Teens Are Getting Sick From High THC Marijuana Products

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June 24, 2022

Teens Are Getting Sick From High THC Marijuana Products

A new article claims higher levels of THC are affecting the health of teens.

Marijuana products can have THC levels of up to 100%. This is a relatively new development, with marijuana growers and handlers learning how to cultivate stronger products in recent years.

According to The New York Times, these high levels of THC are affecting teens, increasing their odds of dependency and even resulting in conditions like cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.

Teen Marijuana Use Drops Dramatically In This State — Photo by Tim Mossholder via Unsplash

The article interviews several experts, teens and their parents and paints a picture of some of the marijuana products that are in circulation today, claiming that these are stronger than in years past and that they can affect consumers in adverse ways.

Elysse, one of the teenagers interviewed, shared that marijuana made her feel euphoric and happy. The oils and waxes she purchased had THC levels of up to 90%, which she consumed several times a day. After a few months of regular use, her positive highs morphed into sad and anxiety-inducing experiences, including one instance where she vomited more than 20 times within the span of two hours. She was diagnosed with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a rare side effect of cannabis.

While there’s a lot we don’t know about marijuana, it’s clear that the drug has great medicinal capabilities. In terms of its side effects, they’re not wholly understood but cannabis has been linked with conditions like cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, cannabis addiction, mental health conditions, and more. These issues are more concerning in the case of teens, with the overuse of the drug affecting their brains in ways that may impact them for the rest of their lives.

More and more states are legalizing cannabis, but since the drug remains illegal on a federal level every state moves at its own pace. Currently, recreational marijuana is legal in 19 states, Washington DC and Guam. Only Vermont and Connecticut have caps on THC concentrations.

Still, banning the amount of THC in cannabis products may not be the answer. Marijuana supporters are interested in keeping the drug away from teens and claim the best way to do this is to implement legal marijuana markets, replacing the black market for an industry that is regularly tested and operates under certain rules and regulations.

What A National Medical Marijuana Registry Could Mean For Those On The List

Medical Marijuana

Tom Gaffey

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June 24, 2022

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What A National Medical Marijuana Registry Could Mean For Those On The List

This large registry can provide information about how well medical marijuana works for all sorts of conditions, and also track trends and usage.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has applied to create a national database of medical marijuana users in order to understand more about marijuana and how it is used to treat medical conditions in America. This would be the most broad registry of its kind, and could help generate significant new data on the subject.

It is only natural, however, that a medical marijuana patient may see this new registry and feel a bit uneasy. Sure, many states with medical marijuana programs have their own registry, but there has never been a registry pool with such a variety of potential uses in existence like the one NIDA plans to create. This begs the question: If you currently use medical marijuana, what does this mean for your future?

This database could cover a broad range of medical cannabis users, but individuals have no need to worry about their medical privacy in this matter. For one, this database involves an application process and is voluntary. According to NIDA’s request for application (RFA), it “seeks applications to develop and maintain a medicinal cannabis use registry to assess the medical conditions reported as reasons for using medicinal cannabis, how and what products are being used, and the associated medical outcomes.”

Further, medical marijuana records are protected by HIPAA, which federally protects medical patient’s right to privacy. Since medical marijuana is not federally legal, there is sometimes concern that HIPAA regulations may not apply to medical marijuana. According to The Compliance Group,“HIPAA does in fact apply to the medical marijuana industry.”

While there are no reasons to worry about privacy with this proposed database, there may be a cause for concern in regards to how one can acquire and maintain a medical marijuana card in the future. One of the objectives of this national registry is to understand how and why people gain access to medical marijuana as a nation.

According to Benzinga, “With this move, NIDA intends to address the issue of heterogeneity of conditions for which patients can request a medical cannabis card, considering that rules vary from state to state.” This research could potentially streamline access to medical marijuana, or it may also suggest making it more specific regulations in regards to obtaining a medical marijuana card — only time will tell.

