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Texas Original Compassionate Cultivation (TXOG) announced that 14-year-old patient James Challenger has gone two years without experiencing a seizure. He has also stopped taking all oral seizure pills as of March 2022—a reduction of more than 20 pills a day to none after introducing medical cannabis into his treatment plan. As one of TXOG’s original medical cannabis patients, James’ milestone represents the proven efficacy of medical cannabis in managing epilepsy as well as symptoms of autism. (Benzinga)

“Medical cannabis is the only remedy that has worked wonders for James, and our family is grateful for this encouraging treatment option that allowed him to avoid surgery and harsh seizure medications,” stated Mikelle and Mike Challenger, James’ parents. “Since James started his TXOG prescription, we’ve seen an incredible improvement in his daily life, and we’re thrilled to celebrate his two-year anniversary without a seizure last month. We strongly believe medical cannabis is a healthy option that should be available to all Texans who want to gain control over their debilitating conditions and symptoms.”

The Challenger family advocates for increasing access to medical cannabis in Texas and supports expanding the state’s Compassionate Use Program (CUP) to enable more people to benefit from the medicine. By removing CUP’s restriction on qualifying conditions—and eliminating the THC cap—the family hopes physicians will have greater authority to decide what is best for their patients. The Challengers know that an expanded program would mean more Texans could experience the improvements that James has seen.

TXOG’s gummies, tincture and lozenge products are available for statewide delivery at their dispensary in Austin, Texas, and through the company’s pick-up locations in Addison, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock, North Austin, San Antonio and Wichita Falls.

The number of medicinal cannabis companies with licences in the Island has more than doubled, although the Economic Development Minister has played down any expectations that the fledgling industry could be the ‘saviour of Jersey’s economy’.

Senator Lyndon Farnham admitted that his department remained unsure what the industry could generate for the Island’s economy but said it would provide a ‘useful source of income’.

Government officials confirmed yesterday that the number of licences had risen from two to five, during an Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel hearing.

Daniel Houseago, group director for the economy and partnerships, in the Growth, Housing and Environment Department, said a Portuguese company ‘have ambitions for a 25-year business plan’ and wanted to make ‘long-term investment in the Island’.

The city of Philadelphia will opt out of medical marijuana.

Aldermen voted 3-2 Tuesday night to announce their intention to opt out and hold a public hearing on April 19.

Ward 1 Alderman Justin Clearman and Ward 4 Alderman Shaun Seales voted for medical marijuana.

Ward 2 Alderman Jim Fulton, Ward 3 Alderman James Tatum and Alderman-at-Large James Waltman voted to opt out and to take a wait-and-see approach like the county supervisors.

Fulton said afterward, "I have researched this topic because I understand the importance of this issue. I listened to the Municipal League’s recommendation of a temporary opt out, consulted two doctors and talked with local law enforcement. I decided it was in the best interest of the citizens to wait until regulations are provided by the State Department of Health."

Cities and counties have 90 days or until May 3 to opt out of the new state law or lose the chance forever.

THC stored in fat cells gradually diffuse into the bloods. Regardless, the rate of diffusion increases under circumstances that promote fat utilization, such as exercising and fasting.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) accumulates in fat tissue and can stay there for months. Although this can serve as a barrier to those who face frequent testing, athletes may take delight in the results of exuding THC from the fat in their bodies.

Traces of water-soluble substances such as alcohol vanish from the body in a matter of hours. But in the case of fat-soluble THC substances, they tend to hang around a lot longer and sometimes out-stay their welcome. Though high levels of THC in fat cells cause a slight issue for most people, it could, in theory, add to the probability of recording a positive test for cannabis consumption.

Duration Of THC In The System  

The ability to preserve fat has a crucial evolutionary purpose. In the past, our ability to retain extra energy in the form of fat meant that there was an internal supply of fuel to rely on when the long winter arrived. For most, a long winter never arrives. Thus, the piling up of fat tissues functions as a storage bank for THC. By depending on carbohydrates as the primary fuel source, many people never truly burn fat and, as a result, require a significant amount of time to get rid of all traces of THC.

It cannot be said for sure the exact time it will take for THC to leave the body. It is dependent on a wide variety of determinants, the most important of which is the strength of the cannabis taken and the rate at which it was taken. Anyone who consumes 90% THC shatter daily is likely to accumulate far more than someone who smokes regular flowers almost every day, for example.

Also, the metabolism of the individual should be taken into account. Diet, weight, body fat percentages, and activity levels all affect the metabolism of THC. People who are muscular and lean and use up higher amounts of fat are more likely to eliminate THC faster. In contrast, people with higher body fat levels and lower activity levels need extra time.

Despite a long list of positive effects, cannabis use still remains a taboo subject for some. While medical cannabis was legalized over a decade ago in New Mexico, recreational cannabis was only legalized last summer with retail sales having started on Friday, April 1.

