420 with CNW – Study Shows that Marijuana Ingredient Lowers Public Speaking Anxiety

A randomized, double-blind study in Brazil has found that individuals who suffer from public speaking anxiety can be helped by consuming cannabidiol (CBD). The findings of this study were released in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry.

Some 57 participants were recruited to take part in this study. These participants were divided into four groups with each group being given a placebo, 150mg, 300mg or 600mg of cannabidiol (CBD).

The researchers asked the participants to watch a short video and then prepare a four-minute speech based on the material in that video.

Those participants were then asked to self-assess on the anxiety levels before, during and after making that speech. The known bio-markers that are affected by public speaking anxiety, such as blood pressure, heart rate and sweating were monitored during those different stages of the presentation.

Previous studies on this same issue had suggested that CBD can mitigate public speaking anxiety depending on the dose given to the individual. The Brazilian research had similar findings.

The results revealed an inverted U when the impact of CBD on anxiety was assessed. The inverted U means that little effect was registered at lower CBD doses and the impact kept increasing until a certain point when higher doses of CBD showed a reducing effect on the “stage fright” experienced by the participants before, during and after the speech.

Specifically speaking, the group which received 150mg of CBD didn’t have any different anxiety markers from the placebo group. Similarly, those who got the higher dose of 600mg of CBD also barely differed from the placebo group.

These results show that additional studies need to be carried out to ascertain the specific “sweet spot” that provides the best effects to those who find it hard to stand before a group and express themselves coherently.

These research findings provide additional avenues through which marijuana can be harnessed to address the different challenges that people face in their day to day lives. Such research also calls for an urgent review of the scheduling of marijuana in many jurisdictions, including at the federal level in the U.S. where the plant is considered as something which doesn’t have any medical value. This categorization makes it hard for researchers to access funding to study this plant, and humanity has lost out on endless benefits during this prohibitionist period.

All isn’t lost, however, as the public is taking matters into its own hands and compelling different states to legalize marijuana through ballot measures. Cannabis companies like Green Hygienics Holdings Inc. (OTC: GRYN) and GreenBox POS, LLC (OTC: GRBX) can only wait for that time when prohibition will be ended once and for all at the federal level.

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420 with CNW – Canada’s Experiment With Legalized Marijuana Begins

The countdown to the legalization of recreational marijuana use in Canada ended yesterday when retail stores opened for the first time to serve adults who wanted to consume this substance that has been wrapped in a lot of controversy for decades. Legalization day also marked the start of one of the biggest “experiments” in public health policy. This is because cannabis was legalized without fully understanding how different categories of people would be affected by its regular consumption.

Of primary interest are teens and young adults. While federal law places the minimum age for those who can legally buy and consume cannabis at 18, provinces and territories imposed their own age limits with several putting it at 19.

Those age limits still give the scientific community the jitters since there is widespread agreement that a person’s brain continues to develop until that individual turns 25. This means that a young adult or an adolescent will have several years within which to consume a substance that could potentially alter the structure of that person’s brain during these crucial formative years.

Public health groups and the scientific community will be watching this age group closely in order to ascertain the actual impact of cannabis consumption upon them both in the short term and the long term.

The second category of people that has scientists worried is those who are predisposed to developing different kinds of psychosis, such as schizophrenia. Cannabis consumption has been linked to triggering episodes of psychosis, but it isn’t clear exactly how the substance affects the brain in order to trigger the condition.

Younger people are at a higher risk of developing psychosis if those individuals are predisposed to it and consume cannabis early in life. Researchers are ready to study this special group and learn more about the way cannabis affects their brains.

Of special concern to the scientific community are the senior citizens who may consume cannabis now that it is legal. This section of the population is usually overshadowed by the focus centered upon teens and young adults, but they also deserve serious attention.

Seniors often have a number of health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and weakened body systems. It is not known how cannabis will interact with the different medications those seniors are taking for their health challenges.

