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Prescriptions For Cannabis-Based Medicines Increased By This Much In 2021

By Joana Scopel

According to a Care Quality Commission (CQC) publication, unlicensed medical cannabis prescribing in the private healthcare sector increased by 935% from 2020 to 2021 with 15 providers that offer unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use registered and more being assessed.

The recent report “Safer management of controlled drugs: Annual update 2021” noted there were 37,634 items prescribed between January and November 2021 by non-National Health Service (NHS) healthcare services compared to 3,636 items prescribed between January and November 2020.

marijuana in jar
Photo by ArtistGNDphotography/Getty Images

RELATED: Study: Cannabis Can Help Alleviate Insomnia In Those Suffering From Depression & Anxiety

By contrast, over the same period of time, the NHS CBMPs prescribing in England was so low that data could not be reported. “The number of items prescribed within the NHS is so small that this could potentially affect patient confidentiality,” reads the report.

“Medicines licensed to cannabis-based drugs are routinely available on the NHS,” Pharmacy Minister Maria Caulfield said last April in response assessment has been made of the adequacy of access to medicinal cannabis for people who are eligible.

“However, clinical guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence demonstrate a clear need for more evidence to support routine prescribing and funding decisions for cannabis-based products not licensed for medicinal use,” Caulfield added. “Until that evidence base is built, prescribers will remain reluctant to prescribe and the NHS will not be able to make any routine funding decisions.”

Moreover, the National Institute for Health Research confirmed — in October 2020 — that despite a call for applications, no government-funded medical cannabis trials were taking place.

medical marijuana
Photo by LPETTET/Getty Imagess

RELATED: House Committee Approves Protections For State Marijuana Programs From Fed Interference

“Since 2020, we have seen an 846% growth in the number of patients accessing our specialist service,” said Simon Erridge, Head of Research and Access at Sapphire Medical Clinics related to the recent surge in CBMPs prescriptions.

“The prescription of unlicensed cannabis-based medicines through the NHS has not seen the same growth (…) the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published in 2019, that which did not show sufficient clinical benefit compared to the costs associated with these drugs,” Erridge concluded. “There is also a lack of randomized controlled trials demonstrating the efficacy of CBMPs compared to other licensed drugs.”

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

Democrats Send Letter To Biden, Urging Him To Legalize Weed

The letter asks the Biden Administration to use its authority for two purposes: to deschedule cannabis and to clear the names of all individuals convicted of non-violent cannabis offenses.

As marijuana faces federal legalization, Democrats are asking President Biden to step up and deschedule the drug.

The Hill reports that a group of senators sent the Biden Administration a letter this past Wednesday. It was signed by Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, and more.

Joe Biden
Photo by Saul Loeb – Pool/Getty Images

RELATED: GOP Lawmakers Call On Biden And Harris To End Silence On Cannabis Legalization

The letter asks the Biden Administration to use its authority for two purposes: to deschedule cannabis and to clear the names of all individuals convicted of non-violent cannabis offenses. The letter highlights the medical benefits of the drug and features a recommendation by the World Health Organization to reclassify the drug and remove it from the more “restrictive classification under international drug treaties.” It also puts an emphasis on the effect that cannabis criminalization has had on communities of color.

“We ask that the Biden Administration act quickly to rectify this decade long injustice harming individuals, especially Black and Brown communities,” the letter reads.

The letter is a follow-up to the previous correspondence that occurred between Democratic senators and the Biden Administration, an exchange that was called “extraordinarily disappointing” and that was only “half a page.” Apparently, the administration is concerned over cannabis’ safety and the fact that it hasn’t been studies that deem it a safe and effective treatment for any condition.

“The Administration’s failure to coordinate a timely review of its cannabis policy is harming thousands of Americans, slowing research, and depriving Americans of their ability to use marijuana for medical or other purposes,” reads the letter.

RELATED: Can The Biden Administration Deschedule Cannabis?

While marijuana is becoming legalized in more and more states, it still faces an uphill battle when it comes to federal laws. While a large percentage of Democrats want to legalize it, many Republicans are against the idea, making it unlikely for both parties to reach an agreement and for the laws to change any time soon.

How Would The Marijuana Industry Handle A Possible Recession?

Even if the economy in general takes a dip, marijuana is just beginning to test the waters in many states.

