420 with CNW — Ohio Vote Means Recreational Cannabis Now Legal in 24 States

Ohio voters gave their approval last week to the legalization of recreational marijuana cultivation and sales, opening the doors to a potentially lucrative market in the Midwest. This milestone was achieved with around 53% of the votes counted, where supporters of Issue 2 were leading with 55.7% in favor against 44.3% opposed.

This makes Ohio the 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana following a prolonged and contentious process. It is expected that the new recreational cannabis market could generate revenues close to $2 billion within the first year of operation, ultimately increasing to $4 billion by the fourth year, according to MJBizDaily.

However, it remains to be seen how things turn out, as the state’s GOP-dominated General Assembly has expressed intentions to make key adjustments or even repeal voter-approved causes. Despite potential legislative challenges, polls indicated strong support for recreational cannabis legalization and sales leading up to the election.

Ohio’s decision to legalize recreational cannabis follows similar decisions by Minnesota and Delaware, which made legalization through their legislatures earlier in the year.

The passing of this legislation is expected to open up new opportunities for vertically integrated multistate operators such as Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) and Acreage Holdings. The substantial population of Ohio, with more than 11 million residents, and its proximity to neighboring states with limited marijuana programs make it a promising market.

Acreage CEO Dennis Curran expressed his excitement about the vote, seeing it as a turning point for both Ohio and the cannabis industry as a whole, marking increased acceptance of cannabis use and a reduction in the stigma surrounding the plant. Issue 2 introduces several key provisions, including allowing level 1 and 2 cannabis license holders to add three more stores and expand manufacturing and cultivation operations. Recreational cannabis sales will be subject to a 10% excise tax in addition to an existing 5.75% sales tax.

Although Ohio has yet to develop a social-equity program, Issue 2 dedicates a portion of marijuana tax revenue to create opportunities for disadvantaged applicants. The measure also establishes a state agency to formulate and oversee rules and regulations for recreational marijuana, which must be developed within nine months.

While Issue 2 had its proponents, it also faced opposition from various Ohio organizations, including the Manufacturers’ Association of Ohio, the Business Roundtable of Ohio and the Chamber of Commerce, which expressed concerns about workplace safety and the difficulty in finding workers who can pass drug tests. Governor Mike DeWine was also opposed to the legislation.

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CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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420 with CNW — Study Predicts $260M Addition to Ohio’s Economy After Cannabis Legalization

Despite differing opinions among ardent supporters, cannabis legalization in Ohio could entail certain drawbacks. Nonetheless, an economic analysis published last week suggests that the advantages would surpass these drawbacks by a yearly sum of $250 million. Issue 2, a proposal to legalize recreational cannabis in Ohio, is set for the upcoming election on Tuesday.

A study conducted by Scioto Analysis sought to assess the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a step in a state where medical cannabis is already legal. To conduct the analysis, the research group drew on findings from states such as Colorado and Washington, where recreational cannabis has been legal for some time. To understand how the advantages and disadvantages identified in those states might apply to Ohio, the researchers used demographic and economic data, as well as crime statistics.

The most significant advantage they identified relates to the additional revenue that Issue 2’s passage would generate, thanks to its 10% excise tax in addition to Ohio’s regular sales tax. However, the report clarifies that the benefit doesn’t solely stem from the anticipated yearly tax revenue of $190 million but rather from how a substantial portion of these funds would be utilized.

According to the report, benefits are realized when services and goods procured by governments yield positive spillover effects. The researchers pinpointed positive spillovers from the 25% and 36% of Issue 2’s revenue allocated to the Substance Abuse Addiction and Marijuana Social Equity and Jobs Funds, respectively. Drawing from analyses of similar funds in other states, the group estimated that the Ohio equity and jobs fund would generate $5.76 in benefits for every dollar spent, and the substance abuse fund would yield $9.19. The report suggests that directing revenue to these two funds could potentially create $820 million worth of benefits for Ohioans annually.

Additionally, the new industry would directly create jobs. The report projects approximately $190 million in wage benefits during the first year of legalization for workers across the state, encompassing both full-time and part-time positions.

Recreational marijuana users would also enjoy benefits, as Issue 2 would reduce the annual marijuana expenditure of this group by $98 million compared to what they would pay otherwise. Furthermore, the legalization of recreational marijuana would likely lead to a reduction in arrests.

