WeedLife News Network

Dan Ahrens specializes in portfolio management of highly regulated areas including cannabis and other vice-related investments. He is portfolio manager of the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (MSOS), the largest publicly traded cannabis fund. Dan is also the author of Investing in Cannabis: The Next Great Investment Opportunity.

Russ Prince: What is the opportunity for investors in the cannabis industry and how does AdvisorShares play a role in this opportunity?
Dan Ahrens: I see cannabis offering a growth opportunity similar to that of the alcohol industry post-prohibition. However, today, the world moves much faster and advancements in technology and science are uncovering new opportunities for uses of the cannabis plant. 

Cannabinoid receptors help the brain’s dopamine system establish key connections after birth, a new mouse study suggests.

Doctors warn that marijuana use during pregnancy may have harmful effects on the development of a fetus, in part because the cannabinoid receptors activated by the drug are known be critical for enabling a developing brain to wire up properly. Now, scientists at MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research have learned that cannabinoid receptors’ critical role in brain development does not end at birth.

In today's online issue of eNeuro, scientists led by McGovern investigator Ann Graybiel report that mice need the cannabinoid receptor CB1R to establish connections within the brain’s dopamine system that take shape soon after birth. The finding raises concern that marijuana use by nursing moms, who pass the CB1R-activating compound THC to their infants when they breastfeed, might interfere with brain development by disrupting cannabinoid signaling.

“This is a real change to one of the truly important systems in the brain — a major controller of our dopamine,” says Graybiel, who is an Institute Professor and a faculty member in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. Dopamine exerts a powerful influence over our motivations and behavior, and changes to the dopamine system contribute to disorders from Parkinson’s disease to addiction. Thus, the researchers say, it is vital to understand whether postnatal drug exposure might put developing dopamine circuits at risk.

Cannabinoid receptors in the brain are important mediators of mood, memory, and pain. Graybiel’s lab became interested in CB1R due to their dysregulation in Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases, both of which impair the brain’s ability to control movement and other functions. While investigating the receptor’s distribution in the brain, they discovered that in the adult mice, CB1R is abundant within small compartments within the striatum called striosomes. The receptor was particularly concentrated within the neurons that connect striosomes to a dopamine-rich area of the brain called the substantia nigra, via structures that Graybiel’s team has dubbed striosome-dendron bouquets.

Striosome-dendron bouquets are easy to overlook within the densely connected network of the brain. But when the cells that make up the bouquets are labeled with a fluorescent protein, the bouquets become visible — and their appearance is striking, says Jill Crittenden, a research scientist in Graybiel’s lab.

Nevada’s alcohol tax collections dropped during the pandemic, though tax officials attributed that more to a lack of wholesale purchases from casinos or bars than from any surge in teetotalers. 

Even with the COVID pandemic waning, state tax officials told legislators this month that Nevadans have made what appear to be some permanent shifts in how they buy legal marijuana through pick-up and delivery modes. Understanding changes in consumer behavior is key for legislators and tax officials, who use the information to make tax revenue projections while crafting state budgets.

TAC allows you to experiment with different product ratios to decipher the concentration that gives you the best cannabis experience.

Cannabis is a highly versatile herb. As the world continues to embrace it, millions of people are being introduced to the various cannabinoids that make up the plant. Often, the tag “TAC” can be found written on the packages of cannabis products. But very few understand what this “TAC” is all about.

First of all, TAC stands for Total Active Cannabinoids. It refers to the cannabis profile of a strain. When purchasing a cannabis product or seed, consumers are able to have more insight into the total cannabinoid content of the strain. With TAC, users can customize their cannabis sessions.

The Total Active Cannabinoids of a strain take the focus away from THC alone and directs more attention to other minor cannabinoids in the plant. TAC information informs users about how potent or effective a strain may be when consumed. Most of the time, the TAC is indicated by a cumulative figure, while a few manufacturers choose to disclose the individual properties of the cannabinoids present in the strain. This way, users can effectively decide which product they need at that very moment based on its potential effects.

TAC represents the total amount and potency level of the various cannabinoids found within a specific cannabis plant. Cannabis plants contain over 50 different cannabinoids, although not all are detectable. Current testing methods can only identify a set of cannabinoids available in substantial quantities. So, in reality, the TAC figure is usually less than the exact amount of cannabinoids in the strain.

