Feds Set Standard Dose Of THC In Product Testing To 5mg — Why You Should Care

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May 21, 2021

Feds Set Standard Dose Of THC In Product Testing To 5mg — Why You Should Care

Cannabis is already on its way to being seen as a valuable alternative to prescription drugs. And having a standard dose is a critical step for drug approval.

Despite the fact that cannabis is a thriving billion-dollar business today, we still lack standardization when it comes to THC and CBD units.

This lack of standard dosing units makes it difficult for research and testing which can be applied to different units of administration. It’s easier said than done, because bioavailability and the methods of consumption affect how different people take to the cannabinoids.

However, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a federal health agency, just announced that that they’ve come up with a standard THC dose that will be used in all cannabis-related studies. They released the notice stating there is a “new requirement to measure and report results using a standard THC unit in all applicable human subjects’ research,” and these changes are valid immediately.

United States Focuses On Funding Negative Marijuana Research, Analysis Shows — Photo by naruecha jenthaisong/Getty Images

The standard THC dose is 5mg

NIDA made these announcements following the notorious inconsistencies in reporting THC efficacy, acknowledging that it “has been a major limitation in studies of cannabis use, making it difficult to compare findings among studies.” For this reason, a “standardized measure of THC in cannabis products is necessary to advance research by providing greater comparability across studies of both its adverse effects and potential medical uses.” They do note, that “the same quantity of THC may have different effects based on route of administration, other product constituents, an individual’s genetic make-up and metabolic factors, prior exposure to cannabis, and other factors.”

Having a standard dose will make it simpler to analyze THC-related cannabis studies, which has become a top priority for the NIDA as well as the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse. “It is not the intent of this Notice to prescribe the quantity of THC that is permissible for use in research projects. Indeed, investigators are free to use more or less than 5mg of THC as appropriate for their study. However, for applicable studies, investigators will be required to report the quantity of THC using the standard unit. Investigators may also report the quantity of THC in other units (e.g., milligrams) as appropriate,” reads the notice.

To come up with the standard unit, NIDA explained: “Extensive stakeholder input, including a Request for Information to the general public and consultation with experts in the field, led to the selection of 5mg as a standard unit.”

Terpenes And CBD Outperforming Steroids Against Covid-19 in early trials — Photo by krisanapong detraphiphat/Getty Images

Challenges of Standardization

The current landscape of cannabis products, as well as its popularity among a wide range of age groups in treating dozens of conditions, means that cannabis is already on its way to being seen as a valuable alternative to prescription drugs.

However, unlike prescription drugs, until today we still had not come up with a standardized THC dose, which can help pave the way for experts to better recommend a good effective dose. A 2019 study in the journal Addiction discussed the lack of scientific consensus on what entails a standard cannabis dose among different methods of administration and products.

Having a standard dose is a critical step for drug approval.

Currently, rug research starts in a laboratory as scientists work on various biological or chemical substances. These substances then undergo testing on human or animal tissues on a petri dish; if the first preclinical step proves to be successful, then more tests are conducted to determine the other impact of the drug on the physiological systems and for scientists to identify the right dosage that causes the various effects.

FDA Guidance On Cannabis Research- A Glimpse Of What’s To Come For CBD Products? — Photo by Larisa Shpineva/EyeEm/Getty Images

In determining dosage, the pharmacokinetics of a drug should be understood well; this refers to how the drug moves within the body. But if a substance is known to already be effective and safe, the drug manufacturer can apply to a regulatory board in order to do clinical trials. The reason why there are so many phases involved in clinical trials is that researchers seek to gather more information on how safe and effective a drug is as well as pinpoint the correct dose.

Clinical research is required to generate findings that a drug has benefits that outweigh any known risks, and once this is successful, the drugs are approved.

But cannabis is still federally illegal even though its popularity is so widespread. For this reason, these traditional steps involved in clinical research are not used when it comes to cannabis and it has taken so long to come up with a standard dose for varying conditions. Even if the NIDA has been able to come up with a dose, this does not mean they are correct; anyone in the cannabis industry worth their salt can tell you that the NIDA has long been a foe and not a friend to the industry.

Is Enduring Justice For Medical Marijuana Coming Soon? — Photo by Esther Kelleter/EyeEm/Getty Images

Regardless, having some standard of measure for THC and CBD is going to help in advancing research and better understand many grey areas in how cannabis works in the body. The 2019 study recommends standard units for cannabis should be measured in milligrams as opposed to its concentration, and the authors recommended using 5mg of THC as a standard dose.

While the NIDA and many experts in the field always do start out with 5mg as a standard dose already, the authors said that this is still going to pose some problems when it comes to the bioavailability of the drug when consumed in various methods.

The irony is that we still need lots more research to determine proper standardization because while 5mg of THC is a starting point, we all know that cannabis is not a one-size fits-all solution. There’s no way we can take back how far we’ve come as an industry, and moving forward will require some baby steps in terms of research.

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

What Is The Timeline For Cannabis Sales In New York

Daniel Shortt

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May 21, 2021

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What Is The Timeline For Cannabis Sales In New York

The first harvest could make its way into licensed retail stores and allow for the first adult-use cannabis sales to occur in September 2022.

