of THC Different in Aging Adults,” the results, and previous reports, actually differ from what you might think.

“Consistent with some reports in the preclinical literature, the findings suggest that older adults may be less sensitive to the effects of THC on cognitive and affective measures.” In other words, older users tended to keep their wits about them just fine (if not better) than younger adults. In the end, their findings suggest that “THC has an adverse impact on aspects of cognition in younger adults and that young adults are more susceptible to phenotypes of THC dependence.”

Vaping In Teens Continues To Increase And Could Have Long Lasting Impact — Photo by Toan Nguyen via Unsplash

When it comes to cannabis and age, the curious results are not limited to just seniors and more “seasoned” cannabis users. There are also some studies that compare mature adult usage to adolescent cannabis usage. According to a 2019 study that examined age-related differences regarding cannabis use, adolescents showed a slightly more resilient memory than older users. “Human adolescents exhibited less impairment in memory post-intoxication than adults,” according to the study.

But while the younger users may have had less impairment, they found that younger users tended to crave cannabis more. “Craving and inhibitory control may not decrease as much after cannabis intoxication in adolescents compared to adults.” The authors also noted these trends were most noticeable among “very heavy and dependent users.”

More research is required in order to uncover more concrete evidence within these trends. Marijuana affects everyone differently, and the user’s age is a not-often researched, but clearly significant variable when it comes to THC and how we react to it.

Now, more than ever, this type of research is important. After all, more and more seniors (and adults in general) are reaching for cannabis instead of other substances. Even retailers are getting in on the trend. “Major retailers offer dispensary discounts of 10 to 20 percent on ‘Silver Sundays’ or ‘Senior Appreciation Days,’” according to the New York Times.

With seniors becoming a crucial part of the retail market, it seems high time we understand the different ways marijuana impacts us as we age.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Cannabis is certainly an excellent all-natural way to support our cognitive functions while also healing from emotional distress or brain injury.

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Cannabis Aids In Neurogenesis

Cannabis Aids In Healing of Mental Health Disorders

Conclusion

The majority of the world appears to be moving towards some form of cannabis regulation, with an eye towards liberalization.

International Reform Gaining Steam

Federal Movement in the U.S.

Boundaries of Legalization

More research will give HHS and DOJ more data that will support the fact that marijuana’s Schedule I status is absolutely ridiculous.

How HR 8485 Works

Mastering the steam chalice can take a few tries, especially if you’re a dedicated joint smoker. Even if you’re used to working with glass bongs, a Jamaican steam chalice will undoubtedly feel strange in your hands at first.

What Is a Steam Chalice?

How to Use a Steam Chalice

Conclusion

A new study by the AMA found medical marijuana curbed opioid use and provided an alternate route for cancer treatment.

Though preliminary, the results from this study offer a glimmer of hope that marijuana legalization could have more benefit than harm to offer.

Barriers to SBA assistance were a major complaint from cannabis companies during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the fact that the industry was designated as “essential” by nearly every state with a functional marijuana market.

Researchers found that cannabis was effective in improving cognitive function while helping reduce risky decision making, which is common among individuals with bipolar disorder.

Other Studies

Conclusion

This year’s Green Wednesday was the third-highest grossing day of sales after 4/20 and the Friday before the 4th of July.

Secret Stoners

Category Performance

Sales Lift

Discounts

In Closing

With seniors becoming a crucial part of the retail market, it seems high time we understand the different ways marijuana impacts us as we age.

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