Cannabis Industry Insiders Look Ahead To 2021

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December 17, 2020

Cannabis Industry Insiders Look Ahead To 2021

What can we expect from the cannabis industry in the new year? Insiders reveal their thoughts and predictions for 2021.

Most can agree that 2020 was a year we’d like to leave behind. Even for the ‘essential’ business of cannabis, it was a challenging year with store closures and social distancing in grow facilities. Here now are several leaders in the industry weighing in with their thoughts on 2021.

4Front Ventures

(CSE: FFNT) (OTCQX: FFNTF) a national multi-state cannabis operator and retailer, with a market advantage in mass-produced, low-cost quality branded cannabis products. 4Front manufactures and distributes a portfolio of over 25 cannabis brands including Marmas, Crystal Clear, Funky Monkey, Pebbles, and the Pure Ratios wellness collection, distributed through retail outlets and their chain of strategically positioned Mission branded dispensaries.

Expert: Kris Krane, President

Thoughts:

Cannabis is poised to be an even better market in 2021 for a variety of reasons. New states like New Jersey and Arizona that legalized this November are poised to come online for adult use for the first time. Newer markets like Illinois, Michigan, and Massachusetts are poised to expand and mature. A Biden administration is likely to be friendlier towards this industry than the current administration. But most importantly, the larger companies in the space are now focused on operations and execution, resulting in better overall performance, revenue, and EBITDA. I would expect that we will see more consolidation in 2021, as companies use some of their new profits to acquire businesses and market share.
2021 will likely see a continued focus on operations and execution, separating out the major players from those that were always built on hype and smoke and mirrors. We may see some name brands go under in 2021, but the cream will rise to the top and the likely eventual big winners in the market will start to emerge.

Legal Weed Is Making An Impact On The Billion Dollar Sleep Market — Photo by Cavan Images/Getty Images

Clever Leaves

A multi-national company with operations and investments in Canada, Colombia, Germany, Portugal, and the United States. The company is about to close a SPAC deal with Schulze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: SAMA) to becoming publicly traded on NASDAQ this month.

Spokesperson: Kyle Detwiler, CEO

Thoughts:

Expectations for the cannabis market in 2021: The market will increasingly perform well
- As the pandemic lingers, we still see the medical cannabis market performing well. The resilience, professionalism, and creativity in times of setback, have been critical to the success of our team to navigate complex regulatory frameworks and to maintain our customer’s and investor’s support. While a great deal of cannabis companies are still strapped for cash, we were able to raise the necessary capital to withstand the market headwinds in these extremely challenging times and we believe this will help us achieve our ultimate goal of transforming the cannabis supply chain on an international scale.
- With approximately $125 million raised to date, which includes institutional investors with a demonstrated track record in the cannabis sector, Clever Leaves has established significant competitive advantages and positioned itself to achieve global scale as we enter 2021 between its Colombian cultivation and extraction operations, its Portuguese cultivation facilities and its global distribution infrastructure in the EU, which is currently headquartered in Germany.
- With a low-cost operating model, significant asset base and solid leadership, investors believe our company is well-positioned for substantial revenue and is expected to achieve positive free cash flow by the fourth quarter of 2021.
Defining theme for the cannabis market in 2021: M&A will play a huge role
- M&A will be an ongoing theme as we enter the new year. As we are about to close our definitive agreement with Schultze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. (SAMA) we will become a NASDAQ-listed public company and that will be a significant opportunity for strategic acquisitions. Clever Leaves’ global sales and distribution capabilities can be meaningfully expanded through strategic decision-making and thoughtful capital deployment, including through disciplined M&A.
- Clever Leaves is expected to be one of a few cannabis companies listed on the NASDAQ thereby making this investment opportunity available to a substantially broader base of investors. Our business combination with SAMA will significantly strengthen our balance sheet and take us to the next level, enabling us to accelerate the commercialization of our high-quality products as well as expand our operations and distribution in attractive markets around the world.

How to Choose the Best Cannabis Strain — Photo by Add Weed via Unsplash

NewLake Capital

A cannabis real-estate investment vehicle that has tenants across the supply chain in the U.S. including cultivation, manufacturing, and retail. The company owns 20 properties across 8 states that are operated by experienced, well-capitalized medical and adult-use operators like Columbia Care, Trulieve, Curaleaf, and PharmaCann.

