WeedLife News Network

Even though the list of emojis isn’t an exhaustive one, it’s fascinating to see that the DEA pays attention to the way drugs are discussed, even digitally.

As a method of fighting back against overdose deaths, the DEA recently began the “One Pill Can Kill” campaign. The driving source of motivation behind the new campaign is to provide an opportunity for the media, parents, teachers, educators, and community organizations to raise awareness about counterfeit prescription drugs.

As part of the campaign, the DEA is helping to teach parents signs to watch for that can help them indicate when their children are discussing illegal drug use. If the point of the program is to teach the mentors of teens and young adults the coded language they use to discuss drugs, then it makes complete sense why emojis would be one of the program’s core  focuses.

Here are some key takeaways about the DEA’s findings regarding the way emojis are used to discuss drugs amongst teens and young adults.

When Emojis Are Most Often Used For Depicting Drug Use

The fact that emojis are used to depict specific types of drugs and actions likely isn’t much of a surprise to most people. Still, it may come as a surprise to see just how many different types of activities related to drug use can be depicted solely using emojis.

For instance, according to a graphic shared by the DEA, emojis are used to depict all sorts of drugs from meth to marijuana. There are also emojis that depict the potency levels of drugs, like bombs or flames along with some that are shared just for the purpose of dealer advertising like plugs or stacks of cash. 

Can the cannabinoid CBN help slow aging in brain cells, and protect the brain from age-related conditions? Here’s what a new study recently found.

It turns out that one of the ways your brain cells can remain sharp over time is with a steady dose of CBD. Some days back, the brilliant scientists at Salk revealed this fantastic discovery. They said that CBN, a minor and relatively unknown cannabinoid, has the potential to protect brain cells from the adverse impact of aging.

Research on medical cannabis has been going on for many decades. For the most of this duration, scientists have focused more on the therapeutic properties of major cannabinoid compounds (i.e. THC and CBD). Minor cannabinoids like cannabinol (CBN), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), acid (CBNA), cannabidivarin (CBDV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabigerol (CBG), and acid (THCA) have been given less attention. We’ve begun to observe an influx of research into these minor compounds.

Scientists say that these minor cannabinoids have more to offer medically. New researchers are investigating how these compounds are broken down and their interactions with the endocannabinoid system, emphasizing their effects on the brain.Cannabinol and the Human Brain

Cannabinol has a similar molecular structure to THC, the major difference being that it is not psychoactive. The non-psychoactive property of the compound has caused it to be less regulated by federal agencies. The Salk researchers were pleased to announce their latest influential studies, which have established that cannabinol (CBN) positively impacts the brain. In the last decade, scientists around the world have tried to investigate the medical potential of CBN. However, the federal prohibition of the cannabis plant has limited these studies.

The primary pathway to the death of cells is through oxidative injuries. This is usually followed by neurologic disorders in aged people. This new study describes how cannabinol can shield brain cells, also called nerve cells, from the damaging effects of this pathway. The findings of this trial have been published in the online Free Radical Biology and Medicine journal. The detailed report implies that cannabinol could be an effective drug to treat or manage age-induced neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Scientists suggest that CBN has a high potential for protecting nerve cells as a person ages.

Calgary-based company sent more than 27,000 kilograms of its hemp fibres to China for the construction of the track

It’s been a bit of a wait, but hemp-processing technologies company Canadian Greenfield Technologies Corp. can enjoy the Beijing Winter Olympics knowing that its NForce-Fiber product is lining parts of the luge and bobsled tracks in China.

Men’s luge events kicked off Feb. 5, and the women have their first heats starting Feb. 7. As for bobsled events, they’re scheduled to begin on Feb. 10.

According to Marijuana Business Daily, the Calgary-based company sent more than 27,000 kilograms of its hemp fibres product to be used instead of plastic fibres. The company provides hemp fibres for outdoor construction projects that use sprayed concrete, commonly called shotcrete, and sometimes used in outdoor pools and skate parks, the publication reports.

In a statement almost four years ago, the company announced that it had been specified for the Beijing Olympics “by an international team of engineering and construction experts.” The first shipment of the product was set to be sent in mid-May 2018, Canadian Greenfield Technologies reported at the time.

NForce-Fibre is being used at the games as a concrete strengthener during concrete construction of the bobsled and luge track. The company claims the product helps, among other things, mitigate plastic shrinkage cracking, improve flexural strength, better surface finish and is sustainable.

