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More College Students Are Seeking CBD For Pain And Stress Relief

Maria Loreto
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0
More College Students Are Seeking CBD For Pain And Stress Relief

A survey conducted on Syracuse University coeds shows that the compound caters to a variety of needs, ranging from manageable levels of anxiety to sports-related injuries.

A survey conducted at Syracuse University found that a large percentage of students have turned to CBD as a way of tending to their injuries and obtaining some stress and anxiety relief. According to lohud.com, 47% of the students surveyed said that they had consumed some sort of CBD product in order to treat an ailment.

Despite all the excitement and opportunities that college represents, it’s a stressful environment for many. Statistics report that anxiety in college is very common, mainly because of the significant change that students experience. A large percentage of college students have irregular sleeping habits and ingest large amounts of caffeine in order to pull all nighters. Despite the large amounts of social opportunities on and off campus, it’s also very common for them to experience loneliness and isolation.

A survey from 2018 found that 63% of students felt overwhelming anxiety throughout the school year. Twenty-three percent of these students said that they had been diagnosed by a medical professional or were receiving medical treatment for anxiety.

RELATED: Why The Pandemic Could Be A Boon For Cannabis Education

The survey conducted on Syracuse University coeds shows that the compound caters to a variety of needs, ranging from manageable levels of anxiety to sports-related injuries.

surprise kids really want to study marijuana in college
Photo by Ake via rawpixel.com

Freshman Isea Kelley told lohud.com that she began using CBD as treatment for pains and injuries sustained while running cross country and track and field. During her senior year, she also turned to CBD in order to treat anxiety and stress.

“I’m not anxious enough to ever need prescription medication, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have anxiety and stress issues and I need things to help deal with that,” she said.

RELATED: Could CBD Treat Anxiety Symptoms Better Than Traditional Marijuana?

Other students report that CBD feels like a safe option, one that treats a variety of symptoms but that doesn’t get you high, a turn off for many. It also helps that CBD is a significantly cheaper option than some of the pain medications that doctors normally prescribe.

FDA Publishes New Updates For Healthcare Professionals

Kate-Madonna Hindes
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0
FDA Publishes New Updates For Healthcare Professionals

As of mid-June, there were more than 2.32 million COVID-19 cases and over 122,500 deaths in the U.S.. The need for updated information to fight the pandemic continues to rise daily. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA,) is upgrading information and providing new resources on an almost daily basis during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The FDA staff, researchers, and partners are working virtually around the clock to keep medical professionals updated with the absolute latest information. 

In earlier June, the FDA updated its site again with new resources for those on the front lines. 

The FDA published two new web pages to help healthcare professionals and the public access information:

Here are five other recent changes and updates shared by the FDA:

3D Printing Updates

Within the healthcare field, 3D printing has added new dimensions to the creation of medical devices and implants. The most significant growth in “additive manufacturing” (3D printing), includes fusing all sorts of materials and working with lasers to combine them; increasingly, that has included biomaterials laden with cells, including bio-ink. 

RELATED: What The FDA Is Doing For Better COVID-19 Data Dashboards

The FDA said in a statement on their website that they are also aware that many stakeholders often do not know what device designs to choose or how much to print. The FDA is facilitating information-sharing regarding the use of 3D printing and other advanced manufacturing technologies in the context of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the need for additional medical equipment.

5 Ways To Contribute To Healthcare Workers
Photo by Anna Shvets via Pexels

Expansion of Current Programs

The FDA also announced the expansion of its Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program (CTAP). It uses every available method to move new treatments to patients as quickly as possible.  Through CTAP, the FDA recently announced clinical trials of potential therapies are under trial, with FDA oversight of the process and the results. The FDA announced it would support new clinical trials that are testing new treatments for COVID-19.  

New Partnerships

The FDA issued an unusual Memorandum of Understanding, announcing a fully collaborative effort with the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to share knowledge and resources with 3D printing technologies.  (https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/domestic-mous/mou-225-20-008). The advancing science of 3D printing has allowed the incremental construction of 3D objects of all types using layers, converting a digital 3D object into a physical one.  

