“This bill is going to, in my opinion, help a lot of people at the end of their life at a time that they need some compassion,” said Senator Bill Rabon (R), who co-sponsored it.
North Carolina moved one step closer to joining most of the rest of the country, as the state Senate approved the N.C. Compassionate Care Act with bipartisan support in a 35-10 vote. Yes, Medical marijuana legalization passes the North Carolina Senate with bipartisan support.
The bill, which is heading now to the House, would allow cannabis with higher levels of THC to treat debilitating conditions such as cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder. It provides extensive regulations on everything from advertising, to testing, licensing and packaging. However, home cultivation would not be allowed. Smoking and vaping would only be permitted allowed if recommended by a physician, reported The Richmond Observer.
“This bill is going to, in my opinion, help a lot of people at the end of their life at a time that they need some compassion,” said Senator Bill Rabon (R), who co-sponsored it. “We have looked at other states, the good and the bad (…) And we have, if not perfected, we have done a better job than anyone so far.”
Ten medical marijuana suppliers will be initially authorized to operate up to four dispensaries.
In addition, the bill would create a Compassionate Use Advisory Board and the North Carolina Cannabis Research Program to “undertake objective, scientific research regarding the administration of cannabis or cannabis-infused products as part of medical treatment.” It will also create the Medical Cannabis Production Commission.
Senator Paul Lowe (D), who co-sponsored the bill, commended fellow Republicans for acknowledging that medical marijuana can help patients, adding that a recreational bill will be discussed in the future.
“This is a medical cannabis bill,” Lowe said. “It’s not recreational. It does not do all of the things a recreational bill would do, and that’s for another day. But right now I believe this bill will help some North Carolinians.”
Hemp Bills Advance In The Chambers
Meanwhile, the North Carolina House also voted to remove hemp from the state’s controlled substance list and allow its legal sale and transportation. There are currently 1,500 licensed hemp growers in North Carolina who must comply with the US Dept. of Agriculture.
A similar measure, included in the North Carolina Farm Act of 2022, was unanimously approved by the Senate earlier in the week.
“What we are doing is saving an industry that has spent millions upon millions of dollars already,” said Senator Brent Jackson(R) who co-sponsored the Farm Act.
So far, positive news medical marijuana legalization passes the North Carolina Senate, let’s see what happens next.
The legislation, which is now heading to the governor’s desk, would also protect prospective hires from being discriminated against for use of medical cannabis.
Louisiana employees who use medical marijuana may soon receive much-needed protection from being fired, reported Marijuana Moment.
Sponsored by Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, House Bill 988 passed the Senate on Wednesday in a 26-8 vote.
The legislation, which is now heading to the governor’s desk, would also protect prospective hires from being discriminated against for use of medical cannabis. Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill allowing medical marijuana patients to legally smoke whole-plant cannabis flower last year, just days after decriminalizing marijuana possession.
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However, the new bill would not apply to certain occupations, including law enforcement and firefighters, as well as other public safety officials.
Currently, there are over 43,000 medical marijuana patients in Louisiana.
“There are a lot of people who don’t want to take opioids for their long-term PTSD and pain management because of the high possibility of addiction to opioids,” Landry told a House committee last month. “This has proved to be a better option than them.”
In the meantime, Louisiana lawmakers recently advanced four cannabis-related bills to the full Senate, aiming to relax the state’s stiff drug policies.
Regardless of what type of cannabis consumer you are, it’s a great time to explore the unique benefits of this exciting addition to the cannabis marketplace.
Delta-8 THC has captured the attention of the media, thanks to its federally-legal status under the 2018 Farm Bill. It is the busy thing among the cannabis set, but is Delta-8 THC worth the hype?
While some consider it to be nothing more than a placeholder in states where marijuana isn’t yet legal, there are plenty of folks who think delta-8 is the hot new show in town. With all the hype, you might be wondering what the fuss is about.
Do we really need another THC product? Can delta-8 really get you high? Based on opinion and results, you should be opening to trying it at least once.
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What is delta-8?
Delta-8 THC is a cannabinoid that occurs naturally in hemp. Because it is present in very small amounts, it is extracted and concentrated, then infused into products such as edibles, tinctures, vapes, or dabs. It is also available in smokable flower form.
