WeedLife News Network

A discussion paper calls on the UK Government to review what it says are outdated laws and regulations hindering the UK’s CBD and wider medical cannabis industry.

According to the paper’s authors, cannabis consultancy Maple Tree and Mackrell.Solicitors, current laws in the UK have resulted in the majority of its cannabidiol (CBD) and all of its other medical cannabis supply being imported. The perplexing aspect is that the UK is one of the biggest exporters of medical cannabis in the world.

The paper states if red tape is reduced, the UK’s medical cannabis market could be worth £2 billion, create 50,000 new jobs and make patient access to medicinal cannabis much easier.

The main recommendations in the report:

With regard to hemp specifically, currently in the UK hemp can only be grown for industrial applications and only the fibre and seed utilised. Leaves and flower must be destroyed on-site. In 2019, there were just 900 hectares of hemp farmland across the UK. The paper says the suitability of the British climate makes it extremely viable for domestically grown CBD medicinal cannabis in the UK.

A study led by researchers at Syracuse University in the USA looked into the ability of CBD to reduce pain along with placebo effect impact, with interesting results.

A placebo is a substance or treatment that has no therapeutic value, but which can still trigger a positive or negative response – pretty much through the power of suggestion that it will have an effect. Placebos are often used during studies to help researchers understand the effect a medicine or treatment might have on a particular condition. Some participants in the study group will be given the real medicine, the others the placebo – and usually the participants won’t know which they have been given.

When it comes to cannabidiol (CBD), the non-intoxicating cannabinoid that has shown so much promise, there is still plenty of debate as to whether the benefits CBD users claim to experience are due to pharmacological or placebo effects; or a mixture of both.

A study carried out by Martin De Vita, a researcher in the psychology department at Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, and Syracuse Emeritus Psychology Professor Stephen Maisto involved the use of equipment that safely induces experimental heat pain.

Participants were tested for initial response, then CBD or a placebo was administered, but also the information provided to participants was manipulated. Some who received the CBD were told it was placebo and vice-versa.

With clear evidence that cannabis can improve quality of life, more and more people are engaged in its medicinal purposes. Furthermore, states are taking into consideration the laws for the consumption of cannabis. This also explains why there is a high demand for medical marijuana autoflower seeds that leads to the supply of medical cannabis across America.

According to a CBS report, Americans over 55 frequently consume cannabis, many of them living in areas where weed is legal.

Benefits of Medical Cannabis

In other words, the use of cannabis among the elderly is on the rise. Medical researchers have found it to be safe compared to opioid drugs.

Common Diseases Of Elderly People Who Can Be Treated With Medical Cannabis

The cannabis plant contains over 100 cannabinoids, interacts with the ECS, thereby regulating pain, memory, etc. Recent surveys indicate that the number of medical prescriptions has decreased considerably following the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes in many US states.

Alzheimer’s Disease

About 5.8 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, that number is expected to reach 14 million. Patients usually forget important dates, events, etc., and ask the same repeatedly.

As of Monday, players in the National Football League (NFL) can be subject to random drug tests from the league. But for the first time, they won’t have to worry about testing positive for marijuana.

It is a new era in the NFL—or more specifically, a new collective bargaining agreement that was negotiated last year and that established a new drug policy for the league. 

As detailed by Boston Globe NFL reporter Ben Volin, under the new policy agreed to by the league and the NFL players’ union, players will not get tested for THC—the key chemical found in pot—until the preseason. It is the first offseason that THC won’t be monitored during the random drug testing window, meaning that players can comfortably puff a joint or chew on an edible until action gets underway later this year.

As Volin put it, the “marijuana test is truly a ‘discipline test’ for NFL players now. They know exactly when it happens — between the start of training camp and the 1st preseason game. All they need to do is stay clean for a few weeks, pass their test, and they can light up the rest of the season.”  

The new policy officially took effect on Monday—yes, 4/20.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf celebrated the five-year anniversary the state’s Medical Marijuana Act on the weekend.