New York Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes estimates that the first legal sales will begin between 18 months and two years after the signing of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), which occurred on March 31, 2021. That means that the first legal sales would start between September 2022 and March 2023.

In order for those sales to happen, New York must first establish a regulated marketplace. That’s because under the MRTA, a license is required to produce, process, distribute, deliver, or sell cannabis. Those licenses will be issued by the Cannabis Control Board (the Board) with significant input from the Office of Cannabis Management (the Office).

Will New York Bungle Marijuana Legalization Again In 2021? — Photo by Alex Azabache from Pexels

The website for the Office launched on April 2. The next likely step for the Office will be the appointment of an executive director. The executive director will be nominated by the Governor with advice and consent from the state legislature. In addition, the five members of the Board must be selected. The MRTA provides that the Governor shall appoint three members, with New York Senate and Assembly each appointing one of the remaining two members. Peoples-Stokes estimates that the Board will be “set and running” before the legislative session ends in June 2021, according to a report from The City.

Once the positions on the Board and the Office are full, these regulators will need to establish robust rules under the MRTA, governing adult-use cannabis, medical cannabis, and hemp in the State of New York. This will include establishing an application process and rules establishing a criteria for granting licenses.

The New York State Administrative Procedures Act requires that government agencies notify the public sixty days before adding, amending, or repealing rules. Agencies must also provide 60 days notice before holding a public hearing on a proposed rule. These time periods are called “notice and comment” periods and, as the name suggests, they are required so that the public can provide comment on proposed government regulations.

Assuming that New York cannabis regulators are appointed in June and issue proposed rules that same month, the earliest possible date for the first public hearings will be in August 2021. If that happens, then it will likely be another two months before final rules are issued in October 2021.

How New York Just Became The Newest Global Destination For Cannabis Tourism — Photo by Joshua Earle via Unsplash

Rule making will likely occur on a rolling basis, meaning that proposed rules on one topic will likely be issued while other proposed rules are pending or after other rules are finalized. It is likely that New York cannabis regulators will prioritize rules and policies regarding license applications because at the minimum, in order for legal sales to occur under the MRTA, licenses must be issued first.

Infographic NY Timeline 1100

BOTTOM LINE

Assuming that Peoples-Stokes is correct in her estimate regarding Board appointments, and assuming that regulators do in fact start rule-making with a focus on applications, the Board is likely to start accepting applications sometime in late 2021 or early 2022. That would give the Board the ability to start issuing licenses in 2022, which, in theory, could allow licensed growers to start planting in Spring of 2022 for a harvest in Fall 2022. That first harvest could make its way into licensed retail stores and allow for the first adult-use cannabis sales to occur in September 2022, 18 months from the signing of MRTA.

Daniel Shortt is a corporate and regulatory attorney based in Seattle, Washington who works extensively with entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry. You can contact him at info@gl-lg.com or (206) 430-1336.

This article originally appeared on Green Light Law Group and has been reposted with permission.

Marijuana Legalization Makes Black Market Weed Cheaper, Heroin More Expensive

Mike Adams

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May 21, 2021

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Marijuana Legalization Makes Black Market Weed Cheaper, Heroin More Expensive

A new study found that marijuana legalization is creating less demand for black market weed and therefore driving down the prices.

When states first began to “experiment” with the legalization of marijuana, lawmakers, state officials, and everyone else, for that matter, were eager to see how selling legal weed would pan out.

On the one hand, naysayers wanted to judge whether the socioeconomic cost of legalization was worth the tax dollars the market would surely drive into state and local coffers. At the same time, advocates stood waiting for a “told ya so” moment, when they could show the nation that a legitimate pot market would not lead to a drug-addled society. Years later, the results have been mixed.

Will We Finally Have Free Trade For Marijuana After Legalization? — Photo by Aleksandr_Kravtsov/GettyImages

However, a new study in the journal Addiction attempts to shine some light on the legalization of recreational marijuana. More specifically, it shows what can be expected to happen with illicit drug markets in states that pass recreational marijuana laws, and it is interesting, to say the least.

For starters, fully legal marijuana, subject to state regulations and taxes, appears to make black market pot products more affordable. Researchers found a 9.2% drop in the price of street weed in places with recreational marijuana laws on the books. In some cases, lower quality bud experienced a price decrease of 19.5%. The “prediction,” as the study calls it, is that marijuana legalization is creating less demand for black market weed and therefore driving down the prices.

Still, real life tells us that legalization is fueling the black market in a lot of ways. This is especially true in states like California, where illicit pot operations still outnumber the legal ones. The legitimate market has also increased black market dealings across state lines. Law enforcement in prohibition states continue to report more increases in marijuana seizures all the time.

By their own admission, cannabis advocates say the black market will not die — at least not until legalization becomes more widespread.

“You’re never going to eliminate [the illicit market] until most of the states are legal,” Adam Smith of the Oregon-based Craft Cannabis Alliance told Politico back in 2019. “As long as half the country still can’t get it legally, there’s a market for it illegally.”

