WeedLife News Network

Migraines are the third most prevalent illness in the world, affecting an estimated 1 billion people worldwide. Incredibly, despite the prevalence of this malady, traditional medicine has yet to offer an answer. 

It’s not that there aren’t treatments for migraines; it’s that many people find these treatments don’t work. In some cases, the treatments themselves cause other serious problems. Meanwhile, migraine sufferers are going through hell, suffering pain, nausea, dizziness and more–sometimes for days on end.  

Given the number of people who suffer from these debilitating headaches, there’s real urgency to study alternative ways of treating migraine headaches. The latest of these? Cannabis. 

But, there are enough questions about cannabis and migraines that a simple internet search on the subject can easily become a headache all its own. Fortunately, we’ve saved you the trouble.

What is a migraine headache? 

A migraine is an attack on the central nervous system. Along with the pain we might expect from a severe headache, a migraine can cause nausea, vomiting, and intestinal issues. 

The adult-use of recreational marijuana is a fast-growing market, and non-alcoholic beverages have an even more meteoric rise.

In places where recreational cannabis is legal, THC-infused beverages often share shelves with beer, wine and other drinks. But, should alcoholic beverage producers worry about competition from weed-infused beverages? Experts in these industries answered these questions in a recent report published by winemag.com

Colleen McClellan, regional director of client solutions for Datassential, a leading food and beverage insights platform, expects business opportunities in the THC-infused drinks space. “I think as more states relax the regulations, we will continue to see an increase in interest and use,” said McClellan, who is a trained sommelier.

The data expert highlighted that “there are consumers who enjoy the use of cannabis or THC-infused products, as it provides a functional benefit without the hangover effect” and stressed the centrality of marketing in driving consumers to dispensaries. “Weed has never been so bespoke. You can choose the strain, strength and method of consumption as you would a bag of coffee beans.”

Michelle Mendoza, head grower at Sweet Flower, a California dispensary, said, “I think the most interesting development for infused drinks as of late is the expansion of minor cannabinoids that are being featured in these drinks. We are only going to continue to see more of these minor cannabinoids as the star of the sector.”

Licensed to a Vancouver company, the goal is to employ technology that converts liquid solution to a gel to commercialize products in the form of a nasal spray.

Australia’s University of Queensland (U.Q.) and Canada’s PreveCeutical Medical Inc. have teamed up for what is being called a revolutionary change in how patients will take medical cannabis: a liquid that converts to a gel.

The Sol-Gel technology is thanks to the work of a team of researchers, led by Dr. Harendra Parekh, at the U.Q.’s School of Pharmacy, which explains the liquid solution converts to a gel upon contacting “internal membranes of the human body, such as the nose.”

Vancouver-headquartered PreveCeutical — which, along with its partners, researches and develops solutions that give consumers options for preventive and curative therapies — will have a chance to check out exactly what the technology can do.

It is the last option that seems of the greatest immediate interest when it comes to the Sol-Gel technology.

Thinking about applying for a cannabis business license in New Jersey? According to Emily Seelman, Founder and CEO of Canna Business Services, you will need to act fast.

New Jersey is what we would consider a "competitive state" for licensing. This means that many MSOs (multi-state operators) and newcomers alike will be clamoring for licenses because the round opens quickly and priority will be given to those that get their applications in first. With the State's cap on cultivation licenses, limiting the number of licenses that will be awarded, hopeful applicants are aiming to submit the most robust and competitive applications possible.

Cannabis delivery businesses hoping to set up shop in Novato will now have fewer location options under new restrictions passed by the city this week.

The Novato City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to require delivery businesses to be at least 600 feet away from residentially zoned areas. At the same time, the council loosened location restrictions for cannabis testing laboratories.

The new restrictions for delivery businesses are a response to concerns raised by San Marin residents earlier this year about a delivery service that sought to set up in their neighborhood.

Mace says she turned to cannabis for relief after a traumatic life event

Berner once had his own business account on Instagram blocked.

Rapper and cannapreneur Berner has teamed with Weedmaps to give people a place to feature cannabis on social media without fear of getting shut down. According to Ganjapreneur, the rapper who founded the Cookies brand and stores reports that Facebook and Instagram have been cracking down on cannabis-related posts by closing multiple accounts. That leaves the providers and their followers out of touch, potentially having a negative impact on businesses both now and going forward.

