Japan’s health ministry plans to revise current law in a way that would forbid certain substances of cannabis instead of parts of the plant, making it easier to allow certain medical marijuana products.
Could Japan be the next country in Asia to embrace medical marijuana? It’s looking that way.
The country’s health ministry held a meeting Wednesday to negotiate the revision of the Cannabis Control Law from 1948. The ministry is considering legalizing cannabis for medical use and adding a provision to criminalize its consumption for recreational purposes, writes The Asahi Shimbun.
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Last June, the ministry prepared a report recommending the government allow medical marijuana-based drugs to treat refractory epilepsy, as is the case in the U.S. and other countries.
This summer, the ministry intends to draft proposals amending the Cannabis Control law, which forbids cultivation and possession of cannabis as well the production of medicine made from the plant. The law bans the leaves, roots, spikes and ungrown stalks of the plant, which contain compounds that can be used to make therapeutic products.
Other members of an inter-governmental political forum, the Group of Seven (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK and U.S.), permit the use of epilepsy drugs with CBD derived from cannabis.
The ministry plans to revise current law in a way that would forbid certain substances of cannabis instead of parts of the plant, making it easier to allow certain medical marijuana products. It will also discuss adding a new provision to the Cannabis Control Law to criminally punish the use of marijuana, except for medicinal purposes.
This kind of penal provision was not previously included in the law due to concerns that marijuana growers could end up being punished for symptoms resulting from unintentionally inhaling marijuana substances As it turns out, no substance of cannabis was detected in cannabis farmers’ urine, as per the ministry survey in 2019.
The New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) sent a letter recently to TikTok executives asking the company “to end its ban on advertising that involves the word ‘cannabis’ as they work to promote public education in the state’s move to legalize,” reported Marijuana Moment.
The legislation requires the OCM to settle educational campaigns about the legalization of adult cannabis use and its impact on public health and safety.
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“To fulfill our legal obligation to establish education campaigns, our office has launched Cannabis Conversations to educate New Yorkers on who can purchase cannabis, where you can legally use cannabis, and how to use cannabis, including protecting youth safely,” OCM executive director Chris Alexander wrote in the letter.
The OCM assumes that this TikTok advertising ban would be related to its Industry Entry Advertising Policy, which restricts the depiction or featuring of drug-related words, symbols or images.
“We know that our colleagues at The New York State Department of Health have run paid advertisements on TikTok as part of their public health campaigns. We hope to be allowed to run similar public health campaigns on your platform,” the letter reads.
“One report indicates that 75% of TikTok users are between the ages of 18 and 34, a demographic we are attempting to target with our public education campaigns,” Alexander said, adding that it is a critical age group in terms of brain development.
“Our public health education campaign also delivers the message that it’s both unsafe and illegal to drive while impaired by cannabis, another important message for this age group where decision-making often leans toward risk-taking,” he concluded.
But, how do more than 1 billion active monthly users on TikTok view cannabis content?
Apparently, mostly in a positive light.
A new research study published in Drug and Alcohol Review analyzed marijuana content on the platform, including concerns with youth consumption, considering that one-third of TikTok users are under 14 years of age.
Photo by Creative Christians via Unsplash
The study, “Getting high for likes: Exploring cannabis-related content on TikTok,” found that cannabis consumption is mainly seen as positive on the platform.
Facebook-owned Instagram (BCBA: FB) accounts are removed daily for cannabis-related content, even if they don’t advertise/sell or promote its use. However, there are exceptions in social media, such as Amazon-owned video game streaming service Twitch (BCBA: AMZN), which allows users to keep identifiers that contain references to cannabis.
If you want to hear more about the relationship between TikTok and cannabis, listen to this Benzinga podcast.
With the increasing demand for legal cannabis and heightened participation of various states, the need for comprehensive and rigorous testing solutions has become vital. Considering a lot of individuals use cannabis products for medical purposes, they should not have to worry about falling ill from consuming pathogenic infested cannabis products.
This concern is most especially true for consumers with autoimmune disorders as the negative impact of consuming contaminated hemp is fatal. While there could be federal criteria for pathogen testing prerequisite, that can’t happen just yet as cannabis isn’t legal at the feral level. To this end, the tasks have called on state regulators, legislators, and maintenance operators to safeguard consumers’ health via the implementation of more rigorous testing.
