Purple Cannabis — Here’s Why You Should Try It

Cannabis

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July 13, 2021

Purple Cannabis — Here’s Why You Should Try It

Purple cannabis is an umbrella term for a growing family of strains that share a color as much as they share a distinct taste, smell and stony effect.

Purple is the color of royalty, so it’s the perfect shade for a classic strain of cannabis that anyone who calls themselves a connoisseur should know.

While Purple isn’t as common as other pioneering strains like Haze, Skunk or Kush, it’s beloved by everyone who’s lucky enough to try it, from medical patients to celebrities. Actor Jaleel White released an entire line of Purple cannabis strains earlier this year.

Here’s everything you need to know about Purple cannabis.

What Are Cannabis Calyxes — Photo by Esteban Lopez via Unsplash

Origin of Purple Cannabis

What newer generations of cannabis users may not know is Purple was once the hottest strain both in dispensaries and the streets. The exact birthplace of Purple cannabis is unknown, but seed companies like Purple City Genetics believe it originated in Humboldt, California, and was popularized in the San Francisco Bay Area. Others point to grower Kenneth Morrow of Trichome Technologies as its creator, as he produced Purple Kush back in 1995.

One of the most popular Purples, known as Granddaddy Purple, or GDP for short, was grown by Ken Estes, an old school cannabis legend who credits his famous cut of GDP to Vietnam veterans who returned from overseas with seeds from Thailand and Afghanistan. It’s likely that Purples descend from an old Afghani landrace cut, or even a version of Skunk.

What Is Purple Cannabis?

Purple cannabis is an umbrella term for a growing family of strains that share a color as much as they share a distinct taste, smell and stony effect.

There are a couple of theories as to what gives some cannabis plants a purple hue, ranging from lavender to deep black-purple, but not all of them are true. What makes Purple purple, longtime cannabis breeder Todd McCormick says, are the flavonoids of certain genetics, and that “Afghan genetics are the genetics responsible for the purple colors in broad leaflet cannabis.”

One of the biggest appeals of Purple cannabis, besides the color, is the taste. Purple cannabis strains often taste “purple” too, like a sweet candy grape that can even express floral notes.

Due to their genetics, Purple strains are almost always indicas unless crossed with something else, known for the intense body high that patients reported was great for chronic pain without totally wiping the mind. But despite this intense effect, Purple cannabis has never been a high THC producer, averaging 15-16%.

How Does It Compare?

Purple strains are most comparable to Kush strains, as they share the intense couch-lock of a pure indica and a similar stocky look to the plants as they flower. The unique flavor profile, which likely draws on terpenes like linalool, is something that sour and Haze can’t achieve.

purple cannabis — Photo by Daniel Norin via Unsplash

Kay Watt, the principal geneticist at Dark Heart Nursery, says Purples were always popular with medical patients for their intense pain-numbing effects, but weren’t as mentally sedating as Kush or Skunk could be.

The only downside to Purple might be that it’s so hard to find, because the plants themselves don’t produce big yields, making them more costly to grow.

Bottom Line

The beauty of cannabis is that it’s so abundant that anyone can find the right strain for them. Purple cannabis was an incredibly popular strain amongst people with chronic pain and nausea, but it was also a euphoric high that didn’t leave its users asleep or in a daze.

It won’t provide the energy of a sativa like Haze or Sour Diesel, so it’s not the best for a busy or active lifestyle. Ask anyone who’s tried Purple and they probably liked it. Don’t believe me? There’s only one way to know for sure — try it for yourself!

Updated Guide To Cannabis Laws Around The World

Marijuana Legislation

Terry Hacienda

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July 13, 2021

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Updated Guide To Cannabis Laws Around The World

Gradually, people are becoming aware of the value cannabis offers, making it possible for countries and regions to accept and legalize cannabis.

Continentally, cannabis is decriminalized and allowed for medical use in several regions of North America, Africa, Australia, Europe, and South America. But it remains prohibited in Middle Eastern countries and Asia. It is essential for every individual that uses cannabis to have an understanding of these cannabis laws, especially if they are traveling or relocating to another country.

This article is a collection and a quick guide of cannabis laws around the world. So whenever you are visiting a new region, you should have a quick look to determine if you can freely take cannabis while in that region or not.

