The Solicitor General sees “a lot of potential” in the cannabis sector and believes the loosening of regulations would help marijuana farmers in the future.
The British Columbia government has convinced many illegal cannabis growers to begin selling legally in an effort to squeeze out illicit marijuana from the marketplace, but the efforts have faced criticism from the craft growing industry, according to a Dec. 26 globalnewsca.com report.
The effort to bring black or gray market growers into the legal retail market has focused on the Central Kootenay region through a pilot project. “It’s still very much a work in progress, three years in,” said Solicitor General Mike Farnworth in an interview. “There’s still some challenges for the craft side and producers.”
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Farnworth noted that industry members have expressed frustration over the regulations surrounding getting cannabis to market. He sees “a lot of potential” in the sector and believes the loosening of regulations would help marijuana farmers in the future.
The Solicitor General expects that the province’s farm-gate program will allow cannabis growers to operate a retail outlet and encourage craft growers and those operating illegally to join the program and start operating legally.
Abra Brynne of the Kootenay Cannabis Economic Development Council noted that the Council helped 53 businesses navigate the federal licensing process. However, she added that high insurance costs remain prohibitive for small growers starting out.
Meanwhile, Todd Veri, president of the Kootenay Outdoor Producer Co-Op, said many legal, small-scale growers struggle to cut through the bureaucracy to launch their businesses. He added that the government could allow craft growers to sell directly to retailers, a policy that would encourage more people to operate legally, and create a classification similar to B.C.’s Vintner’s Quality Assurance used in the wine industry.
The more you use marijuana, the more likely it is for the herb to become less effective. Here are some tips on getting a little more buzz out of your highs.
After consuming marijuana for years, it’s tough to find novelty with the drug. This isn’t a bad thing; as people grow up with cannabis, they develop their healthy routines and find their groove with the substance. Still, sometimes people want new things and a tolerance break, while helpful, is not your only option.
A few simple tricks, like mixing foods and different activities with your cannabis use, can help you craft a new cannabis experience.
Mixing cannabis with foods
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Mango and mango juice, when consumed alongside cannabis, has long been associated with intense highs. Many speculate that this is due to the fruit’s myrcene terpenes, which are also present in cannabis, with these elements interacting with each other. Mangoes are also healthy, making them a great option for the munchies.
Another food that has been associated with strong highs is nuts, which contain fatty acids, which bind with cannabinoids and make your high hit you faster. Sweet potatoes are also a trick worth using, putting you in a good mood, something that might help if marijuana makes you paranoid.
Marijuana is a substance of routine, producing different responses depending on the way in which it’s used. If you smoke it on the couch, while working out, or while with friends, you’ll have different responses. For example, channeling all of your marijuana focus into physical activity can be really effective, especially if you’ve never done it before.
Smoke in a closed space
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Also known as “hot boxing,” smoking up in a confined space amid the fumes can get you high pretty quickly, something that can be verified by a lot of high schoolers. While it might not be super healthy for your lungs, if you’re looking to get high and stay high on a rare occasion, hot boxing is the way.
If smoking just isn’t what it used to be, try out different methods of consumption. If you’re a smoker, try vaping or consuming edibles. If you prefer joints, try using a bong or a vape pen. A switch could trick your body and provide a much-needed fresh start, making your highs stronger and longer-lasting.
If nothing else works, you might just need to take a break. Marijuana’s lessening effect is due to the fact that your body becomes desensitized to the plant’s psychoactive effects. Most seasoned users swear by this trick. Just like with any other substance, this practice gives your body a cleanse of sorts, providing you with a fresh start.
A new study suggests there’s a link between a common viral infection and Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s disease affects nearly a million people in the United States. It’s a condition that’s debilitating and affects movement, progressively limiting people’s lives. There’s not a cure for it, prompting many researchers to look for answers and for better understanding.
A new study suggests that having the flu can increase your odds of developing Parkinson’s later on in your life by 90%.
