Cannabis Is Indeed The Best Natural Treatment For Parkinson’s Disease, New Studies Show

Medical Marijuana

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July 18, 2022

Cannabis Is Indeed The Best Natural Treatment For Parkinson’s Disease, New Studies Show

PD patients have a high interest in treatment with medicinal cannabis, but lack knowledge about how to take it and especially the differences between THC and CBD.

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

Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. It was named by Jean-Martin Charcot, a French neurologist, back in 1872 after the disease was first identified by James Parkinson in 1817. Over a century later, there is still no known cure for this disease which robs people of their dignity and quality of life. However, there have been numerous modern treatments that have been developed including dopamine therapy, surgery, and even deep brain stimulation for healing the affected area in the brain.

seniors and cannabis — Photo by Westend61/Getty Images

The problem with pharmaceutical medications which have been designed for Parkinson’s disease is that they also leave patients with numerous unwanted side effects. These drugs are primarily intended to increase dopamine levels since the symptoms of Parkinson’s occur when dopamine levels drop too low. While all Parkinson’s patients experience different symptoms, the common medications used are all the same; these include Levodopa, dopamine agonists, anticholinergics, glutamate antagonist, COMT inhibitors, and MAO-B inhibitors.

The side effects from Parkinson’s medications include nausea, low blood pressure, involuntary movements, hallucinations, confusion, and behavioral issues – such as the uncontrollable need to have sex or gamble.

Thankfully, more patients are finding hope using cannabis-based medications.

What The Studies Say

In 2021, a survey sent amongst patients with Parkinson’s disease in Germany analyzed the impact of cannabis products. The results, which were published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, reported that more than half of the patients acknowledge positive clinical results. In Germany, THC products can already prescribed for cases where conventional medications did not work. Meanwhile, CBD can be obtained without a prescription from the internet as well as pharmacies.

“Medical cannabis was legally approved in Germany in 2017 when approval was given for therapy-resistant symptoms in severely affected patients independent of diagnosis and without clinical evidence-based data,” says the study’s lead researcher, Professor Carsten Buhmann of Germany’s University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Department of Neurology. The researchers intended to analyze prescriptions of MMJ then assess the feedback from patients who were using it. The study was cross-sectional, nationwide, and used a questionnaire format. Afterwards, 1,300 questionnaires were completed.

They found that 54% of existing patients who were using cannabis strains for Parkinson’s said they were beneficial and it was overall tolerated well. More than 40% of them said marijuana was effective in managing muscle cramps and pain, while over 20% said that it helped reduce stiffness, anxiety, tremors, freezing, and restless legs.

“Our data confirm that PD patients have a high interest in treatment with medicinal cannabis, but lacked knowledge about how to take it and especially the differences between the two main cannabinoids, THC and CBD,” Buhmann added.

The Michael J Fox Foundation (MJFF) also conducted a recent survey through their online platform called Fox Insight. The MJFF was established to spread awareness on Parkinson’s disease, conducts research through patient engagement with the hopes of finding an objective test, and supports development of new treatments.

Researchers at the University of Colorado namely Samantha Holden, MD, MS, and her colleagues polled participants about the type of cannabis they consume, and how much CBD and THC; they also inquired how often they consume it and how long they were medicating with it.

Almost 1,900 patients with Parkinson’s disease shared their feedback. The results, which were released in the Movement Disorders Clinical Practice journal, revealed that over 70% of patients use marijuana, most commonly through oral consumption, once a day. While some of them weren’t sure about the kind of cannabis they were taking, almost half were taking high CBD products while 15% took almost equal amounts of CBD and THC. Many patients said that the cannabis helped them with pain, agitation, anxiety, or sleep.

In a 2022 survey among 1,881 patients with Parkinson’s disease, researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus analyzed symptoms and prescription medication consumption after cannabis was given.

The data revealed that respondents found the most benefits for cannabis in the areas of pain, sleep, anxiety, and agitation after using either whole plant cannabis or CBD. However, patients who were also using high potency THC reported improvements in depression, tremors, appetite, and nausea though they found that it worsened bradykinesia, a Parkinson’s symptom associated with slow movements. Just like with other studies, many respondents said that cannabis was effective in helping them discontinue prescription drugs especially those that were used for anxiety and pain.

medical marijuana — Photo by FatCamera/Getty Images

“These survey results offer a broad overview of real-world use patterns and experience among a large group of people living with PD and provide initial results regarding the differential symptomatic effects of higher THC versus higher CBD products,” concluded the authors. “In summary, people with PD report that cannabis subjectively improves some PD-related symptoms, with higher THC products conferring more frequent benefits than higher CBD products,” the authors concluded.

