Do you remember the Cannabis.net story on how Colorado regulators are catching all sorts of cheating on lab testing for legally sold cannabis?  The premise destroys the idea that you should be paying more for lab-tested, legal weed, because, well, it was safer than street sold marijuana.  Now, not only are Colorado regulators catching legal suppliers spraying and cheating on lab results, Maine has popped up as a big problem for legal buyer of medical marijuana. 

Two recent studies reveal that up to 50% of products in Maine’s medical cannabis market may be tainted with pesticides, harmful microbes, yeast, and mold. Unlike recreational-use products, medical cannabis in Maine currently does not undergo mandatory testing.

However, there are indications that this might change. The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy conducted tests on 127 medical cannabis samples, applying the same standards as the recreational-use program.

Shockingly, approximately 45% (57 out of 127) of these samples would have failed the testing, indicating the presence of prohibited substances. In a separate, more extensive study by Nova Analytic Labs, a licensed cannabis testing facility, nearly 21% of approximately 1,400 medical cannabis samples would have failed the pesticide testing panel for recreational use.

This contrasts with just under 4% of the 3,200 samples from the recreational-use market that failed the same testing panel. The samples that failed the tests commonly contained varying levels of myclobutanil, also known as Eagle 20, piperonyl butoxide, bifenthrin, bifenazate, and/or imidacloprid. These substances have the potential to cause mild to severe health issues in humans.  Lab shopping for the highest THC results is one problem labs are facing from cultivators.

Christopher Altomare, the CEO of Nova Analytic Labs, pointed out that the medical samples were provided voluntarily. Since the samples came from providers who chose to test their products rather than being part of a randomized selection, Altomare believes the contamination percentage is likely much higher.

Altomare estimated that only 10% to 20% of the lab’s business comes from the medical market, and most of those cases involve testing for potency rather than pesticides.

The medical cannabis market in Maine generated $305 million in revenue last year, with nearly 1,900 medical caregivers serving 106,000 medical card holders in August. According to Altomare, the medical market has evolved beyond its origins as a cottage industry of small-scale operations catering to a limited patient base.

Altomare emphasized the necessity for comprehensive testing regulations in the medical market, stressing that the primary goal of testing labs is to ensure public and patient safety. He expressed concerns that current measures must be revised to protect Maine patients adequately.

Implementing Changes Requires Time and Careful Consideration.

“If a business model finds it too costly to produce clean cannabis, there’s an inherent problem with that business model,” remarked Hudak, underscoring that, despite the introduction of additional testing requirements this year, the price-per-gram in the recreational-use market has decreased.

Stressing that patient health will not be sacrificed for profits, Hudak, who is a medical cannabis patient himself, revealed a personal stake in the matter by disclosing his decision to avoid using medical cannabis in Maine due to the absence of testing. He voiced criticism against the state, asserting that it has not taken adequate measures to guarantee the protection of patients.

Presently, the state’s cannabis markets are confronting proposed changes from the Office of Cannabis Policy, with neither proposal featuring any substantially drastic alterations.

Hudak mentioned that it will likely be a considerable amount of time before his office proposes any testing requirement. This move is expected to face resistance from industry stakeholders. He acknowledged that they have encountered significant opposition from within the Legislature and certain medical cannabis groups in the state.”

Hudak stressed the significance of proceeding with caution, emphasizing the need for well-informed implementation of policies and establishing a solid regulatory framework. He underscored that taking these steps is crucial to safeguard patients’ health and the integrity of the medicine. Hudak noted that this process will necessitate time and creating an efficient track-and-trace system.

Currently, the Office of Cannabis Policy faces limitations within the medical cannabis program. In contrast to the recreational-use market, where officials have the authority to enforce a product hold or order product destruction in the event of a problem or contamination discovery, no such power exists within the medical cannabis program. Hudak expressed frustration with this constraint, describing it as significantly limiting.