RELATED: What Healthcare Workers Need To Know About Newest FDA Drug Approvals

The collaborate effort will include: the sharing of materials, and educational processes, including printed products and new test materials., as well as engineering support and the sharing of knowledge to apply 3D printing tools, and additive technologies in supporting the medical response to the COVID-19 emergency response. The FDA and the other government agencies are also working closely with America Makes, to provide resources that will connect health care providers and 3D printing organizations. 

Collaborations

The FDA has agreed to collaborate with the company Aetion, a company based in New York. Through its Evidence Platform technology, Aetion provides real-world data, to assist medical professionals as they collaborate on advanced analytical techniques to answer urgent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) research questions.  The FDA and Aetion aim to respond to questions about the use of diagnostics and medications in the pandemic, and risk factors for COVID-19-related complications in different patient populations.

Toolkit Updates

The FDA announced more updates to its Toolkit pages, intending to provide updated information to medical professionals, research facilities, and consumers; this information encompasses the overall COVID-19 response during the health emergency. The resources include videos, FDA toolkits, resources to print and share, and additional articles for consumers. For more information, click on this location.

As of mid-June, there were more than 2.32 million COVID-19 cases and over 122,500 deaths in the United States. The need for updated information to fight the pandemic continues to rise daily. 

Should You Mix CBD With Your Morning Coffee

Brendan Bures
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0
Should You Mix CBD With Your Morning Coffee

Combining coffee and CBD will reduce the efficacy of medicine, but anecdotal evidence finds the concoction more satisfying.

Prioritizing your mental wellness is more important than ever amid the coronavirus pandemic. Lockdowns and quarantines have isolated Americans in their homes, leaving some cut off from meaningful relationship they lean on through times of stress and strife.

Nearly half of Americans say the coronavirus is harming their mental health, a Kaiser Family Foundation poll found. Teenagers have also reported more depression and anxiety symptoms due to the pandemic, as well as mounting fears about their future.

As a result, alternative methods to boost mental wellness are on the rise. That includes CBD oil, which has gained more popularity as a stress reliever amid the pandemic. Studies also show CBD reduces aggressive behavior and effectively helps you chill out. That may lead you to wonder: Should you start your day with CBD? And should you mix it with your coffee? We have some answers.

Studies have shown that CBD contains anti-anxiety, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Add the caffeine boost you receive from coffee and it seems like the perfect way to start your day. However, combining CBD with your coffee fundamentally changes how it affects your body. That’s why experts recommend not doing so if you’re using the extract for medicinal purposes.

“Those who want to use CBD for serious medical conditions, such as seizure disorders or inflammation from autoimmune disorders, should not take CBD in this manner, as accurate CBD dosing is extremely important for efficacy in these types of illnesses,” Bonni Goldstein, a California-based physician specializing in cannabinoid therapy, told Healthline.

RELATED: What Are The Benefits Of Mixing CBD And Coffee?

“For a healthy person who wants to take CBD as a nutritional bonus or supplement, [dosing] issues are not as important.”

A 2018 study backed up what Goldstein is saying. According to researchers analyzing cannabis tea, temperature changes CBD content in both hot and cold liquids. So, if you require precise dosing of medicine, it’s best not to dump your CBD oil into a hot cup of joe.

Should You Mix CBD With Your Morning Coffee?
Photo by Nathan Dumlao via Unsplash

Those approaching the issue from a wellness perspective don’t have such concerns. Anecdotal evidence of the therapeutic effects combining CBD and coffee to boost your day-to-day proceedings is mixed. Some say that CBD-infused coffee diminishes the buzzing rush caffeine delivers while lowering anxiety symptoms. But others find the pairing disorienting. Since CBD is also used to achieve a good night’s sleep, the cannabinoid’s drowsy properties fight with coffee’s caffeine to leave you groggy and unsatisfied.

Most importantly, you should understand that CBD affects each individual differently. What works for you might not work for someone else. But we know for certain that dumping CBD oil into your coffee dramatically decreases its bioavailability, or the extent and rate at which the drug enters your body’s circulation to produce the desired effects. CBD oil taken sublingually, or underneath your tongue, maintains a bioavailability between 20-30%, but received orally, like in a drink, drops the bioavailability down to 6%. This is another reason medical experts don’t recommend patients combining the two.