Another implication of the study is that the price drop is connected to the increase in domestically grown cannabis, which has drastically reduced the need for criminal organizations to smuggle it from foreign lands. Yet, increased domestic production does not necessarily mean that criminal organizations have opted out of marijuana, although researchers believe that could happen eventually. It only suggests that pot production and distribution are now more logistically sound on US soil. As Smith pointed out, there is still a market for illegal cannabis in most of the country. Criminal cannabis producers (and yes, that includes cartel operations) aren’t going anywhere.

Federal marijuana legalization would help. Although it would not force prohibition states to change their pot laws, it would make it easier for them to do so. As we’ve learned from watching the downfall of alcohol prohibition, it could take some time before every state falls in line.

The trick is getting pot consumers to frequent the legal market rather than buy it from illegal sources. A recent report from the Nevada Appeal shows that the black market still produces $20 million in tax-free revenue in the southern portion of the Silver State. On a positive note, busts on illegal grow operations are down significantly. Las Vegas Metro reportedly took down 11 black market grow ops in 2020, compared to 111 in 2013.

Some believe the key to throwing a wrench in the illicit pot market is keeping taxes low. In New York, which is approximately 18 months from launching its new recreational marijuana scene, cannabis advocates feel the tax rate will be low enough to prevent the black market from running strong. Still, illegal weed slingers say they will press on.

Oddly enough, researchers found that marijuana legalization seems to affect the heroin market, as well. The data shows the smack being sold on the streets in legal marijuana states is 54% stronger than in areas of prohibition. Of course, the potency boost has driven the prices up by 64%. However, the prices of other hard drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine haven’t experience a similar increase. Just heroin.

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

All in all, researchers aren’t sure what legal weed has to do with heroin, but they believe there is a strong correlation, and they are eager to learn more.

“Our exploratory findings suggest that markets for illegal drugs may not be independent of legal cannabis market regulation,” lead author Dr. Angélica Meinhofer said in a statement. “As more states move towards legalization and additional post-RCL implementation data become available, we’ll need to do more research to determine whether recreational cannabis laws cause those changes in the illegal market and what happens in the long-term.”

TikTok Also Wants To Be A Job Search App

Maria Loreto

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May 20, 2021

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TikTok Also Wants To Be A Job Search App

TikTok is working on a job search feature. This is what we know about the popular app’s new expansion.

TikTok has steadily taken control of our lives. It’s an inescapable app, one that’s cemented itself throughout the pandemic and that is now planning to get involved with job searches.

According to Axios, TikTok is developing and testing a tool designed for brands who are interested in recruiting entry level employees. The plan is for TikTok to connect people to jobs while also creating channels for brands to get to know them in a different light. According to the report, big brands have been contacted, including sports leagues.

RELATED: TikTok Is Filled With Mental Health Advice — Here’s Why You Should Be Wary

While you might be thinking about how weird it’d be to apply to jobs via dance challenges, the report explains that the job search app wouldn’t be held within the TikTok app. Instead, the job board could be accessed through the app, which would then take you to a separate web page.

The TikTok job section would revolve around videos. Users would likely be able to post a TikTok video resume in lieu of a traditional one, allowing them to stand out in ways that are unique and personalized. It seems like an idea that targets Gen Z and Millennials, hoping to grow up with a demographic that’s now or will soon be entering the job market.

RELATED: Why CBD Companies Are Sprung On TikTok

TikTok hasn’t made any comments on this new feature, but it isn’t the first social media app to get involved with job searches. Facebook has its own job service and LinkedIn is meant to look very much like Facebook, having social media aspects to it. Goldi is another website that allows for video resumes, giving users the chance to be more creative when applying for a job.

Why States And DEA Want Delta-8 Weed Banned

Griffen Thorne

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May 20, 2021

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Why States And DEA Want Delta-8 Weed Banned

There’s no way states were going to just sit back and let people sell delta-8 without restrictions.

Delta-8 THC had a good run. People made money, customers were happy, and it all seemed legal to boot. Like all good things in life, states and the DEA are doing everything in their power to ensure that delta-8’s run comes to an end. Here is why states and the DEA want Delta-8 weed banned.

For those of you who may not have been paying attention, delta-8 is one of many, many cannabinoids in cannabis (marijuana and hemp) plants. Unlike CBD, it gets you high. It’s not usually present in high volume in cannabis, so it’s usually derived by converting hemp CBD through chemical processes, and can’t be legally derived from marijuana under federal law.

State Governments Are Starting To Ban Delta-8 THC — Photo by Christina Winter via Unsplash

In theory (or, more accurately, according to the literal text of the federal 2018 Farm Bill, if you care about little details like “what the actual law is”) hemp-derived delta-8 THC should be considered legal under present federal law. But the DEA apparently didn’t get that memo.

Late last year, the DEA issued an interim final rule (IFR) that says that all synthetic cannabinoids are Schedule I narcotics and illegal. Never mind that delta-8 is most commonly derived from a hemp plant and that the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and its derivatives because, well, the DEA apparently thinks it’s as dangerous as heroin. We wrote quite a bit on why the DEA was just wrong around the time the IFR was published, and generally stand by that opinion. See the below:

Surprisingly, the DEA didn’t see eye to eye with the entire industry. It even put delta-8 on its “Orange Book” of controlled substances. I won’t get into too much more detail on the status of federal delta-8 law, as my colleague Nathalie Bougenies recently did just that a few months back.

