Research

A new study aiming to explore the efficacy of CBD as a treatment for crack use disorder found that people who took the cannabinoid had better health outcomes and fewer adverse health events compared to those who took more conventional pharmaceutical treatments. “The main implications of this study point to CBD as a powerful and promising therapeutic tool for people with CUD,” says the report, published this month in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. “CBD seems to… Read more.

The burgeoning hemp-derived cannabinoid market often faces criticism due to the absence of standardised third-party testing and comprehensive regulation. While many consumers vouch for the efficacy of these products and numerous companies uphold stringent standards, the oversight in the hemp industry pales in comparison to that of the legal cannabis sector. Consequently, consumers using certain hemp-derived products may unknowingly encounter potent psychoactive effects, believing they are solely consuming hemp or CBD. The frequency of THC in goods advertised as hemp is… Read more.

Lawmakers in Missouri’s House of Representatives have given preliminary approval to a budget bill that would spend $10 million from state opioid settlement funds on research grants to study the use of psilocybin to treat opioid use disorder. The measure, HB 2010, underwent several amendments in the House on Tuesday and is scheduled for a third reading and likely floor vote on Thursday. An addition made in a House committee last week would have put the $10 million toward studying… Read more.

Newly released data from a Washington State survey of adolescent and teenage students show declines in both lifetime and past-30-day marijuana use in recent years, with striking drops that held steady through 2023. The results also indicate that perceived ease of access to cannabis among underage students has generally fallen since the state enacted legalization for adults in 2012—contrary to fears repeatedly expressed by opponents of the policy change. About 8.4 percent of Washington 10th graders said in 2023 that… Read more.

A new study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has found that a citrusy-smelling terpene in marijuana could help ease anxiety and paranoia associated with THC. The findings, researchers say, could help unlock the maximum therapeutic benefit of THC and protect public health. Published in the latest issue of the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, the new paper says that subjects who vaporized the terpene D-limonene along with a dose of THC experienced less anxiety and paranoia… Read more.

A new federally funded study examining the possible risks of organ donation by marijuana users found no indication that recent cannabis use increases the likelihood of significant side effects in the year immediately after a transplant—even as many healthcare providers continue to restrict transplants to cannabis consumers. Findings of the research, which looked at rates of infections, transplant failures and deaths among recipients, “suggest that organs from donors with a history of recent marijuana use do not pose significant infectious… Read more.

Cannabis vape pen liquid in both legal and illegal markets contains nano-sized metals, including nickel, chromium, lead, zinc, and copper, according to a study conducted by researchers from Health Canada and the National Research Council of Canada. The study included 41 samples of cannabis vape liquids – 20 legal, regulated samples from the Ontario Cannabis Store and 21 samples from the illicit market provided by the Ontario Provincial Police. The liquids were analyzed by mass spectrometry to look for the… Read more.

Congressional leaders have unveiled a second package of spending legislation to keep the government funded, with provisions included that would continue to block Washington, D.C. from legalizing marijuana sales, fund psychedelics-related clinical trials and more. House and Senate appropriations leaders released the bill on Wednesday after reaching an agreement on the remaining Fiscal Year 2024 spending that wasn’t included in separate legislation enacted earlier this month. The plan is to pass the package ahead of a Friday deadline when the… Read more.

An enduring argument against the legalization of cannabis suggests that legalizing access might prompt a rise in cannabis use among youth. However, as states nationwide forge ahead with reform efforts, ongoing research sheds light on the validity of this claim. Fresh from a recent study revealing the prevalence of Delta-8 THC usage among high school seniors—a hemp-derived cannabinoid readily available beyond the legal cannabis sector and in states both with and without cannabis programs—some may ponder the extent of teen cannabis… Read more.

If you are wondering if animals are into weed and shrooms, more and more stories are coming out about animals taking a "walk on the wild side" and getting a taste of legalization.  From bears and wolves tripping balls as campers leave their stashes unprotected at their camp sites, to mice eating weed in police evidence rooms around the world. Remember when rodents supposedly at over 580 kilos of cannabis in an Indian evidence room?  It appears the mice of America now like weed… Read more.

ust in is data analysis from the 2023 Monitoring the Future survey, led by researchers at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). It reveals that about 11% of 12th-grade students nationwide reported using delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (commonly known as delta-8-THC or delta-8) within the past year. According to Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, this percentage signifies a significant portion of high school seniors, with at least one or two students in… Read more.

Bicameral congressional leaders have released a spending package that contains a number of marijuana-related items—including bill provisions preserving protections for state medical cannabis programs and report language that calls for the federal government to study state legalization laws and expand scientists’ access to commercially available cannabis for research. The legislation covering Fiscal Year 2024 was posted on Sunday by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, with bipartisan legislators aiming to pass the package this week before the latest continuing resolution… Read more.

New FDA Report Shows Marijuana Rescheduling May Come Down to Your Social Media Posts about Weed! Marijuana Moment reported a piece on FDA research that you thought was from The Onion. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is drawing attention to its scientific examination of marijuana, which prompted the agency to propose rescheduling. This involved a thorough analysis of research findings, as well as the examination of numerous social media posts to understand how consumers perceive the therapeutic effects of cannabis. Wait,… Read more.

