‘New Cannabis Crime’ In Virginia Under Attack By A Number Of Politicians

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June 2, 2022

‘New Cannabis Crime’ In Virginia Under Attack By A Number Of Politicians

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.

marijuana arrest — Photo by FatCamera/Getty Images

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.

FBI Data Shows Marijuana Arrests Increases For Third Straight Year — Photo by jirkaejc/Getty Images

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.

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

Is Cannabis Now Winning The Fight Against Cervical Cancer?

Medical Marijuana

Terry Hacienda

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June 2, 2022

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Is Cannabis Now Winning The Fight Against Cervical Cancer?

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.

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

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.

breast cancer — Photo by fstop123/Getty Images

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.

cancer chemotherapy — Photo by FatCamera/Getty Images

“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.

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

Even Sweetened, Drinking This May Help With Longevity

Maria Loreto

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June 2, 2022

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Even Sweetened, Drinking This May Help With Longevity

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.

coffee tea — Photo by Chad Madden via Unsplash

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.

Why North Carolina May Be Next To Legalize Marijuana

Benzinga Staff Writer

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June 2, 2022

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Why North Carolina May Be Next To Legalize Marijuana

North Carolina is one of the dwindling number of U.S. states that have not approved some form of medical marijuana.

By Maureen Meehan

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.

marijuana legalization — Photo by RODNAE Productions via Pexels

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.

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 done deal? It’s starting to look that way.

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

New Survey Shows Gen Z Prefers Weed Over Alcohol — Why Is This?

Maria Loreto

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June 1, 2022

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New Survey Shows Gen Z Prefers Weed Over Alcohol — Why Is This?

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.

Anti-Marijuana Folks Credit Legalization To Alcohol-Related Deaths — Photo by Adam Jaime via Unsplash

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.

Mississippi Medical Marijuana Application Requests Start

Benzinga Staff Writer

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June 1, 2022

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Mississippi Medical Marijuana Application Requests Start

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.

By Maureen Meehan

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.

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.

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

23andMe Survey Shows Who’s Been Most Affected By Long COVID

News

Maria Loreto

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June 1, 2022

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23andMe Survey Shows Who’s Been Most Affected By Long COVID

The study is part of a series of data that explores the impact of the pandemic since it started in 2020.

Genetic testing service 23andMe holds the DNA information of millions of people, providing a useful tool for researchers who want to learn more about different conditions. And that includes long COVID.

A new survey conducted by the genetic testing site revealed some interesting information on long COVID and the type of people that are more likely to experience it. Among their findings: women are more likely to experience long COVID, along with people who manage mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

How Many Times Can You Get COVID-19? Here's What Experts Know — Photo by Maskmedicare Shop via Unsplash

The data was obtained from 100,000 self-reports, which makes it different than the majority of other scientific studies, which rely on data shared by government entities.

“We’re able to paint a more complete picture of the COVID experience than would be possible from just using medical records,” Dr. Stella Aslibekyan, a genetic epidemiologist for 23andme, told SF Gate.

A closer look at the study shows some risk factors for long COVID, including having a diagnosis of anxiety or depression, which can increase your risk of developing long COVID symptoms by two-fold. Preexisting conditions like cardiometabolic diseases also increased the risk of long COVID, this time by 90%.

More than half of the participants reported no difference after getting vaccinated. Those who did claimed vaccines improved their symptoms.

There was some conflicting evidence brought up by the study. While it found that women were more affected by long COVID than men, real-world data shows the opposite; men are more likely to experience long COVID and are also more likely to die from the virus.

According to the article which highlights 23andMe’s findings, this study is part of a series of data that explores the impact of the pandemic since it started in 2020. Some areas of interest mentioned include blood types and how these can affect the prognosis of the virus and the impact of genetics and COVID-19.

How Cannabis And LGBTQ Rights Have Intertwined

Benzinga Staff Writer

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June 1, 2022

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How Cannabis And LGBTQ Rights Have Intertwined

By Andrew Ward

The cannabis and LGBTQ rights movements have been connected from the beginning, as they mutually supported reform throughout the decades. “Arguably, neither would exist as they do today if not for the other,” said Tyme Ferris, founder and CEO of cannabis brand Pantheon Collective. Here is how cananbis and LGBTA rights have intertwined.