Delta-8 is similar to delta-9 THC, but with a slightly different organization of atoms. This small difference not only gives delta-8 its name, it also lessens the psychoactive effects of THC, including paranoia and anxiety, while still producing an enjoyable high. And though research is limited, users report that it compares favorably to both delta-9 THC and pharmaceuticals in treating pain, anxiety, and depression.
Can you really get high from delta-8?
The short answer to that question is yes, absolutely. As with most cannabis products, how high you get depends on your dosage, tolerance, body chemistry, and method of delivery. Users report highs from delta-8 ranging from mild relaxation to an intense euphoric high and everything in between. This ability to produce a significant high–or not–contributes to its broad appeal across different classes of cannabis consumers.
The reasons for trying delta-8 are as diverse as cannabis consumers themselves. From those seeking help with medical conditions to those who are serious cannabis enthusiasts, delta-8 offers something for everyone:
For serious cannabis users, higher doses of delta-8 offer a smooth, euphoric high, with lots of relaxation and body buzz, but far less of the psychoactive effects experienced with delta-9 THC.
Casual cannabis consumers enjoy delta-8 occasionally, with a lighter high, less risk of paranoia or anxiety, and less intense side effects than weed or other forms of THC.
Medical cannabis users have reported improvements in anxiety, stress, depression, and pain from delta-8, making it a great option for anyone seeking something more potent than CBD, but without a pronounced high.
Delta-8 is legal in 36 states and is generally found at smoke/vape shops and dispensaries. It is also available online from producers like Hi On Nature, a California company that offers a full line of high-quality delta-8 products in a range of doses and delivery methods.
Regardless of what type of cannabis consumer you are, it’s a great time to explore the unique benefits of this exciting addition to the cannabis marketplace.
New York’s Cannabis Control Board voted to approve some regulations that would limit cannabis product packaging, banning the use of cartoons and bright colors.
Historically, cannabis packages have evoked a playful and colorful vibe. But now thanks to newly approved regulations in New York, the nascent industry’s regulated products will have a more subdued look.
Gothamist reports that this past Wednesday the state’s Cannabis Control Board voted to approve a variety of regulations that would limit cannabis product packaging, all with the purpose of protecting people under the age of 21.
The approved regulations would ban the use of cartoon characters, bubble letters, candy references, or bright colors in cannabis packaging, anything that might appeal to young users. Claims of marijuana products being “organic” or “safe” would also be illegal. When it comes to cannabis ads, words like “weed,” stoner,” and more, won’t be allowed.
Aside from these rules, cannabis products would also have to comply with a variety of regulations that have been enforced in other legal states, like childproof packaging and cannabis ads keeping a 500 feet distance from schools, libraries, playgrounds, and child centers.
Children having access to cannabis products has been a growing concern for the industry, with more and more kids gaining access to these products and ending up in emergency rooms. The increase in these numbers has resulted in brands suing cannabis companies and the FDA mailing out cease and desist letters to a variety of cannabis businesses.
While protecting children from cannabis is important and something that must be taken seriously, it seems like New York State is working hard to deliver a sanitized cannabis experience. No matter whether the packaging has cartoons on it or not, studies have demonstrated that legalization doesn’t encourage cannabis use in teens. The problem lies in what parents do once the product gets home.
Virginia CannaJustice Coalition issued a statement harshly criticizing the proposition, arguing that Virginia “voted to walk back progress on decriminalization.”
Virginia lawmakers who made headlines this week after having come up with a new cannabis crime are now facing backlash from politicians, regulators and marijuana advocates. Last year, the state legalized small amounts of marijuana for people 21 and up in 2021.
The new proposition proposes that possession of more than 4 ounces of cannabis in public should be treated as a Class 3 misdemeanor, which carries a fine of $500 and burdens the arrestee with a criminal record.
Secondly, every other offense would be viewed as a Class 2 misdemeanor with punishment including up to a six-month jail term and a fine of up to $1,000.
This is the third time this year that the state’s legislative leaders have come up with new crimes for cannabis possession.
The budget compromise is supported by House Appropriations Chair Barry Knight (R-Virginia Beach) and Senate Finance and Appropriations Chair Janet Howell (D-Fairfax). If Governor Glenn Youngkin signs the budget it will take effect July 1.