Being blocked out in part provided the rapper-turned-cannabis entrepreneur with the push he needed to pursue the new network.

Teaming with dispensary review site Weedmaps, the idea is to level the playing field by making the “Instagram of Marijuana,” a safe destination for cannabis businesses, key figures and enthusiasts.

In a tweet earlier this month, Berner asked, “Are you sick [of] being silenced ?? Have you lost your account for posting weed ?? Don’t worry … me & @weedmaps have something special in the works.”

VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Village Farms International, Inc. ("Village Farms" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: VFF) (TSX: VFF) today reported that the Delta, British Columbia operations of both Pure Sunfarms (cannabis) and Village Farms Fresh (produce) have not incurred any disruption from the severe weather recently experienced in the region and, to date, continue to operate as usual. A previous "State of Emergency" declared for the Delta area has since been cancelled. 

Defence asks that the accused be dismissed from the Canadian Armed Forces and demoted to the rank of private.

The defence and prosecution have made final submissions in the sentencing of Chelsea Cogswell, a bombardier who dosed soldiers with cannabis-infused cupcakes during a live-fire exercise in 2018. Cogswell, 28, was found guilty on nine charges in August , including one count of behaving in a disgraceful manner, which carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.

“My consent was stripped from me,” wrote Lyann Lechman, per the Canadian Press . “As a person, our consent is one thing that we have to protect our well-being and to know that someone blatantly disrespected and abused that is horrifying. After this incident I find myself questioning the intent of my peers.”

Liam Jarbeau said the incident broke his trust in the chain of command at the school.

It can take a while to feel the effects of edibles, but there are a few tricks that can help you get your desired results faster.

It’s a crapshoot with edibles. You never really know if you’ve consumed enough of them, because their effects don’t hit you until you’ve waited at least an hour after you’ve consumed them. This often results in the common scenario of inhaling an entire batch of delicious pot brownies only to spend the remainder of the day rocking yourself back and forth. Unlike other forms of cannabis that get you high within the hour, edibles require patience, timing, and the correct dosage, which is a lot to ask of someone who’s never had experience with them.A lot of people stop themselves from enjoying the perks of infused food products because of the long wait time and their unpredictability. While these challenges are adaptable and manageable, there are some ways of making edibles affect you faster. Here are a few options worth considering.

One of the most interesting developments within the cannabis industry are fast-acting edibles, designed to bypass the wait time. Known as “rapid delivery,” these edibles are being developed by companies who claim that you’ll start feeling their effects within 15 to 20 minutes.In an interview with Forbes back in 2017, Peter Barsoom, founder of cannabis company 1906, explained that his company began to make rapid delivery edibles thinking about people who didn’t have six hours to wait around for their edible to hit, aka, everyone who’s not consuming an edible on a weekend. This new formula allows edibles to “bypass the stomach and get into the small intestine faster,” through a process called proprietary lipid microencapsulation.

Sublingual Edibles

A trick savvy consumers can try is to purchase edibles that melt — like chocolate or mints — and then placing it under their tongue. Instead of waiting for the edible to make its way down the digestive track, this sublingual method allows the THC to be quickly absorbed by the bloodstream, much like a tincture or oil, which are among the quickest way to absorb THC. 

Tougher to hack, but just as important, is the speed of your metabolism. Although increasing it won’t be possible within a short span of time, over the long run, you can work on speeding up your metabolism by consuming enough calories, drinking water, working out, and getting plenty of sleep, which will also likely result in a healthier body and mind. There’s a lot of perks associated with edibles, not only because you’ll stop ingesting smoke and vapor. Edible highs are strong and can be fun, especially when people learn how to manage them. Still, if you’ve never tried them, don’t be intimidated by the newness of edibles. In order to see for yourself how they work and if they’re the right fit for you, you’ll just have to experiment.

Heirloom Pet Products recently announced it has partnered with Crystal Coast Pets to expand distribution in the United States. Crystal Coast Pets will provide Heirloom’s water-soluble hemp-based pet supplements to independent retailers in North Carolina and South Carolina.

“Crystal Coast Pets is a great fit for Heirloom Pet Products because they are very passionate about offering retail customers high-quality, differentiated pet product solutions,” said Jason Lysak, founder and chief executive officer at Heirloom Pet Products. “…Great distributor partners like Crystal Coast Pets are critical for Heirloom’s continued growth and help offering educational resources to independent retailers on the new standard of CBD for pets so they can share the differentiating benefits to the pet-loving customers they serve.”