“Next steps should include more rigorous, controlled studies, informed by the results herein, to more objectively study the effects of varying types of cannabis on PD symptoms, as well as the impact of the different methods of ingestion and specific doses,” they wrote.

Conclusion

With all the tremendously positive feedback from patients, it shows that cannabis is promising as a natural alternative to current Parkinson’s medications. There’s still much we don’t know about it, such as the best THC:CBD ratio and route of administration, but with more studies like these out there, we should know more in no time.

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

If You Have Meat In Your Freezer, You May Be At Risk For COVID

Maria Loreto

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July 17, 2022

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If You Have Meat In Your Freezer, You May Be At Risk For COVID

A new study finds evidence that the coronavirus can survive in your freezer, leading to infections that are difficult to trace.

There’s a new source of COVID risk, this time, from an unexpected place. New research shows that the coronavirus can survive for more than 30 days in frozen meat.

The study, published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, tested different meats and exposed them to freezer environments to gauge their reactions. They also wanted to see if it was a possibility for people to catch the virus from these sources.

5 Places To Look For Lost Marijuana When Corona Times Get Hard — Photo by Daria Shevtsova via Pexels

Researchers used surrogate viruses for their test, using ones that had similar spikes to the coronavirus. They tested them on beef, salmon, pork and chicken. They claimed that the study mattered since COVID is known to replicate in the gut, not only in the lungs and respiratory tract.

“Although you might not store meat in the fridge for 30 days, you might store it in the freezer for that long,” said the study’s first author and assistant professor at Campbell University, Emily Bailey. “We even found that the viruses could be cultured after [being frozen for] that length of time.”

Researchers decided to take on the study after they learned that COVID outbreaks were occurring in places in Southeast Asia where there were no community transmissions. This lead researchers to believe that prepackaged meats could be the culprits, especially if these were prepared in areas where there was the presence of COVID.

Bailey explains that this research should serve as an opening for more studies and for those who handle food to be more careful and aware of this issue.

“Continued efforts are needed to prevent contamination of foods and food processing surfaces, worker hands and food processing utensils such as knives,” concluded the researchers. “The lack of, or inadequate disinfection of these foods prior to packaging needs to be addressed.”

The Surprising Role Millennials Play In The Cannabis Industry

Benzinga Staff Writer

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July 17, 2022

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The Surprising Role Millennials Play In The Cannabis Industry

As young adults, they watched the normalization of cannabis use mitigate negative stereotypes, and they have played a leading role in the emergence of the legal cannabis economy.

By Joana Scopel

Since 2012, millennials have been the pioneers of cannabis recreational adult use. This is extremely important not only to change society’s perception of marijuana but also to contribute to the evolution of the cannabis industry.

Currently, there are about 72 million millennials in the United States, which makes the generation the largest cohort by population. They also have proven to be open-minded to new experiences, hence, major drivers of social development.

smoking marijuana — Photo by Mayara Klingner / EyeEm/Getty Images

According to Green Entrepreneur, millennials (individuals born between 1981 and 1996) are now between their late 20s and mid-40s and make up the largest percentage of cannabis consumers (38%), followed by Gen X (29%), then Baby Boomers (19%), and Gen Z (13%).

“Millennials came of age when cannabis-related social attitudes and policies were changing rapidly,” said Gary Allen, New Frontier Data’s CEO. “As young adults, they watched the normalization of cannabis use mitigate negative stereotypes, and they have played a leading role in the emergence of the legal cannabis economy, both as participants in the market and as champions for change.”

In addition, millennials promote, through their social media, the benefits of using cannabis and CBD products for stress, anxiety and general wellness. Some of them also said they “use cannabis products as a replacement for medication.” They are also in favor of more regulation to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of CBD and cannabis products.