RELATED: CBD Coffee Is The Easy Way To Pain-Free Mornings

If you’re committed to starting your day with CBD-infused coffee, but don’t want to sacrifice efficacy, we have a recommendation. A 2016 study reported that combining cannabinoids into a fatty acid allows CBD to bypass your metabolism — which is responsible for diminishing the plant’s impact — and increases bioavailability. This explains why many report the most therapeutic effects are found by adding organic butter or coconut oil to make a Bulletproof-like CBD coffee concoction. It’s a little more work, but your body will thank you for it later.

How Cannabis Can Help You Cope With Insomnia During The Pandemic

Maria Loreto
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0
How Cannabis Can Help You Cope With Insomnia During The Pandemic

Anecdotal and scientific evidence suggests that marijuana can help people cope with acute insomnia.

Sleep is easily disrupted by the state of our mental health. It makes sense then that people are reporting increased issues with their sleep habits, having more vivid dreams, less restful sleep and more insomnia during the past couple of months.

People usually struggle with their sleep habits. According to Donn Posner, president of Sleepwell Associates an adjunct clinical associate professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, around 35% of people struggle with recurring bouts of insomnia. Now that people are coping with dangers posed to their health, the economy and social distancing pressures, the world’s current situation is a perfect recipe for sleep disorders.

When it comes to health workers, recent stats show that the pandemic has affected their sleep and their health dramatically. A survey conducted by Sleep Standards found that on average, healthcare workers are sleeping 5 hours a night. Forty-one percent of them are experiencing insomnia, 27% are dealing with nightmares, and only 21% of them report no sleep issues.

RELATED: Let’s Talk About Why Sleep Is Important — And How To Get Some

Could marijuana help manage these symptoms of insomnia? Studies and anecdotal evidence suggests that it could.

Trying To Get Some ZZZZs? Here’s Why Nyquil Isn’t Your Best Bet
Photo by Ivan Oboleninov via Pexels

A recent study from the University of Western Australia found that cannabis could provide an effective treatment for those who suffer from acute insomnia, specifically when the type of cannabis consumed is made up of a blend of THC and CBD. Patients treated with this kind of cannabis reported sleeping for more hours, falling asleep quicker, and getting back to sleep with more ease after waking up in the middle of the night.

“This study represents the most rigorous clinical trial ever undertaken to assess the therapeutic potential of medicinal cannabis to treat the symptoms of chronic insomnia,” lead researcher Peter Eastwood said in a statement. “The fact that ZLT-101 treatment achieved statistically significant, dose responsive improvements across a broad range of key insomnia indices is impressive, particularly given the relatively short two-week dosing window.”

RELATED: Can Marijuana Improve Sleep For Chronic Insomnia Patients?

Sleep is easily influenced by your lifestyle and it’s also one of the biggest influencers of your overall mood. This is stressful, since having poor sleep means you’ll be feeling grumpy and have higher odds of getting sick. But on a more positive note, by changing certain habits, you can also influence the way you sleep.

Instead of forcing yourself to sleep when your body doesn’t want to shut down, start off by implementing a few easy habits. Limit the amount of screen time you have and try to keep a regular schedule, working out a few times a week and eating as healthy as you can. Have a hit or two of cannabis before bed and see how your body responds. You might be surprised in a good way.

COVID-19 Pandemic Is Increasing Global Demand For Marijuana

Brendan Bures
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0
COVID-19 Pandemic Is Increasing Global Demand For Marijuana

According to the U.N., the pandemic and subsequent lockdown has raised demand for cannabis, with a particular rise in Europe.

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in long periods of isolation, social distancing mandates, and disruption to lifestyles across the globe. According to a new United Nations report, this has caused an increase in the worldwide demand for cannabis with notable sale surges on the dark web. The U.N. also noted that marijuana remains the main drug that causes people to enter the criminal justice system.

The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released its World Drug Report for 2020 last week and found that about 269 million people used drugs worldwide in 2018, a 30% increase from 2009. But because COVID-19 has closed multiple borders and disrupted drug supply chains, the pandemic may lead to drug shortages on the streets. This could cause dangerous implications, including impure drugs and price hikes.