Note that the non-detectable cannabinoids in a strain are inactive or not sufficient enough to induce a notable impact. For cannabinoids to be included in the TAC means that they will have some form of influence on the effects that manifest in the user. Cannatech operators are yet to figure out a direct mechanism to identify the mechanism of an individual cannabinoid in a strain.

In a country known for cannabis exports, the Thailand cannabis community thrives despite legislative challenges.

Thailand hasn’t always prohibited cannabis; it’s part of the culture.

Ganja plants were typically grown on the side of the house and used in traditional Thai medicine and Thai massage. Even today, some grandparents cultivate a few plants and toss a couple of leaves in their Tom Yom (traditional Thai soup).

The U.S. illicit market fueled Thai Stick exports, which came from U.S. soldiers based in the Kingdom during the Vietnam War. At the time, there was no legal or moral taboo surrounding the plant in Thailand.

Then, during the 1980s, the United States’ War on Drugs pushed Thai legislators to change the law, burdening consumers and OGs (original ganjapreneurs) with the threat of severe penalties for cannabis smuggling, sales, production and consumption.

The Kingdom has made some progress over the last few years. However, its emerging legal cannabis market is still in its beginning stages, characterized by confusing legislation, empty promises and false reporting about what’s allowed.

Is THC-P 30x stronger than THC? Better start slow and low!

Tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THC-P) is one of the popular but limited cannabinoids making waves in the cannabis market at the moment. The cannabinoid is mainly preferred by hemp lovers because of its rich collection of psychoactive derivatives. While obeying federal laws, THC-P offers hemp lovers a perfect way to feel the intoxicating effects of weed.

Tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THC-P) was discovered about three years ago. The available information on the fascinating cannabinoid is somewhat limited at the moment. Research showed that the compound is at least twenty times more intimidating than delta 9 THC. It has been observed to bind uniquely to the CB1 receptors. Potent psychoactive compounds like THC-P offer users a one-of-a-kind experience. However, it is imperative to dose the compound as you could easily get overwhelmed by it. New users are always advised to start with the lowest amount possible.

THC-P Dosage and THC-P Strength

Cannabinoid dosage and strength are two different features that need to be taken into consideration. Before consuming any THC-P product, it's advisable to know your limit. THC-P dosage defines the exact amount of the rare cannabinoid a person can ingest at once. It is often measured in ml. For instance, 2 mL of THC-P tincture While some measure it in vape puffs, that is five puffs off of a vape.

THC-P strength, on the other hand, specifies the precise milligram strength of cannabinoids in a product. The market offers different brands of hemp products that have been produced by infusing pure tetrahydocannabiophorol extract into the base formula. The exact milligrams of THC-P infused into the formula determine how potent each dose of the product can be.

THC-P Dosage Chart (Standard)

The guide chart is divided into three: The beginner THC-P for low tolerance, the advanced HHC for high tolerance, and the intermediate HHC dosing for medium tolerance. Users in the first category are recommended to use 1 mg to 3.1 mg per session, while the second uses 5 mg to 10 mg. Users with a medium tolerance can consume 3 mg to 5 mg per use. This standard dose applies to all products with THC-P. Everything from tinctures to cartridges, disposables, and flowers is available. New users ingest very little on the first trial until they get to the point where they start feeling its effects.

Acquisition combines premier California brand with 4Front's state-of-the-art Commerce, California manufacturing facility 

 4Front Ventures Corp. (CSE: FFNT) (OTCQX: FFNTF) ("4Front" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operator and retailer, today announced it has signed a definitive merger agreement on March 30, 2022 (the "Agreement") to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Island Cannabis Co. ("Island").

Since the implementation of recreational marijuana dispensaries after legalization, the industry has spread its roots in the Mile High City and is taking the next step.

Last year, Denver overhauled its marijuana regulations to include licenses for delivery and hospitality. As a result, you can now have marijuana delivered to your home, and some businesses are getting ready to roll out a new model: consuming cannabis in their store.

But a big part of that overhaul was to embed social equity into the application process.

