Cannabis Produced Without Growing The Plant: Sci-Fi Or Futuristic Technology?

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January 17, 2022

Cannabis Produced Without Growing The Plant: Sci-Fi Or Futuristic Technology?

Bio-farming results in cannabis biomass that’s uniquely consistent and clean, resolving two major pain points related to product quality in the medicinal cannabis industry — product variability and contamination.

BioHarvest Sciences Inc. (CSE: BHSC), a biotech company with offices in Canada and Israel, recently announced that it has produced some 22 pounds of full-spectrum cannabis biomass at a commercial scale without growing the plant itself.

This is the first time that any group, in either industry or academia, has successfully done this. The cannabis biomass, which is not genetically modified, was produced using BioHarvest’s proprietary BioFarming technology platform that grows plant cells in their natural structure in proprietary bioreactors, the company said in a press release.

cannabis crop — Photo by Olena Ruban/Getty Images

The result of the breakthrough by the Canadian-Israeli biotech company is cannabis biomass that is uniquely consistent and clean, resolving two major pain points related to product quality in the medicinal cannabis industry — product variability and contamination.

“The legal cannabis industry has been waiting for this moment as many of the challenges it has faced are being resolved using BioHarvest’s technology and capabilities,” said BioHarvest CEO Ilan Sobel. “With this milestone, we are ready to start engaging with key players in the global cannabis industry for the right partnerships ahead of the introduction of our new cannabis products.”

The biomass consists of cannabis cells, including cannabis trichomes containing cannabinoids such as CBD, THC, as well as other compounds that are naturally occurring in the cannabis plant.

BioHarvest’s cannabis trichome cells are amalgamated in a proprietary high-density coral-shaped structure, which enables a trichome density — the number of trichomes per unit surface — of up to 200 times greater than the conventional agriculture case.

The company pointed out that the result of the study is a “win for global sustainability.” For starters, BioHarvest’s production facilities use some 95% less physical space than traditional farming: one seven-foot bioreactor produces what would require 240,000 square meters of land annually.

The 5 Cs

The significant advantages compared to cannabis produced through conventional cultivation can be summed up by what the company refers to as the 5 Cs: consistency, cleanliness, cost, composition and climate.

Third-party assessments confirm BioHarvest’s growing process generates no direct greenhouse gas emissions, no hazardous waste and only produces 100% biodegradable wastewater while requiring less than 10% of the land resources and significantly less energy when compared to conventional cultivation.

Study Finds Most Canadians Positive On Pot, But Wished They Were Better Informed — Photo by Kamonrat Meunklad/EyeEm/Getty Images

“For its therapeutic qualities, hemp-based CBD holds a significant potential for the Food and Beverage industry to which we have been supplying ingredients for over 40 years,” said Vince Pinneri, president of Batory Foods, a leading ingredient distributor for the US food industry.

“That is why we decided to team up with BioHarvest in order to guarantee the F&B industry the highest quality CBD with fingerprint consistency and ultimate cleanliness that their BioFarming technology can produce,” added Pinneri.

BioHarvest has a market capitalization of about C$152 million and has raised about C$57.3 million to date. The company’s next stage will consist of producing cannabis biomass in industrial-scale bioreactors. Its offering will consist of multiple strains, carefully selected based on specific indications and B2B customer requirements.

“This major scientific and technological achievement is unprecedented in the cannabis world and is a strong validation of the superiority of the BioFarming technology,” said BioHarvest CTO, Yochi Hagay. “BioHarvest’s global leadership position in plant cell biology is proving itself now on a wide variety of applications.”

Reflecting the breadth of possible applications, earlier this month, BioHarvest appointed renowned astronaut Chris Hadfield to its board of advisors as part of a drive to leverage its biotechnology platform to create products that address the challenges of space exploration.

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

Cannabis And Inflammation, What’s The Connection?

Terry Hacienda

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January 17, 2022

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Cannabis And Inflammation, What’s The Connection?