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The study, published in JAMA Neurology, had access from Danish databases and looked into data belonging to 10,231 men and women diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease between 2000 and 2013. This data was then correlated with a control group, matching them by age and sex, while also tracking their flu infections since 1977.
The study showed that those who contracted the flu at some point were more than 70 percent likely to develop Parkinson’s disease within 10 years when compared to those who never caught the virus. Within 15 years, these people were more than 90% likely to contract the disease.
The reason why Parkison’s disease affects so many is still not understood. There are many theories out there, with researchers speculating on people’s environmental conditions and genetic predispositions. They’ve also found links between viral infections, mainly influenza, and Parkison’s, considering that the disease spiked after the flu pandemic of 1918.
The link between the flu and Parkinson’s isn’t clear yet, but it provides enough incentive to regularly get the flu shot as a preventive measure.
“But if there is an association with Parkinson’s, then vaccination would lessen your risk. Still, it’s pretty evident that Parkinson’s can be caused by many things. Infection may be one of the many causes,” lead author Noelle Cocoros told The Economic Times.
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While the study’s findings are interesting, they don’t imply causation. Having the flu at some point doesn’t mean that Parkinson’s is occurring later on, but it provides enough encouragement for people to get their vaccines as a preventative measure. The study also shows that Parkison’s and viral infections are a topic worth investigating since it could illuminate the subject of infections and how they affect our bodies many years later.
The study showed that the combination of certain cannabinoids with standard chemotherapy upgraded the effectiveness of killing cancer cells up to six times compared to existing treatment.
Although there is still no single recognized and approved cure for cancer, there are many treatments that help people fight it off. This depends, of course, on the type, stage it’s been discovered, overall patient health and many other factors, some of which are probably still unknown.
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The light of hope to those suffering from breast cancer brings a new study conducted by Hadassah Medical Center physicians. The research revealed a sixfold improvement in killing breast cancer cells when using specific Cannabotech’s medical cannabis products in combination with standard oncology treatments and drug protocols – chemotherapy, biological and hormonal, over the existing treatment.
Cannabotech is an Israeli biotech company that develops medical products based on cannabis and fungal extracts. Its CannaboBreast product series is based on a unique combination of cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant.
The Study
The study showed that the combination of certain cannabinoids with standard chemotherapy upgraded the effectiveness of killing cancer cells up to six times compared to existing treatment, from 10% mortality to 60% mortality of cancer cells.
What’s more, the research revealed that there’s the potential of also improving the efficacy of killing breast cancer cells while at the same time minimizing chemotherapy doses, which is especially important for those patients who can’t undergo standard cancer treatment because of harsh side effects.
“This is a significant milestone in Cannabotech’s growth to becoming a leader in integrative medicine,” CEO Elchanan Shaked said in a press release. “The integrative products developed by Cannabotech are intended for use in combination with chemotherapy treatment in several cancers and are expected to be launched in Israel and the US in the second half of 2022, while the company’s goal is to define a new standard for the medical cannabis industry.”
Prof. Tami Peretz, a senior oncologist who worked on the study added, “A significant proportion of active cancer patients are currently treated with cannabis in parallel with conventional treatment. The integrative products developed by Cannabotech are unique in that they are developed to standards similar to those of the pharmaceutical industry and combine several active agents.”
“The company’s products have demonstrated impressive and very promising activity in laboratory-tested cell cultures,” she said. “Based on these experiments, there is room to start exploring the possibility of integrating the products in the treatment of breast cancer patients as well.”
This treatment is expected to be commercialized during the second half of 2022.
One of the most important factors in determining the ideal dry herb vape is whether it’s convection or conduction based. Here’s how to tell the difference.
Deciding to purchase a dry herb vaporizer is exciting, but that excitement can quickly evolve into confusion without knowing what goes into choosing the perfect device.
There are numerous factors that go into successfully purchasing a vaporizer that can be used regularly. Not keeping these factors in mind can essentially lead to wasting a considerable amount of money.
