Medicinal cannabis specialist LeafCann discusses the current direction of the global medical cannabis market and the expectations for its future.
The rise of medicinal cannabis
The global medicinal cannabis market is growing. Occasional regulatory hurdles notwithstanding, the sector is finally seeing the upward progression that has been promised for several years. However, the increasing acceptance of medicinal cannabis invariably raises the spectre of the legalisation of adult-use cannabis, which in turn introduces conversations amongst the investment community regarding future opportunities for companies already working in the sector.
Medicinal cannabis companies already producing high-quality medicine under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards understand the strict conditions necessary to produce quality product. They understand no corners can be cut if you are to produce a medicine that patients and prescribers can rely on to provide relief. They also understand that it does not take much for the public to lose confidence in the sector when they hear stories of poor practices leading to inferior products and recent instances where contaminants have been found by consumers, prompting recalls.
Therefore, those in the medicinal cannabis sector may be tempted by diversification into other areas, such as adult use cannabis, where the conditions may not be as strict, and profits are ostensibly easier to make. Although desirable, the adult use market may not be the answer for those looking to diversify. Indeed, there are opportunities for those in the sector to apply their current practices to other botanicals and take advantage of the opportunities that other plants may present. Just as cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, so too have many other plants.
Cannabidiol is already being used in conjunction with some botanicals in the novel food sector. However, recent well-documented decisions to make registration of novel foods in the UK mandatory has seen companies rushing to create expensive novel food safety dossiers just to keep their products on the shelf until they can be registered.
Psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin and LSD can induce an experience known as oceanic boundlessness, which is characterized by a feeling of oneness with the world and a sense of awe. New research, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, provides some preliminary evidence that high doses of cannabis can also produce this type of altered state of consciousness.
“Once the psilocybin labs started emphasizing that oceanic boundlessness seemed to be the mechanism underlying the molecule’s antidepressant effects, nearly every cannabis fan couldn’t help but ask, ‘Hey! Doesn’t marijuana have comparable effects?'” said study author Mitch Earleywine, a professor of psychology at the University at Albany.
“My students had already shown that ‘challenging experiences’ were common when folks ate more edibles than they intended to. Asking folks if they thought cannabis also produced these oceanic boundlessness effects seemed an obvious next step.”
For their study, the researchers used Facebook and Amazon Mechanical Turk to recruit a sample of 852 cannabis users, who completed an anonymous survey regarding the most dramatic THC experience of their lives. The survey included items from the oceanic boundlessness subscale of the Altered States of Consciousness Scale, a scientific questionnaire that is frequently used in psychedelic research.
Earleywine and his colleagues found that nearly 20% of participants reported a score on the oceanic boundlessness subscale that was above 60% of the maximum. People who report a score this high are considered as having had a “complete” or “breakthrough” oceanic boundlessness experience.
Written By: Andrew Ward.
Mexico could become the third nation to legalize cannabis after its Supreme Court ruled cannabis use and possession laws were unconstitutional, decriminalizing it in June 2021. The decision came after several deadlines were not met by Congress, prompting the court to take action.
Cannabis reform continues to make incremental reforms. In 2017, lawmakers approved a medical bill. The following year, Grandview Market Research valued the market at U.S.$47.3 million with a nearly 28% CAGR until 2025.
Still, concerns remain. Mexico's market experienced substantial setbacks due to legislative delays since legalizing medical in 2017. A framework for the medical market was released in January 2021. As of August, would-be operators remained in limbo regarding adult-use licenses.
Despite the significant hurdles, analysts and operators tell Benzinga that the market is poised to be a global leader.
It feels as 2019 was a long while ago however some things can’t be forgotten. Back in July of 2019 a staff director for Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee was placed behind other members on the dais. This staff director Brendan was paying attention to all-too-rare bipartisan harmony. Both sides formed a collective understanding: it is time for the federal marijuana prohibition to end.