The future of anti-inflammatory medication looks bright, and cannabis-based drugs could make it even brighter.

Regardless of how anyone feels about inflammation or the amount of pain it comes with, it remains an unavoidable healthy response that keeps us alive. From bruising a finger to the after-effects of cancer treatments, inflammation is the body’s automatic response to every physical condition. There are times when inflammation could lead to extreme pain and adverse conditions due to a dysfunctional effect on the immune system. At this point, drugs are needed to reduce the pain and hasten to heal. So, with cannabis and inflammation, what’s the connection?

Recent studies show that cannabis could be an essential anti-inflammatory agent. Some medications have been tested and proven over the years to be effective against debilitating and extremely painful inflammations. However, better options are being sought for managing chronic conditions. Because most potent anti-inflammatory medications tend to have adverse side effects when used for long periods.

bone health — Photo by PeopleImages/Getty Images

This piece investigates the potential of cannabis to serve as a panacea for chronic inflammation and autoimmune disorders. We investigate the relationship between cannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system (ECS), and these disorders mentioned above.

What Is Inflammation?

You can consider inflammation to be the body’s way of fighting and protecting itself against harm. In this case, harm could mean an infection or injury within or outside the body. For instance, when you have an injury, the first thing you notice is that the affected area reddens and swells. This reaction is due to the immune system sending out a group of white blood cells to contain the bleeding and fight off any form of infection.

Within the body, this same reaction occurs around the vital organs and also in the blood vessels. Put simply; the immune system causes any part of the body at risk of being infected to be inflamed. The elderly deal with more chronic inflammation and use cannabis at a higher rate than earlier generations.

Some have touted inflammation as being a horrible thing. In contrast, it is a good reaction. It only becomes bad when it is identified to be pathological. According to Harvard Health, inflammation can be broadly grouped into two; acute inflammation and chronic inflammation. Inflammation occurs as a response to an injury or illness, and it gets resolved in a matter of days, while chronic inflammation is long-lasting and it occurs due to an ongoing autoimmune dysfunction or chronic ailments (in worse cases, it could be fatal).

Diagnosing and Treating Inflammation

This condition is self-diagnosable. The symptoms of inflammation can be easily identified, mainly when it is localized to one part of the body. Some of these symptoms include redness.

Swelling
Heightened sensitivity
Headache
Mood disorders
Fatigue etc

Most of the time, acute inflammation is nothing to worry about. However, chronic inflammation can be extremely dangerous. Medication is necessary to limit the extent of the inflammation, kickstart healing, and return the body to its normal state.

Antacids are sometimes used to provide relief for inflammation affecting the inside of the body. Other anti-inflammatory drugs can be purchased over the counter or with a prescription from a doctor. Some of these drugs include NSAIDs and steroids.

exercise — Photo by Alexander Redl via Unsplash

A Possible Treatment Via Cannabis

Cannabis is composed of cannabinoids which have therapeutic benefits for the human system. Their impact on inflammation has been researched in highly respected institutions and labs, and the established theory is that cannabis’ anti-inflammatory property is linked to the endocannabinoid system.

Relationship Between Inflammation and ECS

CB1 and CB2 are the primary receptors found in the ECS network. These receptors primarily respond to naturally occurring endocannabinoids in the body. In experiments using the human body, it was observed that inflammation triggered the release of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol. The entire process is quite complex.

Also, N-arachidonyl glycine, a derivative of anandamide, exerts an effect on inducing the orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR18. This stimulation is responsible for macrophage cytosis (the process of immune cells fighting off infectious cells by ingestion). The study also showed that the stimulation quickens resolution to reduce inflammation. The research hinted that the process still has other undiscovered aspects, as no one has been able to determine whether or not natural inflammation starts and ends this way.