Jacob Vigil, associate professor in the University of New Mexico psychology department, and Sarah Stith, associate professor in economics, are married and have done both joint and separate research on cannabis specifically. Through this, they have found that it’s largely more beneficial than a lot of people think and believe it should be normalized in society.

“I’ve probably seen a thousand patients at this point that have demonstrated that cannabis has been so effective for safely treating so many different types of health conditions,” Vigil said.

Stith was first exposed to cannabis research through a study where people joined a medical cannabis program and stopped using their opioids, which shocked her. Since then, she’s looked at substitution impacts, effects on stock market evaluations and more.

Vigil started researching cannabis about five years ago when he discovered how inefficient many typical medical prescriptions are, both in “lack of efficacy” and in causing new, negative side effects, a phenomenon which he called “secondary victimization.”

Queitly, or not so quietly, depending on your social media algorithms, Australia has been building itself as a medicinal cannabis superpower over the past six years.

The medical use of the otherwise illegal plant has been federally protected since 2016, with Health Minister Gret Hunt previously stating that he wants to make Australia a global, green superpower.

Australia has dozens of medicinal cannabis producers. Vast warehouses full of growing buds exist in hidden locations right across the country, with Toowoomba becoming something of a hotspot for this agricultural alternative.

Initially, the industry was designed as a primarily export-based one, with the domestic market being seen as too underdeveloped and without the demand to support local businesses. That has however shifted as more and more Aussies turn to cannabis-derived medications to treat their ailments.

New research, commissioned by a medicinal cannabis prescription specialist, has found that 73% of Australian adults will seek access to medicinal cannabis if they are eligible and suffer from a chronic illness.

Medicinal cannabis is not technically listed to be prescribed for specific conditions by the medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration. It’s made available through something known as the Special Access Scheme – Pathway B (SAS-B), which allows doctors to file an application with the TGA citing reasons as to why their patient should be granted access to medicinal cannabis.

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.

Fewer employers tested applicants for marijuana last year than in 2020 as companies grappled with nationwide labor shortages

The percentage of working Americans testing positive for drugs hit a two-decade high last year, driven by an increase in positive marijuana tests, as businesses might have loosened screening policies amid nationwide labor shortages.

Of the more than six million general workforce urine tests that Quest Diagnostics Inc., one of the country’s largest drug-testing laboratories, screened for marijuana last year, 3.9% came back positive, an increase of more than 8% from 2020, according to Quest’s annual drug-testing index.

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

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States.

The visual loss in glaucoma is the result of damage to the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain so we can see light, colors and objects.

Untreated glaucoma with uncontrolled eye pressure can cause the death of cells in the optic nerve, diminished peripheral vision and eventually blindness.

As of February 2022, a total of 37 states, the District of Columba, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands have legalized marijuana for medical uses, including treatment of glaucoma.

There is a lot of information regarding the health benefits of marijuana online and in the social media.

It is difficulty to sort out the truth from fiction.

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.” 

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.

A recent study found that medical marijuana fails to improve symptoms of pain, anxiety and depression and effectively doubles the risk of developing addictive symptoms and cannabis use disorder (CUD).

The study, published by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital on March 18, also noted that up to one in five users of cannabis may develop CUD.

"There have been many claims about the benefits of medical marijuana for treating pain, insomnia, anxiety and depression, without sound scientific evidence to support them," said Professor Jodi Gilman in a news release.

At least 1.4 million Americans are using marijuana for their health, according to an Associated Press analysis of states that track medical marijuana patients.

And while marijuana has been shown to help ease pain and a few other health problems, two-thirds of U.S. states have decided pot should be legal to treat many other conditions with little scientific backing.

Data from the Department of Finance and Administration shows that medical marijuana sales passed $21 million in Arkansas last month. According to the DFA, patients in Arkansas spent $21.1 million in February to obtain 3,658 pounds of medical marijuana. DFA officials reported that sales for the first two months of 2022 totaled $41.69 million and 7,389 pounds. House members in Oklahoma advance medical marijuana policy

DFA officials also noted that a new licensed medical marijuana dispensary opened for business on March 7, making it the 38th dispensary in the state.

Out of the 38 dispensaries, DFA officials reported that the Natural Relief Dispensary in Sherwood had the largest month of sales with 372 pounds while The Releaf Center in Bentonville followed with 299 pounds.

Overall, patients have purchased approximately 80,000 pounds since the first dispensary opened in May 2019.

A new study shows that people with affective disorders are at higher odds of developing an adverse relationship with medical cannabis.

One of marijuana’s most common medicinal uses is to provide relief for conditions like depression and anxiety. But a new study suggests these types of consumers are more likely to overuse cannabis within a short span of time, leading to cannabis use disorder and poor relief from the initial symptoms they were treating.

