Appetite Loss Can Be A Sign Of Something Bigger — Here’s When You Should Seek Help

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December 3, 2021

Appetite Loss Can Be A Sign Of Something Bigger — Here’s When You Should Seek Help

Our stomachs are very telling of our mental and physical health. While appetite fluctuations are normal, this is when you should get outside help.

Appetite loss can be a reflection of a variety of things. It affects some more than others, who experience appetite loss due to stress, nerves, a cold, or a fever. It can also be a symptom of something more serious, which is why you should keep a close eye on your symptoms, especially if you’re the type of person who’s forgetful and doesn’t keep track of the fluctuations of their body.

Your stomach is linked to a variety of elements, making it highly susceptible to your moods. Appetite loss can also be a side effect of taking certain medications, like narcotics or antibiotics. It can also be a symptom of a GI issue, or a hangover.

5 Ways To Tell If You Have A Bad Relationship With Food — Photo by Artem Labunsky via Unsplash

Interestingly enough, your appetite can also be affected by the weather. During this time of the year, you’re more likely to experience different cravings. The cold is likely to boost people’s appetites and cravings, making you crave carbs. Warm weather produces the opposite effect; many people feel like skipping meals once the weather gets very hot, since eating raises your internal temperature and can make you feel hotter.

Common colds and infections can influence your appetite, making you lose it and even promoting weight loss if the infection or the cold is particularly debilitating. This experience shouldn’t last too long and as long as it’s resolved, it shouldn’t be very concerning.

Other situations, like stress and anxiety, can also result in appetite loss, and these might be more difficult to deal with since they’re not infections that can be quickly battled off. If stress and anxiety are triggered by a particular event — say, a job interview or a work presentation, the hunger should return soon.

When dealing with long-term stress and anxiety, your appetite can be heavily impacted, making you eat more or not be hungry at all. This problem is more serious and difficult to treat, making it something that’s worth a trip to the doctor or mental health therapist, especially if the changes are noticeable.

5 Food Rules You Should Ignore — Photo by Szabo Viktor via Unsplash.

According to experts, no matter the circumstance, you should start getting worried over your appetite loss if it lasts more than a few days. Appetite loss can quickly devolve into weight loss and malnutrition, situations that are tough to treat. Per Medical News Today, if you’re experiencing symptoms like stomach pain, fever, coughing or irregular heartbeats that accompany your appetite loss, you should seek medical help as soon as you can.

Janet Yellen Says ‘Of Course’ Cannabis Companies Banking Billions Would Help IRS

Benzinga Staff Writer

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December 3, 2021

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Janet Yellen Says ‘Of Course’ Cannabis Companies Banking Billions Would Help IRS

In states where cannabis is fully legal, financial institutions that accept weed-earned cash can face federal charges, which forces cannabis growers, distributors and retailers to perform their transactions in cash.

By Maureen Meehan

When Colorado Congressman Ed Perlmutter of the House Financial Services Committee asked Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday if she agreed that giving cannabis companies access to U.S. banks would facilitate tax collection by the IRS, she replied “Yes, of course it would.”

No one doubts that the IRS would also love to have the cannabis industry’s billion-dollar revenue streaming into its coffers. U.S. banks would likely be delighted to get in on the action as well.

marijuana banking — Photo by eldadcarin/Getty Images

But, how to do that? Here’s a start, at least from the point of view of the banks, some of whom are lobbying lawmakers to support the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, which is intended to create protections and to enable financial institutions that provide banking services to legitimate cannabis-related businesses.

In a recent move to push the envelope a bit, the American Bankers Association, Union National Association, United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), wrote a letter to the Senate leadership imploring them to allow legitimate cannabis businesses access to banking services. The hope, the group says, is to pass marijuana banking reform as part of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Even though the sale or use of marijuana is legal to some degree in 47 states and Washington, D.C., it’s still illegal on the federal level. In states where cannabis is fully legal, financial institutions that accept weed-earned cash can face federal charges, which forces cannabis growers, distributors and retailers to perform their transactions in cash.

“If you really wanted to create an industry that’s dependent on gangs and cartels, make it all cash. It’s almost like the system that is there now is oriented towards promoting things that we don’t want,” said Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), speaking at The Hill’s Regulating Cannabis event.