There are, however, several potential benefits to a database of this kind.. For example, NIDA points out the need for significantly more data and research on medical marijuana in order to know more about its potential benefits for major health issues like opioid addiction.

According to the RFA, “some studies indicated that chronic prescription opioid use decreases after cannabis use, while others show no changes in opioid medication use.” We have previously reported on physicians’ need for further information to understand how marijuana impacts certain things like opioid addiction. While clinical trials remain difficult due to the federal prohibition on marijuana, a database of this scope could provide valuable insight into the medical benefits of cannabis in regards to pain and addiction.

medical marijuana research — Photo by Esther Kelleter / EyeEm/Getty Images

This large registry can provide information about how well medical marijuana works for all sorts of conditions, and also track trends and usage. While targeted clinical studies may provide better results, this is certainly an effective approach in the meantime while the Federal Government continues to take its time deciding the fate of cannabis on a national level.

The goal, it seems, is to unite the data that is available across the majority of states where medical marijuana is widely used. It’s as if the information is all there, only it’s compartmentalized in individual states, and not providing its maximum effectiveness. Or as NIDA wrote, “As many patients are already using cannabis products for medicinal applications, it is important to identify the evidence that exists and as it evolves, and to harmonize and coordinate this information to maximize the potential benefits to patients while minimizing harmful effects,” NIDA

Why Did North Carolina House Republicans Decide Not To Legalize Medical Cannabis?

Benzinga Staff Writer

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June 24, 2022

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Why Did North Carolina House Republicans Decide Not To Legalize Medical Cannabis?

The legislation from Sen. Bill Rabon (R) cleared the State Senate earlier this month in a strongly bipartisan vote.

By Joana Scopel

North Carolina House Republicans decided yesterday (June 23) to not legalize medical cannabis, something that had already been passed by the State Senate, reported Axios. According to confidential sources, Republicans voted following an internal caucus vote.

What Happened: House Speaker Tim Moore (R) was a key lawmaker who dismissed the idea of enacting medical cannabis legalization this year. “I feel very confident that Republicans will have a supermajority next year. When I say next year, I mean six months from now. We can deal with this then,” he said.

marijuana legalization — Photo by Olena Ruban/Getty Images

In addition, the North Carolina Compassionate Care Act was approved by the State Senate as a measure that would have allowed cannabis with higher levels of THC to treat cancer, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, HIV, AIDS and Crohn’s Disease.

The legislation from Sen. Bill Rabon (R) cleared the State Senate earlier this month in a strongly bipartisan vote.

“This bill is going to, in my opinion, help a lot of people at the end of their life at a time that they need some compassion,” said Rabon, who co-sponsored it. “We have looked at other states, the good and the bad (…) And we have, if not perfected, we have done a better job than anyone so far.”

However, the bill would not decriminalize recreational weed.

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

Delta-8: What You Need To Know To Get Started

Lisa Porter

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June 23, 2022

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Delta-8: What You Need To Know To Get Started

There’s a perfect product and an optimal dose for everyone, and knowing your end goal will help you figure out where to start.

Have you ever found yourself standing in front of a wall of delta-8 at the vape shop with no idea where to start? You are not alone! Dosing THC can be tricky, even for savvy cannabis consumers. And because delta-8 is new to the cannabis marketplace, it’s hard to get a straight answer about how much to take.

While some of the guidelines for dosing are the same as for weed or CBD, it doesn’t mean your ideal delta-8 dose will be the same, according to Robert Como, founder Hi On Nature, which manufactures high-end delta-8 products “The compositions of different forms of THC are unique, he says, “and so are the goals, the body chemistry, and the tolerance levels of the people who use them.”

smoking marijuana joint — Photo by Jose Luque / EyeEm/Getty Images

Begin with the end in mind

Start in the same place you would with any cannabis product, which is knowing what you want to accomplish with delta-8. Your goals might include:

Treating pain, anxiety, or nausea without any high
A light high that provides clarity and energy during the day
Casual recreational use with less risk of developing paranoia
Serious recreational use with an intense high

“Part of delta-8’s appeal is that it has such a broad range of uses,” says Como. “There’s a perfect product and an optimal dose for everyone, and knowing your end goal will help you figure out where to start.”