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, followed over 200 adult patients in Boston who were all looking for their medical marijuana cards. They were divided into two groups: one who was given their medical marijuana cards immediately, and another, who had to wait 12 weeks to get their cards.

The study shows that those who obtained their medical cannabis card immediately were more likely to develop cannabis use disorder, a condition where people depend on the drug to feel better. When using marijuana for anxiety or depression, their risk of cannabis use disorder increased by 20%.

Other findings made by researchers include the fact that those who obtained their medical cards immediately didn’t report better mental health, but they did report better sleep habits and better overall health. Despite the fact that cannabis is often recommended for treatment for people with affective disorders, the study found that the plant didn’t provide the positive results that were expected.

“Our study underscores the need for better decision-making about whether to begin to use cannabis for specific medical complaints, particularly mood and anxiety disorders, which are associated with an increased risk of cannabis use disorder,” said lead author Jodi Gilman.

Donors must meet the standard requirements. As expected, the most important criteria is a clean bill of health. Does this mean cannabis use is excluded?

Blood donations are vital to the healthcare system. Of the millions of people in the world who are eligible to donate blood or plasma, only a few thousand do. Some are willing to but have doubts about whether they’re qualified to or not due to some habits they may have.

Currently, cannabis is making waves and gaining traction among different age groups. Many now ask if their regular use of the drug could adversely impact life-saving plasma donations. A straightforward answer to this is that cannabis users can give out as much-needed blood to people in need as possible. Additionally, they can decide to store their blood and source plasma in blood banks for future use. However, this doesn’t mean you can show up at the hospital when high. The healthcare workers have directives to turn intoxicated donors away.

Everyone knows that blood donations are needed to keep healthcare facilities running. It takes less than twenty minutes to donate a pint of blood. Hundreds of thousands of lives are saved yearly by these blood packs that come in at the right time. Patients suffering from chronic diseases or accident victims are the primary users of these drugs.

A study revealed that every five seconds, at least two American hospital residents need blood transfusions.

Cannabis has become an increasingly popular source of pain management for medical ailments. With growing frequency, patients with breast cancer are turning to cannabis to help them cope with symptoms and side effects. An online survey of 612 patients with breast cancer, led by Dr. Marisa Weiss, Pennsylvania-based chief medical officer at Breastcancer.org, found that 42% used cannabis to relieve their symptoms. Most patients with breast cancer (79%) reported using cannabis to ease pain and discomfort from chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. A total of 78% of patients used cannabis for pain relief, 70% used it to counter insomnia, 57% used it to relieve anxiety, 51% used it to relieve stress, and 46% used it to counter nausea or vomiting.

Despite the large number patients who gained relief from cannabis, only 39% felt comfortable informing their physicians of their cannabis use. Especially given that marijuana is not federally legal, fear grips many patients regarding the prospect of discussing cannabis use with physicians. Dr. Weiss suggests that patients want to avoid being judged, or worse, getting into trouble for simply trying to help themselves from a medical perspective. What’s more, many patients who did speak with their physicians left feeling disappointed by their doctors’ dearth of knowledge as to the benefits of cannabis for medical treatment.

This leaves many patients with few options other than turning to the Internet for cannabis information. According to Dr. Weiss, 67% of cannabis users obtained their knowledge of medicinal marijuana online. About 56% got information from family, friends, or “budtenders”—cannabis dispensary workers who are not pharmacists. Dispensary pharmacists educated 36% of cannabis-using patients, and alternative healthcare providers, like acupuncturists or chiropractors, informed 18% of cannabis-using patients. A mere 12% of cannabis-using patients obtained medicinal marijuana information from their physicians, and an even fewer 7% obtained that information from a nurse.

Kevin Boehnke of the University of Michigan’s Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center stresses that although marijuana use is legal for medicinal use, this does not eliminate the stigma, legal ramifications, and possible medical issues surrounding it. According to Boehnke, health professionals are often hesitant to discuss and suggest medicinal marijuana use with patients due to the lack of supportive data available.

State lawmakers find themselves on the verge of legalizing marijuana for medical use, but with stricter rules than the way cannabis has been cleared for use in other states.

The Kansas House passed a legalization bill last year. The Senate stood poised to start work on it in the opening weeks of the current session, but Republican Senate President Ty Masterson abruptly pulled the bill from the calendar.

Now the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee has begun three days of hearings on the measure, a signal that the conservative Republicans controlling the Legislature have blessed tightly regulated legalization.

Masterson said he wasn’t opposed to legalization. Rather, he said, he wanted to make sure that bill was written tightly enough to guard against doctor-shopping and other tactics that allow people to get the drug on flimsy claims of medical need.

“There is some legitimate medical benefit to the derivatives of the cannabis plant,” Masterson said in a pre-session interview with the Kansas News Service.