You Can Expect Vaccine Passports In The Near Future — Photo by Levi Ventura via Unsplash

Europe

Currently, cannabis usage is at varying stages of legality and decriminalization in some countries in Europe. Some of these countries include Czech Republic, Portugal, Russia, Croatia, Spain, Ukraine, and Switzerland. However, it remains illegal everywhere else in Europe.

You can avoid the possibility of randomly getting caught in a cannabis search by vaping discreetly. But the smell of cannabis is still very divisive, and if caught in areas with strict anti-cannabis rules, you may face some legal issues.

With the European cannabis discourse, it stops short of Turkey. Turkey is beginning to ease off cannabis slightly, but it is still advisable that you don’t take it with you when visiting the country.

European police may also turn a blind eye to weed if it is in small quantities and clearly stated that it is for personal use. If you carry cannabis in more significant amounts, it may seem like you will sell it, and such commercial intent is to be avoided. If you buy cannabis to share with a group of people in Europe, you should quickly divide it into smaller quantities before the police search.

Americans and the Caribbean

In America and Canada, cannabis usage is either legal or considered a misdemeanor. Just as it is with Europe, it is highly recommended that anyone visiting such countries remain discreet even in states where it is entirely legal.

Some people in the Americas and Caribbean may object to the cannabis smell when smoked or vaped around them despite cannabis having a legalized status in the state. When you get to the south of the U.S.A, the situation becomes highly complex, so be careful.

Legalization In Latin America Who’s Next After Mexico? — Plaza Botero, Medellin, Colombia, Photo by John Coletti/Getty Images

South American countries are more accepting of marijuana as many nations in this region have decriminalized cannabis possession despite sales and cultivation remains illegal.

Jamaica is the only country where the utilization of cannabis is celebrated as a part of their culture. Other countries are either legal, semi-legal, or ignored (so long people are discreet with it). Currently, these countries where it is legal, semi-legal, or ignored include Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Belize, Columbia, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, and Uruguay.

Just as we mentioned with Europe when outside Jamaica, ensure that you carry small quantities of cannabis. Also, emphasize the fact that it is for personal and non-commercial use.

Middle East and Asia

The best thing to do with cannabis when in these regions is to avoid moving with it ultimately. Cannabis is currently illegal in these regions except in South Korea, where it can only be used for medical purposes. There is also a rumor that it is legal in North Korea, but this is still in dispute because of the country’s lack of access to information.

In the Middle East and Asia, most people still consider possession of cannabis a grievous offense, while some others completely ignore it. In some countries, like Singapore, Turkey, Korea, KSA, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Japan, it is not legal to touch cannabis at all,

Japanese Lawmakers Discover Marijuana Growing Outside Their Offices — Photo by fak1911 via Pixabay

It might be safe for you to use cannabis in countries like India, Laos, and Cambodia. Also, remember that foreigners should not expect preferential treatments than what the locals’ experience. If you arrive in these regions, check the peculiar cannabis status in the countries you visit and abide by the rules.

It may be wise to leave your stash at home when going to Asian or Middle Eastern countries as these regions are still strictly against the plant in both forms (medical and recreational).

Australia, New Zealand, and Africa

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Australia, New Zealand, and Africa. It is largely explicitly ignored in Australia and New Zealand such that if you are caught with t, it will only be treated as a misdemeanor. But remember that it will be treated as a misdemeanor if you are caught with smaller quantities and clearly state that it is for personal use.

Australia is still at the forefront of cannabis reform globally as it first legalized medical marijuana all over the nation in 2016. The country decriminalized and accepted cannabis within the cultures of the local Australian people.

In Africa, the enforcement of marijuana-related laws is ineffective. If you are caught with it, you may face severe consequences, especially in Nigeria and Ethiopia. South Africa is the only country where it is safe to use cannabis compared to other African countries, but it is still not recommended.

Lesotho and Zimbabwe have legalized cannabis for medical cultivation, while some other nations are considering legalization. Some of these countries include Morocco, Ghana, Egypt, Malawi, and Kenya. In the future, these countries have a better chance of decriminalizing cannabis.