Using Cannabis to Manage Inflammation

Here are some ways cannabinoids can be delivered to the human body to treat ailments. It is essential to state that most of these cases have not been approved by the FDA as a treatment for cannabis. The standard methods of ingesting cannabis are:

Smoking
Vaping
Edibles and Capsules
Sublingual oils

If you’re considering any of these products, make sure to do more extensive research before going ahead. CBD products for inflammation are also used to manage conditions in non-legal cannabis states.

CBD-Based Cannabis Medication for Inflammation

CBD is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid responsible for treating medical conditions. It is the main component in medical-purpose cannabis products. When ingested, CBD interacts with the ECS and inhibits the production of FAAH (a compound that breaks down anandamide). This inhibition extends the potency of anandamide, which is helpful for inflammation.

It is best to get prescribed CBD-based cannabis medication by a licensed medical practitioner in your state.

Does CBD Help With Degenerative Disc Disease? — Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels

Benefit Of Cannabis-derived Medicines On Inflammation

The compounds responsible for treating the symptoms are cannabinoids. They send a message to the brain.

Pain is the most common symptom of chronic inflammation. It is sometimes characterized by a burning sensation in the affected area.

Cannabis helps control inflammation, which reduces the pain in these patients. The drug has shown no visible side effects in people who have used it, but this doesn’t excuse the fact that more research is definitely needed before a person can begin using cannabis as a medication for inflammation.

The root cause of the condition has to be traced. In some, it results from cancer, disease treatments, etc. Researchers say some people are born with a dysfunctional immune system and, as such, experience inflammation.

Conclusion

The full scope of the relationship between cannabis and inflammation has yet to be fully discovered. The endocannabinoid system plays a significant part in treating inflammation in acute and chronic patients, and the interaction between the two is what is currently unclear. Nevertheless, the future of anti-inflammatory medication looks bright, and cannabis-based drugs could make it brighter.

Visit a medical professional before making the switch from your NSAIDs and steroids to cannabis, primarily to treat inflammation.

This article was created in partnership with Cannabis.net

3 Tips For Sharing Weed In The Midst Of A Pandemic

Maria Loreto

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January 16, 2022

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3 Tips For Sharing Weed In The Midst Of A Pandemic

Swapping saliva is not the best thing you can do when it comes to preventing the spread of respiratory diseases. Still, this doesn’t mean cannabis is off the table.

After some ups and downs, we find ourselves in the midst of a new COVID-19 wave, prompted by the Omicron variant. Even if we’re now virus veterans, it’s still important to take care of ourselves, taking extra precautions. This includes cannabis, especially the communal aspect of it.

While there’s no need for you to stop smoking altogether, there are a few things you should account for when consuming cannabis while engaging in social distancing. Marijuana use has long been associated with community: marijuana lounges, joints and bongs, are activities that are meant to be shared. Even smoking at home with a few friends can make you think twice if you don’t know that person’s vaccination status or have been simply watching the news.

Here are a few actions that can keep you and the people around you safer as you consume marijuana in the midst of a pandemic.

Prevent sharing joints and bongs

sharing a joint — Photo by vladans/Getty Images

Whether you’re kissing or sharing a smoking device, swapping saliva during this climate can make everyone a little paranoid. Make sure that you’re socializing with people who are healthy and stay home if you’re feeling a bit under the weather. When it comes to sharing joints and bongs, consider other alternatives, carrying your own vape pen or having some weed on you.

If you miss the sense of sharing weed with others, there are alternatives. At-home testing is an effective yet not entirely foolproof way of ensuring everyone you’re hanging out with is safe. Limit your gatherings to people you trust, provide tests or make sure people get tested beforehand, and you’ll be eliminating some sources of stress.

Avoid smoking when ill

Can You Get Sick With COVID-19 More Than Once? — Photo by Polina Tankilevitch via Pexels

When battling a cold, flu or infection, hot smoke will only irritate your lungs and make your symptoms and cough worse. While THC & CBD have anti-inflammation and pain-killing properties, it’s important to account for the method of consumption and to also speak with a doctor. Cannabis has a complex effect on our immune system and a pandemic might not be the best time to experiment with your health.

