Cannabis

Marijuana’s Cannabinoids And Kidney Disease

Published

2 years ago

August 24, 2023

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Although there are different diseases and medical conditions that take people’s lives, in the US kidney disease is the ninth leading cause of death. It’s also estimated that 31 million Americans (10 percent of the US adult population) are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The proper functioning of our organs is essential, especially our kidneys. One of the main symptoms of chronic and non-chronic kidney disease includes long-lasting pain, which can lead into other painful symptoms. Currently, many physicians prescribe opioids to patients to help them manage their pain. However, opioids and other pharmaceutical drugs have been proven harmful and addictive. Fortunately, though, cannabis and derivatives of it can provide relief to people with kidney disease, especially chronic pain associated with the disease. Here is information about marijuana’s cannabinoids and kidney disease which might prove useful.

Purpose Of The Kidneys & Possible Causes Of Kidney Disease

For those who don’t know, the main purpose of our kidneys is to clean our blood through the removal of excess fluid, minerals, and waste. Our kidneys also help keep the body clean and free from toxic compounds including byproducts accumulated from chemical consumption, digestion, and even muscle activity. Additionally, the kidneys are responsible for maintaining the correct amount of potassium, sodium, salt, phosphorous, and minerals within our bloodstream.

Regarding possible causes of kidney disease, it’s important to know the different types of this disease. For example, the different types of kidney disease/malfunction are categorized as chronic kidney disease (CKD), acute kidney injury, and acute renal failure (ARF). In most cases, CKD can be caused by immune system conditions such as HIV/AIDS, Lupus, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Other possible causes for kidney disease include injuries, different medications, or genetic issues.

Also, if an individual has been diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, or one of their relatives has kidney disease, that individual is at a greater risk of being diagnosed with kidney disease.

Current Kidney Disease Treatments

To determine if someone has kidney disease or poor kidney function, a physician can administer different tests to find out what’s going on. Once someone is diagnosed with kidney disease, it’s common to experience chronic pain alongside other physical and emotional symptoms. Many physicians prescribe painkillers like opioids to their patients as a form of pain management. However, opioids can cause and/or intensify additional adverse effects of the disease including nausea, insomnia, anorexia, and pruritis. These adverse effects can negatively impact a patients’ quality of life and overall well-being. Depending on the severity of the disease though, some patients undergo dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Alternative Kidney Disease Treatments (Cannabis)

Aside from the treatments briefly mentioned, many patients seek out alternative forms of treatment like cannabis. Recent research has been done on cannabinoids, which has helped legitimate the usage of cannabis-based medicine. According to the National Institute of Health findings, CB1 and CB2 receptors are found in numerous tissues within the body including the kidneys. Although cannabis and different cannabinoids can relieve many kidney disease symptoms, it doesn’t cure the disease completely.

Regardless, cannabinoids have demonstrated their effectiveness in helping treat symptoms associated with kidney disease including anorexia/cachexia, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and pruritis. Chronic pain is another common symptom associated with kidney disease, which can be treated with THC. It has been found that THC acts as an analgesic in addition to containing anti-emetic, anti-nausea, appetite stimulating, and muscle relaxant properties. Additionally, several clinical studies have discovered that sleep quality significantly improved in patients who consumed cannabinoids to treat chronic pain and intractable pruritis.

Medical Benefits Of Cannabis In Treating Kidney Disease

Furthermore, cannabis and derivatives of it could prevent kidney damage while also relieving pain and other distressing symptoms. Whereas, many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can result in harmful chemicals entering the bloodstream. As a result, the kidneys are put under significant pressure. Numerous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Aspirin, and Aleve contain a high amount of substances that are toxic to the kidneys. On the other hand, cannabis has very few side effects on our organs. There’s also no risk of a cannabis overdose resulting in harming or damaging our organs.

Overall, small improvements in kidney disease symptoms through the usage of THC and CBD could be clinically beneficial for patients who experience hard-to-treat symptoms. So far though, cannabis-based medicine for kidney disease, and specifically, CKD is being considered.

Although cannabis doesn’t cure kidney disease, it can effectively alleviate many symptoms associated with it. As a result, a quality of life improvement can occur, which can lead to a life with more enjoyment and less pain. At the end of the day, isn’t that what we all want?

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Cannabis

White House Finally Comments On Marijuana Industry

Published

9 hours ago

April 1, 2025

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Part of the cannabis industry supported the new president, betting he was going to move and move quickly on cannabis – the White House finally commented.

The cannabis industry has been a boon for consumers, medical patients, veterans and legal states, but for the thousands of mom and pop businesses is has been a roller coaster. With a huge demand, it would seem to be easy money, but the federal, tax, and banking restrictions have made it difficult to grow and expand. Part of the industry were all for the new administration assuming they would support positive change, but many in the new cabinet and the House Speaker Mike Johnson are foes. Now the White House finally comments on marijuana industry…and it doesn’t show a clear path.

The administration’s current stance on marijuana reform is marked by inaction, despite campaign promises and earlier signals of support for cannabis-related reforms. A White House official recently confirmed that “no action is being considered at this time” regarding marijuana policy, leaving advocates and industry stakeholders uncertain about the administration’s priorities.

During his campaign, the resident expressed support for rescheduling marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which would move it from Schedule I to Schedule III, easing restrictions on medical use and enabling cannabis businesses to access banking and tax benefits. However, since taking office, no concrete steps have been taken to advance this initiative. A DEA hearing on rescheduling, initially planned for January 2025, was postponed due to procedural appeals and remains unscheduled.