You may wonder, “What about those living in Antarctica?” Well, since it is a kind of lawless land, people can do whatever they want. But please be careful with cannabis possession when visiting as there may be some rules concerning cannabis you don’t know about.

Bottom Line

Unlike in previous times, many of these regions that may seem very hostile towards cannabis are beginning to consider the medical benefits the plant offers. Yes, many of these countries are still conservative, but the young ones are reading and searching for the benefits of marijuana.

They may remain conservative for now, but experts agree that the future of cannabis in these regions is bright. A good example are North American countries where cannabis may still be illegal at the Federal level and legalized within states. Gradually, people are becoming aware of the value cannabis offers, making it possible for countries and regions to accept and legalize cannabis.

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

New York Cannabis: Why It’s A Big Deal That The Town Of Riverhead Voted Not To Opt Out

Simon Malinowski

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July 12, 2021

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New York Cannabis: Why It’s A Big Deal That The Town Of Riverhead Voted Not To Opt Out

The big uncertainty was whether New York’s local jurisdictions would embrace the cannabis industry. Riverhead voting against opting out is a very positive development.

As we continue to wait for Governor Andrew Cuomo to nominate a Chairperson for the Cannabis Control Board (CCB), effectively kickstarting the rule making process, a surprising and welcome piece of news came down. On July 7, 2021, the Town of Riverhead voted not to opt out of allowing retail dispensaries and on-site consumption locations in Riverhead.

As a brief refresher, the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) includes a provision that allows any town, city, or village to adopt local law to prohibit the retail dispensaries or on-site consumption locations in their jurisdiction, provided the law is adopted by December 31, 2021.

What Is The Timeline For Adult-Use Cannabis Sales In New York? — Photo by Thomas Habr via Unsplash

Riverhead choosing to embrace retail and on-site consumption cannabis establishments is an important indicator for Long Island’s openness to recreational cannabis. Riverhead is the effective “capital” of Long Island’s Suffolk County, a conservative stronghold. For context, Suffolk County’s courts and administrative agencies are all located in Riverhead.

With that said, it was close. The vote to not opt out was 3-2. The three board members who voted against opting out publicly stated that by allowing recreational and on-site consumption establishments in Riverhead, the town would be in a better position to regulate where, when, and how the businesses operate. Council Member Tim Hubbard also highlighted the impact of the black market in stating “if we don’t allow it, the black market is going to thrive in the Town of Riverhead. And that’s not where we want people to buy it, that’s where you have issues.”

But even more tellingly, even the two board members who voted in favor of opting out did so for purely practical reasons. Council member Ken Rothwell, one of the opt out votes, emphasized a desire to wait and see how the MRTA works out in other Long Island towns. Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar highlighted the absence of any rules and regulations for the industry in stating that there are “many questions and many unknowns” with the MRTA.

Other than waiting for the CCB to issue the industry rules and regulations and details regarding the application process, the big uncertainty was whether New York’s local jurisdictions would embrace the cannabis industry. Riverhead voting against opting out is a very positive development. And while Riverhead alone will not make the cannabis industry go on Long Island, it is (hopefully) an indicator that Nassau County and Suffolk County will choose the facilitate cannabis’ emergence as an economic driver on Long Island.

Simon Malinowski is an attorney at Harris Bricken. This story was originally published on the Canna Law Blog and reposted with permission.

The Dark Side Of Cannabis Legalization And One Biotech Company’s Solution

Benzinga Staff Writer

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July 12, 2021

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The Dark Side Of Cannabis Legalization And One Biotech Company’s Solution

Currently, patients who are admitted to the ER with cannabis intoxication have no other option but wait in the hospital until they become sober — taking up valuable resources and delaying other patients.

By Jacinta Sherris

As of July 2021, 18 states have legalized recreational marijuana while another 18 have legalized cannabis solely for medical purposes. Meanwhile, Florida, Connecticut and Hawaii all have introduced legislation supporting legalization.

As cannabis becomes decriminalized across the country, one of the unintended consequences is an increase in use and, inevitably, an increase in cannabis intoxication.