Choose the right starting dose

Like other forms of THC, your response to delta-8 is dependent on your tolerance, which is determined by your body chemistry, weight, and age. “If you’re a regular cannabis user, you probably have some idea where to begin,” Como advises, “but if you’ve never used delta-8 before, we recommend starting at a lower dose and building from there.”

At Hi On Nature, doses range from 10 mg Cub Scouts gummies up to their flagship product, 2500 mg Space Rings. “We produce a full spectrum of doses and a variety of delivery methods that makes it easy to work your way up to get the effect you’re looking for,” says Como.

For those who are inexperienced with cannabis or have only used CBD in the past, he recommends starting with 10 milligrams or less.

What to know before you try Delta-8

Delta-8 can have a delayed onset compared to other forms of THC. “The first time you try delta-8, give it ample time to take effect before considering adding more,” Como advises. With gummies, the effect can be delayed up to 4 hours, although 1-2 hours is more typical. Other delivery methods such as vapes or tinctures can take effect more quickly.

Como recommends following the guidelines on the product packaging closely until you are familiar with your individual response to delta-8. For more information about delta-8 or to explore the full product range offered by Hi On Nature, visit their website.

Study Shows Inhaled Cannabis May Help Chronic Pain Patients

Benzinga Staff Writer

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June 23, 2022

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Study Shows Inhaled Cannabis May Help Chronic Pain Patients

Although some patients reported mild side effects at the beginning of the study, the use of the inhaler over a period of several months was associated with reduced pain scores and improvements in patients’ quality of life.

By Joana Scopel

A study conducted by Israeli researchers in Haifa showed the short-term effectiveness and safety of micro doses of medical cannabis administered via a metered-dose inhaler (the Syqe Inhaler) in chronic pain patients, according to data published in the journal Pain Reports.

“The administration of aerosolized cannabis through an inhaler may reduce long-term pain in patients with neuropathy and other chronic conditions,” researchers said. The daily stable dose investigators used for their patients was 1.5 mg of aerosolized delta-9-THC.

The FDA Objects To The Sale And Marketing Of Nasal, Ophthalmic, Inhalable CBD Products — Photo by Javier Zayas Photography/Getty Images

Although some patients reported mild side effects (such as dizziness and sleepiness) at the beginning of the study, the use of the inhaler over a period of several months was associated with reduced pain scores and improvements in patients’ quality of life.

“Medical cannabis treatment with the Syqe Inhaler demonstrated overall long-term pain reduction[s], quality of life improvement[s], and opioid-sparing effect[s] in a cohort of patients with chronic pain, using just a fraction of the amount of MC [medical cannabis] compared with other modes of delivery by inhalation. These outcomes were accompanied by a lower rate of AEs [adverse events] and almost no AE reports during a long-term steady-state follow-up. Additional follow-up in a larger population is warranted to corroborate our findings,” the study reads.

In addition, another recent study found that some orally ingested cannabis products can provide short-term relief from chronic pain. The study notes that high ratios of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to cannabidiol (CBD) also may reduce significant pain in patients.

A study recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine demonstrated that medical cannabis program enrollment jumped over four times between 2016 and 2020, reaching nearly three million patients in 2020.

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

Life Sentence For Weed Possession? Mississippi Supreme Court Says ‘Yes’ If You’ve Got Priors

Benzinga Staff Writer

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June 23, 2022

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Life Sentence For Weed Possession? Mississippi Supreme Court Says ‘Yes’ If You’ve Got Priors

By Nina Zdinjak

Can one be sentenced to life in prison for cannabis possession? Under certain circumstances, it can happen.

Last week, the Mississippi Supreme Court upheld a life sentence for cannabis possession under the state’s violent habitual offender law, reported The Epoch Times.

