WeedLife News Network

Many people go to therapy wondering if they have an unhealthy relationship with marijuana. They ask questions like:

As of today, 19 U.S. states have legalized recreational marijuana and as many as half of all young adults in the country have used cannabis. With the stigma around recreational use crumbling, it’s important to talk about the mental-health consequences of marijuana use.

The main psychoactive cannabinoids found in marijuana, THC and CBD, are intoxicants. These compounds interact with your brain and body chemistry in complex ways to induce feelings of pleasure, relief, and well-being. Along with its positive effects, marijuana can also stir up negative feelings like anxiety and paranoia.

Moderation is the key to maintaining a healthy relationship with marijuana. Consider these 3 false but widely-held myths you need to stop believing to have a healthy relationship with marijuana.

1. "Marijuana is not harmful to your mental health."

The science is conclusive: The THC concentration in marijuana is on the rise. A recent study published in The Lancet found that this increase in potency brings a slew of serious mental health risks for marijuana users. The study revealed that high-potency cannabis use was associated with a fourfold increase in the likelihood of addiction when compared to low-potency cannabis use. The research is in line with real-world trends in cannabis addiction treatment, which, in the past decade, has seen a 76% increase. According to CDC estimates, around 30% of all marijuana users in the U.S. meet the criteria for cannabis use disorder.

In addition, those who use high-potency cannabis were found to be at higher risk for developing cannabis-induced psychosis, a serious mental health condition characterized by hallucinations and delusions.

Thailand’s military government is carrying out an experiment: What happens when a country in Asia, a region where drug laws tend to be harsh, essentially legalizes marijuana overnight?

In the first few months, lots of people have opened weed dispensaries, and their customers have smoked a lot of weed.

Thailand’s marijuana industry has a joyful, freewheeling vibe on a street level. Some dispensaries offer workshops on rolling joints and brewing “weed tea.” Next week, one is holding “yoga on high” class; the ticket price includes a joint, a beverage, a snack and a yoga mat rental.

“It’s good because you can just go out and buy it whenever you want,” said Ak Sudasna, 50, who owns a real estate company in Bangkok and typically purchases about 40 grams of marijuana per month, for about $15 a gram, from shops near his home.

“It’s nice for the tourists,” he added. “It’s nice for the country.”

But the high times may not last. Sprawling draft legislation, which is expected to move through parliament in the coming weeks, will seek to regulate legal gray areas around the cultivation, sale and consumption of the drug. It could become law as early as next year.

Each way of consumption has a high that kicks in a little differently and comes with its own set of pluses and minuses.

The Cannabis Research Institute of South Africa (CRI) has sponsored a year-long study that examines the effectiveness of medical cannabis as an alternative to opioids for chronic pain management.

Has Germany’s traffic light government attempted to run before it could walk when it comes to possible cannabis legalisation?

On 19th October, key aspects of Germany’s plans to legalise cannabis were leaked, sparking widespread discussion regarding the direction of the final paper and the efficacy of the plans.

The Federal Cabinet has since decided on the key points of the law and presented them at a federal press conference. If successful the new law would allow possession of cannabis up to 30g for personal use, the home cultivation of up to 3 plants and the sale of the drug via licensed shops and pharmacies. 

Of course, sale and possession are only permitted for those over the age of 18, with the government considering an upper limit on the THC content of products sold to under 21s. There would also be a complete ban on advertising, as well as a graduated tax based on THC levels.  

It was rumoured that the plans could come into force as early as next year, however Burkhard Blienert, Federal Drug and Addiction Commissioner, stated it would be unlikely for cannabis to be legalised before 2024 at the earliest.

But, it appears the EU will have the final say on the future of the law… 

The Federal Health Minister has already warned that this is not yet a breakthrough for German drug policy, as concerns have been raised as to whether the plans for legalisation can be enforced at all. Numerous lawyers have pointed out that the way Germany has planned to legalise cannabis would violate various UN agreements and, most importantly, European law. 

Reducing the smoke you inhale, as well as controlling your dosage are both ways to ensure your body and brain enjoys the benefits of weed without the potential downsides.

