Author: News Room

Cannabis consumers who caught COVID-19 had significantly lower rates of intubation, respiratory failure and death than people who do not use marijuana, according a new study based on hospital data that was presented this week at the annual conference of The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) in Honolulu. “Marijuana users had better outcomes and mortality compared to non-users,” the study says, suggesting that the observed benefits might result from marijuana’s “potential to inhibit viral entry into cells and prevent the release of proinflammatory cytokines.” “The significant decrease in mortality and complications warrants further investigation of the association between marijuana…

A bill to legalize medical marijuana in Ukraine has cleared a key legislative hurdle, advancing through committee and now awaiting final passage by the country’s parliament. After receiving initial consideration in July, the cannabis legislation was finalized and approved in the National Health, Medical Care and Health Insurance Committee on Tuesday. It is now expected to receive final approval in the unicameral legislature, known as the Verkhovna Rada, before potentially going to the president. The bill would create a national medical marijuana program to provide access to patients with conditions such as cancer or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from…

“Is there any circumstance that you can think of that would allow the commission to claw back the award—let me ask, questions of fraud?” By Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) Tuesday asked a Montgomery circuit court to dismiss a lawsuit from Chicago-based firm Verano Holdings. Verano, which has an Alabama chapter, sued the commission in August, alleging the AMCC cannot revoke licenses and that its exercise of power “both exceeds and conflicts with the authority provided to it by the Alabama Legislature.” The firm received an integrated facility in the first round of awards in…

“If you want intoxicating cannabinoids, you should visit your local friendly marijuana retailer.” By James Brooks, Alaska Beacon The state of Alaska has approved new regulations on inexpensive cannabis-like products derived from hemp, sometimes referred to as “diet weed.” The new changes mean intoxicating hemp-derived products will have to be regulated by the state’s marijuana control board, an act that will see them removed from vape shops and other unregulated stores across the state. Some nonintoxicating products will also be affected by the changes. So-called “full-spectrum” hemp products intended to help with epilepsy and pain include a variety of cannabinoids,…

People working in the climate sector would be protected from being fired for testing positive for marijuana if they’re based in a legal state under a newly refiled bill from more than 40 congressional Democrats. The legislation, led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), is titled the Climate Resilience Workforce Act. The bill itself covers substantial ground on climate policy, proposing to provide grants to support climate resilience jobs, fund existing workforce development programs and create a White House Office of Climate Resilience to facilitate climate protection work. But one section would offer cannabis-focused employment protections, stipulating that those employed in a…

A recently published analysis charts a course between the films of Federico Fellini and his well-documented experimentation with psychedelics.  The analysis, published in July in the journal Drug, Science, Policy and Law, notes in the abstract that “LSD has been used by artists, scientists, and intellectuals, amongst others, to stimulate their creative insights,” and that Fellini, the auteur behind acclaimed films such as 8 ½ and La Dolce Vita, “used LSD when it was still legal under the guidance of his psychoanalyst during a phase of personal and creative crisis.” “This article proposes a phenomenological analysis of how his filmmaking…

Partnering with former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker and NFL Pro Bowler Ryan Shazier, Sugarloaf Organics, a hemp cultivation and extraction facility in northeastern Pennsylvania, announced the launch of Steel City Greats Ryan Shazier CBD.  The products are designed to help consumers improve their quality of life by managing pain, anxiety, and sleeplessness, and they’re legal nationwide. After being seriously injured during a tackle—at the Dec. 4, 2017 game with the Cincinnati Bengals—Shazier’s recovery from spinal stabilization surgery would lead him to the healing powers of cannabinoids. He started using CBD products to help as he was forced to re-learn to walk,…

California officials next month will begin accepting applications for the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions for the coming fiscal year. The grants to municipalities are part of the state’s effort to use cannabis tax revenue to fund equity programs for those disproportionately impacted by the drug war. The purpose of the program is “to advance economic justice for populations and communities impacted by cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs by providing support to local jurisdictions as they promote equity in California and eliminate barriers to enter the newly regulated cannabis industry for equity program applicants and licensees,”…

A new paper in the European Journal for Chemistry traces the history of cannabis through “thousands of years of contact with mankind,” noting the plant’s legacy as a source of fiber, nutrition, medicine, spirituality and pleasure. At the same time, it notes that cannabis “is perhaps one of the greatest controversies in contemporary humanity” and a key driver of the modern war on drugs. The paper, “From ancient Asian relics to contemporaneity: A review of historical and chemical aspects of Cannabis,” was written by Gabriel Vitor de Lima Marques and Renata Barbosa de Olivera, of the pharmacy department at the Federal…

“I don’t know what the endgame is, except to file to the end of time.” By Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector A medical cannabis company embroiled in litigation with the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) Friday filed a new motion for a preliminary injunction and a temporary restraining order, ahead of an AMCC meeting on Thursday. Alabama Always, which sued the commission in June and August over alleged procedural inconsistencies and in July over the appointment of former chair Steven Stokes, alleged in the new filing that AMCC “repeatedly violated the [Alabama Administrative Procedure Act].” The suit alleges that the commission…