On September 18, 2023, a new lawsuit was filed by, inter alia, Leafly Holdings, Inc. (“Leafly”) against the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (“OCM”) and New York State Cannabis Control Board (the “Cannabis Control Board”).

The lawsuit

This legal proceeding involves a First Amendment and other challenges to certain regulations adopted by the Cannabis Control Board. The regulations, known as Resolution 2023-32, introduce new rules under Parts 123 and 124 of the Revised Adult-Use Cannabis Regulations, which significantly restrict the ability of New York dispensaries and consumers to use third-party websites that aggregate information about cannabis products. The petitioners, including Leafly, Stage One Cannabis, LLC (“Stage One Dispensary”), and Rosanna St. John, are seeking to have these regulations invalidated on the grounds that they are arbitrary, capricious, and in violation of both the United States Constitution and the New York Constitution. They are also requesting a temporary halt to the enforcement of these regulations until the legal proceedings are resolved.

The specific provisions being challenged are:

1. The Third-Party Marketing Ban (9 N.Y.C.R.R. §§ 123.10(g)(21) and 124.5(a)), which restricts certain types of marketing by third-party websites.
2. The Pricing Ban (9 N.Y.C.R.R. § 124.1(b)(5)(ii)), which imposes limitations on pricing information.
3. The Third-Party Order Ban (9 N.Y.C.R.R. § 123.10(g)(23)), which restricts the ability to place orders through third-party websites.
4. The Third-Party All-Licensee Listing Mandate (9 N.Y.C.R.R. § 124.1(b)(2)), which requires third-party websites to list all cannabis licensees.
5. The Third-Party Distributor Listing Mandate (9 N.Y.C.R.R. § 124.1(c)(1)-(2)), which mandates the listing of third-party distributors.

The arguments

The petitioners argue that the Third-Party Marketing Ban and the Pricing Ban infringe upon free speech rights protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article I, § 8 of the New York Constitution by limiting lawful commercial speech. They also claim that all the challenged regulations are arbitrary and capricious because they either conflict with New York’s Cannabis Law, lack a rational basis, or exceed the authority of the Cannabis Control Board.

What the plaintiffs want

Furthermore, the petitioners are requesting a temporary stay on the enforcement of these regulations, asserting that they are likely to succeed in their legal challenge and that they are facing irreparable harm due to the violation of their constitutional rights and potential business losses. They argue that maintaining the status quo is in the best interest of justice, and they urge the court to invalidate these regulations on the grounds of being arbitrary, capricious, irrational, and unconstitutional.

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This First Amendment challenge is just the latest litigation, unfortunately, in a program that has seen a number of misfires and delays. We will continue to monitor this lawsuit, while awaiting answers on fundamental issues that the Cannabis Control Board has inexplicably failed to address. Stay tuned to our New York coverage for more.

As the legalization of recreational marijuana spreads across the United States, there is growing curiosity about its impact on the brain, including concerns about potential harm to brain cells. Just as the prolonged use of alcohol, methamphetamine, and heroin can lead to irreversible brain damage, excessive and extended marijuana use can disrupt the normal functioning of brain cells.

This ultimately affects their ability to transmit messages (a process called brain activity). Using marijuana can damage brain cells, which in turn can manifest as various symptoms throughout the body.  Is it true or just urban legend?

Similar to other substances, components of marijuana interact with specific receptors in the brain. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana, binds to the brain’s cannabinoid receptors, known as cannabinoid receptor type 1 or CB1 receptors. These receptors are linked to nerve pathways in the brain that regulate functions such as memory, appetite, pain management, and mood.

When an individual consumes marijuana, they may experience difficulty maintaining focus and recalling crucial information. This impairment can become more pronounced with prolonged marijuana use, impairing memory and concentration. Additionally, the drug can also impact motor skills. If individuals choose to operate a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana, they put their lives and the lives of others at risk.

While less research has been conducted on adults who initiate marijuana use after adolescence, recent studies have revealed an adverse association between THC and higher-order cognitive functions, such as retaining important information, planning, organizing, solving problems, and regulating emotions and behaviors. Whether these effects are reversible remains uncertain according to current scientific knowledge.

How Cannabis Affects the Brain

Effect on Learning and Memory

Impeding Young People’s Brain Development

The use of marijuana has the potential to impede brain development in adolescents and young adults. The human brain undergoes continuous development until well into the late 20s, and marijuana consumption during this critical period can harm this process.

Elevated levels of THC, the active component in marijuana, can disrupt the brain’s normal formation of neural pathways. This disruption can give rise to enduring adverse effects. Rather than causing the death of brain cells, marijuana hampers the development of the brain in individuals who initiate marijuana use at an early age, resulting in a range of cognitive impairments.

 Reduction In IQ

A New Zealand study encompassing over 1,000 teenagers conducted IQ tests at age 13 and then again at age 38, examining their drug usage patterns. The results unveiled a noteworthy decline in average IQ points for individuals who used marijuana four or more times a week during this time frame – an average decrease of 8.

This study stands as the inaugural validation that frequent marijuana use, mainly smoking, can reduce intelligence. It highlights the significance of usage frequency in determining the likelihood of enduring or severe side effects.