A year ago, there were only whispers of a recession. Now it is starting to dominate conversations, and it has companies and citizens worried about the months to come.

A recession is not at all certain, but experts are saying the likelihood is higher than it was before. “The probability of a recession over the next 12 months is now 30%, the highest since 2020,” according to Bloomberg. This number, they said, is double the odds that were predicted just three months ago. 

counting money
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

RELATED: Cannabis Insiders Split On Market Impact Of Inflation

It is no secret that this country is in pretty shaky and uncertain financial times. Interest rates are on the rise, there have been ongoing supply chain issues, a depressed stock market and an ongoing war in Ukraine that shows no signs of letting up any time soon. “Bleak” is a word we all are hearing more than we would like these days. 

But just because many facets of the economy and daily life have been negatively affected, does this mean the cannabis industry will also take a nosedive? Or can it thrive in these tough times? After all, the industry showed impressive gains during the pandemic while so many other industries teetered on the edge of collapse.

The answer to these questions is a bit complicated, but there is hope that cannabis, although not recession proof, can fare much better than other industries in tough financial times. According to Investing Daily, “Many cannabis stocks have been caught in the downdraft, as investors shift to risk-off mode,” but that when the broader market starts to turn around, “cannabis stocks are likely to stage an even sharper upward trajectory.”

In other words, while cannabis stocks and the industry are not immune to the economic downturn, it has a tack record and ability to bounce back and rise higher than ever before.

While there is hope that cannabis can bounce back quickly, the fact remains that as finances become tight, people might not spend as much on marijuana. “Obviously, the inflation factor is happening everywhere,” Aaron Smith, CEO of the National Cannabis Industry Association, told the Denver Post,  adding that some cannabis users are “probably cutting down on consumption because they’re having a hard time making ends meet or paying their bills.”

Even as many dispensaries offer their lowest rates with sales and promotions, if a consumer is struggling to pay for basic necessities, a marijuana budget simply might not exist.

It is a hard truth that the demand for cannabis is less than the demand for food and living expenses, and some may find themselves in a position where there is only enough money for the needs, rather than the wants. Still, even if a bit of financial gloom may linger in the distance, there is also hope.

cannabis money
Photo by anankkml/Getty Images

RELATED: Will Rising Gas Prices Change The Price Of Marijuana?

Some places, like Rhode Island, have optimism when it comes to the marijuana industry. According to NBC affiliate WJAR, the State Department of Administration projects $41 million in marijuana sales in just the first seven months of marijuana legalization in the state, starting on December 1. So while the country braces in many ways for a possible economic downturn, some states like Rhode Island are hopeful that marijuana can provide welcomed prosperity to their state’s economies.

Marijuana is not recession proof, but it is certainly a desirable product and a resilient industry. It is also a young business, and even if the economy in general takes a dip, marijuana is just beginning to test the waters in many states. This means there is potential for growth in the industry, even if the country as a whole sees a slightly shrinking economy for a period of time.

Dems Are Intentionally Using ‘Under-The-Radar’ Approach To Legalize Marijuana

“We absolutely did this on purpose,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, who is also known for pushing for cannabis reform.

By Jelena Martinovic

A new state law allowing adult cannabis users in Minnesota to purchase edibles infused with hemp-derived cannabinoids, including small amounts of THC went into effect last Friday. Now, Democrats are touting the move as an under-the-radar way to legalize marijuana in the future, reported Minnesota Reformer.

marijuana laws
Photo by Vladimir Koval/Getty Images

RELATED: Minnesotans Can Now Legally Buy THC Edibles, But There’s A Big Problem

“We absolutely did this on purpose,” House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, who is also known for pushing for cannabis reform, said on Tuesday at a press briefing. “It was an intentional step forward.”

Gov. Tim Walz signed the large-scale legislation that included provisions that provide permanent protections to Minnesota-based hemp businesses for legal sales of CBD-infused foods and drinks in early June. Besides CBD, the measure allows all hemp-derived cannabinoids to be legally sold in food items, beverages, and topicals, to name a few.

The provision was a part of a health and human services measure and it also legalized the production and sale of edible products with THC. Under the bill, the products must contain less than the federal limit of 0.3 % THC.

