420 with CNW — California Cannabis Company Leverages Business Model from Boutique Wineries

As competition within the legal marijuana industry gets tougher and other factors, such as adverse weather and high taxes, eat into profits, companies are having to go the extra mile in order to drive sales up and stay afloat. One California company is taking lessons from the boutique wine business to grow its business.

The Bohemian Chemist, a Philo, California craft cannabis brand, has turned to its location in Mendocino County (renowned for wineries) and the Emerald Triangle (famed for its unique marijuana) for inspiration. Having a property that has several wineries as clients, Jim Roberts studied how the craft wine companies were running their businesses and remaining profitable even as they competed against large establishments.

Roberts discovered a recurring pattern in the wineries; three major factors were always at play to ensure the success of craft wine brands. First, the wineries would conduct direct sales to their clients at locations such as tasting rooms. Second, many would sell to clients at restaurants or even engage a distributor to make products available to customers at bottle shops. The third strategy was to start an exclusive club through which members enjoyed exclusive offers and periodic deliveries in boxes of assorted items. Roberts is implementing all these strategies.

The microbusiness that Roberts runs mostly sells his own products, though they also carry a limited number of products from other craft producers in the cannabis space. The company is located in a low-population town, so this makes foot traffic seasonal and limited.

When he first opened his business, the winery tenants and their clients had mixed reactions to the marijuana company. Many initially said they aren’t interested in marijuana, but a day or so later, they would come in asking if Roberts had anything that would help manage a shoulder pain or an ache they had. With time, many confessed they had consumed cannabis while in high school, and they wanted to take it up from where they had stopped.

The Alchemist, the company’s cannabis box for cannabis club members, became available in April, and Roberts is working with marijuana retailers as well as licensed cannabis delivery businesses to reach his customers. Marijuana club membership comes with a recurring membership fee, and Roberts is making his boxes a worthy investment for his customers by including products whose total price often exceeds the recurring fee one has to incur.

Additionally, the club members gain first access to any new products that hit his shelves, and many of those products are in such a small quantity that not everyone interested may get their hands on them. A total of three boxes will be sent out to customers every year, and Roberts is hopeful his model will keep his business profitable for years to come.

As Roberts and others like him look for ways to stand out in the crowded cannabis space, other entities such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are walking the path of developing standardized medicines from cannabinoids, including THC, so that once those formulations gain approval from the FDA, they will access a nearly limitless market within and outside the country.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

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 — Florida Recreational Cannabis Effort Notches Major Victory

Activists who have been working to put a recreational cannabis measure on the 2024 ballot in Florida have scored a major victory. The state’s department of health has announced that the initiative had tendered the required number of voter signatures to qualify the measure for next year’s ballot.

The measure, aimed at amending the state’s constitution in order to legalize adult-use marijuana, submitted 967,528 verified voter signatures. This number of signatures exceeds the minimum required by at least 70,000 voter signatures. Smart & Safe Florida spearheaded this campaign. However, it isn’t all done and dusted for the advocates. The measure still has the hurdle of clearing a review by the state’s Supreme Court, and the attorney general is expected to mount a spirited challenge to the ballot measure.

The campaigners revealed in April that they had so far injected $38.4 million into the push to let voters decide whether recreational marijuana should be legalized in the state next year. Trulieve Inc., a multistate cannabis company, bankrolled this effort. CEO Kim Rivers observed that the company was pleased to see the campaign had passed the signature requirement. She added that company officials looked forward to having the measure on the upcoming ballot in 2024.

Under this proposal, adults who are at least 21 years of age or older would be free to possess a maximum of 85 grams of cannabis for recreational use. In addition, companies that have licenses to sell medical cannabis would be allowed to be licensed to trade in recreational cannabis. Medical cannabis has been legal in the state since 2016 after a referendum approved this change to the existing drug laws.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody sent the measure to the highest court in the state for review. She has in the past opposed recreational cannabis legalization and is expected to maintain her stance once the matter comes up for review by the Supreme Court. The AG’s letter to the Supreme Court accompanying the measure indicates that she has reservations about the initiative’s compliance with state law. She points out that in the opinion of her office, this measure doesn’t adhere to the requirement stipulating that any ballot measure must be unambiguous and clear.