Dogs who receive daily doses of CBD see “significant reductions” in stress and anxiety related to car travel, according to a new study. To investigate the issue, researchers at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute in the United Kingdom compared the behavioral and physiological stress response of dogs who received THC-free cannabis with a placebo group before, during and after drives. The 20 dogs involved in the study, published in the Journal of Animal Science, all exhibited signs of stress and… Read more.

The long-standing stereotype that cannabis use leads to inactivity is being challenged by new research suggesting that cannabis might actually make working out more enjoyable. The study, titled “Acute Effects of Ad Libitum Use of Commercially Available Cannabis Products on the Subjective Experience of Aerobic Exercise: A Crossover Study” conducted by researchers Laurel P. Gibson, Gregory R. Giordano, L. Cinnamon Bidwell, Kent E. Hutchison, and Angela D. Bryan, sheds light on the relationship between cannabis use and exercise, potentially changing the narrative… Read more.

Tusko the elephant was recently honored in a tribute by Guinness World Records, the official repository of amazing human feats and natural world extremes. Tusko, a male Indian elephant at the Oklahoma City Zoo, died as a result of a sad experiment involving an extremely high dose of LSD undertaken for scientific purposes in the early 1960s. During the 1950s and 1960s, researchers investigated LSD's effects on animals such as dolphins and cats, with goals such as mind control and improved animal… Read more.

In a recent study featured in the International Journal of Obesity, researchers investigated the impact of cannabis on anthropometric measures. This exploration gains particular significance against the backdrop of the escalating global obesity crisis, affecting approximately 650 million adults, as per the World Health Organization (WHO). The profound health implications of obesity are underscored by its association with metaphysical changes and the development of chronic conditions that significantly curtail life expectancy. The repercussions of excess body fat extend to inflammatory processes that… Read more.

In a pioneering effort, Johns Hopkins University is initiating a thorough study to delve into the complexities of medical marijuana usage. As a crucial component of the Cannabis and Health Research Initiative, this expansive research project intends to monitor 10,000 medical marijuana patients for a year. It systematically gathers data on dosage, consumption methods, product composition, drug interactions, and treatment specifics. The overarching objective is to advance our comprehension of the effectiveness and impact of cannabis therapy across diverse health conditions. The… Read more.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is now calling for the production of even more THC, psilocybin and DMT for research purposes than it initially proposed for 2024—raising its quotas for those drugs while maintaining already high production goals for marijuana and other psychedelics. In a notice set to be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, DEA said it received comments from registered manufacturers requesting increases to previously proposed 2024 quotas for the Schedule I substances in order to “meet medical… Read more.

A new study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University will track 10,000 medical marijuana patients over a year or more in an effort to better understand the efficacy and impacts of cannabis therapy. Funded with a five-year $10 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the research team will work with federal researchers and the nonprofit Realm of Caring, among others, to collect data around dosing, delivery methods, the chemical composition of products, possible medication interactions and… Read more.

In the last 10 years, researchers around the world have published more than 32,000 inquiries into the science of cannabis and cannabinoids, NORML reports. Additionally, 2023 was the third consecutive year in which scientists published more than 4,000 papers specific to cannabis, cannabinoids, and their varied effects. NORML says the claim is based on a keyword search of the National Library of Medicine and PubMed.gov. The development stands in stark contrast to the majority of political arguments against cannabis policy reforms, which typically claim that more… Read more.

Sports medicine providers “generally have favorable views toward CBD and cannabis,” and most believe marijuana should be removed from the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) list of prohibited substances, according to a new survey of 333 doctors published this month. The study also found that most sports medicine physicians who participated support legalizing marijuana for recreational and medical use. That said, there are still “varying views” about cannabis within the field, authors found, and those “appear to be significantly affected by… Read more.

A recent study conducted by researchers at Cornell University revealed the potential use of cannabinoids from hemp as a foundation for natural pesticides. Published in the October issue of Horticulture Research, the research, led by Larry Smart, a plant breeder and professor at Cornell's AgriTech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, demonstrated that higher concentrations of cannabinoids in hemp leaves correlated with reduced damage from pests. Funded by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets through Empire State Development, the study focused on… Read more.

Results of a new clinical trial published by the American Medical Association “suggest efficacy and safety” of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of bipolar II disorder, a mental health condition often associated with debilitating and difficult-to-treat depressive episodes. “The 15 participants in this trial had well-documented treatment-resistant BDII depression of marked severity and a lengthy duration of the current depressive episode,” authors wrote. After seven psychotherapy sessions, one involving a single dose of psilocybin, the paper says, study subjects “displayed strong… Read more.

The University of Utah Health is partnering with the state to launch the Center for Medical Cannabis Research (CMCR) which aims to “advance scientific understanding of medical cannabis and help patients and providers make informed health decisions about this increasingly common medication.”    Valerie Ahanonu, B.S., senior manager of the CMCR, said in a statement that the center’s overall aim is to “look at the methodology behind how people are using cannabis, and to create a translational approach to understanding its benefits… Read more.

An Arizona Psilocybin Research Advisory Council will meet for the first time on Tuesday to start the process of providing millions of dollars in grant funding to support research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelic mushrooms. The council—which was established under the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) as part of large-scale budget legislation that the governor signed in May—is meeting about a month before officials plan to open an application period for potential grant recipients. The legislature has appropriated $5… Read more.