RELATED: Medical Marijuana Is Booming Amid The Coronavirus Pandemic

“Vulnerable and marginalized groups, youth, women and the poor pay the price for the world drug problem,” said UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly. “The COVID-19 crisis and economic downturn threaten to compound drug dangers further still, when our health and social systems have been brought to the brink and our societies are struggling to cope.”

The pandemic and subsequent lockdown also raised demand for cannabis, the report noted, with a particular rise in Europe. Due to a lack of “access to street dealers by end-users, [Covid-19] may have led to an increase in drug trafficking activities over the darknet and drug shipment by mail in some places,” the UNODC notes.

FDA Steps Up In Ongoing Coronavirus Health Crisis
Photo by sinology/Getty Images

Approximately 192 million people consumed cannabis in 2018, making marijuana the most commonly used drug in the world today. Adult-use legalization in countries like Canada, Uruguay, and parts of the United States led to rising consumption rates in those countries, the report stated. But legalization isn’t the only factor at play when it comes to an increase in marijuana consumption, as “the same trend was observed in other jurisdictions where non-medical use of cannabis was not legalized.”

In recent weeks, cannabis advocates have argued legalization should be enveloped in larger conversations about policing and race currently unfolding in America. That’s because cannabis criminality causes more people to enter the criminal justice system, which the U.N. report corroborates. Using data from 69 countries between 2014 to 2018, more than half of all drug law offense cases involved marijuana.

RELATED: How Marijuana Reform Intersects With Policing And Racial Justice

However, the report added, cannabis seizures have declined steadily over the past decade, with legalization playing a significant factor.

The report states, “Global seizures of cannabis herb fell to their lowest level in two decades in 2018—a slump driven by declines in North America, where seizures have fallen by 84% in the last 10 years…policies aimed at liberalizing cannabis markets have played a key role in the decline.”

Ask Mister Manners, Thomas P. Farley: ‘Alexa Is Not A Person, Right?’

Thomas P. Farley
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Ask Mister Manners, Thomas P. Farley: ‘Alexa Is Not A Person, Right?’

I feel uneasy about the way my husband treats our virtual assistants as if they’re real people. It’s weird, right? Or am I the one who’s out of line?

Etiquette tips on how to interact in today’s world. Have a question for Mister Manners? Send your queries to info@whatmannersmost.com and look for replies in the coming weeks. 

ACKNOWLEDGING ALEXA

Q: My husband insists on praising our smart speakers like they are people. Am I wrong for thinking it’s absurd to say “please” or “thank you” to Alexa or Siri?

A: Just because our devices plausibly emulate human speech and have adorable monikers does not mean they have feelings. Their appreciative-sounding pre-programmed replies notwithstanding, our electronics do not experience a flurry of emotion when we express our gratitude for their services. With that in mind, a user should feel no more obligation to thank a smart speaker than to heap praise on a soda machine for tossing down a can of ginger ale or a clothes dryer for not breaking up a pair of socks.

And yet, a recent study by the Pew Research Center indicates there’s a whole lot of politeness being exchanged, with more than half of Americans acknowledging they at least occasionally thank their smart devices. The number is particularly high for women, who are forty-percent more likely to verbalize their appreciation to Alexa and Siri than are men. 

RELATED: Ask Mister Manners, Thomas P. Farley: ‘My Son’s A Freeloader’

Despite those numbers, you should feel no obligation—let alone guilt—for skipping the consideration when interacting with a microphone attached to a speaker attached to the Internet. Unless, of course, you’re in a home with children and are still instructing them in the art of gratitude. By displaying respect toward all contributors to a household’s comfort and contentment (including the electronic ones), adults can model a pattern of behavior that embraces thankfulness as an antidote to instant gratification and entitlement. 

If, on the other hand, your home has no little ones running around, feel free to conduct tête à têtes with your smart speaker minus the merci.

Hey Alexa: Why Isn't Anyone Naming Babies 'Alexa' Anymore?
Photo courtesy of Amazon, Inc.

PRIDE, WITH A SIDE OF PRYING

Q: My college-age son has had a new boyfriend since February. Although they had both planned for him to come meet our family this summer, unfortunately, the pandemic put those plans on indefinite hold. My son is a bit on the shy side and doesn’t share very much with us. Would it be wrong for me to send his boyfriend a Facebook friend request so I could learn more about him?