How Cannabis Banking Bill Fares In Senate Will Dictate Future Of National Marijuana Reform — Photo by krisanapong detraphiphat/Getty Images

“If you de-schedule it, banks can start banking it so it’s no longer a cash business. There are multiple negative consequences of having it be a cash business. One is that businesses themselves can’t get loans.” Hickenlooper told The Hill.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who voted for the SAFE Banking Act and is one of few Republicans in Congress in favor of decriminalizing marijuana, introduced legislation to federally decriminalize and tax marijuana in mid-November.

“There’s nothing really controversial about cannabis except for here in Washington where you have some members who are afraid of it, or afraid to touch it. It shouldn’t be that way,” Mace said.

“We’re funding the cartels by having all cash businesses,” Mace added, reiterating the notion expressed by Hickenlooper. “It’s dangerous.”

Meanwhile, the Internal Revenue Service is clearly chomping at the bit.

In October, the IRS provided some useful suggestions to cannabis businesses in the form of a seminar presented by the National Association of Tax Professionals for cannabis companies in which they learned that all income from any source is taxable.The IRS also set up a new website last year to tax state-compliant cannabis dispensaries.

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

Federal Foot-Dragging On Cannabis Rescheduling Hampers Vital Research, Harms Veterans And Millions More

Benzinga Staff Writer

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December 2, 2021

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Federal Foot-Dragging On Cannabis Rescheduling Hampers Vital Research, Harms Veterans And Millions More

Public health officials agree that the federal government’s current grip on cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug precludes it from rigorous research, harming millions.

By David E. Carpenter

The federal government’s current position on cannabis and its stranglehold as a harmful Schedule 1 drug, which makes it ineligible for rigorous medical examination, is hampering vital research on the plant and harming millions of Americans, including veterans.

Federal research of cannabis through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has been woefully scant for decades, though respected sources show that cannabis is associated with a reduction in PTSD symptoms. Scientists agree that further investigation is necessary with larger sample sizes to explore a broader range of patient-important outcomes.

New Study Reinforces Marijuana's Power To Treat PTSD — Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images

But since 1968, U.S. researchers have only been allowed to use cannabis from one domestic source: a facility based at the University of Mississippi. That has meant that only a trickle of research is performed on a narrow range of cannabis products.

Add to that the fact that public health officials, such as the director of NIDA, Nora Volkow, agree that the federal government’s current grip on cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug precludes it from rigorous research.

“One of the barriers that has actually been noted is that cannabis, by being a Schedule I substance, requires certain procedures that actually can be very lengthy,” said Volkow. “In some instances, it detracts researchers who want to investigate it because it’s just much more cumbersome than doing studies with other substances.”

Crisis For Veterans Continues

The situation has now reached a boiling point as at least 20 military vets a day commit suicide due to PTSD and depression.

Recently, a few bipartisan voices who see cannabis as a crucial medical treatment are beginning to make some noise and implore access to cannabis for veterans.

In a recent letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, bipartisan Congressional Cannabis Caucus co-chairs Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), David Joyce (R-OH), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Don Young (R-AK), conveyed the following: “Research has shown that cannabis can be safe and effective in targeted pain-management. Additionally, cannabis has proven benefits in managing PTSD and other health issues, including multiple sclerosis and seizure disorders. Despite its efficacy, antiquated bureaucratic red-tape continues to deny veterans these life-altering treatments.”

veterans PTSD — Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

The feds are not only facing mounting pressure from lawmakers and public health administrators, but also from powerful union and financial groups, including the likes of American Bankers Association, United Food and Commercial Workers Union and Credit Union National Association, the latter of which alone has over 120 million members. Leaders from those groups came together and penned a letter that pushes for marijuana banking reform to be included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), expected to pass this month or next.

The letter reads: “Banking is germane to NDAA because it bolsters national security by keeping bad actors out of the cannabis industry and the financial system, while also supporting the thousands of veterans who rely on the cannabis industry for medical treatment, employment, or entrepreneurial opportunities.”

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

Your Afternoon Snack Might Increase Odds Of Dementia

Wellness

Maria Loreto

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December 2, 2021

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Your Afternoon Snack Might Increase Odds Of Dementia

The food you consume plays an important role in your mental health. One particular type of food can increase your odds of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Our days are made possible (and better!) with the help of healthy meals and snacks that maintain our productivity and keep us fueled throughout the day. But according to a recent study, your afternoon snack might increase odds of dementia.

