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220,000,000 People Worldwide Are Using Cannabis According to a New UN Report, Yet Weed Is Still Illegal Almost Everywhere?

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The United Nations’ latest “World Drug Report” for 2023 sheds light on global substance use trends, emphasizing the sustained prevalence of drug consumption worldwide. In 2021, an alarming 1 in 17 individuals aged 15–64 engaged in drug use over the past year, marking a 23% increase since 2011. The report underscores the significance of this issue, with an estimated 296 million users constituting 5.8% of the global population aged 15–64.

 

Cannabis Takes Center Stage

 

The UN report illuminates the pervasive influence of cannabis on a global scale, solidifying its status as the most widely used substance. In 2021, an estimated 219 million users, constituting 4.3% of the global adult population, engaged in cannabis consumption. This continued dominance prompts an exploration into the implications of its widespread use and potential links to legalization initiatives, shaping the evolving landscape of cannabis consumption worldwide.

 

Within the realm of cannabis consumption, a significant shift in gender dynamics is observed, particularly in North America. Traditionally, around 70% of cannabis users are men, but recent trends reveal a substantial change. In North America, women now represent 42% of cannabis users, challenging conventional patterns. Understanding the factors contributing to this shift is crucial for unraveling the evolving societal perceptions and policies surrounding cannabis use.

 

Despite ongoing debates and regulatory changes, cannabis use maintains a consistent upward trajectory. This trend prompts an investigation into the factors influencing its rise, with a specific focus on the impact of legalization initiatives not only in the United States but also in other regions. By analyzing the drivers behind the increasing prevalence of cannabis, this exploration aims to provide insights into the shifting dynamics of drug use on a global scale.

 

While cannabis retains its global dominance, regional variations in its prevalence are evident. The UN report’s breakdown highlights distinct patterns in primary drug use reported by individuals entering drug treatment across different regions. Exploring differences in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and East and South-East Asia, this analysis offers a comprehensive overview of how cannabis trends vary globally, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between cultural, legal, and social factors influencing drug consumption.

 

Opioids: A Persistent Source of Harm

 

While cannabis dominates the global substance landscape, opioids persist as the primary contributors to severe drug-related harm, as outlined in the UN’s World Drug Report for 2023. The report aligns with the alarming surge in opioid-related incidents, particularly evident in the United States, where drug overdose deaths have reached unprecedented levels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2021, the number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. was over six times higher than in 1999, with opioids accounting for more than 75% of these fatalities.

 

The opioid epidemic is characterized by three distinct waves, each contributing to the escalating crisis. The first wave began in the 1990s with increased opioid prescriptions, leading to a rise in overdose deaths involving prescription opioids. The second wave emerged in 2010, marked by a surge in overdose deaths involving heroin. The third wave, starting in 2013, witnessed significant increases in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, particularly illicitly manufactured fentanyl. This complex landscape underscores the multifaceted nature of the opioid crisis, involving not only prescription medications but also the illicit production and distribution of highly potent synthetic opioids.

 

The UN report highlights that approximately 60 million people engaged in non-medical opioid use in 2021, with opiates, primarily heroin, accounting for 31.5 million users. Opioids remain the leading cause of fatal overdoses, contributing to nearly 70% of the 128,000 deaths attributed to drug use disorders in 2019. Furthermore, opioid use disorders accounted for the majority (71%) of the 18 million healthy years of life lost owing to premature death and disability in 2019. The persistent and escalating impact of opioids on global health underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address this ongoing crisis.

 

Global Patterns and Regional Variances

 

The UN’s World Drug Report for 2023 offers valuable insights into global drug use patterns and unveils clear regional differences in the primary substances reported by people entering drug treatment. In most of Europe and several subregions of Asia, opioids, particularly heroin, emerge as the most frequent primary drugs for individuals seeking treatment. In Latin America, cocaine takes precedence, while in parts of Africa, cannabis remains the focal point. In East and South-East Asia, methamphetamine dominates as the primary drug leading individuals into drug treatment.

 

The report also highlights an alarming uptick in intravenous drug use, with an estimated 13.2 million people injecting drugs in 2021, marking an 18% increase from the previous year. Eastern Europe and North America emerge as the two subregions with the highest estimated prevalence of people who inject drugs, accounting for 1.3% and 1.0% of the adult population, respectively. Notably, North America now surpasses East and South-East Asia in terms of the absolute number of individuals reporting drug injection, signaling a concerning trend in the region.

 

These global patterns and regional variances underscore the complex and interconnected nature of the global drug landscape. Understanding the prevalence of specific substances in different regions is crucial for developing targeted interventions and policies that address the unique challenges faced by diverse communities. As the world grapples with evolving drug use dynamics, a comprehensive and region-specific approach is imperative to effectively tackle the multifaceted issues associated with substance use and its impact on public health.