Senators React
A number of lawmakers are criticizing the new budget specifically because of the marijuana possession crime it creates. They’re arguing that the process also lacked transparency and public input, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Fairfax Democratic Sens. Howell and George Barker, the chair and vice-chair of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, privately discussed the state’s new budget with House Appropriations Chair Knight.
Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond) called it strange for the legislature to establish a new crime in the budget and said she hopes this won’t happen again. She added that previous legislative proposals on cannabis enabled public input from those who have “had been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs,” while the current process did not.
“A handful of people that didn’t include a single member of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus deciding new criminal penalties … with no real opportunity for public input is concerning,” McClellan said.
Addressing those concerns, Howell said, “It’s so convoluted, but I would refer people back to the JLARC study that recommended that.” She was referring to a 2021 study done by the state’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, which recommended Virginia lawmakers establish a misdemeanor charge for adults caught in possession of what the state considers too much cannabis.
Del. Mike Mullin (D-Newport News) also condemned the decision. “Re-criminalization is sending us in the wrong direction,” he said.
There’s also Del. Marcus Simon, (D-Fairfax) who said that the budget leaders placed bad cannabis policy in the state spending plan.
What’s more, Sen. Louise Lucas, (D-Portsmouth), and Sen. Mamie Locke (D-Hampton), Senate conferees who signed the budget, added their opposition to the marijuana proposition.
Virginia CannaJustice Coalition issued a statement harshly criticizing the proposition, arguing that Virginia “voted to walk back progress on decriminalization.”
“Research and data have already outlined the historic disparate enforcement of these laws against Black Virginians,” the Coalition stated.
More research into the use of cannabis for various cancers is ongoing, though present evidence supports the potential use of cannabis as complementary treatment for cancers.
According to the World Health Organization, cervical cancer this is the fourth most common cancer among women. Most of these cases are due to exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most widely spread sexually transmitted diseases. In some cases, HPV can resolve on its own although if there is persistent infection, then this can result in cervical cancer.
Treatments for cervical cancer include chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or a combination of two of these. The type of treatment needed for cervical cancer will depend on the severity of the condition. However, the prognosis for women with cervical cancer depends greatly on the cancer stage; over 90% of women who have been diagnosed with stage 0 cancer can survive another 5 years, and these figures decrease rapidly the further the cancer has spread.
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How Cannabis Can Help
There have been some studies showing how cannabis can help women with cervical cancer. In one analysis, 83% of 31 women with this condition reported that using medical cannabis was effective in helping their cancer and alleviating symptoms that arose due to treatment, such as reducing opioid use, a decrease in appetite, anxiety, nausea, insomnia, pain, and more.
Another study revealed that using cannabidiol (CBD) was effective in inducing apoptosis, or causing cancer cells to kill themselves off, in cases of cervical cancer patients among women in South Africa. The researchers believe that CBD was effective in doing so by activating a Bcl-2 degradation pathway which promotes the action of cancer cells killing themselves off.
There is also another popular study from 2016, conducted by researchers from Kent State University’s Department of Biological Sciences. They analyzed the impact of CBD on cervical cancer cell lines, and found that CBD was effective in inhibiting these cell lines while also encouraging apoptosis, within an impressive 24 hours after exposure to CBD. The researchers concluded that CBD is anti-proliferative through several mechanisms and has potential for treating cervical cancer.
Also in 2016, a study released in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal found that crude cannabis sativa extracts as well as CBD were effective in decreasing the viability of cancer cells while stopping proliferation when tested on three cervical cancer cell lines.
There are also documented anecdotal cases, such as this woman from New Zealand, who says that cannabis helped to cure her stage 2 cervical cancer. According to Shona Leigh, her doctors advised her to undergo chemotherapy, though she rejected her doctors’ recommendations and instead discovered the benefits of cannabis oil. She disclosed to the Daily Mercury that after taking cannabis oil, her cancer was cured.
Cannabis for Chemotherapy Side Effects
For women that have to undergo chemotherapy for cervical cancer, there may be some unpleasant side effects that are commonly associated with this treatment. Cannabis can help too, improving prognosis because it can mitigate the effects that can sometimes prevent people from continuing chemotherapy.
There have been many studies proving the efficacy of cannabis for the side effects of chemotherapy. One study in 2020 was conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney together with the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre and the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. The researchers found great improvements among patients who suffered from nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy among a quarter of patients who were taking medical cannabis.