A new report sheds some light on cannabis sales. While flower remains the top product being sold, other products are creeping in.

As marijuana becomes more popular, crowds are embracing new products. While marijuana flower remains the top product up for sale, other markets are growing.

As tracked by cannabis data platform Headset, marijuana flower sales grew from $4.92 billion in 2020 to $5.49 billion in 2021, according to Headset. Still, its share of the market fell, with pre-rolls, edibles, and more taking a cut.

The report, provided by MJBizDaily, reveals a variety of interesting findings. Marijuana flower sales experienced a price drop across states like California, Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. This is expected, with prices increasing the minute states launch legal markets, and then a price drop once the market finds its footing and normalizes.

It appears shoppers are becoming more knowledgable of the products they purchase, with dispensary workers reporting flower-buying habits shifting according to things like terpenes and other cannabinoids. These trends fluctuate depending on location; for example, on the East Coast, consumers purchase according to potency.

“The one thing that’s consistent is that the primary purchase decision is potency,” said Mike Bibbey, vice president of Ethos Cannabis, a marijuana retail business in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

A new report sheds some light on cannabis sales. While flower remains the top product being sold, other products are creeping in.

As marijuana becomes more popular, crowds are embracing new products. While marijuana flower remains the top product up for sale, other markets are growing.

As tracked by cannabis data platform Headset, marijuana flower sales grew from $4.92 billion in 2020 to $5.49 billion in 2021, according to Headset. Still, its share of the market fell, with pre-rolls, edibles, and more taking a cut.

The report, provided by MJBizDaily, reveals a variety of interesting findings. Marijuana flower sales experienced a price drop across states like California, Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. This is expected, with prices increasing the minute states launch legal markets, and then a price drop once the market finds its footing and normalizes.

It appears shoppers are becoming more knowledgable of the products they purchase, with dispensary workers reporting flower-buying habits shifting according to things like terpenes and other cannabinoids. These trends fluctuate depending on location; for example, on the East Coast, consumers purchase according to potency.

“The one thing that’s consistent is that the primary purchase decision is potency,” said Mike Bibbey, vice president of Ethos Cannabis, a marijuana retail business in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

Local police have taken down 61 grows in last four months.

Homeowners in the U.K. community of Rotherham pretty much had it up to here with burgeoning illegal cannabis farms that were wreaking havoc on their power supply. Knowing the squeaky wheel gets the grease, they complained to police.

Last month, the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) tweeted its near-glee over busting a small cannabis grow. And about a week prior, officers with the Warminster Police grew suspicious after noticing several cables running into an abandoned factory in Westbury. Upon checking it out, they found 2,000 cannabis plants spread over three floors of the disused building.

Although taking down the small operation was certainly of interest to the GMP, the main sense of accomplishment seemed to stem from eliminating the electrical hazard posed by the grow, which was stealing power from the mains.

Confirming that engineers from Electricity North West had identified line tapping to evade payment, the GMP reported “this activity is highly dangerous, is illegal and, ultimately, endangers lives.”

It is likely a sentiment that officials in Rotherham find relatable. According to the Daily Star, the community was witnessing electricity surges that darkened homes as often as four times daily.

While more than half of drivers said they did not get behind the wheel while intoxicated, 42% admitted they did.

A recent report revealed that more than 40% of U.S. drivers who use both alcohol and marijuana reported driving under the influence of one or both of the substances, according to a new study.

Researchers used data from 34,514 drivers aged 16 and up who reported past-year alcohol and cannabis use. They answered questions as part of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2016 to 2019.

While more than half of respondents said they did not get behind the wheel while intoxicated, 42% admitted they did.

The study also found drivers who used both substances were nearly three times more likely to drive while under the influence of marijuana and more than 3.5 times as likely to drive under the influence of both alcohol and cannabis.

Previous studies have concluded that both alcohol and cannabis can impair cognitive function and motor coordination, making it dangerous for anyone under the influence to get behind the wheel, especially younger drivers with less experience.

More than half of programmers who use cannabis on the job do so because it provides assistance in thinking of creative solutions to problems that arise.

There are a variety of reasons that could cause someone to want to get a little high during the workday. That’s especially true for people working in tech.

Since many tech jobs allow their staff to work remotely, many of them have the opportunity to indulge their temptation without their employer knowing. A recent study conducted by the University of Michigan revealed that more than one-third of software programmers are choosing to consume cannabis while on the job.