Both sides of the petition are expected to turn in their briefs to the Supreme Court by July 12, 2023. Thereafter, the court will schedule hearings to determine whether or not the proposed ballot measure should get the nod and be added to 2024’s ballot.

If this measure lands on the ballot, the turnout for the polls is expected to be boosted, especially among the younger voter demographic, because marijuana legalization has been a hot topic in the state. The matter could also be one of the major talking points during the entire campaign, possibly influencing the elections for all the positions available in the state.

Medical marijuana has had a fairly long history not only in Florida but in many other states that have legalized its use. It is not surprising that we are seeing plenty of enterprises such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) looking to commercialize FDA-approved treatments from the cannabis plant.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

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 — Thai Marijuana Sector Uncertain of Future as Incoming Government Considers Reversing Legalization Plans

Thailand’s winning party, Move Forward, has suggested reclassifying marijuana as a narcotic, even though it was legalized only a year ago. This idea has sent shock waves across a sector expected to be worth $1.2 billion in the coming years.

Since the legalization of marijuana consumption and growth, a slew of new businesses have sprung up, with multiple outlets in prominent tourist destinations such as Bangkok catering to thrilled tourists and local smokers with their selection of cannabis goods. However, business owners are concerned about a potential rollback of the liberal market by a new government.

Interestingly, a party from the departing military-backed government initially championed the decriminalization of marijuana, primarily for medical purposes. However, the drug’s legal status has remained ambiguous. Despite promises of legislation to establish clear regulations, the bill failed to pass through parliament, creating a legal vacuum that allowed a flourishing recreational marijuana industry to take shape in a nation known for its tough stance on drugs.

The Pheu Thai is one of the opposition parties that Move Forward hopes to join in a coalition government. The latter had promised during its campaign to ban recreational marijuana, citing concerns about public health and youth abuse. In its recently published political agenda, Move Forward and its partners propose reclassifying cannabis as a regulated substance with new regulations that support its beneficial applications.

This proposal has sparked unease among procannabis advocates, particularly progressive young individuals who played a significant role in the parties’ electoral success. By March, approximately one million individuals had registered as cannabis growers, though it remains uncertain whether they are all actively cultivating the plant. The exact number of unregistered growers is also unknown.

In response to the probable regulatory escalation, 200 businesses and 5,200 people have signed an online petition against the categorization of marijuana as a narcotic, claiming that doing so would violate people’s rights. Move Forward seems to be treading carefully as it traverses a sector that is expected to be worth $1.2 billion by 2025.

Sirikanya Tansakun, a party official, defended the proposal to reschedule marijuana and emphasized the need to fill the legal gap. She reassured businesses that they would have backing as the party navigated the parliamentary process of enacting laws. Tansakun declared that unlicensed street vendors and the smuggling of illegal marijuana imports would be targeted and forbidden, notwithstanding the likelihood of a broad crackdown.

The rollercoaster that efforts to legalize marijuana in Thailand are being taken through is something that companies such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are unlikely to experience given that their focus is on coming up with marijuana-based formulations that meet the criteria of the FDA and other regulators in the different markets where those companies hope to sell their medicines. The path to gaining regulatory approval is clear.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

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 — Minnesota Agencies Set Timelines for Launch of Recreational Cannabis Sales

State agencies in Minnesota hope to start granting retail licenses for permitted marijuana sales within a year. To accomplish this, a request has been made for vendors to provide a timeline for the program’s development, following the approval of a bill by the legislature permitting adults aged 21 years and older to possess and purchase cannabis. Governor Tim Walz has expressed his intention to sign the bill into law, thereby making Minnesota the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana.

The state is looking for a software provider to handle the applications and data related to retail licenses. According to the proposal package, work on the project would begin in July, and applications for licenses would begin in May 2024. Although the date may change, the first dispensary sales of marijuana are anticipated to begin in January 2025.