That said, I will note that there are a number of lawsuits challenging the IFR. One of those cases was recently dismissed based on essentially technical legal issues, and there is another challenge in a federal appellate course that will play out soon.

The problem here is that even if the IFR is completely overturned, it really won’t matter given that states are apparently in a secret contest to ban delta-8 as fast as they can. On May 18, Hemp Industry Daily published an article noting that Michigan was in the process of banning delta-8 and noted at the end that this was the TWELFTH state to do this–including uber hemp friendly states like Colorado and Kentucky. I can already sense the California Department of Public Health itching to post another website FAQ banning delta-8.

RELATED: Demand Is Booming For Delta-8

As lawyers are valiantly duking it out with the DEA in the D.C. Circuit, one has to ask: will it really do anything? If states ban delta-8, it doesn’t really matter if the IFR is scrapped. To the extent that states’ positions are based on the IFR, the state can always just find another justification to ban delta-8. And the DEA can always just find another way to sink it’s teeth into delta-8.

New LA Cafe Sells $59 CBD-Infused Shake — Photo by Uriel Sinai/Stringer/Getty Images

How did we get here? Why all the fuss? The answer is probably the fact that delta-8 is intoxicating. While it’s not intoxicating to the same extent as delta-9 THC, it still gets you high. As I’ve believed for a while, there’s no way states were going to just sit back and let people sell delta-8 without restrictions. Delta-8 is often sold online or in retail settings where there is no state or federal mandate to verify age, for example. This was not something that states would tolerate for long.

While I personally expected to see states start to impose regulatory restrictions instead of full on bans, here we are. It seems like every day, another state or two has banned delta-8. Just last year, we thought smokable hemp would be banned almost across the board, and those bans moved at a glacial pace compared to the light-speed effort states are taking to get rid of delta-8.

At this point, things are not looking good for the industry, and will likely get a lot worse before they get better (if they do). It’s certainly possible that once the air clears or the DEA loses, states will try to fill the vacuum by strictly regulating delta-8. But for now, we’ll just have to watch out to see which state jumps on the ban-wagon next.

Griffen Thorne is an attorney at Harris Bricken, a law firm with lawyers in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Barcelona, and Beijing. This story was originally published on the Canna Law Blog and has been reposted with permission.

Should Budtenders Be Required To Educate Public Over Health Effects Of Cannabis?

Mike Adams

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May 20, 2021

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Should Budtenders Be Required To Educate Public Over Health Effects Of Cannabis?

Researchers at the University of Washington found that while budtenders were good about educating their customers over the benefits of weed, they didn’t warn them about all the evils that could arise.

Step inside any marijuana dispensary across the United States, and you’ll be greeted by a crew of dedicated budtenders whose job is to sell you weed. The transaction might be similar to other retail experiences you’ve had over the years. They’ll see if they can help you find anything specific. If you’re not sure what you want, the budtender might even ask you some questions and then make some recommendations based on your response.

That’s one thing the cannabis industry has attempted over the years: To make the experience of buying legal weed kind of like walking into a pharmacy with a runny nose and asking which cold medication is suitable for that symptom. But, for the most part, marijuana isn’t on track to become medicine. It’s more on par with the likes of alcohol, an inebriant sold to adults 21 and over in both good times and bad. Americans no longer need a medical reason to smoke marijuana these days. They can do it just because it’s fun.

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

Perhaps this was the industry’s first mistake — making cannabis all about medicine. But that’s what advocates do, according to a recent report from Bloomberg. “First, they claim medical benefit. Then they push for broader reform.” The news source isn’t wrong.

Cannabis advocates have spent decades trying to convince the population that marijuana can treat and/or cure various conditions. But there is still little evidence proving that cannabis has widespread therapeutic value. The plant certainly isn’t in line to take the reins as the be-all, end-all drug for today’s civil society. Still, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be legal for adult Americans to play with.

Marijuana is an intoxicating drug that 91% of the American population now believe should be legal. However, there are still plenty of naysayers out there who think increased access will only sabotage public health. They are concerned that there will be an influx of disease and mental health issues as legalization spreads nationwide. Therefore, groups skittish about legal pot feel it is the responsibility of dispensaries in legal states to ensure that people understand what they are getting into.

But should budtenders really be preaching to cannabis customers about the perils of pot? A new study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs suggests that they should.

Researchers at the University of Washington found that while budtenders were good about educating their customers over the benefits of weed, they didn’t warn them about all the evils that could arise. The report shows that most budtenders stopped short of explaining the potential hazards of marijuana products to customers, mostly because they didn’t feel it was their place to do so. “Budtenders did not believe their job involved discussing use during pregnancy or while driving or safe storage. They prioritized customers’ autonomy over education on these topics, and they did not necessarily consider these behaviors to be harmful,” the report states.

Cannabis industry warriors argue that’s because the drug is more about profit than the health of the American public.

Legalization is a lot of things.

One thing it’s not is oriented to public health. https://t.co/lr8Hbv5J75

— Kevin Sabet (@KevinSabet) May 12, 2021

“Legalization is a lot of things,” Tweeted Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM). “One thing it’s not is oriented to public health.”