Another federally funded study is suggesting that marijuana legalization may be linked to a “substitution effect,” with young adults in California “significantly” reducing their use of alcohol and cigarettes after the cannabis reform was enacted. What’s more, the research appeared to contradict prohibitionist arguments about the potential impact of legalization, as the data also revealed no significant increase in marijuana use among young adults who were still not of age to access retail dispensaries—though there were interesting changes in certain… Read more.

The cannabis component CBD can alleviate acute dental pain and may provide an equally effective, far safer alternative to opioids, researchers at Rutgers University and the University of Texas say in newly published research. “Our results indicate that a single dose of CBD is as potent as current analgesic regimens and can manage emergency dental pain effectively,” the authors wrote in the study, published this month in the Journal of Dental Research. They said their work appears to be “the… Read more.

According to a survey conducted by EO Care, Inc., 88% of medical cannabis users reported that it reduced their reliance on prescription drugs, alcohol, or both. Additionally, 51% of respondents expressed a likelihood or strong inclination to utilize cannabis if it were offered through their health plan. This survey encompassed 1,027 participants from states where cannabis was legally accessible for either medical or recreational use. It also revealed that 65% of those surveyed would feel more at ease using cannabis for medical purposes if… Read more.

The odds that a patient visiting the emergency department is diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (CUD) is nearly 50 percent lower in states that have legalized marijuana compared to non-legal states, according to a new study. And researchers say the “counterintuitive” finding could be related to the destigmatization of cannabis use within the medical community as prohibition ends. The study, published in the journal Preventative Medicine Reports last week, looked at emergency department data from 2017 to 2020 in two… Read more.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting proposals to develop psychedelics into treatments for substance use disorder (SUD), with plans to issue $2 million in grant money toward the research projects during fiscal year 2025. The funding opportunity will support research into a range of substances that might be used treat addiction, including “classic psychedelics” such as psilocybin and LSD, empathogens such as MDMA, dissociatives such as ketamine and other hallucinogens, including ibogaine and its analogues. The NIH listing… Read more.

A study published in September in the journal Psychedelic Medicine found a majority of respondents – randomly selected American Psychiatric Association (APA) members – moderately or strongly believed that hallucinogens show promise in treating psychiatric conditions (80.9%) and substance use disorders (60.8%). A majority of those surveyed also moderately or strongly supported research into hallucinogens‘ therapeutic potential for psychiatric conditions (93.9%) and substance use disorders (88.6%), as well as federal funding of associated clinical trials – 84.7% and 80.9%, respectively. The survey was… Read more.

The Washington State Department of Commerce released a document this week recommending how $200 million should be spent to address racial, economic and social disparities created by the war on drugs. The 92-page Community Reinvestment Plan was developed by the department, the state Office of Equity and the Harriet Tubman Foundation for Safe Passage, which together worked with community members to advise how the reinvestment money should be spent. The plan, paid for out of the state’s general fund, next… Read more.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is proposing a dramatic increase in its 2023 production quotas for marijuana compounds and psychedelics like psilocybin and ibogaine to “support research and clinical trials” into the substances. DEA wants to nearly double the amount of psilocybin, psilocyn and delta-9 THC that’s manufactured compared to initial levels set for this year, while quintupling how much ibogaine is produced. It also wants 23 times as much of “other tetrahydrocannabinol,” raising the quota from 15,000 grams to… Read more.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is calling for the creation of a centralized marijuana research center that’s designed to help scientists overcome barriers to studying cannabis under federal prohibition. In a notice of funding opportunity posted on Thursday, NIH said it’s looking for an eligible entity to operate a new Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research through a cooperative agreement in order to “address challenges and barriers to conducting research on cannabis and its constituents.” The center should… Read more.

The federal health agency is awarding researchers $3.2 million to study the effects of using cannabis while receiving immunotherapy for cancer treatment, as well as whether access to marijuana helps reduce health disparities. The University of Buffalo (UB) announced that one of its psychiatrists has received the research grant funding from the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Cancer Institute, which will go toward a year-long study to assess how the common cancer treatment is affected by patients’ cannabis use.… Read more.

While many marijuana enthusiasts believe that components called terpenes are responsible for strains’ distinctive smells, a new study published by the American Chemical Society has identified “previously undiscovered cannabis compounds” that challenge that conventional wisdom of what really gives each variety its unique olfactory profile. The research, conducted by a team of scientists from marijuana extraction and testing companies and published this month in the journal ACS Omega, says that “while aroma is a key property in differentiating cannabis varieties… Read more.

Agricultural scientists at Texas’ Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) have received a $299,162 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to study the use of hemp as animal feed.    The three-year study will be conducted by research scientists from the university’s Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Human Ecology and will focus on the nutritional profile of industrial hemp plant biomass byproducts, and their impact on goats, to determine if hemp biomass can… Read more.

A study published last month in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that individuals who use psychedelics tended to have better mental health outcomes during the coronavirus pandemic than non-users.    The researchers concluded that “users of hallucinogenic drugs scored better on various dimensions that were clearly affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, like psychopathology, wellbeing, and post-traumatic growth. This was even clearer in the case of regular users of these drugs.” For the study, researchers recruited a sample of 2,971 participants for… Read more.