Compared to previous generations, millennials and Gen Z consumers are less financially secure. However, they still prioritize healthier, plant-based foods and brands across categories that are more purpose-driven.

smoking marijuana bong — Photo by photographer/Getty Images

In addition, the Cannabis Travel Association International (CTAI) projects millennials to make up 50% of U.S. travelers by 2025 when it likewise expects their cannabis consumption to be extremely normalized compared to any other previous time of their or older generations’ lives, according to New Frontier Data.

The role of millennials in this time of constant change, new cannabis regulations and the marijuana industry itself is essential for older generations to see cannabis as one more medicinal plant among many others, and to accept the cannabis plant as a gift that the earth gives us.

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

Do You Know How Much THC Is In A Joint? Here’s How You Can Figure It Out

Terry Hacienda

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July 16, 2022

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Do You Know How Much THC Is In A Joint? Here’s How You Can Figure It Out

If you don’t mind a little arithmetic, calculating the accurate measure of THC in your joint can be easy to determine. Here’s how.

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

One of the common questions novice and regular tokers have about their joints is: “What’s the estimated milligrams of THC in a joint?” The answer to this isn’t as straightforward as you’d like.

marijuana bud joint — Photo by athima tongloom/Getty Images

In 2016, a Drug and Alcohol Dependence study suggested that a 0.3g cannabis blunt contains approximately 20mg of tetrahydrocannabinol. They also pointed out that this amount isn’t definite, as there are different strains of cannabis. In addition, the study noted that the total milligrams of THC in a joint could be determined by the part of the plant being smoked and the strain’s potency.

The amount of THC in a regular joint depends on so many variables. However, if you don’t mind a little arithmetic, calculating the accurate measure of THC in your joint would be a walk in the park once you’re done with this piece. You will also get to understand the various factors that determine how much THC is in your joint, as well as their impact on your health.

Calculating the Total Amount Of THC in a Joint

A standard analytical testing lab measures the theoretical maximum amount of THC that could be in a joint using the mathematical expression: “THC max = THC + THCA / 358.48 * 314.47.”

This expression gives the lab an estimated amount of THC in a blunt. If you often purchase blunts from legal dispensaries, you may notice this estimate written on the product’s package. This mathematical formula can estimate the strength of various cannabis strains.

It all gets a bit complicated here. There could be a notable difference in how much THC you have in your joint and how much THC you can consume in one session.

The fact that a joint contains up to 20mg of THC does not mean you would ingest the entire amount. This situation can be traced to the availability of THCA (THC in its non-psychotropic form) in an unignited joint. THCA in a joint is converted to THC when ignited. This process is chemically known as decarboxylation. It describes the removal of carboxyl from THC acid.

The temperature, as well as the amount of time it takes for decarboxylation to occur in the joint, determines the total milligrams of THC you would consume in one joint. It’s been reported that at least 40% of THC is lost when smoking a joint.

Factors to Consider When Calculating THC

Four factors determine how many milligrams of THC you can consume in a joint: potency, joint size, bioavailability, and physiology.

Potency

The amount of smoke you inhale from a joint determines how much THC would be delivered. The more you inhale and the higher the strength of the weed, the more THC would be ingested. It’s important to stress that it is impossible to ingest all the THC present in the joint due to loss from combustion, inhalation, and uneven decarboxylation.

Joint Size

Joint sizes vary. Some weigh 0.3g, while some could weigh 0.66g and above. The amount of weed rolled up in your joint significantly affects how much THC is ingested. The smaller the joint, the lower the amount of THC delivered into your system. The longer or wider the joint, the more THC would be available for consumption.

Note that it is preferable to avoid longer and wider joints because they take more time to burn. The THC molecules are either burned off before you can consume them, or they’re taken away by air resistance. It’s best to have multiple smaller joints than a single big joint. More cannabis per joint; hence more THC enters your bloodstream.

Bioavailability

Bioavailability is a term that describes the amount of a cannabinoid that makes its way into a body’s circulation after consumption.

Smoking joints is one of the easiest ways of increasing the bioavailability of cannabinoids, unlike eating edibles or other cannabis-infused products. When you smoke, the THC gets to your endocannabinoid system and brain in no time, as it is almost immediately absorbed into the bloodstream. When inhaled into the lungs, the smoke has a unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier easily. There’s no waiting period for the cannabinoids to breakdown. They are absorbed quickly.

marijuana joint — Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

However, all these don’t mean no THC is lost after inhalation. Most studies show that THC bioavailability is capped at 30%. However, this may vary based on the toker.