But is this really a fair assessment of what’s happening out there with legal weed? Probably not. After all, adults who buy alcohol and cigarettes are not given the third degree by clerks at convenience stores and liquor outlets about how those products can cause cancer, liver damage, and car crashes. If they did, those people would likely be fired.

More Legal Marijuana Equals Less Crime? Not So Fast — Photo by nattrass/Getty Images

Everyone who uses these products understands that they aren’t necessarily good for them, but it’s their freedom as tax-paying adults to smoke and drink however they see fit. Marijuana is not any different. The only thing that creates an illusionary distinction is that the cannabis industry has spent so much time touting weed’s medicinal benefits that dispensaries are often seen more like pharmacies than liquor stores.

And while some pot shops are designed to give off that “medical” vibe, they are still just selling marijuana. Not even pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, both of which sell alcohol and cigarettes, make it a point to advise customers over the detriments of those products. Adults are responsible for their own education. Budtenders should no more be explaining the hazards of getting high than they should be providing medical advice.

Marijuana Prohibition Cost The US $53 Billion Annually

Terry Hacienda

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May 20, 2021

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Marijuana Prohibition Cost The US $53 Billion Annually

Prohibition is doing nothing but using up public resources such as the police, who end up wasting time arresting cannabis offenders.

There are many reasons why we should end prohibition. Perhaps next to better access for those who need it, ending marijuana prohibition is going to benefit the economy greatly. But now marijuana prohibition cost the US $53 billion annually, it is a whole different game.

A shocking report published on AmericanMarijuana.org revealed that as a country, we’re losing $53 billion each year from prohibiting cannabis. The main reasons why it’s sending money down the drain is because the government instead chooses to spend money on cannabis enforcement as well as wasted tax revenues.

This substantial amount could go on to do many significant things for the population: treat the flu, fund treatment for COVID-19 patients, provide medical insurance for over 42 million Americans, buy a pack of alcohol sanitizers to every American, and so much more.

Did Marijuana Prohibition Cost Trump The Election? — Photo by FatCamera/Getty Images

Why else do we need to end marijuana prohibition ASAP?

First and foremost, it isn’t working.

What else can be said about prohibition but that it’s failed BIG time? So many Americans are already using cannabis that it’s considered mainstream. Prohibition is doing nothing but using up public resources such as the police, who end up wasting time arresting cannabis offenders. And speaking of offenders, the law sends millions of Americans to jail, affecting countless lives. Even then, being convicted will seriously affect one’s ability to get a job, obtain housing, food assistance, student loans, driver’s license, and so much more.All for what? A drug that has been proven to save lives.

Prohibition does the opposite: it ruins lives and even promotes violence. Just look at how alcohol prohibition caused violence especially because of the underground market that ends up thriving. Consumers as well as dealers are prone to assault when they cannot resolve disputes the right way.

What Is The Government Doing?

President Biden’s changing stance on cannabis legalization is well-known by now. In the past he was adamantly anti-drugs, but during his 2020 Democratic Party Platform he says they would “decriminalize marijuana use and reschedule it through executive action on the federal level. It would support legalization of medical marijuana, and believed states should be able to make their own decisions about recreational use.”

As the Democrats have control over the White House and Congress, it’s expected that Congress will soon take the issue of cannabis legalization seriously. “Ending the federal marijuana prohibition is necessary to right the wrongs of this failed War on Drugs and end decades of harm inflicted on communities of color across the country,” says Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, in a statement last February 2021.

However, last month, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki refused to disclose if Biden is going to sign or veto a bill that would legalize marijuana should it arrive on his desk. “The president supports leaving decisions regarding legalization for recreational use up to the states, rescheduling cannabis as a Schedule II drug so researchers can study its positive and negative impacts and, at the federal level, he supports decriminalizing marijuana use and automatically expunging any prior criminal records,” Psaki said. “He also supports legalizing medicinal marijuana so that’s his point of view on the issue.”

Will Biden Approve A Federal Cannabis Legalization Bill If It Reaches His Desk? — Photo by Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty Images

“The War on Drugs has too often been a war on people, particularly people of color,” said Schumer during a speech that day. “It makes no sense – it’s time for change. I believe the time has come to end the federal prohibition on marijuana in this country, and I’m working with Senators Booker and Wyden to do just that.”

Federal Drug Agency Agrees

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)’s director, Nora Volkow, agrees. She recently wrote an essay for the journal Health Affairs, making her case to stop incarcerating individuals for low-level drug crimes and instead consider this all as a major health crisis. Though she doesn’t blatantly say she supports decriminalization, in the essay she says that the current system is only causing disproportionate arrests targeted to people of color.

More than the message, it’s important to note the source: NIDA has long been notorious for their stance of supporting prohibition. However, their director seems firm that abusing drugs isn’t a crime.

“Drug use continues to be penalized, despite the fact that punishment does not ameliorate substance use disorders or related problems,” Volkow says. “Imprisonment, whether for drug or other offenses, actually leads to much higher risk of drug overdose upon release.”

