420 with CNW Archives - Page 69 of 297

WednesdayMay 31, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — Google Unveils AI to Expedite Drug-Development Processes

Artificial intelligence (AI) now has the potential to significantly speed up the laborious, time-consuming, and currently low-success rate process of finding and approving new pharmaceuticals. Google Cloud introduced two new AI-powered tools — Multiomics and Target and Lead Identification Suites — on May 15, 2023, in an effort to aid pharmaceutical and biotech companies in accelerating the discovery of novel treatments and advancing medicine. According to a study published in the March 2021 issue of the “British Journal of Pharmacology,” the process of producing a new treatment currently takes between 12 and 15 years from the first idea to the…

TuesdayMay 30, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — The DEA Wants Delta-8 Banned, CBD Severely Restricted

While delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the most publicly known cannabinoids, cannabis produces more than 100 different cannabinoids. Delta-9 THC is the main psychoactive agent in cannabis, and it is illegal at the federal level and in states that do not allow recreational or medical cannabis sales. In recent years, players in the cannabis industry have turned to another psychoactive cannabinoid called delta-8 THC. The result has been an influx of delta-8 THC products even though the FDA has not evaluated or approved such products as safe for public consumption. The labeling on these products often contains misleading…

TuesdayMay 30, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — Analysis Finds Significant Number of US Employees Failing Cannabis Drug Tests

A study by testing company and medical lab Quest Diagnostics has revealed that Americans are failing marijuana tests in unprecedented numbers. The firm’s annual analysis found that the number of U.S. employees who tested positive for marijuana was the highest Quest Diagnostics had seen since it started collecting data on workplace drug testing in 1988. After analyzing more than 6 million urine tests for traces of marijuana in 2022, the firm found that 4.3% were positive for cannabis compared to 3.9% in 2021. Quest Diagnostics tested urine samples from general employees. This group excludes safety-sensitive and federally mandated employees, such…

FridayMay 26, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — As Security Concerns Escalate, B.C. Alters Law on Cannabis Shop Window Coverings

Last Friday night, all across Vancouver, British Columbia, cannabis retail shops were taking the coverings off of their windows. This was after the government altered the law in response to a spike in cannabis store robberies in the province. The move is meant to protect both customers and sellers. Until recently, the opaque film window coverings were a condition of cannabis retail shop provincial licensing, ensuring that none of the goods were visible from the outside; the approach was an attempt to keep minors away from cannabis products. While some stores have roomy interiors or stylish furnishings that deftly cover…

FridayMay 26, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — NIDA Director Wants Cannabis Products Federally Regulated

According to a senior federal health official, cannabis products must be controlled as states continue to legalize marijuana. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, stated that while it would be ideal if states took their time enacting reform, the reality is that they are enacting reform and people need to know what they can do to lessen negative impacts. Volkow asserted that it is crucial to regulate the sale of products and inform the public about potential negative consequences. The official's remarks are noteworthy because, although she did not specifically demand federal reform, such a shift in policy would be required…

ThursdayMay 25, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Maryland Governor Enacts Bill Offering Parental Protections for Using Medical Marijuana

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has signed a bill offering protections for parents and guardians who use medical marijuana. The bill prevents state officials from classifying parents who use medical marijuana for allowed conditions as being “neglectful” of their children. After Maryland voters voted in favor of a ballot measure to legalize medical cannabis last year, state lawmakers passed regulations for the commercial market, which were signed into law by the governor. The new bill protecting parents will take effect on July 1, 2023, the same day Maryland's medical marijuana market will launch and begin legal sales. The measures to protect…

ThursdayMay 25, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — AMA Study Says Medical Cannabis Causes Sustained, Significant Health Improvements

A recent study conducted by the AMA has revealed a significant relationship between the utilization of medical cannabis and notable enhancements in the quality of life experienced by individuals grappling with conditions like insomnia and chronic pain. In a comprehensive retrospective analysis, the researchers examined a sample of 3,148 individuals from Australia that had been prescribed medical cannabis to alleviate symptoms associated with various qualifying diseases. The study found that cannabis appeared to be beneficial for all eight well-being indicators that were examined, with negative side effects that were infrequently severe. Throughout their treatment, patients were tasked with assessing their…

WednesdayMay 24, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Michigan Officials Consider Scrapping Pre-Employment Cannabis Testing

Officials in the state of Michigan are considering putting an end to drug testing for cannabis for job applicants of certain government positions. Last week, the state’s Civil Service Commission put forward some amendments to the government’s code of employment on Friday and opened a public comment period on the pair of policies. This comes after the country’s largest union that represents federal employees adopted an initiative in support of cannabis legalization in 2022, and demanded that policies which penalized federal workers who use marijuana responsibly while they’re off the clock in legal states be repealed. Commentary from the public…

WednesdayMay 24, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — Florida Supreme Court Considers 2024 Recreational Cannabis Legalization Initiative

Earlier this week, Attorney General Ashley Moody submitted a ballot measure to legalize recreational cannabis to the Florida Supreme Court. Smart & Safe Florida, a political committee that supports the rights of adults to buy, possess and use cannabis within reasonable regulations, is sponsoring the proposed amendment to the constitution. Thus far, the committee has gathered more than 222,000 signatures for its petition, which is more than enough to prompt a review by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court usually focuses on whether the language in the proposal is clear as well as if the proposed amendments to the constitution…

TuesdayMay 23, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Says Tobacco Use is Declining in States with Legal Marijuana Markets

A recent study has found that state-level marijuana policies are largely linked to modest, sporadic, longer-term declines in tobacco use among adults. The implementation of state recreational cannabis laws (RMLs) did, according to the research, result in a small increase in adult marijuana usage of between 2% to 4%, depending on the source of data. However, tobacco use did not follow this pattern. The results were published last month in the “Journal of Health Economics” by researchers from Bentley, Georgia State and San Diego State universities. They noted the study was the first to thoroughly investigate how legalizing marijuana for…