RELATED: This Senator Says Congress Needs To Catch Up With Americans, Pushes For Cannabis Banking Reform Bill

“Sometimes legislation benefits from a lot of publicity,” Winkler answered a question about why Democrats didn’t publicize a bill that went fairly unnoticed by the public. “Sometimes legislation benefits from the ability to do the work more quietly, but it was all done in the public eye,” Winkler said when asked why Democrats didn’t publicize a bill they’re now all celebrating.”

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

Top Cannabis Conference In Latin America Comes To Panama — Here’s What’s In Store

LatAm Cann.BIZ was conceived as a 2-day fully bilingual interdisciplinary conference that will address global and regional trends and provide up-to-date information on the cannabis and hemp industries

LatAm Cann.BIZ, the most important cannabis event in Latin America, will be held on September 1 and 2 at the Santa María Luxury Collection Hotel & Golf Resort in Panama City.

The event, organized by El Planteo, the most read cannabis media outlet in the Spanish-speaking world, PR MedCann.BizJavier Hasse, and Canalis Capital, will bring together a large portion of the most prominent business people, investors, and professionals in the global cannabis industry to Panama. Find your tickets here.

A Conference For The Global Cannabis Industry

LatAm Cann.BIZ was conceived as a 2-day fully bilingual interdisciplinary conference that will address global and regional trends and provide up-to-date information on the cannabis and hemp industries, including the regulatory framework that governs its production and distribution, cannabis technology, science, and good agricultural and manufacturing practices.

Executives of the best-performing cannabis companies, political actors, high-ranking government officials, medical professionals, and cannabis communicators will attend the event.

“We have thought of it as a space to discover interesting investment opportunities and learn how to be successful in this budding industry,” says Noemi Pérez, CEO of Green Book Academy, president of Puerto Rico MedCann.Biz, and one of the organizers of the event.

Featured Speakers

The event will feature speeches, panel discussions, talks, networking, and presentations from companies and investors, and will enable networking among various stakeholders.

Some of the most outstanding speakers are:

  • Adolfo Linares – Lawyer, Former Vice Minister of Education of Panama
  • Aras Azadian – Avicanna (OTC: AVCNF)
  • Bob Hoban – Clark Hill
  • Carlos Hoyos – Velo Legal
  • Carlos Ossa – Patient Activist
  • Carlos Vives Jr.
  • Carolina de la Guardia – Lawyer
  • Cynthia Salarizadeh – House of Saka, Green Market Report
  • Dr. Dedi Meiri – Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Cannabinoid Research at the Technion Faculty of Biology
  • Dra. Ericka Stahl – Fundación Buscando Alternativas, Interdiscipliary Latin American Society of Cannabinology
  • Eric Block – Wana Brands
  • Lcda. Elvia Lau – National Director of Pharmacy and Drugs, Health Ministry of Panama
  • Facundo Garretón – Former Legislator of Argentina, Terraflos
  • Garyn Angel – Magical Butter
  • Hernán Panessi – Journalist
  • Ingrid Schmidt – LATAM Cann.Biz
  • Javier Hasse – El Planteo, Benzinga, Forbes, Entrepreneur Media
  • José Bacellar – VerdeMed
  • Juanjo Feijoo – Weedmaps (NASDAQ: MAPS)
  • Julian Cohen – Canopy Growth Corp (NYSE: CGC)
  • Leroy Sheffer –  Vice President of the National Bank of Panama’s Board of Directors
  • Lorne Gertner – Serial Entrepreneur, Toky Smoke, PharmaCan
  • Lucas Nosiglia – Avicanna
  • Luris Higuera – Fundación Buscando Alternativas
  • Mara Gordon – Aunt Zelda’s
  • Marco Algorta – Bienstar Wellness
  • Mariano Duque Velasco – BSF Seeds
  • Mark Goldhar – Healing Maps
  • Matt Nordgren – Arcadian Capital
  • Natalia Kesselman – El Planteo
  • Noemí Pérez – Green Book Academy
  • Dr. Oludare “Dare” Odumosu – Zelira Therapeutics (ASX: ZLD) (OTCQB: ZLDAF)
  • Pablo Zuanic – Cantor Fitzgerald
  • Paul Henderson – High Times Magazine
  • Ray Harari – Canalis Capital
  • Ryan Douglas – Ryan Douglas Cultivation
  • Dr. Sandra Carrillo
  • Scott Greiper – Viridian Capital Advisors
  • Shadi Atassi – Former Soccer Player, Milonga Yerba Mate

You can now get your early bird tickets by clicking here. Hurry up! Prices will go up soon.

