WeedLife News Network

A new report finds a new main reason Americans were interested in using medical cannabis during 2020; a year many would like to forget.

The report was based details supplied by Veriheal, which has a database of around 125,000 patient assessments, and comparing sign-up and appointment numbers with Centre for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 tracker numbers.

While the researchers were expecting the majority of interest in cannabis would involve “Relief/Pain-Free,” the results indicated patients were most commonly looking to medical cannabis for alleviation of mental stresses in 2020. In addition to the coronavirus, other major events during the year also mentioned as a stressors were riots, protests and  the US election.

““Happy/Bliss” was found to be the most desired effect while “Relief/Pain-Free” was the second by a much lesser degree,” says Veriheal.

When it came to the point of a confirmed appointment, the primary reason for acquiring medical cannabis was “happy” among males (42%) and “relief” for females (39%), with Verihealth saying the latter was linked to women’s and reproductive health – issues such as menstrual cramps and menopausal pains.

Australia’s Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) has warned of the risks of sourcing cannabis products for medicinal purposes via illicit channels.

Interest in medical cannabis in Australia is building, particularly after the TGA’s decision to down-schedule certain CBD (cannabidiol) preparations to Pharmacist Only Medicines (Schedule 3), meaning a prescription isn’t required for qualifying products. While such products have been legally accessible since February 1 this year, there are none yet available.

For a CBD medicine to be supplied without a prescription it must meet Schedule 3 criteria and be listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). None have been, nor are expected to until late this year at the earliest.

“Unless entered in the ARTG, a medicinal cannabis product has not been assessed by the TGA for safety, quality or effectiveness and therefore advertising it to consumers is inappropriate,” says the TGA.

“It may seem like a simple, affordable option, but products bought over the internet may be a serious risk to your health and a waste of money,” it says.

Does your eight-hour workday feel like 40? Are you dragging yourself out of bed every morning just to get to work, whether you commute or telecommute? When your day is over, are you so tired you can barely move? Then you may be experiencing burnout.

Burnout can affect you both emotionally and physically and lead to exhaustion, lack of interest and the feeling you can’t be productive. Its negative effects may spill over into every part of your daily life. If left untreated, burnout can result in long-term serious medical conditions such as an increased likelihood for heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, respiratory issues and depression.

Between the pandemic, increased health concerns, job loss, and the other stresses that life throws, many are looking for ways to protect their mental health and wellness.

Since this is a cannabis publication, the natural question is “Can cannabis help?”

With all the research on cannabis, many are still at odds on the benefits of using one or both of the natural compounds CBD (cannabidiol) or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) to aid mental health. Although both are derived from the same plant – cannabis sativa – CBD is a non-psychoactive, so you don’t get the high that you would from THC.

With the medical marijuana industry set to open up in West Virginia in the Fall, some locals are hoping more West Virginia businesses will be granted permits to participate.

Chris Yeager is the head of Appalachian Cannabis, a veteran-owned business that distributes CBD products found it stores across the state. He had hoped to be one of the companies selected to help with the roll-out by applying for a vertical permit.

"It allows you to go from seed to sale. It really allows you to control the quality of the product you put out and you really have your finger on the pulse of the product."

Yeager had initially hoped to have a location on Harper Road in Beckley, but said he was passed over in the permitting process for a company out-of-state. He hopes to make it in the next round as more people apply for cards and the industry expands.

"I would love to see an opportunity for West Virginians to get involved in this industry. I think from a patient or medical side of things, it's a great thing that we are exploring an alternative to prescription drugs."

New research affiliated with the University of Colorado at Boulder and published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors reveals that consumption of CBD-dominant cannabis may be associated with reduced alcohol intake. 

In order to test this, the researchers looked at cannabis use across 120 subjects and compared use of cannabis that was primarily CBD-heavy, THC-heavy, or a mix of both. This revealed that those who used CBD-dominant cannabis “drank fewer drinks per drinking day, had fewer alcohol use days, and fewer alcohol and cannabis co-use days compared with the other groups.” Those who used THC/CBD cannabis or THC-only did not experience any reduced alcohol intake or change in their drinking patterns.

“Conflicting evidence exists regarding the effects of cannabis on alcohol consumption, with some studies suggesting that cannabis is a substitute for alcohol, whereas others suggest that cannabis complements alcohol, thereby increasing drinking. Cannabidiol (CBD) has shown preclinical promise in decreasing alcohol consumption,” the researchers explained  “This study explores the effects of cannabis containing different potencies of CBD and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on alcohol consumption.

The authors also claimed that the results of reduced alcohol intake were “consistent with preclinical work suggesting that CBD may be associated with decreased alcohol consumption.” Other, past studies that looked at CBD vs. opiates, heroin, tobacco, and other controlled substances revealed similar results.

They concluded: “The present study lends preliminary support to the notion that plant-based CBD may be associated with decreased alcohol consumption among regular cannabis users and suggests that it may be feasible for regular cannabis users to switch to a higher CBD, lower THC content cannabis strain for the purposes of reducing their alcohol intake.”

Healthcare professionals should engage older adults in cannabis discussions given that some people are using weed to self-treat different conditions without first seeking medical input or advice, suggests a new U.S. study.

Published online this week in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, investigators from the University of Texas at Austin explored the health-related characteristics, cannabis use patterns and marijuana sources of medical and non-medical weed users 50 and older.

The initial thought was medical users are more likely than non-medical users to have physical and mental health problems, use healthcare services, discuss their drug use with a healthcare professional and use weed more frequently. To see if that was, indeed, the case, researchers looked at 17,685 people based on data from the 2018 and 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

The study determined the rate of past-year cannabis use was 8.9 per cent, 18.5 per cent of whom reported medical use, notes the study. Medical use sought to address, among other conditions, chronic pain, depression and arthritis.

Medical use of cannabis was associated with lower odds of alcohol use disorder, but higher odds of discussing drug use with healthcare professionals (four times higher than recreational users) and buying cannabis at a dispensary.

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.”