Spokesperson: Anthony Coniglio, CEO

Thoughts:

Expectations for the cannabis market in 2021:The Cannabis industry will continue maturing on all three fronts of financial performance, investor acceptance, and legalization.
- We believe the Cannabis industry will continue maturing on all three fronts of financial performance, investor acceptance, and legalization. Good 2020 financial performance will improve in 2021, more investors will support the industry and legislative action is only a matter of time.
- The election sealed the fate for the cannabis industry declaring it a clear winner in the years to come. This success at the ballot box is a strong catalyst for the cannabis industry. Each state with ballot initiatives has moved forward to legalize cannabis for medicinal or adult-use, further solidifying the inevitability of federal legalization and positioning the industry for sustainable long-term growth in 2021.
Defining theme for the cannabis market in 2021: Approval of Adult-use sales in New Jersey will create a domino effect in the Northeast
- We think approval of Adult-use sales in New Jersey will create a domino effect in the Northeast and result in over $1Billion of sales in NJ alone, during 2022. We think approval by NJ voters will be a catalyst for coordination with New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania creating an adult-use region with a population of nearly 45 million people.
- Significant investments in real estate and related infrastructure – Similar to adult-use in Illinois, we will see increased demand for retail, cultivation and manufacturing properties in New Jersey and the surrounding states We could see over 5million square feet of real estate reallocated to the cannabis industry in the coming years. NewLake is positioning to be a provider of choice for the real estate capital needs of the industry.
- Success at the ballot box will be another strong catalyst for the cannabis industry – Each state that legalizes cannabis for medicinal or adult-use, further solidifies the inevitability of federal legalization and positions the industry for sustainable long-term growth. Over the next three years, we expect meaningful expansion of existing medical programs, new adult-use markets, and new states to legalize medical-use and adult-use cannabis sales. By 2025, we expect legal sales in the US to exceed $35Billion.

How Long Does A Marijuana High Last? It Depends On A Few Factors — Photo by Shannon Fagan/Getty Images

The Valens Company

A global leader in the end-to-end development and manufacturing of innovative, cannabinoid-based products. Valens (OTC: VLNCF) is focused on being the partner of choice for leading Canadian and international cannabis brands by providing best-in-class, proprietary services including extraction, analytical testing, formulation and product development and custom manufacturing. Valens is the largest third-party extraction company in Canada.

Spokesperson: Everett Knight, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development & Capital Markets

Thoughts:

Cannabis 2.0 Products Will Dominate the Market in Canada with 3.0 Products Gaining Market Share: Similar to the US we will see 2.0 products take more market share and next generation products such as cannabis/CBD infused bath bombs, lip balms or CBD-infused honey will start to gain market share in 2021. We’ll also see an explosion of stores in Ontario and the beverage market in Quebec will gain massive steam compared to the rest of Canada because of the restrictions on other products.
The US Will See More Regulation: With many more legal markets in the States, the FDA will pass more regulations in 2021. The liability risks because of lack of regulations reminds regulators of the tobacco industry when it was unregulated in the past. Expect to see increased safety requirements and product recall processes instituted in the US market. US MSOs will have to transition to GMP and food safe regulations imposed on Canadian LPs.
International Market Expansion: A strong trend has emerged in the last couple of years across the world – medical legalization paves the way for adult-use – this will come through bigger and faster in 2021. Mexico and Israel are close to legalization. These markets will open up a landslide of opportunities for established companies in the US and Canada looking to capture global market share. Everyone has to remember the cannabis space is just getting started.

Why you didn't get the cannabis strain you think you did — Photo by Zummolo/Getty Images

Fotmer Life Sciences

A global cannabis cultivator and extractor and one of the world’s largest Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) and Uruguayan GMP certified cannabis exporters. Fotmer is the first fully licensed company in Uruguay producing top medical-grade cannabis flower (also known as Flos), Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), cannabis extracts and manufactured products for the international market.

Expert: Dr. Jordan Lewis (Latin America)

2021 will be the year companies pivot their focus to generating positive cash flow and exhibit a viable business model to investors. The market no longer rewards aggressive expansion but is now looking for material profitability. Companies who can articulate a near-term path to profitability will be able to witness an industry kick and have a higher probability of becoming highly profitable.
Watching the international markets develop at a rapid pace and to see cannabis normalized at an even greater pace than years prior.

o Brazil appears have also become an attractive market as more companies are able to introduce their products and as local pharmaceutical companies develop and register more products.

o Uruguay is gaining a new momentum as the government provides support to help develop and efficient industry, particularly in accelerating the export process. Uruguay’s latest milestones achieved by the industry have positioned the country as one of the largest exporters of dry flower in the world and a logistics hub.

o Recently ranked as the most attractive country to invest, Uruguay is synonymous with trust, transparency and economic resilience and is positioned hand in hand with the most developed nations

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report and has been reposted with permission.

How the Georgia Runoffs Could Shape Cannabis Reform

Andrew Ward

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December 17, 2020

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How the Georgia Runoffs Could Shape Cannabis Reform

Despite being mostly anti-cannabis reform, Georgia is likely to play a substantial role in the short-term future of cannabis legislation in America.

The balance of power remains up in the air on Capitol Hill. Which party ultimately gains power should determine how much of president-elect Biden’s agenda passes through Congress during the first two years of his term.