In the interim, starting in August, individuals will be permitted to cultivate marijuana plants at home, within certain limits. They will be allowed to possess up to two pounds of cultivated cannabis and share small amounts with individuals of legal age whom they are acquainted with.

Pending Governor Walz’s signature, the bill outlines the following key points:

  • Marijuana would be legal for adults 21 years of age and older to buy, possess and consume; however, there would be consequences for selling the substance to minors.
  • The state will tax cannabis sales at a 10% rate, which is considerably less than the rates in many other states where recreational cannabis is legal. The revenue earned will be used to assist the legal cannabis market through grants and other regulatory measures. The state treasury will receive 8% of the tax money, with the remaining 2% going to local governments.
  • Counties and cities might set a limit on the number of cannabis merchants depending on the size of their respective populations, with at least one store for every 12,500 residents. Communities could award additional licenses, but there would be a ceiling.
  • Individuals with previous marijuana-related convictions may have their criminal records expunged. The lowest-level offenses would be subject to an automatic process that would begin in August and go until 2024. More difficult matters would be reviewed by a different board.

Minnesota has had a medicinal marijuana program in place for nearly a decade, initially restricted to tablets, oils and other nonsmoking forms. The authorization for the leaf form was granted in 2021.

It is noteworthy that Minnesota has had a medical cannabis program for almost 10 years, and the state has progressively expanded the range of products that patients can access from the marijuana-licensed outlets. Now that companies such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are developing formulations that can meet the strict FDA requirements, the concerns that some people have about using marijuana will be addressed through these pharmaceutical-grade medicines.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

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 — Australian States Review Driving Laws as Medical Cannabis Use Grows

Imogen Kars relies on medical cannabis to lessen the pain and suffering brought on by her chronic disease and handicap, but she worries that using it while driving could land her in legal trouble. The 27-year-old from Queensland takes cannabis as prescribed to treat her rheumatoid arthritis and cerebral hypertension. Kars said that her hands and joints’ discomfort, stiffness and edema would prevent her from continuing her copywriting career without medical cannabis.

The main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis is THC, which can be identified in a saliva test at a traffic stop for up to 12 hours after use, even when users are no longer experiencing the effects of the drug.

Several Australian jurisdictions are revisiting their legislation regarding medical marijuana on the roads, including Queensland and Victoria. Kars supports the reform, stating that she fears she might lose her license or be charged with a crime if she fails the drug test.

Victoria is leading the way in legislative discussions on reforming the current drug-driving laws and recently came up with the Road Safety Amendment (Medical Marijuana) legislation for 2023. Authorities are reviewing the current laws and considering any necessary amendments.

Jake Campbell, a student in Victoria, received a prescription for medical marijuana to treat the discomfort from his stage 3 testicular cancer. However, he stopped using the substance because he was worried about getting caught breaking the law. Campbell argued that Victoria’s drug driving regulations should provide for some flexibility or a legal limit for blood THC levels, as there is for alcohol. According to him, the current laws are insufficient.

Ben Watson, a lawyer in Victoria, has defended several individuals who have been punished for failing drug tests administered at traffic stops. Several of his clients were using medical marijuana for chronic pain and cancer treatment. According to him, it has resulted in infringement notifications and occasionally court appearances. There isn’t any defense at the moment.

Watson wants the laws governing drugged driving to be amended so that those who are given medical marijuana are regarded the same as those who are taking other medications. A person should be permitted to operate a motor vehicle while having the medication in their system, he added, so long as they are not impaired.

According to Watson, many of his clients were not accused of operating a vehicle recklessly or dangerously while under the influence of drugs. He explained that the fact that it had been found in their oral fluid was deemed sufficient justification for charging them with violating the drug driving laws.

As more people turn to using marijuana for medicinal purposes, it is becoming increasingly clear why entities such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are looking to formulate pharmaceutical-grade therapeutics from this plant so that patients can access those approved medicines to address their different needs without having to worry about facing legal repercussions for taking their medicine.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

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 — US Leaders Draw Attention to Cannabis Banking Bill Provision

A provision in the SAFE Banking measure has drawn criticism from several leaders and groups, including Democratic Senator Jack Reed, conservative advocacy associations and senior federal officials. The parties argue that the provision may unintentionally restrict the capacity of regulators to take action against those abusing financial services.