Cannabis consumers who contracted COVID-19 had reduced mortality and better outcomes compared to non-consumers, according to a study published this month in the CHEST Journal. The study, using the National Inpatient Sample Database, suggests “the beneficial effect of marijuana use may be attributed to its potential to inhibit viral entry into cells and prevent the release of proinflammatory cytokines, thus mitigating cytokine release syndrome.”   According to the study, titled “Exploring the Relationship Between Marijuana Smoking and Covid-19 Outcomes,” cannabis consumers that had… Read more.

Planting hemp as a cover crop in wine vineyards could be beneficial, according to a study conducted by New Zealand researchers outlined by New Zealand Wine Grower. The research, conducted over three years in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc vineyards by grape grower Kirsty Harkness and viticulture researcher Dr. Mark Krasnow, found the hemp did not compete with the vines and beneficially affected the soils and wines.  Additionally, the hemp became established without supplemental irrigation during an exceptionally dry season when other cover crops failed… Read more.

A recent paper published in the European Journal for Chemistry explores the historical use of cannabis and its versatility. Entitled “From ancient Asian relics to contemporaneity: A review of historical and chemical aspects of Cannabis,” researchers Gabriel Vitor de Lima Marques and Renata Barbosa de Oliveira from the Brazil-based Federal University of Minas Gerais’ Department of Pharmaceutical Products, submitted the paper earlier this year in April, and it was printed in the journal in late September. “From the Himalayan mountains to the… Read more.

Signature gathering has officially kicked off to qualify an initiative for California’s 2024 ballot that would spend $5 billion to create a state agency focused on advancing research and development of psychedelic therapies. Known as the TREAT California Act, the measure would not itself change the legal status of any substances. Rather, it would establish a state agency called the Treatment, Research, Education, Access and Therapies (TREAT) Institute, which would identify opportunities for advancing scientific research and development into the therapeutic… Read more.

What The Israelis Are Currently Studying In The Psychedelic Field For several decades now, Israel has been a global leader when it comes to scientific marijuana research. It was also Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, an Israeli chemist, who was responsible for first isolating THC and labeling it as the primary psychoactive compound in the plant back in 1965. Israel is far more advanced compared to any country in the world when it comes to cannabis research, even the US. That’s because the federal government still… Read more.

At a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) workshop about psychedelic medicine earlier this month, the director of mental health for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) said she thinks research into psychedelic-assisted therapy needs to more closely resemble real world scenarios. Requiring subjects to have specific diagnoses and pass strict screening protocols, she said, makes it impossible to accurately generalize the effects of such treatment on patients. “There has been great interest in this,” said Rachel Yehuda,… Read more.

One of the most prominent effects of marijuana use is the undeniable craving for food that often ensues, commonly referred to as "the munchies." When this sensation takes hold, no bag of chips, pack of Oreos, or any other sugary, salty, or fatty indulgence is spared. Interestingly, one might assume that all this snacking would lead to users piling on extra pounds. However, a recent study suggests that the opposite might be true. In this study, researchers scrutinized Body Mass Index… Read more.

As the legalization of recreational marijuana spreads across the United States, there is growing curiosity about its impact on the brain, including concerns about potential harm to brain cells. Just as the prolonged use of alcohol, methamphetamine, and heroin can lead to irreversible brain damage, excessive and extended marijuana use can disrupt the normal functioning of brain cells. This ultimately affects their ability to transmit messages (a process called brain activity). Using marijuana can damage brain cells, which in turn can manifest… Read more.

New Study Shows That Cannabis Extracts Are Useful For Autism - Promising Benefits Of CBD For Autism According to the World Health Organization, 1 in every 100 children have autism. While the symptoms of autism vary greatly, kids who grow up with autism can struggle with many aspects of life. These include challenges in communication, learning, socialization, and behavior. As a result, this can affect their families, personal relationships, and work. Medical professionals now have a wide range of treatments available for autism, ranging… Read more.

According to a study conducted by scholars from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Oregon State University, utilizing national data, it was discovered that in states where recreational marijuana had been legalized, non-college-bound young adults exhibited a higher propensity to become frequent marijuana users compared to their counterparts in states where it remained illegal. These research findings have been documented in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Following the legalization of marijuana at the state level, it was observed that… Read more.

A study published last month in the Journal of Cannabis Research suggests that the majority of hemp-derived delta-9 THC products do not state the product’s correct dosage of the cannabinoid on the package and that most of the companies that provided laboratory reports did not actually check for impurities.   The study included 53 hemp-derived delta-9 THC products. The products were sent to InfiniteCAL laboratory which tested potency, the presence of impurities, and whether the delta-9 THC present was natural or converted from CBD.   The presence… Read more.

States that legalized medical marijuana saw a nearly 20 percent drop in the number of children entering foster care due to parental drug misuse after three years of the reform, a new study found. Legalizing for adult use, meanwhile, was not associated with any statistically significant change in foster care entries. Researchers at Georgia College and State University set out to learn whether legalization would “lessen stigma, permit proper use, and reduce the chance that a child will be removed”… Read more.

A new study suggests that some lesser-known cannabinoids produced by hemp and marijuana—with names like THCV, CBDV, CBC, CBM and CBN—may help treat dermatological diseases such as psoriasis, eczema and acne. “The findings of this review suggest that minor cannabinoids hold therapeutic promise in the management of dermatological diseases,” says the study, published this week in the peer-reviewed journal Molecules. “Incorporating minor cannabinoids into dermatological therapies could potentially offer novel treatment options of patients and improve their overall well-being.” To… Read more.