Do you want to be a speaker at LatAm Cann.BIZ?

LatAm Cann.BIZ is still accepting speaker requests. Applications are reviewed by the LatAm Cann.BIZ team.

Click here to apply.

To consult the event agenda and obtain more information, click here or contact: info@latamcannbiz.com

Would you like to sponsor LatAm Cann.BIZ?

To find out about sponsorship options click here or contact Javier Hasse here: info@latamcannbiz.com

Media Partners

Our media partners include The Fresh Toast, El Planteo, Benzinga, High Times Magazine, Honeysuckle Magazine, Revista Crónicas, En Volá, Green Market Report, and more.

Get your brand in front of the top media in the cannabis world and beyond!

Get your tickets now.

How Smoking Marijuana Affects Oral Health

Cannabis smoke condensate is toxic to gingival epithelial cells. Similar effects have been noticed with cigarette smoke condensate.

By Nina Zdinjak

It is common knowledge that toxic materials enter the body through the mouth, impacting in this way the oral mucosa and various structures in our body, writes News Medical Life Sciences. While many studies have been conducted on the impact of tobacco smoke, new research on marijuana is becoming more common.

As per the new study, cannabis smoke condensate induces human gingival epithelial cell damage through apoptosis, autophagy, and oxidative stress, published in Archives of Oral Biology, which examined how cannabis smoke condensate (CSC) affects the gingival epithelial cells.

dentist
Photo by Caroline LM via Unsplash

RELATED: Study: Cannabis Can Help Alleviate Insomnia In Those Suffering From Depression & Anxiety

The research analyzed the effect of CSC on cell shape, adhesion and viability at different time intervals, using microscope and lactate dehydrogenase activity assays. The impacts of CSC on autophagy, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis were analyzed using gene expression via an RT2-PCR array.

The Results 

“CSC deregulated gingival epithelial cell shape and adhesion, decreased cell viability, and increased lactate dehydrogenase release. Its toxic effects included apoptosis, autophagy, and oxidative stress,” the study authors wrote.

In short, cannabis smoke condensate is toxic to gingival epithelial cells. Similar effects have been noticed with cigarette smoke condensate.

What’s more, the scientists discovered that marijuana smoke caused higher expression of several genes, such as the TNF superfamily and NLR-family apoptosis inhibitory protein that bolstered gingival epithelial cell death through apoptosis. In addition lowering of CD40L gene expression disrupted cell communication and, indirectly, caused cell apoptosis.

RELATED: Is Cannabis Use Associated With Pulmonary Disease And COVID-19?

What’s also important is that scientists believe that as epithelial cells are important in our innate immunity, their reaction to CSC exposure can possibly have an important effect on the immune response. The authors, however, noted that this suggestion should be examined in a new study.

In addition, these results come from a study conducted on monolayer cell cultures and should be further confirmed via animal studies.

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

Marijuana Instead Of Energy Drinks?

Countless people already benefit from using cannabis before, after, and even during their workouts. The key is finding the right dosage that works for your unique needs and athletic lifestyle.

 

All of us oftentimes can make use of a little push to do a workout. That’s why using pre-workout mixes and energy drinks have become so popular. They contain an array of ingredients ranging from creatinine to caffeine and BCAA’s (branched-chain amino acids), which promise to give an energy boost that you need to do better at your workouts. But thinking outside the box, and with a bit of data, maybe marijuana instead of energy drinks?

tired sleeping
Photo by Ron Lach via Pexels

RELATED: Forget Coffee And Energy Drinks — Cannabis Is The Best Energy Booster, Says New Study

And they do work; there are many studies and anecdotal evidence showing that these drinks indeed provide long-lasting energy needed to efficiently exercise. However, energy drinks, which are primarily made with caffeine, sugar, and sodium, are actually dangerous and extremely unhealthy.  Sometimes, they contain guarana, which is a bean sourced from South America containing double the amount of caffeine in coffee.

Consuming energy drinks can have serious side effects including increased heart rate, trouble sleeping, restlessness, muscle twitches, and even stomach irritation. In fact, the ingredients in energy drinks can even cause difficulty for arteries to properly dilate. Even the healthiest person can easily suffer from cardiac arrest after consuming energy drinks.