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“These encouraging results indicate medicinal cannabis can help improve quality of life for chemotherapy patients,” said Associate Professor Peter Grimison. “Nausea and vomiting are among the most distressing and feared consequences of chemotherapy,” he adds.
A study from 2014 showed that using CBD was helpful in decreasing neuropathic pain, one of the side effects of chemotherapy. The study involved administering healthy mice with chemotherapy drugs thrice a week, which went on for 10 weeks. Half of the mice were also given CBD together with chemotherapy, and it was found that the chemotherapy made the mice more sensitive to stimuli. However, those that were given CBD were found to have a higher pain threshold.
Tips For Cervical Cancer Patients
If you are interested in integrating cannabis to your cervical cancer treatment, it’s always wise to let your oncologist know ahead of time. Working with a doctor who is knowledgeable with the use of medical marijuana can help you navigate the often overwhelming world of medicating, especially for first-time users. This is especially critical if you are taking other medications such as blood thinners, because cannabis use can have interactions with other pharmaceutical drugs.
While there have been patients who have foregone conventional treatment altogether, there is not sufficient evidence that only medical marijuana can treat terminal conditions such as cancer. Because of this, cannabis may work best in conjunction with other treatments that your medical provider has recommended. Feel free to ask your doctor as many questions as you need to feel confident about using marijuana for treating cervical cancer. It’s available in many forms though for terminal patients, smoking or vaping may not be the best route of administration. Instead, opt for edibles, oils, and sublinguals which are safer to take and are gentler on the body.
More research into the use of cannabis for various cancers is ongoing, though present evidence supports the potential use of cannabis as complementary treatment for cancers.
Gone are the days when coffee was associated with negative side effects. New studies link moderate consumption to longer life.
More and more studies have come out highlighting the benefits of coffee. The drink was once considered a vice and something to be avoided. But a new study shows that consuming manageable amounts of coffee has its benefits, particularly when it comes to cardiovascular health. Yes, even sweetened, drink this may help with longevity.
The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, shows how beneficial coffee is, even while accounting for sugar. Researchers in the U.K. found that those who consumed coffee on a daily basis had a lower risk of death when compared to non-coffee drinkers.
The study looked into the data of 120,000 people with an average age of 57 who drank sweetened or unsweetened coffee for over seven years. Participants who drank their coffee sweetened had a teaspoon of sugar per cup of coffee and were still 16% to 21% less likely to die when compared to those who didn’t drink coffee at all.
Unsweetened coffee drinkers were 29% to 31% less likely to die when compared to non-coffee drinkers.
Still, despite the encouraging evidence, researchers had no way of knowing if their results were driven by coffee or by some outside factor; either coffee’s health benefits could trigger this response, or coffee drinkers could have better health care and more time to work out, thus having longer lifespans.
While this study shouldn’t be a license to drink any type of calorie-rich coffee drink you want, it’s a gentle reminder of the benefits of coffee — and evidence that a little bit of sugar won’t do much harm.
With North Carolina’s GOP-controlled legislature back in full swing, a bill to legalize medical marijuana is advancing quicker than many expected. It is an indication why North Carolina may be next to legalize marijuana.
The N.C. Compassionate Care Act, sponsored by top Senate Republican and Rules Committee chair Sen. Bill Rabon, was heard in committee on Wednesday and will now head to the Senate floor where it is expected to pass.
The move comes after the bill was held up for months in Rabon’s committee last year, most likely because it lacked support from some Republicans, but things have changed.
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Program Among Strictest In Country
The bill would approve one of the strictest MMJ programs in the country if signed into law, though Rabon said they did their best
“It is my opinion that no state has done it as well as we are attempting to do it,” Rabon told colleagues prior to the committee vote. He called the bill the “tightest, best-written” cannabis legislation in any state.
What’s In It?
The bill would allow the medicinal use of cannabis for a narrow list of conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, HIV, AIDS and Crohn’s disease. Chronic pain and anxiety are not included and the bill will not decriminalize recreational cannabis.
Why It Matters
North Carolina is one of the dwindling number of U.S. states that have not approved some form of medical marijuana. And, with one of the most powerful state Republicans, Bill Rabon, leading the legalization effort, it seems the issue is no longer viewed as a political liability among conservatives, pointed out Axios Raleigh.