Have You Seen The New Ad Linking Marijuana And Satanic Cults? — Photo by Javi Julio Photography/Getty Images

Cannabis-associated emergency department visits have gone up by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% since the first states legalized the substance in 2012. Estimates suggest that more than 1.7 million emergency room visits in 2018 were associated with THC. Trends of adults and children accidentally consuming high concentrations of THC and synthetic THC are likely to persist.

Public discourse around the symptoms of cannabis intoxication tend to be minimized, especially in comparison to other narcotics where overdoses frequently result in death. Nevertheless, cannabis intoxication can be incredibly distressing. Symptoms include extreme anxiety, panic attacks, psychotic reactions, uncontrollable shaking or even seizures. Synthetic cannabis symptoms are more severe.

According to emergency room physicians, patients can’t wait for an antidote and neither can doctors, but unfortunately, the market has lacked an efficient solution for cannabis intoxication.

Anebulo as a Treatment for Cannabis Intoxication

Anebulo Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ANEB) is a clinical stage biotech company whose lead product, ANEB-001, is a promising antidote for cannabis intoxication. Anebulo’s development is significant because there are currently no approved medical treatments for alleviating the symptoms of cannabis intoxication.

Instead, patients who head into the emergency room with cannabis intoxication have no other option but wait in the hospital until they become sober — taking up valuable resources and delaying other patients.

Anebulo’s solution is intended to work fast and alleviate the most distressing symptoms of overdose — especially those caused by accidental ingestion of edible products and synthetic marijuana.

The ANEB-001 treatment works by blocking the effects of THC at the brain’s CB1 receptor. In as little as 1 hour, patients could receive relief from anxiety, decreased psychosis, normalization of heartbeat and an overall decrease in feeling high.

How Companies Like Anebulo will Continue to Shape the Cannabis Industry

Much of the investment focus within the cannabis sector centers on production, distribution and retail cannabis brands. However, as nationwide legalization increases, so will cannabis-related emergency room visits and the need for a viable antidote.

While there’s not much that can be done to prevent cannabis intoxication, Anebulo’s solution offers the potential for fast, safe treatment that could help patients and people struggling with addiction as well as allow physicians to perform their work more effectively.

Anebulo is a publicly traded company based in Texas. You can learn more about Anebulo’s stock data, financial reports and investor relations here.

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

Colorado’s New Hemp Rules Suggest Wave Of Comprehensive State Regulations

Canna Law Blog

Nathalie Bougenies

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July 12, 2021

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Colorado’s New Hemp Rules Suggest Wave Of Comprehensive State Regulations

State regulators are helping legitimize the industry, build consumer confidence and expand this promising market.

While the Food and Drug Administration (the FDA) continues to drag its feet in forging a legal path for the manufacture, sale, and distribution of hemp-derived products, state regulators are keeping up with the demands of this evolving market and adopting increasingly more nuanced and more sophisticated regulations for these products.

Several states, including Oregon and Colorado, first established hemp regulations in 2015, following the enactment of the 2014 Farm Bill. Though fairly comprehensive at the time, these regulations quickly became too broad to adequately regulate the wide range of product categories that eventually emerged on the market. To address this issue, these states have had to amend their regulations frequently to keep up with industry.

Will New York’s Cannabis Law Create Sweeping Changes For Its Hemp Industry? — Photo by Remedy Pics via Unsplash

Earlier this year, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (the CDPHE) adopted a new set of rules that recently went into effect (the labeling requirements as well as some of the testing requirements went into effect on July 1) and now constitute one of the most comprehensive regulatory frameworks in the country.

Many of the CDPHE’s newly adopted rules address issues that have become hugely important to the industry but have yet to be addressed by state regulators – and the FDA. Some of these issues are outlined below.

Nomenclature

The CDPHE regulations authorize the sale of hemp-derived foods, dietary supplements and cosmetics provided these products contain ingredients derived from an “approved source.” The term “approved source” includes CDPHE registered manufacturers and wholesalers but also out-of-state products that come from states and countries that regulate these products to ensure their safety for human consumption. By adopting a broad definition of the term “approved source”, the CDPHE acknowledged that many hemp-derived products sold in the state come from other jurisdictions and that there is a need to regulate, even if partially, these products.