Under Governor Wolf’s watch, on April 17, 2016 Pennsylvania became the 24th US state to legalize medical marijuana. Today, just under 553,000 patients and caregivers are registered for the program, which covers nearly two dozen medical conditions.

There are 114 operational dispensaries and twenty-eight active grower/processors in Pennsylvania. Since the start of the program, 31.2 million products have been sold, racking up sales close to $2.6 billion – with more than than $1.5 billion in sales from dispensaries to patients.

More than 2,100 physicians have registered for the program, and around 1,530 of those have been approved as practitioners.

“On the five-year anniversary of the creation of Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program, we continue to forge ahead in getting medicine to those with serious medical conditions,” said Governor Wolf.

In recent years, CBD (cannabidiol) edibles have become quite popular. And out of the different types of edibles, gummies have come up as the favorite of the majority. After all, there is nothing not to love about CBD gummies. They are tasty, portable, convenient, and discreet. Additionally, there is no need to measure anything, which means they are easy to dose. Thus, CBD gummies enjoy equal popularity among first-timers and experienced users. One of the prime reasons why people use CBD is to get relief from pain and stress.

Though CBD is largely safe to use, it still has risks involved. The FDA does not regulate over-the-counter CBD products. Thus, it is vital to research and know if you are choosing the right brand. Thankfully, we have done all the research to bring you a list of the five best CBD gummies to get relief from pain.

1.Joy Organics Premium CBD Gummies

Once you hear the true story about Joy Organics came into being, your trust in the brand will get strengthened. Joy Smith is the CEO and co-founder of Joy Organics. She is a grandmamma who was looking for organic support to cure her health problems. She found CBD in the process and eventually thought about starting her business based on the natural substance she loves so much.

The brand has earned popularity and customer trust by using a step-by-step process for ensuring its quality. The Premium CBD Gummies of Joy Organics are entirely free of gluten, THC, and vegan. These gummies come in the flavors Strawberry Lemonade and Green Apple. You can additionally use CBD oil for anxiety for the best results.

2.Calm by Wellness CBD Gummies

The CBD brand, Calm by Wellness is known for its superior quality hemp-based organic, certified non-GMO, and free of THC. It keeps them earning the love and loyalty of their customers. Also, the brand utilizes broad-spectrum CBD to ensure that their products have all the advantages of using whole hemp plants, minus the THC.

Many doctors also believe that cannabis is best used together with other forms of medicine, so don’t use this as an excuse to no longer see your oncologist.

Data from the journal Gynecologic Oncology Reportsreveals that most gynecologic oncology patients find cannabis products to be either just as effective or even more effective compared to prescription meds that are aimed at reducing cancer symptoms.

Yale New Haven Hospital investigators polled 31 patients of gynecologic oncology about their medical cannabis consumption. A total of 74% of respondents were either undergoing immunotherapy or chemotherapy during the time of study. A staggering 83% of them reported that marijuana was effective for managing symptoms especially in the areas of insomnia, neuropathy, appetite, and anxiety while most of them also believed that its efficacy and safety was just the same or even better than conventional prescription medications.

Photo by Esther Kelleter/EyeEm/Getty Images

“The majority of patients in our study felt that medical cannabis was equivalent or superior in efficacy to other medications (e.g. opioids, antiemetics, anxiolytics, and sleep aids) in relieving their symptoms… Of the subset of patients using medical cannabis for pain, 63 percent reported a reduction in opioid use… These data suggest medical cannabis may be a reasonable alternative or adjunct to medications frequently used for cancer or treatment-related symptoms,” concluded the authors.

A new survey conducted in Texas reveals that 61 per cent of respondents who are part of the state’s medical cannabis program turn to the herb as replacement for prescription drugs.

Almost 2,900 people participated in the survey by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy along with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) regarding their medical cannabis use.

