420 with CNW — Texas Veterans Want Medical Cannabis Program Expanded, Delta-8 THC Accessible

Veterans in Texas are fighting to defend the state’s hemp industry and push to expand its medical cannabis program during the state’s legislative meeting at the capitol. The vets and those who support them claim that they require access to delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, a hemp product, to treat conditions such as PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and chronic pain. Like marijuana, delta-8 THC is widely available in Texas and can induce euphoria.

It is distinct from the more popular commercial hemp substance known as cannabidiol (CBD), which can be found in a wide range of goods such as gummies, lotions and pet treats. Although CBD can make a user feel a little more at ease, it won’t give users the same high as delta-8 THC.

A majority of states, including Texas, legalized hemp production after federal regulations were changed in 2018 to remove hemp from the list of prohibited controlled substances. Hemp plants contain less THC, or the substance that gives the drug its high, than marijuana does.

However, Texas Senator Charles Perry wants the state to restrict access to delta-8 because of its psychoactive properties. He believes that hemp-based products with psychoactive effects are already prohibited. He has stated that he will not allow a renegade group in the industry to jeopardize that.

The reopened legislative debate occurs as several of the state’s cities struggle to decriminalize cannabis by prohibiting arrests. Even though 82% of Texas residents are in favor of legalizing cannabis for medical use, the state remains one of the 29 states that have yet to legalize the drug for recreational use.

The cannabis Compassionate Use Program in Texas, one of the most restrictive in the country, has a very small number of prescribing physicians and stringent eligibility requirements. It was created in 2015 to assist severe epilepsy patients. Less than 50% of the 36,651 Texas residents who had signed up for the program as of October last year were actually using the regular care and medication that the program provided.

Veteran-focused service organizations have actively aided in the growth of the program in the past. For instance, PTSD was added to the list of qualifying conditions in 2019 with the help of such organizations. Although the vets appreciate further expansion, they believe that the current hemp market, as opposed to the program, provides them with greater access to comparable and more affordable options such as delta-8 THC.

The medicinal potential of cannabis and its different compounds is attracting plenty of investor interest, and companies such as India Globalization Capital Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are focused on bringing innovative FDA-approved, THC-based therapeutics to the market.

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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 Shows That Long-Term Use of Medical Cannabis Leads to Lower Opioid Dosages

A recent study published by the American Medical Association (AMA) found that patients with chronic pain who used medical cannabis for more than a month experienced a significant drop in the amount of opioids they were prescribed. The study, conducted by researchers at the New York Department of Health in collaboration with City University of New York and the Marijuana Management Office, examined 8,165 patients registered in the state’s medical cannabis program.

The researchers used data from the state’s medical marijuana programs from 2017 to 2019 to track how patients’ opioid prescriptions changed over time. The data included patients who had at least one opioid prescription and a recommendation for medical cannabis at the time they received their first marijuana prescription.

According to the findings, the number of opioids consumed by pain patients who received marijuana for more than 30 days was cut in half. Consequently, those who received marijuana for less than 30 days only experienced reductions of 4% to 14%.

The authors also noted that the rise in opioid-related casualties has resulted in stricter prescription guidelines, which has resulted in fewer opioid prescriptions and even a discontinuation by some patients. This abrupt disconnection puts patients who rely on opioids to manage their pain in a difficult situation. Some resort to the unregulated market, where risks such as fentanyl poisoning are much higher.

The new study was welcomed by cannabis supporters as additional proof that the substance can manage pain more effectively and safely than prescription medications. The findings, according to NORML, are in line with several other studies showing that patients often use cannabis to manage their pain and that many reduce or stop using opioids and other medications after receiving marijuana therapy.

James McDonald, New York’s acting commissioner of health, referred to the study as further proof that medical marijuana can reduce the quantity of opioid prescriptions required to treat severe pain.

Numerous anecdotal accounts, statistically significant studies and observational analyses have indicated that some people use cannabis as a substitute for conventional pharmaceutical drugs such as opioid painkillers and sedatives. The new study, however, adds to a growing body of literature that looks at cannabis as a potential treatment for chronic pain, particularly as an alternative to opioids.