When it comes to the cons, one significant drawback is the decrease in worker productivity observed in states where legalization has already occurred. Citing a study from 2017, the report suggests that average productivity per worker dipped by just over 1% in certain industries in states that legalized recreational cannabis. Monetarily, this translates to roughly $900 of lost productivity per worker in Ohio. The report utilized federal employment data to estimate that legalization could cost Ohio workers approximately $760 million in lost productivity in the first year alone.

Moreover, concerns about public safety emerge with the possibility of more intoxicated drivers on the roads, leading to increased accidents causing injuries, property damage and even fatalities. The report estimates an additional 1,700 intoxicated-driving arrests annually in Ohio, with an associated cost of $130 million.

Considering these positives and negatives, the study suggests that if Issue 2 is passed, Ohioans could potentially gain annual benefits of $260 million.

This analysis of the forecast benefits of ending marijuana prohibition in Ohio goes to show what an impact companies such as Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) might have once a legal cannabis market is launched and entrepreneurs are allowed to address the needs of customers.

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420 with CNW — Marijuana Successes on Capitol Hill Galvanize Protagonist Groups

The past two decades have seen a dramatic shift in attitudes toward cannabis among both the American public and lawmakers. Millions of Americans now have access to marijuana through dozens of medical and recreational cannabis markets, and the controversial plant has strong support in legislative circles.

Several polls also show that a majority of Americans support legalizing or decriminalizing the plant in some capacity. For example, a 2022 study by Pew Research Center found that 88% of American adults say medical and recreational cannabis use should be legal for adults while only 10% said cannabis shouldn’t be legal.

With cannabis drawing incredible support from both Americans and their representatives, fighting the wave of cannabis reform sweeping across the country can seem nigh impossible. In fact, anticannabis legalization groups at Capitol Hill are having an exceedingly hard time keeping the fight alive now that several top lawmakers are seriously considering federal cannabis legalization.

Even so, a small but persistent group of lawmakers mostly drawn from the Republican Party are still fighting against procannabis policies in Washington, and they seem to be pushing back. The group of lawmakers has won several important victories against cannabis reform policies in recent months including halting progress on a critical cannabis bill.

Republican Senator James Lankford heavily criticized the methodology and necessity of research proposed by a bill on marijuana-based treatments for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Pressure from conservative factions eventually caused the bill to be passed out of committee unanimously.

According to Justin Strekal, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) former director in charge of political affairs and founder of a procannabis legalization PAC, cannabis reform has reached the “fight you” stage. With drug reformists in the nation scoring major wins in recent years, Strekal said the recent losses to anti-legalization factions showed that things can go wrong at the last moment.

More than a dozen lawmakers led by Lankford and Representative Pete Sessions also sent a letter to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration asking it to reject a proposal to reduce federal cannabis restrictions by the Biden administration. This came after President Joe Biden directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to recommend a review of marijuana’s status under the Controlled Substances Act.

The lawmakers argued that cannabis rescheduling decisions should be based on science and proven facts rather than popular opinion or legislative changes at the state level.

Senators Cynthia Lummis and Steve Daines were also quick to respond and introduced a bill that would require Congressional approval before the Biden administration could make any changes to federal cannabis policy.

These unfolding political developments are likely to be kept on the radars of cannabis companies such as Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) since the outcome could impact the trajectory of the industry in the United States.

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420 with CNW — Cannabis Banking Law Complicated by Conflicting Priorities, House Speaker Issues

The U.S. marijuana industry received a boost of positive news from Washington, D.C., in late summer, but the road ahead may not be as smooth as initially hoped. There are fresh challenges that may hinder the passage of cannabis banking reform in Congress.

On the positive side, experts on Capitol Hill believe that the U.S. Senate is likely to approve the SAFER Banking Act. The act offers protections for financial institutions serving state-legal marijuana businesses, shielding them from federal prosecution. The legislation successfully passed a significant Senate committee in late September. However, complications unrelated to the banking reform or marijuana are currently clouding the outlook. Much of the congressional business is at a standstill due to ongoing internal conflicts within the House of Representatives.