“Since we opened up the applications for consumption licenses a couple months ago, we’ve seen three applications that have been submitted,” Executive Director of Denver Excise and Licenses Molly Duplechian said.

As the cannabis industry continues to grow, so does the competition. Businesses are popping up left and right, all vying for a piece of the pie. While this can be daunting, it doesn’t have to be. There are some simple things you can do to ensure success as a cannabis business. A few examples include selecting the right product, knowing your audience, having a solid business plan, and doing market research, among others.

If you are wanting to start a cannabis business, or you want some advice on how to make it even more successful, here are a few simple tips that you can begin implementing to ensure success.

CBD is a nutritious supplement that may boast many benefits for your wellbeing, but is it vegan friendly?

In two short days, dispensaries across Las Cruces and Doña Ana County will make history as recreational marijuana sales start in New Mexico.

The tax revenue from marijuana will certainly diversify New Mexico's economy but by how much?

"We will be better positioned than other states to capture the market," said Kelly O'Donnell, a northern New Mexico economist who studies the financial impact of social policy.

"Once there is legalization at the federal level, we'll be in a position to export cannabis."

Denver has long been a desirable travel destination. With the legalization of adult-use cannabis, tourism has been on fire and hotels have been trying to keep up. Indeed, a recent study showed an increase of 120,000 hotel rooms rented per month once tourists were able to purchase cannabis legally, yet public consumption of cannabis was banned in Denver.

Enter the Patterson Inn, the first licensed cannabis consumption lounge in a hotel, which just obtained a provisional license from the city of Denver, clearing a major cannabis licensing hurdle to operate a cannabis consumption lounge as an amenity to the adjacent hotel.

Chris Chiari, CEO and founder of the 420 Hotels, was the first to apply for a license under Denver’s new social consumption rules. Now that he’s received approval, Chiari is transforming part of the Denver-based luxurious castle into into a first in the nation, in-hotel licensed legal cannabis consumption lounge.

“The 420 Hotels sees cannabis hospitality as the most unique and exciting amenity in the hotel industry today,” Chiari said.

“We are excited to be the first cannabis lounge to be licensed as an amenity to overnight hospitality, and to provide a welcoming space for legal cannabis consumption.”

There’s a glaring disparity issue in industrial hemp production — just 6% of producers are Black. A couple in Missouri hopes to create the state’s first Black-owned hemp processing site.

Just northwest of Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, past Mennonites in horse drawn buggies, there’s a curvy road that leads to a forgotten piece of Missouri’s Black history – Lake Placid.

The Black-owned cabin retreat thrived in the mid-1900s. P.C. Turner, a doctor from Kansas City, designed it as a place of restoration and refuge for Black families across the state during segregation. But over the decades, many of the once sought-after cabins fell into disrepair.

“We’ve got what I call dilapidation – buildings with no walls,” said Brendalyn King.

Cannformatics, an early-stage biotechnology startup, has identified 22 new potential lipid-based Cannabis-Responsive biomarkers in the saliva of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The Biomarkers

All 22 biomarkers shifted toward the physiological range of typically developing children following successful medical cannabis treatment. These biomarkers include central nervous system lipids that are primarily associated with cellular activity in the brain indicating medical cannabis’ potential to impact neuron function in children with ASD. These discoveries continue the company’s progress towards launching a personalized medicine service as a resource to healthcare providers and patients wanting to use cannabinoid-based medicines and products to treat complex medical conditions. (Benzinga)

The Journal

The company published its findings in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research in a paper titled, “The potential of salivary lipid-based Cannabis-Responsive biomarkers to evaluate medical cannabis treatment in children with ASD.”

This paper is the second to come from the company’s ASD Pilot study. The first paper, published in December 2021, established Cannabis-Responsive biomarkers as a universal tool for measuring medical cannabis impact. Together the two papers demonstrate the potential for saliva-based Cannabis-Responsive biomarkers to be a tool for both clinicians treating patients with medical cannabis and life science companies developing next-generation cannabinoid-based medicines and applications.

New Opportunities

According to Itzhak Kurek, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Cannformatics, unlocking medical cannabis’ mechanism of action allows the company to demonstrate that “Cannabis-Responsive biomarkers can provide life science companies and clinicians with new tools for understanding the role of cannabis in maintaining homeostasis of the central nervous system in children with ASD. This study also opens new opportunities to evaluate medical cannabis treatment in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and ALS, in which some of these potential lipid-based Cannabis-Responsive biomarkers are known to play a role."

