Cannabis

Cannabis in Germany 2024: Why 60% Still Use Illegal Sources?

Published

3 months ago

September 17, 2024

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As the legalization of medical cannabis advances, the 2024 Cannabis Barometer from Bloomwell reveals critical insights into the cannabis landscape in Germany. The survey, which involved over 1,000 participants, shows that although 94.4% of respondents use cannabis for health reasons, nearly 60% still resort to illegal sources. Additionally, social stigma and limited access to cannabis-trained doctors remain significant barriers. Despite regulatory improvements, patients continue to face challenges in obtaining safe and legal cannabis.

The State of Cannabis in Germany: Key Findings from the 2024 Survey:

Widespread Use for Medical Purposes
A staggering 94.4% of respondents reported using cannabis to address health concerns such as chronic pain, stress, and sleep disorders. This underscores the importance of cannabis as a therapeutic option, with many users seeking to reduce reliance on traditional pharmaceuticals. For instance, 20% of patients reported being able to reduce or eliminate other medications due to cannabis use.

Continued Reliance on Illegal Sources
Despite legal advances, the majority of cannabis users still purchase from illegal markets, citing cost barriers and difficulties in accessing medical cannabis. Only 10% of participants obtained cannabis solely through legal channels, and more than 26% had purchased contaminated or low-quality cannabis on the black market, raising serious health concerns.

Stigma and Misunderstanding
Many respondents feel socially stigmatized due to their cannabis use, with 77% reporting negative societal attitudes. This stigma contributes to the persistence of illegal cannabis use, as patients fear being judged by healthcare providers and society. Interestingly, the survey dispels the notion that cannabis is primarily used by men; women accounted for 41% of users.

Telemedicine as a Solution
Access to cannabis-friendly doctors remains a hurdle, with 92% of respondents supporting the use of telemedicine as a safer, more convenient way to receive treatment. The demand for digital health services has skyrocketed, with patients eager for a streamlined process of receiving prescriptions and delivery from pharmacies.

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Call of Duty

Marijuana Pops Up In These Popular Video Games

Published

1 day ago

December 10, 2024

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Video games are so popular around 25% of the world population plays them…so which ones have the marijuana in them?

Over 3 billion people play video games globally with about 1.7 billion playing online. The average age is 32 years old with 53% being male. And also being mainstream, marijuana pops up in these popular video games. Cannabis has been featured in various video games over the years, reflecting changing societal attitudes towards the plant. The green planet has been featured on the Simpsons, Martha Stewart is a fan, and even younger and state level politicians is promoting it. It is part of the culture. And if you want to add into your gaming life, here are some options.

Grand Theft Auto

The Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise has prominently featured cannabis in multiple installments. In GTA: San Andreas, players encounter “The Truth,” a cannabis-loving hippie voiced by Peter Fonda. GTA V takes it further, allowing players to smoke from bongs and even purchase a medical marijuana dispensary called “Smoke on the Water”. In GTA Online, players can operate cannabis farms and smoke to the point of in-game death.

Saints Row Series

The Saints Row games push the envelope further than GTA, offering players various cannabis consumption options, including bongs and rolling papers. The game’s visuals become hazy after the character uses cannabis, simulating the effects.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Surprisingly, this military-themed game includes cannabis references in its unlockable content. Players can earn titles and emblems with names like “Blunt Trauma,” “High Command,” and “Joint Ops”.

Far Cry 3

In this open-world game, players can set cannabis fields ablaze with a flamethrower and experience a “high” from the smok3.

Narc (2005 Remake)

This remake of the 1988 anti-drug arcade game took a different approach. Players control narcotics officers who can not only confiscate drugs but also use them, with cannabis slowing down the game’s action.

Indie and Niche Games

Several games focus specifically on cannabis cultivation and distribution:

Weed Shop: Players run their own virtual cannabis dispensaries.
Mary Jane’s Marijuana Adventure: This game allows players to grow and sell their own cannabis.

As cannabis legalization spreads, we can expect more games to incorporate it into their narratives and gameplay mechanics. Changes have to be made for version in countries who are anti-marijuana including China and parts of Africa. Virtual reality games simulating cannabis consumption may also become more prevalent.

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Blackout Wednesday

Marijuana Continues To Be Embraced By The Mainstream

Published

5 days ago

December 6, 2024

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Despite a naysayers in DC, the public has embraced wed in a big way

In 2012 Washington and Colorado legalized weed for recreational use, since then 22 more states have followed and 38 states have medical marijuana. Over 50 perfect of the population has access and it has become popular with all ages. Even the “war on drugs” generation of Boomers have embraced with AARP explaining many use it for the medical benefits. From Martha Stewart to Fox News, the plant is treated as a another consumer product and as a business line.