The Republican Party, which holds a slim majority, has yet to choose a new speaker following the ousting of Rep. Kevin McCarthy. Moreover, when legislative activities do resume, they will be preoccupied with other pressing priorities, including averting a government shutdown and addressing the escalating conflict in Israel.

Another complicating factor is the opposition to marijuana policy reform by key House members, including Representatives Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan, both of whom were nominated for speaker. Scalise eventually dropped out of the speaker race due to insufficient support, leaving the House Republicans in turmoil.

Despite these challenges, the Senate appears to maintain a positive outlook. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is determined to pass the SAFER Banking Act and intends to introduce a “SAFER-plus” package, combining provisions related to gun ownership rights and marijuana arrest-record expungements.

A full Senate floor vote for SAFER Banking could happen in the upcoming work period, with David Culver, a senior vice president for public affairs at the U.S. Cannabis Council, expressing optimism. However, the House must also approve the bill, and it may not be as straightforward as the Senate.

While the full House passed the predecessor to SAFER Banking, SAFE Banking, multiple times, the current bill faces opposition from House Republicans due to specific language regarding Operation Chokepoint. This challenge requires further negotiations, competing for time and attention with pressing international issues and potential government shutdowns.

As the year progresses, the 2024 presidential election will further complicate the legislative calendar. Congress is expected to have limited attention for standalone bills as election season gains momentum, making the window for passing the bill narrow.

Nonetheless, there are still potential positive developments on the horizon, particularly with the Biden administration’s rescheduling recommendation in August. The recommendation, if implemented, could alleviate federal tax challenges for marijuana businesses.

Some industry executives see this as a sign that SAFER Banking, while important, may not be as critical as other ambitious bills, including federal legalization and the potential for interstate commerce.

Cannabis companies such as Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) will be looking forward to the enactment of federal cannabis banking legislation so that some of the operational challenges they face, especially in accessing financial services, ease.

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420 with CNW — Georgia State Residents Could Soon Access Medical Cannabis in Pharmacies

Officials in Georgia recently announced that the state would begin to provide medical cannabis products in pharmacies statewide. Last week, the state’s pharmacy board started accepting applications for independent pharmacies that wanted to take part in the exercise. Once applications have been submitted, all pharmacies will have to undergo inspection before they can receive approval from the board.

Thus far, almost 120 drugstores have agreed to provide drugs from Botanical Sciences, one of the licensed production companies in the state. It is expected that it will take a couple of weeks before medical cannabis is available in pharmacies. At the moment, medical cannabis is available to individuals in the state who have received approval from a physician for the treatment of serious illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson’s disease, seizures and terminal cancers.

THC oil should contain no more than 5% THC, which is one of the two major compounds found in marijuana. The expansion of medical marijuana sales into pharmacies will allow many more patients to access THC oil, which adds to the seven dispensaries in the state that have launched since April. Individuals will be able to purchase THC oil at drug stores once they present a state-issued registry card and identification.

Botanical Sciences notes that nearly 90% of the population in the state live within a half-hour drive of a pharmacy that sells medical cannabis. Mindy Leech, a pharmacist in Newnan, stated that this move by the state would help destigmatize medical marijuana while also making it more comfortable for customers to ask questions about the drugs.

In 2019, the Georgia General Assembly approved the distribution of low THC oil. However, it’s taken years to establish regulations for inspections, safety, licensing and distribution.

In other news, the state’s department of public health recently revealed that it had misreported the number of registered medical cannabis patients in Georgia. The inflated figure, 50,000, is far higher than the 14,000 individuals who have signed up for the program.

Jonathan Marquess, Georgia Pharmacy Association VP, stated that patients who didn’t have dispensaries near them would be able to access this healthcare. Marquess, who owns a number of pharmacies in the Atlanta area, noted that with more than 400 independent pharmacies in the state, most would be interested in selling cannabis oil given that the product isn’t being sold in drugstores such as Walgreens and CVS.

Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission’s executive director Andrew Turnage added the pharmacy rule would help licensees as well as patients.

A time will come when states such as Georgia will fully reform their marijuana laws so that local companies can also enjoy the kind of success that enterprises such as Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) have earned for themselves in the markets in which they operate.