The Democrats are sure to hold power in the upcoming White House and the House of Representatives. However, two January 5 runoffs in Georgia will determine which party has the majority in the Senate.

The races’ results are expected to impact an array of Biden policy initiatives, including cannabis reform.

How Georgia’s Runoffs Could Impact The 117th Congress

The runoffs pit incumbent Republican David Perdue against John Ossoff, while the other race features another GOP incumbent, Kelly Loeffler, against Atlanta area pastor Raphael Warnock.

The Democrats need both races to secure a 50-50 share of the Senate, with Vice President-elect Harris serving as the tiebreaker. The Republicans will retain their hold of the Senate with a win in one or both races.

Despite being mostly anti-cannabis reform, Georgia is likely to play a substantial role in the short-term future of cannabis legislation in America.

The majority of the Senate is crucial, as GOP Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has made it clear that cannabis reform is not happening under his leadership.

Kevin M. Bell, a Washington, D.C.-based partner at Arnall Golden Gregory LLP said, “Unless both Senate seats in Georgia flip to the Democrats, [legislation] won’t go anywhere.”

Henry Baskerville, managing partner Fortis Law Partners, discussed the impact a flipped Senate should have on cannabis reform. Baskerville, who founded Fortis’ cannabis practice in 2017, said, “If Democrats ultimately take control by winning the two Senate runoff seats in Georgia, then the push for federal legalization should gain strong momentum.”

The managing partner said that the industry would expect rulings on legislation like the MORE Act and the SAFE Banking Act. He highlighted additional areas of concern, including proposed interim DEA rules on the criminalization of certain cannabinoids, as well as the USDA’s determination on THC testing in hemp.

While many sources predict a two-race win for either party, Reggie Snyder, an Atlanta-based litigation attorney and partner for the firm Taylor English, could see a split result.

Georgia On My Mind: The Future Of The MORE Act — Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

Syder noted the nearly 2% margin incumbent Perdue beat Ossoff by in November as an indicator. Meanwhile, Democrat candidate Warnock beat incumbent Loeffler by 7% in November. However, the latter race could tighten as Doug Collins, a Republican opponent in November who garnered 20% of the vote, is no longer pulling votes from Loeffler.

While saying he could see a split with Warnock and Perdue winning, Snyder noted several factors could impact the result, with showing up being the most important of them all. “It truly is dependent on turnout,” said Snyder. He added, “And by and large, people just don’t show up for these one-offs.”

Market Growth, Stalled Reform Expected Under A GOP-Held Senate

While most proponents in the cannabis space prefer a Democrat-held Senate, some acknowledge that the Republicans won’t end market optimism. However, with Sen. McConnell still in power, cannabis is unlikely to see progress on Capitol Hill.

Despite a possible continued lack of growth on the federal level, experts in the space expect cannabis to thrive. “If it continues to be led by Republicans, we are still optimistic about market growth, but we are not confident about a path to federal legalization,” said Cannapreneur Partners co-CEO Todd Sullivan.

Others, including Cresco Labs co-founder Joe Caltabiano, predict that market growth should continue, regardless of leadership. However, the outcome could bring its own drawbacks. He predicted that an outcome like this would leave operators in a further banking bind.

Said Caltabiano, “The industry will continue to advance and reform will eventually occur, but near-term growth will remain hobbled by lack of banking and 280E reform.”

Is Marijuana Really Legal Without The Freedom To Grow At Home?

Cannabis

Mike Adams

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December 17, 2020

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Is Marijuana Really Legal Without The Freedom To Grow At Home?

With other “legal” substances, free rein in terms of production is not always associated with a taxed and regulated system. In fact, it usually isn’t.

While more states across the U.S. have legalized marijuana for one reason or another, not all of them will have the same rules and regulations by the time they roll out their markets. One of the main points of contention that officials often run into when trying to put these scenes together is whether people should be allowed to grow their own weed at home for personal use.

Some lawmakers argue that home grows contribute to the black market, while others believe it disrupts the course of legal commerce and cheats local and state governments out of tax dollars.

Meanwhile, cannabis advocates complain that it isn’t really legalization without the freedom to grow their own. In some states where medical and recreational cannabis is legal, the rules allow adults to cultivate between 2-4 plants at home for personal use. In the early days, Colorado’s system made it easy for people to grow nearly 100 plants without getting into any trouble with the law. That rule has since changed. The state found that allowing home gardens that much flexibility did, in fact, provide a serious loophole that really only benefited criminal organizations.

In other states, however, although marijuana is legal to buy and sell, it’s still a crime to grow it at home. New Jersey, which just legalized in the 2020 election, is so dead set against people growing weed at home that they are fully prepared to put them in jail. And we’re not talking about a night or two in the county slammer. Anyone who grows 10 plants or more can be sentenced to 10-20 years in prison. Part of that sentence includes a mandatory minimum, so there is no chance of an offender entering into a plea agreement. Even growing smaller amounts at home would be considered a crime and treated with some rather harsh consequences.