Here are some of the reasons why.

Photo by José Antonio Luque Olmedo/Getty Images

To Make Tasks More Enjoyable

Programming can be a lonely, somewhat dull job. Whenever the job gets boring it becomes easier to become disengaged with it which can lead to making preventable mistakes. That’s why it can be helpful to have something handy that makes programming tasks more manageable, or even fun. That’s where marijuana comes in for many programmers.

To Problem Solve

When problems that don’t have a clear solution arise, finding an alternative fix can feel impossible. Some people have an easier time than others doing so which is where cannabis becomes a reliable tool for developers seeking solutions. That’s why cannabis has been increasing in popularity among software programmers. The creative spark it provides can make the job of a developer immensely easier.

You want to allow cananbis use but your business sits on Federal land, now what?

Ski resorts are caught in the middle of murky legal issues surrounding state and federal cannabis policies.

China Peak Mountain resorts have been forced to position some workers to enforce federal cannabis policies around their property. The recent happenings at this establishment make it a perfect example to describe the contrasting state and federal laws.

The Cannabis Policy at China Peak Mountain

China Peak Mountain is a ski resort in California, located 110 kilometers northwest of Fresno. However, it operates primarily on federal lands. Therein lies the dilemma.

California cannabis legislation permits the recreational and medical use, sales, and cultivation of cannabis plants, but federal laws do not. Cannabis is a Schedule I substance according to the Controlled Substances Act. Other substances in this group include heroin, psychedelics, and cocaine.

This patchwork of cannabis policies has left ski resorts like China Peak Mountain in a confused state, unsure of which cannabis consumption laws to stick to. The Fresno-based resort currently adheres to federal laws and frowns against all forms of cannabis consumption on its grounds.

A new reefer madness study on cannabis reveals there is not much evidence to the claims.

Did you hear about the latest study that claims, “using cannabis has negative impact on your ability to think’ and that ‘it may continue after you stopped using’. Yes, in essence, the study suggests that by using cannabis you will experience a detrimental effect on your cognition and that it may be permanent irrespective if you are “youth” or “adult”

Of course, one would expect that with such outlandish claims that at the very minimal the researchers would provide substantial evidence, however, by their own admission the “quality of evidence is low or moderate” despite them claiming that it was “of high quality”.

Furthermore, none of the media publications that covered the research posted any data on the findings but simply regurgitate the same drivel as what the official study said in its PR release.  

In today’s article, we’re going to be taking a closer look at some modern day Reefer Madness and how this anti-cannabis rhetoric becomes a part of the national conversation.

Let’s start with the Abstract of the research.

As you can see, that what the study did was utilize Meta-analyses on particular papers found on the databases of PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Google Scholar. They then took all of these studies and compiled them to compare all the data.

Data from a January Headset report shows that female cannabis consumers are on a continued ascendant in the U.S., increasing 55% from Q1 2020 to Q4 2021. This growing consumer demographic is even more robust in Canada, where both Gen Z and Millennial females posted even higher sales than in the United States. In fact, female Canadian consumers contributed to 36.7% of cannabis spending in Q4 2021– 4.1% higher than in the U.S. Consumption among males has also grown, albeit at a smaller percentage, while the female market share has increased notably over the past two years. This reflects that the statistic that only a third of total cannabis sales are currently to women is changing at a brisk rate. 

Within the female demographic, Headset’s data shows that Female Baby Boomers are outspending their Gen Z counterparts, with average transaction sizes bigger by 41% in Q4 2021, even given nearly identical average item prices. Female Gen Z sales saw an accelerated boom in 2020 at 151%. In terms of product category, women showed a strong preference for topicals, with nearly half of their cannabis expenditures occurring within this subset. Women also claimed a higher wallet share than males in the edibles category.

Cannabis companies are sitting up and listening to this data and marketing their products accordingly in order to take advantage of the rising tide of female consumers. Women want safer, easier to use (and conceal), and more regulated products.  Petra’s microdose THC mints and Rhythm cannabis’ little black jars of evaporated bud led the charge back in 2021 and are experiencing both strong sales and widespread imitation for their efforts. Kristi Palmer, the co-founder of Kiva Confections, celebrates this fortuitous turn in the market. “Cannabis brands and companies are getting with the program and professionalizing in a way that welcomes women into the space, thank God.” This seems to be creating a feedback loop that serves both women and manufacturers, as new, female-driven products are consumed at higher rates for bigger returns and more women see themselves represented in what the cannabis industry has to offer.