On the contrary, keeping the finer details top of mind when shopping for a dry-herb vaporizer can completely transform the way you prefer to consume cannabis forever. Here are some of the biggest tips to remember when shopping for a dry herb vape for the first time.
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Understand Convection vs. Conduction Vaporizers
One of the most important factors in determining the ideal dry herb vape is whether it’s convection or conduction based. Even though the vast majority of vaporizers are convection based, it is possible to find some that use conduction. Conduction entails a heating element contacting cannabis, instead of burning it directly.
Vaporizers that rely on the convection method on the other hand heats the area surrounding the dry-herb material in order to vaporize it. Since the convection method doesn’t require any interference from other objects, this method is more likely to provide consumers with an even burn.
Keep Temperature Control in Mind
One of the characteristics that can make or break someone’s experience using a dry herb vaporizer is temperature control. Typically, dry herb vaporizers come with roughly anywhere from three to five options to choose from regarding temperature settings. Having more control over the temperature level allows people to base their vaping experience not only on the clouds that are produced, but taste as well.
Additionally, having high levels of temperature controls also provide the opportunity for users to preserve their marijuana for longer than they would ordinarily be able to.
Know How to Properly Maintain the Device
An important factor to consider when shopping for the perfect dry herb vaporizer is how much time you’re willing to spend cleaning it. Even though the vast majority of vaporizers are easy to clean, more complex ones could involve more maintenance than you’re ready to perform. This is why it’s crucial to understand what goes into cleaning a vaporizer before moving forward with buying one. In most cases, finding out what goes into properly maintenancing a device can be done by researching the product online or by reading its ratings and reviews.
Have a Good Place to Stash The Device and Accessories
One of the most devastating things that could happen after finally making a vaporizer purchase is losing one of its components or breaking it entirely. This is why it’s recommended to have a safe location in mind for safekeeping when the device isn’t being used. Many vaporizers on the market are fairly sturdy, but all it takes is one accident to end up right back on the market in search of a replacement.
The best way to avoid a catastrophic accident is by making sure you have a safe location to place the device before buying it. Doing so can save consumers an abundance of time and money.
A new study revealed that generalized content, character judgment-based arguments, and moralistic focus had a larger impact on marijuana legalization than anecdotal content.
What has influenced the recent marijuana legalization movement?
Probably many factors, such as more research on health benefits, positive examples of states and countries that have already enforced marijuana legalization, potential economic benefits and of course the power of social media.
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New Research Emerges
According to a recent study by a Brown University researcher, certain types of conservations on Reddit may have made an impact on the public support of cannabis legalization, reported Marijuana Moment.
The study, a dissertation from Ph.D. candidate Babak Hemmatian titled: “Taking the High Road: A Big Data Investigation of Natural Discourse in the Emerging U.S. Consensus about Marijuana Legalization,” examined more than three million Reddit posts from 2009 to 2019. As Hemmatian noted, support for cannabis legalization in the U.S. jumped from 38% in 2008 to 65% in 2019.
“Marijuana legalization is a highly unusual topic in how a bipartisan consensus was reached in a matter of years while the American society was otherwise becoming more polarized,” Hemmatian told Marijuana Moment. “I wanted to know if the way the public discusses marijuana facilitated this unusual shift, and how the societal change in attitudes in turn affected how we talk about cannabis.”
Character Judgements Lead The Way
Surprisingly, the study revealed that generalized content, character judgment-based arguments and moralistic focus had a larger impact on the marijuana legalization movement than anecdotal content.
“More generalized frames set the stage for each successful legalization bid. Character judgments were prominent in 2012, while crimes and politics took center-stage in 2016. The generalized precedents of legalization in the two periods shared argumentative and moralistic focus but had distinctive clause-level profiles. Meanwhile, legal and medical arguments were sidelined, meaning the novel consensus was not informed by much of the relevant information,” the study author highlighted.
Moral Principles As Compass
Another interesting discovery showed that posts on the health impacts of marijuana “only picked up after legalization was all but over, and only in casual conversations,” while legal consequences of reform “were not prominently discussed even after legalization had succeeded in most states.”