Everyone who enjoys marijuana has their preferred method of consumption. In these advanced and semi-legal times, that can be anything from vaporizing to eating to drinking or even good old fashioned smoking. Each way of consumption has a high that kicks in a little differently and comes with its unique set of benefits and downsides.

While many of the pros and cons associated with how you consume your weed are minor and superficial, others are a bit more serious. In fact, the way you consume your marijuana can even affect how healthy (or unhealthy) the substance is for your body — even your brain. After all, all the organs that interact with THC eventually lead to the brain in one way or another. When it comes to eating or smoking your weed, which is better for your brain health?

Why Smoking Weed Is Both Better and Worse for Your Brain

People prefer smoking weed instead of eating it for many reasons, but one of the main ones is the speed in which weed hits you when you smoke versus when you eat it. As we previously reported, smoking weed kicks in much faster than edibles. This not only allows you to get high quicker (which is often the goal), but it also prevents you from consuming too much THC at once. It is much easier to control your dosage and prevent overdoing it, which is great since overdoing it can have negative effects on the brain, including memory issues and paranoia.

Smoking weed, however, can do some real damage to your lungs. As we previously reported, cannabis can cause all sorts of lung issues over time. While these lung issues might seem bad enough to steer you towards a different consumption method, there is also evidence that suggests poor lung health can even affect your brain. According to the book An Overview and Management of Multiple Chronic Conditions, “Lung disease and impaired lung function were associated with greater risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment through both Alzheimer’s disease and cerebrovascular aetiologies.”

While it might be easier to dose and get high quickly, the potentially compounding health issues with consistently smoking your weed might be why many consumers prefer to eat their THC.  

ANNAPOLIS - Maryland voters are deciding whether to legalize recreational marijuana in a constitutional amendment Tuesday.

Lawmakers already approved legislation this year to take steps to implement recreational marijuana with voter approval, but the General Assembly left matters of licensing and taxes for lawmakers to decide next year.

The constitutional amendment states that recreational marijuana would not be legal until July 2023 for people 21 and over. If voters approve, the law includes provisions spelling out a transitional period between Jan. 1 and July 1 that would include a fine of up to $100 for possession of marijuana of under an ounce and a half.

In addition, legislation will remove criminal penalties for up to 2.5 ounces and create a civil citation. Existing laws on marijuana possession would apply to possession of more than 2.5 ounces.

It also makes changes in criminal law and creates a process for expungement of past marijuana possession convictions.

Starting Jan. 1, a person who is convicted of possession of cannabis may file a petition for expungement after the completion of the sentence and probation. By July 1, 2024, the state’s department of corrections would be required to expunge all cases in which the possession of cannabis is the only charge in the case, and if the charge was issued before July 1, 2023.

As we look back on a decade since Colorado’s landmark vote on legalized cannabis, we assess how arguments from both sides of the debate have borne out.

Supporters hail the proposal as "a model for Europe," but it would need to align with EU laws first.

BERLIN - Germany’s health minister unveiled a plan late last month to decriminalize the possession of up to 30 grams (about 1 ounce) of cannabis and to allow the sale of the substance to adults for recreational purposes in a controlled market.

Berlin will check with the European Union’s executive commission whether the plan approved by the German government is in line with EU laws and would proceed with legislation “on this basis” only if it gets the green light, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said.

Lauterbach said the new rules could serve as “a model for Europe.” Realistically, they won’t take effect before 2024, he said.

The plan calls for cannabis to be grown under license and sold to adults at licensed outlets to combat the black market, Lauterbach said. Individuals would be allowed to grow up to three plants, and to buy or possess 20 to 30 grams of marijuana.

If the legislation comes as planned, “this would be, on the one hand, the most liberal cannabis legalization project in Europe, and on the other hand it would also be the most tightly regulated market,” Lauterbach said.

‘​​Moving forward, we urge you to ensure that every step taken to remedy racial injustice includes relief to impacted immigrant communities’

“I am working in a bipartisan way with Democrats and Republicans to take the SAFE Banking Act,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said during a recent debate.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has made it clear that cannabis is a topic that’s been avidly discussed by members of Congress. Schumer suggests that soon there will be a bill addressing topics such as banking and the expungement of prior weed convictions.