 

Bottom Line

 

In conclusion, the UN’s World Drug Report for 2023 underscores the persistent global prevalence of substance use, with cannabis taking center stage as the most widely consumed substance. The evolving landscape of cannabis use, marked by changing gender dynamics and regional variations, suggests a complex interplay of legal, cultural, and demographic factors. Concurrently, the report emphasizes the critical challenges posed by the opioid epidemic, urging comprehensive strategies to address its escalating impact on global health. The intricate patterns and regional variances in drug use underscore the need for targeted interventions and policies, emphasizing the importance of a nuanced, region-specific approach in addressing the multifaceted issues associated with substance use and safeguarding public health worldwide.

 

PEOPLE TRYING DRUGS, READ ON…

HOW MANY PEOPLE TRIED MUSHROOMS

HOW MANY PEOPLE LEGALLY TRIED MUSHROOMS LAST YEAR IN THE US?



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Why Weed is the Best Thing That’s Happened to Endometrosis Patients in the Last 50 Years

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Endometriosis is one of the most pain conditions affecting women worldwide.

When endometriosis occurs, the endometrial tissue which normally grows inside the uterus, grows outside of it. As a result, it can attach itself to other reproductive organs in the area. In extreme cases, endometriosis can reach far beyond the reproductive area and cause serious pain and damage. The symptoms of endometriosis include sharp period pains, fatigue, pain during sex, infertility, heavy periods, and much more.

 

According to the World Health Organization, around 10% of women who are in reproductive age, have endometriosis. Unfortunately, there is no known cure, though several protocols can be integrated into a patient’s lifestyle to mitigate or reduce symptoms. Some common medications used for reducing the symptoms of endometriosis include birth control pills, hormonal injections, patches, and intra-uterine devices (IUD), to name a few. However, these may affect a woman’s chances of getting pregnant, or make infertility even worse since endometriosis can also affect fertility.


Thankfully, more women are finding success with lifestyle changes and integrating natural treatments to treat endometriosis. Along with regular exercise, weight loss among overweight women, and healthy habits, cannabis has been shown to be helpful treating this dreaded disease.


What Studies Are Saying

 

There are more studies than ever, too, proving the efficacy and benefits of cannabis for women suffering from endometriosis. In a recent study out of Germany, researchers analyzed survey data from more than 900 endometriosis patients to determine how, if any, the symptoms are impacted by cannabis.


A significant percentage of the 900 respondents acknowledged using marijuana, and most of them said that it was beneficial in helping with symptoms. “Seventeen percent of the respondents used cannabis flower strains or cannabis-related products as a self-management method,” said the researchers. “Cannabis was rated as the most effective self-management strategy to reduce symptom intensity (self-rated efficacy 7.6 out of 10). Additionally, ~90 percent of the participants were able to decrease the pain medication intake,” explained the researchers. They also noted that the participants observed the most significant benefits from cannabis in their sleep, menstrual pain, and non-cyclic pain in that order. Because of this, it’s become clear that cannabis can greatly help improve quality of life in these areas, which are otherwise affected by symptoms of endometriosis.  

 

It’s important to note that the investigators also acknowledge that existing studies on cannabis for endometriosis is limited, yet there is an increasing quantity of studies pointing to a growing trend of women self-medicating with cannabis for this condition, and seeing success!


“The use of cannabis has a significant impact on the overall well-being and quality of life of women with endometriosis,” they concluded. “The study indicates that there is a significant interest and demand for additional therapeutic options, and cannabis can potentially become an important part of a multimodal therapy approach for treating endometriosis,” said the study.

 

Another study from Australia, whose results were published earlier this year, found similar results. The data, which was published in the journal, Obstetrics and Gynecology, were taken from 192 women who were polled by Australian researchers regarding their history of marijuana consumption and endometriosis symptoms.

 

According to the findings, 63% of the poll respondents were given doctor’s authorization letters for using cannabis-based medications. In Australia, physicians are legally allowed to recommend cannabis use for patients who have had no luck treating specific conditions using conventional prescription drugs. In the study, most women were using THC-dominant marijuana products and they reported improvements when it came to sleep, pain, nausea, and anxiety.


“This study found that THC-predominant CBMPs [cannabis-based medicinal products] are commonly prescribed to Australians with endometriosis,” said the authors. “Given major issues with symptom management and the self-reported reductions in pain and other symptoms, improving access to medicinal cannabis for this population is important and timely,” they said.