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“Both topics are highly relevant to whether and how the substance should be de-regulated, but were ignored in decision-making and at best attended to once the societal decision was already made,” Hemmatian said.
The author further explained that character judgments may have pushed people who were on the fence, but not those firmly against legalization. “This is because they highly simplify decision-making: One no longer needs to know the complicated effects of cannabis on health, the economy and the society to make up their mind; they just need to think through their personal moral principles. This may have been comforting during a transition period when the uncertainty surrounding marijuana’s status would have been anxiety-inducing for many folks,” he said.
The study concludes that “early legalization victories depended on Character judgments while the final nails were hammered into prohibition’s coffin with Plot-focused strategies revolving around politics and crime.”
This is not the only research around cannabis and Reddit, with The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcing plans in October to use the platform and similar data sources to obtain a better understanding of public health issues surrounding the use of CBD and other cannabis-derived products.
The Omicron variant has prompted health experts to reconsider vaccination plans. Here is what scientists expect in the coming months.
As new COVID-19 variants emerge, vaccines continue to be the most efficient way of protecting ourselves against the virus. Does this mean that we’ll be needing boosters in the near future? It all depends on a few factors.
For the time being, the third COVID-19 shot is becoming more and more necessary, but it’s not clear how long this protection will last. As more Omicron data becomes available, some researchers are theorizing that a fourth shot will be necessary sooner than expected, within a shorter timeframe than six months, which was the length of immunity for the initial round of vaccines.
“When we see real-world data, it will determine if the Omicron is well covered by the third dose and for how long. And the second point, I think we will need a fourth dose,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told CNBC. “With Omicron we need to wait and see because we have very little information. We may need it faster.”
With the data that’s available on Omicron, it appears like the more shots people have the better. The variant is better equipped to avoid protection from vaccines, even if two shots can still protect you from severe disease.
A study from South Africa showed that two dosages provided 70% protection against hospitalization and 33% protection against infection from the Omicron variant.
Researchers are also wondering if Omicron will need a specific vaccine, which could be ready by March 2022. There’s still not enough data available, but current numbers on the Omicron variant suggest that it’s significantly different from the Beta and Delta variants, which were protected further by the vaccine.
Despite the stress of COVID-19 boosters for the foreseeable future, vaccinations will not be the only tools used to battle the virus. Antiviral pills are in development, which could be used to treat severe and mild infections, or to treat COVID-19 when patients are immunocompromised or have an underlying disorder they must account for. According to ABC News, antiviral pills should be consumed as soon as symptoms start showing, having a relatively small window of efficacy.
As we approach the end of another year that failed to see marijuana legalized on the federal level, there’s a bit of blame-shifting going on between the leading parties.
According to a GOP congressman, Democrats are responsible for Congress’ inability to pass a federal marijuana legalization bill, Marijuana Moment writes.
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What Happened
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said last week during an episode of his Firebrand podcast that “Democrats, particularly the Congressional Black Caucus,” are to be blamed for cannabis still being a Schedule I drug — considered to be more dangerous than opioids, while offering no medical benefits.
He’s been critical of Democrats who’ve insisted that legalization measures contain specific equity provisions poised to address the consequences of the War on Drugs, emphasizing that they might be unnecessary and only holding up the adoption of long-anticipated and bipartisan-supported federal cannabis reform.
Why It Matters
Gaetz was one of few House Republicans who voted in favor of the MORE Act last year, a piece of legislation that could effectively decriminalize marijuana on a federal level. On the other hand, nearly every Democrat in the House voted to legalize cannabis, thus leading the charge on legalization.
The congressmen also shared his thoughts on the history of drug criminalization and the congressional response to the opioid epidemic, arguing that Democrats have been “fixated on opioids” in the 117th Congress —introducing numerous pieces of legislation aimed at mitigating the crisis— but they “can’t move the marijuana bill successfully.”
However, the latest breakthrough in the field came from the two Republican lawmakers who recently introduced new legislation in the House of Senate poised to further streamline research of Schedule I drugs like marijuana and psilocybin.