Kurek added, “We are now in a position to raise the capital needed to launch the ASD service platform and expand into neurodegenerative diseases.” 

The AR experience is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

US-based edible products company Wana Brands has collaborated with full-service marketing agency August Allen to launch an augmented reality (AR) experience for its new cannabis product line.

The brand’s packaging features a QR code that allows consumers to enter a 3D animation experience.

Customers can select and interact with the brand’s four new Live Rosin gummy flavours, namely Watermelon Slushy, Tropical Smoothie, Citrus Sorbet and Berry Gelato.

They can experience the service by scanning the QR code with their smartphones.

The AR experience was developed by August Allen and is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

More and more professional athletes are getting high on marijuana to help them play better and recover.

Channel 2′s sports director Zach Klein first reported on the trend in February. Now changing attitudes are trickling down to the college level, with the NCAA relaxing its rules on pot.

Professional athletes are opening up about their marijuana use to help with everything from pain relief to anxiety.

“I would probably say around 80% of guys in our league use cannabis,” said Tavarres King, who played wide receiver in the NFL for seven years.

“You mentioned 80% of your teammates or guys that you know in the league were using marijuana. Were you one of them?” asked Klein.

How much cannabis can you put in a drink or food in Europe?

The European Commission (EC), which is the regional unit charged with creating cannabis laws for all members of the EU, has finally released guidelines for the highest acceptable level of THC that can be allowed in hemp seed food products available for human consumption.

The Two-Part Regulation

The EC issued a two-tiered regulation. The first of them, which was authorized by the European Commission's Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food, and Feed, says that oil obtained from hemp seed should not contain THC levels greater than 7.5mg/kg.

The second regulation is that for dry foods that contain hemp, such as flour and protein powder that contain hemp seed, as well as hemp seed itself, the level of THC that can be found in them must not be greater than 3mg/kg.

To put this into an international point of view, a 10mg/kg limit has been placed on both dry foods and oils containing hemp seed in Canada. And in Switzerland, a limit doubles that of Canada's has been established for oil products at 20mg/kg while the limit for dry products remains the same at 10mg/kg.

Effects of Setting Limits in the World of International Hemp regulations 

German cannabis lawyer Kai-Friedrich Niermann, who is presently suing the government over laws as regards the importation of hemp, was glad about this development. In his opinion, the ruling of the European Commission was crucial and way-paving for the European hemp sector. Currently, it will be the first time organized guideline values apply across the European Union.

With serious gaming comes stress, but studies show that CBD can reduce anxiety and other factors minimizing one’s digital potential.

When it comes to the Electronics Sports League (ESL), competitive gamers are required to submit a random drug screening for performance-enhancing substances. Of what’s tested, cannabis is one of the few that’s debated.

Most people look at tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its ability to impair cognitive function. More particularly, it may actually worsen brain mechanics that are essential to gaming, such as basic motor coordination for complex tasks (i.e. planning, organizing, solving problems, making decisions, etc.).

However, most don’t consider cannabidiol (CBD) and its potential to enhance cognitive performance. While research remains preliminary, many scientists are discovering that CBD’s ability to reduce symptoms of health conditions (and not cause psychoactivity) is actually beneficial for brainpower.

In turn, gamers who struggle with a specific health condition (such as anxiety) will likely find they’re more relaxed and level-headed when gaming on CBD oil.

But how much do we know about CBD’s cognitive-enhancing effects? And how exactly do these effects pertain to gamers? We invite you to follow along as we answer these questions.

Al Harrington discusses his company’s partnership with Allen Iverson ahead of the new strain release.

There’s a lot of reasons to love Viola. Besides attracting consumers with their high-profile founder, the heart-warming story of the company’s origins or their extensive equity work with Viola Cares—these guys just make great products. Now in their 10th year of operation, today Viola is easily one of the most talked about brands in the cannabis industry, and one of the most popular in terms of sales too. With operations in six states and a licensing deal that will bring the brand into Canada, Viola has long been a shining example of cultural relevance driving sales in this burgeoning space.