“We have known for decades that addiction is a medical condition – a treatable brain disorder – not a character flaw or a form of social deviance,” she says. “Yet, despite, the overwhelming evidence supporting that position, drug addiction continues to be criminalized. The US must take a public health approach to drug addiction now, in the interest of both population well-being and health equity.”

could marijuana legalization unite a divided country — Photo by strelov/Getty Images

Volkow’s statements point toward harm reduction though Volkow doesn’t say outright that lawmakers should decriminalize cannabis. She does say that more research “is urgently needed to establish the effectiveness and impact of public health-based alternatives to criminalization, ranging from drug courts and other diversion programs to policies decriminalizing drug possession.”

From there, NIDA will be “redoubling its focus on vulnerabilities and progression of substance use and addiction in minority populations,” Volkow says. “We are exploring research partnerships with state and local agencies and private health systems to develop ways to eliminate systemic barriers to addiction care.”

Conclusion

If the government listens, and Congress takes action with the support of the President, decriminalizing cannabis shouldn’t be such a far-fetched pipe dream. With $53 billion out there at stake, taking decriminalization and ending prohibition should be taken more seriously than it is right now.

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

4 Reasons People Fear Going Back To The Office

Culture

Maria Loreto

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May 19, 2021

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4 Reasons People Fear Going Back To The Office

Every day, more and more companies are scheduling their return to the office. Here’s why some people fear going back.

It’s a stressful time. That long awaited moment that people were visualizing over a year ago, when a vaccine was easily accessible and life would be turning back to normal, has arrived with the baggage of a year of trauma. A return to the office is a big concern for a group of people who’ve adapted to remote work and wish for things to stay the same.

A recent study found that two thirds of American workers are feeling anxious about returning to their in person work settings. Reasons for this are varied, with people willing to take a pay cut in order to avoid going back to the office or even willing to resign from their jobs. While many are nervous and afraid over health concerns, a large percentage of people experienced a year of working from home convenience and are not willing to go back.

Here are 5 reasons people fear going back to the office:

Office work doesn’t allow for free time

How To Use Cleaning To Destress — Photo by Volha Flaxeco via Unsplash

“I’m not excited to go back to the office,” said Tracie Smith, an analyst who spoke to the New York Times. “My fear is that, given the opportunity, they’ll take all of it away and we’ll be back to 8 to 5 in the office again,” she said. “But the pandemic has shown that there are alternatives that work well.”

According to Smith, it took a pandemic for her to feel rested and like she could use her time wisely when in a break from work, allowing her to do laundry or to shop for groceries without feeling like she was wasting her precious free time. “I feel like a whole person. I am living an actual life every single day, instead of trying to cram it into a day-and-a-half on the weekend.”

The commute process is filled with anxiety

Here's How Face Masks Work And Why You Should Use Them — Photo by Ross Sneddon via Unsplash

Entering buildings doesn’t feel like it used to. Aside from wearing face masks, following social distancing guidelines and the over stickers indicating how to behave correctly and politely, hurdles like riding the subway or standing in a crowded elevator can add anxiety to an already stressful time. It’s a time consuming process that not everyone looks forward to.

People who are disabled or have an underlying condition are rightfully scared

Stress Vs. Burnout: What’s The Difference? — Photo by Christian Erfurt via Unsplash

The pandemic has been tough for everyone but it’s been especially rough for people who have a disability or underlying condition. Working from home gave this people much more comfort and opportunity, something that not a lot of people need or even think about. It also provided them with safety, not having to account for co-workers social lives and whether they cover their nose or not with their face masks.

Rebecca, a specialist in problem management who is disabled, spoke with The Huffington Post on why she’d rather stay working from home. “I wasn’t losing two hours a day to commute, plus two to three hours a day spent crashed out recovering from the work day,” she said. “I had energy, I developed a baking habit.”

Remote work has worked fine for a year. Why mess with it?

How To Improve Your Internet When Working From Home — Photo by Thought Catalog via Unsplash

Whether people are introverts or simply enjoy being able to do their laundry while on their lunch break, remote work has been a success for a large percentage of them.

“Spending all that time, effort and money and now having to go back to the pre-pandemic routine seems like it was all for naught,” said Jonas, a a Ph.D. student who spoke with HuffPo. “All the freedoms we enjoy in our home offices ― wearing whatever pants you like, structuring the day so it fits you better than the default 9-5, taking a quick half-hour nap if a work problem stresses you out ― that’s all about to go away.”

Legalizing MDMA For PTSD Treatment: How Close Are We?

Canna Law Blog

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May 19, 2021

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Legalizing MDMA For PTSD Treatment: How Close Are We?

Phase III testing is critically important for the legalization of prescription MDMA. In this phase, scientists evaluate how it compares to existing medications that treat PTSD such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil.

By Andrew Smith

Efforts by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) to legalize prescription MDMA (Ecstasy) appear to have passed a gigantic hurdle earlier this month: MDMA is on track to meet the testing requirements to be a legalized prescription drug, specifically intended to treat the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

After analyzing the preliminary results of the latest Phase III study of the effects of MDMA, scientists believe that MDMA represents a potential breakthrough in PTSD treatment. This is huge news because FDA has only approved a few antidepressants to treat PTSD, and about half of patients get no relief from those drugs.