A: Let your son share details on a timetable and in a fashion of his own choosing. Ensure he is confident of your support and that he knows his boyfriend will be most welcome in your home whenever circumstances allow. When that day arrives, I’m certain you’ll learn far more from an in-person visit than you will from an intensive review of his Facebook page. Apart from depicting a very narrow slice of most users’ actual lives, Facebook is hardly the platform of choice for members of Generation Z anyway. These days the social media hub comes in a distant fourth in visits by teens, ranking way below Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat. 

RELATED: Ask Mister Manners, Thomas P. Farley: ‘Will They Call Me Racist?’

If you really want to discover more about this young man, be patient and accept the slow reveal. With any luck, you and your family will soon have actual face time with him, giving you ample opportunity to learn about one another. In the meantime, you’re much better off saving the Facebook stalking for looking up your own college paramours.

Mister Manners, Thomas P. Farley, is a nationally regarded expert who appears regularly in the media to discuss modern-day etiquette dilemmas — from how to split a check fairly to how to get a word in edgewise. Follow Thomas on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And for more insights, listen to his brand-new podcast, “What Manners Most,” which will be focused exclusively on Coronavirus-related etiquette for the foreseeable future.

Move Over Epidiolex, Sativex Wants The Spotlight

Debra Borchardt
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0
Move Over Epidiolex, Sativex Wants The Spotlight

Sativex (nabiximols) is a complex botanical medicine formulated from the extracts of the cannabis plant that contains the principal cannabinoids THC and CBD along with other cannabinoid components.

GW Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ:GWPH) has pushed the legalization of cannabis ahead with its work on the drug Epidiolex. Now the company is making its plans known for its other cannabis drug: Sativex.

The company is announcing its plans for its pipeline product, nabiximols, to hit the U.S. market. This strategy includes multiple opportunities for the submission of an initial New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the earliest of which could occur in 2021.

“We are excited to present the details of our clinical program and regulatory strategy for nabiximols, which we believe support the potential for a substantial near-term commercial opportunity in the U.S. Following constructive meetings with the FDA, we are now commencing a Phase 3 clinical program that provides multiple opportunities for an NDA submission, including as early as 2021”, stated Justin Gover, GW’s Chief Executive Officer.

RELATED: FDA Declares Cannabis Drug Epidiolex No Longer A Controlled Substance

“Beyond the initial target indication of MS spasticity, our Phase 3 clinical program is designed to achieve a broad spasticity label over time. This development strategy, together with the long-term exclusivity potential of nabiximols, provides GW with confidence that this product should represent a significant value driver for GW.”

What Is Nabiximols?

According to GW Pharma, nabiximols is a complex botanical medicine formulated from the extracts of the cannabis plant that contains the principal cannabinoids THC and CBD and also contains minor constituents, including other cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid plant components, such as terpenes, sterols, and triglycerides. The product is administered as a mouth spray. The commercial name outside the U.S. is Sativex and it is commercially available for the treatment of MS spasticity in numerous countries.

Remembering Dr. Lester Grinspoon, The Intellectual Leader of The Marijuana Movement
Photo by Bloomberg Creative/Getty Images

The biotech company outlined the following plans for Sativex:

MS Spasticity Clinical program
  • Three positive Phase 3 MS spasticity trials already completed outside of the U.S.
  • Five new MS Spasticity Phase 3 trials are expected to commence in H2 2020 (2) and H1 2021 (3), any one of which we believe could enable a NDA submission
    • Phase 3 muscle tone studies – placebo-controlled cross-over design
      • N=52; Expected start: Q4 2020
      • N=190; Expected start: Q1 2021
      • N=36 (nabiximols responders); Expected start: Q1 2021
    • Phase 3 spasm frequency studies – placebo-controlled parallel group
      • N=450; Expected start: Q4 2020
      • N=~200 (nabiximols responders); Expected start: Q2 2021
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) spasticity clinical program
  • Three SCI trials are expected to be initiated in 2020 and 2021
    • N=~100 (observational clinical discovery study); Expected start: Q4 2020
    • N=~100 (muscle tone in nabiximols responders); Placebo-controlled parallel group design. Expected start: Q2 2021
    • N=~400 (spasm frequency); Placebo-controlled parallel group design. Expected start: H2 2021