Published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the study found that foods high in refined carbs can increase your odds of dementia, especially when consumed after lunch.

Researchers examined more than 2,000 people aged 65 and older, who provided food questionnaires covering their meals, snacks, activity levels, and calorie intake.

What To Use For Edibles When You Don't Feel Like Baking For Hours — Photo by Joyful via Unsplash

According to BestLife: “Results showed no connection between the total daily glycemic load or the glycemic load recorded at breakfast, lunch, or dinner and long-term increased risk of cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s at the end of a 12-year follow-up period. However, they did find that there was an increased dementia risk associated with eating foods high in refined carbs as a snack after lunch in the afternoon.”

Researchers theorize that snacking on things like sugary sodas, baked foods, and cereal bars can, over time, result in insulin resistance. This could then turn into conditions that have been linked with dementia and Alzheimer’s. “During meals, carbohydrates are rarely ingested alone, and their degradation and absorption rates during digestion are modified by the other macronutrients,” noted researchers.

The link between food and dementia has long been of interest to researchers. Cecilia Samieri, PhD, spoke to Healthline on the issue and explained it further. “People who developed dementia were more likely to combine highly-processed meats with starchy foods like potatoes, alcohol, and snacks like cookies and cakes,” she said of a different study she conducted.

Link Between Cannabis And The Munchies Is More Complicated Than You Might Think — Photo by Christopher Williams via Unsplash

We tend to place more importance on our meals than on our snacks, having balanced meals three times a day and snacking on whatever’s available in between. Experts suggest a complex approach to fixing this issue: having a plan for your meals and snacks, that way all elements complement each other.

While this all sounds exceedingly complicated when we have to work and have a social life, a good first step would be to avoid processed foods. Some good options for snacks include fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plant-based whole foods. Hopefully you avoid our afternoon snack might increase odds of dementia.

Marijuana Banking Reform: Millions Seek Banking Services Via Defense Act

Benzinga Staff Writer

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December 2, 2021

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Marijuana Banking Reform: Millions Seek Banking Services Via Defense Act

The feds have a vested interest in allowing marijuana businesses to access banking, if for no other reason than to more effectively collect taxes from them.

By David E. Carpenter

In a bid to see marijuana banking reform passed as part of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), vocal members of labor and financial organizations penned a letter to Senate leadership imploring them to afford legitimate cannabis businesses with banking services, which would also give them access to essential insurance products and protections that are given to other industries.

Marijuana Moment recently reported that the letter included contributions from the American Bankers Association (ABA), Credit Union National Association (CUNA), United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), as well as 11 other organizations, asking members to adopt language protecting banks that work with state-legal cannabis businesses.

How Long Before The Senate Approves The SAFE Banking Act? — Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels

The member-backing of these organizations is enormous and far-reaching. CUNA alone has over 120 million members.

The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Ac t, which is intended to create protections for financial institutions that provide banking services to legitimate cannabis-related businesses and service providers for such businesses, has been approved in the House five times, yet on each occasion has fizzled out in the Senate.

Of course, many large financial institutions are reticent to embrace cannabis businesses due to the plant’s designation federally as a Schedule 1 controlled substance alongside heroin and LSD. That makes it a risky business for some commercial interests.

The recent letter from powerful labor and financial groups impacted by the laws was written to express dissatisfaction by leaders of the organizations who believe that pending marijuana banking reform language may be in jeopardy again through the final processes of the NDAA passing this month or next.

“Our organizations have banded together because the status quo is untenable for workers, communities, ancillary businesses and law-abiding financial institutions … SAFE Banking is germane to NDAA because it bolsters national security by keeping bad actors out of the cannabis industry and the financial system, while also supporting the thousands of veterans who rely on the cannabis industry for medical treatment, employment, or entrepreneurial opportunities,” the letter reads.

In addition to listening to the millions of members of the groups who contributed to the letter, the feds have a vested interest in allowing marijuana businesses to access banking, if for no other reason than to better track their revenues and more effectively collect taxes from them.

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

8 Surprising Cannabis Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

Cannabis

Tom Gaffey

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December 2, 2021

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8 Surprising Cannabis Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

From the Mayflower to the American flag, and even the first internet purchase, cannabis has hid in plain sight.

Cannabis, in all its forms, is more prevalent and accessible than ever before in this country. Still, it often seems that much of its story is mysteriously unknown. Health studies are still very new, and it sometimes may seem that the plant had no relevant history before the 1900s.