MDMA On Cusp Of FDA Approval — Photo by portokalis/Getty Images

According to analysis by an FDA-coordinated independent data monitoring company (DMC) — which reviewed MAPS’ Phase III data after 60% of the subject completed the study — there is at least a 90% chance that the Phase III testing will yield statistically significant results once all participants have been treated. The results of the study were published last week in Nature Medicine, a prestigious trade journal.

So, how did the study work? Scientists used a randomized, placebo-controlled study with 90 participants suffering from severe PTSD. They found that MDMA significantly reduced PTSD symptoms and functional impairment. Specifically, 67% of patients improved enough to no longer satisfy the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and a third experienced complete remission. Furthermore, MDMA did not induce adverse events of abuse potential, suicidal idealization or attempts, or QT prolongation. Ultimately, the results of the study indicate that MDMA-assisted therapy is highly efficacious in those with severe PTSD, and that MDMA treatment is safe.

Phase III testing is critically important for the legalization of prescription MDMA. In this phase, scientists evaluate how MDMA compares to existing medications that treat PTSD such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil. Phase III is also a considerable step up from Phase I and Phase II; Phase I trials examine the safety of the drug but not the efficacy of the drug in humans, and Phase II trials study whether the drug actually treats PTSD in conjunction with talk therapy.

RELATED: MDMA On Cusp Of FDA Approval

The study results are a huge victory for Rick Doblin in particular, who has spent more than 30 years advocating for psychedelic drug use to treat emotional trauma (sometimes, Doblin refers jokingly to MAPS as “the world’s oldest start-up”). Founded by Doblin in 1986, MAPS is a nonprofit based in San Jose, California that is committed to attracting funding and seeing MDMA through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug approvals process. Since then, MAPS has guided MDMA through various regulatory obstacles and investors have contributed lots of money to study the efficacy of MDMA in treating PTSD. Just last August, MAPS announced that it had raised $30 million to complete this first Phase III MDMA study.

Legal MDMA-Assisted Therapy Is Likely Within Next Couple Years — Photo by Pornpak Khunatorn/Getty Images

MAPS is preparing for a sprint to the finish line, aiming for FDA approval in 2022 and drug commercialization in 2023. The biggest challenge between now and then for MAPS likely will be raising a few hundred million more to complete a second Phase III study, move into drug production, and train therapists around the world to administer treatment.

We have been following MAPS and predicting the success of this treatment regime for a while now, and we were excited to see these results and follow the progression of MDMA towards legalization. It could also pave the way for approvals of other psychedelic drugs in the FDA channel, as we’ve been covering on this blog for the past three years.

This article originally appeared on Canna Law Blog and has been reposted with permission.

Why Big Pharma Loves Synthetic Cannabinoids

Cannabis

Terry Hacienda

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May 19, 2021

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Why Big Pharma Loves Synthetic Cannabinoids

As more companies engage in scientific research to unravel the value of cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, Big Pharma is already exploring the possibilities with synthetic cannabinoids.

When you read “Big Pharma” and “cannabinoids” in one sentence, one thing is sure: cannabis is on the move again to solve serious medical issues. Big Pharma will only focus and work with a compound they view as valuable and deploy all mechanisms in their arsenal to ensure maximum utilization of such a component. Here is why Big Pharma loves synthetic cannabinoids.

What are synthetic cannabinoids?

Synthetic cannabinoids refer to molecules that bind to the same cannabinoids (THC and CBD) present in cannabis plants. They are likened to designer drugs sprayed on plant matter or smoked and may be ingested as a concentrated liquid in the UK and US. So why does Big Pharma prefer synthetic cannabinoids? First, let’s unravel the differences between “natural” and “synthetic’ cannabinoids.

Will Congress Boost Hemp Total THC Limit To 1%? — Photo by anankkml/Getty Images

The differences between natural and synthetic cannabinoids

Natural cannabinoids are derived and separated from natural sources such as the C. Sativa plant and other varieties of biological species. While the synthetic cannabinoids are created from scratch in a laboratory with the chemical synthesis process using chemical precursors.

Some people view synthetic cannabinoids as being of “low quality” compared to their natural counterparts. But Professor Edvinas Orentas, who works closely with Sanobiotec, maintains that the concept of “low quality” is not a property of either natural or synthetic cannabinoids.

He further explained that there are no differences between a synthetically produced cannabinoid and a natural one at the molecular level. Yes, there is a stigma around “synthetic” (he isn’t only affecting cannabinoids). Still, he believes that the best way to eradicate such stigma is to persistently educate the public about the values of synthetic cannabinoids, which Big Pharma is taking seriously.

The world currently thrives on technological innovations to support natural sources, and when natural cannabinoid is not obtainable, it can lead to scarcity of products. Hence the reason synthetic is gaining a lot of momentum.

The company Sanobiotec

To understand Big Pharma’s preference for synthetic cannabinoids, we need to refer to an established company leading the charge on this discovery. Sanobiotec focuses on developing a more comprehensive range of cannabinoid applications in the pharmaceutical and wellness sector.

They are interested in mainstream and rare cannabinoids, with a significant part of their work revolving around the combination of synthesis, natural extractions, and biosynthesis to produce high-quality products.