Reed first raised his concerns about Section 10 of the SAFE Banking Act this month in a session held by the Senate Banking Committee to discuss the bill. The senator stated that the provision’s wording will make it more challenging for federal authorities to issue a warning regarding any customer relationships that pose major dangers to the bank. Reed further stated that the section will force banks to notify customers when they are being sought after by the federal government for engaging in illegal behavior, which he likened to tipping off a criminal.

The section states that regulators are not permitted to order or request a depository institution to terminate an individual or group account or to in any other way prevent a depository institution from establishing or continuing a banking relationship with a particular customer, including but not restricted to any customer account that belongs to a state-approved cannabis service provider or business. There are a few exceptions, such as when financial regulators issue a formal statement that the institution is participating in risky or unsound behaviors. However, the section is generally viewed as an overly broad policy move that would restrict the ability of authorities to exercise oversight of financial transactions unrelated to the cannabis sector.

Reed brought up the subject once more at a committee hearing last week, questioning Michael Barr, the Federal Reserve’s vice chair for supervision, and Michael Hsu, the acting comptroller of the currency, if they shared his worries about the section. In answer to Reed’s inquiry at the hearing, Hsu stated that it is crucial that supervisors have the authority to recognize hazards and take prompt action in response, including ordering rectification.

Barr stated that it’s critical that Congress address the problem of the possible inconsistency between federal and state law with regard to marijuana banking services. He also acknowledged that the sections of the bill could be problematic, notwithstanding his usual skepticism about cases in which federal authorities are telling banks what to do with their customers.

At a prior cannabis banking bill hearing, Reed also presented a letter from consumer organizations that primarily focused on the same section of the SAFE Banking legislation. The letter to committee leadership was sent earlier this month and stated that the provision is too broad and could have effects that go far beyond marijuana banking.

It’s probable that Sherrod Brown (D-OH), chairman of the Banking Committee, was referring to this problem when he said that his panel would hold a hearing on financial hurdles in the cannabis business. When speaking to reporters at the time, he expressed concern that banking officials were attempting to exploit the legislation to undermine regulations and undercut bank standards, though he did not elaborate how he thought the banks were doing that.

Given the recent concerns and the apparent consensus that the Financial Act was not intended to alter legislation outside of the cannabis industry, the clause might be changed, either on the floor or in committee.

As more advocates push for change in cannabis banking laws, some companies, such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC), are pressing on with their work of medicalizing marijuana since FDA-approved cannabis formulations would fall under the purview of a completely different set of laws from those that are seen as holding back the marijuana industry from reaching its full potential.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

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 — Google Unveils AI to Expedite Drug-Development Processes

Artificial intelligence (AI) now has the potential to significantly speed up the laborious, time-consuming, and currently low-success rate process of finding and approving new pharmaceuticals. Google Cloud introduced two new AI-powered tools — Multiomics and Target and Lead Identification Suites — on May 15, 2023, in an effort to aid pharmaceutical and biotech companies in accelerating the discovery of novel treatments and advancing medicine.

According to a study published in the March 2021 issue of the “British Journal of Pharmacology,” the process of producing a new treatment currently takes between 12 and 15 years from the first idea to the release of the finished product, and can cost more than $1 billion. Moreover, finding a biological target that will make a medication workable can take up to a year.

Conventional methods, such as nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray crystallography, have a high failure rate and are mostly used to determine the 3D structures of proteins, the biological target required for the initial stage of drug research. These methods could be replaced with AI tools.

Google Cloud announced the launch of the tools during the Bio-IT World Conference held in Boston. The conference, which featured speakers from Harvard Med School, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Pfizer Inc., among others, showcased technology and analytical techniques that advance science, address key issues and pave the way for the future of precision medicine.

