Poor oral health has been linked to a variety of health conditions, among them cardiovascular diseases.
Oral health is important. Maintaining healthy gums and teeth requires a lot of steps, something that most of our dentists love to passively-aggressively remind us of. Still, they may be right. While a cavity may not seem like the worse thing in the world, poor oral health has been linked with a variety of diseases, including heart disease.
According to Harvard Health, people who skip out on brushing their teeth and flossing have higher odds of developing heart disease.
While not wholly understood, the relationship between poor oral health and higher odds of heart disease has been one that has appeared in a variety of studies. Experts from Harvard have a variety of theories as to why it exists.
For starters, it’s believed that diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis result in bacteria that travel through the bloodstream towards different parts of the body; they could result in blood clots, heart attacks, or strokes. It’s also believed that the body’s response to oral bacteria (inflammation, which is the body’s standard response to infection) could affect the response of the heart and the brain in unexpected ways. Still, researchers make it clear that the connection between heart disease and oral bacteria may or may not exist; one study found that smoking, something that a lot of people with cardiovascular conditions and poor oral health have in common, might be one of the uniting factors.
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in America, responsible for 1 out of every 4 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If there are any measures that can be adopted and that could provide some form of protection, they’re worth considering.
Other conditions that have been associated with poor oral health include arthritis, particularly in the case of people who suffer from periodontal disease, and pancreatic cancer.
There’s plenty of room for investigation in the area of oral health, but all of this evidence suggests how important it is for the rest of your body. Even if you brush your teeth several times a day, it’s important to floss often, no matter how tedious it might be. Going to the dentist is never a good time, but, as plenty of evidence suggests, what goes on in your mouth has the power to affect the rest of your body.
If you are struggling with gastrointestinal disorders, trying cannabis can be beneficial especially when combined with lifestyle changes, a healthy diet, and exercise.
Digestive and gastrointestinal disorders affect millions of people worldwide, and refer to a myriad of conditions affecting digestion, appetite, the bowels, gas, and inflammation to name a few. Cannabis has been proven many times over to help treat and prevent several digestive disorders that plague people everyday, some of them so debilitating that they prevent people from living normal lives.
The human body has endocannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 in the gut and stomach, all of which help to heal us from these digestive issues while improving motility, appetite, absorption, and overall gastrointestinal health when we medicate with cannabis — either THC, CBD, or both. However, you don’t necessarily have to consume cannabis orally through food, capsules or drinks in order to benefit your stomach; you can also smoke/vaporize, and place drops underneath your tongue especially since these consumption methods work fastest.
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Consuming cannabis has proven to be beneficial for treating gastrointestinal conditions in many people especially since conventional treatments don’t always work as well; they also come with unwanted side effects.
Here are some of the common digestive disorders that cannabis can treat:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBD) presents itself with a variety of symptoms including diarrhea, cramping, weight loss, abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding. Two subtypes of this condition are known as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which is diagnosed based on where the inflammation occurs within lower gastrointestinal tract.
Studies show that when patients with IBD consume cannabis, it can benefit them in several ways such as by relaxing the esophageal sphincter, reducing gastric motility, improving visceral pain, bowel motility, and much more.
In one particular study, 91% of patients reported an improvement in their symptoms following cannabis use. Specifically, 83.9% said that it helped treat abdominal pain, 76.8% reported improvements in abdominal cramping, 48.2% saw better results with joint pain while 28.6% said that diarrhea had lessened.
In another study, “Cannabis use is common amongst patients with IBD for symptom relief, particularly amongst those with a history of abdominal surgery, chronic abdominal pain and/or a low quality of life index.”
Appetite Loss
Losing one’s appetite can be detrimental for health because eating is the primary way the body takes in nutrients and vitamins through food which is necessary for normal functioning of every organ in the body.
Chronic appetite loss can lead to malnutrition and severe weight loss, which are both serious if left untreated. Medically, this can also be known as anorexia. There are many conditions that can cause loss of appetite, though some common reasons include a respiratory infection, gastroenteritis or other gastrointestinal and digestive conditions, pneumonia, meningitis, HIV, chronic liver disease, dementia, heart failure, kidney failure, or cancer among others.
In addition to that, some medications can also cause appetite loss especially some antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, morphine, codeine, and cancer treatments. Thankfully, one of the most well-known effects of marijuana is its ability to stimulate appetite. There have been many studies proving how cannabis can do this through multiple processes within the body including triggering the hunger hormones.