As of late consensus is growing in Congress to discuss comprehensive cannabis reform. Yet this topic of discussion is running into the typical roadblocks important legislative proposals face from a backward system. That is why it feels like things are moving in circles and making no headway in regards to cannabis reform. Congress and industry advocates should have a simple victory and recognize the importance of small but crucial legislative change.
With this happening, it will be acknowledging the multi-billion dollar CBD marketplace and proving a safe system of daily consumption for consumers. CBD regulation is ready for business, and unlike some of its other reform counterparts, there is a possibility for it to move forward in the 117th Congress. Having momentum is an advantage on Capitol Hill. Especially when working with legislation as old as those opposing any new types of cannabis reform.
Back in 2018, Congress legalized hemp-derived CBD in the Farm Bill. If Congress is not able to motivate the FDA to regulate hemp, it may be hard for congress to see the full potential of federal legalization. For some years now, the Natural Products Association has been asking FDA to provide consumers with certainty. This is in regards to the CBD products they use. Which should be meeting a stringent regulatory process, and that manufacturers are given guidance.
The CBD Market Is Making It Own Lane In The Cannabis Industry
Rather than execting substantive action on regulatory transparency, the FDA has used lax punishment to those making false claims. In turn it the FDA has also left the majority of the heavy lifting to the states. Even more, states are submitting proposals to regulate the CBD industry's manufacturing, testing, and labeling of products. This is setting the course down a complex and likely problematic regulatory structure.
Diabetic nerve pain patients in Pennsylvania registered for the state’s medical cannabis program have been invited to join a study.
Diabetic neuropathy is a form of nerve damage that can occur in diabetes patients. The condition can range from numbness or tingling in the extremities, or a burning, sharp, or aching pain. An estimated 47% of patients with diabetes in the USA have some form of peripheral neuropathy.
Clinical research organization Affinity Bio Partners last week announced it had launched a clinical study in Pennsylvania for registered medical cannabis patients suffering from diabetic nerve pain. However, Affinity Bio Partners didn’t offer anything in the way of detail in its announcement as to what the study involves specifically. Serena Group was also mentioned as being involved in the study, but no luck there either in terms of additional details at this point in time.
All that is provided is a phone number – 724-859-6200 – and email address – research.pgh@serenagroups.com “to check enrollment eligibility at no cost.”
“I am so excited to be working on this clinical study with Dr. Bryan Doner and the Serena Group,” said Affinity Bio Partners CEO Christina DiArcangelo. “The future of medical cannabis and cannabinoids as medical treatments are dependent upon properly performed clinical studies. It is time for companies to invest their money into performing clinical studies that prove safety and efficacy regarding their products.”
The Vernon Township Council on July 26 unanimously agreed to allow four types of cannabis commercial enterprises in the township.
The ordinance will allow cultivators, manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors, but does not permit the operation of a cannabis retail store in the township. The measure passed 4-0. Councilwoman Kelly Weller was absent.
Mayor Howard Burrell said the Vernon Township Land Use Board provided the council with a written decision that the council’s proposal to regulate legal cannabis was consistent with the township’s master plan.
He also said the board amended the ordinance to allow retail establishments.
Burrell said conversations he’s had with members of the board indicate they also believe that allowing adult-use retail cannabis stores in the township will be an “overall good and practical economic use that could bring significant benefits for our town residents.”
When Fresh Green, the first medical marijuana dispensary in the Kansas City area, opened in October, one eighth of an ounce of flower cost $60. Nearly 10 months later, the same product can go for as low as $40.
Prices for medical marijuana have been dropping across Missouri as more manufacturers, cultivators and dispensaries open. As the market continues to grow, those in the industry say to expect the cost of cannabis to continue decreasing.
Missouri residents voted to legalize medical cannabis in 2018. Since then, the state has licensed 193 dispensaries, 59 cultivators and 86 manufacturers, though not all are in operation yet. But as the industry began to find its footing, scarcity of product begot higher prices.