NIH Survey Finds Cannabis Use Among Adults Highest Ever Recorded by Agency In 2021, the Monitoring the Future (MTF) panel study revealed noteworthy shifts in substance use patterns among young adults aged 19 to 30. Notably, the utilization of marijuana and hallucinogens within the past year experienced a significant surge compared to data from five and ten years prior. This surge marked a historic pinnacle for this age group since 1988. Simultaneously, the prevalence of nicotine vaping in the past month… Read more.

Psilocybin therapy's role in addiction treatment is not a recent exploration. Recent studies have notably illuminated the burgeoning potential of this emerging psychedelic therapy. It exhibits promise in aiding individuals contending with substance use disorders, spanning the realms of alcohol and nicotine addiction. These studies underscore the growing interest in harnessing psilocybin's therapeutic effects to address the complex challenges of addiction, potentially opening doors to innovative and effective approaches for those in need. Originating from the appropriately labeled "magic" mushrooms, this compound's extensive… Read more.

A new study in the International Journal of Drug Policy found that states with legal medical marijuana enjoyed significant reductions in health insurance premiums compared to states where cannabis remained completely illegal. Analyzing a decade’s worth of private health insurance data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, researchers determined that in the years following a state’s implementation of a medical cannabis law, premiums dropped dramatically. While the reductions were modest immediately following implementation, the study found that by seven… Read more.

People increasingly view smoking marijuana or being exposed to secondhand cannabis smoke as safer than smoking or being near tobacco smoke, according to a new study published by the American Medical Association (AMA). Researchers surveyed 5,035 U.S. adults three times—in 2017, 2020 and 2021—about how they perceive the risks of both substances, and they found a “significant shift” over time as more people expressed that they felt cannabis smoke was generally safer than tobacco smoke. The survey—results of which were… Read more.

States With Legal Recreational Weed See A Reduction In Mental Health Treatment New Study Shows Other Positive Benefits Of Adult Use Laws Marijuana is not only a safe drug, it benefits society as a whole. There have been several studies pointing to the societal benefits of cannabis because the truth is that – it is simply not harmful to families and society, the way prohibitionists say it is. In fact, the opposite is true: studies have been showing that legalizing cannabis makes cities… Read more.

Michigan’s Wayne State University this fall semester will begin offering a cannabis chemistry undergraduate certificate. The 15-credit hour program will focus on instrumentation, standard operating procedures, business and law practices, and science behind the testing and regulation of cannabis. The certificate program will be housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and administered by the Department of Chemistry. It will require five classes and a research course. In a statement, Andrea Matti, assistant professor of teaching in the… Read more.

The cannabis business background of Massachusetts’ director of marijuana testing is raising eyebrows among industry watchers already concerned about the way state regulators are treating MJ companies. James Kocis became the director of testing for the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) last October after years of working in the marijuana testing industry. At a legislative hearing last week, a lobbyist representing local testing labs called the CCC “unpredictable” and “unaccountable.” A testing industry executive, meanwhile, alleged that Massachusetts faces “a… Read more.

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved amendments to a large-scale spending bill that would allow U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to recommend medical cannabis to military veterans and promote research into substances like psilocybin and MDMA. Just one day after the House Rules Committee made the measures in order for floor consideration, they passed on the floor on Wednesday and are advancing as part of appropriations legislation covering Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies (MilCon/VA). The medical… Read more.

A recent study revealed that more than 90% of U.S. military veterans using medical marijuana reported significantly improving their quality of life. These veterans have turned to cannabis as a substitute for over-the-counter and prescription medications. Details Of The Study In a comprehensive study conducted by researchers from the University of Utah, the University of Massachusetts, and various cannabis research institutes, a group of 510 veterans who use marijuana participated in a self-reported survey to gain deeper insights into their usage patterns… Read more.

Over 90 percent of U.S. military veterans who use medical marijuana say that it improves their quality of life, with many using cannabis as an alternative to over-the-counter and prescription medications, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts, University of Utah and cannabis research institutes looked at self-reported survey data from 510 veterans who said that they consume marijuana, seeking to better understand the purpose and experiences of their usage. A majority of the respondents (67… Read more.

At least five states with medical marijuana programs have shared key data – including the products patients are using and how they are affected – with U.S. health regulators as part of the Biden administration’s review of whether to remove marijuana from the federal government’s list of the most dangerous drugs, MJBizDaily has learned. The state data sent to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offers federal researchers a wider and deeper look… Read more.

The University of California, San Diego Psychedelics and Health Research Initiative has received a $1.5 million gift to study the effects of DMT on the brain. Philanthropist Eugene Jhong gifted the funds to the university for the research. Jon Dean, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in the UC San Diego Department of Anesthesiology and director of the Division of DMT Research at the UC San Diego Psychedelic Health and Research Initiative, is one of the principal investigators of the study. In… Read more.

A recent study suggests a decline in teen binge drinking follows the passage of adult-use cannabis laws, but researchers also noted an increase in binge drinking among adults 31 and older. The study, “Recreational cannabis legislation and binge drinking in U.S. adolescents and adults,” used data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2008-2019.  The researchers found that, during that period, binge drinking declined overall among people aged 12-20 (17.54% to 11.08%), and those aged 21-30 (43.66% to 40.22%), but binge… Read more.