Consider consuming edibles

Skip The Booze This Holiday With Next Generation Edibles — Photo by Massimo Adami via Unsplash

If you’re healthy and want to avoid sharing entirely, edibles are a good option to try. Nowadays, edibles come in all shapes and sizes, meant to share and consume alone. If you want to add a personalized touch to the holiday season, bake your own, and bring them over to your trusted friends and family. Prevent freak-outs by consuming small doses, avoiding your triggers, and drinking lots of water.

Cannabis Cures COVID? The Elusive Holy Grail The Marijuana Industry Needs For Federal Legalization

Terry Hacienda

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January 16, 2022

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Cannabis Cures COVID? The Elusive Holy Grail The Marijuana Industry Needs For Federal Legalization

Outside of a major medical finding on the cancer or COVID level, 2022 does not look like the year for federal marijuana legalization. Here’s why.

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

The news broke this week that cannabis can help with fighting COVID-19 and almost the entire non-cannabis world picked up the headline from the Oregon State University study on cannabis and cellular pathways used by the COVID virus to invade the body.

Fortunately, almost everyone in the cannabis industry kept a level head and said that, no, marijuana does not stop or cure the COVID virus, but it does have potential to help in a few ways. One, it can reduce the spread of the virus by binding with receptors the virus uses to spread throughout the body. Two, it can reduce the symptoms associated with the virus, since cannabis has natural anti-inflammatory properties. Marijuana, up until the point, cannot cure COVID or keep you from getting the virus.

What Is Deltacron And Why You Shouldn't Panic Yet — Photo by Mike Cox via Unsplash

As the article “The Cannabis Grinch” pointed out, hopes are fading for fast federal marijuana legalization in 2022, unless a long shot bet like cannabis having a major impact on COVID transmission or remission occurs. The article also points out that the news has to come from a Big 4 pharma company, one that has tremendous pull right now with the White House and CDC.

The reason this is the case goes back to the history of “cannabis can inhibit pathways that the COVID viruses uses to spread, so it closes doorways the virus uses to gain strength” started with Dr. Kovelchuk in Canada almost two years ago. You can watch the full interview with Dr. Kovelchuk here, and listen as he explains his findings before peer to peer review. Fast forward to Dr. Richard Van Breeman’s study from Oregon State that builds on Dr. Kovelchuk’s thesis and you can see how the cannabis and COVID headlines could start to spin off the rails.

One problem is that for the marijuana industry to see a real push at the federal level to legalize cannabis for COVID research and deployment, the study has to come from a company or lab like Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson. Will those labs, that are making millions per day on vaccines, want to rush a cannabis-COVID alternative to the plate? No way. As some medical professionals have also pointed out, while Dr. Van Breeman’s work is a start, there is a long way to go from a petri dish and mass spectrometer predictions.

While the marijuana industry perked up at the news of a possible Holy Grail of fast cannabis legalization, the facts as summarized in by Dan Adams in The Boston Globe are as follows:

Researchers at Oregon State University‘s hemp lap used some nifty computer modeling and mass spectrometry techniques to make predictions about how well a variety of organic compounds would bind with the “protein spike” of the coronavirus, which allows it to infect human cells. They then sent their list of top candidates to the Oregon Health & Science University, which has a special containment facility authorized to work with live samples of dangerous pathogens such as the coronavirus.

The tests at OHSA (sic – OSHU not the Occupational Safety and Health Act) showed that two hemp-derived cannabinoid compounds bound strongly with the spike, blocking the ability of the virus cells to infect human cells.

covid-19 — Photo by Fusion Medical Animation via Unsplash

However, the effect hasn’t yet been studied in human subjects, just petri dishes. Also, the compounds in question occur in very low levels in most strains of cannabis and hemp, and can only be ingested via extracts made with solvents, not through smoking or cooked edibles.

Assuming clinical trials go well, the researchers’ eventual hope is that a pill containing purified versions of the cannabis compounds could be developed as a supplement to vaccination, for use after a known exposure or by those who are immunocompromised.