For adults aged 35-50, past-year marijuana use reached an all-time high of 28% in 2022, more than doubling from 13% in 2012. This trend reflects a broader increase in marijuana use across different age groups. Gen Z has taken a different approach by embracing the California Sober concept replacing alcohol for the healthier marijuana.

Reflecting the mainstreaming, Michigan, a midwestern state, is breaking another year over year sales record. The states has already clocked $2.4 billion in sales and expects to hit $3 billion for 2024. This will secure the state more tax revenue from cannabis than alcohol again. Marijuana has been a reliable source of income for states since legalization.

Taking a page from traditional departments stores, Planet 13, the largest dispensary in the North America has introduced the “store in store” concept. Department stores have used the concept in the beauty department and high end lines like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Khalifa Kush will be the inaugural brand offering exclusive merch and strains.

“Since we launched earlier this year, we’ve loved having the Khalifa Kush store-in-store at Planet 13 be the home of the brand in Vegas. We’re working on something special for the lounge that’s going to drop early next year — we can’t wait” shared Wiz.

“Our partnership with Wiz Khalifa is the perfect example of authentic celebrity-driven branding — since we signed Wiz, it is the fastest product partnership in terms of sales activity in the history of Planet 13. Authenticity is about more than just an endorsement and with Wizit’s a match made in cannabis heaven. We look forward to Wiz visiting the store more often, meeting his fans and enjoying Dazed! Consumption Lounge when he is in Vegas. “Planet 13 = Experiences and Memories!” stated Lee Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer, Planet 13

The Las Vegas based 112,000 square-foot Planet 13 Entertainment Complex has become the flagship destination for celebrities to showcase the top brands in the industry. Cannabition, another major attraction in the footprint will be opening soon and is an elevated immersive experience.

Cannabis has also joined alcohol in celebrations. The day before Thanksgiving is one of the top 5 drinking days in the US. Some much so the industry refers to it as “Drinksgiving” and “Blackout Friday“. The public has also made the day in the top 5 of consuming, dubbing the day Green Wednesday.

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Cannabis

Veterans With PTSD Are Given A Little Hope

Published

1 week ago

December 3, 2024

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Some good new from the government about veterans who are suffering from PTSD and are using marijuana.

While our military is generally honored, medical treatment for them can lag behind the praises given by politicians and bureaucrats. Almost 23% of veterans who use the Veterans Admstinatrion (VA) health care have had Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives. In 2021, 10% of men and 19% of women veterans using VA care were diagnosed with PTSD. A study of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan found the prevalence of PTSD varied by unit component. For example, deployed active duty veterans had an 18.5% prevalence of PTSD, while non-deployed active duty veterans had a 13.2% prevalence. It is difficult to treat and has ruined thousands of lives. But cannabis has helped and now veterans with PTSD are given a little hope with additional medical research.

Cannabis has shown promising potential in alleviating symptoms PTSD, offering hope to those struggling with this debilitating condition. Earlier studies have shed light on the biological mechanisms behind cannabis’s therapeutic effects on PTSD. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week authorized a long-delayed clinical trial to test whether marijuana can be used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans. The agency had raised a variety of objections. The change is good news for veterans and their families. And another indicator the FDA is supportive of the rescheduling.

Veterans With PTSD Given A Little Hope

One key way cannabis helps PTSD sufferers is by reducing activity in the amygdala, a part of the brain associated with fear responses to threats. This dampening of the anxiety response can help individuals manage their symptoms more effectively.Additionally, cannabis may aid in extinguishing traumatic memories through a process called ‘extinction learning’.

The cannabinoids in cannabis, particularly THC and CBD, can enhance the rate at which challenging memories are processed and reduce overall anxiety responses. Research has shown that cannabis use is associated with a reduction in overall PTSD symptoms and improved quality of life. Low doses of THC or a combination of THC and CBD have been found to be particularly effective in enhancing extinction rates for traumatic memories and reducing anxiety.

The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in this process. CBD, a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, indirectly affects this system by inhibiting the uptake or enzymatic degradation of endogenous cannabinoids. This action allows for a greater effect on CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are found in brain regions important for anxiety and aversive learnin

.Cannabis may also help address specific PTSD symptoms such as sleep disturbances, recurrent fear memories, and panic episodes. While individual responses can vary, cannabis can be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan under medical supervision.

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