The regulations also define terms like “broad spectrum”, “cannabinoids”, “full spectrum”, “industrial hemp extract” and “unfinished industrial hemp products”, showing the need to clearly identify but also differentiate the wide range of hemp-infused products now available in the U.S. and to tailor regulations to fit the specificities and intricacies of each product category.

Processing and Manufacturing

State manufacturers and processors must be registered with the CDPHE and must meet specific manufacturing requirements, such as establishing a very detailed, written recall plan, in accordance with federal law.

Testing

In addition to testing the products for conforming levels of THC and total THC, the CDPHE is requiring that as of August 1, hemp-infused products manufactured in the state be tested for over 100 pesticides, microbials, heavy metals and residual solvents to ensure they are safe for human consumption.

Labeling

The new regulations mandate that the product labels comply with the general labeling requirements imposed under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, including the identification of allergens for foods and dietary supplements, and, whenever necessary, of warning statements to prevent a health hazard that may be associated with a cosmetic product. Upon the adoption of these new rules, the CDPHE also published very detailed labeling guidelines for each products category it regulates: Foods, dietary supplements, and cosmetics.

New York’s Proposed Hemp Products Rules: A Model for the Industry — Photo by Iryna Veklich/Getty Images

Other notable labeling requirements include: (1) identifying each isolated cannabinoid as an ingredient and their concentration in milligrams; (2) listing the levels of THC per serving and total THC per finished product package; and (3) incorporating a code or numbering system that identifies the date and location of manufacturing and packaging so the products can easily be tracked in the event of a recall.

Transportation

The CDPHE is also imposing transportation requirements, mandating that unfinished and finished hemp products be packaged and transported in a manner where they will be protected from adulteration, allergen cross-contact, environmental contamination, and any other hazards.

If you follow this blog, you may have noticed that the CDPHE’s regulations mirror many of the proposed regulations released by the New York Department of Health in October 2020, which, back then, we had described as “the most comprehensive” set of regulations to date. You can read more on this issue here and here.

What these newly adopted regulations and proposed regulations suggest is that state regulators are anticipating upcoming federal regulations and proactively aligning their requirements with those already imposed by federal law.

Moreover, by adopting high-quality testing standards and mandating more transparency and accuracy in the labeling and marketing of these products, state regulators are helping legitimize the industry, build consumer confidence and expand this promising market. Now all we can hope for is that the leadership of these states will inspire the FDA to finally serve its administrative functions, enable the industry to follow its course and succeed.

Nathalie Bougenies is an attorney at Harris Bricken. This article was originally published on the Canna Law Blog and is reposted with permission.

5 Great Podcasts For Traveling

Culture

Maria Loreto

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July 11, 2021

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Podcasts are essential for long trips. Here are some great ones for all sorts of travel.

If there’s one thing many of us are looking forward is traveling comfortably. You know, without worrying about long lines, delays or long searches an airline ticket that doesn’t cost double what it should. While every person goes at their own pace in terms of what they’re comfortable with, it’s always nice to have a distraction. There’s nothing better than something entertaining and engrossing, like a great podcast.

Podcasts make great travel companions for a variety of reasons. They lend themselves to road trips and flights, don’t require good eyesight or a stable connection if you download them ahead of time. Here are 5 great podcasts for traveling:

Las Culturistas

Hosted by Matt Rogers and SNL’s MVP Bowen Yang, Las Culturistas is a hilarious podcast about two funny people talking about culture and why we care so much about it. Every episode features new guests that connect to something current that is going on, taking the time to reminisce about what made them love culture in the first place.

Blood Ties

Fiction podcasts are going through a big moment right now, like having someone read to you but the person who’s reading has perfect diction and you also get an elaborate audio production. Blood Ties stars Gillian Jacobs, Josh Gad, and more, and tells the story of siblings Eleanore and Michael, who unexpectedly lose their parents in a plane crash. It gets way more complicated from there.

Haunted Places

If you’re a lover of spooky things, like a large percentage of podcasts listeners, then you’ll love Haunted Places. This podcast releases a new episode each week discussing a new haunted place and all of its history.

Imaginary Worlds

RELATED: 5 Hacks To Find Cheap Flights

Imaginary Worlds posts episodes twice a week, all about genres like fantasy and science-fiction. The host of the show, Eric Molinsky, has a talk with different novelists, screenwriters, cartoonists, video game designers, and more, all about creating fictional worlds.