As cannabis becomes more prevalent, perhaps it’s time to discover the lesser-known facts about this iconic plant to help understand what exactly makes cannabis so interesting and important. Here are eight fun facts you may not have known about this elusive organism we call weed.

Cannabis Dates Back Thousands of Years

It is easy to assume marijuana cultivation began in fairly modern times. However, the first recorded use of cannabis dates back thousands of years before The United States was even an idea.

cannabis crop — Photo by Olena Ruban/Getty Images

Cannabis was mentioned in the sacred Hindu texts known as The Vedas, estimated to have been produced around 2000 to 1400 B.C. Woven hemp fibers were even discovered at a burial site in Taiwan that date back 10,000 years.

Dispensaries Are Becoming More Popular Than Starbucks And McDonalds

As marijuana becomes legal for recreational use, its retail popularity is skyrocketing. In the last few years, marijuana dispensaries have become more plentiful than Starbucks and even McDonalds in some areas.

“In Denver and Portland, Oregon, for example, marijuana retailers outnumber Starbucks by close to double,” according to MJBizDaily. Some states have a cap on the number of dispensaries they allow, but this statistic is certainly telling.

Beer And Weed are Cousins

If you have ever taken a whiff of a particularly hoppy craft beer and thought you smelled weed, your nose wasn’t far off. Beer hops (or humulus), it turns out, are in the same family of flowering plants as cannabis.

“They confirmed that Humulus and Cannabis were very closely related and belonged in a single family, Cannabinaceae,” according to Popular Science. The two plant species may inspire two very different final products, but sometimes the smell is practically indistinguishable.

cannabis beer — Photo by Sarah Pender/Getty Images

Weed Affects Men and Women Differently

It may sound strange, but recent studies have concluded marijuana affects women differently than it affects men. The entire THC experience may be different for men and women, from the amount needed to get high to tolerance levels. The main way that cannabis acts differently in women as opposed to men is its interaction with the female production of estrogen.

‘Canvas’ Comes From ‘Cannabis’

Canvases have been the landing place for some of the most important artwork throughout time. Historically canvases were often made with the assistance of cannabis. In fact, cannabis was so important to canvas production that it inspired the name.

“The word ‘canvas’ is related to the word ‘cannabis.’ Historically, canvases were made of hemp,” according to Vocabulary.com.

The Birth Of E-commerce Was A Marijuana Sale

There exists great debate when it comes to who exactly started e-commerce. Still, there was a day in the early 1970s that is often regarded as the first internet transaction, and it involved marijuana.

COVID Not Expected To Hurt Holiday Cannabis Sales — Photo by rupixen.com via Unsplash

“In 1971 or 1972, Stanford students using Arpanet accounts at Stanford University’s Artificial Intelligence Laboratory engaged in a commercial transaction with their counterparts at Massachusetts Institute of Technology,” wrote John Markoff in his 2005 novel What the Dormouse Said: How the Sixties Counterculture Shaped the Personal Computer Industry. “Before Amazon, before eBay, the seminal act of e-commerce was a drug deal.”

Marijuana Affects Your Heart

Although marijuana is now frequently regarded as “safe,” it does come with some potential health side effects that are not always known. One potential health side effect of marijuana is an added strain on your cardiovascular system.

Marijuana can can affect your heart in several ways, “including raising resting heart rate, dilating blood vessels, and making the heart pump harder,” according to Harvard Medical School.

Hemp Is Woven Into American History

Hemp has a long history in the United states. Not only did Thomas Jefferson and George Washington both have it on their properties, but the famous Mayflower had sails and ropes made of hemp.

The first two drafts of the United States Declaration of Independence were written on paper made from hemp. The cherry on top of all this history woven with hemp lies within the first manufactured symbol of this nation.

marijuana legalization — Photo by wildpixel/Getty Images

The first American flag made by Betsy Ross was made from industrial hemp.

“Many of the very first American flags were made from hemp cloths. So there’s a real tie in to our country’s history and the important rule industrial hemp played in agriculture in our country,” said Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo, who authored an amendment to the Farm Bill which allows industrial hemp research in states where it is legal.

From the Mayflower to the American flag, and even the first internet purchase, cannabis has hid in plain sight. The plant has woven a sometimes hidden, but always interesting path over time.