Similar research revealed last month that legalizing cannabis for adult use at the state level was linked to reductions in opioid demand. According to the study’s findings, states with legal marijuana experienced a 26% decrease in the amount of pharmacy-prescribed codeine.

Furthermore, another AMA study revealed that two in six people with chronic pain report using marijuana as a form of treatment, and the majority of those people have done so in place of other painkillers such as opioids.

With such study results, it isn’t surprising that a number of enterprises such as India Globalization Capital Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are looking to develop a range of THC-based treatments for various indications, such as chronic pain.

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420 with CNW — 2024 Adult-Use Marijuana Campaign Notches Major Victory in Florida

The possibility of legalizing recreational adult-use cannabis in Florida is becoming more visible. This is after a draft constitutional reform that might end recreational cannabis prohibition in Florida passed its initial procedural hurdle. However, before it is presented at the polls next year, it must meet two additional requirements.

For the legal and economic impact examination, the “Safe and Smart Florida” commission had to gather at least 222,899 verifiable voter signatures. Florida’s highest court — the Supreme Court — will review the suggested phrasing to make sure it isn’t misleading before it appears on the poll.

The potential impacts on the federal budget and any prospective modifications to other legislation will be examined by lawmakers and state officials in Florida. If everything goes according to plan, the group may need to collect 891,590 voter signatures in total to include the issue on the ballot.

To put it simply, this does not imply that the legislation will be adopted. Advocates and the electorate should work together to get the bill passed into law. For the proposal to pass, it must secure a minimum of 60% of the total votes cast in Florida. It is also difficult to gather 891,589 signatures, and this marks the beginning of the process to pass this measure.

By Feb. 2, 2023, the total number of acceptable signatures collected was 294,000, which was enough to have the measure analyzed.

Individuals older than 21 years of age would be legally able to possess, purchase, or use cannabis and other marijuana-related products for recreation in addition to medical use according to the draft bill.

Despite this, the proposed draft amendment bill clarifies that ending cannabis prohibition in Florida would not affect or insulate violations of federal rules but rather establish state-level limits for individual usage and propose a timetable for implementation. Florida has looked into legalizing the personal use of marijuana previously. The latest attempts to introduce that to the state legally failed in 2021 when a judge nullified the description of the amendment to appear in polls. The recent draft, which was filed in August 2022, might have a better reception with the backing of a well-known celebrity.

Currently, there are numerous restrictions on the lawful use of medicinal cannabis by residents of Florida. Although legalizing recreational cannabis in the state is still a long shot, its supporters are optimistic that, through a prominent celebrity endorsement, they can win over the people and get it passed.

While the push to end cannabis prohibition through voter initiatives and legislative means is ongoing, there are other companies such as India Globalization Capital Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) that are focused on developing therapeutic formulations from cannabinoids, which could gain FDA approval and find widespread use as regulated medicines.

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420 with CNW — FDA Passes the Buck, Gives Congress Plenty to Consider About CBD Marketing

The current tense situation regarding CBD-containing products will be maintained for the time being as a result of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent announcement that it will not regulate those products, instead delegating that responsibility to Congress. This adds to the workload for a Congress that is already becoming more acrimonious and creates more uncertainty for businesses considering entering the $4 billion-plus CBD market.

Congress must make decisions regarding intoxicating cannabinoids derived from hemp, such as delta-10 THC and delta-8, in addition to tackling broader cannabis policy reform, which includes banking access, tax relief and the issue of federal legalization.

For the time being, the FDA has largely stayed out of the CBD product market, sending enforcement letters only to businesses that advertise goods using false medical claims in violation of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

While Congress is negotiating a new iteration of the 2018 Farm Bill, which is set to expire this year, one of the issues that could be resolved is whether cannabinoids should be allowed in drinks, gummies or other products. The bill, an extensive piece of legislation ratified as a law by former President Donald Trump, legalized hemp production throughout the country. It also paved the way for the CBD boom and the emergence of new, hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids.

Since then, the FDA has been tasked with determining how to regulate a flood of hemp-derived CBD and other cannabinoid-containing products. Last week, however, the FDA decided against regulation, claiming that its current regulatory frameworks were insufficient and that Congress should instruct the FDA on what to do.