The more bioavailable THC is in your bloodstream, the higher your buzz will be. For instance, since a 0.3g joint contains 20mg THC, 20% of this gives you a low buzz, 30 to 40% delivers a medium buzz, and 50% is highly potent.

The Smoker’s Physiology

Everyone has different body chemistry. There is no standard way for the human body to break down or tolerate THC. How your body takes in THC is determined by how much smoke you’ve inhaled, your lungs’ capacity, and how much THC is exhaled with the smoke.

A novice reacts differently to THC than a regular or consistent user. The more you consume joints, the higher your tolerance gets; hence, the more THC your body can handle. Also, users react differently to THC, regardless of the strain’s potency.

How Much THC Can I Take In

Here’s an easy experiment you could try to figure out how much THC you consume in a blunt.

Step 1: Check the label to find out how many milligrams of THC is in the joint you’re about to smoke.

Starting from the first puff, count the total drag you take till you’re either satisfied or done with the joint.

Step 3: Using the Max THC expression, figure out the total milligrams of THC in the joint.

Step 4: Divide the Max THC by the total number of puffs taken. This would give your an estimate of your THC consumed.

Note that there’ll always be an error factor in this experiment.

Final Note

If you don’t have the patience to do these arithmetics, a more leisurely, though expensive way to determine how much THC you’ve consumed accurately is through blood tests. It’s the only way to know for sure.

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

Study Finds Strong THC Balanced With CBD Is Better For Your Brain

Javier Hasse

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July 16, 2022

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Study Finds Strong THC Balanced With CBD Is Better For Your Brain

In short, consuming marijuana strains with both THC and CBD should decrease striatum connectivity, but to a lesser extent than THC-only marijuana strain.

By Nina Zdinjak

CBD and THC are the two major compounds found in the cannabis plant that seem to have opposing effects on our brains.

According to a new study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, CBD can minimize some of the negative effects THC has on the brain.

Will Congress Boost Hemp Total THC Limit To 1%? — Photo by anankkml/Getty Images

“Cannabis is a very popular recreational drug, and is also starting to be used medically for some purposes, but we still don’t know a great deal about how different cannabinoids affect the brain,” study author Matt Wall, a senior imaging scientist at Invicro, told PsyPost.

Study Highlights

The researchers used data from another study that examined the brain activity of 17 healthy participants taking various marijuana strains (some high in both THC and CBD, others high in THC but without CBD, and placebo), using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

In this new research, Wall and his colleagues measured brain activity in 23 healthy participants after they consumed oral CBD and a placebo. They also used fMRI to examine brain activity.

Results

The researchers revealed that THC and CBD have opposing effects. The first study confirmed the significant disruptive effect of both THC and THC + CBD on connectivity in the associative and sensorimotor networks, and also a certain effect of THC in the limbic striatum network that was not noticed with the combination of THC and CBD.

The second study showed CBD boosts connectivity in the associative network while causing relatively minimal disruptions in the limbic and sensorimotor networks.

In short, consuming marijuana strains with both THC and CBD should decrease striatum connectivity, but to a lesser extent than THC-only marijuana strain.

The findings suggest that “different types of cannabis have different effects on the brain,” Wall told the outlet. “High-strength, relatively pure-THC cannabis can severely affect some brain networks, but when THC is combined with cannabidiol (CBD) in a more ‘balanced’ way, these effects may be reduced somewhat, making a balanced strain of cannabis potentially safer to use. CBD by itself seems to have quite minimal effects on the brain networks we looked at, which means it’s probably safe for use as a potential therapy.”

Study Limitations

The two studies were both small, and need replication in larger groups, which Wall and his colleagues are currently exploring. “Also, we used data from two different cohorts of subjects here, so direct comparison between those two groups is not really possible,” he added.

cannabis brain — Photo by Feodora Chiosea/Getty Images

Despite these limitations, the study can serve as a guideline on what future studies should be conducted, revealing the importance of truly understanding how different cannabis compounds affect our health. Scientific insights on these effects may help the public better understand cannabis-related disorders, as well as the development of cannabinoid therapeutics.