Another influencing factor in the growing numbers of women seeking out cannabis may be the fact that, according to a study published by the Journal of Women’s Health, women are quicker than men to replace prescription pain killers with medical marijuana. Rising distrust in the pharmaceutical industry and its motivations for developing and promoting the products that it puts out, not to mention the steep rise in mental health concerns due to the pandemic could very well be fueling the rise of the female consumer, which looks set to endure throughout 2022 and beyond.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – The city has endorsed eight applications to open recreational marijuana businesses here.

The next step is for the applicants to obtain approval from the state.

The applicants approved for licenses are Earth & Ivy, Puffin Store, Maryjayne's Touch, NB Green Delivery, LBOZ, NBFC, DC Vitality, and Fathom Cannabis, according to a public notice.

The city is permitting cannabis retailers in CAN-RD zones. The city is supporting Earth & Ivy, 355 George St.; Puffin Store, 382 George St. and Maryjayne's Touch, 70 Easton St. for retail licenses. 

Microdosing may offer more beyond its mood-boosting abilities.

Microdosing —  regularly ingesting small amounts of a psychedelic substance  — has gone mainstream.

Believed to increase productivity, spark creativity or improve open-mindedness, the microdosing of psychedelic drugs is gaining popularity with both academic researchers and those interested in experimenting.

Using zebrafish and our new method for precise and repeated drug administration, my colleagues and I are studying LSD and terpenes (chemicals in plants responsible for their scent, among other things) in a series of projects exploring potential novel treatments for mental illness and alcohol use disorder.

Zebrafish might seem an odd choice in studying human health, but  they share 70 per cent of their genes with us  and are a popular nonhuman organism used by scientists to study biological processes. They are also incredibly social, making them  well-suited for behavioural studies into psychiatric disorders  and  drug discovery .

As of 2021, the legal marijuana industry already employs around 321,000 people part time.

The data, taken from the 2021 Leafly Jobs Report produced together with Whitney Economics, gives hope to the thousands who have suffered from job loss and lay offs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The report states that job growth doubled in 2020, and only continues to grow.

There is no doubt that the cannabis industry is one of the fastest-growing in the country: it now employs more people than electrical engineers, paramedics, and dentists.

“There has been a seismic shift of workers from retail and restaurants to cannabis,” says Viridian Staffing chief executive of cannabis recruiting, Kara Bradford, to the Washington Post.

“There is a sense that this is a booming industry that’s fun and interesting, with a lot of opportunities to move up quickly.”

Cannabis has been used by humans for thousands of years as a treatment for many medical conditions and is now the subject of much research because it contains chemicals which show medical promise.

Medical Cannabis

Medical cannabis can help with nausea, loss of appetite, pain, insomnia, arthritis, and even depression. It can also help to reduce tremors and spasms caused by conditions like multiple sclerosis.

Medical cannabis can be taken in many forms, including smoking, vaporizing and ingesting through food, e.g. oil or butter in baking or tea. It can be used to make homemade edibles (cannabis-infused foods).

Although medical cannabis is legal in some states in America, its use remains controversial. Opponents say that it is addictive and can impair memory, judgment, coordination and reaction time. Supporters point out that there are no recorded cases of fatal cannabis overdose.

Cannabis for Business

It can be used in the construction industry to build insulation panels, which are fire resistant and also soundproofing materials! It’s naturally pest resistant, so it can be used in the agricultural industry to make textiles or clothing.

In recent years, society has shown interest in correcting centuries of historically hurtful symbolism and terminology. As people begin to dig deeper into this country’s often-problematic past, more and more words and phrases have revealed their racist origins.

There are a wide array of still-commonly used phrases that some suggest should be examined further. Common terms like “Black Market,” used widely in conversation about cannabis culture and all business, according to Reader’s Digest, is just one example of a phrase with racist roots. Even the term marijuana, a term so common and accepted that it has even found itself in modern legislation, is a word that many say should be canceled for good.

The word marijuana is the widely used term to describe cannabis that contains THC. However, it was not the first term Americans used to describe the psychedelic, and its origins are not at all scientific. 

The creation of the word marijuana is rather dark, and altogether troublesome. “In fact, the term entered the national consciousness in 1937 when it was used by the federal government as part of an effort to discriminate against Latinos,” said Ángel Cruz, NHCSL President and Pennsylvania State Representative.