Trade organizations that represent producers of hemp products and hemp growers expressed their disappointment with the FDA’s announcement; the groups had hoped that the agency would have provided clear guidelines rather than putting the issue on hold. For now, existing product manufacturers will continue to be in a state of uncertainty.

The FDA may be selected by Congress as the appropriate agency to oversee cannabis products or Congress may decide that a completely new agency should be in charge of overseeing hemp-derived cannabinoids, which is another unintended but unavoidable consequence of the farm bill revision that has now been added to Congress’s growing list of things to do.

Several jurisdictions, such as Colorado and Utah, have adopted marijuana-like regulations for hemp products.

For enterprises such as India Globalization Capital Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) that lean toward the medicalization of cannabis, there is a clear process to follow in order to obtain FDA approval for any formulations that are developed. For that reason, companies of this nature don’t need to be concerned about the FDA’s efforts to throw back the regulatory guidance task to Congress on matters of CBD supplements.

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420 with CNW — FDA Throws CBD Supplements Rulemaking Duty to Congress

Despite legislative requests from stakeholders, legislators and advocates, the FDA has stated that it will not develop regulations allowing the promotion of CBD as nutritional supplements, leaving the vast industry unregulated. After conducting a “careful study” of the nonintoxicating cannabinoid, the FDA concluded that CBD won’t be regulated along the same lines as food supplements. The agency stated that it would instead like to collaborate with Congress to gain a fresh perspective.

Meanwhile, the FDA is also rejecting three citizen petitions that asked for rulemaking regarding CBD marketing. Days prior to this announcement, the agency issued finalized guidelines outlining the procedure and particular factors for scientists to take into account when working with marijuana-based drugs, particularly marijuana and hemp.

The agency didn’t say that CBD shouldn’t be regulated; rather, it said that certain safety issues and information gaps make it impossible to regulate administratively under the laws in place at the moment. When necessary, the agency will collaborate with various governmental partners to take action regarding CBD and other cannabinoid products in order to protect the public.

In related news, the FDA rejected public petitions from the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, Council for Responsible Nutrition, and Natural Products Association for cannabidiol rulemaking. This comes as a drawback for those who have been pressing the FDA to take some kind of regulatory action on CBD and other hemp-based products because the market is still expanding quickly and there aren’t many safeguards in place.

Since industrial hemp and its products were made federally legal in the Farm Bill of 2018, the agency has come under pressure from trade associations and legislators on both sides to take action. Leaders from the agency have in the past expressed their belief that Congress may need to work to effectively regulate CBD. Michael Bronstein, president of the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH), affirmed that the FDA’s findings regarding the regulatory framework for CBD products used in food, beverages and dietary supplements do indeed call for more Congressional action during a press release.

FDA chief Robert Califf agreed in the House oversight committee in May that the authority had moved sluggishly with the proposed rule for CBD regarding food production. To guide future rules, he said that the agency was taking measures to check into the tolerability of cannabidiol. However, he disagreed with the backlash from Congress over the agency’s failure to act, stating that he does not believe the existing policies on the food or narcotics sides are providing what is required to achieve the right trajectories forward.

This regulatory lacuna doesn’t affect entities such as India Globalization Capital Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) because they are focused on developing therapeutic formulations that meet the FDA’s requirements for any drug that is intended to be availed through the healthcare system.

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420 with CNW — New Poll Finds Americans Favor Looser Cannabis Regulation, Tighter Regulation of EVs and Cryptos

A recent poll from Harvard CAPS-Harris has found that Americans favor looser regulations for marijuana and tighter rules for social media, cryptocurrencies, coal and electric vehicles. The survey polled voters on a broad range of national issues and asked them if they thought the government should regulate the issues more or less, or keep current regulations as they are.

Results indicate 45% of the survey participants stated that cannabis should be regulated looser than it is now, 22% said that cannabis regulations should stay as they are, and 33% wanted tighter cannabis regulations. Compared to all the other items in the poll, participants were more likely to say that cannabis needs fewer regulations.

An increasing number of states have moved to legalize cannabis for medical or recreational use over the past two decades, resulting in a massive industry that generates billions of dollars in sales and taxes.