“All the polling that we’ve seen indicates that medical marijuana is supported across party lines,” said Dylan Watts, state Senate Republican political director, per Axios. “The issue seems to have almost been desensitized across all demographics.”
But, of course, the bill would still need to pass the House before it reaches Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who has not confirmed that he’d sign it.
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What Do Voters Want?
In a poll commissioned by the Carolina Partnership for Reform, 82% of respondents said they supported legal medical marijuana.
“At this point, it seems pretty clear that it is only a matter of time until medical marijuana and recreational marijuana use are legalized in North Carolina,” the group wrote when it recently released the results.
Floor action is expected as soon as Thursday. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R) recently told reporters that he intends to vote for the bill.
A survey shows that younger people are choosing cannabis over other substances, like alcohol.
Younger generations are growing up in unprecedented times. Concerns like the pandemic, global warming and having access to an endless stream of information have reshuffled their priorities, making them into a generation that stands apart from the rest. When it comes to cannabis, they’re also the first to grow up within a legal consumption environment.
According to a new survey, this experience has impacted their preferences for substances, as Gen Z seems to prefer cannabis over alcohol.
Conducted by New Frontier Data, the survey revealed that participants between the ages of 18 to 24 largely preferred cannabis to alcohol (69%). As participants aged up, their preference for cannabis faded, perhaps indicating how impactful legalization has been for young people and how this might impact future trends on substance consumption and marketing.
When it comes to why young people prefer cannabis over alcohol, Bloomberg quotes another survey that shows different reasons. These include the fact that cannabis provides sleep aid, an opportunity for emotional release, and also a fun activity that people can participate in. Many participants also mentioned health concerns as one of their reasons, showing the degree to which cannabis is viewed as something natural and beneficial when compared to a substance like alcohol.
Alcohol companies will certainly have to take this new understanding into account, but it’s also important for cannabis proponents and legislators to keep this information at hand, especially as cannabis continues to gain traction. Cannabis users under the age of 25 are a delicate group, having young brains that have yet to fully mature. Exposing themselves to cannabis could result in negative side effects that have yet to be evaluated by the necessary authorities.
Cannabis legislation is a slow-moving process but it’s one that society has already absorbed. It’s important for government entities to catch up and conduct the necessary research to understand cannabis, providing people with the information they need to keep themselves protected and to avoid damage in the long term.
Once the application process begins, there will be a 30-day approval time for licensure applications and a five-day approval time for program patients.
It may not seem like a big deal to the millions of Americans living in legal cannabis states, but Wednesday is huge for one state. Mississippi medical marijuana application requests start, a huge deal for the Magnolia State. And vital for medical marijuana patients and supporters. June 1 is the first day for medical marijuana patients to submit their applications for a card in the Magnolia State. Businesses will also be able to apply for licenses.
Long Time Coming
In February, Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed legislation into law, making Mississippi the 37th state to legalize medical marijuana. At the time the governor said, “There is no doubt that there are individuals in our state who could do significantly better if they had access to medically prescribed doses of cannabis.” Seventy-four percent of Mississippi voters approved the medical marijuana program.
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Dropping Like Flies
At least 28 cities and a dozen counties have completely opted out of the medical marijuana program though, reported Mississippi Today, adding that the state’s health department is not keeping an official list of all the municipalities restricting cannabis businesses.
Ken Newburger, director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association, said the law itself did not include a directive for municipalities to report. At the same time, the lack of an official list should not embolden anyone to attempt to get around the system, he warned.
“If you try to open a dispensary in a city that has opted out, the local officials have every power to 1. Stop you and 2. Report you to the state,” Newburger said.
Each county’s decision to opt out only covers its unincorporated areas, meaning some cities within opt-out counties are still able to have businesses in the program. Patients who live in opt-out areas can still possess and use medical marijuana.
Meanwhile, Newburger said it will probably be late this year or early next year before patients can receive medical marijuana.
Once the application process begins, there will be a 30-day approval time for licensure applications and a five-day approval time for program patients. All applications will go through the Mississippi State Health Department and require a physician’s approval.
Licensing for medical cannabis dispensaries only will begin July 1 through the state Department of Revenue. Mississippi medical marijuana applications requests start, let’s hope they go for the patients in Magnolia State.