“We found that cannabis exposure caused more frequent, small meals,” said researcher Jon Davis, Ph.D. So instead of cannabis making you want to eat a huge meal, it’s helpful for those suffering from appetite loss that it stimulates the appetite enough to make us want to eat several meals albeit smaller.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal condition affecting the large intestine, small intestine, and the colon. Its symptoms include abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea, gas, bloating, or constipation. A majority of patients with IBS are triggered by the symptoms after a bout of food poisoning, which is the primary culprit of this condition.
While most patients can see relief after a one-off cycle of antibiotics, others have to keep treating it again and again since the symptoms come back. This is why other medications as well as lifestyle changes can be necessary for it to fully be treated. It’s critical to treat IBS or see a doctor as soon as you think you may have its symptoms because when left untreated, it can result in rectal bleeding, unexplained vomiting, weight loss, iron deficiency anemia, and much more.
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Patients can take medical marijuana to help manage the symptoms of IBS, particularly bloating and cramps. Studies show that cannabis is effective in helping treat IBS, and regular marijuana intake has also been linked to less hospitalizations and shorter hospital stays that would otherwise be caused by IBS.
Gastroesophageal Reflux/Acid Reflux
More commonly known as acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux is a condition characterized heartburn and nausea. It affects the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Acid reflux has an impact on how we enjoy our food and drink, since many popular and well-loved things contribute to acid reflux. These include fried food, cheese, chocolates, soft drinks, fatty meats, processed snacks, wine, and coffee to name a few. Other things can also lead to acid reflux such as eating before bed, pregnancy, smoking cigarettes, and medications including ibuprofen, aspirin, and blood pressure drugs.
However, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating many conditions including the processes within the upper gastrointestinal tract such as reducing the inflammation causing the acid reflux, it relaxes the esophagus, increases pain threshold, and much more. Furthermore, it can provide relief from the burning or discomfort that commonly occurs in the upper abdomen and treat nausea.
Bottom Line
If you are struggling with gastrointestinal disorders, trying cannabis can be beneficial especially when combined with lifestyle changes, a healthy diet, and exercise. Remember that self-medicating may not be best in the case of severe symptoms, so always talk to a medical professional who has knowledge in medicating with cannabis.
MMJ International Holdings, in collaboration with a specialty pharmaceutical solutions company, has been manufacturing gelatin capsule medicines based on compounds found in cannabis. The company will investigate these in clinical trials as potential treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) and Huntington’s disease (HD).
The Providens, Rhode Island-based medical cannabis research company had entered into a supply agreement with MMJ BioPharma Cultivation for them to supply strain specific marijuana plants for further processing to potentially obtain FDA approval for its drug.
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Problems With The DEA
MMJ BioPharma Cultivation applied for a DEA bulk manufacturing registration in 2018. The DEA application process is being delayed for years for reasons unknown. The DEA delay has negatively impacted the progression of the drug development for patients suffering from MS and HD.
“As MMJ International Holdings continues to advance to its clinical trials, these DEA delays are unprecedented,” stated Elio Mariani, PhD, MMJ’s executive responsible for research and development. “The statutory mandate of the DEA is security and divergence and to facilitate the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals to help patients suffering from chronic disease.”
Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ International Holdings commented, “MMJ’s clinical trials will provide patient dosing, safety, and efficacy data to the FDA to prove that cannabis can treat essential tremors, a neurological disorder that causes involuntary shaking. We firmly believe that our MMJ oral gel cap medication, containing the marijuana plant’s unique pharmacological properties, will be FDA-approved as a safe and effective drug.”
MMJ International Holdings in 2019 was given DEA clearance to import cannabis-based products into the U.S. from Canada, a process that required the cooperation of multiple governmental agencies, including the FDA and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Health Canada.
To date, five approved entities are currently listed on the DEA website but none are manufacturing a pharmaceutical such as MMJ International Holdings with filings with the FDA to perform clinical trials.
In celebration of International Women’s Day and to kick off Women’s History Month, Higher Standards in partnership with Flower by Edie Parker, hosted a “Women In Weed” panel discussion at Higher Standards Chelsea Market in New York City.
“The panel of Women In Weed — outlaws, pioneers, entrepreneurs and advocates – told stories about heading out into uncharted territory with superhuman dedication,” Elana Frankel, founding editor of Woman and Weed, told Benzinga. “These women don’t mind working in high-risk, uncharted territory and it was clear the audience was ready to follow.”