But is banning home grow still considered legalization?

That depends on who you ask. To some, having the ability to step inside a cannabis dispensary, flash an ID, fork over some cash, and walk away with legal weed is enough progress to fall into the definition of legalization. It beats chasing down drug dealers. Others think that as long as the government has a foot on the neck of the average citizen — telling them that they can’t grow weed — there’s nothing legal about it. But if we look at other “legal” substances, free rein in terms of production is not always associated with a taxed and regulated system. In fact, it usually isn’t.

For example, alcohol was made legal once again in the United States back in 1933 following years of prohibition. But it wasn’t until 45 years later that the law was changed to allow people to brew their own beer and wine at home. President Jimmy Carter signed a law in 1978 legalizing homebrewing at the federal level. Until then, it was mostly done by bootleggers and later in specialized clubs. There are, however, still restrictions on homebrewing, and those rules vary from state to state. Some jurisdictions don’t allow beer over a certain ABV, and some restrict the amount that can be produced. In the eyes of the federal government, distilling spirits at home for personal use remains a crime. Still, most Americans would consider alcohol fully legal.

What about tobacco? Well, most adult citizens are perfectly content with getting their tobacco from retail outlets. But it is legal to grow at home for personal use. The production of tobacco is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Still, the rules do not restrict people from growing their own. And there are no quantity restrictions either, so Americans can plant fields of it if they want to. But selling or even trading homegrown tobacco for goods and services is a federal crime that comes with significant penalties. Some could even land a person in prison. Yet, most would say the product is fully legal.

Marijuana will get its time, eventually. It’s possible that federally taxed and regulated marijuana could get started in the United States like alcohol, and no home production would be allowed. Then again, the rules could borrow from states like Colorado and California and give people the freedom to cultivate small amounts for personal use. But that’s only if Big Marijuana doesn’t have a say in the matter.

Some cannabis companies argue that they cannot climb to profitability if people are allowed to grow weed at home. So it is possible, depending on which lobbying efforts sway lawmakers first, that we could see a time when home pot gardens are banned everywhere.

Hemp is a prime example of what is likely to come with respect to legality. Although this crop is legal to grow and sell at the federal level, regular citizens cannot cultivate it at home for any reason. Whether this concept falls in line with the term “legalization” well, that’s up to the individual to decide.

5 Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines Answered

Maria Loreto

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December 16, 2020

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5 Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines Answered

How long does immunity last? Can I still spread COVID? And other vaccine questions answered.

Everyone is talking about the COVID-19 vaccine. Now that the FDA approved its emergency distribution, people are asking themselves all sorts of questions for the moment we’ve been awaiting since the start of the pandemic.

While we know that the COVID-19 vaccine has gone through a human trial phase and is safe to use, there are dozens of questions we all have. While not all of them have answers, here are 5 of the most important COVID-19 questions experts have answers for.

How does the vaccine work?

Here's What It Feels Like To Get A COVID-19 Vaccine — Photo by Gustavo Fring via Pexels

The COVID-19 vaccine is different than previous vaccines that have been distributed in the United States. These shots will feel like your average flu shot, but you’ll have to get two shots instead of one, getting the first shot and then, about 3 weeks later, the second one. Some pharmacies are recommending that people download an app that will notify them when they need to get their second shot, that way they get the necessary dosage for immunization and their efforts aren’t lost.

How long does immunity last?

Here Are The Side Effects Of The COVID-19 Vaccine — Photo by cottonbro via Pexels

One of the main questions people have is how long the protection of the vaccine will last. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been pretty clear with their answer, explaining that it’s too early to know and that more time and research is necessary in order to provide an accurate response. “However, it’s encouraging that available data suggest that most people who recover from COVID-19 develop an immune response that provides at least some period of protection against reinfection — although we’re still learning how strong this protection is, and how long it lasts,” explained WHO.

What happens after you get the vaccine?

covid-19 vaccine — Photo by RF._.studio from Pexels

Once you get the vaccine, is the pandemic over? Will you be able to hang out with friends and not wear your mask in crowded spaces?

According to experts, if a large percentage of the population takes the vaccine then by mid 2021 people could be more lax with their distancing guidelines and precautionary measures. In the meantime, since no vaccines are 100% effective, people will still have to take care of themselves and each other until experts have a firm belief that we’ve acquired herd immunity.

Can you spread the coronavirus after you get your shot?

How To Stop Coughing So Hard From Marijuana Smoke — Photo by cottonbro via Pexels

While you’d think that a vaccine against a disease would prevent you from catching it and thus spreading it, the issue is a bit more complicated. While the vaccine should prevent the appearance of strong symptoms of COVID-19, there’s still no data out there that confirms that the disease can’t still be spread by those with their vaccinations, which is why it’s likely that people will continue to use masks and follow social distancing guidelines for a bit more than necessary.