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Looking at the environmental conditions needed for cannabis to grow — light, heat, soil, and humidity, these same sets of conditions also allow the prolific growth of pathogens. These pathogens are so present that even when cannabis farmers take all the necessary sanitation protocols, contamination is still very possible.
This is why cannabis firms need to be very proactive and hyper-vigilant about testing rather than reactive. At the moment, several states are lacking testing regulations which is quite alarming, and considering the competitiveness in the cannabis industry, many companies have been established within a short time.
Unfortunately, many of these cannabis firms are unscrupulous actors that rode into the industry courtesy of loose testing regulations. Many of the businesses were established to earn quick cash even to the detriment of consumers’ health. To break this vicious cycle, then there’s a need to establish more rigorous enforcement and regulations.
What many cannabis firms don’t realize is that while loose testing regulations might help them make money in the short term, more damage will be done in the long term. The long-term effect of this loose testing regulation will carry major economic consequences and damage to the industry. Above all, death or injury to patients and customers. If recalls of cannabis products should happen based on the mentioned instances, it could be the beginning of the end.
If recalls should happen, the media will be all over it, and opponents of cannabis legalization will have a reason to back their claims. To win the public hearts and the opposition’s minds, then the need for a safe product is paramount. Hence, cannabis will be labeled as a risky herb.
Taking a closer look, the irony at play is evident. While a sense of cannabis regulation at the federal level increases the risk of cannabis contamination, recalls can be used by the opposition to justify their claims to keeping the plant illegal. Notwithstanding, sooner rather than later federal legalization of cannabis will happen. When that happens, federal agents will be able to regulate and effectively test cannabis with cGMP effectively required
Violation of any testing regulation will no longer be overlooked and businesses will be closed for negligence. To avoid a meltdown of the cannabis industry, cannabis firms on their own have to practice wide-sweeping and rigorous testing regulations. If not, the outcome is dangerous and if companies decided to wait for federal cannabis legalization before taking a step, the industry might sink before that.
Present Testing Regulations
In truth, the present structure of cannabis testing regulations is non-existent and the repercussions are yet to be recognized. Barely a few months back, a judge in Michigan overturned a recall put out by the Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) in Michigan. This decision re-introduces contaminated cannabis products on the shelf. A product that has been tested to contain a high amount of aspergillus and mold. This is the usual case of greed and the power of money prevailing over the health and safety of consumers.
The lack of testing regulations even in a well-established cannabis market is glaring. For example, testing for aspergillus was not part of testing regulations in Colorado. Aspergillus which causes aspergillosis when inhaled can be very deadly, particularly for those with immune complications and diseases. Till now, many states still overlook trace amounts of various pathogens (aspergillus inclusive) when present in samples of cannabis.
While you may think trace amounts are insignificant, accumulation is likely among frequent consumers who have been smoking for a very long time. Constant inhalation of trace amounts of pathogens can lead to various pulmonary diseases and lung problems in the long run. To this end, MSOs and state regulators are needed to raise testing standards higher, demanding more aggressing and stringent testing protocols.
Photo by Esther Kelleter/Getty Images
These companies and regulators can establish enormous changes in the industry to adequately protect the well-being and health of consumers. Just following the present loose testing regulations shouldn’t be part of it. Shortcuts around testing should be a thing of the past and better demand for an effective testing framework should be adopted for adult use and medical cannabis products.
Presently, several states adhere to cGMP for medical cannabis but not adult use. For many who are effortlessly seeking cannabis legalization, potentially causing harm to consumers is against their objectives. Cannabis, when pure, offers clinical and therapeutic values to both medical and recreational users. Cannabis firms should ensure that consumer health via their cannabis product is not endangered.
To produce pure and untainted products, companies should carry out the best practices. This is done by carrying out tests at every stage in the supply chain and not only at the final product. We advise that the latest testing solutions and methods should be used in the testing of these products for quick, and more efficient results. A lot of companies do not have access to this advanced testing equipment which is why they use the archaic Petri dish method. A method that is slow, and quite inefficient usually overwhelm companies, and they end up not testing their products adequately.
Conclusion
Presently, while regulatory structure seems to be falling short as regards safeguarding the health of consumers, better solutions are already available. The missing piece is for all regulators and cannabis firms to view testing in a new light.