The ruling comes at the time when some 37 states have legalized medical marijuana and 19 have recreational cannabis programs. When Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed legislation into law, it became the 37th state to legalize MMJ. “There is no doubt that there are individuals in our state who could do significantly better if they had access to medically prescribed doses of cannabis,” the governor said at the time after 74% of Mississippi voters approved the program.

Why then was Allen Russel sentenced to life in prison for marijuana possession?

Hattiesburg Police Department officers had searched Russell’s home and found five bags of cannabis amounting to 79.5 grams, Russell was accused on one count of possessing more than 30 grams but less than 250 grams of cannabis and for being a violent habitual offender under Mississippi Code Section 99-19-83. He was convicted on the possession charge.

State prosecutors showed evidence of his previous felony convictions — two for burglary and one for possession of a firearm while being a convicted felon.

Russell was not cooperative with police, and “chemical gas had to be deployed to obtain Russell’s surrender,” the chief justice said.

Chief Justice Michael Randolph explained that the search warrant came when Russell was investigated as a murder suspect when a medical paper with Russell’s name was discovered at the scene of the crime.

Russell tried to argue that the life sentence without the possibility of parole was a violation of the eighth amendment that prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. He also argued that his constitutional right no to be subjected to ex post facto law was violated, as his actions were being punished retroactively.

The Court of Appeals voted 5-5 on his appeal in 2019 and upheld the sentence. Then, on June 16, the Supreme Court of Mississippi voted 6-3 to uphold the sentence under the habitual offender provisions of the Mississippi Code.

marijuana arrest — Photo by Gleti/Getty Images

“Because the trial judge followed the law to the letter, we affirm,” the majority opinion written by Justice Robert P. Chamberlin stated. “The trial judge did not have sentencing discretion in this case.”

Chief Justice Randolph wrote, “Russell has received a harsh punishment not because he possessed a small amount of marijuana, but because he has repeatedly refused to abide by the laws enacted to protect all the citizens of our state.”

Is Everything So Black & White?

On the other hand, Justice Josiah Coleman, along with two other judges, stated that Russell had not been treated fairly by the courts in this case. Coleman highlighted that “burglary was not considered a per se crime of violence until” state law made it so in 2014. This means that when Russell pled guilty to two counts of burglary in 2004, burglary was treated as a crime of violence only if actual violence happened during burglary, reported the outlet.

“We do not know whether Russell’s burglaries involved actual violence, but the fact that he was allowed the opportunity by the sentencing court to participate in the Regimented Inmate Discipline Program tends to indicate they did not,” said Coleman, who concluded he would have remanded the case to a trial hearing to review the Eighth Amendment issue and resentencing.

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

Juul E-Cigarettes To Be Removed From US Shelves — Here’s Why

Maria Loreto

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June 22, 2022

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Juul E-Cigarettes To Be Removed From US Shelves — Here’s Why

A report claims the FDA denied approval of Juul products, suggesting that these will soon be taken off the market.

The FDA is taking Juul e-cigarettes off the market. The news was published by The Wall Street Journal, which claims the decision could come as early as today.

This decision follows a lot of criticism of e-cigarettes, particularly when it comes to teen and young adult use — some of the product’s biggest consumers. In 2019, the company stopped the sale of several flavors in the US. A year later, it applied for FDA approval to continue selling its products in the country.

The FDA reviewed the company’s application factoring in the argument that e-cigs can help smokers quit cigarettes and whether or not the benefits of smoking outweighed the damages of consuming Juul e-cigs regularly.

Will The Federal Ban On Flavored E-Cigarette Pods Serve Its Purpose? — Photo by Scott Olson/Staff/Getty Images

“This clearly comes as a surprise to the market … we would expect that Juul would appeal the decision, and remain on the market through that process, which would likely take a year or more,” analyst Vivien Azer told Reuters.

Reuters claims the FDA declined to comment on the report.

In 2019, Juul faced many controversies, including the firing of the VP of global finances, Siddharth Breja, who raised claims after the company sent out a shipment of contaminated Juul pods to the market. Breja relayed a conversation he had with Kevin Burns, the CEO of the company. “Half our customers are drunk and vaping like mo-fos, who the f*** is going to notice the quality of our pods?” said Burns.