    This second spasticity indication may lead to broad anti-spasticity labeling and usage.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) clinical program

  • We are also exploring the potential of nabiximols to reduce sleep disturbance symptoms, as well as anxiety and irritability, in patients with PTSD
  • A Phase 2/3 study in PTSD will have approximately 325 subjects and is anticipated to be initiated in H1 2021

Stock Performance

GW Pharmaceuticals stock has moved higher over the past six months. The stock hit a low of $72 in March and was recently trading at $121. It looks to be moving higher based on the news for Sativex.

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report.

Study Suggests Women Are More Sensitive To THC

Maria Loreto
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0
Study Suggests Women Are More Sensitive To THC

A Canadian study found gender influences how much of an effect THC has on us, with women being more affected than men.

While there’s a belief that more men smoke cannabis than women — due to stereotypes and ease of access — it’s widely assumed that the plant affects the sexes similarly. But a recent study from the University of Toronto suggests that there are some significant differences between gender, with THC affecting women more pronouncedly.

The study, published in the journal Psychopharmacology, gathered 91 volunteers between the ages of 19 and 25 and had them smoke a joint with either 12.5% THC or a placebo. Participants were monitored for their vital signs, and were later asked to complete cognitive tasks and effort scales in hopes of gauging their reactions and measuring how w affected they were by marijuana.

“What I want to stress here though is that, in our study, participants were able to smoke the amount of cannabis they wanted to. When participants smoke to their desired high, we call this ‘titrating to effect,'” explains Justin Matheson, the study’s lead author. “Titrating to effect is possible when smoking cannabis because THC delivery to the brain is very rapid with this route of administration, so users can feel the high as they are still smoking.”

RELATED: Can You Smoke Marijuana While Taking Antibiotics?

“We found that women smoked less of a cannabis joint, had lower levels of THC in blood, yet experienced the same acute effects as men,” he says. “So, I think the main take-away is that women may need a lower dose of THC to get to the same degree of intoxication as men.”

Medical Marijuana Users Are Happier Than Non-Users, Study Finds
Photo by Elle Hughes via Pexels

This phenomenon isn’t understood, but one theory that the researchers posed is that estrogen, a primarily female hormone, could influence the metabolism of THC. Levels of estrogen could account for the differences spotted in the study and for the reactions that women experience when consuming THC.

RELATED: How Marijuana Affects Men And Women Differently

Not a lot of studies have been conducted on cannabis and the differences that the compound has depending on the sex of the person who’s consuming it. Matheson explains that while there needs to be more research conducted on this topic, it’s important for physicians and scientists to recognize that past studies have excluded females, leaving our understanding of medicine with a bias towards men.

Enormous Tax Revenue Is Exactly Why The Feds Won’t Legalize Cannabis

Brendan Bures
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0
Enormous Tax Revenue Is Exactly Why The Feds Won’t Legalize Cannabis

A tax code provision means the federal government profits more from state-by-state legalization than any nationwide model.

Marijuana legalization has been touted as a possible solution to the American economy, which has faced an uphill battle toward recovery following the coronavirus pandemic.  While legalizing marijuana won’t fix every financial woe, the added tax revenue generated through legal cannabis sales and licensing could provide a helpful boost.

In states where cannabis is illegal for adult-use, lawmakers have already pushed cannabis reform legislation with this mindset. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed regret in April that New Mexico had not legalized recreational cannabis before the pandemic. Her reason? The state would have an additional $100 million in its budget and recent projections show New Mexico will have a $100 million budget deficit in the upcoming fiscal year.

Bipartisan legislators in New York and Pennsylvania have taken similar stances, seeing legal cannabis as a quick salve to economic wounds.

“It’s not enough to say the state doesn’t have money. We have to find it,” said New York state Sen. Jessica Ramos. “I believe legalizing marijuana can help.”