Mainers with Medical Vulnerabilities

COLORADO CATCHES CHEATING ON LEGAL WEED TESTING!

If you are a regular reader of Cannabis.net you may remember our write-up of the Benzinga Psychedelics Show in Miami where we stated, if you thought cannabis stocks and investing was the Wild West, well then psychedelics are on Mars and Jupiter right now.  We had presentations by people dressed up as Robin Hood and Roman warriors carrying shields.  We predicted that there were be massive failure and zombie companies out there that will end of going nowhere fast.

It appears the rest of the stock research world is hot on our trail!

In a recent report, Water Tower Senior Research Analyst Robert Sassoon has boldly predicted a continued shakeout in the psychedelics market. According to Sassoon, the industry is poised for ongoing consolidation, and there will be a notable reduction in the number of publicly traded psychedelic companies.

This anticipated shakeout, he argues, is intricately linked to the current state of the industry’s hype cycle and the hurdles that need overcoming for psychedelic-assisted therapies (PATs) to thrive in the market.

The Psychedelic Winter

Amidst a surge in clinical studies delving into the transformative potential of psychedelic drugs, an intriguing paradox has emerged within the market dynamics – a notable disparity between the expanding realm of scientific exploration and the lagging valuations of companies operating in the psychedelic sector.

Robert Sassoon, the Water Tower Senior Research Analyst, illuminates this incongruity by shedding light on the prevailing bearish trend in psychedelic stocks, drawing a compelling parallel with the challenges witnessed in the cannabis industry.

Sassoon’s scrutiny focuses on the AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF (PSIL), a representative index of the psychedelic sector. Its trajectory since its listing in mid-September 2021 mirrors the challenges faced by the industry as a whole.

The ETF has undergone a staggering 85% decrease in value, underscoring the persistent struggles of psychedelic stocks in the public market. This significant decline in valuation symbolizes the broader headwinds confronting companies navigating the uncharted waters of psychedelic medicines.

Further accentuating the analogy with the cannabis industry, Sassoon draws attention to Canada’s Horizons Psychedelic Stock Index ETF (PSYK). This ETF, representing the psychedelic landscape, has faced a comparable downturn since its listing on the NEO exchange in January 2021.

The echoes of the struggles witnessed in the cannabis sector reverberate through these declines, reflecting the challenges that innovative and pioneering industries often encounter in their early stages of development.

Catalysts on the Horizon

MAPS Dilemma: IPO or Not?

Conclusion

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT INVESTING IN SHROOMS FROM BENZINGA!

Baked and Benevolent: Are Stoners More Empathetic?

Picture the archetypal cannabis user – long hair, tye dye shirt, blissed-out gaze. Media tropes paint tokers as chilled out, easygoing free spirits gliding through life mostly unbothered. The friendly neighborhood pothead floating downstream without many worries.

Even old-school anti-drug hysteria casts the zonked stoner slouching on couches as harmlessly detached rather than violently unhinged. Fast food and vibes rank higher than much else in their lowered states of consciousness. Fairly nonthreatening overall despite the reefer madness descriptors.

And while obviously stereotyping varies widely among the immense diversity of human cannabis enthusiasts, a general vibe of relaxed benevolence does seem more prevalent compared to drinkers’ unpredictability or stim users’ fidgety edge.

Recent research now suggests substance behind the stoner serenity beyond just legendary cultivars like Blue Dream and Sour Diesel. Cannabinoids may directly enhance qualities like empathy according to new studies.

A 2023 clinical study found regular cannabis consumers demonstrate greater emotional intelligence and perspective-taking on written tests and brain imaging. Specifically, cannabis users showed more comprehension of others’ subjective emotional experiences over non-users when analyzed through MRI scans and assessments.

Researchers believe the plant’s effects on neural regions related to affective states may modulate social processing. In less technical terms – weed’s natural pharmacology seems to physically boost relatability and social intuition.