Federally legalizing marijuana is both doable for the Biden administration and relatively easy, according to a new white paper that makes the case for reform. The paper, released Monday by the Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform, prioritizes “de-scheduling” – or removing marijuana from the list of federally controlled substances altogether – but also acknowledges that “rescheduling” marijuana to Schedule 3 or lower would be “a historic step along the path to necessary reform.” The white paper was issued in the midst… Read more.

A Democratic congressman says that it’s time for Congress to give the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) a mandate to study the benefits and risks of marijuana for military veterans. At a Member Day hearing before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Thursday, Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) urged the panel to advance his bipartisan bill, the VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act. Back when he was serving in the California legislature, Correa said veterans started approaching him—”slowly, gradually but firmly”—and describing… Read more.

The National Football League (NFL) and its players union announced on Thursday that they are jointly awarding another round of funding to support independent research on the therapeutic benefits of CBD as a pain treatment alternative to opioids for players with concussions. A total of $526,525 is being granted for two studies, including one that will be led by the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) to explore cannabidiol and non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation (nVNS) as alternative treatments for… Read more.

According to the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED), state investigators have uncovered numerous instances of marijuana product adulteration by businesses attempting to manipulate contaminant testing. Since the commencement of recreational marijuana sales in Colorado, contamination from mold or illegal pesticides has persisted as a significant issue. As reported by MJ BIZ, in 2021, the MED approved decontamination and remediation methods for failed marijuana batches; however, these approaches can be expensive and do not guarantee the successful salvage of the harvests. In a memo dated… Read more.

Researchers Aim To Combine Psilocybin and Cannabis Into Single Medical Treatment According to a product patent from the renowned marijuana laboratory, CaaMTech, substantial strides have been made in developing a comprehensive treatment that combines cannabinoids and psilocybin for treating both physical and mental health concerns. Located in Issaquah, Washington, less than 20 miles southeast of Seattle, CaaMTech is aggressively researching the interactions between these two chemicals as well as the potential effects on physical and mental health. The initial stages of their enhanced… Read more.

Study Finds Car Insurance Premiums Dropped In Legal Medical Cannabis States By At Least $22 Per Driver According to a University of Iowa study, states that legalized medicinal marijuana saw a reduction in the cost of automobile insurance, which suggests that driving under the influence of cannabis may not be as risky as driving under the influence of alcohol. According to Cameron Ellis, professor of finance at the University of Iowa (U of I), states that legalized medicinal marijuana between 2014 and 2019 saw rates… Read more.

Combining cannabinoids with psilocybin into a single formula for treating both physical and mental health issues took another step closer to reality as described in a product patent from a major cannabinoid laboratory, CaaMTech. CaaMTech, based in Issaquah, Washington, less than 20 miles southeast of Seattle, is analyzing how the two substances interact with each other as well as the specific physical and mental health outcomes that can be expected. Their purified psilocybin-cannabinoid product is in the early development stages… Read more.

New Study Finds That Every Dollar Of Cannabis Sold Is Linked to a Reduction in Alcohol Sales …. A Threat To Big Alcohol? Big players in the alcohol industry have long been watching the development of legal cannabis with a careful eye, most especially with the launch of recreational cannabis markets in North America and beyond. While some players in the alcohol industry see cannabis legalization as a threat, others see it as a special opportunity to develop new products and attract a… Read more.

A top federal health agency is soliciting proposals for a series of research initiatives meant to explore how psychedelics could be used to treat drug addiction, with plans to provide $1.5 million in funding to support relevant studies. As public interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics continues to grow, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) this week published three notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) for research projects to better understand how drugs like psilocybin and ayahuasca could help… Read more.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) last week signed the state’s $17 billion budget bill into law; the budget includes about $5 million dedicated to whole-mushroom psilocybin research, the Arizona Mirror reports. Renowned medical cannabis and psychedelics researcher and principal investigator at the Scottsdale Research Institute Dr. Sue Sisley — who had pushed for the funding — said the $5 million was a good starting point for medical psilocybin trials. Additionally, the funding’s emphasis on whole mushroom research makes it unique from most other studies… Read more.

As there has been a rise in cases where seniors have consumed excessive amounts of cannabis, doctors caution seniors on the appropriate consumption methods. Consuming cannabis edibles, in particular, can lead to panic attacks if consumed without proper guidance, although the physical risks are typically minimal. According to a report from KOMO News in Seattle, doctors aim to educate seniors on preventing panic and avoiding unnecessary emergency room trips. This can be achieved through simple education about the distinct effects of edibles,… Read more.

New Frontier Data released a May 2 report titled "Cannabis Consumers in America 2023: Part 1." The study delves into the contemporary cannabis consumer's diverse demographics and trends. During a press release, Gary Allen, the CEO of New Frontier Data, claimed that more than  42% of adults who have consumed cannabis plan on using it again. Allen also explained that cannabis consumers fall under a broad range of genders, age groups, political affiliations, and economic backgrounds. The increase in cannabis use can… Read more.

Cannabis growers are looking closely at mainstream agricultural technology to gain a new level of precision cultivation that employs everything from artificial intelligence and augmented reality to robots and drones. The goals: better-quality cannabis, lower labor costs and improved productivity. Over the past few years, a host of AI-powered solutions have emerged to address: Cannabis growing methods, or protocols. Day-to-day labor savings. Growth-rate tracking. Yield forecasting. Inventory management. Profitability management. These are typically digital sensor-based systems managed by various platforms – Aroya,… Read more.