His statements were made during a recent debate with his Republican opponent Joe Pinion. Schumer was asked specifically about the Secure and Fair Enforcement Act, commonly called the SAFE Banking Act.

“I am working in a bipartisan way with Democrats and Republicans to take the SAFE Banking Act, which allows financial institutions to involve themselves in cannabis companies and lend money to them — but it also does some things for justice, such as expunging a record,” Schumer said.

He also talked about expunging records and how important it was to act quickly. “I’m working with a bunch of Republican senators, a bunch of Democratic senators, to get something passed,” he said.

Pinion had a different outlook on cannabis, talking about the high levels of THC and how these are dangerous and different than in years past.

Boston - The enactment of state-level laws legalizing marijuana for adults does not influence early adolescents’ attitudes toward its potential risks, according to data published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. 

Investigators affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School assessed children’s perceptions of marijuana-related harms over three years in states with and without legal cannabis marketplaces.

They determined that “individual child-level characteristics, rather than state policy,” contribute primarily to young people’s attitudes toward cannabis.

“There was no significant main effect of state RCLs [recreational cannabis laws] on perceived risk of cannabis use, and no differences in change over time by state RCLs,” researchers reported. 

They concluded, “This analysis indicates that state-level RCLs are not associated with differential perception of cannabis risk among children.”

The study’s conclusions are consistent with those of numerous others, finding that adult-use regulations are not associated with increased marijuana use or access among young people.  

LOS ANGELES - Change is in the air in the cannabis world.

Recreational legalization has reached 19 states, with more than two-thirds of adults supporting some level of legalization, regulation, or taxation of cannabis. While federal legalization is closer than ever, top litigators who specialize in cannabis face a multitude of challenging regulations and gray areas in mitigating cases.

In an ever-evolving, maturing industry, change is a constant that requires companies and leaders to remain adaptable—especially in preparation for the post-prohibition era.

With cannabis steadily becoming easier to purchase legally, federal legalization may seem to lose its urgency in the eyes of the average consumer. However, legalization is essential for the growth and health of the industry as a whole, allowing for national safety standards, organic labeling, medical research, healthcare coverage of cannabis, and much more.

Regardless of the many positive impacts, legalization will alter the cannabis environment around the country. The federal government will earn revenue on cannabis taxes, yet rising taxes have forced many operators into financial hardships. From a regulatory standpoint, legalization and federal oversight of safety would stifle some anti-cannabis sentiment and boost trust in products. Interstate commerce of cannabis will allow flexibility in where businesses cultivate, manufacture, and more. Incredible potential exists for the post-legalization landscape—though not without challenges.

"Federal cannabis legalization remains a high priority for the industry, yet many operators fail to consider the depth and breadth of changes that will take place once that goal is achieved," said Kathee Brewer, editorial director at Inc Media, parent company of award-winning trade journal mg Magazine. "While nationwide safety standards and economies of scale most likely will be positive, other evolutions—like additional taxes, industry consolidation, and competition from corporate giants in the consumer packaged goods space—could produce unwelcome stress. Business leaders need to be ready for a number of potential scenarios, which makes planning for the future challenging."

Thousands of Vermonters have made their way to cannabis dispensaries since October 1, but the technology for determining whether a person is driving while under the influence is lagging behind legalization.

Saint Michael’s College psychology Professor Ari Kirshenbaum has been researching the effects of cannabis on a person while driving. He presented his findings Thursday at a seminar on campus called Weed and the Wheel.

“Is weed addictive?” Kirshenbaum said. “Does weed impair driving skills? The answer to those questions is unequivocally yes.” 

With help from a National Science Foundation grant, Kirshenbaum built as mobile app that helps build data on cannabis-related impairment. The app, which has about 1,000 users, has determined that decision making skills deteriorate by 33 percent while on cannabis and that the effects can last up to five hours after use. 

According to the Vermont Health Department, THC has been detected in 23 percent of drivers in fatal crashes since 2017. Kirshenbaum said there is a reason why there are no reliable ways for law enforcement to measure THC levels in drivers. 