So the chilled out caring disposition of many stoners likely derives at least partially from biological mechanisms heightened by the plant. Turns out kind bud might truly kindle kindness!

Of course correlation still skirts causation. Pre-existing personality differences could draw more empathetic people to cannabis initially rather than vice versa. Or other confounds like lifestyle routine may contribute too.

But the preliminary data points clearly enough – from brain imaging to anecdotal stereotypes, cannabis seems connected to emotional intelligence and social bonding rather than apathy or isolation.

So let’s dive deeper into the study’s design and implications. Science may confirm what intuition already knows – passing a joint opens hearts and minds to each other.

Talk about reefer gladness!

This provocative research came from a team of Mexican neuroscientists comparing empathy levels between regular cannabis consumers and non-users.

They utilized both written evaluations and MRI brain scans to assess various aspects of empathy. This combined subjective self-reporting with objective neuromapping to strengthen methodology.

The specific test employed breaks down empathic abilities into multifaceted competencies like emotional recognition, emotional comprehension, and cognitive perspective-taking. Researchers then examine them individually.

On the core Emotional Comprehension segment evaluating understanding of others’ subjective experiences, cannabis users scored significantly higher than control subjects. This suggests enhanced social intuition possibly stemming from cannabis components modulating key brain regions involved in affective processing.

The study cites the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as one pivotal zone rich with cannabinoid receptors and deeply tied to emotional states. It theorizes cannabis may directly boost this area’s functions through its pharmacological binding effects, thereby expanding social-emotional insight.

As the lead researcher summarizes, “The differences in psychometric scores suggest that users have more empathic comprehension.”

Intriguingly, this matches earlier research the authors reference indicating frequent marijuana consumers often exhibit stronger emotional regulation abilities alongside regular use:

“Given previous studies of the effect of cannabis on mood and emotional detection, we believe that these results contribute to open a pathway to study further the clinical applications of the positive effect that cannabis or cannabis components could have in affect and social interactions.”

So in this lens, cannabis occupies a unique neurological niche aiding emotional clarity in various modalities – both internally and interpersonally. Far from deadening senses, it seems to energize social functioning through fine-tuned cannabinoid modulation.

Of course the study has limitations to contextualize. Participants self-reported their cannabis use; biochemical validation would strengthen methodology. Causation arguments also remain speculative absent longitudinal monitoring.

Equally, the Mexican-grown cannabis possessed far lower THC concentrations than modern American commercial cannabis strains. So effects observed may compound significantly with higher potency products.

Nonetheless, these provocative preliminary findings contribute one more plank towards dismantling outdated stereotypes. Rather than hampering relational capacities, cannabis appears intrinsically supportive given proper precautions and contexts.

This broader theme echoes through earlier research on cannabis enhancing runner’s highs and yoga practice via anti-inflammatory relief and mood elevation. The common motif suggests appropriately aligned biological synergy.

While more data is still needed, these snapshots illuminate potential mechanisms behind cannabis-induced empathy and wellbeing so culturally prevalent yet scientifically unestablished before.

The study authors summarize appropriately – “We believe that these results contribute to open a pathway to study further the clinical applications of the positive effect that cannabis or cannabis components could have in affect and social interactions.”

While more studies must replicate this research before changing paradigms, provocative possibilities emerge from cannabis positively influencing empathy. Might this plant tool improve conflict resolution and social harmony in mainstream settings if findings hold weight?

The deepest implications concern destigmatizing cannabis to leverage such benefits. Transformative potential awaits not just individually but societally once outdated prohibitions crumble to embrace cannabis consciousness wholeheartedly.

For example, imagine if clinicians could recommend marijuana adjunctively in couples counseling to foster perspective-taking and emotional vulnerability by lowering defenses. Arguing spouses may find warm reconciliation impossible without that empathic spark rekindled.

Under proper guidance, a shared dispensary experience may nurture reciprocal understanding and rehumanization – the true foundation for compromise. Once gripped by negativity, only opening hearts allows progress.