RELATED: This CEO Says Marijuana Will Be Federally Legal By 2022

Read enough of these statements, and it’s easy to assume this line of thinking working its way to the White House. But that’s unlikely to happen anytime soon and it has nothing to do with Attorney General William Barr’s recent persecution of cannabis companies or Donald Trump doubling down on anti-marijuana rhetoric ahead of the election.

It’s about the money. Put simply, the federal government may not have a similar incentive as lawmakers do at the state level. As recently pointed out by The Motely Fool, the tax code contains a provision called 280E. It involves businesses that profit from drugs listed in the Controlled Substances Act, and creates a strange tension between cannabis businesses and illegality.

How Impeachment Could Affect Marijuana Legalization
Photo by Esther Kelleter/Getty Images

The provision states “[n]o deduction or credit shall be allowed for any amount paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on any trade or business if such trade or business (or the activities which comprise such trade or business) consists of trafficking in controlled substances (within the meaning of schedule I and II of the Controlled Substances Act) which is prohibited by Federal law or the law of any State in which such trade or business is conducted.”

RELATED: How Some Consumers Avoid Paying High Taxes For Recreational Marijuana

Cannabis is a Schedule I drug. That means marijuana businesses cannot take tax deductions and savings like other corporations, excluding the cost of goods sold. That amounts to a whole lot of money paid to the feds in taxes. Estimates suggest cannabis companies could pay up to a 70% tax rate as a result of this provision. State governments may gain money from legal cannabis, but the feds would actually lose money should prohibition end — possibly $5 billion over a 10-year period.

Adding a special marijuana sales tax or some other sin tax to cannabis wouldn’t make up for that lost revenue. The current model where cannabis is kind of legal, but kind of not benefits the federal government more financially than if cannabis was totally legal or totally illegal. Considering Democratic nominee Joe Biden isn’t bullish on legalizing either, the status quo will likely remain no matter who is elected President this year.

The Link Between Flavonoids, Alzheimer’s And Marijuana

Kate-Madonna Hindes
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0
The Link Between Flavonoids, Alzheimer’s And Marijuana

A new study found that higher long-term dietary intakes of flavonoids are associated with lower risks of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Researchers recently discovered that a low flavonoid intake was associated with Alzheimer’s risk, meaning a diet lacking berries, apples, tea, and other flavonoid rich foods could hold one of the keys to the disease.

The April 2020 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found, “higher long-term dietary intakes of flavonoids are associated with lower risks of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in U.S. adults.” The study does not provide an immediate connection between the two but rather showcases an association. 

According to Oregon State University, “Evidence suggesting that some flavonoids or flavonoid-rich foods may enhance cognitive function is currently limited, and it is not yet known whether their consumption could lower the risk of cognitive impairments and dementia in humans.” The University also stated that certain flavonoids have been shown to, “cross the blood-brain barrier and exert preventive effects towards cognitive impairments in animal models of normal and pathological aging.” Not only helpful for cardiovascular health, flavonoids are being investigated for their effect on the body all over the world.

A 2019 piece published in Nature Communications also found that foods rich in flavonoids could decrease the risk of cancer. Flavonoid rich foods include apples, berries, cocoa-based products, red grapes, and red wine and tea.

Facts about Alzheimer’s 

The number of American adults with Alzheimer’s is heightening with each passing year. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s is growing — and growing fast. More than 5 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s. An estimated 5.8 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2020.”

RELATED: Can Marijuana Cure Or Cause Dementia?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia and it can seriously affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activity. According to the UK’s National Health Service, Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be caused by the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells and the plagues they deposit. 

Cannabis Alzheimer’s Disease
Photo by Shopify Partners via Burst

Where Marijuana Comes In

In July 2019, The Fresh Toast covered a study about cannabis and Alzheimer’s that found, “THC and CBD did the most to prevent learning impairment,” and that the compounds created a change in the plaques responsible for building up and causing memory blockages.

RELATED: Study Confirms CBD Could Protect Brain Against Neurodegenerative Diseases

Even better, a study featured in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that small doses of THC could lessen production of the proteins (and plaque) which are often found in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients. 

Could marijuana hold another key to slowing the disease or offering an alternative for patients in cognitive disfunction or pain? Only time will tell, and hopefully, the research is already underway. 

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