Marijuana News
Scientists Have Found That Smoking Weed Has No Negative Effect On IQ Or Health
Over the years rumors have led people to believe marijuana use has a negative effect on intelligence. Two new scientific reports recently reached the same conclusion: there is no evidence that marijuana use hurts IQ.
Researchers from the Boston Medical Center and the Boston University School of Medicine looked at patients who consumed marijuana to see if it had any impact on their health. According to U.S. researchers, cannabis has no negative effects on human health and there’s no difference between people who smoke cannabis daily and those who do not.
Another survey took over 400 adult cannabis users and found that 80% gave up their prescription medications once they started using medical marijuana. In most cases many cannabis users not only gave up prescription medications, but they also stopped the use of other drugs (like alcohol). Many new studies are also confirming cannabis is an effective treatment for PSTD.
French Ministry Says Experimental Painkiller Trial Did Not Involve Cannabis
Several participants of a clinical trial in France are in serious condition after taking experimental medicine in France. One patient has been left brain dead.
The drug trial was testing a new painkiller and involved 90 volunteers who were given varying doses. The drug was meant to act on the endocannabinoid system, which deals with pain.
Some reports on the case said the drug contained cannabinoids, an active ingredient found in cannabis, however the French ministry statement said the drug did not contain cannabis nor any substance derived from cannabis.
What Is Synthetic Marijuana?
Pharmacies in Israel Will Offer Medical Marijuana Soon
Israel recently reported they have the world’s per-capita highest medical marijuana use and they have plans to expand medical marijuana regulations. The new reforms would allow pharmacies to sell cannabis.
Currently if patients are looking to get approved for medical marijuana, they must wait months to get a prescription because a lack of doctors. Israel is also taking steps now to increase the number of growers and physicians to solve this issue.
“We’re working to reorganize the field of medical cannabis in order to lighten the process for those who need it and, on the other hand, to make it harder for the material to trickle into the regular market,” Israel’s Health Minister Yaakov Litzman said. “There is no reason to make things difficult for whoever really needs it, just because there’s someone who exploits it illegally.”
Where Do Cannabis Companies Stash Cash?
Banking has been a major challenge for cannabis businesses since Colorado first legalized recreational marijuana in 2014. Marijuana is still a Schedule I narcotic causing state and federal laws to clash. Banks do not want to be associated with a federally illegal drug.
“This is something that is going to be a part of the next generation and the future, and we need to get it right.” said Mark Mason, an attorney who has worked with several marijuana companies. “And if we are not going to have banking … and have millions and millions of dollars on the streets where bad things can happen, that is not responsible.”
Fourth Corner Credit Union aimed to become the world’s first bank focused on the marijuana industry. A marijuana-focused credit union could help get the “cash off the streets”. However, this past tuesday a judge dismissed their lawsuit that was seeking federal approval.
The Federal Reserve says marijuana businesses can not be allowed into the central banking system because the drug remains outlawed on the federal level. The case for banking and pot must be brought to congress.
In the meantime, cannabis business owners are forced to transport their cash, which is risky and inefficient. Some marijuana companies have spent up to $150,000 to build their own secure vaults and hired security teams like MPS International, which provides security services for the marijuana industry.
“The federal government and these banking laws are making it so that people have to walk around with tens of thousands of dollars in their businesses, in their cars, in their homes, putting these people in danger,” Michael Julian, MPS International’s chief executive officer said.
New Survey Shows 80% of Cannabis Users Choose Pot Over Prescriptions
With marijuana legalization initiatives sweeping the United States, more and more people are realizing the plant is a much safer medication than many prescription pills.
Painkillers and heroin have led to many deaths over the last few years; they are now among the leading cause of fatalities in the U.S. Alcohol abuse and/or related deaths are another concern for Americans. Marijuana has never caused any fatalities and is already saving lives.
A new survey conducted by the Centre for Addictions Research of BC shows the plants impact on both pharmaceutical and alcohol industries. The survey took over 400 adult cannabis users and found that 80% gave up their prescription medications once they started using medical marijuana. In most cases many cannabis users not only gave up prescription medications, but they also stopped the use of other drugs (like alcohol).
Massachusetts Looks To Colorado’s Marijuana Industry
Massachusetts Senate Members plan to visit Colorado next week to learn more about their experience of recreational marijuana legalization.
“We have recognized all along that the best way to really learn about the impact of legalizing marijuana is to spend time on the ground in the state that has the most experience with it, and that is Colorado,” said Senator Jason Lewis.
Other states including Washington, Alaska and Oregon have all legalized cannabis (for both medical and recreational use). Massachusetts is hoping to avoid the mistakes other states had made early on. Massachusetts has already approved laws decriminalizing possession of marijuana (in small amounts) and patients who need medical marijuana for medical conditions.
Despite that Republican Governor Charlie Baker says he is “unalterably opposed” to legalizing recreational marijuana, the data makes a case for approving both medical and recreational use. Colorado’s marijuana tax revenues nearly double last year’s figures. The state brought in nearly $73.5m in the first seven months of 2015.
Washington State’s Supply & Demand Problem
The state of Washington is facing a unique problem; according to state records cannabis suppliers have produced 16,000 pounds more than what retailers sold in 2015. Marijuana Business Daily is predicting that prices will be driven to an all time low. In some cases, prices have dropped to as little as $10 a gram.
This surplus could have a huge impact on the future of the Washington market and hurt new retailers who recently set up shop. There is hope that supply and demand will level out. Colorado saw a similar situation when they legalized cannabis last year.
“A lot of people really got into this for the money, with sort of hungry eyes, and aren’t able to produce the results that consumers, let alone the retailers, are looking for.” said Christopher Macaluso, a longtime cultivator in California.
The Marijuana Industry Already Has Too Many Events
Marijuana conferences have grown from 1 to over 30 in just three years. The emerging industry already has too many events, making it hard to distinguish which ones are worth going to and which ones simply waste time.
“You can literally attend, speak or exhibit at an event every weekend,” said Chris Drissen, Chief Business Development Officer at O.Pen Vape. “It has really had a negative impact on the attendance and viability of the few shows that are worth going to.”
“I suspect that most of them lost money and that attendees and exhibitors will wise up in 2016 and rally around a few of the best.” Troy Dayton, Chief Executive Officer of ArcView Group said.
The Marijuana Business Conference & Expo is the industry’s most attended event. The conference includes 3000+ industry executives, experts and major investors.
Tomorrow Medical Marijuana Is Legal In New York State
New York’s medical marijuana program officially launches tomorrow, January 7th. The city’s first dispensary is opening just off Union Square. Three other dispensaries will be following and have plans to expand throughout the state of New York in 2016. Under the legislation, companies will be authorized to grow marijuana for medicinal purposes in the state.
In the past many people had to move to Colorado to get medicinal marijuana legally. Patients with chronic pain or illnesses such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or epilepsy will now be eligible in New York. Many other states will be following in Colorado, Alaska, Oregon and New York’s foot steps in 2016.
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