Some say marijuana has the ability to return those with anxiety or altered sleep habits back to a normal rhythm.

The last two years have tested the mental strength of millions. Sleep in particular has been a struggle for many as anxiety skyrocketed and routines broke and shattered during the pandemic. The term “coronasomia” was even coined by doctors, while pharmaceutical sleep prescriptions increased 20%.While some people opted for pharmaceutical relief, many suffered through their restless legs and anxiety. Still others opted for another kind of sleep remedy — cannabis.

“As people grapple with anxiety and insomnia, they are turning to cannabis because of its effectiveness and ease of treating such a variety of stress-related conditions,” Ganja Goddess CEO, Zachary Pitts, wrote in an email to Forbes.

“Research on the possible sleep effects of cannabis date back to the 1970s, but high-quality studies are scarce because of the drug’s legal status,” wrote Medical News Today. The research may not be nearly as extensive as with other sleep aids, but it has not deterred many from turning to it, especially in recent times.

With the limited amount of testing performed using cannabis on sleep patients, the most noticeable patterns have been found in those with existing sleep issues. Many with nightmares, anxiety and even PTSD have shown improvement when occasionally using cannabis as sleep therapy.

If you opt to try cannabis to help you sleep, you may find yourself overwhelmed with your choices when it comes to strains and potencies. It is important to remember that sleep issues are often individual problems that have unique solutions.

Several citizens spoke at the Nov. 9 meeting of the Essex Planning & Zoning Commission as its members continue to juggle two proposals related to cannabis facilities in town.

The first proposal is from an Essex resident, Roger Kern, whose text amendment would ban any type of cannabis facility. The second proposal has been developed by the commission for a temporary, six-month moratorium where no application would be considered, nor would any zoning permits be issued, related to cannabis.

No action was taken on either application, with the commission extending public hearings on both proposals to its Thursday, Dec. 9 meeting.

“It’s going to become the law of the land that we’re allowed to do this in the State of Connecticut,” said Steven Everly of Ivoryton. “If we want to push economic development elsewhere, I think that’s a mistake for the town.”There were mixed opinions from citizens regarding Kern’s proposal to ban cannabis in town. The commission received three pieces of correspondence in favor of his proposal while those attending the public hearing spoke against it.

Everly added that he does not support a moratorium.

Exercise increases the body’s own cannabis-like substances, which in turn helps reduce inflammation and could potentially help treat certain conditions such as arthritis, cancer, and heart disease.In a new study, published in Gut Microbes, experts from the University of Nottingham found that exercise intervention in people with arthritis, did not just reduce their pain, but it also lowered the levels of inflammatory substances (called cytokines). It also increased levels of cannabis-like substances produced by their own bodies, called endocannabinoids. Interestingly, the way exercise resulted in these changes was by altering the gut microbes.

A group of scientists, led by Professor Ana Valdes from the School of Medicine at the University, tested 78 people with arthritis. Thirty-eight of them carried out 15 minutes of muscle-strengthening exercises every day for six weeks, and 40 did nothing.

At the end of the study, participants who did the exercise intervention had not only reduced their pain, but they also had more microbes in their guts of the kind that produce anti-inflammatory substances, lower levels of cytokines, and higher levels of endocannabinoids.

The increase in endocannabinoids was strongly linked to changes in the gut microbes and anti-inflammatory substances produced by gut microbes called SCFAS.  In fact, at least one-third of the anti-inflammatory effects of the gut microbiome was due to the increase in endocannabinoids.

Doctor Amrita Vijay, a Research Fellow in the School of Medicine and first author of the paper, said: “Our study clearly shows that exercise increases the body’s own cannabis-type substances. Which can have a positive impact on many conditions.

A new bill introduced by a House Republican and strong earnings are causing big moves.

The U.S. cannabis industry remains one of the most interesting investing opportunities today. Although the companies still operate in a technically illegal business, most U.S. states have legalized cannabis, at least on a medical basis, and over two-thirds of U.S. citizens are pro-legalization.

Those numbers make it seem as if federal prohibition will be repealed at some point. Yet while many had thought action would occur earlier this year, cannabis legalization measures have stalled in Congress. With hot money pouring into U.S. cannabis stocks after Democrats took control of Congress in January, that money has since grown impatient and left the space throughout the spring and summer. No wonder the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (NYSEMKT:MSOS), an ETF that owns most of the leading U.S. multistate operators (MSOs), is down 14.9% on the year and a stunning 42.6% from all-time highs set back in February.