What’s Next
Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act is set to limit trafficking of powerful opioid. Filed by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), the companion bills also include provisions to streamline the research process for all Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, with the strict category including psychedelics like LSD, mescaline, and MDMA, besides cannabis.
So many questions are being asked about the cannabis industry and its stocks, as well as the fate of these stocks if the government fails to approve any form of decriminalization policy in the new year.
Regardless of what anyone thinks, the absence of federal reforms is putting a massive strain on the cannabis industry across the country. Mainly because of the lack of better policies, cannabis stocks are still not worth what they should be. This year, the stocks skyrocketed due to various states’ introducing their unique reforms. However, this does not excuse the need for a general overhaul that affects the country.
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Cannabis Reform And Trading
Throughout this year, no notable cannabis reform was passed at the federal level. There were only rumors of national measures and initiatives nearing approval, but none was signed into law.
Stockholders and traders explained that there were better trading options at a point this year. This improvement occurred around the time news surfaced that the government was taking specific steps to ensure the reforms were approved in a short time.
While the values of many cannabis stocks were rising due to this update, most companies could not maintain the upward positions. This resulted in a wave of unpredictable trading conditions that did more harm than good for the investors’ confidence level.
The Need For Cannabis Reform In 2022
Many investors are pondering on the same thing, which is what the future holds for cannabis reforms in 2022. The odds of federal reforms failing to pass again are pretty significant, and the industry needs something concrete to work with to put an end to the uncontrollable, volatile spikes in cannabis stocks and their trading options.
As of the time this is being written, none of the cannabis stocks have yielded good returns like they did a few days before and into 2021.
Many investors believe that the absence of federal reforms will prevent the better trading of marijuana stocks next year. They also feel that it will hurt the overall trade volume in the cannabis industry. This past year has been a rollercoaster for traders in the industry, and the majority of these traders and stockholders will prefer that the events of the last twelve months do not happen again.
This doesn’t bode well for the industry because it could deter new investors from venturing into the sector. Of course, many are trying to observe and see whether a new catalyst with the ability to help stocks recover will be announced before the year runs out.
The truth is that the only way to maintain a spark in the cannabis stock market is for federal reform to be approved immediately. As it stands, some investors are patiently banking on this idea.
Senator Chuck Schumer Remains Committed to Getting Federal Reform
Senator Chuck Schumer is one of the most outspoken cannabis advocates in the Senate this year. He has introduced at least two measures to the Senate to seal the decriminalization of cannabis in some forms. However, most of these bills fell through. He made it known that he is still working on a more comprehensive bill that could yield significant changes in the federal cannabis industry.
For 2022 to not be another letdown for cannabis investors and stockholders, lawmakers need to rally around and get the necessary support not only to ensure marijuana remains in the spotlight but to guarantee that legislative changes come to fruition.
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Schumer is committed to various reform efforts, and he’s hell-bent on introducing legislation that not only focuses on banking reforms for the industry but also on the bigger picture. In a recent interview, he said that a large percentage of the countries and their lawmakers have discovered that all the myths about cannabis are just that—myths. The drug has more medical and economic benefits to offer Americans. It is not too late or too early to invest.
The Pew Research Center disclosed in a survey report that 91% of U.S. adults support the federal legalization or decriminalization of cannabis for medical or recreational purposes. The probability of this occurring in the Biden Administration is still shaky. Many operators in the industry feel that it is unlikely that such a comprehensive bill like Schumer’s will be passed in the coming months.
Any form of reform would do the trick, though, as investors need assurance. While this is going on, it wouldn’t hurt to look into some of the best cannabis stocks you could invest in right now.
What Are Some Of The FANG Stocks Of Weed?
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (OTC:CURLF)
This company functions as a medical and wellness cannabis center in the United States. There are two arms of operations: cannabis operations and non-cannabis operations. The company recently opened four new dispensaries in Florida and still has plans to open more in the coming months. It also announced that it would be adding more innovative products to its stock.