“Our recent survey of 2,866 Texas residents who use medical cannabis sought to gain insight into the needs and experiences of this population,” notes the survey, which was conducted online between Aug. 11, 2020, and Oct. 6, 2020. The participants were recruited through medical cannabis patient networks and about 22 per cent of them were military veterans.

The majority of medical marijuana patients in Texas reported that they used cannabis to cope with pain management. Closely behind stood veterans, who used the drug to treat symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Notable results include the fact that 39 per cent of respondents believed cannabis has improved their way of life and 84 per cent had considered leaving Texas in order to live in a state with more inclusive medical marijuana policies.

More than 40,000 pounds of medical marijuana have been sold in Arkansas since the first dispensary opened in May 2019, according to the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission (AMMC). A dispensary in Bentonville has sold the most medical marijuana.

The 42,769 pounds sold is valued at $285 million, according to a press release from Scott Hardin, a spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, the parent agency of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission. State taxes on the dispensary sales since May 2019 total just under $30 million. Most of the tax revenue is placed in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences National Cancer Designation Trust Fund.

The AMMC has issued licenses for 38 dispensaries, with 32 dispensaries in operation and six working toward opening. There are 12 dispensaries that have reached at least 2,000 pounds in sales. The Arkansas Department of Health reports 74,779 active patient cards. Over the last 30 days, patients across the state spent an average of $880,000 each day on medical marijuana purchases, according to the AMMC.

The constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana for 17 qualifying conditions and creating a state medical marijuana commission, was approved by Arkansas voters 53% (585,030) to 47% (516,525) in November 2016. There are only six U.S. states – Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wyoming – in which marijuana is illegal to sell in any form for any purpose.

A 2015 study found that obese mice actually lost weight from ingesting cannabis because THC caused changes in the gut microbiome that regulates weight loss and digestion.

Cannabis consumers have known for years about the effects of cannabis on appetite.

In fact, one of the more enduring stereotypes of the side effects of cannabis usage is the consumer getting the “munchies” after consumption, which is often a highlighted feature of modern U.S. television situational comedies, such as anepisode of “The Big Bang Theory” and others.

But there is a more serious side to the munchies mania. This side-effect of cannabis consumption is now the focus of studies by researchers in clinical trials using cannabis in cancer patients who typically lose their appetites and, thus, lose weight.

Photo by Melissa Ross/Getty Images

Chronic pain patients who used cannabis saw sustained improvement in their condition over time, according to the results of a recently released study. An abstract of the research, “No pain, all gain? Interim analyses from a longitudinal, observational study examining the impact of medical cannabis treatment on chronic pain and related symptoms,” was posted online last month prior to publication by the journal Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology.

To complete the study, researchers working with the Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital in Boston evaluated the use of medical cannabis (MC) by chronic pain patients, most of whom had either musculoskeletal pain or neuropathy. Patients were evaluated for factors including pain, clinical state, sleep, quality of life, and conventional medication use before the onset of treatment, as well as after three and six months of using medical cannabis. The data revealed a sustained improvement in the participants’ symptoms.

“Relative to baseline, following 3 and 6 months of treatment, MC patients exhibited improvements in pain which were accompanied by improved sleep, mood, anxiety, and quality of life, and stable conventional medication use,” the researchers wrote. “Reduced pain was associated with improvements in aspects of mood and anxiety.”

Different Effects Noted For THC, CBD

The research also revealed potential differences in the effects of increased exposure to the cannabinoids THC and CBD on different symptoms experienced by the participants, writing that “findings highlight the potential efficacy of MC treatment for pain and underscore the unique impact of individual cannabinoids on specific aspects of pain and comorbid symptoms.”

The cannabis plant is one of the oldest medicines on earth, with humans having used it for medical purposes for thousands of years.

It wasn’t until the better part of a hundred years ago that medical cannabis became prohibited on a global scale.

Cannabis is medicine, as proven by tens of thousands of peer-reviewed studies and countless personal experiences of patients that have successfully treated their condition(s) with cannabis.