“Certainly, we knew when stores opened here at the very beginning the prices were going to be higher, the selection was going to be more limited,” said Jack Cardetti, spokesman for the Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association. “But with each coming week, we see those trends reversing.”
Along with lower costs, consumers have access to more products than before. When dispensaries in the area first opened, they sold only flower. Now, they stock a variety of items, including edibles and cartridges.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has approved growing, selling and using medical marijuana on its lands in Western North Carolina, tribal leaders said Thursday, making their territory the first place in North Carolina where medical cannabis is legal.
The tribal council’s approval of a medical marijuana ordinance testifies to “the changing attitudes toward legal marijuana and a recognition of the growing body of evidence that supports cannabis as medicine,” Principal Chief Richard Sneed said in a statement.
Medical marijuana is particularly vital “for those with debilitating conditions like cancer and chronic pain,” he said.
Medical use of cannabis products is legal in 36 states and four U.S. territories, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Eighteen states, two territories and the District of Columbia legally allow small amounts of marijuana for adult recreational use, according to the conference.
What are the risk factors?
Scientific evidence suggests a few key factors may play a part in the link between cannabis and psychosis.
Age
Some research suggests using cannabis at a younger age could increase the risk of psychosis.
According to several older studiesTrusted Source, people who begin using cannabis in adolescence are more likely to experience symptoms of psychosis or receive a diagnosis of schizophrenia later in life.
Cannabis use could also factor into the age you begin to experience symptoms of psychosis.
A 2011 reviewTrusted Source of 83 studies found support for a link between cannabis use and earlier onset of psychosis. In other words, experts believe regular cannabis use could trigger an earlier development of schizophrenia or other mental health conditions that involve psychosis.
Warsaw, Poland: The use of herbal cannabis is associated with marked improvements in a patient with treatment-resistant stuttering, according to a case report published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
A team of investigators affiliated with the Medical University of Warsaw (Poland) and with Hannover Medical School (Germany) presented the case of a 20-year-old male patient with refractory stuttering. Following the daily administration of vaporized plant cannabis, the patient exhibited sustained improvements in speech fluency and also reported benefits to his overall quality of life. The patient did not report any adverse side effects from cannabis over the one-year observational period.
Authors reported: “[T]his is the first case report of a patient suffering from impairing and treatment-resistant stuttering, who markedly improved after treatment with medicinal cannabis. Based on patient’s self-report and reports of family and friends, as well as several established assessments, use of cannabis resulted not only in an improvement of stuttering but also remission of (social) anxiety, and reduced depression and stress, as well as improved sleep, attention, concentration, self-confidence, social life, and overall quality of life without any side effect. Importantly, treatment effects did not decrease over time.”
They concluded, “Medicinal cannabis could be effective in treatment of refractory stuttering, but these preliminary data have to be confirmed in controlled studies.”
While this is the first case report specific to the efficacy of cannabis in the case of a patient with a stuttering disorder, several prior studies have documented the ability of THC to improve symptoms in patients with Tourette Syndrome.
A campaign pushing to legalize marijuana in Ohio will have to collect a new batch of petition signatures after Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost rejected the first batch the group submitted, citing issues with how the petition summarized the group’s proposed law change.
Getting ballot language approved is the first hurdle any state issue campaign must clear. But Yost’s rejection isn’t the final say for the group. The group now must try to address the issues Yost identified and resubmit another batch of at least 1,000 valid signatures.
“All I can really say at this point is it just came in,” said Tom Haren, a Cleveland lawyer who is a spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. “We’re reviewing. But we do plan to resubmit.”
The coalition plans to start circulating for what’s called a statewide initiative, a mechanism through which citizens can put a proposed law change before the state legislature. Lawmakers then could decide to pass the law. A similar maneuver in 2016 pressured state lawmakers into legalizing medical marijuana, leading to the program that launched in 2018. The current campaign could be an attempt to force the legislature’s hand once again.