Men Who Vape Are More Likely To Have This Condition

Maria Loreto

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December 2, 2021

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Men Who Vape Are More Likely To Have This Condition

A new study suggests this condition is twice as likely to occur in men who vape compared to men who don’t vape.

The harms of vaping are not yet fully understood. Since the technology came out a few years ago, these devices remain heavily debated, with some claiming they are better than average cigarettes, yet still have their own negative side effects, which remain shrouded in misinformation. Vape pens are a favorite among teen users and have grown more prevalent within recent years.

But now, a new study that suggests that men who vape nicotine are twice as likely to experience erectile dysfunction when compared to men who don’t vape.

vape pen — Photo by Dmitry_Tishchenko/Getty Images

Published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, researchers were looking to get a deeper understanding of vaping and sexual health when applied to men. They analyzed self-reported data from over 13,000 men over the age of 20. Among the findings: Men who used e-cigarettes were found to be 2.2 times more likely to have erectile dysfunction.

Some caveats in the study include that the data was self-reported, with there being the possibility of bias. Another thing to be mindful of is the fact that the survey didn’t ask any questions on whether or not the men were taking medications that increased the risks of erectile dysfunction, like antidepressants.

Nicotine has long been linked with a variety of sexual dysfunctions, including erectile dysfunction and decreased arousal. Researchers believe this link exists due to smoking and the damage it imparts on circulation, which can also increase the odds of heart disease and strokes. When circulation is impacted, it makes it more difficult for erections to occur naturally.

RELATED: 7 Pros And Cons Of Vape Pens

Vaping has become prevalent due to a variety of reasons. While safer than smoking cigarettes, eliminating some of the traditional toxins, it’s important to know that vaping is not completely safe, and that there are some side effects that we may not know yet. Vaping has been associated with deteriorated lung and heart health. THC vapes have also been linked with EVALI, a rare lung disease that has resulted in long-term lung damage and even death.

Teen Boys Associate Marijuana Use With More & Better Sex — Photo by Sammie Vasquez via Unsplash

As more and more people of all ages ditch traditional cigarettes for their electronic versions, it’s important to keep in mind that replacing one habit with another will likely result in similar if perhaps a little less damaging side effects. Both methods contain nicotine and are addictive and should be used in moderation.

When it comes to nicotine and sexual health, the more studies of this sort are conducted, the more likely we’re all to understand their relationship, one that affects men and women in different ways. No matter how it’s packaged, nicotine affects a variety of aspects in people’s lives, from their health to their sex lives.

Federal Official States No Proof Smoking Weed Occasionally Is Harmful

Benzinga Staff Writer

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December 1, 2021

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Federal Official States No Proof Smoking Weed Occasionally Is Harmful

Dr. Nora Volkow did however restate that she is “absolutely” worried about higher rates of marijuana use and that frequent consumption, in the long run, can produce “harmful effects even on the adult brain.”

By Nina Zdinjak

Director of National Institute On Drug Abuse (NIDA) Dr. Nora Volkow recently discussed the benefits and harms of cannabis consumption in an interview with FiveThirtyEight, wherein she acknowledged that there is no scientific proof marijuana consumption is harmful when used occasionally and in moderate doses.

“There’s no evidence to my knowledge that occasional [adult] marijuana use has harmful effects. I don’t know of any scientific evidence of that. I don’t think it has been evaluated,” said Volkow, who is a psychiatrist. ”We need to test it.”

Volkow did however restate that she is “absolutely” worried about higher rates of marijuana use and that frequent (daily) consumption, in the long run, can produce “harmful effects even on the adult brain.”

On the other hand, Volkow noted there are possible “benefits” of consuming cannabis, such as having a lower BMI. “BMI is lower in marijuana users, and that was very surprising, and yet we know that high BMI, particularly the older you get, can have negative effects,” she said. “This is why we need to study it.” BMI refers to body mass index, a measure of body fat based on height and weight.

Lack Of Research – Public Health Concern

These new comments from the NIDA director represent an important milestone, providing positive points for advocates who support marijuana reform, especially in view of NIDA’s efforts for years to disclose potential risks of cannabis use.

This does not mean Volkow is in favor of cannabis legalization, but she made an important point: more research is necessary. This view is in line with NIDA’s recent report to a congressional lawmaker, which pointed out that the Schedule 1 status of marijuana disables and discourages studies on both potential harms and benefits, wrote Marijuana Moment.