Past surveys have found that a large portion of the American population is in favor of legalizing cannabis, and the success of consecutive reform efforts has more than proved their support. For instance, a recent poll from Data for Progress revealed that a majority of Democrat, Republican and Independent voters support the federal legalization of cannabis.

The Data for Progress study found that 75% of Democrats, 52% of Republicans and 67% of Independents believed that it was time for marijuana prohibition to end. Overall, 65% of American voters said that they supported legalizing cannabis at the federal level.

A Pew Research Center poll released last November found that 10% of Americans believe cannabis should be totally illegal. The poll also indicated that 89% of U.S. adults said that marijuana should be legal for medical or recreational reasons with 45% of Republicans and 73% of Democrats supporting total legalization of cannabis.

The Harvard CAPS-Harris survey adds to the growing body of data showing that an increasing percentage of the American population simply doesn’t believe in prohibition.

With dozens of states now allowing either medical or recreational cannabis, millions of Americans have access to a legal cannabis market. The plant has proven to be extremely popular among consumers, allowing retailers across the country to sell cannabis products worth billions of dollars and hire hundreds of thousands of workers.

Several lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, are working on legislation to legalize cannabis at the federal level and grant cannabis businesses access to banking services and federal financial aid.

Additionally, the FDA recently released its finalized guidance on the development of cannabis-based drugs.

With companies such as India Globalization Capital Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) engaged in developing drugs from THC and other cannabis compounds, the FDA guidance couldn’t have come sooner.

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420 with CNW — FDA Publishes Final Guidance for Cannabis Drug Development

Earlier this week, the FDA published its final guidance on cannabis drug development in the federal register. This comes after it released a draft version in 2020. The guidance outlines the basic clinical study standards, considerations for researchers and the drug development process.

The legalization of hemp in the 2018 Farm Bill is one major reason for the guidance’s release because it made the drug development process for hemp different from marijuana, which is still classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. In its statement, the agency said that the guidance outlined its views on topics related with the development of cannabis and cannabis-derived drugs for humans.

The FDA also made a number of nonbinding recommendations for scientists interested in the development of cannabis drugs that could be commercialized. The advice, the agency noted, was centered on addressing the regulatory controls and legal definitions related to cannabis as well as specific questions raised about drugs that contained cannabis.

One section of the guidance centers on how hemp can be distinguished from marijuana by calculating THC content. Legally, hemp is defined as cannabis that contains not more than 0.3% THC by dry weight.

In its final guidance, the FDA advises that researchers determine THC content in their proposed cannabis investigational drug products in the early stages of the development process. The agency notes that this may be useful because any drug products that contain more than 0.3% THC may be considered Schedule I substances.

Meanwhile, legislators and advocates await the FDA’s actions on permitting the marketing of hemp-based products such as CBD oil. Earlier in November, the agency sent warning letters to five companies that sold beverages and food containing CBD. While it did not specify why those particular companies were targeted, the agency did state that the companies sold products that individuals could confuse for traditional beverages or foods, resulting in overconsumption or unintentional consumption of CBD.

CBD (cannabidiol) is an active ingredient derived from the hemp plant. This compound is said to be beneficial for various health issues and, unlike THC, it does not induce any highs when ingested. A continued lack of clear regulations for CBD leaves stakeholders in the grey area and many more frustrated over the FDA’s slow rulemaking process.

In other news, the FDA has been tasked with carrying out a scientific review on marijuana to aid in the evaluation of its federal scheduling, as directed by President Joseph Biden.

For entities that are already conducting cannabis drug development, such as India Globalization Capital Inc. (NYSE American: IGC), the new guidance may simply clarify what they are already doing because any clinical development program can only take place once the needed approvals are granted by regulators, such as the DEA and the FDA.

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420 with CNW — US Air Force Grants Cannabis Waivers to More Recruits Than Anticipated

As cannabis reform has swept across the country, there have been questions about how institutions that still abide by prohibitionist cannabis policies would deal with an influx of cannabis users among their ranks. Last September, the U.S. Air Force and Space Force launched a pilot program that would allow recruits who had tested positive for marijuana during the enlistment process to enlist.

The two military branches announced last year that while active members were still banned from using cannabis regardless of state laws, new recruits who had high enough scores on their qualification tests, did not have convictions on their records, and met enlistment standards would be eligible for a waiver.