“Cannabis is transitioning to legal or semi-legal status in a lot of places around the world, and that means more people will potentially be exposed to cannabinoids,” Wall said. “Understanding the effects of different cannabinoids is a vital effort to ensure that people have the best information about the cannabis they use and can make well-informed choices.

NY To Begin Accepting Cannabis Applications From People Harmed By War On Drugs

Maria Loreto

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July 15, 2022

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NY To Begin Accepting Cannabis Applications From People Harmed By War On Drugs

New York state moves closer to opening up legal recreational marijuana retail stores.

The New York cannabis industry plans to prioritize those who’ve been disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs.

On Thursday, the city’s cannabis regulators approved rules that make it possible to start accepting retail applications from injured parties.

BREAKING: Cannabis Control Board just approved the regulations & application for Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary licenses, advancing the Seeding Opportunity Initiative.

NY’s 1st cannabis dispensaries will be owned by those harmed by the overcriminalization of cannabis.

— NYS Office of Cannabis Management (@nys_cannabis) July 14, 2022

The regulations explain that, in order to qualify, applicants must have experience operating a qualifying business and must have faced a conviction for a drug-related offense before the state legalized marijuana. Applicants can also qualify for a conditional adult-use marijuana retail license if they have a close family member that was convicted with a drug-related offense.

While good intentioned, these regulations have been criticized in the past due to how limiting they might end up being. A person that’s been impacted by the war on drugs may have had encounters with the law in the past, something that makes it difficult for them to also have experience managing and running a business.

New York legalized marijuana on March 31 2021, and has been working on how to implement it fairly and profitably over the past year. While it’s legal to consume marijuana and possess up to three ounces of cannabis, the sale remains illegal, a topic that has created some confusion in the state, especially since new businesses continue to appear in the form of trucks, pop ups and brick and mortar, taking advantage of the marijuana boom.

Responsible authorities have tried to control these businesses by sending out cease and desist letters while still trying to keep the police uninvolved.

“Sale of untested products put lives at risk,” said Tremain Wright, chair of New York’s Cannabis Control Board. “I implore these illegal store operators, and any other stores pretending to be legal operations, to stop selling cannabis products immediately.”

Study: Does Regular Cannabis Use Affect Performance In Female Athletes?

Benzinga Staff Writer

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July 15, 2022

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Study: Does Regular Cannabis Use Affect Performance In Female Athletes?

“It is important for both coaches and athletes to consider whether athlete performance is highly dependent on short-term power output,” researchers said.

By Joana Scopel

A new study, published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, found that women who are regular cannabis users do not produce as much anaerobic power as those who don’t partake, even when active and fit.

Researchers from the University of Northern Colorado set out to determined if chronic cannabis use in physically active, female athletes creates changes in their health performance. They compared 12 healthy female cannabis users with 12 nonusers. Both groups were 19 to 34 years old and regularly engaged in resistance and aerobic training.

exercise — Photo by Caley Vanular via Unsplash

Related to the pulmonary function, strength and power assessment, and c-reactive protein concentrations between cannabis users and non-users, researchers did not observe significant differences.

“There were no differences between groups with respect to body size, body composition, pulmonary function, cardiorespiratory function, or muscular strength,” said the authors of the cross-sectional study.

The findings showed that marijuana users “produced significantly less power” during the first two states of the Wingate test assessment, which determine peak anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity.

Cannabis users showed 18% less power during the first five seconds of pedaling and 20% less power during the second five-second period, compared to non-cannabis users.

“It is important for both coaches and athletes to consider whether athlete performance is highly dependent on short-term power output,” the researchers said.

However, despite the lower potency, regular marijuana users also “experienced significantly less anaerobic fatigue,” concluded the study.

Athletete Cannabis Users

There is proven evidence that athletes are using cannabis products. A study reported that “of 46,202 surveyed athletes, 1 in 4 reported the use of cannabis.”

Other research explored that “most (77%) of the subjects reported that cannabis positively affected their performance through improved focus, energy, relaxation, and recovery after a workout.” In addition, many professional athletes have been outspoken regarding their use of marijuana.