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420 with CNW — US Nurses Association Recognizes Marijuana as Specialty Practice Area

The American Nurses Association (ANA) has released a formal statement recognizing marijuana as a specialty practice area for nursing. The statement, which was released last week, highlighted that cannabis nurses would play a crucial role in providing patients with guidance and education on how to incorporate cannabis into treatment.

Currently, the ANA represents more than 5 million nurses across the United States. The organization’s president, Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, stated that this move underscored the crucial role and special contribution of marijuana nurses to the healthcare system and promoted integration of marijuana treatments for health care consumers in different healthcare settings.

The ANA also credited the American Cannabis Nurses Association for contributing to the extensive landscape of nursing practice and patient care and pioneering the marijuana nursing field. The ACNA advocates for studies on medical cannabis, as well as education and policy reform on the same. ACNA president Rachel Parmelee stated that the organization was gratified by the establishment of marijuana nursing as a recognized nursing specialty.

In her statement, Parmelee observed that cannabis nursing needed specialized knowledge and competencies to address the stigma linked to the use of medical marijuana, navigate care and support a healthy society. She then noted that the organization’s objective was to establish lasting and transformative change that would enrich both general and specialized nursing practices, helping serve the needs of patients across the country.

In its statement, the ANA also voiced its support for urgent clinical studies informing patients on the effectiveness of cannabis and associated cannabinoids, quoting its 2021 statement on the therapeutic use of marijuana. The 2021 statement suggested that cannabis be reclassified as a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act to facilitate research. The statement also called for the development of evidence-based standards for dosing and use of marijuana and the protection of patients who used cannabis from criminal or civil penalties.

Generally speaking, nurses in America have favorably supported the legalization of cannabis. One survey conducted in 2018 determined that 82% of polled nurses were in favor of legalizing medical cannabis while almost 60% supported the legalization of adult-use marijuana.

While there has been an increase in studies on marijuana in the last few years, certain obstacles continue to hinder progression. A good example would be marijuana’s current classification as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. This schedule makes it hard for researchers to obtain marijuana for research and even harder to study it.

This formal recognition of marijuana as a nursing specialty practice field is likely to be positively received by the wider cannabis industry, including entities such as Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) since it inches cannabis closer to being integrated fully into mainstream medical care.

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420 with CNW — Bipartisan Senators Unveil SAFER Marijuana Banking Bill

Bipartisan senators led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have formally unveiled a revised cannabis banking bill that would grant America’s state-legal cannabis industry access to financial services. Called the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act, the measure would ensure state-legal cannabis businesses could access bank deposit accounts, insurance, cashless payments and a variety of other financial services that are accessible to businesses in other industries.

The cosponsors for the revised bill include Senators Chuck Schumer, Steve Daines, Jeff Merkley, Kevin Kramer, Cynthia Lummis, Krysten Sinema, Cory Booker, Bob Mendelez and Dan Sullivan. A statement from the cosponsors said the measure would make small businesses and their communities safer by allowing cannabis retailers to use financial services such as bank accounts and business loans. Furthermore, the statement explained that the measure would protect accounts in credit unions or banks from closure by federal banking regulators due to reputational risk.

For most of the state-legal cannabis industry’s existence, federal prohibition has made it nigh impossible for marijuana businesses to access financial services. Because federal law still classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug with no medical application and potential for abuse, financial institutions shy away from serving businesses in the state-legal cannabis industry to avoid negative consequences from federal regulators.

This has forced many cannabis retailers to operate on a largely cash-only basis, meaning the average cannabis business likely has physical cash stored on its premises during business hours. Since cannabis and cash are highly liquid commodities, cannabis businesses across the country are at risk of theft and have regularly been subjected to violent robberies. Limited access to financial aid and loans also reduces growth opportunities in the sector and ensures that only those with large capital backing can have even a remote chance of success.

The SAFER Banking Act and its previous iterations were designed to fix this issue by finally allowing banks and other financial institutions to serve state-sanctioned cannabis businesses without the threat of legal consequences by the federal government.

Schumer said in a separate statement that the federal government had punished marijuana users and businesses in the sector “for too long” despite the continued harm it does to the country. The failed war on drugs caused significant long-term damage to communities of color and is now causing harm to the nascent cannabis sector. In many cases, federal cannabis policies have put many cannabis business owners in mortal danger.