The decades have been tumultuous for each effort. Both movements saw positive progress in the 1960s. Some states decriminalized homosexual activity, and various favorable Kennedy and Johnson-era reports on the plant were submitted. However, progress turned to regression in the 70s under the Nixon administration.

social equity equality — Photo by Anete Lusina from Pexels

Per the Controlled Substances Act, cannabis was listed as a Schedule I drug, considered to have maximum abuse potential but no medicinal value. This classification came “Even though the Shafer Commission, formed by Nixon, recommended decriminalizing cannabis,” said Pantheon Collective co-founder Thomas Kupiec.

The 80s were equally devastating for both movements. As the drug war raged on, HIV and AIDS impacted the gay community as it reeled from the virus. Between 1981 and 1990, over 100,000 people died from AIDS, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

As the disease ravaged the U.S., President Ronald Reagan chose not to address the issue until 1987. At the same time, he continued the Nixon-era War on Drugs, headlined by the ‘Just Say No’ campaign.

Without medical guidance, marijuana proved effective in treating various HIV and AIDS-related symptoms, including wasting syndrome, nausea, chronic pain and anxiety.

“In most places deeply touched by the AIDS crisis, there’s a nexus between marijuana reform and gay rights,” said journalist and podcaster Jay Lassiter.

Rather than pushing for cannabis access, America doubled down on punishment. Bills like 1984’s Comprehensive Crime Control Act, 1986’s Anti-Drug Abuse Act and the controversial three-strike sentencing bills were enacted.

Still, LGBTQ advocates pushed on for the rights of their community and medical cannabis access.

In 1996, the decades-long efforts of the two movements helped push California’s Proposition 215 to become the first bill to legalize medical marijuana. The bill’s co-author, Dennis Peron, had been a cannabis advocate since the 1970s after his partner used marijuana while living with AIDS.

Since then, the two movements have remained closely linked, for better or worse. Neil Lequia, founder and board president of cannabis-industry LGBTQ organization The Full Spectrum, said queer individuals are more likely to experience substance abuse and mental health issues than straight individuals.

Lequia said cannabis use “is a coping mechanism” to combat pains associated with their queer lifestyle, including bullying and family separation.

Despite the increased likelihood of use, he feels that queer people are not adequately represented in the cannabis industry.

“I see a lack of us in the industry despite being more likely to use it,” Lequia said.

pride flag — Photo by daniel james via Unsplash

Some Notable Names Leading The Movement

Queer individuals are one of the core groups helping to advance reform in the U.S. As NORML founder Keith Stroup wrote in 2020, other influential groups included Black jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong, who helped catalyze the movement with continuous pot use despite facing arrest several times.

The jazz movement started a reform push that genuinely got underway in the 1960s. Dan Goldman, freelance writer and founder of the LGBT drug legalization organization, leGAYlize It!, said the cannabis rights movements began with gay leaders like Allen Ginsberg.

“While there was almost certainly cross-cultural pollination in cities like New Orleans in the mid-20th century between the jazz cigarette aficionados and LGBT artists, the reform movement begins with gay beat poet Allen Ginsberg and the founding of LeMar (Legalize Marijuana) in the East Village of New York City in 1964,” Goldman said.

LeMar is credited as the earliest cannabis advocacy organization, with members forming prohibition protests beginning in 1965.

In addition to Peron, Ferris said that Harvey Milk and ally Mary Jane Rathburn, aka “Brownie Mary,” helped advance the medical movement in the Bay Area.

Milk was integral in supporting legal cannabis, including the passage of the non-binding ballot initiative policy Proposition W, which aimed to decriminalize cannabis. Rathburn, for her part, sold infused brownies to AIDS patients in the Bay Area, baking dozens of brownies a day.

Lassiter cited leaders on the east coast during that period, including Malcom Gregory Scott and Dr. Doug Ward.

transgender — Photo by DBenitostock/Getty Images

Ward has been considered a leading expert in AIDS treatment for over four decades. Scott, a writer and AIDS survivor, was discharged from the Navy for being gay and then went on to help overturn restrictions against LGBTQ service members. Scott also credits cannabis with helping save him from a near-fatal AIDS-related medical issue in the 90s.

Lassiter credited AIDS patients for helping change public perceptions of medical cannabis reform.