Megan Rapinoe, an Olympic gold medalist, two-time Women’s World Cup soccer champion, and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year told Benzinga that she ventured into cannabis in a search of a “healthier, more natural option for pain management, sleep aid, relaxation while flying, and general recovery.”

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

The Only Way Eating Healthy And Working Out Will Help You Live Longer

Maria Loreto

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July 15, 2022

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The Only Way Eating Healthy And Working Out Will Help You Live Longer

No, you can’t make up for your bad eating habits just by working out. Here’s what a new study says will actually work.

New research highlights a sad reality — no matter how much you work out or how healthy you eat, a longer life will only occur if you do both of these things together.

The large study was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine and counters the popular belief that working out eliminates some of the risks of eating an unhealthy diet or that eating healthy things counteracts staying in bed all day.

Medical Cannabis Combats Anorexia's Obsessive Thoughts — Photo by Brodie Vissers via Burst

Researchers had a lot of data at their disposal, allowing them to publish a study that was thorough and that shed some light on a lot of issues. The data belonged to UK Biobank and came from over 350,000 people with a median age of 57, who filled out questionnaires about their diets and habits. At the start of the study, participants were healthy.

The study made some expected discoveries, like learning that participants who eat healthily and work out often had a lower mortality risk. Still, results highlighted that a healthy diet and frequent exercise were important independently.

“Physical activity is important. And whatever your physical activity is, diet is important,” said Dr. Melody Ding, lead author of the study.

While it seems obvious to highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and an active lifestyle when so many sources do so, our world often links these two elements, giving people some confusion. Workout culture often promotes unhealthy meals as rewards for a good workout session or eating healthy as a way to lose weight without having to exercise.

grain bowl healthy diet — Photo by Ella Olsson from Pexels

What you eat and how often you move are issues that have been linked in our culture over the past decades. They shouldn’t be. It’s important for people to be purposeful on both of these matters, indulging every once in a while in rest and on food cravings, yet maintaining a balance of healthy eating and physical activity.

SAFE Banking, Veterans Medical Marijuana Access Approved In House As Part Of National Defense Act

Benzinga Staff Writer

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July 15, 2022

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SAFE Banking, Veterans Medical Marijuana Access Approved In House As Part Of National Defense Act

Rep. Ed Perlmutter had been pushing cannabis banking reform included in a large-scale manufacturing bill also to no avail, which apparently convinced him to try a different path.

By Maureen Meehan

Following Wednesday’s House approval of two psychedelics research amendments, another package of bills, including banking and veterans’ access were approved, bringing the total to nine drug policy measures passed in the chamber as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this week.

One amendment from Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) that advocates and stakeholders had been monitoring closely contains the language of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, reported Marijuana Moment, which would protect financial institutions that provide services to state-legal marijuana businesses from being penalized by federal regulators.

cannabis money — Photo by Kindel Media via Pexels

Perlmutter discussed the measure in the Rules Committee earlier in the week, noted Marijuana Moment, arguing that it was relevant to the must-pass defense bill as it would help combat international drug trafficking, a national security risk. Although the House adopted the amendment as part of last year’s NDAA, the Senate nixed it.

Perlmutter had been pushing cannabis banking reform included in a large-scale manufacturing bill also to no avail, which apparently convinced him to try a different path.

Another Bipartisan Amendment Approved

Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Brian Mast’s (R-FL) amendment codifying the ability of Veterans Administration doctors to discuss and issue recommendations for medical cannabis to veterans also passed the House.

In a missive shared with Marijuana Moment, Blumenauer and Mast discussed the important therapeutic potential of cannabis for veterans suffering from PTSD and argued that current VA policy prohibiting doctors from issuing recommendations was forcing veterans to seek care outside of the VA.

“VA physicians should not be denied the ability to offer a recommendation that they think may meet the needs of their patients,” they wrote. “Veterans should not be forced outside the VA system to seek treatment that is legal in their state.”

Perlmutter tweeted the following about the SAFE Banking amendment:

The #SAFEBanking amendment was adopted to the #FY23NDAA! Final passage of the NDAA will take place later today.
#SAFEBankingAct #copolitics

— Rep. Ed Perlmutter (@RepPerlmutter) July 14, 2022

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

NYPD To Continue Testing Officers For Cannabis, Despite Conflicting Orders From Law Department

Benzinga Staff Writer

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July 14, 2022

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NYPD To Continue Testing Officers For Cannabis, Despite Conflicting Orders From Law Department

The department will continue to test for cannabis “if there is reasonable suspicion that the member is impaired by marijuana on the job.”