Even as more states have moved to legalize marijuana, rates of current and lifetime cannabis use among high school students have continued to drop, newly released federal data shows. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), published last week, found that teen use of all monitored substances—including marijuana, alcohol and prescription drugs—has “decreased linearly” over the past decade. When it comes to cannabis, what’s especially notable is that the federal study shows high school… Read more.

The company asked its shareholders to reject a slate of directors offered up by FCM MM Holdings. Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc. (Nasdaq: MNMD) (NEO: MMED) reported a net loss of $24.8 million for the first quarter ended March 31, compared with $18.5 million for the same period in 2022. The company does not have revenue to report at this time. Cash Levels As of March 31, MindMed had cash and cash equivalents totaling $129.4 million, compared with $142.1 million at the end of December 2022.… Read more.

Following the Senate’s rejection of a bill last week to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study of veterans who use medical cannabis, Sen. John Tester (D-MT), chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, told Military.com that the measure, and other veteran-focused bills, “may all be dead.”   In a procedural vote last Wednesday, the Senate voted 57-42 to advance the cannabis bill, three votes short of the 60 required to pass.  The bill, which included provisions related to the… Read more.

California marijuana regulators announced on Tuesday that they’ve awarded nearly $20 million in research grants to 16 academic institutions to carry out studies into cannabis, including novel cannabinoids like delta-8 THC and the genetics of “legacy” strains from the state. The research projects being funded by the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) with marijuana tax revenue fall under six categories: cannabis potency, medical usage, marijuana industry health, monopolies and unfair competition, California legacy genetics and miscellaneous studies. “It is… Read more.

Psilocybin, the primary psychoactive compound in "magic mushrooms," has been associated with recreational drug use and 1960s counterculture. However, recent research over the past two decades has shown that it can potentially treat various mental and behavioral health disorders. Health Canada has approved a comprehensive psilocybin trial on 160 patients, including macro and multi doses, by Apex Labs Ltd. This Canadian biopharmaceutical firm is also advancing at-home psilocybin microdose studies and supporting veteran patients. The trial has been deemed "statistically powered." SUMMIT-90… Read more.

A Republican North Carolina lawmaker and a bipartisan group of cosponsors have filed a bill to create a $5 million grant program to support research into the therapeutic potential of psilocybin and MDMA and to create a Breakthrough Therapies Research Advisory Board to oversee the effort. The legislation from Rep. Edward Goodwin (R) wouldn’t legalize the psychedelics, but it would provide funding for two competitive grants through the state Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for eligible research initiatives focused on… Read more.

University of Iowa (UI) researchers are conducting a pilot study using psilocybin and ketamine as a treatment for alcohol use disorder, the Daily Iowan reports. The study will be conducted as a head-to-head comparison of the compounds; half of the study participants will be given psilocybin and the other half will be given ketamine and neither the researchers nor the subjects will know which the participants will receive.  Study participants will start by having an MRI scan and a meeting with a therapist.… Read more.

Results from an advanced clinical trial assessing psilocybin-assisted therapy for patients with cancer and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) conducted by oncology center Sunstone Therapies were published in the acclaimed JAMA Oncology. The open-label Phase 2 study tested psilocybin paired with psychological support in 30 patients with curable and incurable cancer. Participants were divided into cohorts of 3 to 4 and each was given a 25 mg single dose of COMPASS  CMPS-0.10%+ Free Alerts’ synthetic psilocybin COMP360. Dosing was done simultaneously on… Read more.

Clinical-stage biopharma company atai Life Sciences  ATAI-6.00%+ Free Alerts announced the dosing of the first subject in majority-owned subsidiary Perception Neuroscience’s Phase 1 intravenous-to-subcutaneous bridging study of proprietary R-ketamine, PCN-101. Open-label, the trial is set to assess safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic profile of 60mg, 90mg and 120mg of PCN-101 delivered subcutaneously as compared to 60mg of the compound delivered intravenously in 16 healthy volunteers across four cohorts. PCN-101 is a single isomer of ketamine and belongs to a new generation of glutamate receptor modulators -pharmacologically,… Read more.

A recent survey by Ayr Wellness found 40% of employed cannabis consumers plan to take off April 20 from work, with 31% of respondents saying 4/20 is a special occasion along with 42% of medical cannabis patients that agreed that 4/20 is an important day.  In all, 23% of those polled indicated that their cannabis consumption habits would increase on 4/20 while 71% of respondents said their consumption habits would stay the same.  David Goubert, president and CEO of AYR… Read more.

A trial conducted by biotechnology company Small Pharma found that the psychedelic DMT could improve symptoms of depression when used in conjunction with therapy. In the study, which used intravenous DMT dosing, 14 participants out of 34 were in remission from depression within three months and nine remained in remission up to six months.  The study, which utilized a proprietary synthetic formulation of DMT known as SPL026, has not been peer-reviewed.  In a press release, Dr. Carol Routledge, chief medical and… Read more.