Sections of the scientific community will be watching these older members of the community closely given that the sharpest increases in cannabis consumption have been registered in this group.

The fourth group that will be watched closely are the pregnant or nursing mothers. The medical community urges these people to refrain from consuming cannabis in the same way that advice is given to avoid other substances like alcohol and tobacco during this stage.

However, advice (professional or not) can either be accepted or ignored. Researchers will therefore be looking out for the impact that cannabis has on pregnant women or those breastfeeding who go ahead and light a joint every so often.

The eyes of the world are on Canada to see how this experiment with cannabis pans out. The results will either encourage other countries to open up to marijuana, or strengthen their prohibitionist positions. Cannabis industry players like Green Hygienics Holdings Inc. (OTC: GRYN) and GreenBox POS, LLC (OTC: GRBX) have their fingers crossed hoping that Canada’s lead is followed by other countries.

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420 with CNW – Colorado Prosecutor Threatens Action Against Marijuana Businesses Violating the Law

U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer, the top federal prosecutor in Colorado, has vowed that his office will take firm action against any legal marijuana business that acts as a front for illegal activity, such as selling marijuana on the black market.

Some growers in various states who are faced with excess production are alleged to have resorted to selling that extra produce to the illegal marijuana market rather than see that cannabis go to waste when the legal market cannot buy it all. Such firms are the next target of enforcement efforts.

The attorney revealed that his office had mainly focused its resources on weeding out those who grow marijuana illegally in forests and in their homes. Legal businesses engaged in illegal activities were now on the radar of the federal prosecutor and the label “compliant with state laws” would not suffice to protect any firm found to be breaking the law.

Troyer added that the interest of the federal prosecutor was in the safety of the public. State laws often address those concerns, but federal laws may be invoked in some cases. Marijuana is still illegal at the federal level.

The spokeswoman for Governor John Hickenlooper responded to Troyer’s statement by saying the state authorities have always enjoyed a good relationship with the feds and they are equally concerned about the safety issues raised.

The spokeswoman added that the state will continue to enforce the law, including criminal enforcement, in case justification exists for such action.

Members of the legal marijuana industry have asked the authorities to identify and root out those breaking the law without putting unnecessary pressure on licensed firms who are following the strict letter of the law under which they operate. They also advised that the authorities discuss any concerns that they may have with the legal cannabis industry instead of taking unilateral action that may be detrimental to all concerned.

Troyer revealed that his office will soon take action against a dispensary chain in the Denver area in the coming days. The name of the targeted dispensary chain was not disclosed in his statement.

It appears that the blitz against cannabis businesses breaking the law will mark the final stages of Troyer’s stay in office since Jason Dunn was selected earlier in June to replace him. Dunn’s nomination is awaiting senate approval before he can take office. Troyer has been in office since 2016 when his predecessor resigned.

Companies like Green Hygienics Holdings Inc. (OTC: GRYN) and GreenBox POS, LLC (OTC: GRBX) must be happy that broader action is being taken to wipe out illegal cannabis activity since it affects the operations of the legitimate businesses in the industry.

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420 with CNW – Why Millenials Are Quitting Alcohol in Favor of Marijuana

There is a growing trend of millennials dumping alcohol and opting for marijuana as the wave of decriminalization sweeps across the U.S. and the world. This shift is seen more strongly in the states, such as California, which were among the first to legalize cannabis for either recreational or medical use. Several reasons have been cited to explain the growing popularity of cannabis among millennials.

First is the issue of safety. Millennials have grown up being bombarded with messages about the numerous safety risks associated with heavy drinking. For example, the reduction in reaction time as one responds to situations on the road after a night out.

For these young people, cannabis comes on top as a better option since its consumption in moderation isn’t associated with any safety issues, such as an increased risk of auto accidents. This view is particularly noteworthy because the truth is that anyone high on any drug (cannabis inclusive) poses safety risks since cognition and other functions can be affected. This is the primary reason why countries like Canada that are legalizing recreational cannabis still outlaw driving under the influence of this substance.