Smoking Marijuana — Photo by Jamie Grill/Getty Images

The report also noted that existing limitations on cannabinoid scientific research are practically a public health concern.

Volkow noted the risks marijuana usage poses for youth and pregnant women though she further emphasized the fact that cannabis legalization has not increased consumption use among youth, as she had previously believed.

Stigma: One Of The Biggest Obstacles Remains, Thanks To The Government

In an article Volkow wrote in November, the NIDA director said “stigma remains one of the biggest obstacles to confronting America’s current drug crisis,” and that the government is also responsible for keeping those stigmas.

“Government policies, including criminal justice measures, often reflect—and contribute to—stigma,” Volkow wrote on the Association of American Medical Colleges webpage.

“When we penalize people who use drugs because of an addiction, we suggest that their use is a character flaw rather than a medical condition. And when we incarcerate addicted individuals, we decrease their access to treatment and exacerbate the personal and societal consequences of their substance use.”

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

New York City First In The US To Open Safe Injection Sites For Illegal Drugs

Benzinga Staff Writer

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December 1, 2021

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New York City First In The US To Open Safe Injection Sites For Illegal Drugs

These harm reduction services will play an important role in helping to curb the drug overdose crisis plaguing New York City and the United States.

By Jelena Martinovic

On Tuesday, New York City became the first in the nation to open two overdose prevention centers (OPC) where people can use illicit drugs and receive medical care and services.

What are OPCs?

Overdose prevention centers are safe spaces for people to consume pre-obtained drugs in controlled settings under the supervision of trained staff and with access to sterile consumption equipment, tools to check their supply for the presence of fentanyl, and connections to health care, counseling, and referrals to health and social services, including drug treatment.

What US Government Could Learn From Oregon’s New Drug Decriminalization Law — Photo by LeszekCzerwonka/Getty Images

As such, these harm reduction services will play an important role in helping to curb the drug overdose crisis plaguing New York City and the United States.

According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New York City’s drug-overdose deaths surged 36%.

Drug Overdose Deaths Across U.S. Top 100,000 Annually

CDC provisional overdose data showed there were an estimated 100,306 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. during the 12-month period ending in April 2021, an increase of 28.5% from the previous year.

While cities like Philadelphia and San Francisco did not manage to open OPCs due to legal and political challenges, New York’s Mayor Bill de Blasio revived the long-stalled plan.

“New York City has led the nation’s battle against COVID-19, and the fight to keep our community safe doesn’t stop there,” de Blasio said in a press release.

Located at existing facilities that provide syringe exchange services, OPCs are “a safe and effective way to address the opioid crisis,” said de Blasio, who has just four weeks left in office.

The Drug Policy Alliance, since 2015, was at the forefront of advocating for OPCs as a critical component of curbing the overdose crisis. The first statewide bill for OPCs in New York was introduced in 2018 and accepted by Mayor de Blasio, the NYC Council and NYC’s Dept. Health and Mental Hygiene.

“Despite the obstacles, we kept up the pressure along with our coalition through consistent organizing, educating and lobbying,” the DPA wrote in an email to Benzinga.

“Studies from other countries have shown that these centers greatly reduce the number of overdose deaths. Despite overwhelming evidence of the benefits of OPCs and more than 120 operating around the world, none have existed in the U.S. due to legal barriers and misguided drug war hysteria.”

Meanwhile, though it remains to be seen how the U.S. Justice Department will approach the issue, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra recently revealed the Biden administration’s four-part strategy to deal with the overdose epidemic, which could include allowing supervised consumption sites, reported The Washington Post.

“When it comes to harm reduction, we are looking for every way to do that,” Becerra said earlier. “We probably will support the efforts of states that are using evidence-based practices and therapies.”

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

3 Side Effects Of Weed You Should Know

Maria Loreto

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December 1, 2021

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Over the past several years, the public has mostly focused on the positive effects of cannabis. But what about the negative side effects? Here are some you should be aware of.

Marijuana used to be interpreted to dramatic degrees, often referred to as a “gateway drug” and a substance that dumbed people down. While most of these beliefs have been debunked over the years, the truth is that marijuana can be addictive, and should be taken seriously.