 

Why Cannabis Works So Well For Endometriosis


These studies and tons of anecdotal evidence available on the internet show that cannabis is indeed safe and effective for treating endometriosis. After all, cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays an important role in helping us regulate pain, inflammation, and our immune response – all of which are impacted by endometriosis.

 

While there are many symptoms that cannabis can help with, one of its greatest successes has been in reducing pain. Women have found success using both high-CBD and high-THC products to reduce the severe pain that accompanies endometriosis. Likewise, the pain, discomfort, and cramping can make it difficult to get some decent sleep; marijuana can help with that too!

 

In addition, marijuana can help women’s bodies balance out hormones, since the endocannabinoid system also plays a role in hormone regulation.

 

Furthermore, women can choose from a variety of products to help treat endometriosis. While smoking or vaping is always a popular choice, there ae also edibles, topical creams, oils, beverages, and tinctures.

 

Conclusion


When looking to treat endometriosis, remember that there is no miracle cure out there. Marijuana certainly helps, but it’s not a one-size fits-all approach. Please remember to consult with a medical professional, and keep in mind that you will always have the best results if you also address other lifestyle factors as mentioned earlier.

Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding processed and sugary food, and regular exercise are all key factors to mitigating the symptoms of endometriosis. Add cannabis to the mix, and you can now look forward to regaining a better quality of life.

 

MARIJUANA STRAINS FOR ENDO PATIENTS, READ ON…

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CANNABIS STRAINS FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS PATIENTS TO TRY FIRST!



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Amendment 3: Florida Legalization Fails

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Amendment 3, which would have legalized recreational marijuana for adults in Florida, garnered 55.8% of the vote, falling short of the 60% threshold needed to pass. While the initiative had the support of President-elect Trump, the opposing forces led by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis carried the day. Supporters may draw some comfort from the fact that a clear majority of voters supported legalization, but the fact remains that adult-use cannabis will remain illegal in the Sunshine State for the foreseeable future.

Leaving aside the fact that getting 60% of voters to agree on anything these days appears to be a tall order, Amendment 3 faced active opposition from Florida’s leadership. While themselves driven by a fundamental dislike of cannabis, Gov. DeSantis and his team deftly tapped into concerns that came from different places altogether, such as the lack of provisions for home grow and related concerns over the entrenchment of “Big Weed”.

Looking at the big picture, it is remarkable to see how much Floridians’ attitudes toward cannabis have changed in the past decade. Back in 2014, it was a medical cannabis initiative that fell short of the 60% supermajority requirement. Ten years on, a legal medical marijuana industry is well established in Florida.

Despite the progress, the experience with Amendment 3 suggests that further reliance on the initiative process is not the path forward for legalization advocates. Just getting the proposed amendment on the ballot required overcoming legal challenges from the state government, before addressing the challenge of seeking 60% of votes in the nation’s third-most populated state.

A more sensible approach might be to focus on the fact that legalization is already supported by a majority of Florida voters. For elected officials in large swathes of the state, support for legalization could be a boon. And the fact that concerns over Big Weed control helped defeat opposition to Amendment 3 presents a political opportunity, not for those who double-down on prohibition, but for those who refine approaches to legalization.

We’ll discuss the Florida result on Thursday in a free webinar (register here), along with the disappointing results in North Dakota and South Dakota, the win (for now) in Nebraska, and a few other state and local measures on cannabis regulation. Hope to see you soon.



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Reminder: Post-Election Cannabis Wrap – Smoke ’em if You’ve Got ’em

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Register Here

Join us tomorrow for a post-election breakdown: “Post-Election Cannabis Wrap – Smoke ’em if you’ve got ’em”

As the dust settles (hopefully) from the 2024 U.S. elections, the cannabis industry stands at the threshold of potentially transformative changes. Join us tomorrow November 7th at 12 PM Pacific for an engaging discussion on the ramifications of the legal landscape of cannabis, post-election. We will cover everything from the Presidential and Congressional races, to the handful of pending state ballot measure results in Florida, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Oregon.

Post-election Q&A webinar details:

Vince Sliwoski will guide the discussion with seasoned industry veterans Aaron Pelley and Fred Rocafort. Collectively, these experts bring a wealth of industry knowledge and experience, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of what lies ahead for the cannabis industry.

Whether you are a cannabis entrepreneur, investor, or simply keen on the future of cannabis legislation, this discussion is designed for you.

Prepare your best questions and join us for deep insights into:

  • How the election outcomes are expected to reshape federal and state cannabis policies, including with pending Schedule III proposal.
  • The potential for new market openings and business opportunities in onboarding states.
  • Strategic advice on navigating the evolving regulatory environment.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert post-election insights that could redefine your strategy and operations in the coming months and years.

Register Here



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