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Panelists, in addition to Frankel, included Margaret Hancock, director of sales for Edie Parker; Mary Pryor, founder of Cannaclusive; Lulu Tsui, founder of On The Revel; and Sophie Saint Thomas, a published author. They talked about raising capital, sex and cannabis, and how to get started in the industry
“The evening had an energy, and it was the power of personal narratives that brought a better understanding to complex issues,” added Frankel, who authored the book Women and Weed: How the Green Rush Is Changing Our Lives.
Where Have All The Women Gone?
It’s no secret that as the legal cannabis industry grows, the rate at which women are entering the industry has declined of late.
When Marijuana Business Daily released its “Women & Minorities in the Marijuana Industry” report in 2017, women held 37% of executive-level roles. That percentage has dropped to 22%.
Although, another report from The Arcview Group and National Cannabis Industry Association confirmed that companies led by women are more profitable and produce more than twice the revenue per dollar invested than those without them.
A Women in Cannabis Study (WICS), founded and led by Jennifer Whetzel of Ladyjane Branding, began compiling data in 2019 from more than 1,500 women and nonbinary participants. The study noted that women are deeply interested in bringing their skills, knowledge and wisdom into the newly legal industry but face barriers to entry including common challenges such as sexism, harassment, lack of support and benefits, difficulty obtaining funding, low pay and stigma.
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Despite an impressive number of female founders and owners, only 11% of respondents said they believe the cannabis industry is equitable.
Rosie Mattio, founder and CEO of Mattio Communications, says that 2022 will be a defining year for female leadership in cannabis.
“The cannabis industry cannot reach its full potential without women leading the charge as well,” Mattio said, noting that while female leaders are currently at the helm of some of the most influential cannabis companies, there is still a huge imbalance.
“Low rates of female and minority participation is a pervasive issue within cannabis, and female leaders are tackling these glaring disparities through their own businesses,” Mattio wrote in Rolling Stone.
There really is no reason that you should be afraid of concentrates — as long as you start small and slow.
Cannabis concentrates have been getting more popular over the last few years because of their incredible potency, which you can’t find in other cannabis products.
But with the staggering amount of concentrate types in the market, navigating it can be overwhelming for a first timer. Whether you are a medical marijuana patient or a recreational user, there are many benefits to using concentrates most especially the fact that you need significantly less to feel its effects, and it can save you money.
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Concentrates is actually a broad term to refers to many cannabis product types but one thing they all have in common is that it is a type of cannabis that’s been processed to a type of concentrate form. The single most common and widely used concentrate out there are the vape cartridges, but there are just so many more that you can explore.
More people are turning towards concentrates as opposed to traditional flower just because of their potency. You can also consume them in so many different ways: dab it, smoke it, and even eat it. But no matter which concentrate you decide to go with, it’s always critical to remember that you should start slow. It is seriously potent and it’s far too easy to get too high that it could actually ruin the experience. Gradually work your way up until you know the right dose that works for you.
Having said that, here are the best concentrates for beginners to try:
Kief: Keif, or dry sift, is made by extracting the trichomes from the cannabis buds. This is a great concentrate to start with especially if you already smoke cannabis flower and want to take things another level up because it’s got way more THC in each gram compared to flower but still isn’t as potent as other concentrates.
The trichomes of the cannabis flower are where you can find the biggest concentration of THC as well as CBD and other terpenes. You can make your own kief if you have a 3-piece grinder; the third component is critical for collecting the flower leftover, which is essentially what kief is. Then once you have it, you can mix the kief or sprinkle it into your joint or bowl. However, if you want to make it even more potent, press it to create hash which you can smoke on its own.
Shatter: Shatter is an extremely common cannabis concentrate, and easily the most accessible. Shatter became really popular for its high THC levels which go anywhere from 80% upwards, while standard cannabis flowers average at 25%.
Shatter is easily recognizable because it looks like glass, and it has an amber or yellowish color. It’s created by covering cannabis buds with butane or another solvent, afterwhich it goes through purging to get its texture. You can consume shatter by using a vaporizer made specifically for concentrates, though more seasoned users turn to dab rigs to get the most out of its potency. Again, since shatter contains high THC levels, you don’t need much for a strong high.
For beginners, shatter can be beneficial since you can break it apart into smaller pieces suitable for dabs.
Hash: Hash is a very popular and versatile cannabis concentrate. There are even some countries that are known for producing quality hash, such as in Morocco, where it is part of their culture and it’s more popular than bud or flower. Hash is essentially a solid block of kief pieces which are pressed together.