Burns stepped down from the company that year and claimed that the accusations were lies. “I never said this, or anything remotely close to this, period. As CEO, I had the company make huge investments in product quality and the facts will show this claim is absolutely false and pure fiction,” he said.

From the get-go, e-cigarettes have marketed themselves as an alternate solution to cigarettes, one that is less harmful to people’s lungs. While this is true, e-cigarettes are still bad for people’s health, especially when consumed on a daily basis or if the consumers are young.

SCOTUS Denies Workers Comp For Employees Seeking Medical Marijuana For Injuries

Benzinga Staff Writer

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June 22, 2022

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SCOTUS Denies Workers Comp For Employees Seeking Medical Marijuana For Injuries

By Jelena Martinovic

Compensation for workers injured on the job is being approached from various angles, though it faces an ongoing setback: cannabis remains a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which essentially precludes workers from being able to seek compensation for its use as a medication.

Two cases concerning Minnesota employees were discussed at a private conference earlier this year wherein both were regarded as invalid according to a 2021 Minnesota Supreme Court ruling, under which employers were not obligated to pay for their workers’ medical marijuana treatment.

legal marijuana — Photo by Olena Ruban/Getty Images

Both cases, in a new decision, were declined by the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday. Marijuana Moment reported that denying certiorari means that fewer than four justices felt the legal challenges merited consideration by the high court, not necessarily that a majority agrees with lower court rulings in the two disputes.

What Happened?

In February, the U.S. Supreme Court asked the top Justice Department lawyer to submit a brief. The response from the solicitor general’s office came in last month with a recommendation that the court should not take up the matter.

The Cases

Susan Musta had filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court in November when the state court determined that her employer did not need to provide reimbursement for medical cannabis following her injury at a dental center where she was working.

In a friend-of-the-court brief filed in December by Empire State NORML and the New York City and Hudson Valley Cannabis Industry Associations, justices were urged to take up an appeal out of Minnesota, using it to settle the conflict between state and federal cannabis laws.

Daniel Bierbach, the protagonist in a similar case, submitted his petition for a writ of certiorari (a process that seeks a judicial review of a lower court decision) months after Musta in January. The state Supreme Court made the same judgment.

While filings in both cases were distributed on February 2 for a Supreme Court conference that was scheduled on February 18, the justices are now asking the Biden administration to weigh in on the issue.

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

NC Senate Prioritizes Personal Income Tax Over Medicaid Expansion And Medical Marijuana Legalization

Benzinga Staff Writer

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June 22, 2022

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NC Senate Prioritizes Personal Income Tax Over Medicaid Expansion And Medical Marijuana Legalization

“I feel very confident that Republicans will have a supermajority next year. When I say next year, I mean six months from now. We can deal with this then,” said House Speaker Tim Moore.

By Joana Scopel

State senate leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) expressed support for cutting the state’s personal income tax rate in half as legislative leaders prepare the upcoming budget proposal for North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D).

Last year’s budget agreement dropped to 4.99% and could drop more each year until 2027 when it will reach 3.99%. However, Sen. Berger said it should go even lower, saying, “2.5% sounds fine to me.”

Over the last several weeks, new polling was released by the GOPAC Education Fund and the Center for American Ideas and, conducted by the Differentiators — a Republican firm founded by two former employees of Sen. Berger — found support in legislative districts for cutting the personal income tax rate to 2.5% in 2030.

However, Democrats oppose cutting the income tax rate further. Instead of this measure, they support a one-time $200 rebate to help people deal with rising gas prices.

What Do NC Lawmakers Say About Marijuana Medical Legalization?

The Differentiators polls have found wide support for Medicaid expansion, legalizing medical marijuana, and cutting state income taxes.

Earlier in June, the Senate passed a bill to expand Medicaid coverage to about 600,000 more people and make changes related to access to healthcare. Sen. Berger believes it’s “good state policy.”