The Missouri House last week approved a measure that would require the state to conduct studies on psilocybin to treat depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, or use as part of end-of-life care, the Missouri Independent reports.   This bill requires the state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to provide more than $2 million in grants for the research, subject to lawmakers approving the appropriation. The state would collaborate on the study with a Missouri university hospital or medical center operated by the U.S.… Read more.

A chemical found in cannabis could be the most effective way to prevent an opioid overdose, scientists believe. Scientists at Indiana University have identified 15 chemicals derived from cannabidiol (CBD) — one of the primary compounds in cannabis — that can reverse the deadly impact drugs such as fentanyl can have on the brain. They found that it was even more effective than Narcan, designed to combat these type of overdoses, at stopping fentanyl in the brain. The finding could be a… Read more.

Federal marijuana trafficking cases continued to decline in 2022, according to the latest annual report from the U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC). As more states have moved to legalize cannabis and federal priorities have shifted, prosecutions for marijuana-related cases have significantly declined over the years. The number of federal cannabis trafficking offenders has fallen from about 5,000 in 2013 to just under 806 last year, USSC found. Meanwhile, trafficking cases involving powder cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine increased from 2021 to 2022. The report also… Read more.

A congressional committee has approved a bill that aims to ramp up criminalization for fentanyl-related substances, while also streamlining research into Schedule I drugs like marijuana and certain psychedelics. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), passed the House Energy & Commerce Committee with amendments on Thursday. An amendment in the nature of a substitute was adopted by the panel, striking original provisions of the bill and replacing them with updated language that lays out penalties for fentanyl-related offenses… Read more.

A recent study claimed to show vaped CBD is more harmful than vaped nicotine, and while several news outlets have reported on it, they all missed numerous flaws in the methodology. As a result of numerous confounding variables, there is no way to actually show that any of the harms they found were from CBD, and not one of the many other chemicals in the oil. High Times spoke to several cannabis vaping experts in an effort to nip this story in the bud,… Read more.

Marijuana Legalization Linked to Reduction In Booze-Related Deaths of Pedestrians According to data, around 1 in every 7 pedestrian deaths is caused by a drunk driver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that some 32 people are killed due to drunk driving everyday. This equates to one death every 45 minutes, a senseless and completely unnecessary preventable death. The fact that alcohol consumption greatly impairs drivers has long been known, yet people continue to do it. Booze alters one’s judgment, severely impacts one’s ability to concentrate, affects… Read more.

Tennessee-based Gold Spectrum picked an inopportune day last month to debut an edibles line. On Feb. 13, the hemp company – which has five retail locations in Tennessee and sells products in other states – announced the release of several flavored “Delta 8 + THC-O Cereal Bars.” Popularized nationwide as a marijuana alternative since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, delta-8 THC can be found throughout states with no legal access, including Tennessee. But THC-O, also known as THC… Read more.

Military veterans trying to overcome the horrors of war are increasingly finding themselves in an unlikely position — persuading Republican politicians to legalize the healing power of ancient psychedelic plants. DailyMail.com spoke with former Marines, Navy Seals and others left traumatized by America's brutal campaigns overseas who have turned to psilocybin mushrooms and other natural drugs to help fight their inner demons. Left-leaning Oregon and Colorado have started to let psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in 'magic' mushrooms, be used in supervised drug journeys to counter depression and… Read more.

As former general manager of three Arena Football League teams, Reggie Harris knows the importance of going on offense. So, in 2021, when Harris and his team launched House of Kush, a Kansas City, Missouri-based company that sells cannabis-plant genetics via seedlings and licensing deals, he didn’t wait for clients to come find him. “Primarily, we’re going out seeking them,” Harris said. Today, House of Kush genetics are growing in six states – Arizona, California, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri and Oklahoma… Read more.

BURTON, Mich. — Before Jayden Carter turned 9, police were called 126 times to his school, home and other locations to address his violent behavior. “I had ribs out of place, my forehead cut open, black eye,” recalled Amie Carter, his mother. The situation got so dire that Child Protective Services encouraged Amie to sign her rights to Jayden away, a step that would allow the state to put him in permanent treatment. That was when — out of… Read more.

As many U.S. states adopt policies that legalize the commercialization of cannabis, Yale School of Medicine recently announced the creation of the new Yale Center for the Science of Cannabis and Cannabinoids, which will investigate the acute and chronic effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on neurodevelopment and mental health. Its inaugural director will be Deepak Cyril D’Souza, the Albert E. Kent Professor of Psychiatry and an expert in the pharmacology of cannabinoids. The new center comes just as retail cannabis sales begins in… Read more.

Brand New Study Shows How Psychedelics Light Up Neuropathways In The Brain - More Fascinating Insight Into How Psychedelics Work Psychedelics are all the rage right now. And for good reason: these trippy substances have so much more therapeutic value than we thought. Drugs that were once used for recreation have been proven to have physical and mental benefits, treating several ailments that even pharmaceutical drugs have failed to despite being around for several decades. Plus, psychedelics don’t have the same side effects… Read more.

Researcher Beatriz Carlini clicks through a few local cannabis retailers’ websites before finding what she’s looking for. Her screen displays a yellow goo, similar in appearance to raw honey, or as the product’s marketing calls it, “Cake Batter.” The substance is a highly concentrated form of cannabis called a dab, which is produced by extracting the psychoactive compound THC from cannabis plants. It’s usually vaporized and inhaled using a device that looks similar to a bong, but often involves a… Read more.