Recently, people have started to view marijuana in a different light, focusing on its benefits and medicinal properties. While this is a good thing and will hopefully result in the end, or at least the derailment of the war on drugs, it’s still important to know marijuana’s effects; it was never as dangerous as it was painted out to be, but it’s also not a miracle drug.

Here are 3 of the most serious side effects associated with marijuana use:

EVALI

Vape Pens: Here Are The Pros And Cons Of These Popular Cannabis Tools — Photo by LexScope via Unsplash

Before COVID-19 took the spotlight, there was a mysterious “vaping disease,” which later became known as EVALI. This disease resulted in pneumonia, lung damage, and even some deaths.

Researchers discovered that most cases of EVALI were tied to Vitamin E acetate, a compound that’s present in vapes. While the disease has been eclipsed by more pressing and global issues, it’s still a concern, one that could be curbed by purchasing cannabis products from legitimate dispensaries and minimizing the distribution of black market cannabis.

Vomiting & nausea

One of the least covered and more concerning side effects associated with cannabis is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, a condition where the user experiences nausea and uncontrollable vomiting when exposed to cannabis. It sounds terrifying. While the condition is rare, it’s important to know about it, that way users can know what to target if they start showing symptoms.

Mental health disorders

Managing Nausea With Cannabis: What You Need To Know — Photo by elenaleonova/Getty Images

Marijuana and anxiety have a complicated relationship. While the majority of users claim it’s stress-relieving, a not insignificant group of people have experienced major anxiety and paranoia. Different studies have found links between cannabis and mental health disorders, which are particularly concerning for people with a history of mental health disease in their family, who may be more likely to experience these adverse results when exposed to cannabis.

These diseases are largely unknown and need scientific support now that cannabis is growing more and more popular. A simple and helpful preventive measure would be to use caution and moderation when consuming cannabis. Like any other substance, your body needs time to recover from its effects.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Appetite Loss Can Be A Sign Of Something Bigger — Here’s When You Should Seek Help

Our stomachs are very telling of our mental and physical health. While appetite fluctuations are normal, this is when you should get outside help.

Janet Yellen Says ‘Of Course’ Cannabis Companies Banking Billions Would Help IRS

In states where cannabis is fully legal, financial institutions that accept weed-earned cash can face federal charges, which forces cannabis growers, distributors and retailers to perform their transactions in cash.

Federal Foot-Dragging On Cannabis Rescheduling Hampers Vital Research, Harms Veterans And Millions More

Public health officials agree that the federal government’s current grip on cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug precludes it from rigorous research, harming millions.

Crisis For Veterans Continues

Your Afternoon Snack Might Increase Odds Of Dementia

The food you consume plays an important role in your mental health. One particular type of food can increase your odds of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Marijuana Banking Reform: Millions Seek Banking Services Via Defense Act

The feds have a vested interest in allowing marijuana businesses to access banking, if for no other reason than to more effectively collect taxes from them.

8 Surprising Cannabis Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

From the Mayflower to the American flag, and even the first internet purchase, cannabis has hid in plain sight.

Cannabis Dates Back Thousands of Years

Dispensaries Are Becoming More Popular Than Starbucks And McDonalds

Beer And Weed are Cousins

Weed Affects Men and Women Differently

‘Canvas’ Comes From ‘Cannabis’

The Birth Of E-commerce Was A Marijuana Sale

Marijuana Affects Your Heart

Hemp Is Woven Into American History

Men Who Vape Are More Likely To Have This Condition

A new study suggests this condition is twice as likely to occur in men who vape compared to men who don’t vape.

Federal Official States No Proof Smoking Weed Occasionally Is Harmful

Dr. Nora Volkow did however restate that she is “absolutely” worried about higher rates of marijuana use and that frequent consumption, in the long run, can produce “harmful effects even on the adult brain.”

Lack Of Research – Public Health Concern

Stigma: One Of The Biggest Obstacles Remains, Thanks To The Government

New York City First In The US To Open Safe Injection Sites For Illegal Drugs

These harm reduction services will play an important role in helping to curb the drug overdose crisis plaguing New York City and the United States.

What are OPCs?

Drug Overdose Deaths Across U.S. Top 100,000 Annually

3 Side Effects Of Weed You Should Know

Over the past several years, the public has mostly focused on the positive effects of cannabis. But what about the negative side effects? Here are some you should be aware of.

EVALI

Vomiting & nausea

Mental health disorders

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