Cannabis

Marijuana Shows Promise In Sickle Cell Disease Treatment

Published

7 months ago

October 18, 2023

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Exact projections remain unknown, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that between 70,000 to 100,000 Americans have sickle cell disease. The disease causes a deficit in red blood cells and blocks blood flow throughout the body. This can result in chronic pain with patients typically prescribed opioids, despite potential side effect like addiction, constipation, and respiratory depression.

But a new study published in JAMA Network Open finds that cannabis could provide an alternative or adjunctive treatment to sickle cell patients. The research, co-led by UC Irvine researcher Kalpna Gupta and UC San Francisco’s Dr. Donald Abrams, represents the first double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial to explore marijuana as a potential pain relief for sickle cell.

“These trial results show that vaporized cannabis appears to be generally safe,” Gupta said. “They also suggest that sickle cell patients may be able to mitigate their pain with cannabis—and that cannabis might help society address the public health crisis related to opioids.”

Here's How You Can Disinfect Cannabis Packaging — Photo by Iryna Veklich/Getty Images

The trial recruited 23 participants with sickle cell-disease-related pain. They either inhaled a cannabis vaporizer with equal parts THC and CBD or a placebo over two five-day inpatient sessions. Researchers then recorded how pain still affected the general activities, sleep patterns, walking, and general mood of participants.

Those who inhaled cannabis reported general improvements in pain, with the effectiveness of the plant increasing over time. Subjects reported less and less pain interference in walking and sleeping and their moods also improved. However, Gupta noted the difference between the cannabis group and placebo group when it came to measuring pain were not statistically significant. But from the results she saw, Gupta still pushed for more research.

“Pain causes many people to turn to cannabis and is, in fact, the top reason that people cite for seeking cannabis from dispensaries,” said Gupta. “We don’t know if all forms of cannabis products will have a similar effect on chronic pain. Vaporized cannabis, which we employed, may be safer than other forms because lower amounts reach the body’s circulation. This trial opens the door for testing different forms of medical cannabis to treat chronic pain.”

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Biden

Cannabis Rescheduling Takes The Next Steps

Published

2 hours ago

May 17, 2024

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The Biden administration’s marijuana rescheduling takes the next step

The Department of Justice is moving marijuana rescheduling to the next step. The administration has proposed moving the drug from Schedule I, a strict classification including drugs like heroin, to Schedule III, which is more on the level of Tylenol. It also marks the federal government acknowledgement the plants medical benefits. The industry will watch over the next few months as the process of moving it forward grinds ahead.

President Joe Biden announced move on his official account on X (formerly known as Twitter. In a video Biden shared “This is monumental, It’s an important move towards reversing long-standing inequities. … Far too many lives have been upended because of a failed approach to marijuana, and I’m committed to righting those wrongs. You have my word on it.”

Vice President Kamala Harris also released a video Thursday, hailing the progress. It seems she has progressed in her position over the last 5 years.

Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

A key part of the next step is a 60-day comment period. This will allow any and all parties to provide information, opinion, support or random thoughts. Already a group of GOP Senators want to either slow or stop the process. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) has started leading an effort to stall the plan if not outright stop it. They are going against the general public opinion with 85%+ believe it should be legal in some form.

The Drug Enforcement Agency is not 100% on board and there are still hurdles to rescheduling. After the comment person, there could be a review from an administrative judge, which could be a drawn-out process. The total process can take from 3 months to a year, although it is unlikely the issue will not be resolved before the election.

Considering the stance of the federal government, Senator Mitch McConnell, and certain other opponents, the road is still going to be a bit bumpy. The industry, in an awkward growth mood, is in need of the government not to be a hindrance. But only time will tell.

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Cannabis

Slovakia And Cannabis

Published

8 hours ago

May 16, 2024

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Despite being landlocked – it become a tourist destination for it’s beautiful outdoors – but can you chill in Slovakia?

The Slovak Republic came into being in 1993 after centuries under Russia, Austria, monarchs and more. Beautiful towns, breathtaking outdoors and affordable prices makes the country a tourist hot spot. They receive as many tourists and they have citizens, so the place is hopping. But what about Slovakia and cannabis? Well, not so breaktaking.

Slovakia is a parliamentary democratic republic with Catholics a majority of the population. It ranks the 46th of the richest country in the world. The capital, Bratislava, is the -richest region of the European Union with 90% of citizens owning their homes. Traditionally more Euro friendly, it has lately become polarized and embracing a backward phase, which has hurt in the way of cannabis use. The attempted assassination of the Prime Minster, whose government seems to be at least open to listening about the benefits of medical marijuana, is another set back.

Canada, the United States and some of Europe is taking a more modern approach to cannabis allowing for medical, and increasingly, full recreational. Bringing a healthy illicit market into the legal sphere has been a boon for tax revenue and has unexpected positive effect for the population. The medical community has embraced the plant for its currently know medical benefits and are pushing for research. But in Slovakia, marijuana is illegal and possession of even small amounts of the drug (a joint) can lead to lengthy prison terms. Having a small amount can end with the offender spending up to eight years in prison.

The country was once joined with the Czech Republic, who allows personal possession has since it was decriminalized in January 2010 with medical cannabis has been legal since 1 April 2013. Unlike Slovakia, which is prominently Catholic, the Czechs are less religious and have a pragmatic and practical view of the world.

If you are visiting, you should be very careful bringing or buying anything in country.

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anxiety

Does Francis Ford Coppola Consume Weed

Published

2 days ago

May 15, 2024

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His talent created Apocalypse Now, the Godfather movies and now Megalopolis – but does he consume marijuana?

He is a legend in the film industry and directed Apocalypse Now and the Godfather. He burst on onto the scene in the 1960s and 70s and brought in a new generation of movies. Known as one of the greatest directors of all time, he also went on to make a name in the wine industry. Displayed at one of the wineries are some of his five Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, two Palmes d’Or, and his British Academy Film Award (BAFTA). With all the creativity and pressure, does Francis Ford Coppola consume weed?

The 60s and 70s were when weed came out of the closet and from New York to LA creatives, artists, celebrities and every day people tried a little. “Turn on, tune in, drop out” was the counterculture-era phrase popularized by Timothy Leary in 1966. The talented director was able to reflect the past and embrace the new with his film. It was one of his early successes, Apocalypse Now, which marijuana burst into the open. There are great clips of Dennis Hopper stoned on set.

Megalopolis could be the last major project film for the director, and it has taken him 40 years to get it made. His unique approach is again make headlines with the team sharing he has spent hours on end smoking plenty of cannabis while everybody waited.

“I never took any drugs in my life at all except for some grass,” Coppola said. “I found that the effect that the grass would have on me is interesting. One, it would make me extremely focused, so if I was trying to evaluate a script or write a script, I wasn’t thinking of all the things where my feelings were hurt about this or I was worried about that.”

He added, “I’m sure grass affects different people in different ways. For me, I tended to be very focused. If I smoked a joint, I couldn’t fall asleep. I’d want to work. And often, I stayed up all night trying to rewrite a script.”

RELATED: How To Microdose Marijuana

A savoy businessman, he turns his passion into money. His love of wine had made him money with two wineries, his love of beauty and travel has brought him a luxury hotels and his love of cannabis has brought him into the industry. Coppola launched Sana Company in partnership with Humboldt Brothers in 2018 and released the brand known as The Grower’s Series.

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