Testing is a very important aspect of production. With proper testing regulations, consumer health can be protected and a prosperous, strong and trustworthy cannabis industry will be created.
Indiana lawmakers agreed that more research on the potential health benefits and decriminalization of THC products — including marijuana, Delta-8 and Delta-9 — is needed before any legislative action is further taken, reported KPVI.
The General Assembly’s Legislative Council overwhelmingly supported the idea to task the interim study committee on public health, behavioral health and human services with reviewing the issue further.
With legislative action anticipated during the 2023 session, the task force will consult experts and take public testimony on THC issues. In addition, several meetings are expected to be held this summer or fall.
“It’s a way to look at it comprehensively and what should be the policy of the state of Indiana,” said House Speaker Todd Huston (R), chairman of the Legislative Council. “There definitely is more study needed around Delta 8 and Delta 9.”
The study committee’s recommendation would be considered as strictly advisory, leaving the final decision to legalize cannabis to the full General Assembly.
Indiana Senate Candidate Smokes Joint In Video For Cannabis Legalization Campaign
Just one day before the unofficial cannabis holiday of 4/20, Indiana Senate candidate and mayor of Hammond, Thomas McDermott released his cannabis legalization ad online, with a video of himself lighting up a joint and smoking it.
In addition to openly smoked weed, McDermott tweeted: “Even on #420day, not many Senate candidates admit to having smoked weed. I’ve been thinking a lot about whether to launch this video where I light up. It’s an issue that’s personal & important to me & so many.#LegalizeIt”
McDermott is expected to compete with incumbent Republican Sen. Todd Young in November.
A new study shows how common long COVID is, especially for those over the age of 65.
A new set of statistics show how common it is for people to develop long COVID, a condition that’s grown increasingly concerning. Long COVID refers to a group of symptoms that can last for months after initial infection and can affect major organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, blood clots, and more.
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a recent study, dividing subjects into two groups: those under the age of 65 and those older. For the former, 1 out of 5 COVID survivors was found to develop long COVID symptoms. For the latter group, results were even higher, with 1 out of 4 survivors experiencing symptoms.
The study analyzed the electronic records of 2 million people, comparing the infected with the uninfected. Results found that participants belonging to both groups were twice as likely than uninfected people to develop respiratory conditions and lung problems. The analysis also found that the most common post-COVID conditions that people developed were respiratory conditions and musculoskeletal pain.
When comparing the two groups themselves, researchers found that the older group was exposed to more risks. They also had higher risks of developing kidney failure, neurological conditions, and mental health conditions.
“It is sobering to see the results of this study again confirming the breadth of organ dysfunction and the scale of the problem,” Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, the chief of research and development at the V.A. St. Louis Health Care System, told the New York Times. He said that, as a consequence of COVID, thousands of people could develop long-term diseases that would affect them for the rest of their lives, like diabetes, heart disease, neurological problems, and more.
Speaking on the steps of the State House in Providence, Gov. Dan McKee said the law was “equitable, controlled and safe” while establishing a regulatory framework that emphasizes public health and safety.
With the stroke of a pen, Rhode Island legalizes cannabis, joining its two neighboring states and 16 others in the recreational use of cannabis, becoming the 19th state in the country to end marijuana prohibition.
After months of negotiations between lawmakers, advocates, stakeholders and the governor’s office, and less than 24 hours after lawmakers overwhelmingly passed the legalization bill, Gov. Dan McKee signed the measure, which promises automatic expungement of past marijuana possession convictions and reserves a quarter of new retail store licenses for minority communities disproportionally hurt by the War on Drugs, reported the Providence Journal.
Today I signed the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, legalizing and safely regulating cannabis in our state.
This bill successfully incorporates our priorities of making sure legalization is:
Speaking on the steps of the State House in Providence, McKee said the law was “equitable, controlled and safe” while establishing a regulatory framework that emphasizes public health and safety. “The end result is a win for our state both socially and economically.”
The law calls for retail sales beginning Dec. 1, but it will be a while before most of the shops are open. Rhode Island Legalizes Cannabis, great news for all!
These are just some of the many cities in Europe where it’s fairly easy for tourists to get cannabis. But always do your research.
Whether you’re going to Paris, London or Venice…the historic cites, the food, the beaches, and mountains, the charm of Europe at this time of year is undeniable. People are flocking to Europe in record numbers. The airlines are packed and people are flooding Insta with their vacation photos. So, if you are traveling to Europe, here’s how to score come good weed.