Planet 13 Holdings Inc. (OTC:PLNHF)
This cannabis company dabbles in all the operations involved in cannabis production and processing. It cultivates, produces, and develops cannabis-derived products for the medical and recreational retail markets in Nevada. The company also distributes and markets these products while operating some of the most significant cannabis dispensaries in California. The company has a lot of value to offer as one of the prominent companies at the forefront of Nevada’s cannabis industry.
Green Thumb Industries
This company manufactures and sells many cannabis products for medical and recreational use in the United States. Last week, the company announced the opening of a new spot in Chelsea, Massachusetts. This brings the number of GreenThumb cannabis stores to 68. The company also disclosed that the store would be rebranded in the new year.
Bottom Line
Cannabis is here to stay, but only federal reforms can ensure the industry attains the level it ought to reach. National reforms will provide the trading momentum that lasts long enough for investors and shareholders to make significant ROIs. The cannabis sector lacks consistency. Any form of cannabis decriminalization will erase a tremendous amount of doubt and uncertainty in the industry.
When most people discuss the recreational cannabis trade, much of the focus is on how exciting it is that the industry is growing at such a fast pace. But that’s just one side of the coin.
Given the sales numbers marijuana has posted over the course of the past year, it’s hard to imagine that there were any obstacles at all to overcome. The cannabis industry was a force to be reckoned with during both 2020 and 2021. In fact, the legal cannabis market as a whole is expected to be worth $70 Billion as a whole by the year 2028.
Even though the nascent industry has lofty goals, they won’t be reached without overcoming some hurdles. Here are some of the biggest ones it faces in 2022.
Market Volatility as New Players Continue to Enter the Industry
Given the amount of new markets that have legalized cannabis in recent years, it’s no surprise that the space is getting more crowded. Entrepreneurs everywhere have recognized the lucrative opportunities at hand when it comes to the cannabis industry. In the second half of 2021 alone, investment in cannabis experienced an 85% spike.
Since the word is out on the potential revenue that can be made from investments within the cannabis industry, it’s only natural for new entities to eventually enter the fray. As new investors get involved, it’s likely that they may have inaccurate expectations on when they’d be able to yield returns. Those inaccurate expectations for quick returns, along with a lack of regulatory measures ensure that the volatility that currently exists within the cannabis industry will continue to serve as an obstacle going into 2022.
More Competition From Brands Producing Synthetic Cannabinoids
Another obstacle for the cannabis industry to overcome during the year 2022 is an influx in competition from producers of Delta-8, Delta-10 and THC-O products.
One of the biggest reasons the synthetic cannabinoid market serves as a threat to the recreational marijuana industry is because of the fact that lots of states allow for the online sales of these sorts of products. The fact that synthetic cannabinoids can be easily ordered just like any other consumer good means it’s easier to access for most consumers than recreational cannabis products. This could provide a level of competition throughout 2022 that the recreational cannabis industry may or may not be prepared to combat.
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Determining What Consumers Expect From Cannabis Brands
In most consumer industries, getting to the gist of customer sentiment is as simple as sending an online survey. But since the vast majority of transactions in the cannabis industry are in person and cash based, it’s hard to get an idea of what customers would change about their experience with a cannabis brand. Still, recreational cannabis brands have the task of staying ahead of the curve when it comes to satisfying customer needs. The cannabis brands that are able to figure out how to do that effectively will be well-positioned to advance ahead of the competition.
Since recreational cannabis sales are still federally illegal, keeping in contact with customers in order to gauge their satisfaction levels is difficult. Without P.O.S systems, keeping customer details on hand is nearly impossible, but by getting creative cannabis entrepreneurs should be able to find other innovative ways to tap into the heart of customer sentiment.
When most people discuss the recreational cannabis trade, much of the focus is on how exciting it is that the industry is growing at such a fast pace. Unfortunately, that’s just one side of the coin. The challenges it faces are clear, and they won’t be easy to overcome. However, 2022 still aims to be one of the most exciting years yet for the young, blossoming industry.