Whenever there is a positive clinical study around cannabis and COVID, marijuana stocks jump, and the world gets excited about the medical potential of marijuana as a medicine. Then the details start to emerge, and they are never as game-changing as the click-bait headlines.

While cannabis has potential to heal and help the human body in a myriad of ways, the medical testing has been kept in the dark for the past 58 years thanks the federal government’s Schedule 1 classification of the plant. Research has been prohibited in almost all cases by the feds. Medical studies over the past 7-8 years of state legalization are just starting to catch up to modern medical standards, but in a way, we are starting research like it is 1958 all over again.

Does Big Pharma want marijuana legalized right now? Based on studies showing patients dropping over half of their prescription drugs once they start on a cannabis therapy program, the commonsense answer would be “no”. Why would Big Pharma want to see full legalization of a plant that would theoretically cut into their profits by 50%? The same goes for Big Alcohol and Big Tobacco at this point in time.

prescription drugs cannabis — Photo by FatCamera/Getty Images

Billions of dollars in lobbying money against legalizing marijuana paving the road to full federal marijuana legalization is a pipe dream right now. While the voters want legalization by an overwhelming margin, major businesses tied to lobbying and election funding do not want that right now.

Federal marijuana legalization will happen when Mitch McConnell says it will happen, as he holds the key votes and influence in the Senate to pass or kill marijuana legalization. As of now, the senator from Kentucky has shown no interest in helping a “Democratic” cause, and legalizing marijuana at the federal level. Without strong support from Republicans, federal legalization is dead in the water, with the SAFE Banking Act now looking like a long shot in 2022 as well.

Those facts push the marijuana industry into “Hail Mary” or “holy grail” mode. While no obvious path exists right now to federal legalization, especially with mid-term elections coming up later this year, the industry must have an outlier or long shot come through for a game-changing cannabis move. Cannabis curing or preventing COVID is certainly one headline, if it turns out to be true, that could do just that. Outside of a major medical finding on the cancer or COVID level, 2022 does not look like the year for federal marijuana legalization.

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

This Sector Of The Cannabis Market Is Expected To Reach $2B By 2026

Benzinga Staff Writer

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January 16, 2022

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This Sector Of The Cannabis Market Is Expected To Reach $2B By 2026

The demand for cannabis beverages infused with THC is being supported by the growing consumption among adults looking for “euphoria” and “therapeutic benefits.”

By Nicolas Jose Rodriguez

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the global market for cannabis beverages estimated at $799.8 million 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of $2 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 16.9%, according to the “Global Cannabis Beverages Industry” report issued on Friday by Reportlinker.com an AI-based award-winning market research solution.

According to the report, the alcoholic segment is readjusted to a revised 15.7% CAGR for the next 7-year period. Meanwhile, the non-alcoholic segment is projected to grow at a 17.5% CAGR to reach$1.6 billion by 2026.

“Non-alcoholic cannabis beverages dominate the market and are also expected to register strong growth, mainly supported by growing demand from female and new customers, especially millennials, and also rising interest in wellness drinks among customers. Cannabis-infused alcoholic beverages are also gaining strong popularity, given their capability to offer the alcohol effect, but with health advantages and no calories. They are mainly used by people who consume cannabis as well as alcohol,” states the report.

The U.S. market is estimated at $649.1 million in 2021 and “accounts for a 70.9% share in the global market.” The report noted that “Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, District of Columbia, and 33 States have granted approval to medical cannabis programs (publicly available), which led to the introduction of many cannabis drinks. Further, 13 states in the country permit the usage of high CBD and low THC products for medical uses, which has resulted in strong adoption of CBD infused cannabis drinks.”

Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Canada and Europe, each forecast to grow at 16.7% and 16.1% by 2026. Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach an estimated market size of $146.7 million in 2026 trailing a CAGR of 14.2% through the analysis period.