Root of Evil

Root of Evil is one of those true crime podcasts that focuses on The Black Dahlia murder of the 1940’s. What sets it apart from the many other entries of that very crowded genre is that the podcast widens its scope, choosing to focus on the very charged history of the family of George Hodel, the man suspected with the original murder.

This Has To Happen Before The Feds Approve Ecstasy

Canna Law Blog

Ethan Minkin

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July 11, 2021

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This Has To Happen Before The Feds Approve Ecstasy

Will MDMA receive FDA approval? Time will tell, but the initial evidence is very promising.

Excitement abounds about the status of MDMA, otherwise known as Ecstasy. And for good reason. As noted in the New York Times:

…those who received MDMA during therapy [in clinical trials] experienced a significantly greater reduction in the severity of their symptoms compared with those who received therapy and an inactive placebo. Two months after treatment, 67 percent of participants in the MDMA group no longer qualified for a diagnosis of PTSD, compared with 32 percent in the placebo group.

That is very significant clinical evidence of the efficacy of MDMA.

MDMA And The FDA Approval Process — Photo by Image Source/Getty Images

Once relegated to the party scene, sponsors, scientists, and physicians are now testing MDMA for the treatment of certain disorders. As many know, MDMA is currently in clinical trials under an Investigational New Drug (“IND”) application that was filed with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”). The sponsor of this clinical trial is testing the efficacy of MDMA for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. MDMA is in Phase 3 of the clinical trials, and approval as a new drug is no longer just a hypothetical. Once it is demonstrated that MDMA is efficacious and safe for those suffering from PTSD, the FDA should approve MDMA.

RELATED: MDMA On Cusp Of FDA Approval

The FDA pre-market approval process is vigorous, demanding, and expensive. Very few IND applications ultimately receive FDA approval. To understand the demands placed on a sponsor of an IND, a review of the pre-clinical and clinical processes is instructive.

Prior to commencing clinical trials, an IND sponsor often performs pre-clinical tests in animals to look at the toxicity of the drug. Such tests can be either in vivo or in vitro. The studies are usually small and test for dosing regime and toxicity levels. If these preclinical tests show promise, then the sponsors move to clinical tests in humans.

According to the FDA (click here for more information from the FDA), the clinical trial process typically includes the following four phases:

Phase 1 – This phase typically lasts a couple of months and looks at safety and dosage issues. The typical study size is 20 to 100 participants that meet certain criteria established by the sponsor. Approximately 70% of drugs move from Phase 1 to Phase 2.

As a Phase 1 trial continues, sponsors and researchers answer research questions related to how the drug works in the body, the side effects associated with increased dosage, and early information about how effective the drug is to determine how best to administer the drug to limit risks and maximize possible benefits. This is important to the design of Phase 2 studies.

Phase 2 – Phase 2 studies can last anywhere from a couple of months to a few years. During this phase, the sponsor explores efficacy and the side effects from the drug. The study sample is larger in Phase 2 trial, with usually a couple hundred of participants involved. Approximately 33% of drugs move from Phase 2 to Phase 3. Thus, this phase of the clinical trials is more demanding than Phase 1.

Phase 3 – Phase 3 studies are the larger clinical trials, with any where from 300 to 3,000 study subjects involved. This phase is the final phase in the FDA pre-approval process. Phase 3 studies continue to test efficacy, as well as the monitoring of adverse reactions. Approximately 25% to 33% of drugs are approved in Phase 3. Thus, by this point, only 6% to 8% of the drugs from Phase 1 make it to FDA approval.

Phase 3 studies provide most of the safety data. In previous phases of clinical trial, it is possible that less common side effects might go undetected. Because Phase 3 studies are larger and longer in duration, the results are more likely to show long-term or rare side effects.

Phase 4 takes place after a drug has received FDA approval. This phase monitors safety and efficacy in thousands of patients.

The foregoing is a simplistic summary of the FDA clinical trial process — the actual process is extremely detailed and demanding. But not every new drug follows the above outline. For example, some new drugs have significantly smaller clinical trials, even in Phase 3. As long as the study results are statistically significant (i.e., the results can be extrapolated for the entirety of a population), the sample size is less important.