While more destinations in the UK and on the continent have changed their approach to cannabis, many do not have it yet or it is harder to acquire. While no longer confined to just Amsterdam if you want to get high in Europe, though it’s still a must-visit for cannabis lovers if you’ve never been. Here’s where you can get weed while traveling to Europe.
Freetown Christiana is a bohemian hotspot in Scandinavian Europe where cannabis growing is completely legal — even if it’s illegal in the rest of the country. Head over to Pusher Street, which is the name of the Green Light District as its called, and you’ll find lots of cannabis being openly sold on the street.
Additionally, Christiana is well-known for its laid-back lifestyle, charming attractions, and strong environmental activism. Despite that, it still attracts many tourists from around the world who come to Denmark seeking cannabis in all forms. In Pusher Street, you can purchase cannabis in resin blocks, joints, and so much more. The government has turned a blind eye to it for many years, and the locals tolerate it.
Cannabis use has long been decriminalized in Portugal, and the police officers have no interest in catching people for marijuana offenses. Just be sure to behave in public and don’t give the authorities reason to catch you.
While in Lisbon, head over downtown near the touristy area by the Baixa or Praca Martim Moniz. However, the cannabis you will most likely come across here is in hash form, very rarely in flower. In Portugal, tourists have to keep in mind that you can only legally buy cannabis in small quantities; if in the rare event you are caught with large amounts on your person, this can land you in serious legal trouble.
Paella, wine, and tapas aren’t the only reasons many tourists come to Barcelona. Sure, the lovely city, culture, and nearby beaches are incredible but what better way to enjoy it than by being high?
Barcelona is quickly getting the reputation of becoming one of Europe’s most cannabis-friendly cities. Cannabis social clubs and lounges are now sprouting like weed around the city, and you can surely get more quality, top-shelf bud here compared to neighboring Portugal. There is a current loophole in the law that allows cannabis clubs to exist legally. However, smoking and possession is still legal provided you do this at home or within a social cannabis club if you’re able to obtain membership.
Photo by Florian Wehde via Unsplash
Don’t smoke in public and don’t get caught buying weed from street dealers; if you do get weed, the cops can still search you so do try to keep it in your underwear, according to insiders.
While possession and smoking cannabis are still illegal in the Czech Republic, there is a clear cannabis legalization movement going on in Prague. However, possession of under 4 grams is generally acceptable though you still want to avoid getting caught by the cops, so be sure to consume in private. Generally, the authorities are lax about it as long as you don’t smoke in public.
You will come across lots of illegal cannabis vendors in the street, but be wary: many of them have been known to defraud travelers. The best places to find weed are in the pubs and clubs during the evenings, though you’ll need to try and make some friends in order to access it.
Upon arriving in Berlin, it’s not uncommon to smell the distinct aroma of cannabis floating throughout the city. Only medical cannabis has been legal in Germany since 2017 though they have quickly become the biggest MMJ market in the entire continent while recreational cannabis is still illegal.
Photo by Stefan Widua via Unsplash
Having said that, cannabis is tolerated in Berlin. You can always find locals smoking it in public, and the cops tend to leave you alone if you do. Marijuana under 11 grams is considered a tiny amount, and in the rare event you do get caught, the cops will likely let you go with nothing more than a receipt. If you are caught with more than 11 grams on you, the story will be different, and not the way you want your European holiday to go.
The best way to score weed in Berlin is through personal contacts, though it’s also become common to find dealers on the Telegram app. Some Telegram groups can be found as well. You’ll also find people selling weed in public parks, though this isn’t recommended as it’s usually laced with chemicals and you don’t know what you are consuming.
Conclusion
These are just some of the many cities in Europe where it’s fairly easy for tourists to get cannabis. But before you do, always do your research.
The safest way is if you have a local friend who can get a hook up for you, rather than going out and doing it yourself. Before you leave, do your research because legislations can always change at the blink of an eye.
Now that a month has passed since New Jersey kicked off its long-awaited recreational cannabis sales, state regulators revealed that consumers have bought $24 million worth of cannabis, or roughly $5 million a week after a record-breaking first day when $2 million was spent.
At a Tuesday meeting, reported by the New Jersey Monitor, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission approved five additional permits for medical-only dispensaries to start selling adult-use cannabis.