But if the legislature fails to act, or passes a modified version of the law, backers then could seek to take the original proposal for a statewide vote. The process of presenting the the law to the legislature, and then to send it to voters if necessary, is a costly one, and involves collecting hundreds of thousands of signatures from across the state.
Have you tried Delta 8?
It’s found in Louisville hemp shops. Your fave Instagram influencer is pushing it on their profile. Your friend offered you a hit off his vape last time you saw him.
It’s a “legal weed.” You don’t really understand what it is or how you’re able to use it in a state as anti-pot as Kentucky. But sure, you’ll try it.
The answers behind what it is and its legality are more complicated than it may seem based on Delta 8’s ubiquitousness.
But, let’s start with the basic facts.
Release of the brain’s equivalent of THC, marijuana’s active component, reduces seizure activity but leads to post-seizure oxygen deprivation in the brain, Stanford scientists and their collaborators have shown.
A marijuana-like chemical in the brain, mirroring its plant-based counterpart, packs both ups and downs.
Epileptic seizures trigger the rapid synthesis and release of a substance mimicked by marijuana’s most psychoactive component, Stanford University School of Medicine investigators have learned. This substance is called 2-arachidonoylglycerol, or 2-AG, and
has the beneficial effect of damping down seizure intensity.
But there’s a dark side. The similarly rapid breakdown of 2-AG after its release, the researchers found, trips off a cascade of biochemical reactions culminating in blood-vessel constriction in the brain and, in turn, the disorientation and amnesia that typically follow an epileptic seizure.
“I found the sector very attractive to invest in, understanding that it is currently developing and that it is still lacking maturity,” said cannabis entrepreneur Facundo Garretón.
By Ulises Román Rodríguez via El Planteo.
Paraphrasing Julio Cortázar, one could say: “Garretón/a model to assemble”. Born in the province of Tucumán, in Northwest Argentina, Facundo Garretón is a model entrepreneur. He’s a man who lives life in cycles that lead him to change his profession every so often. He likes to study, learn and expand everything he does.
He became a famous entrepreneur in the IT world when he created the site Invertir Online. And, in 2015, he ventured into politics and was elected congressman.
At the end of his mandate, he returned to what motivates him the most: creating a company. And not just any company: this time he ventured into the production of cannabis for medicinal use with Yvy Life Sciences, a company based in Uruguay.
There are major risks associated with the consumption of large amounts of cannabis by young children. Unlike in adults, the risks to children include coma and even death if the child is so profoundly sedated that they cannot protect their airway. Other effects include tachycardia, nausea and vomiting, and respiratory depression severe enough to require ventilation. Cannabis ingestion in children is an immediate medical emergency. The risks were recently highlighted in a segment from CBS News.
The legalization of recreational marijuana in a number of states has been linked to an increase in the overall use of cannabis products, which includes a substantial increase in the consumption of edible cannabis. The more widespread availability of edibles poses new risks of accidental exposure, especially in children. Edibles are commonly made as gummies, cookies, brownies, and other sweets that can be attractive to children, and the doses in an individual gummy, etc., in many cases exceed the average dose for an adult.
Reports from poison control centers document a substantial increase in the number of reports related to cannabis in recent years, and reports from edibles are substantially overrepresented: despite accounting for only 11.1% of cannabis sales, 48% of reports involving children under 10 were from the consumption of edibles.
There is evidence that links the increased rate of unintentional pediatric exposure to cannabis to the changing legal status of the drug. From 2005 to 2011, the rates of pediatric exposure rose 30.3% in legal states, whereas there was no change in non-legal states. Therefore, the expectation is that unintentional pediatric exposure will be a worsening problem as more regions of the country decriminalize cannabis and expand access to the drug.