The Multiomics Suite will support researchers in ingesting, storing, analyzing and sharing enormous amounts of genetic data. This suite supports researchers as they begin to analyze genetic data. DNA can be sequenced far more quickly than it can be decoded and analyzed. However, genomic information in areas such as genetic variants linked to disease is now possible, thanks to technology.

The Target and Lead Identification Suite is made to aid biotech and pharmaceutical businesses in predicting and comprehending protein structure, which also happens to be a crucial component of drug development. Using the Analytics Hub for Google Cloud to securely communicate data, it enables scientists to manage and share protein molecular data.

Then, using AlphaFold2, a machine-learning algorithm created by a subsidiary of Google, researchers analyze data to forecast the structure of a protein. AlphaFold2 is powered by Google’s Vertex AI, a platform that makes it easier for academics to deploy and develop machine learning models. AlphaFold2 can accurately estimate a protein’s 3D structure in a matter of minutes.

The development of new treatments often involves Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs) submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. In biotech, this process can intersect with the cannabis sector, and Google’s new technology may completely change the way certain businesses operate in that space.

It would be interesting to hear what cannabis-based drug developers such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) think of this new drug-development technology released by Google.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

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 — Analysis Finds Significant Number of US Employees Failing Cannabis Drug Tests

A study by testing company and medical lab Quest Diagnostics has revealed that Americans are failing marijuana tests in unprecedented numbers. The firm’s annual analysis found that the number of U.S. employees who tested positive for marijuana was the highest Quest Diagnostics had seen since it started collecting data on workplace drug testing in 1988.

After analyzing more than 6 million urine tests for traces of marijuana in 2022, the firm found that 4.3% were positive for cannabis compared to 3.9% in 2021. Quest Diagnostics tested urine samples from general employees. This group excludes safety-sensitive and federally mandated employees, such as truck drivers and pilots who go through regular drug testing.

Now that dozens of states have medical and recreational cannabis markets, millions of Americans have access to legal, regulated cannabis. However, since federal law still considers cannabis an illegal drug, cannabis users often find themselves facing legal repercussions for using cannabis in accordance with their state laws.

Quest’s data shows that despite the risks involved, American workers are consuming cannabis in greater numbers. The firm also revealed that 7.3% of general employees tested positive for cannabis following accidents on the job while 6.7% tested positive in 2021.

On the other hand, only 0.98% of employees in federally mandated safety-sensitive jobs tested positive for cannabis in 2022 up from 0.86% of employees in 2021.

Keith Ward, Quest Diagnostics general manager and vice president for employer solutions, suggested that the increase in cannabis use among employees may be due to evolving societal attitudes toward cannabis that are “impacting workplace behaviors.” In addition, Suhas Harwani, the company’s senior director of science for employee solutions, states that medical and recreational cannabis markets generally have higher rates of positive marijuana tests compared to the national average.

Unsurprisingly, states without legal marijuana markets had lower cannabis positivity rates. The report showed that 5.7% of general employees in states with legal recreational markets tested positive for cannabis in 2022 while the national average for marijuana positivity that year was 4.3%. Conversely, general employees in states with only medical cannabis markets had a positivity rate of 3.9%.

Several states across the country have adopted liberal policies toward cannabis over the past couple of decades, with more than 30 states now allowing their residents to use medical marijuana for specific conditions. In fact, the cannabis industry is now one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country, generating billions of dollars in revenue and hiring hundreds of thousands of employees.

Lawmakers are now working to pass cannabis banking regulations and legalize cannabis at the federal level.

Given that more than 30 states across the country permit the medical use of marijuana, it isn’t surprising that entities such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are taking this medical use a step further by developing formulations that can be approved by the FDA for use within the healthcare system.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

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 — NIDA Director Wants Cannabis Products Federally Regulated

According to a senior federal health official, cannabis products must be controlled as states continue to legalize marijuana. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, stated that while it would be ideal if states took their time enacting reform, the reality is that they are enacting reform and people need to know what they can do to lessen negative impacts. Volkow asserted that it is crucial to regulate the sale of products and inform the public about potential negative consequences.

The official’s remarks are noteworthy because, although she did not specifically demand federal reform, such a shift in policy would be required to impose controls on interstate marijuana sales on a national level.

