420 with CNW Archives - Page 10 of 293

MondayDec 16, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Pennsylvania House Democrats Give Marijuana Legalization Another Go

Democrats in Pennsylvania are making another attempt to legalize cannabis through new legislation spearheaded by state Representatives Dan Frankel from Allegheny County and Rick Krajewski from Philadelphia. They are currently seeking co-sponsors for their proposal, marking the latest effort in a series of attempts over recent years to address cannabis legalization in the state. The proposed legislation aims to expunge criminal records for individuals with past cannabis-related offenses, reinvest funds into communities disproportionately impacted by drug policies, and implement safeguards to prevent predatory marketing and accidental exposure to children. The bill also seeks to set reasonable limits on marijuana potency…

FridayDec 13, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Federal Appeals Court Doubtful of Prospects for Suit Challenging Marijuana Ban

A United States appeals court seemed inclined to reject claims made by several marijuana businesses in Massachusetts, which argued that federal laws prohibiting cannabis are no longer constitutional. The businesses, represented by prominent attorney David Boies, contend that significant changes since the Supreme Court upheld federal marijuana laws in 2005 make the prohibition outdated. Currently, 38 states have legalized medical or recreational cannabis. Boies argued that Congress’s original intent to eliminate cannabis nationwide has shifted, citing legislation and policy changes that reflect a more lenient approach. Despite his arguments, the judges appeared skeptical. Judge Julie Rikelman, appointed by President Joe…

ThursdayDec 12, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — UN Human Rights Commissioner Condemns War on Drugs as a Total Failure

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) has urged the global community to reconsider punitive and criminal approaches to drug policy, declaring that the “war on drugs” has been a profound failure. Speaking at a Warsaw conference that brought together experts and leaders from across Europe, Commissioner Volker Türk noted that current strategies have neither curbed drug use nor deterred drug-related crimes. He called for a shift toward evidence-based policies that center on human rights and prioritize compassion over punishment. Türk argued that treating drug use as a criminal issue rather than a health matter has marginalized and…

WednesdayDec 11, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Suggests Marijuana Use Could Trigger Epigenetic Changes

A recent study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has explored how marijuana use might influence the epigenome in the human body. The epigenome, often described as a system of switches, regulates how genes are activated or deactivated, shaping bodily functions. According to Lifang Hou, a Northwestern University epidemiologist, the study identified a connection between multiple epigenetic markers and long-term cannabis use. The researchers examined more than 1000 participants who had been involved in an earlier long-term study, which included surveys about their marijuana use spanning two decades. Participants who were between 18 and 30 years old at the study’s…

TuesdayDec 10, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — How Cannabis Firms Can Leverage the Ongoing MJBizCon

Marijuana industry leaders have countless opportunities to form connections and secure business deals at this year’s MJBizCon. MJBizCon 2024 kicked off on Tuesday at the Las Vegas Convention Center, starting with preshow sessions and running through Friday. To make the most of the world’s largest marijuana business event, it’s essential to arrive with a strategy but also stay adaptable for unforeseen opportunities, according to seasoned attendees who’ve successfully navigated the event. According to Azuca CEO Kim Sanchez Rael, flexible scheduling is vital since some of the best opportunities come from unexpected encounters. For instance, an impromptu conversation during a preshow…

MondayDec 09, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Prices Gradually Reduce as Ohio’s Legal Market Grows

Data released by the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control shows that the price of marijuana has slowly been reducing since adult-use sales were launched this past summer. Dispensaries have reported slow-starts to the recreational program, indicating that vendor costs, confusion among consumers, and the state’s regulations may have contributed to this. Under state law, licensed dispensaries aren’t allowed to sell marijuana cultivated or purchased outside the state. This has led to a decrease in vendor prices. State records also show that when adult-use sales were launched in August, the manufactured sales average for marijuana product was $31.06 while the average…

FridayDec 06, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study: Utah’s Medical Cannabis Legalization Lowered Opioid Use by Patients with Chronic Pain

A recent study examining the use of prescribed opioids in Utah after medical cannabis legalization in the state highlights a significant reduction in opioid consumption among patients managing chronic pain. The findings also show a substantial decline in opioid prescription-related deaths since Utah authorized medical marijuana in 2018. The study highlights the increasing use of cannabis for pain relief and its potential to lessen opiate dependence. It concludes that cannabis could be a promising option as healthcare providers explore safer methods for managing pain, especially for individuals with chronic pain conditions. The Utah study analyzed 186 chronic pain patients, using…

ThursdayDec 05, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Federal Court Upholds Ban on Cannabis Advertising in Mississippi

Mississippi’s medical cannabis businesses are prohibited from advertising on billboards or any other platforms due to marijuana’s federal status as an illegal substance, according to a recent decision by an appeals court. The owner of Tru Source Medical Marijuana, a medical cannabis store operating in Olive Branch, Mississippi, contested this restriction. He claimed that since state law allows the sale of marijuana, the First Amendment should protect medical cannabis businesses’ advertising rights. However, on Friday, a three-judge bench from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the dispensary owner. The court referred to the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA),…

WednesdayDec 04, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — FDA OKs Study Exploring Marijuana Use for Treating PTSD in Veterans

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted long-awaited approval for a clinical trial exploring whether cannabis can help manage veterans’ post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The trial, which is being led by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), has faced delays since 2021 due to various objections raised by the FDA. Concerns included the potential risks associated with smoking high-potency marijuana and the study’s dosing method, which allows participants to regulate their intake within set daily limits. MAPS said on Wednesday that the FDA had lifted its objections, allowing the study to move forward. Notably, the agency…

TuesdayDec 03, 2024 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Finds That Adolescents Suffer More Severe Psychosis Symptoms if They Use Marijuana

A recent study by researchers from St. Louis’ Washington University has found that teenagers who use marijuana experience more signs of psychosis spectrum and higher levels of distress due to the symptoms. This suggests that both self-medication and shared vulnerability play a role in linking marijuana use to an increased risk of psychosis. Previous research indicates that teenagers who use marijuana have a two to four times higher risk of developing psychosis than their non-user counterparts. Marijuana usage that starts in youth is frequently linked to more intense symptoms, a higher chance of relapse, and an earlier beginning of psychotic…