Mental Health Problems and Addiction

Effect Of Synthetic Marijuana on the Brain

Synthetic Marijuana, a synthetic hallucinogenic substance typically sprayed onto plant material, is not intended for human consumption but has gained popularity recently. Commonly referred to as “Fake Weed,” it induces altered mental states and can lead to unusual behavior. Synthetic Marijuana is illegal and may contain toxic components that can result in an elevated heart rate, unexplained bleeding, and vomiting.

Like natural Marijuana, Synthetic Marijuana affects the brain by binding itself to Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) receptors, which are present in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Synthetic Weed exhibits a much stronger binding affinity to CB1 receptors than THC, rendering it at least 100 times more potent in its impact on the brain.

Because CB1 receptors are distributed throughout various brain regions, the side effects of Synthetic Marijuana can be severe and detrimental. Synthetic Marijuana may cause the brain and body to experience:

Conclusion

CANNABIS KILLING BRAIN CELLS, WHAT DID THIS OTHER STUDY SAY?

Men have such a different physiology and biological makeup compared to their female counterparts. The bodies of males and females work so differently and as a result, health problems tend to differ.

While many conditions affect both men and women, there are some health problems that men are simply more predisposed to. This may be due to behavior since men tend to engage in more activities that lead to more disease and higher risks of injury compared to women. Other things such as hormones, anatomy, and genetics also play a role.

So what are the most common conditions that affect men’s health? And how can cannabis help? Since so many articles discuss women’s health and cannabis, here’s a look into common medical problems experienced by men, and how cannabis can help.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Erectile dysfunction, previously known as impotence, is a medical condition characterized by the inability of men to achieve and maintain an erection. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common, and it can affect even young and healthy males occasionally particularly due to stress. However, it becomes problematic when it occurs regularly or each time you’re about to have sex with your partner.

When it becomes routine, ED can cause issues with your intimate relationships and it should be addressed. But it can also be a symptom of more serious medical issues such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, depression, and low self-esteem. Some studies have shown that men who suffer from ED face a higher risk of strokes and heart attacks later on. Certain factors can increase the risk of chronic ED, such as being older than 50 years of age, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic exposure to stress, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, high cholesterol, frequent use of drugs and alcohol, and little exercise.

There are many different treatment options available for erectile dysfunction. These may include sex therapy and oral medications, oftentimes a combination of these depending on what your physician thinks may be necessary. Your doctor may also ask you to make lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and drinking, and becoming more physically active.

While cannabis doesn’t treat erectile dysfunction itself, cannabis is effective in addressing the root problems of other factors that can contribute to ED or make it worse. For example, if you are frequently exposed to high stress, you can use cannabis instead of alcohol or tobacco to cope with stress and get better sleep. Cannabidiol (CBD) can also help greatly reduce high blood pressure and obesity provided that you eat right and exercise.

Hair Loss

Men suffer from much more significant hair loss compared to women. This is because dihydrotestosterone, a chemical also known as DHT, metabolizes the testosterone in men’s bodies. As a result, hair follicles shrink over time and they are no longer as effective in regenerating new hair as before.

Of course, there are also other factors that can speed up hair loss in men. Stress, aging, an unhealthy diet, and hormonal imbalances to name a few.

Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to be promising for hair loss. So much so, that there has been an explosion of topical hair and scalp products on the market developed with CBD. Since this cannabinoid contains a rich amount of antioxidants and amino acids, it can be extremely effective in naturally slowing down hair loss and thinning hair among men.

Men who suffer from regular stress can also be prone to quicker hair loss. For this reason, supplementing with CBD internally is a great way to provide extra support to your immunity to prevent hair loss. It has been shown to work well because CBD is effective in increasing blood circulation, so applying CBD topically can soothe skin while also boosting hair growth in the affected follicles.

Prostate Cancer

Only men are prone to prostate cancer, because this specific cancer affects the male reproductive organs. While the cause of prostate cancer is not very clear, men who have a family history as well as those who have unhealthy diets have been shown to possess the highest risk of developing it. Other risk factors include age, obesity, and race.  

Thankfully, cannabis has been promising in the field of cancer research. Both THC and CBD cannabinoids have been extensively studied for the management and treatment of various types of cancer, and prostate cancer is one of them.  Scientists have confirmed that tissue in the prostate contains cannabinoid receptors, which is why this body part is receptive to cannabinoid therapies. The benefits of cannabis for prostate cancer are so well-known, that patients have no issues self-medicating to help them heal even quicker.

Take note that many more studies of cannabinoids are necessary in order for medical experts to have a clearer understanding of areas where cannabinoids can help, and how much to take for it to be effective in treating prostate or other cancers. Right now, there is still a lot of clinical trials going on and we are still lacking a standardized approach for cannabis used in cancer.

Conclusion

The unique biochemistry and physiological makeup of men mean that they are more prone to certain illnesses that women are not. These here are just some of them, while women have their own struggles as well. While pharmaceutical drugs aren’t successful, some therapies can offer better success rates when used together with cannabis. Much more research is necessary, but the future is looking bright in the area of cannabis for men’s health.

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