Or what if psychologists incorporated cannabis components into group talk therapy protocols to dissolve biases and forge interpersonal insights organically? By easing social barriers, long-unspoken truths flow freely to bind communities.

The criminal justice arena equally cries for reform through compassion. Mandating cannabis-literacy training for police and guards could radically transform enforcement from paramilitary excess towards connecting with civilians as fellow struggling humans.

Equally, allowing monitored cannabis access in prisons may alleviate violent tensions by awakening inmates and staff to shared fundamental realities beyond surface judgments – our universal search for purpose and belonging beyond bars. Recidivism rates could plunge accordingly.

politicians too might benefit personally and professionally from periodic cannabis-induced institutional empathy check-ins. Devoting monthly sessions to inhabiting voters’ realities could manifest transpartisan wisdom to guide policy. Leadership means deeply hearing those governed, after all.

Even global diplomacy and conflict resolution domains might incorporate elements of intercultural cannabis communion in the highest stakes negotiations. Breaking bread through bongs supersedes translators in building bridges between even the most alienated nations.

The principle animating such explorations suggests that recalibrating default consciousness states periodically can radically reshape what possibilities we process and priorities we honor collectively. Our mindsets dictate the world we co-create.

While still hypothetical, perhaps cannabis really does hold unique crossover potential to enrich emotional health both individually and societally after all. If so, transcending reductive stereotypes promises a paradigm shift through elevating human relations to sacred importance above all else.

Of course, risks and complexities abound regarding dosage, set and setting protocols, moral debates, etc for mainstream integration. But around the medicinal margins, some intriguing innovation already occurs. And the larger premise persists indelibly.

What if wider humility and goodwill indeed lives but a few tokes away?

Rather than instantly prescribing synthetic pharmaceuticals to address mood disorders or emotional issues, perhaps cannabis should occupy the second line of therapy – with lifestyle changes and holistic practices the first resort.

This honors the intrinsic wisdom of our evolved endocannabinoid system while maximizing natural self-healing capacity through commonsense wellbeing strategies – sleep, nutrition, community, physical movement, introspective practices like meditation or journaling, etc.

If such grounded rituals falter in managing trauma, anxiety and depression, cannabis then offers a safe supplemental ally for many before considering standard alienating psych meds. And should cannabis not lift the darkness, other empathogens like psilocybin may before serotonergic drugs.

This medically pluralistic framework thus places power and responsibility in clients’ hands rather than defaulting reflexively to diagnosing “chemical imbalances” treatable only through lifelong pill regimens at risk of zombification.

The emerging science confirms psychedelics’ disease potential uniquely through activating neuroplasticity, emotional sensitivity, social connectivity and sense of meaning frequently damaged in mood disorders – unlike numbing side effect-laden antidepressants.

So whether as daily microdosed companions or structured high-dose sessions, their value proposition strengthens against traditional Monopoly medicine waging war against symptoms rather than holistically nurturing people’s healing relationships within.

The sticky truth remains – our life matrix encompasses countless variables beyond assumed serotonin shortages extractable through isolate chemicals. Thus consciousness itself proves the master tool allowing navigation of many complementary modalities.

Cannabis and other plant teachers belong in this expanded care ecosystem as powerful catalysts realigning patients to their sovereign authority and primacy as psycho-bio-social beings against system perspectives.

If research continues confirming intrinsic mood and social benefits of cannabis, its adoption as first-line emotional aid only quickens. The plants stand ready to uplift human hearts and minds through inner alignment above all modern pharmaceutical promises. And the people seem hungry for this reclaimed power.

The pandemic of despair will turn as the second Renaissance of cannabis dawns. All that awaits is shedding the last vestiges of fear still clouding clinical conservatism from welcoming this ageless ally home as divine healer reborn. But the momentum gains speed.

CANNABIS AND EMPATHY, READ ON…

ARE CANNABIS USERS JUST NICER PEOPLE IN GENERAL?