THC Segment to Reach $1.2 Billion by 2026

According to the report, the demand for cannabis beverages infused with THC is being supported by the growing consumption among adults looking for “euphoria” and “therapeutic benefits.” In the global THC segment, the U.S., Canada and Europe will drive a 16.2% CAGR. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of $422.5 million in 2020 will reach a projected size of $1.2 billion by 2026. The market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach $76.6 million by 2026.

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

Terminally Ill Patients In Missouri Can Seek Psychedelic Treatments Under ‘Right To Try’ Law

Benzinga Staff Writer

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January 15, 2022

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Terminally Ill Patients In Missouri Can Seek Psychedelic Treatments Under ‘Right To Try’ Law

Under the new bill, it wouldn’t be considered an offense for patients participating in the right-to-try policy to possess Schedule I drugs such as MDMA, DMT, ibogaine, LSD, mescaline, peyote and psilocybin.

By Nicolas Jose Rodriguez

Rep. Michael Davis (R) on Wednesday filed a bill to give residents with serious illnesses legal access to a range of psychedelic drugs like psilocybin, ibogaine and LSD through an expanded version of the state’s existing right-to-try law, reported Marijuana Moment.

“There is emerging interest and significant clinical research supporting the safety and efficacy of psychedelic drugs for PTSD, traumatic injury therapy and numerous other conditions,” Davis said in a press release. “Because the [Food and Drug Administration] has not taken action to reschedule these drugs and make them generally available, I am working to make these drugs available through Missouri’s investigational drug access statute.”

psychedelics — Photo by KatarzynaBialasiewicz/Getty Images

Right To Try

The bill builds on the state’s 2014 right-to-try law, legislation that allows patients with terminal illnesses to access “investigational drugs and devices” that are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Missouri law prohibits specifically the use of Schedule I controlled substances. However, the new bill removes that provision and expands eligibility to include patients with “debilitating” or “life-threatening” illnesses.

Under the new bill, it would not be considered an offense for patients participating in the right-to-try policy to possess Schedule I drugs such as MDMA, DMT, ibogaine, LSD, mescaline, peyote and psilocybin. A patient with a doctor’s recommendation who “has considered all other treatment options” would be exempt from the state’s laws against possessing the substances.

Manufacturers would also be able to produce the substances under state law and physicians and pharmacies could lawfully distribute them.

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

Kids Who Had COVID-19 Are Twice As Likely To Develop This Chronic Condition

Maria Loreto

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January 15, 2022

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Kids Who Had COVID-19 Are Twice As Likely To Develop This Chronic Condition

A study from the CDC found connections between childhood diabetes and COVID-19 diagnoses.

A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that children who had COVID-19 are twice as likely than others to develop diabetes. These results appear as COVID-19 cases are rising in children due to the novel Omicron variant, with over 580,000 cases reported at the end of the first week of January.

The data reviewed cases of children and teens of ages 0 -17, who had COVID-19 from March 2020 to June 2021. Researchers found that those who had COVID-19 were 2.66 more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than children who were never in contact with the virus. They were 2.16 more likely to develop diabetes than children who struggled with some other respiratory disease.

Omicron 2022: What Parents Should Know About Sending Their Kids Back To School — Photo by Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects the way in which we process food. There are two types of diabetes: type 1, where the pancreas produces little to no insulin, and type 2, which affects the way in which the body processes glucose. Having diabetes makes it more difficult to cope with other diseases, which tend to have an impact on it and make it more demanding. Over 34 million Americans have this condition.

“There is some suggestion that the SARS-CoV2 virus may have some negative interaction with the cells that make insulin,” Dr. G. Todd Alonso, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, explained to Prevention.

In previous research, experts found connections between trauma and childhood diabetes diagnoses. A Swedish study conducted on over 10,000 families found that kids who experienced something stressful in their lives — a divorce, disease, or death in the family — were three times more likely to develop type 1 diabetes. While the study didn’t immediately say that trauma causes diabetes, it suggests that stress reduction and mental health care could play a part in prevention.