The president has also voiced support for state autonomy in cannabis policy and endorsed state-level legalization initiatives, such as Florida’s failed 2024 ballot measure for recreational marijuana. While this reflects a more favorable stance compared to his first term, his administration has yet to prioritize federal reforms like the SAFE Banking Act, which would facilitate banking services for cannabis businesses. Efforts to include such measures in a government funding bill late last year were unsuccessful.

The delay in federal action has significant implications for the cannabis industry. Rescheduling marijuana could alleviate financial burdens by eliminating restrictions under IRS Code Section 280E and promoting medical research. However, the stalled process leaves businesses navigating regulatory uncertainties and limited financial access.

While stakeholders continue lobbying for reform, the administration appears focused on other priorities such as immigration and foreign policy. Advocates hope the President will leverage his influence to advance cannabis reform, but for now, the issue remains sidelined. Until then the industry struggles and waits.

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Cannabis

This State’s Cannabis Revenue Keeps Pouring In

Published

1 day ago

March 31, 2025

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States are starting to scramble with looming budget deficients, but marijuana is a boon to some – especially one state.

The new federal administration is revamping how the government operates. With Doge, they are changing agencies and reducing services and support of states, which has left budget deficients in many. But some states have legal marijana and it has been a boon, for like alcohol…people are still consuming. States who are fully legal are making more money on weed than booze and this state’s cannabis revenue keeps pouring in. Missouri, the show me state, is being shown unexpected revenue.

RELATED: Mike Johnson And Marijuana

“Due to a strong cannabis market and effective, efficient regulation of that market,” Amy Moore, director of the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, told The Independent this week, “the funds available for the ultimate beneficiaries of the cannabis regulatory program continue to outpace expectations.”

Funds will help veterans and other key projects. The other benefit is as seen in data from legal states, teen use is down so it frees up some other funds. Legal states are seeing benefits from legal cannabis including lower teen use and crime reduction.

States with legal cannabis are experiencing a significant boost in tax revenue, surpassing those generated by alcohol sales. This trend highlights the economic benefits of marijuana legalization, as cannabis markets expand and mature.

In California, cannabis excise taxes have consistently outperformed alcohol-related taxes, bringing in over double the revenue. Colorado has seen even more striking results, with marijuana tax revenues totaling seven times those of alcohol. Similarly, Massachusetts has collected more tax revenue from marijuana than alcohol since fiscal year 2021, marking a notable shift in state finances.

Nationally, legal cannabis states generated nearly $3 billion in excise taxes on marijuana in 2021—20% more than alcohol taxes. By 2024, total adult-use cannabis tax revenue exceeded $20 billion, with states like Illinois and Washington reporting record-breaking contributions. Illinois alone collected $451.9 million from cannabis taxes in fiscal year 2022—one-and-a-half times the revenue from alcohol.

The funds are being put to good use. States like Illinois are channeling marijuana tax dollars into mental health services and community programs, while Colorado has invested nearly $500 million into public education. California has allocated millions to nonprofits addressing the impacts of the war on drugs.

This growing revenue stream underscores the potential of cannabis legalization to support vital public services and bolster state economies. As more states embrace regulated marijuana markets, the financial benefits are expected to continue flourishing.

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Cannabis

Mixed Messages From The Feds About Cannabis

Published

4 days ago

March 28, 2025

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The federal administration is all over the board around fed cannabis policy…and millions of patients are worried.

The industry employees over 440,000 workers at all lives and is driven in a large part by mom and pop businesses. Millions use medical marijuana for health issues ranging from chronic pain to sleep. But there are mixed messages from the feds about cannabis, and people are very worried. The federal government’s stance on marijuana has become increasingly complex, as recent developments show conflicting approaches to the drug’s potential benefits and risks. On one hand, there’s a push for research into medical marijuana for veterans, while on the other, a campaign against cannabis use is being launched.

The juxtaposition of initiatives highlights the federal government’s inconsistent approach to marijuana policy. While some departments are exploring the potential benefits of cannabis, others are actively working to discourage its use. This dichotomy is further exemplified by ongoing legislative efforts. For instance, Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) has reintroduced the Veterans Equal Access Act, which would allow VA doctors to recommend medical marijuana to patients in states where it’s legal. Meanwhile, documents from an ongoing lawsuit suggest that the DEA may have weighted the marijuana rescheduling process to ensure rejection of moving the drug from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3.

The Department of Defense (DOD) has allocated nearly $10 million in funding for research into the therapeutic potential of MDMA for active-duty military members. This initiative, driven by congressional efforts, aims to explore MDMA’s effectiveness in treating conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) expressed pride in this development, stating that it could be a “game-changer” for service members battling these combat-related injuries.

Additionally, a bipartisan effort in Congress has been pushing for VA research on medical marijuana for PTSD and other conditions affecting veterans. The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act, introduced in both the Senate and House, would mandate studies on how cannabis affects the use of addictive medications and impacts various health outcomes for veterans.

In stark contrast to these research initiatives, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has partnered with an anti-cannabis nonprofit to launch a social media campaign targeting young people. The campaign, set to run ahead of April 20 (4/20), aims to “flood” Instagram with anti-cannabis content. The DEA is offering monetary incentives to students for creating and posting anti-THC videos, with payments ranging from $25 to $50 depending on the type of content produced.

This approach has raised eyebrows, as it seems to contradict the growing acceptance and legalization of marijuana across the United States. Critics argue that such campaigns may be out of touch with current societal trends and scientific understanding of cannabis.

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