A markup of the bill will be presented to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs this week. Schumer also noted that he intended to bring the revised cannabis banking bill to the Senate floor as quickly as possible.

The cannabis industry, including enterprises such as Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF), will be waiting to see if this draft law fares any better than previous attempts to enact marijuana banking reforms at the federal level.

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420 with CNW — Twist of Fate? DEA Now Tasked with Steering Marijuana Rescheduling

The United States is on the brink of a groundbreaking shift in its approach to marijuana policy. However, a significant obstacle stands in the way of this reform: the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Recognizing marijuana’s medical value, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS) recommended reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III controlled substance in response to President Joe Biden’s call for a comprehensive review of marijuana scheduling last year. This pivotal moment in federal government policy places the key marijuana decision in the hands of the DEA, an agency historically associated with the country’s war on drugs.

The timeline for the DEA’s response remains uncertain, but experts speculate that an initial proposed rule could emerge by the year’s end, with finalization expected in the following spring. While the DEA cannot outright reject the HHS recommendation, its evaluation must encompass both legal and policy considerations, aligning with U.S. obligations under international drug-control treaties.

Barring an unlikely rejection of the HHS recommendation, the DEA must propose a federal law change consistent with the comprehensive scientific evaluation of marijuana. However, once the DEA suggests the change, more hurdles await, including a public comment period lasting typically 30 to 60 days, the DEA’s review of comments and potential lawsuits that could further delay implementation.

This marks the first time a president has ordered the DEA to review marijuana law, a significant departure from previous rejections of rescheduling petitions. The journey of marijuana through Capitol Hill bureaucracy began on Oct. 6, 2022, when President Biden instructed Cabinet-level agencies to expedite the review of marijuana scheduling.

Since 1970, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I substance, defined as having no medicinal value and high potential for abuse. This designation poses significant challenges to legal marijuana businesses, including limited tax deductions, restricted access to mainstream banks and U.S.-based stock exchanges, and the constant threat of DEA raids. The federal ban also hampers research, product development, workplace safety regulations and health insurance matters. Previous efforts to challenge marijuana’s classification came through petitions or court actions by state governors and advocacy groups, such as NORML.

The DEA faces the challenge of creating a meticulous administrative record for impending lawsuits. Those lawsuits could potentially be filed by a wide range of individuals and organizations, from those wanting to maintain marijuana’s illegality to advocates seeking its descheduling. Regardless of the DEA’s recommendation, conflicts between state and federal laws will persist, necessitating congressional action in the long-term. Nonetheless, a significant change in marijuana policy appears inevitable and more imminent than ever before.

Industry companies such as Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) will probably be waiting with bated breath to see what decision the DEA makes regarding the change in the scheduling of marijuana.

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420 with CNW — NORML Says Rescheduling Cannabis Not Enough

Almost a year after the President Biden administration initiated the process urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) to swiftly evaluate the federal scheduling of marijuana, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has affirmed the agency’s recommendation to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I drug to a lower classification. Although the specific details of the HHS recommendation remain undisclosed, recent Bloomberg News reports indicate that the department advocates moving cannabis to Schedule III within the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

This proposed alteration has garnered praise from certain quarters, particularly within the commercial marijuana industry, as a significant stride forward. Conversely, entities such as NORML have adopted a more measured stance. NORML asserts that there are three key reasons why cannabis ought to be descheduled rather than rescheduled.

First, moving cannabis to a lower schedule under the CSA continues to exaggerate the plant’s purported safety risks in comparison to other controlled drugs, including benzodiazepines (classified as Schedule IV), ketamine and anabolic steroids (presently under Schedule III), or alcohol, which remains unscheduled.

Secondly, moving marijuana to Schedule III deviates from cultural and public consensus. Americans do not wish to equate cannabis with heroin, as it currently stands, but they also oppose its association with Schedule III substances such as ketamine, which can only be legally possessed with a physician’s prescription.

Most crucially, this proposed alteration doesn’t do much to reconcile the growing disparity between federal and state-legal cannabis legislation. If the administration reclassifies cannabis as a Schedule III substance, all state laws currently in conflict with federal-level legislation will persist in their conflict.