Other common side effects of energy drinks include:

  • Dehydration
  • Anxiety
  • Heart complications
  • Insomnia

Even the World Health Organization has conducted studies on energy drinks, after which they declared these a danger to public health.

Using Cannabis Products As A Safer, Natural Pre-Workout

While marijuana has always had the reputation of making people lazy couch potatoes (no thanks to Reefer Madness), the truth is that the correct products can help you fight off fatigue while helping you feel invigorated and energized.

The human body has its own endocannabinoid system, and we produce our own version of the cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant. These endocannabinoids are essentially tiny fat molecules that circulate around the brain, but they are referred to as ‘endo’ since they are produced within the body. They stimulate the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body but when we consume cannabis, exogenous cannabinoids such as CBD and THC also activate the endocannabinoid system.

As a result, using both exocannabinoids while harnessing the power of endocannabinoids can greatly enhance the endorphin boost.

In a 2019 study, individuals who used marijuana prior to exercise reported that their engagement in physical activity increased.

Also in 2019, Angela Bryan, a social psychologist, polled over 600 marijuana consumers in the United States. The participants all lived in states that have legalized marijuana, and they were asked about their workout habits as well as other health factors. The poll results showed that 4 out of 5 respondents admitted to using marijuana before a workout or right after. Meanwhile, those people also spent more time exercising compared to people who didn’t combine cannabis with their workout regimen.

Additionally, around 70% of the respondents who used marijuana before exercising said that doing so made the workout more enjoyable. Though anyone who consumes cannabis can tell you that it does make anything more fun, Bryan thinks that chemical interactions are responsible for this.

exercise
Photo by Alexander Redl via Unsplash

RELATED: New Study Confirms Cannabis Users Are Not Lazy Stoners After All

Then in 2022, a study by researchers at the University of New Mexico showed that more than 91% of people among a cohort of 3,922 who self-administered marijuana, did so to fight off fatigue. While they did use cannabis because fatigue was an effect of other diseases they were suffering from, it showed that the plant was indeed effective in helping people find relief from fatigue while helping boost energy levels right after consuming it.

Some experts believe that the euphoria we feel from exercise actually comes from the endocannabinoid system. In a study from 2003, researchers discovered that anandamide, a molecule from the endocannabinoid system which is responsible for feelings of bliss, occurs in elevated levels after volunteers cycled or ran inside a lab. Marijuana targets the same receptors causing Bryan to assume that cannabis could actually help to jumpstart the blissful feelings caused by anandamide.

On top of that, cannabis is also effective for helping you recover from your exercise. This is one of the key reasons why athletes use CBD and THC products, to assist with pain alleviation and soreness that often occurs after a hard workout. The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoid compounds are well-known and is backed up by several studies.

How To Use Cannabis As A Pre-Workout

There are many ways you can use cannabis as a pre-workout. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • If you prefer to smoke flower, opt for the sativa varieties. These are well-known for their energizing and uplifting properties, suitable for use before you go on the gym or head out to the trails.
  • Experiment with oral and sublingual routes of administration. Edibles are not recommended for exercises purposes since its effects last too long and how it impacts your exercise may be unpredictable. Instead, use CBD or THC edibles to help with recovery after an intense session.
  • Using THC products can impair your motor control and slow down judgment, so getting too lit before sports such as sky diving, bungee jumping, or cycling is not recommended on THC.
  • Start by microdosing and using small amounts at first, such as with 5mg of THC and working your way up. Eventually, you can find a dosage that suits your needs best and helps you perform at your peak.

Countless people already benefit from using cannabis before, after, and even during their workouts. The key is finding the right dosage that works for your unique needs and athletic lifestyle.

This article was created in partnership with Cannabis.net

This Senator Says Congress Needs To Catch Up With Americans, Pushes For Cannabis Banking Reform Bill

“You have people walking around with wheelbarrows full of cash,” Sen. Ron Wyden said in a July 4 interview. “That’s just a magnet for criminal activity.”

By Jelena Martinovic

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), a House sponsor of a bipartisan marijuana banking reform bill, filed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) last week that would be incorporated into the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act.