“We know that there are connections between the brain and immune system, and it is not surprising that psychological trauma can influence the immune balance and contribute to abnormal reactions,” said the study’s lead researcher.

When Will Kids Under 12 Be Able To Get COVID-19 Vaccine?1 — Photo by MI PHAM via Unsplash

In the case of the pandemic, the best way to prevent serious COVID-19 illness is the vaccine. Health care providers should be aware of this link between COVID-19 and diabetes in children, something that could help children obtain quicker diagnoses and better outcomes.

Almost There: Italian Activists Collect Enough Signatures For Marijuana Legalization Referendum

Benzinga Staff Writer

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January 15, 2022

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Almost There: Italian Activists Collect Enough Signatures For Marijuana Legalization Referendum

Should the referendum make it to the polls, a simple majority will be needed for it to be enacted.

By Nicolas Jose Rodriguez

In 2021, Italian activists formally presented the Supreme Court with more than half a million signatures gathered for a referendum to legalize the personal cultivation of marijuana and psychoactive mushrooms.

On Wednesday, Italian officials certified that activists had indeed collected enough signatures to put marijuana legalization on the ballot this spring, though there’s still one more procedural step before the measure can be officially put before the voters, reported Marijuana Moment.

italy — Photo by Caleb Miller via Unsplash

If the Constitutional Court allows the referendum to go forward, voters are expected to decide on the policy change sometime between April 15 and June 15. Should the referendum make it to the polls, a simple majority will be needed for it to be enacted.

The proposal would eliminate prison sentences for the production and personal consumption of cannabis.

In addition, the electoral referendum would also remove the ban on the cultivation of psychoactive substances in the country, although production and manufacture will remain prohibited.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said at a press conference that the government will not act against the admissibility of referendums. “The government could have in some cases created conditions for the submission to be postponed to next year and it has not done so,” added PM Draghi.

“We believe that the fact that we were able to collect over 500,000 signatures online in a week will be taken into consideration as a strong request to change an unreasonable set of prohibitions from our books,” Marco Perduca, president of the referendum committee, told Marijuana Moment.

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

Why Smoking Weed Won’t Protect You From COVID-19

Maria Loreto

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January 14, 2022

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Why Smoking Weed Won’t Protect You From COVID-19

A new study shows that different compounds in cannabis have protective elements against COVID-19. So why won’t smoking it help?

A study from Oregon State University has marijuana users feeling pretty good about themselves. Yesterday, it was reported that researchers discovered two cannabinoids that blocked the COVID-19 virus in human cells. It’s a cause worth celebrating, yet one that can be easily misconstrued in the era of social media.

The OSU study suggests that, in the future, with enough research and money invested, compounds in cannabis could be used to battle and even prevent COVID-19, which is exciting and vindicating stuff. In an interview with Vice, one of the researchers said that taking a gummy or a supplement containing these elements could be a path to work towards. Still, it’s important to understand that it’s too early to be making assumptions, especially when people on social media claim that their weed usage is the reason why they haven’t had COVID-19 yet.

Here's Why Smoking Weed Makes Your Eyes Red — Photo by Artem Xromov via Unsplash

The study, published in the Journal of Natural Products, identified two cannabis non-psychoactive cannabinoids that were able to prevent the virus from developing further — CBD-A and CBG-A. These compounds were derived from hemp, since cannabis is a regulated substance and researchers weren’t legally allowed to study it, a bit of information that’s been conveniently left out of most headlines.

Even if you were to consume these cannabinoids in their raw forms, buying them from dispensaries or online, there’s still not enough information that suggests if this would work or not. The study was conducted in a petri dish, so there’s a big disparity between an inanimate object and the human body.

COVID Vaccinations Quadruple After Quebec Requires Them For Weed Purchases — Photo by Add Weed via Unsplash

While it’s disappointing to learn that a joint isn’t sufficient to ward off the pandemic, this study is still good news for marijuana users and proponents, adding further evidence that marijuana is worth researchers’ time and investment for a variety of reasons. For the time being, cannabis will just help you relax amidst stressful times.