“It’s because there is no linear relationship between concentration in your bloodstream and impairment,” he said.

Contrary to popular belief, cannabis can actually make some people “less cool,” according to researchers at Harvard Community College.

Earlier this week, Hawaii’s Cannabis Taskforce met again in the move forward toward possibly legalizing marijuana in Hawaii.

The state has now projected that at least $50 million in tax revenue is possible through legalizing sales without a prescription. Others are certain that the state’s estimates are extraordinarily low. Hawaii has been looking at ways to be less tourist-dependent; could this be it?

This comes as the state’s research arm, UHERO recently said, “Hawaii’s economy is extraordinarily specialized in tourism, resulting in vulnerability to
external shocks and diminishing productivity growth. In response… policy-makers in Hawaii increasingly emphasize diversification.”

Currently, marijuana use in Hawaii is limited to those with a medical need. Dispensaries exist but are only allowed to sell to those with medical marijuana cards.

Green administration is pro-green.

There is a sense that if Josh Green is elected (a largely foregone conclusion), he will help move legalizing marijuana forward. He said recently, “I think that people already have moved past that culturally as a concern.” He’d like to see tax money from marijuana sales be invested in “our mental healthcare system for the good of all.” While supporting mental health is good, we are wondering if there are other places the money should be invested too, like affordable housing.

Alternative to Hawaii travel’s tax money?

Marijuana would have a long way to go in replacing Hawaii’s tourism taxes. The state says that in 2019, pre-Covid, for example, it collected $600 million in accommodation taxes alone.

When you think of cannabidiol, you might picture an oil-based tincture that you buy and put in a drink or under the tongue. If so, it's time to think again.

While oil-based CBD products tend to dominate the market, a recent study conducted in conjunction with Colorado State University's Health and Exercise program and co-funded by Caliper Foods, a company that produces cannabinoids, and NextEvo Naturals, a water-soluble CBD outfit, found that water-soluble CBD products are actually absorbed better into the bloodstream than oil-based CBD products or a CBD isolate. The study also found that water-based CBD is absorbed better when it's accompanied by food.

The study, conducted over eight months, took five formulations — one CBD isolate, three water-soluble formulations and one with CBD dissolved in medium-chain triglyceride oil, fat made from coconut and palm kernel oils — and measured how much of the CBD was absorbed into the bloodstreams of fourteen males participating in the research, as well as how long it stayed in the bloodstreams.

The results showed a significant variance between the different formulas. One of the water-soluble formulations had a circulating CBD concentration of 3.1 nanograms per milliliter, while the oil-soluble formulation had a CBD concentration of only 0.4 nanograms per milliliter.

LITTLE ROCK - A well-known entertainer and marijuana “enthusiast” has lent his support to the effort to legalize recreational use for adults in Arkansas.

In an Instagram post, rapper Snoop Dogg called for Arkansans to vote yes on Ballot Issue 4. If passed, the ballot issue will permit the adult use of marijuana without a medical waiver card.

In making the post, he added, “F.y.i. Do what you got 2 do n vote,” followed by a small bright emoticon.

Snoop, whose real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., has frequently been identified with recreational marijuana use as part of his stage persona. His initial recognition as a recording star was his multiple appearances on André “Dr. Dré” Brown’s album “The Chronic” in 1993, its name being slang for high-grade marijuana.

As markets mature, cannabis users seek diversity and higher potency, triggering the demand for manufactured cannabis products. (Benzinga)

According to The Brightfield Group, a cannabis analytics firm, cannabis consumers are turning to extracts and concentrates as they seek more bang for their buck.

Falling flower prices and economics of scale behind producing extracts such as live resin or rosin, weigh in as factors that contribute to their popularity among cannabis users.

As markets mature, cannabis users seek diversity and higher potency, triggering the demand for manufactured cannabis products.

“More than 64% of consumers are using cannabis at least daily. … The more frequently you use it, the higher your tolerance becomes. That’s helping build the concentrates market,” Bethany Gomez, Brightfield’s managing director told MJBizDaily.

Gomez said consumers are more price sensitive given inflation, and products have become much more refined in branding and packaging.

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