Volkow also acknowledged new studies looking into a potential connection between marijuana usage and an increased risk of psychosis, noting that regrettably, cannabis may not be as innocuous as it appears. Although Volkow cautioned against the potential risk of heavy use of marijuana products with high potency, she stated in 2021 that she hasn’t yet seen proof that occasional marijuana usage by adults is detrimental.

When it comes to regulations, Congress has sponsored multiple legalization measures in recent sessions, but none of those bills have been passed. The end result has been a hodgepodge of state-level regulatory frameworks.

This month, Volkow stated before a senate committee that there is growing evidence that psychedelics have a major potential as treatments for some mental health issues and that this is a subject of tremendous interest for academics. In recent years, the director has also turned into a strong opponent of drug criminalization generally, pointing out racial inequalities in enforcement and the futility of addressing addiction as a criminal rather than a public health issue.

According to Volkow, the criminalization of drugs has led to a systemically racist society where Blacks are regarded differently from other groups. Additionally, she discussed the link between drug criminalization and racial prejudice in 2021, stating that the United States is now dealing with a long history of discriminatory and racist laws, many of which are still in place today.

In a blog post from last year, Volkow stated that there is a pressing need to rethink addiction therapy, particularly by allocating more funds to diagnosing pre-addiction to enable patients to receive care before the condition.

Given the concerns being expressed about the high potency of the marijuana that is currently available, companies seeking to avail standardized medicines from cannabis, such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC), deserve to be applauded because those formulations, once approved, can offer users a safe way to benefit from cannabis compounds without exposing themselves to any potential risks associated with consuming high-potency marijuana while addressing their medical needs.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

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 — AMA Study Says Medical Cannabis Causes Sustained, Significant Health Improvements

A recent study conducted by the AMA has revealed a significant relationship between the utilization of medical cannabis and notable enhancements in the quality of life experienced by individuals grappling with conditions like insomnia and chronic pain. In a comprehensive retrospective analysis, the researchers examined a sample of 3,148 individuals from Australia that had been prescribed medical cannabis to alleviate symptoms associated with various qualifying diseases.

The study found that cannabis appeared to be beneficial for all eight well-being indicators that were examined, with negative side effects that were infrequently severe.

Throughout their treatment, patients were tasked with assessing their overall well-being across eight distinct categories using a scale ranging from 0 to 100. These categories included bodily pain, general health, physical functioning, mental health, physical role restrictions, emotional role restrictions, vitality and social functioning.

The survey was administered to patients at approximately 45-day intervals, resulting in a total of 15 check-ups. The study discovered that those who used marijuana reported an average benefit range of 6.5 to 18.30 points on a scale of 100. Among the medical conditions for which cannabis has been prescribed, the ones that stood out were chronic pain, accounting for a substantial 68.6% of cases; pain resulting from cancer treatment at 6.0%; insomnia, with a prevalence of 4.8%; and anxiety disorders, accounting for 4.2% of cases.

Patients used a wide range of marijuana products with different cannabinoid compositions, dosages and intake techniques. Even so, there was little difference between the final effects. The researchers also noted a limitation in the study’s retrospective analytic technique, which resulted in a lack of control, making extrapolating the findings more difficult.

This study is only one of many recent research projects showcasing the medicinal advantages of marijuana, reflecting the growing global trend of countries revising their cannabis regulations. For instance, another AMA study revealed that patients with chronic pain who used medical marijuana for more than a month experienced a considerable drop in the amount of opioids they were prescribed.

Last year, the AMA released studies that revealed a significant correlation between the legalization of cannabis in certain states and a reduction in opioid prescriptions among specific cancer patients. Moreover, numerous other studies have consistently demonstrated a connection between the legalization of marijuana and a decline in opioid prescription rates as well as a decrease in the number of overdose fatalities.

Chronic pain comes out prominently as one of the conditions for which patients report benefiting from medical marijuana. It may come as no surprise that enterprises such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are seeking to develop FDA-approved formulations from cannabis to treat chronic pain and other symptoms.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

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.

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

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