A Cannabis Antidote Could Be The Solution
Anebulo Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ANEB) is investing in a solution to this worsening problem. The company’s lead drug ANEB-001 is an antidote to cannabis intoxication that could quickly reverse the effects of a THC and other cannabinoids in a child. ANEB-001 binds to the receptor in the brain responsible for the effects of cannabinoids (the CB1 receptor) and prevents it from being engaged by THC. This is similar in principle to how Narcan (naloxone) can be used to reverse an opioid overdose.
There are now two separate efforts to legalize marijuana in Ohio.
On Friday, two Democratic lawmakers in the Ohio House introduced a bill to legalize recreational marijuana. House Bill 382 would allow Ohioans to purchase and use marijuana and cultivate up to 12 plants.
The bill hasn’t been assigned to a committee yet. The measure’s main authors are state Reps. Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson, and Terrence Upchurch, D-Cleveland. The bill already has 10 co-sponsors, all Democrats.
The measure would levy a 10% excise tax on marijuana sales, with money going to public schools along with road and bridge construction. In addition, up to $20 million would be used for clinical trials to see if marijuana can be used to treat veterans and prevent veteran suicides, according to a news release issued by Weinstein and Upchurch.
Also last week, an initiative petition, “An Act to Regulate and Control Adult Use Cannabis,” and the signatures of 1,000 Ohio voters backing it was submitted to the attorney general’s office.
From high quality oils and tinctures, to delicious edibles and soothing topicals, it seems there’s something for everyone when it comes to Cannabidiol (or “CBD” for short).
Don’t get us wrong, having various CBD products to choose from is amazing. It gives people the chance to enjoy and experience the medicinal properties of CBD in a way that’s best for them.
But honestly, do you find yourself a bit overwhelmed by the crazy amount of CBD products floating around the internet and in CBD dispensaries?
If you answered yes, then we may have a solution for you… CBD hemp flower!
Benefits of CBD hemp flower
For many people, consuming CBD has become a key part of maintaining the overall health and wellness.
Patients diagnosed with glioblastoma usually have 12 to 18 months to live and those suffering from recurrent glioblastoma survive for less than a year.
Patients suffering from glioblastoma, the most common, deadly and extremely aggressive type of brain cancer, may have a chance of living longer if Sativex, a cannabis-based mouth spray, proves effective in treating recurrent brain tumors.
Cancer charities and the U.K.’s National Health Services (NHS) are launching a study to determine whether Sativex combined with chemotherapy medication (temozolomide) can help kill glioblastoma tumor cells and extend the overall length of patients’ lives, reportedThe Guardian. It will be the first such study in the world.
The trial is being led by the University of Leeds and coordinated by a specialist research unit at the University of Birmingham.
Regardless of his reasoning for getting behind weed, Koch’s willingness to use his finances and massive network of political and business leaders is inevitably a sign that the cannabis cause is about to make significant strides.
If there is one thing the marijuana legalization movement has been missing all along, it is money. Sure, the forefathers of the industry managed to beg, borrow, and scrape together loads of cash to make the business of growing and selling cannabis look the part of American commerce. But even while managing to become a multi-billion-dollar business sector over the past decade, it’s fallen short of having the kind of cash it takes to influence lawmakers — the green to get stuff done.
It could be argued that the cannabis industry’s failure to pay off the suits on Capitol Hill is mainly the reason why Congress has yet to legalize the leaf at the national level.
However, all of that seems to be changing. The cannabis industry is now being endowed by influence, power, and, perhaps most importantly, the money to get anti-pot politicians from both sides of the aisle to pay attention. Most recently, billionaire Charles Koch came out in support of federal marijuana legalization.
In an interview with Forbes, the 85-year-old CEO for Koch Industries said that not only was he getting behind efforts to legalize, but he is also contributing $25 million of his own money to get it done. The actual amount of these much-needed lobbying funds will come closer to $70 million over the next two years, according to the news source.