The move came after bipartisan congressional members concluded that marijuana banking legislation will not be included in the final version of the United States Innovation and Competition Act (a/k/a The America COMPETES Act).

marijuana money
Photo by Yarygin/Getty Images

RELATED: Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce Marijuana Banking Amendment To Push Passage Of National Defense Authorization Act

The bill was formally attached as an amendment to large-scale legislation dealing with innovation and manufacturing in February.

In a recent press release, Perlmutter said he will “pursue any and all legislative avenues to get SAFE Banking across the finish line this year.”

In the meantime Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) told Willamette Week that he, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) continue to push for federal cannabis reform, as they want to see their legalization bill in the works before the Senate recess, expected around August 8.

The lawmakers’ bill, the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, would end the prohibition of cannabis and “ensure restorative justice, public health and implement responsible taxes and regulations.”

“You have people walking around with wheelbarrows full of cash,” Wyden said in a July 4 interview. “That’s just a magnet for criminal activity.”

Cannabis Banking Is A Priority

With the cannabis dispensary crime wave getting stronger by the day, cannabis banking continues to be a priority. In a letter to Wyden sent on June 14, Paul Rosenbaum, chairman of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission urged him to nudge Congress in the right direction.

“Enough states are engaged in some form of legalization that this should be an immediate national priority, not just a priority for our state.”

marijuana laws
Photo by Vladimir Koval/Getty Images

RELATED: Senate Rejects SAFE Act For The Sixth Time

While Wyden’s measure that bans the federal government from rejecting people’s security clearances required for employment at intelligence agencies because of prior cannabis use was recently green-lighted by the Senate Intelligence Committee, it remains to be seen what Congress will do next.

“Millions of Americans have voted for legalization,” Wyden said. “Oregonians already voted to join the 21st century. I’m going to try and get the rest of the Congress to catch up with us.”

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

Here is What Brittney Griner Letter To Biden Says

“I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home.”

By Maureen Meehan

Brittney Griner hand wrote a letter to President Biden, which was delivered to the White House on the 4th of July. The WNBA superstar told the president that she fears she’ll be detained in Russia indefinitely and pleaded for him not to forget about her and other Americans detained in Russian.

Griner faces a 10-year sentence in a Russian penal colony if convicted of the alleged crime of having cannabis oil in her suitcase when she was detained in Moscow on February 17, a week before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Brittney Griner
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

RELATED: White House Says Brittney Griner Has ‘Fullest Attention Of The President’ As Biden Heads To NATO Meeting In Spain

Three excerpts of Griner’s letter to Biden were made public, while the rest is being kept private, according to a statement released by a communications company representing the Griner family and reported by CNN.

“(As) I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” wrote Griner.

“On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran. It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year.

“I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.”

Griner has been playing basketball in Russia for the past seven years during the WNBA off-season and is much beloved in the country.

Political Pawn?

Terri Jackson, executive director of the union representing WNBA players, implied to NPR several days ago that Russia is playing politics with Griner.

Brittney Griner
Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images

RELATED: Brittney Griner’s Wife Breaks Silence, Calls On Biden To Act In Interview With ‘Good Morning America’

“They know who they have. She’s a hero in their country too. I mean, they love women’s basketball,” Jackson said. “They take their championships very seriously. And let’s be clear: she’s given them more than a few.”

Griner’s trial began this past Friday and will continue on July 7.

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

New To Weed But Didn’t Get High

Bad products, inability to smoke correctly, subtle highs, or lack of reactions from the brain are significant reasons why a first-time smoker may be unable to get high.

No two people can have the same experience for their first time smoking weed. The science is that cannabis affects each user differently. For some, they go overboard, some get hungry, some trip a little or fall asleep, while a few feel nothing. These reactions are entirely normal. Not everyone is opportune to get the munchies on their first trial.

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

RELATED: What To Do If You Want Your Edibles To Kick In Faster

Several factors determine how you react to your first cannabis experience, including strain, your mood at the moment, and the dosage or amount of cannabis ingested.

Smoking Weed for the First Time

Days, hours, or even minutes before the first time anyone smokes cannabis, they anticipate the famous coughing fits, the euphoria, and the endless possibilities that could occur soon as the smoke hits the lungs. However, only a few people imagine they’d feel no effect—zero buzz!