Conversely, NORML has consistently advocated for the complete descheduling of cannabis, effectively removing it from the CSA. This approach would empower states, rather than the federal government, to regulate cannabis according to their preferences without violating federal legislation. In a NORML blog post addressing this matter, Paul Armentano, NORML deputy director, expressed his ongoing efforts in promoting NORML’s descheduling initiative to numerous mainstream media channels, including PBS, UPI, the Washington Post and the Associated Press, thereby reaching millions of individuals.

During one of his appearances on CNN, Armentano stated that alcohol and tobacco are conspicuously absent from the CSA, yet they are widely acknowledged to pose significantly greater health hazards than cannabis. He thus argued that cannabis should receive the same treatment when it comes to federal scheduling.

NORML positions itself as a grassroots organization championing freedom and civil liberties while advocating for the interests of responsible cannabis consumers and remaining committed to advancing the case for sensible marijuana policies, including descheduling.

Leading marijuana companies such as Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) are likely to follow the events in Washington, D.C., until a final decision on marijuana’s current status under the CSA is announced by the DEA.

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420 with CNW — Survey Shows Patients Satisfied with Marijuana as Neuropathy Treatment

A recent survey has found that marijuana is equally effective in alleviating neuropathy symptoms as opioids, raising questions about the validity of previous studies that utilized government-grown cannabis with lower potency. The survey was conducted by NuggMD, a company that connects patients with medical marijuana recommendations, and it involved 603 participants who used marijuana primarily or secondarily for neuropathy.

In the study, neuropathy, a painful condition, was measured by patients who assessed their pain levels on a scale of 1 to 10 both prior to and after using marijuana as a remedy. The outcomes were promising, indicating considerable relief. The average pain score prior to using cannabis was 7.64, and it decreased to 3.44 after consumption, resulting in an average pain relief of 4.2 out of 10.

These findings were on par with or even better than conventional treatments such as prescription opioids, as demonstrated by previous research. For instance, a 2017 trial illustrated that acetaminophen and oxycodone, acetaminophen and ibuprofen, acetaminophen and codeine, and acetaminophen and hydrocodone provided pain relief scores of 4.4, 4.3, 3.9 and 3.5, respectively.

Only 10 states explicitly recognize neuropathy as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis.

The researchers also noted that although increasing cannabinoid dosages didn’t consistently lead to greater relief, patients generally benefitted from higher-potency marijuana containing over 20% THC. This observation might explain the discrepancy between NuggMD’s findings and previous studies that employed lower-THC marijuana.

Among the surveyed patients, the majority (58.6%) used cannabis flower with THC exceeding 20%. Fewer participants used concentrates (26.3%), sub-20% THC flower (11.1%), or noninhalable products (3.9%). In essence, patients who found cannabis effective predominantly chose high-potency products, which are widely available and notably more potent than research-grade government cannabis.

The study’s authors highlighted that the consistency lay in the use of high-potency marijuana with 20% or higher THC. They pointed out that much of the pain-relief research used cannabis products with less than 20% THC, leading to claims that THC isn’t effective for pain relief.

Until recently, federally sanctioned marijuana research solely utilized cannabis from a DEA-authorized farm, which was widely criticized for its quality. This research monopoly was disrupted when the DEA approved additional growers, offering a more diverse range of cannabis strains.

However, NuggMD’s findings imply that prior neuropathy studies might have been compromised due to low-THC products. Lawmakers have voiced concerns about researchers’ limited access to cannabis that resembles what’s actually available in dispensaries. Efforts to change this policy have advanced in Congress but have yet to pass. Despite President Joe Biden’s move to ease marijuana research last year, the final bill didn’t include provisions for scientists to acquire retail cannabis.

NIDA Director Nora Volkow also highlighted that this restriction, combined with cannabis’s Schedule I classification, has hindered comprehensive research into its benefits and risks.

The NuggMD study doesn’t establish causal evidence of cannabis’s efficacy in treating neuropathic pain but underscores patients’ preference for medical marijuana over alternative treatments. When asked about their choice if they lacked access to medical cannabis, most respondents were inclined to tolerate symptoms (128) or use alcohol (36) rather than opt for opioids (112).

This survey suggests that patients aren’t just buying medical cannabis products from enterprises such as Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) as part of a fad. The patients keep using those products because they experience relief from their symptoms.

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