For MDMA to reach Phase 3, significant clinical evidence has been collected regarding safety, dosing and efficacy. This is no small feat. Any clinical trial requires significant expenditures. According to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, “[c]linical trials that support FDA approvals of new drugs have a median cost of $19 million….” Yet, a sufficient budget is just one of the many variables needed for the successful completion of clinical trials. Ultimately, efficacy and safety are the two hardest variables to control.

Will MDMA receive FDA approval? Time will tell, but the initial evidence is very promising. In the meantime, for related blog posts on MDMA, check out the following:

Ethan Minkin is an attorney at Harris Bricken. This article was originally published on the Canna Law Blog and is reposted with permission.

3 Rare Side Effects Associated With Marijuana Use

Cannabis

Maria Loreto

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July 11, 2021

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3 Rare Side Effects Associated With Marijuana Use

The side effects of marijuana tend to be predictable. There are some notable exceptions.

Marijuana side effects are usually low-key. While it’s common to cope with paranoid highs and the occasional bout of cottonmouth, side effects associated with the drug tend to pass quickly with some time or a nap. For a small group of people, rare cannabis side effects have made appearances. These can affect their lives for longer periods of time.

While they’re not at all common and need much further research in order to be wholly understood, severe side effects have been recorded. Here are three of them.

Psychosis

5 Normal Emotions To Feel Ahead Of The Election — Photo by Lily Banse via Unsplash

For people with a family history of psychotic disorders, cannabis could act as a trigger to a psychotic break. While studies have no way of confirming or showing if cannabis was the direct cause of these episodes, in European cities that sell high potency marijuana with over 10% of THC, cannabis users were more likely to have a first-time psychotic episode.

Nausea

A subset of frequent cannabis users has also experienced cannabis hyperemesis syndrome. This condition is rare and affects recurring cannabis users. While it hasn’t been all that researched, the condition tends to appear in people in their 30s and is characterized by nausea and vomiting.

According to reports from people who have struggled with this condition, it leaves them unable to smoke or consume marijuana without vomiting or experiencing nausea.

EVALI lung illness

How To Spot A Fake Vape Cartridge Before You Buy It — Photo by Clear Cannabis via Unsplash

The lung illness caused by vaping was widely reported during 2019. Officially called EVALL, the disease resulted in hospitalizations, lung injuries, and even death. After examining the contents of THC and nicotine vape pens, the vitamin E additive was declared as harmful for people’s lungs, causing shortness of breath and chronic coughing.

Is There A Difference Between Indica And Sativa Strains?

Cannabis

Maria Loreto

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July 10, 2021

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Is There A Difference Between Indica And Sativa Strains?

The terms indica and sativa were initially used to refer to the look of the cannabis plant. Here is what experts think of them today.

Some of the most popular terms within the cannabis world are indica and sativa. They are unavoidable when purchasing cannabis or when talking to someone who smokes weed regularly. As cannabis legitimizes across the country, industry experts have started to question the validity of these terms. Are they still relevant?

The terms indica and sativa are used to describe the effects of a particular strain of cannabis. Indica strains denote a more mellow experience, while sativas are meant to leave users energized and creative. For plant growers, the terms indica and sativa are meant to distinguish the way the plant looks. Indica leaves are broader, sativas are taller, with narrow leaves.

Why Are Marijuana Retailers Struggling To Keep Budtenders? — Photo by Heath Korvola/Getty Images

“‘Indica’ and ‘sativa’ were used to distinguish between cannabis varieties based on physical characteristics,” Jeff Chen, founder of UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, told Insider. “But at some point, popular culture began attaching distinctions in the effects from consumption of indica versus sativa, despite no evidence of this.”

While your budtender or friend may advocate for a particular strain, the reality is that it’s all dependent on the batch itself and on the effect it has on you. Depending on the type of cannabis, an indica strain might be more energizing than a sativa and vice versa.

Nowadays, the lines between sativas and indicas are incredibly blurred, to a degree where experts call these labels “meaningless.” Over the years, cannabis has been extensively crossbred, resulting in cannabis plants that have parts of both indica and sativa strains. Another influencing factor is the environment where the plant is grown; things like sunlight, temperature, and humidity are big contributors. The same strain might be different when grown in Colorado than when grown in California.