How Marijuana Helped Me Overcome My Addiction To Pain Pills — Photo by Matvevna via Pixabay

The company operates in the EU with excellent manufacturing practices, all in an analytics lab. They have discovered the valuable components of synthetic cannabinoids and the potentials it embodies and it will go all the way with this discovery

Sanobitec needs a cannabinoid they can access all year round, and synthetic cannabinoid offers this assurance, making it a highly rated preference. You can understand Big Pharma’s commitment to synthetic cannabinoids when you fully grasp its advantages.

Advantages/benefits of synthetic cannabinoids

Synthetic cannabinoids can be manufactured on a large scale, beginning with cheap and straightforward chemicals, which means labor and land-intensive plating stages are eradicated. Additionally, the quality and yield of the synthetic cannabinoid are more reproducible and aren’t subject to seasonal changes.

With natural cannabinoids, companies may have to wait until the plant is in bloom during its season before gaining access to the cannabinoid. However, since synthetic cannabinoid is created in the lab, they have access to it at any time.

RELATED: Is Synthetic CBD Legal?

More so, some natural cannabis plants are exposed to pesticides and toxic chemicals, which also negatively impacts the cannabinoid derived from such a plant. With synthetic cannabinoid, there is no worry or concern regarding pesticides or harmful chemicals because it is made inside the company’s safe facility.

Why Big Pharma prefers utilizing synthetic over natural cannabinoids

A small cannabis plant grower can choose to rely on the natural cannabinoid from plants because growers only require a small quantity. So they plant what they need, and even if the plant is not in season, they can wait for a while before planting again; this is on a small scale.

On the other hand, Big Pharma produces products on a large scale to reach millions of people and cannot afford to use an unreproducible cannabinoid. They will lose billions of dollars that should be made from sales if they don’t have access to the cannabinoid (which is the main ingredient in most of their cannabis-related products).

So synthetic cannabinoids are highly reproducible, making them an ideal and perfect choice for Big Pharma. The risk of biological contamination with synthetic cannabinoids is also at an all-time low when complete synthetic compounds are used.

CBD & THC Oils Are Popular But Most Cannabis Ends Up Going To Waste — Photo by AnuchaCheechang/Getty Images

Despite these advantages, it is pertinent to note that the exact strict quality control requirements are deployed with synthetic and natural cannabinoids. The companies analyze their compounds for the same molecules; therefore, the testing standards will be the same.

But the risk of contamination from pesticides is more likely to happen with natural cannabinoids. Contamination is of grave concern to Big Pharma who wants to ensure that all products are safe for consumers before releasing them into the market.

The process of getting rid of such impurities that cause contamination in cannabinoids is also too tasking compared to a zero-risk synthetic cannabinoid. As it is with every business, business owners will always go for the option that saves cost and still offers the promise of quality.

Big pharma is also concerned with sustainability and what works for them in the long run. Synthetic cannabinoids offer the stability they require to remain relevant in the market through the consistent production of highly sought-after products.

Bottom line

As more companies engage in scientific research to unravel the value of cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, Big Pharma is already exploring the possibilities with synthetic cannabinoids. While the natural cannabinoid remains a viable option, the synthetic cannabinoid is highly reproducible and desirable to Big Pharma.

Experts believe that the cannabis market is becoming saturated with some cannabinoids, especially CBD, and now it’s time to explore all of it through synthetic measures. As Big Pharma takes the lead, they are paving the way for other industries utilizing cannabinoids, such as skin care companies.

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

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Feds Set Standard Dose Of THC In Product Testing To 5mg — Why You Should Care

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The standard THC dose is 5mg

Challenges of Standardization

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BOTTOM LINE

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A new study found that marijuana legalization is creating less demand for black market weed and therefore driving down the prices.

Why States And DEA Want Delta-8 Weed Banned

There’s no way states were going to just sit back and let people sell delta-8 without restrictions.

Should Budtenders Be Required To Educate Public Over Health Effects Of Cannabis?

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Marijuana Prohibition Cost The US $53 Billion Annually

Prohibition is doing nothing but using up public resources such as the police, who end up wasting time arresting cannabis offenders.

What Is The Government Doing?

Federal Drug Agency Agrees

Conclusion

4 Reasons People Fear Going Back To The Office

Every day, more and more companies are scheduling their return to the office. Here’s why some people fear going back.

Office work doesn’t allow for free time

The commute process is filled with anxiety

People who are disabled or have an underlying condition are rightfully scared

Remote work has worked fine for a year. Why mess with it?

Legalizing MDMA For PTSD Treatment: How Close Are We?

Phase III testing is critically important for the legalization of prescription MDMA. In this phase, scientists evaluate how it compares to existing medications that treat PTSD such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil.

Why Big Pharma Loves Synthetic Cannabinoids

As more companies engage in scientific research to unravel the value of cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, Big Pharma is already exploring the possibilities with synthetic cannabinoids.

What are synthetic cannabinoids?

The differences between natural and synthetic cannabinoids

The company Sanobiotec

Advantages/benefits of synthetic cannabinoids

Why Big Pharma prefers utilizing synthetic over natural cannabinoids

Bottom line

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