Will you need another COVID-19 vaccine in the future?

It’s not known how long immunizations last, which means that there’s no way of knowing how often we’ll need shots.

“If we can come through the huge challenge of efficient, mass distribution and vaccination with a high level of uptake ― and none of these is a sure thing ― the next question will be some large scale monitoring to understand stability of immunity,” professor of immunology Daniel Altman told the Huffington Post. “This won’t be a simple one-size-fits-all answer. Durability may be different with: age, obesity, prior infection, genetics. So we need to keep checking. We’ll then know if we need to re-immunize at one year, two years, etc.”

Senator Mitch McConnell Congratulates Biden, But Will He Work With Him On Weed?

Mike Adams

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December 16, 2020

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Senator Mitch McConnell Congratulates Biden, But Will He Work With Him On Weed?

McConnell has said in the past that he has no plans to get behind legislation to change the federal cannabis laws.

The dust from the 2020 election is finally starting to settle, and more Republicans are beginning to recognize president-elect Joe Biden as the next leader of the free world. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is one of the latest to applaud Biden on his victory. In a recent speech from the Senate floor, the Kentucky Republican finally admitted that his politibro Donald Trump was out.

“Our country has officially a president-elect and a vice president-elect,” McConnell said on Tuesday. “The Electoral College has spoken. So today, I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden.”

But does McConnell’s acceptance of Biden as the new President of the United States mean that he will climb on board the Democratic starship and help the party further its political agenda next year? Does it mean that he will vacate his anti-marijuana attitude and become a steward of all highness as the new administration pushes ahead with cannabis reform?

Meh, probably not. While McConnell could meet the Biden Administration halfway on some crucial issues, we wouldn’t count on him getting too chummy when it comes to legalizing weed. McConnell has said in the past that he has no plans to get behind legislation to change the federal cannabis laws.

“I don’t have any plans to endorse the legalization of marijuana,” McConnell told the press in 2018.

And he hasn’t shown any signs of coming around.

Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill designed to legalize marijuana at the federal level. But McConnell slammed the Democrats for trying to legalize weed at a time when the country is in desperate need of COVID relief. He and other Republicans chastised the Democrats for wanting to establish a legal cannabis market when they should be putting cash in the pockets of individuals and businesses ravaged by the virus. Yet, McConnell failed to mention that he has shot down every COVID relief bill the Democrats have sent his way.

McConnell disapproved of Democrats including marijuana provisions in earlier coronavirus relief bills. In one, he complained that “the word ‘cannabis’ appears in the bill… more times than the word ‘job. He even went as far as to suggest that the Democrats were pushing “a totally unserious effort.” But it was serious. The idea is that marijuana legalization could help the country recover from the loss of jobs and economic decline while creating additional tax revenue.

Senate Republicans Balk At Democratic House Move To Legalize Marijuana — Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images

Nevertheless, President-elect Biden isn’t expected to get too wily about legalizing marijuana in 2021. The incoming administration will focus more on eliminating criminal penalties associated with pot possession and creating more research opportunities that would allow access to weed for medicinal use. It seems unlikely that McConnell, who is presently the gatekeeper to the upper chamber, will side with any of these issues. The word on the street is that he is still too busy trying to see the hemp industry to profitability to accept a competitive commodity like a fully-legal weed market.

Interestingly, McConnell’s hemp legalization efforts have made it more difficult for law enforcement agencies to bust marijuana offenders nationwide. It now takes expensive laboratory testing to determine what is weed and what is its non-intoxicating cousin. No, he didn’t plan for this to happen. It just did. So, don’t expect him to get too enthusiastic about passing a bill designed to impose less restrictive criminal penalties for America’s petty pot offenders. McConnell still receives lobbying money every year (more than $60K) from the privatized prison industry.

On the flip side, there’s still a chance that McConnell will not be a deciding factor on Capitol Hill next year. The Democrats still have a chance to dethrone the swamp captain in Georgia’s upcoming runoff elections. Democrats just need to secure those two seats, and McConnell is long gone. If that doesn’t happen, Republican leadership will likely stand in the way of cannabis legislation for the next several years. Unfortunately, McConnell’s public statement congratulating Biden on the presidency is more about appearances than it is indicative of political alignment.

Cirrhosis, Alcoholism, And Cannabis Treatment Options

Medical Marijuana

Karhlyle Fletcher

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December 16, 2020

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Cirrhosis, Alcoholism, And Cannabis Treatment Options

If cannabis can help people limit drinking — one of the main causes of cirrhosis — it is a big win.