“These activists were smart enough to basically trade on their misery to reframe the cannabis discussion, and that’s a hell of a legacy to leave behind,” Lassiter said.

Representation Matters

As cannabis consolidates, leadership at the top is becoming less diverse for women and minority groups.

Data compiled by Marijuana Business Daily in 2021 found that women cannabis executives fell from 36.8% in 2019 to 22.1% in 2021. Minority leadership declined from 28% in 2019 to 13.1% in 2021.

LGBTQ Operators Want To See Change

Renee Gagnon is a Canadian operator and the first female transgender CEO of a publicly-traded marijuana company in British Columbia, HollyWeed North Cannabis Inc. now Emerald Health Therapeutics Inc.

Gagnon, who has held five licenses to date, said her efforts were accepted as a male, but “Now I’m not quite good enough” or that “There’s a more sellable dude we can hire who ‘knows how things work.'”

Gagnon added, “Until gender equality happens, the other inequalities will lag on.”

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

How To Choose High Quality Hemp CBD Edibles

CBD
How-To

Terry Hacienda

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June 1, 2022

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How To Choose High Quality Hemp CBD Edibles

The type of CBD, intake method, and potency will all influence your decision. These aspects should be tailored to your lifestyle preferences and desired results.

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

You will see goods like cannabis-oil-infused food, confectionery, patches, oils, tinctures, ointments, and more as larger corporations enter the marijuana production sector. There are more sub-types and speciality products inside each of these product categories. Cannabis or Hemp oil is one of the broadest classifications.

If you’re looking to buy hemp oils, delta-8 gummies, capsules or tea, these are some of the most crucial things to keep in mind.

Types of Hemp Edibles

Many individuals believe that Hemp oil is generic and that all cannabis-derived oils are the same. While this may have been true in the past, various kinds of cannabis oil are available. Many of these kinds are only found in certain areas.

For example, certain strains of cannabis originated in Australia, and you can get them in their purest form or as blended oil containing various types of oil derived from various strains of cannabis. Oil has the advantage of being significantly easier to transport than the plant itself. You may be confident that you will receive oil in excellent condition, whether it comes from another country or a different region of the country. Ensure you know whether you’re getting the right oil or gummies for your needs and which strain you’re getting.

Hemp source

CBD is derived from two types of cannabis: regular marijuana and hemp, a type of marijuana. The main difference between these two sources is that hemp should have less than 0.3% THC.

Cannabidiol derived from hemp is legal in the United States, while CBD derived from cannabis may not meet these requirements. All the hemp edibles made from hemp plants are safe to consume because it ensures that they contain the legal quantity of THC. However, users should check their state’s rules on edible hemp-derived products.

As per Hempercamp, a CBD and hemp products review website, hemp source and subsequent harvesting is the key to get the finest quality edibles, which are little expensive. Many consumers sometime complains of substandard products that flooded the market with cheap price.

It is wise to buy from the right dispensary or online store. Want to know how to find the best marijuana dispensaries near your place? You can take the help of Google Map and search phrases like “how to buy weed near me” or “recreational dispensaries near me” or “CBD stores near me”. The “near me” phrase helps you to get the location of the nearest dispensaries from Google.

marijuana edibles candy — Photo by IRA_EVVA/Getty Images

Buying Fresh

Hemp gummies and capsules are made with preservatives, and it does not matter if it is fresh or not but hemp oil, like any other organic product, has a shelf life after which it can no longer be used. Ideally, it would help if you bought as fresh as possible to ensure the highest possible quality. The hemp oil begins to deteriorate and distort at a microscopic level once removed. The more recent the purchase, the fewer these alterations will have occurred. Hemp oil will only last two years in storage at most. After that threshold, it is best not to continue to use it.

Best Flavors

Although the strain from which the oil is obtained has a natural flavor, many manufacturers enhance the flavor with different added substances. If you want the most natural flavor, choose something cold-pressed and containing no artificial flavors. If you are looking for CBD gummies specifically, there is a wide range of flavors available, including watermelon and mint chocolate. If you’re using tinctures or something else where the flavor is more obvious, you might want to try flavored hemp oil.