Depending on the extraction process, hash varies in color and shape. Hash is highly recommended for beginners because it’s milder. While some concentrates can have THC levels of 80% or 90%, hash ranges from 30% to 60%. Another reason why hash is more appealing to first-time cannabis concentrate consumers is that it’s easy to use: it crumbles when it’s lit using a lighter, so you can just take the smaller pieces and add them to bowls or joints.
Some people like to mix it with cannabis flower or even tobacco. But some vaporizers in the market allow you to smoke hash for a smooth, strong kick. There are also many varieties of hash in the market including pressed ice hash and bubble hash to name a few.
Budder: Also known as batter or badder, this type of concentrate is unique because of its malleable texture that tends to resemble cake frosting. However, depending on the variety they can look different especially with their textures and color because they are made with various extraction methods as well as starting materials. Some have the same color as butter while others can be olive green. Meanwhile, some budder is stickier but other varieties tend to be more crumbly.
Budder is consumed through dabbing since this process enhances its potency. However, there are some cannabis users who prefer to sprinkle them on top of a blunt or bowl, though it can also be vaped.
Live resin: For cannabis consumers looking for a truly flavorful experience, you can’t go wrong with live resin. It’s made with a unique process requiring freshly grown cannabis to be flash-frozen before they are extracted. These buds are then delicately extracted that carefully ensures its terpenes and cannabinoids are well preserved, while leaving you a product that is highly concentrated.
The drying and curing phase of cannabis usually ends up losing most of its flavorful and fragrant terpenes, which are responsible for its taste and flavor. But making live resin means that these steps are skipped entirely so you can truly enjoy delicious flavor when vaping resin.
Many people are afraid of trying concentrates, however, there really is no reason that you should be afraid of them as long as you start small and slow. With this guide, we hope we’ve helped you narrow down the ideal concentrates to start your journey with.
The Benzinga Psychedelics Capital Conference will feature a suite of the top minds in the psychedelics space.
The first Benzinga Psychedelics Capital Conference, the premier gathering of psychedelics industry leaders and forward-thinking investors, is coming to the Fontainebleau Miami Beach on April 19, 2022, in Miami, Florida.
Enjoy exclusive opportunities for curated networking and unparalleled access to private deal flow at an event hosted by Benzinga, a financial news and data company recently acquired at a $300 million valuation.
Join Benzinga for a day full of unique networking opportunities, exclusive industry insights and a chance to be in the room with the leaders taking psychedelics to the next level.
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The Speakers
The Benzinga Psychedelics Capital Conference will feature a suite of the top minds in the psychedelics space.
Keynote speakers include Kevin O’Leary, Chairman of O’Shares Investment Advisers and host of ABC’s Shark Tank, and Klee Irwin, CEO of natural products giant Irwin Naturals.
Also presenting at the conference will be:
Tim Schlidt, Co-Founder and Partner of Palo Santo
Rob Barrow, CEO of MindMed
Dustin Robison, Managing Partner of Iter Investments
Lindsay Hoover, Partner of JLS Fund
Dr. Joseph Tucker, CEO of Enveric Biosciences
Natalie Ginsberg, Global Impact Officer of MAPS
“We’re glad to welcome the burgeoning psychedelics industry into Benzinga’s growing ecosystem of events. We’ve seen cannabis businesses raise hundreds of millions of dollars at our Cannabis Capital Conferences and it’s our pleasure to open this possibility to businesses working to develop and establish psychedelics as the new paradigm shift in mental health treatment,” said Chief Zinger Jason Raznick.
Click here to register for the full In Person Benzinga Psychedelics Capital Conference experience, featuring networking, one-on-one meetings, access to investors, and more.
Secure your spot now and also gain full access to the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference happening at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach on April 20-21, 2022. Dual Event Passes are available.
Why Attend The Benzinga Psychedelics Capital Conference
The first Benzinga Psychedelics Capital Conference is a natural spinoff from the now-classic Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conferences, which have already featured numerous panels and presentations from key representatives of the psychedelics space, including leaders from:
After 13 extremely successful cannabis editions in Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, New York and Miami, the Benzinga Psychedelics Capital Conference will feature all the core components of a classic Benzinga event, including keynotes, panel discussions, fireside chats, networking spaces, company presentations, and investor and celebrity appearances.