Secondly is the matter of cost. Many young people report that they had been spending in excess of $50 on alcohol each time they went drinking. Many of them would go to bars several times each week, so the cost of alcohol would quickly add up.

The same people report that they now spend an average of $30 on cannabis each month since a gram of the product goes for about $18 yet a beer would go for about $6. The switch makes economic sense to the millennials, and they are making their decision heard using their wallets.

Another reason that stands out for the millennials who are switching to cannabis is the health factor. Many confess that they were aware that alcoholic beverages, such as beer, were packed with calories that weren’t doing their health any good.

The prospect of nursing a nasty hangover the next morning was also a heavy cloud on the minds of these young people as they ordered one drink after another.

Cannabis is a welcome change for the millennials since it isn’t associated with any of those drawbacks that are a certainty when one consumes alcohol.

Interestingly, the switch isn’t restricted to young people alone. It appears that the reasons for making the switch aren’t lost on the older generations. Forecasts have it that one in five Generation Xers will take on cannabis instead of alcohol in the coming years as more states decriminalize marijuana. Golden Developing Solutions, Inc. (OTC: DVLP) and Green Hygienics Holdings Inc. (OTC: GRYN) must be watching these shifting preferences closely.

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420 with CNW – Massachusetts Credit Union to Offer Banking Services to Cannabis Industry

The GFA Federal Credit Union has become the first financial institution to announce that it is opening its doors to recreational and medical cannabis businesses in Massachusetts.

The announcement, due to take effect on October 1, brings a huge sigh of relief to numerous legitimate cannabis businesses that have struggled to attain the same level of recognition as other kinds of legal businesses within the state.

GFA Credit Union revealed that it studied the legal and business sense of making its move for about a year and finally decided to open its doors to this young industry.

GFA’s CEO, Tina Sbrega, said that its decision was primarily motivated by public safety concerns regarding such huge amounts of cash being left on the street. Robberies, money laundering, tax evasion and other related crimes were likely to escalate as the industry, currently worth millions of dollars in the state of Massachusetts, was left to operate as a cash-based industry.

Her public safety concerns are echoed by law enforcement agencies who welcomed the decision to provide banking services to the cannabis industry.

To be fair, Tina Sbrega admitted that GFA stands to benefit by adding businesses in the marijuana industry to its clientele.

However, not all is rosy for the cannabis industry as yet.

Initially, GFA Federal Credit Union will only accept a limited number of cannabis businesses as clients. Those selected businesses must meet all the existing requirements for operating a recreational or medical cannabis establishment. For example, the businesses must be licensed and have a letter of approval from the local authority where that business is based.

This restriction on how many cannabis businesses will be allowed to become GFA clients will leave all the others in the cold, unless more financial institutions step up to the plate and absorb them.

Many financial institutions are likely to drag their feet on this issue since they are unsure about the likely legal complications that may come from dealing with players in an industry that is regarded as illegal at the federal level. However, it is hoped that more will eventually follow GFA’s lead in order to get their cut of the pie presented by the recreational and medical cannabis industry.

The second speed bump for cannabis businesses is that even those lucky few who are taken on as GFA Credit Union clients will not immediately have access to loans to finance their operations. The credit union says that it will consider starting loan disbursements next year.

GFA Federal Credit Union wants to use these initial months of taking on cannabis businesses as clients to study how this relationship pans out before expanding to the provision of loans.

As any optimist would put it, the step by GFA Federal Credit Union may be small, but it is a major trail-blazing step that is sure to change the relationship between cannabis businesses and financial institutions for the better. At the very least, it is a major piece of good news for companies like Green Hygienics Holdings Inc. (GRYN) and GreenBox POS, LLC (GRBX) that may sniff new opportunities for growth and expansion from this horizon that has been expanded by the events in Massachusetts.

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