Eating This Food Can Extend Your Life, New Study Reveals

Maria Loreto

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January 14, 2022

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Eating This Food Can Extend Your Life, New Study Reveals

Want to ward off deadly diseases? A new study suggests adding this to your diet if you want to live longer.

Olive oil might hold the secret to a longer life. A study conducted by researchers from Harvard University found that the liquid prevented death from diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, and more.

Despite years of correlation between olive oil and better health, this new study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, is the first long-term research to look into the effect of olive oil consumption in the U.S.

grain bowl healthy diet — Photo by Ella Olsson from Pexels

Researchers collected data from over 92,000 people spanning nearly three decades (1990-2018). Participants were asked questions that included how often they used olive oil in their food. Those who consumed the most olive oil had lower risks of mortality when compared to those who didn’t consume olive oil (19% lower risk of total and cardiovascular disease mortality, 17% less risk of cancer mortality, 29% less of neurodegenerative disease mortality, and more).

“Clinicians should be counseling patients to replace certain fats, such as margarine and butter, with olive oil to improve their health,” said one of the study’s authors. “Our study helps make specific recommendations that will be easy for patients to understand and hopefully implement into their diets.”

How To Eat More Healthy Without Sacrificing All Fun — Photo by Jamie Brown via Unsplash

Olive oil has long been associated with better health, an essential part of the Mediterranean diet, a type of eating that has been awarded the healthiest diet for the fifth year in a row.

While uprooting your life for a fad diet is not recommended, adding something delicious like olive oil to your usually routine sounds like a simple and rewarding endeavor, one that’s likely to provide you with tons of health benefits.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Cannabis Produced Without Growing The Plant: Sci-Fi Or Futuristic Technology?

Bio-farming results in cannabis biomass that’s uniquely consistent and clean, resolving two major pain points related to product quality in the medicinal cannabis industry — product variability and contamination.

The 5 Cs

Cannabis And Inflammation, What’s The Connection?

The future of anti-inflammatory medication looks bright, and cannabis-based drugs could make it even brighter.

What Is Inflammation?

Diagnosing and Treating Inflammation

A Possible Treatment Via Cannabis

Relationship Between Inflammation and ECS

Using Cannabis to Manage Inflammation

CBD-Based Cannabis Medication for Inflammation

Benefit Of Cannabis-derived Medicines On Inflammation

Conclusion

Cannabis Cures COVID? The Elusive Holy Grail The Marijuana Industry Needs For Federal Legalization

Outside of a major medical finding on the cancer or COVID level, 2022 does not look like the year for federal marijuana legalization. Here’s why.

This Sector Of The Cannabis Market Is Expected To Reach $2B By 2026

The demand for cannabis beverages infused with THC is being supported by the growing consumption among adults looking for “euphoria” and “therapeutic benefits.”

THC Segment to Reach $1.2 Billion by 2026

Terminally Ill Patients In Missouri Can Seek Psychedelic Treatments Under ‘Right To Try’ Law

Under the new bill, it wouldn’t be considered an offense for patients participating in the right-to-try policy to possess Schedule I drugs such as MDMA, DMT, ibogaine, LSD, mescaline, peyote and psilocybin.

Right To Try

Kids Who Had COVID-19 Are Twice As Likely To Develop This Chronic Condition

A study from the CDC found connections between childhood diabetes and COVID-19 diagnoses.

Almost There: Italian Activists Collect Enough Signatures For Marijuana Legalization Referendum

Should the referendum make it to the polls, a simple majority will be needed for it to be enacted.

Why Smoking Weed Won’t Protect You From COVID-19

A new study shows that different compounds in cannabis have protective elements against COVID-19. So why won’t smoking it help?

Eating This Food Can Extend Your Life, New Study Reveals

Want to ward off deadly diseases? A new study suggests adding this to your diet if you want to live longer.

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