Fortunately, more countries have legalized cannabis for medical use than ever before in the post-prohibition era, including in the United Kingdom.

Limited Program

As of November 1, 2018 the United Kingdom has allowed ‘expert doctors’ to prescribe the use of medical cannabis products to patients they feel would benefit from it.

Cannabis is returning to its former glory by bagging an unusual place in the medical world. While many parts of the world remain skeptical of its medical benefits, several states in the US have approved the use of cannabis for medical purposes. Most people look for holistic and effective remedies to manage their health problems. Cannabis can come to the rescue as it may help address several health issues. Off late, many cannabis products have gained rapid popularity. Cannabis-infused coconut is one such product. It is a plant-based, dairy-free infusion used as the base for self-care products and recipes. Why should you believe these claims? Read ahead to know why this potent infusion is stealing the hearts of people.

About Cannabis Coconut Oil

Cannabis has always received flak due to its ability to make people high. But, do you know that consuming raw or dried cannabis flower buds may have little to no intoxicating effect? Without decarboxylation, you will only get the benefits of THCA or CBDA, the non-intoxicating compound. But, heating THCA compounds can convert it into THC, the potent cannabinoid with many properties. Before buying baked edibles canada, you need to understand that to experience the potent effects, THC must bond with fats. Bonding of THC with fats can offer highly potent products such as cannabis butter.

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Interestingly, coconut oil has a specific fat content that allows effective binding with THC compared to butter. This fact resulted in making cannabis-infused coconut oil. Due to better binding with THC, cannabis-infused coconut may have more potent effects. Several manufacturers are turning to coconut oil for creating strong marijuana topicals, infusions, and medicinal edibles. Wondering why? It is because coconut oil has high saturated fat content with the ability to absorb high THC levels, flavonoids, terpenes, and cannabinoids compared to other types of oil or butter.

7 Health Benefits Of Cannabis-Infused Coconut Oil

Coconut oil itself possesses several health properties beneficial for your health. Hence, combining it with cannabis can result in a truly desirable oil. This oil may offer several health benefits such as:

A survey by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy indicates many in Texas using medical cannabis sourced illicitly are experiencing benefits.

Texas has a medical cannabis program – of sorts. It’s among the most restrictive in the USA and currently there are only a few thousand Texans registered. The program only allows for the use of cannabis extracts high in CBD and low in THC among those with few qualifying conditions and prescribed by physicians registered to do so.

Given the Compassionate Use Program (CUP) is rather lacking on the compassion side, it’s little wonder illicit medical cannabis use in the state is so prevalent – and this comes with significant legal and other risks.

The Baker Institute for Public Policy’s survey was designed to gain insight into the needs and experiences of this population. 2,866 Texas residents participated in the survey, which was conducted online between Aug. 11 and Oct. 6, 2020.

Among the findings:

With CBD shampoo, you get an effective yet gentle product that repairs your hair and revives your skin follicles.

There’s so much to say about cannabis; from being a great treatment option for pain relief to its mood relaxation properties and lots more. Cannabis has been described as the “new gold” in the health and wellness sector because of its endless potentials. The potential has now extended to the prevention of hair loss and treatment of psoriasis.

Why do people experience hair loss?

Before getting to the solutions, we must talk about the problem and try to understand why it happens. For anyone to fully appreciate the value of CBD shampoo and other CBD products, one must understand the problem.

When people grow older, they experience a natural change with their hair that leads to hair loss. While some lose hair at a slower pace, others lose hair much faster (this happens for different reasons).

Hair loss cab also be hereditary, if older members of your family also lose hair, there is a greater chance that the same will happen to you. Stress and hormonal deficiencies are also major causes of hair loss. If you are experiencing hair loss you will agree that it is the most worrisome experience. If you haven’t experienced hair loss, you should actively think about how to prevent it from happening.

Western Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development says crops associated with its latest round of industrial hemp trials are in the ground.