By Nina Zdinjak

Several hours after news that the New York Police Department (NYPD) will not randomly test police officers or job applicants for cannabis hit the headlines, the information was taken back.

What Happened

It was first reported on Wednesday that the NYPD would stop drug testing officers for marijuana, upon receiving the order from the New York City Law Department (NYCLF). But several hours later, the police released a new statement saying it will continue its previous drug testing policy pending further discussion with city officials, reported Times Union.

Can Police Search Cars For Marijuana Based On Odor Alone? — Photo by Sven Mieke via Unsplash

An internal memo from the department’s deputy commissioner for legal affairs obtained by the outlet noted that the department plans to align its policy with state Labor Law that forbids unfavorable actions against employees based on recreational cannabis use. The document, however, noted that the department will continue to test for cannabis “if there is reasonable suspicion that the member is impaired by marijuana on the job.”

“The rationale behind this determination is that there is no test for marijuana that conclusively determines current intoxication, making it impossible to determine by drug test alone whether an employee has tested positive for marijuana because of improper use on the job or use during statutorily protected off-hours use,” the memo states.

Wait, We Take It Back!

Several hours after the policy changes were announced, NYPD police chief Keechant Sewell released a memo to all commanders stating, “existing department policies that prohibit the use of marijuana remain in effect. Members of the service are not permitted to use cannabis on or off duty and will continue to be subject to random, scheduled, and for-cause drug screening.”

Meanwhile, the N.Y. Fire Department said it will stop randomly testing its employees and job applicants for cannabis use, maintaining its right to test when suspecting marijuana-caused impairment.

It is still unclear why the first memo was released, and what will happen with the policy when the discussions between the department and city officials conclude.

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

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Cannabis Is Indeed The Best Natural Treatment For Parkinson’s Disease, New Studies Show

PD patients have a high interest in treatment with medicinal cannabis, but lack knowledge about how to take it and especially the differences between THC and CBD.

What The Studies Say

Conclusion

If You Have Meat In Your Freezer, You May Be At Risk For COVID

A new study finds evidence that the coronavirus can survive in your freezer, leading to infections that are difficult to trace.

The Surprising Role Millennials Play In The Cannabis Industry

As young adults, they watched the normalization of cannabis use mitigate negative stereotypes, and they have played a leading role in the emergence of the legal cannabis economy.

Do You Know How Much THC Is In A Joint? Here’s How You Can Figure It Out

If you don’t mind a little arithmetic, calculating the accurate measure of THC in your joint can be easy to determine. Here’s how.

Calculating the Total Amount Of THC in a Joint

Factors to Consider When Calculating THC

Potency

Joint Size

Bioavailability

The Smoker’s Physiology

How Much THC Can I Take In

Final Note

Study Finds Strong THC Balanced With CBD Is Better For Your Brain

In short, consuming marijuana strains with both THC and CBD should decrease striatum connectivity, but to a lesser extent than THC-only marijuana strain.

Study Highlights

Results

Study Limitations

NY To Begin Accepting Cannabis Applications From People Harmed By War On Drugs

New York state moves closer to opening up legal recreational marijuana retail stores.

Study: Does Regular Cannabis Use Affect Performance In Female Athletes?

“It is important for both coaches and athletes to consider whether athlete performance is highly dependent on short-term power output,” researchers said.

Athletete Cannabis Users

The Only Way Eating Healthy And Working Out Will Help You Live Longer

No, you can’t make up for your bad eating habits just by working out. Here’s what a new study says will actually work.

SAFE Banking, Veterans Medical Marijuana Access Approved In House As Part Of National Defense Act

Rep. Ed Perlmutter had been pushing cannabis banking reform included in a large-scale manufacturing bill also to no avail, which apparently convinced him to try a different path.

Another Bipartisan Amendment Approved

NYPD To Continue Testing Officers For Cannabis, Despite Conflicting Orders From Law Department

The department will continue to test for cannabis “if there is reasonable suspicion that the member is impaired by marijuana on the job.”

What Happened

Wait, We Take It Back!

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