In addition, the Senate passed a bill to legalize medical marijuana and another bill dealing with parental rights in education that also limits how LGBTQ issues are taught in schools.

However, House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said this issue may have to wait as first he’ll focus on getting a budget agreement.

“I feel very confident that Republicans will have a supermajority next year. When I say next year, I mean six months from now. We can deal with this then,” Moore concluded.

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

Scientists ‘Heal’ Heart Attacks In Mice — Are People Next?

Maria Loreto

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June 22, 2022

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Scientists ‘Heal’ Heart Attacks In Mice — Are People Next?

Scientists managed to repair the heart muscles of mice following heart attacks, an achievement that’s a first in the field and that could impact the future of cardiovascular diseases.

Scientists have managed to heal the heart of mice who’ve experienced heart attacks. While the study doesn’t immediately translate to humans, it’s a first step in addressing a significant disease that affects thousands of people a year.

Researchers believe the two-part study (here and here), published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Aging, is a game-changer in the field, and could lead to new treatments for humans in the near future.

Researchers used a new technology, a synthetic mRNA tweaked to deliver instructions to the body. mRNAs carry protein information from the interior of a cell to its exterior, contributing to a growing protein chain. The synthetic mRNA changes the way in which the heart muscle works, making it function more like stem cells, and making them able to regenerate and heal themselves, something that they’re unable to do on their own.

Smoking Marijuana Is Not Good For Your Heart, Says American Heart Association — Photo by onsuda/Getty Images

Heart attacks and heart disease are normally life-threatening conditions, difficult to overcome due to the nature of their cells. Once people are affected by a heart attack or cardiovascular condition, their hearts and systems are usually left in a more delicate place than they were before.

“The lab found cardiac myocytes multiplied quickly within a day, while hearts over the next month were repaired to near normal cardiac pumping function with little scarring,” explained Robert Schwartz, who’s the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished University Professor of Biology & Biochemistry at the University of Houston.

While a lot of time likely stands between this study and its repercussions on humans, this is a big first step.

Heart disease is currently the number one cause of death in the U.S., according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Teens Are Getting Sick From High THC Marijuana Products

A new article claims higher levels of THC are affecting the health of teens.

What A National Medical Marijuana Registry Could Mean For Those On The List

This large registry can provide information about how well medical marijuana works for all sorts of conditions, and also track trends and usage.

Why Did North Carolina House Republicans Decide Not To Legalize Medical Cannabis?

The legislation from Sen. Bill Rabon (R) cleared the State Senate earlier this month in a strongly bipartisan vote.

Delta-8: What You Need To Know To Get Started

There’s a perfect product and an optimal dose for everyone, and knowing your end goal will help you figure out where to start.

Begin with the end in mind

Choose the right starting dose

What to know before you try Delta-8

Study Shows Inhaled Cannabis May Help Chronic Pain Patients

Although some patients reported mild side effects at the beginning of the study, the use of the inhaler over a period of several months was associated with reduced pain scores and improvements in patients’ quality of life.

Life Sentence For Weed Possession? Mississippi Supreme Court Says ‘Yes’ If You’ve Got Priors

Is Everything So Black & White?

Juul E-Cigarettes To Be Removed From US Shelves — Here’s Why

A report claims the FDA denied approval of Juul products, suggesting that these will soon be taken off the market.

SCOTUS Denies Workers Comp For Employees Seeking Medical Marijuana For Injuries

What Happened?

The Cases

NC Senate Prioritizes Personal Income Tax Over Medicaid Expansion And Medical Marijuana Legalization

“I feel very confident that Republicans will have a supermajority next year. When I say next year, I mean six months from now. We can deal with this then,” said House Speaker Tim Moore.

What Do NC Lawmakers Say About Marijuana Medical Legalization?

Scientists ‘Heal’ Heart Attacks In Mice — Are People Next?

Scientists managed to repair the heart muscles of mice following heart attacks, an achievement that’s a first in the field and that could impact the future of cardiovascular diseases.

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