“Benzinga has always held a keen interest in emerging industries and we believe Psychedelics is another sector poised for growth. We’re thrilled to welcome the executives, investors and analysts at the forefront of this exciting industry to Miami on April 19th. We’re even more excited to give our audience the platform to engage with these leaders directly,” comments Patrick Lane, Executive Vice President of Partnerships at Benzinga.
The internet is filled with marijuana facts. Here’s your one-stop for all the information you need.
Entering the world of cannabis without a guide can be confusing. Most people learn by trial and error, or with the guidance of a friend and mentor, who provides a guiding hand for most first-time experiences.
Fortunately, marijuana has never been easier to access. Even if you’re alone and intimidated, there are plenty of places to turn to for information, and many options available for first-timers, whether they’re interested in smoking, edibles, vaping, dabbing, and more.
What it does
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There’s a lot to marijuana, but for starters, it’s a great tool for fun and for medication. People turn to weed to boost creativity, ease social anxiety, relax, work out, improve their focus, and more. The list is truly endless, with marijuana boosting your focus and fun and making your days more productive and like they last longer.
Marijuana can also be used to replace habits that harm your body, like consuming alcohol, smoking nicotine, and replacing the use of opiates and sleeping pills.
Medical marijuana is earning support from states all over the country. Research suggests that the plant can be used to control stress, provide pain relief, improve appetite, help people cope with ADHD and anxiety, and more.
It’s important to know that while many patients and doctors swear by marijuana’s effectiveness, there’s not enough research on the matter to prove that these results are definitive. The good news is that marijuana’s negative side effects, such as dry mouth, dizziness, and fuzzy brain are minor and temporary.
There are different types of marijuana and different compounds present in the plant. Sativa, indica, and hybrid strains are a category limited to the physical look of the plant, although a lot of cannabis users swear by its effects and how different they are. CBD is a cannabis compound but a lot of people consider it a type of marijuana.
Sativa stimulates the mind and senses, working best when paired with an activity, like working out, having a fun conversation, or doing anything energizing. Indicas stand on the other end of the spectrum, producing a relaxing and anxiolytic effect. Hybrid strains are a mix of sativa and indica, producing mixed results.
CBD is a cannabis compound, like THC. Unlike THC’s psychoactive effect, CBD is mostly medicinal. It produces no “high” feeling and results in long-lasting muscle, pain, and anxiety relief.
How to consume
Nowadays there are a million ways to consume cannabis. While there’s the traditional way of smoking marijuana (pipes, joints, and bongs), there are also tons of new options. With every new year, there are new vape pens, edibles, concentrates, and topicals. L
These are discreet and comfortable, filled with cartridges that vaporize marijuana instead of combusting it, like joints and pipes. With a vape pen you won’t have to learn how to roll a joint or how to pack a bowl. They produce immediate effects that will stay in your body for a couple of hours.
Edibles
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Pot brownies, gummies, and all sorts of weed foods purchased on dispensaries or through dealers enter this category. This method is discreet and takes its time to affect you with the THC entering your system through the stomach lining. If you’re a beginner it’s important to start with a low dose, preventing a bad high.
Topicals
All balms, lotions, creams, and patches fit this category. Topicals tend to produce results that won’t get you very high. Instead, they’re powerful medical tools, helping with pain relief, post-surgery recovery, and more.
Concentrates
These are cannabis extracts. They can be consumed through a vape pen or through a dab rig and can be consumed in the shape of wax, resin, and hash. When consumed via dab, the effects are strong and long-lasting.
Under Sec. 741 of Division A(p.120), the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations has requested for the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to allocate funds and resources toward the establishment of a regulatory framework for all cannabis derivatives, including cannabidiol (CBD), reported hempgrower.com
The “Cannabis and Cannabis Derivatives” section of the appropriations package states that within 90 days of enactment of the Act, the FDA shall issue a policy of enforcement discretion with regard to certain products containing CBD. “Such enforcement discretion shall be in effect until the FDA establishes a process for stakeholders to notify the FDA of use of CBD in products that include safety studies for intended use per product and makes a determination about such product.”
In addition, the Committee requested that the FDA consider moving forward with research regarding CBD and encourages the agency to partner with academic institutions to expand sampling studies of CBD products on the market.
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable (USHR), a coalition of companies and organizations that advocate for hemp-friendly regulations, noted the Senate report also addresses several other hemp-related topics, including the allowable level of THC in hemp. The committee directed the USDA to determine a scientific basis for the current 0.3% THC limit.
The report encourages the USDA’s Agricultural Research Services to develop hemp germplasm, and production systems through research partnerships.