The trials, now in their second year, will examine the potential for growing hemp in the state for grain production. This year, the research has been expanded beyond the Manjimup Research Facility to include a site at Busselton in the southwest of the state and another site much further north at the department’s Kununurra Research Facility.

The trial is comparing sowing on the first day of the months of October, December, January and March at the first two sites to ascertain the best time and environments for planting. Planting won’t occur at Kununurra until next month – that trial will delve into time of sowing and crop performance in a tropical environment.

Various varieties from Australia, France and Canada are being tested. Sown into clay loam soil, all the plots are irrigated and planting has occurred at a density of 100 plants per square metre. However, the Department states the site at Manjimup has additional plantings of 200 and 300 plants/m2 as part of a continuation of a 2019 sowing rate trial.

After maturity, which will occur in 100 – 160 days, the seed will be harvested and measured for grain, protein and oil content.

In 2016, 28.2 million adults in the U.S. were diagnosed with heart disease with a heart attack occurring every 40 seconds, according to the American Heart Association.

As the leading cause of death for men, women and people of most racial and ethnic groups, new research is being released every year that explores ways to eradicate the one in every four deaths that are heart disease-related, notes information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Heart health truly matters, not just because of the importance of the body’s ability to pump blood and gain oxygen, but because it is directly tied to overall health and aging.

Conditions such as high cholesterol, angina and heart disease often occur because of a heart not functioning at its proper capacity.

Understanding cholesterol

Cholesterol often has a bad reputation. Needed inside the body to make vitamin D, it’s a waxy substance found in all cells. With a healthy diet and exercise, many people can stave off high cholesterol levels. However, for those with a genetic history of high cholesterol, other recommendations come into play.

CBD is saturating the market. You can drink it, eat it, vape it, or even use it on your skin. Many people are finding CBD cream a helpful supplement in combatting arthritis, inflammation, or itchy skin.

If you suffer from chronic pain and are looking for a natural solution, you might want to try CBD cream. Keep reading to learn how CBD cream can help you manage pain.

What is CBD cream and how does it work?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid present in cannabis plants. It is a non-psychoactive compound, which will not get you high. Manufacturers extract it from hemp plants, which have an abundance of CBD, but a negligible THC level. They use the extract to make different products, like CBD cream. It is a topical that contains CBD, and you can apply it directly to your skin.

CBD topicals like creams work by interacting with the endocannabinoid system. It is a highly complex cellular structure that primarily governs feelings of pain and pleasure. The system produces neurotransmitters called cannabinoids that bind with receptors to initiate change. When you use CBD cream, the cannabinoids communicate with the receptors present on the skin and can bring relief from pain and skin disorders.

How can they help with pain management?

Here are five compelling ways CBD cream can help your body with pain management:

A new study refutes what many claim is a danger of legal cannabis, as the findings showed that, while alcohol can have an impact on cortical thickness in younger users, cannabis does not. 

The study, titled “The effects of alcohol and cannabis use on the cortical thickness of cognitive control and salience brain networks in emerging adulthood: A co-twin control study,” was published in the journal Biological Psychiatry and conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota.

These researchers looked at the relationship between alcohol and cannabis exposure when it comes to the brain morphology of young adults. It considered a population-based sample of 436 twins, all 24 years old. By looking at frequency, density, quantity, and level of intoxication from both alcohol and cannabis, the researchers were able to gather data about how cannabis impacts cortical thickness. The cortical consistency was measured using magnetic resonance imaging. 

When conducting this research, the team kept in mind that other studies often assume that even casual substance exposure can have an impact on brain structure. However, until now, this was a largely untested theory, and one that does not take other factors like familiar risk into account. By studying the twins who were using alcohol and cannabis, the study was able to directly measure how the two different substances can affect people.

The study explained,  “Greater alcohol, but not cannabis, misuse was associated with reduced thickness of prefrontal and frontal medial cortices, as well as [the] temporal lobe, intraparietal sulcus, insula, parietal operculum, precuneus, and parietal medial areas.”