You can’t be too sure about the impacts of your first blunt until you smoke it. You could be lucky to immediately experience the highs, joy, boosted energy, and creativity. Or you might conversely feel anxious, sad, paranoid, or confused.

My first time smoking weed was preceded by a restless evening. I was so anxious to view the world in a new light. I was more than ready. Only for me to lift off the blunt that afternoon, the only reaction I experienced was a coughing fit. Even after coughing, I held out hope that my high was lurking somewhere, but still, nothing! Note that I wasn’t hitting a medical strain. This got me confused, and I decided to discover what the hell had happened.

It goes without saying that if your first time came with no buzz, you’re not alone, and it’s not the end of your cannabis smoking journey.

Why You didn’t Get High

As mentioned earlier, everyone has their unique body chemistry. Sure we all have the same primary chemical in our bodies; they’re not all balanced the same way, nor do we react to invested substances the same way.

Here are the reasons why you didn’t get stoned and a few ways to remedy them. If you don’t get it right on your subsequent trial, keep trying.

You Did Not Smoke Correctly

Not everyone can get the technique of smoking on their first attempt. It’s not a natural reaction or a biological activity, more an excuse for you not to know how to pull it off. Smoking ideally takes practice, and it is a gradual process. That is why after the first attempts or more, you notice you do not experience the smoking fits.

Tip: When you’re ready to try that joint or glass piece again, ensure you take a deliberate deep breath immediately you take the smoke or value in. This breath will push the THC-laden vape or smoke deeper into the lungs.

If you’re an asthmatic patient using medical cannabis through inhaling,  it is best to have your inhalers in hand for your first attempts.

You Used the Wrong Cannabis Strain or Product

As a first-time smoker, it’s very easy to go with the wrong strain or product, especially when you failed to do due research beforehand or bought your package outside a dispensary.  As a novice cannabis user, it would be a mistake to trust whatever a supplier is giving you outside a dispensary. It is common for suppliers to give out unsuitable, old, or poorly grown cannabis to unsuspecting novice customers.

Smoking Marijuana
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels

TipWell-versed budtenders are available within legal cannabis dispensaries to clue you in on the right strain to use to complement whatever mood you might be in. Joints purchased from these stores are also labeled with the THC percentage, cannabinoids, and terpenes present, as well as their production and expiry date.

Locate a budtender with good reviews to obtain your cannabis from. The best way to identify good weed is to check for the presence of trichomes, a strong aroma, and a healthy green color.

Your Brain Doesn’t Yet Recognize Cannabis

A standard theory about first-time cannabis users that fail to get high is that their brains have no idea what to do. The first time our body Is introduced to a new compound, it goes through a sensitization period where it builds a reverse tolerance to the compound. The more you expose your body to that specific substance, the more receptive it becomes.

Your brain needs time to recognize THC, while your body needs time to jack up the production of CB1 and CB2 receptors. So you see, your brain may be excited to receive that first dose of THC; it cannot elicit the reactions you seek.

Tip: Continue hitting those blunts the right way, and you notice that in time, your brain will adapt. Think of your blunts as a new instrument. Your brain needs time to master it.

You May Have Been Buzzed Unknowingly

It is possible that you had felt something without realizing it. Most first-time smokers tend to chase after an experience without really knowing what they’re chasing. So, when it hits them in the face, they do not realize it. You probably got stoned subtly, making you more relaxed, warm, and upbeat. But you had been expecting the buzzing creativity or giggles that more first-timers speak of.

Smoking Marijuana
Photo by Dejan Marjanovic/Getty Images

RELATED: How Long Will Your Marijuana High Last? What Researchers Get Wrong

Tip: It is unnecessary to experience something significant on your first trial. If at all you felt anything, anything at all! You could up your dose the next time or smoke more blunts responsibly. It could be that you have a heightened tolerance, or your brain was still learning the ropes of THC.

Bottom Line

Bad products, inability to smoke correctly, subtle highs, or lack of reactions from the brain are significant reasons why a first-time smoker may be unable to get high. The simplest solution is to continue trying. When you keep trying, your brain gets used to cannabinoids, and in no time, you be well on your way to the highest paradise. Even if it takes time, keep trying; you’ll get to the peak one day.

Remember that there’s no right or wrong way to go about your first attempt. I’m different, you’re different. Relax, and keep trying, and you’ll be high and fine.

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

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