Finally, the report highlights the importance of increasing ways for hemp and CBD-related businesses to raise capital and requests the Financial Conduct Authority “work with the institutions under its jurisdiction to provide access to guaranteed loans for hemp producers and businesses.”
“While this report language is non-binding, it sends a loud message to FDA and hemp producers, advocates, and consumers that regulatory relief may be on the way as Congress now clearly recognizes its role in directing the agency ‘claiming stalemate‘ to provide it,” added USHR.
A group of scientists is conducting a trial for a treatment that’s capable of restoring people’s sense of smell and taste.
A group of researchers from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia are trying to resolve one of COVID-19’s biggest mysteries. Loss of smell, also known as anosmia, is one of COVID-19’s most striking symptoms, one that has affected over 1.5 million people in the long term.
The method that researchers have devised relies on implanting the patient’s plasma on the nose. Still, researchers wanted to come up with a way that was less invasive, providing patients with a topical application once a month for at least three months.
“I’ve dedicated over two decades to helping patients recover from the loss of taste and smell,” said Dr. David Rosen, MD, Otolaryngologist, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. “It was very important to me and our team to explore less invasive options as this issue has become increasingly prevalent due to COVID-19. The results of phase I of the clinical trial have been promising and we are looking forward to phase II to further improve the treatment.”
The plasma that’s administered acts as a restorative agent, regenerating cells, tissue in the nose and the nasal tract, areas that were disturbed by the presence of the virus. While the research is still in its early stages, participants are already reporting symptoms of improvement.
In a study published this year, researchers finally understood why COVID-19 triggers episodes of anosmia. “Researchers discovered that the coronavirus does not infect brain cells. Instead, it attacks supporting cells located in the nasal cavity. As the infected cells shed the virus and die off, the immune system floods to the nasal area with immune cells. This activity inflames the area, disturbing smell receptors and completely disrupting how they normally work. It’s a sort of brain short circuit that can last for weeks,” we wrote in a previous post.
While a loss of smell may not sound like the worse side effect of a deadly virus, its long-term presence greatly affects people’s quality of life, reducing their interest in food, causing a loss of appetite, and even facilitating depressive episodes.
For the time being, this experimental solution could provide an answer to the thousands of people who are still waiting to get their smell and taste back after losing it to a COVID-19 infection.
A number of the panels at this year’s event will focus on the cannabis and psychedelic space, including “The Cannabis Futurists, 5 Predictions for 2050.”
Cannabis users and investors are constantly wondering what the future will hold for marijuana. Countries all around the world have legalized cannabis to some extent, but marijuana’s future remains uncertain. What will be the next way to consume cannabis? Will the U.S. legalize cannabis at the federal level? If so, when?
Faith Popcorn, a futurist known for her accurate track record of predicting trends, and Julian Cohen, the innovation chief at Canopy Growth Corp (NASDAQ:CGC), will speak on the main stage of South by Southwest (SXSW) about the future of cannabis.
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SXSW is an innovative festival/conference hybrid featuring live music, films, panels and speakers. A number of the panels at this year’s event will focus on the cannabis and psychedelic space, including “The Cannabis Futurists, 5 Predictions for 2050.”
Cohen and Popcorn joined Benzinga’s Cannabis Insider on Wednesday to preview their SXSW panel. Here are some of the highlights of their fascinating conversation.
One reason people use cannabis is to help improve their mood. Some users report feeling less anxiety or depression while using THC. Because of this, companies are innovating cannabis strains that have only certain desired effects, for example, a strain that makes you sleep, or a strain that keeps you focused.
“It’s really about picking areas of focus,” Cohen said. “There is pain, sleep and anxiety that are the main focuses. We’re doing research on sensuality, we’re doing some work in women’s health…are there things we can do for muscle recovery?”
This research and innovation make for a much better marketplace for consumers. Customers are able to pick and choose which products they want and believe will match their needs. Someone who uses cannabis for pain relief may not want the same cannabis someone else is using for anxiety.
Another topic discussed on the show was the different use cases and products coming in the cannabis industry. Popcorn and Cohen shared their thoughts on the various types of use cases and products we could see in the future, including diffusing cannabis into the air we breathe.
“Stress being the number-one killer up there with heart disease, the idea that you can actually let down, I eventually think it (marijuana) will be pumped into rooms,” Popcorn said. “It could lead to fewer heart attacks, cancer. I’m seeing that as a future path.”
To watch the full interview click here. To learn more about Popcorn and Cohen’s SXSW panel click here.