For millions of Americans, and for people in general, cirrhosis is either a problem or a threat. The most common causes of this condition are hepatitis and chronic alcoholism, which are of great concern throughout the world. However, while cirrhosis may be irreversible, it is certainly treatable. Here is some information cirrhosis, alcoholism, and cannabis treatment options.

Post legalization, cannabis acts as a different substance. A November study on cirrhosis, published in the Annals of Hepatology, found that “cannabis use in patients with cirrhosis resulted in mixed outcomes regarding hospital admissions with hepatic decompensation. A trend towards decreased hospital utilization and mortality was noted in cannabis users after legalization.”

While perhaps legalization allows people to live more responsibly, more data suggests cannabis can help curtail cirrhosis by attacking root causes.

Research from the University of Victoria centered on a survey of 2102 medical patients in Canada found that “overall, 419 (44%) participants reported decreases in alcohol usage frequency over 30 days, 323 (34%) decreased the number of standard drinks they had per week, and 76 (8%) reported no alcohol use at all in the 30 days prior to the survey.”

With cirrhosis, prevention could be the best medication, so if cannabis can help people limit drinking — one of the main causes of cirrhosis — it is a big win.

The University of Victoria study went on to find that those below 55 who were drinking at higher rates and those who specifically started using medical cannabis to quit drinking enjoyed significantly greater odds for lowering alcohol use and quitting altogether.

boozy parents — Photo by Jetta Productions/Getty Images

Past Prevention and Pain Management, More Help from Hemp

While addressing one of the root causes of cirrhosis is important, additional treatment is needed for those who already have it. A proposed method of treatment has been to give patients antioxidants, as these compounds reduce oxidative stress by causing positive changes such as scavenging free radicals.

More November research found that hemp reduced the oxidation and lipolysis processes of stripped linseed oil.

The study concluded that “hemp inflorescences can be used as a source of natural antioxidants in vegetable oils and lipid products to retard their oxidation, especially those characterized by a high degree of unsaturation.”

Through preserving and providing antioxidants to helping limit alcohol consumption, cannabis has been proven to have potent potential in the fight against cirrhosis. The rising tide of legalization is poised to only help continue this healthy trend.

Coronavirus Spike Creates Risk For Cannabis MSOs

Benzinga Staff Writer

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December 16, 2020

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Coronavirus Spike Creates Risk For Cannabis MSOs

Large-scale dispensary shutdowns could completely derail the Biden-elect momentum from November, so MSO investors should continue to monitor the situation closely.

By Wayne Duggan

Cannabis stocks have made a big run since the U.S. election in November. However, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Pablo Zuanic says the spike in coronavirus cases has created significant near-term risk for multi-state operators (MSOs).

Shutdowns Imminent? The vaccine rollouts that began this week are good news for MSOs in the longer term, but most Americans will not get vaccinated until at least spring or summer of 2021. In the meantime, dispensaries could be at risk for state shutdowns, Zuanic says.

“At this stage, we would be concerned about new restrictions in NV and MA, and even PA and CO (less so in AZ and FL given Republican governors),” he wrote in a note.

Positive coronavirus test ratios are three times higher than the national average in Colorado, Pennsylvania and Nevada. He said trends are particularly troubling in Pennsylvania, where positive test ratios have spiked from 5% on Sept. 1 to 34% in mid-December.

Impacted Stocks: MSOs with exposure to Nevada include Acreage Holdings Inc. ACRHF 0.88%, Curaleaf Holdings Inc. CURLF 2.19% and Green Thumb Industries Inc. GTBIF 1.63%.

Zuanic has said Green Thumb, Cresco Labs Inc. CRLBF 0.7% and Curaleaf are among the MSOs with the most exposure to the Pennsylvania market.

Coronavirus-related dispensary shutdowns, such as the ones Massachusetts imposed back in April, could be devastating to local cannabis businesses. The good news for MSO investors is that most other states with legalized cannabis have coronavirus positive test ratios at or below the national average.

Dispensary Job Market Still Strong Despite Lockdowns — Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Stringer/Getty Images

Benzinga’s Take: Shares of MSOs have boomed since the election due to the passage of several state ballot measures and a victory for President-elect Joe Biden.

Large-scale dispensary shutdowns could completely derail that near-term momentum, so MSO investors should continue to monitor the situation closely.

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

This Is Dr. Fauci’s Biggest Fear Regarding The COVID-19 Vaccine

Maria Loreto

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December 15, 2020

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This Is Dr. Fauci’s Biggest Fear Regarding The COVID-19 Vaccine

Dr. Anthony Fauci warns that it’s very important for the majority of people in the U.S. to get vaccinated.

Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is out in the world there’s one major concern for Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. In an interview with The Daily Beast, he said that his biggest fear is that not enough people will get the vaccine.