The new retail shops include Garden State Dispensaries in Woodbridge, Union and Eatontown, The Apothecarium in Lodi and Ascend Wellness in Montclair. They’re joining the other 12 dispensaries that kicked off sales last month. The 13th location did not get final approval until two weeks ago.
“It’s really only a beginning, and I think it shows that there’s a lot of growth left in this market,” said Jeff Brown, executive director of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
In addition, a total of 46 conditional licenses were granted during the meeting, including 22 for cultivators, 13 for manufacturers and 11 for recreational retailers.
While it is not yet clear when the newly approved stores will start selling recreational marijuana products, the commission’s next gathering is expected to be held on June 23.
The state’s regulatory body initially gave the green light to sell adult-use cannabis to seven alternative treatment centers, which are multi-state operators, including Acreage Holdings, Inc., Ascend Wellness Holdings, Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., Green Thumb Industries Inc., Columbia Care Inc., TerrAscend Corp. and Verano Holdings Corp. in 13 locations across the state.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse shared that it’s looking for new partnerships to help them expand their cannabis research.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) shared this past Friday that they’re on the lookout for cannabis partners who can supply them with marijuana to research. The organization has faced ongoing criticism regarding the marijuana it uses for studies, which more closely resembles hemp than the kind of product that’s used by the majority of the population.
NIDA shared a notice where they listed what they’re looking for, making it clear that the marijuana must belong to facilities that operate under the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) approval.
Marijuana facilities would have to “produce or procure cannabis, cannabis extract and other cannabis-derived materials for basic and clinical research, and conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis, stability determination, and recommended storage conditions for these products for approved research.”
The organization hopes to conduct research on all cannabis compounds, from THC and CBD, to cannabinoids like CBN, CBC, CBG, and more.
Marijuana remains difficult to analyze due to its status as a Schedule I drug. But now that the plant is getting legalized across the country, it’s become increasingly important for authorities to develop a better understanding of cannabis and what it can do to the population on a long term basis.
NIDA has historically had a conservative point of view regarding drugs, including marijuana. This makes sense, since their efforts are to control and solve drug abuse. Still, it’s about time for them to expand their understanding of the drug. Magnifying their criteria and creating new partnerships with cannabis sources is just another step in painting a more accurate picture of the drug and its impact on the population.
Brittney Griner’s wife says that support from the WNBA has brought her “comfort,” but now she’d like President Joe Biden to do whatever is necessary to secure Griner’s release from detention in Russia.
“I just keep hearing that, you know, he has the power. She’s a political pawn,” Cherelle Griner told Good Morning America. “So if they’re holding her because they want you to do something, then I want you to do it.”
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia since Feb. 17 for allegedly having cannabis oil in her bags when she entered an airport near Moscow where she was arriving to complete her season with the Russian UMMC Ekaterinburg. As a way of supplementing her low WBNA salary, Griner had been playing in Russia for seven years where Cherelle says she was treated like a superstar.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist for the U.S., faces drug smuggling charges that carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Earlier this month, the Biden administration said Griner is being wrongfully detained.
Cherelle has spoken with Secretary of State Antony Blinken about Griner’s case, but not the president.
“I was grateful for the call, you say she’s top priority, but I wanna see it. and I feel like to see it would be me seeing BG on U.S. soil,” Cherelle told Roberts. “At this point I don’t even know who I’m getting back when she comes back.”
“Every single day matters … to make sure that she comes back.”
Cherelle, who graduated from law school at North Carolina Central University earlier this month, has not spoken with Griner since the day she was first detained.
“I first heard the news through Brittney, actually. She started texting me around 2:00 a.m. that morning,” Cherelle said. “‘Babe. Babe. Babe. Wake up. They have me in this room. I don’t know what’s going on.’ and so I instantly text back “Who are they and what room?”
Cherelle said Griner texted back: “The customs people. They just grabbed me when I was going through, and they have me in this room.” Griner then said they were soon taking away her phone and that she’d call again when she could. Cherelle’s still waiting for that call nearly 100 days later.
“The first week I laid on this couch and cried my eyeballs out. I was numb. I couldn’t move. And then I said, ‘You got to get up now.’”
Via her lawyers, Brittney Griner sent a bouquet of roses to Cherelle to thank her for doing the GMA interview, knowing how difficult it would be for her.