Before this fictitious and racially motivated campaign, cannabis was the most commonly used term to describe the then legal flowering plant. “The use of the term increased dramatically in the 1930s, when it was systematically employed by Harry Anslinger, the director of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, who waged a three-decade long campaign against cannabis,” according to the Ottawa Citizen. 

The waters are getting murky for employers who have workers who are medical marijuana patients. Here’s what you should know.

The landscape surrounding the legality of cannabis throughout the United States has left both employees and employers in a state of uncertainty. This uncertainty persists because the changes regarding cannabis laws take effect so fast.

Unfortunately, when parties are left in the dark regarding the rules and regulations of cannabis consumption, surprises happen. Typically for employees, those surprises come in the form of random drug tests that could result in unemployment. That’s why it’s important to keep a few essential caveats in mind when consuming marijuana even in states where it’s completely legal.

Here are some important insights to keep in mind regarding weed in the workplace.

Going to Work Under the Influence Can Still Result in Termination

There are numerous circumstances that could tempt an employee to head to work under the influence. From an overwhelming amount of responsibilities to an influx of unpleasant customers or clients, there are a wide variety of reasons why taking a massive bong rip prior to work is seen as a necessity for employees.

Since employers have the right to terminate workers who are thought to be under the influence, it’s advisable for overworked employees to decide on a different method to relieve themselves from the pressures that come with the job. Doing so could be a safeguard against the stress that comes with searching for a new job while bills continue to pile up.

Pet Age recently spoke with Dave Merrell, founder of Healthy Hemp, to learn more about his brand and how its products play a role in the health and well-being of companion animals. 

How has the pet hemp market changed over the years since you founded Healthy Hemp Pet in 2014? 

When we first came out with our products, a lot of people thought we were getting animals “high.” Our biggest challenge was educating wholesalers of the benefits and effects of hemp so they could educate their customers.  

The market has matured a lot since back then. Now it’s flooded with hemp (or CBD) pet products that greatly differ in quality. This has a lot to do with the extraction process and the quality of the key ingredient, the hemp oil from the plant – more on that later.  

Why was it important for you to partner with Purdue University for a pharmacokinetic study in 2020? 

Aside from the incredible pet recovery stories from our customers, there is still little published research on CBD and animal health. CBD pet products have been in the market for almost a decade; it’s time for further research to investigate how full spectrum hemp can improve the lives of our pets, especially the ones who are navigating complicated conditions such as cancer. 

Purdue’s study investigated the pharmacokinetics (the movement of a substance through the body) of our coconut CannaDrops full spectrum hemp oil in dogs so they could pinpoint the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) before adverse effects occurred. Next, that MTD will be helpful with our prospective dog oncology trial with Purdue. We soon hope to understand whether CBD in dogs enhances or interferes with the activity of important anti-cancer therapies, and if CBD has anti-cancer activity.  

What made you choose the extraction process that you currently use for your products? 

The two main types of extraction processes are CO2 and ethanol. We use a third type, evaporative extraction.  We are always looking for ways to improve our products. When I learned about the extraction process that Vapor Distilled uses, evaporative extraction, which is basically hot air, I visited their facilities. I was drawn to this new extraction process because it is chemical free and solvent free. After we had a sample tested and found that the extract retained much more of the natural terpenes, it was an easy decision to switch from the CO2 extraction method we had been using.   

Delta-8 THC is a hemp-derived compound that’s closely related to delta-9 THC, commonly called THC.

Over the past year, you may have seen something called  delta-8 THC  or “delta 8” appear in convenience stores and pharmacies alongside CBD gummies, oils and lotions.

Delta-8 THC is a hemp-derived compound that’s closely related to  delta-9 THC  – what’s commonly called THC and is the psychoactive component of cannabis that’s responsible for the high that users feel.

Yet there’s been a dearth of research on this compound. As public health scholars, we decided to conduct  the first survey of delta-8 THC users  to find out who was using it, why they were using it and what sort of effects it had.

The latest cannabinoid to storm the market

The 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act – also known as the farm bill –  legalized the sale of hemp-derived compounds . The  widely available CBD  is a hemp-derived compound.

Delta-8 THC is another. It’s an isomer, or chemical analog, of THC. The difference is in the position of a double bond in the carbon ring, which makes delta-8 THC  have a lower affinity  for the CB1 receptor of the endocannabinoid system in our brains. For this reason, it may be less potent than THC and cause a less-intense high.