But after a long slump, could these stocks be in for liftoff once again? Many cannabis stocks have surged this month, with MSOS up 14.6% just through the first two weeks of November.

A Republican legalization bill surfaces

But on Nov. 5, Marijuana Moment picked up on a scoop that Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) was circulating a draft of her own legislation. Cannabis stocks climbed by double digits on the news, as the prospect for Republicans to join the congressional effort led to optimism over legalization.

But the unveiling of the bill was a "sell the news" event

Yet after a huge run in which several leading pot stocks were up 20%, 30%, or even 40% on the news of the proposal, most sold off when Mace's bill was unveiled two weeks later.

Ontario’s Durham Region Police Service (DRPS) is still on the hunt for the sticky-fingered thief who absconded with cannabis products last month. The DRPS is hoping the public can provide a helpful assist in identifying the culprit.

 Rolling up on what the police describe as “a little red BMX bike,” the thief broke into the shop in Courtice, Ont. at around 3 a.m. after throwing a rock through the storefront window.

Slipping into the store, the man described as thin and in his 20s made off with “numerous items,” the police say.

The owner and employee at smoke shops in Westchester are facing charges after being busted by investigators selling to minors during an undercover investigation, police announced.

On Thursday, Nov. 11, members of the Greenburgh Drug and Alcohol Task Force and Street Crime Unit launched an investigation into the underage sale of tobacco and concentrated cannabis to underage shoppers at Hartsdale Tobacco on East Hartsdale Avenue.

The investigation led to the arrest of 29-year-old Muhemmed Abisse, the owner of the store, who was issued a desk appearance ticket for selling concentrated cannabis and tobacco products to a minor.A second bust at The Smoke Shop on Saw Mill River Road in Elmsford led to charges for an employee, 19-year-old Rylee-Ann Domogma, was also cited and scheduled to appear in court for selling tobacco to a minor, police said.

Both Abisse and Domogma are scheduled to return to the Greenburgh Town Court on Friday, Dec. 17 to answer the charges.

If you're a fan of crunchy textures and nutty flavors, hemp seeds might have place on your plate. The tiny seeds are easy to use and eat, making them ideal for snacks and entrées alike. What's more, hemp seeds are packed with essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals, just to name a few. Read on to learn about the health benefits of hemp seeds, plus how to use them at home.

What Are Hemp Seeds?

Hemp seeds are the edible oval-shaped seeds of the hemp plant. The plant is related to marijuana, but it has no psychoactive effects. That's because hemp—unlike marijuana—doesn't contain noteworthy amounts of THC, the chemical that produces a "high" feeling. Whole hemp seeds also boast a hard light brown shell and extra crunchy texture. However, hemp seeds are often hulled (i.e., de-shelled) to expose greenish-beige kernels. These hulled hemp seeds, also called hemp hearts or hemp nuts, are softer but still slightly crunchy. In the supermarket, hemp hearts are usually in the nuts and seeds section. You can also find hemp seeds in powder form, commonly in plant-based protein powders.

The Health Benefits Associated with Eating Hemp Seeds

Despite their small size, hemp seeds are teeming with essential nutrients. They're rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, also known as "good" fats. "These fats may help manage cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood pressure levels," explains registered dietitian Victoria Whittington, R.D. Your body can't produce these fats, so it's important to get them via foods like hemp seeds, salmon, and walnuts. "Hemp seeds are [also] an excellent source of vitamin E and minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc," notes Whittington. "Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress, promotes healthy skin, manages diabetes, and [potentially] eases osteoarthritis." Meanwhile, the minerals in hemp seeds support a range of basic functions, from immunity to brain health.

In terms of protein, hemp seeds are exceptionally impressive. According to Susan Greeley, R.D.N., registered dietitian nutritionist and chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education, they're one of the few plant-based sources of complete protein, meaning they offer all nine essential amino acids. A quick nutrition lesson: "Amino acids are the building blocks of all proteins in the body," says Greeley. However, the body can't make all nine essential amino acids, notes Whittington, so it's crucial to get them through the diet. Most sources of complete protein are animal products (think: meat, eggs, and dairy), but hemp seeds are a wonderful plant-based option for getting your fill.