Quantity of Purchase

While buying in bulk is always cheaper, lesser quantities of hemp oil are preferable. Get a tiny quantity to test the flavor, and if you like it, purchase more. Furthermore, because the flavor and effect of the oil can change with time, you should purchase an amount that will last you no longer than 6 months. After 6 months, the substance may begin to taste and behave significantly differently, so it’s better to keep a fresh supply on hand. Other hemp products like capsules and gummies usually last longer, up to 1 or 2 years.

Best Places of Purchase

Local shops are convenient and accessible and found across the states, but that’s frequently where the benefits end. When purchasing hemp oil locally, you can rely completely on the employees’ product knowledge. This limits your research possibilities and the products you can choose from. Local stores typically carry two varieties of hemp products, which is significantly less than internet sellers. The best way to buy is online. You can do all the research and read reviews and view authentic certifications, which would only help you make the best choice.

Third-Party Lab Reports

CBD companies often subject their products to third-party testing to ensure their efficacy, authenticity, and safety. Most companies use independent labs to examine their products for hemp profiles, chemicals, heavy metals, solvents, and various other contaminants. The brands then post the findings of third-party lab tests on their websites for all to see.

marijuana edibles — Photo by Kindel Media via Pexels

Choose premium hemp edible with a third-party lab-testing system. The results will provide you peace of mind, knowing that the creators and the analysts are willing to take responsibility. Third-party lab tests are essential for internal control, ensuring that each batch of hemp extract follows the protocols.

The Right Concentration

When deciding between different hemp oils especially, individuals look at the concentration first. Because everyone is different and reacts to CBD differently, there is no one-size-fits-all CBD dosage. Some people will benefit from dosages of as little as 5–10 mg, while others will need upwards of 50 mg. So which concentration should you choose?

Low-concentration hemp oil and products are typically chosen for micro-dosing, administering extremely small dosages of CBD throughout the day to keep endocannabinoid levels stable. People who are new to this use low-potency oils to find the proper dosage and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of their product. Low-concentration oils and products may be prohibitively expensive when using high dosages of hemp. The lower the price per milligram of hemp, the longer the product will last.

Bottom Line

When it comes to purchasing hemp oil and other edibles, research on the subject is crucial. Always double-check the hemp source, extraction procedures, third-party testing, corporate transparency, and reputation among CBD consumers. The type of CBD, intake method and potency will all influence your decision. These aspects should be tailored to your lifestyle preferences and desired results.

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

Researcher Engineers Cannabis Strain With 20% THC

Maria Loreto

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May 31, 2022

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Researcher Engineers Cannabis Strain With 20% THC

For the first time, researchers were able to increase the levels of THC and CBG in a cannabis plant.

Researchers from the University of Jerusalem have managed to manipulate the number of cannabinoids within a cannabis plant.

According to The Jerusalem Post, the research increased the plant’s THC level to 20%, something that could help create new strains with more medicinal power and in boosting crop yields.

The researchers were led by Professor Alexander Vainstein and managed to increase a variety of cannabinoid levels, among them THC and CBG, which were increased by 17% and 25% respectively. Researchers were also able to increase the number of terpenes ⁠— aromatic elements within the plant that are linked with euphoric and strong medicinal effects ⁠— by 20 to 30%.

Federal Drug Agency Is Looking For Marijuana Supplies For Research — Photo by CasarsaGuru/Getty

Per researchers, the goal of the study was to “intervene in the biochemical pathways in the cannabis plant” in order to manipulate the production of active substances. This was achieved by manipulating a neutralized active virus in the plant. “We examined the infected plants and found that the levels of the substances in question had indeed risen,” wrote the researchers.

“These study results will be valuable both to industry, to increase the yield of active substances, and to medical researchers to cultivate and develop new strains for medical cannabis users,” recapped Vainstein.

The University of Jerusalem has done some groundbreaking work in the field of cannabis since the 1970s, including synthesizing important cannabinoids like THC, CBD and CBG.

This study marks the first time when the level of a cannabinoid was modified on a cannabis plant, something that could expand on cannabis’ medicinal capabilities. In terms of the industry as a whole, these findings could result in new business opportunities and openings for making a profit.

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Mississippi Medical Marijuana Application Requests Start

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Researcher Engineers Cannabis Strain With 20% THC

For the first time, researchers were able to increase the levels of THC and CBG in a cannabis plant.

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