What Can Marijuana Strain Names Tell You About A Product? — Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels

No matter the genetics of the plant, cannabis interacts with our bodies in very complex ways. It’s why a friend might experience a completely different reaction from the same batch of cannabis as you do.

Contemporary data on cannabis shows how important terpenes are, which might provide better orientation when choosing a strain or marketing its effects. Not only are they responsible for providing taste and aroma, they also support and influence the effects of other cannabis compounds, playing an important part in cannabis’ entourage effect.

Cannabis remains mysterious and more research is needed in order to market it better and develop a better understanding of its effect on our bodies.

This World Renowned Pill Could Provide Relief For Period Cramps

Maria Loreto

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July 10, 2021

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This World Renowned Pill Could Provide Relief For Period Cramps

A very well-known little pill has been linked with significant period cramp relief. Why didn’t anyone tell women?

Periods are deeply misunderstood. Surrounded by myths and taboos, they vary widely from person to person, lasting for different lengths of time, intensity, and side effects. This misinformation results in a lot of problems for women of all ages, from having very painful periods to being very ignorant about what is going on within their own bodies.

One very famous pill would have been able to address some of the strongest period cramps, but this knowledge was never pursued by drugmakers.

This Pill Could Have Cured Period Cramps — Photo by Thought Catalog via Unsplash

Popular Science reports that Sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra, was introduced to the market in the late 90s. Curiously, the drug’s main effects were discovered by accident. The original drug trials were designed to treat conditions like hypertension and angina, also known as chest pains. Viagra affects the entire body, impacting erections, which evolved into the birth of a billion dollar industry.

RELATED: Can CBD Help With PMS?

A more recent drug trial pursued some of Viagra’s original effects in women. Published in 2015 and conducted by researchers from Penn University, researchers examined 25 female participants and split them up into two groups: one received Viagra and the other received a placebo. Per the study’s results, the patients who received Viagra experienced massive relief from period cramps within four hours.

While these results are amazing, it’s important to note that the medication was received vaginally, which might have minimized side effects and increased the medication’s effectiveness. The study was also conducted on a small amount of test subjects, meaning that these results might not translate to every type of period.

Menstruation and uteri in general remain deeply misunderstood. Conditions like endometriosis are often misdiagnosed and severe period cramps are deemed as untreatable, making women pass out, vomit or spend the entire day in bed. It’s surprising that Viagra, a drug that is so popular and wide spread, is rarely linked with the effects it provides in women. Apparently erections make more money.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Purple cannabis is an umbrella term for a growing family of strains that share a color as much as they share a distinct taste, smell and stony effect.

Origin of Purple Cannabis

What Is Purple Cannabis?

How Does It Compare?

Bottom Line

Gradually, people are becoming aware of the value cannabis offers, making it possible for countries and regions to accept and legalize cannabis.

Europe

Americans and the Caribbean

Middle East and Asia

Australia, New Zealand, and Africa

Bottom Line

The big uncertainty was whether New York’s local jurisdictions would embrace the cannabis industry. Riverhead voting against opting out is a very positive development.

Currently, patients who are admitted to the ER with cannabis intoxication have no other option but wait in the hospital until they become sober — taking up valuable resources and delaying other patients.

Anebulo as a Treatment for Cannabis Intoxication

How Companies Like Anebulo will Continue to Shape the Cannabis Industry

State regulators are helping legitimize the industry, build consumer confidence and expand this promising market.

Nomenclature

Processing and Manufacturing

Testing

Labeling

Transportation

Podcasts are essential for long trips. Here are some great ones for all sorts of travel.

Las Culturistas

Blood Ties

Haunted Places

Imaginary Worlds

Root of Evil

Will MDMA receive FDA approval? Time will tell, but the initial evidence is very promising.

The side effects of marijuana tend to be predictable. There are some notable exceptions.

Psychosis

Nausea

EVALI lung illness

The terms indica and sativa were initially used to refer to the look of the cannabis plant. Here is what experts think of them today.

A very well-known little pill has been linked with significant period cramp relief. Why didn’t anyone tell women?

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