Last week, the FDA gave emergency authorization for vaccines developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, allowing for doses to begin distribution across the U.S. Both vaccines are effective in preventing the development of COVID-19 infections with noticeable symptoms, hopefully reducing the amount of hospitalizations and the amount of deaths.

“If we can get a very high percentage of the United States population vaccinated with what is clearly a group of highly efficacious vaccines, we could have a major positive impact in turning around the dynamics of this outbreak,” said Dr. Fauci.

In a previous statement, Dr. Fauci said that we’d need at least 75% of the population to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in order to get herd immunity, which would reduce the spread in all communities and protect everyone, even those who haven’t received the vaccine. Still, it’s not known to what degree the vaccine can reduce the spread of the virus or how long this immunity is meant to last.

COVID-19 has been a heavily politicized topic, with people decrying the use of masks, safety measures and the closure of businesses. Now that the vaccine is available, there’s a large number of people who don’t trust science, who could choose not to get vaccinated due to fears of potential side effects or mistrust of the virus.

The speed in which the vaccine was developed has also caused some people to be wary of it. “The speed is related to the extraordinary scientific advances in platform technology from vaccines that allowed us to do things in months that would have formerly taken several years,” explained Dr. Fauci.

So if you have any doubts on whether or not to take the vaccine, try talking it out with a nurse or a doctor. While vaccinations are still not available to the majority of people, it seems like they are the straightest way back to normalcy.

Incorporating Marijuana When Combating Obesity

Nicole Skrobin

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December 15, 2020

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Incorporating Marijuana When Combating Obesity

There are various traditional treatment options that help combat obesity, however, cannabis and different cannabinoids like CBD and THCV have shown to be very useful.

Currently, being overweight and obese is categorized as the fifth leading risks for worldwide mortality. Annually, at least 2.8 million people die due to being overweight or obese. Unfortunately, being overweight or obese often plays havoc on one’s well-being and quality of life, especially due to the plethora of health risks and complications that can occur as a result of these diagnoses. So should you be incorporating marijuana when combating obesity?

Although millions of adults struggle with being overweight or obese, they’re not the only ones. Nowadays, millions of children are becoming overweight and obese at much younger ages. Specifically, in 2011, more than 40 million children younger than five years old were overweight. There are various traditional treatment options that help combat obesity, however, cannabis and different cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) have shown to be very useful.

What to Know About Obesity & The Complications It Can Cause

According to the World Health Organization, obesity has almost doubled over the last three decades. Then, in America, obesity has tripled in children since the 1970s, and it continues to increase. Based on report estimates by the Center for Disease Control & Prevention, one in five children of standard school-age are obese. Not only is this a dangerous diagnosis for young children but being obese will likely cause many health issues before the child becomes a teenager.

In general, obesity is much more than just being overweight. Obesity means that an individual’s body fat substantially surpasses the amount of body fat that’s considered healthy. Whereas, being overweight refers to a person who weighs more than the ideal weight for their age and height.

However, both terms are often defined as irregular amounts of disproportionate fat build-up that could negatively impact one’s health and state of being. Overall, being obese poses a higher risk of developing various disabilities, dying at early ages, and experiencing a poor quality of life.

Some health issues and negative complications that can occur from being obese include the following: depression, anxiety, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and the incapability of participating in different physical activities. There’s also a higher chance that obese individuals could be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, different forms of arthritis, ischemic heart disease, and various cardiovascular issues.

In the U.S. alone, it has been found that 37% of the adult population is obese, whereas, close to 8% are close to suffering from severe obesity. Therefore, it’s suggested to take this diagnosis seriously if one wants to prevent additional complications from occurring.

Main Causes of Widespread Obesity

After understanding the prevalence of obesity on a worldwide scale in addition to different complications that can occur from being obese, what are its causes? In most cases, the main cause of being obese consists of an energy imbalance regarding calorie intake and calories used. Over the years, worldwide, there has been a rise in the consumption of energy-dense foods that contain high amounts of unhealthy fat. There has also been a rise in physical inactivity, which is mostly attributable to sedentary lifestyles. Thus, two main causes of obesity include overeating and little to no physical activity.

Other causes include genetics, medications, and various psychological factors. However, certain variables can contribute to obesity including one’s metabolism, lack of sleep duration, and community/neighborhood resources or lack thereof. Additionally, different psychological factors can trigger individuals to become emotional eaters. It’s also common for feelings of anger, sadness, and stress to result in binge-eating, which eventually leads to varying levels of weight gain, especially when one isn’t physically active.

Traditional & Non-Traditional Obesity Treatment Options

In addition, since nearly 1 in every 3 adults are considered obese, and 1 in every 13 adults are considered unhealthily obese, it’s suggested to make certain changes and implement different forms of treatment. Common treatment options that are available include the following: diet changes and healthy eating habits, the incorporation of more exercise and physical activities, the consumption of bariatric medications, and undergoing bariatric surgery, which is normally the last resort.

Aside from these treatment options, it has been discovered that cannabis and several of its valuable cannabinoids can help alleviate many symptoms caused by obesity while also helping obese individuals improve their quality of life and get back on a healthy path. One cannabinoid that’s extremely beneficial for combatting obesity is THCV, which possesses appetite-suppressing properties. THCV also acts as an antagonist of the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Therefore, THCV can block THC, which results in users not experiencing appetite boosts or the munchies.

Additionally, CBD has been found to help regulate one’s appetite. Due to cannabis’s vast medicinal and therapeutic properties though, this plant can help alleviate many symptoms obesity causes such as anxiety, depression, joint, muscle, and back pain, self-esteem and confidence issues, and binge-eating. Besides cannabis itself, certain terpenes play a role in suppressing one’s appetite. The main one known for its appetite-suppressing properties is Humulene.

Photos by: Roberto Valdivia via Unsplash, 377873 via rawpixel

Research Findings Supporting Cannabis’s Ability To Combat Obesity

Over the years, different surveys and studies have been conducted on cannabis users and non-cannabis users who struggle with obesity to discover the role the plant plays in combating obesity. One survey focused on 786 participants, and it found that on average, cannabis shares a link with a lower BMI (body mass index), lower body fat percentage, decreased fasting insulin, and decreased insulin resistance. Then, several other surveys revealed that the prevalence of obesity isn’t as prominent in cannabis users as opposed to non-cannabis users.

Whereas, a set of two representative national surveys found some interesting results, and the following was concluded: “…despite the evidence that cannabis use stimulates appetite in clinical trials and laboratory studies, cannabis users are actually less likely to be obese than non-users in the general population.” However, diet and physical activity weren’t taken into consideration when this conclusion was made. Regarding research studies though, one 2015 study confirmed that cannabis consumption was linked to lower BMI and lower fat mass percentages.

Optimal Cannabis Strains & Consumption Methods to Utilize When Combating Obesity

Moreover, it’s essential for obese individuals to consume the right cannabis strains to reap the benefits they need. In particular, cannabis strains that are high in THCV, CBD, and Humulene are ideal. A few examples include Doug’s Varin, Tahoe OG, Pineapple Purps, and Master Kush, which are known to contain high THCV percentages and high amounts of Humulene.

Generally, most sativa dominant strains possess higher levels of THCV than other strains. Although there are various cannabis consumption methods available like oral ingestion, inhalation, sublingual administration, topical administration, and transdermal usage, it’s up to the individual to decide which one works best for them.

Overall, due to the growing prevalence of obesity in the U.S. and around the world, it’s important to adopt healthy habits and try different treatment options like cannabis usage to combat obesity and/or to prevent obesity. More research must be conducted on THCV and its medicinal benefits, especially its appetite-suppressing properties. However, obese individuals could certainly give cannabis a chance and discover the impact high amounts of THCV, CBD, and/or Humulene can have on their quality of life.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle To Launch Podcast With Spotify

News
Royals

Benzinga Staff Writer

-

December 15, 2020

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Prince Harry, Meghan Markle To Launch Podcast With Spotify

“What we love about podcasting is that it reminds all of us to take a moment and to really listen, to connect to one another without distraction,” said the couple.

By Tanzeel Akhtar

Spotify Technology SPOT 1.11% shares were trading slightly higher on Tuesday after it emerged British royals, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have inked an exclusive multi-year deal with the company to host and produce podcasts.

What Happened: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they will form a new production company Archewell Audio with Spotify. The aim of the podcasts is to that uplift and entertain audiences.

“What we love about podcasting is that it reminds all of us to take a moment and to really listen, to connect to one another without distraction,” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a joint statement.

“With the challenges of 2020, there has never been a more important time to do so, because when we hear each other, and hear each other’s stories, we are reminded of how interconnected we all are,” added the couple.

Photo by Chris Jackson/Staff/Getty Images

Why This Matters: In recent years, Spotify has beefed up its podcast streaming library. The company announced it will acquire Megaphone for $235 million in November.

In 2019, Spotify announced a partnership with the former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama.

SPOT Price Action: Spotify shares were trading up 1.52% at $325.20 at publication time.

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

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Incorporating Marijuana When Combating Obesity

There are various traditional treatment options that help combat obesity, however, cannabis and different cannabinoids like CBD and THCV have shown to be very useful.

What to Know About Obesity & The Complications It Can Cause

Main Causes of Widespread Obesity

Traditional & Non-Traditional Obesity Treatment Options

Research Findings Supporting Cannabis’s Ability To Combat Obesity

Optimal Cannabis Strains & Consumption Methods to Utilize When Combating Obesity

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle To Launch Podcast With Spotify

“What we love about podcasting is that it reminds all of us to take a moment and to really listen, to connect to one another without distraction,” said the couple.

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