This waiver would allow prospective space cadets and pilots to retake the cannabis test 90 days after they failed their initial test rather than receive a permanent ban. The waiver was the military’s attempt at offering leniency to prospective recruits coming from states with legal medical or recreational markets.

Just a few months later, the Air Force revealed that it had granted recruits way more waivers than expected when it launched the program. The Air Force stated that that while it estimated that around 50 recruits would qualify for the waiver annually based on prior individual data on drug screening, the military branch had already granted the second chance waivers to more than 40 applicants from September through the end of December 2022.

According to Chrissy Cuttita, Air Force recruiting service spokeswoman, the Air Force expects an increase in waiver requests as more states adopt a more permissive stance toward marijuana and derivatives of THC.

At the time of the program’s launch, the Air Force and Space Force said that they would review the results of the program after two years to see if they would make the waiver a permanent feature of the recruitment process. If the pilot program is integrated into the Air and Space Forces’ recruitment process, the two military branches will be in line with the Marine Corps, Navy and Army.

The pilot program will run until late 2024, after which the Air Force will make a decision on whether to make it permanent or scrap it.

This would be a major step for the Air Force as the military branch made an announcement two years ago reiterating that active members weren’t allowed to bring products infused with hemp such as lotions, lip balms and shampoos to the base.

Furthermore, the Air Force warned members to be careful with miracle sticky buns as marijuana was still illegal under federal law and a positive THC metabolite test could result in a “separation from service.”

Members of the armed services may freely enjoy the medicinal benefits of cannabis compounds once companies such as India Globalization Capital Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) commercialize the formulations they are developing from THC and other cannabinoids.

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420 with CNW — Jobs Fair Shows Growth of New Jersey Marijuana Industry

New Jersey is staying true to its farming reputation and history when it comes to cannabis production and sales. The demand for professionals in the business is great because the state is currently the fifth-largest marijuana retailer in the United States. Last week, a career fair featuring cannabis-related companies made this need extremely evident.

In three hours, more than one hundred people attended the Passaic County Cannabis Career Fair that was held at the main campus of the Passaic County Community College; Edwin Lopez was one of those attendees.

Lopez, who manages a local site for a medical supply company that is shutting down, is actively searching for a new position because his present one is almost phased out. He expressed his amazement at what he discovered at the job fair, stating that he’d initially attended the event as a joke but, after being there for a while, he had discovered some great opportunities.

Both the industry and the fair are incredibly real, and revenues in the space are soaring. Sales of medical and recreational cannabis exceeding $177.7 million in the third quarter of 2022, based on the state’s report. The numbers place New Jersey as the fifth largest marijuana seller in the nation. Additionally, the state anticipates that sales will keep growing.

Due to the growing strength of the sector, companies now require more human resources. ANJA Corporation manager Alexandra Verello reported that the company had a resoundingly favorable reception to its request for applicants, stating she had a full folder of resumes. This year, ANJA is hoping to obtain its marijuana permit. It was not the only business at the event whose cannabis sales license is still pending. Some job candidates, including Maureen Falzarano, were caught off guard by this fact.

Company representatives who attended the event appeared happy to have taken part. One of the attendees, TLEHL Corporation CEO Dab Riga, was gushing. He noted that the job fair was one of the most vibrant and successful events he had ever participated in.

Every job applicant who interviewed with PIX11 News expressed optimism about locating positions in an industry that is expanding quickly. Bines-Wiltshire, a job seeker at the fair, acknowledged the rapid growth of the cannabis industry, stating that it was a smart idea to put your feet in the doorway given that you rarely know where it may go.

More companies in other jurisdictions, such as India Globalization Capital Inc. (NYSE American: IGC), are also employing top-tier personnel in their bids to make pharmaceutical-grade formulations from marijuana compounds. These jobs make the industry one of those with high growth numbers nationwide.

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420 with CNW — Flooding, High Winds Ravage Marijuana Operations in California

The devastating storms wreaking havoc on California have had a wide-ranging negative impact on cannabis businesses, disrupting operations and perhaps even supplies. In a last-ditch effort to limit the damage, some cannabis companies temporarily shut down business and fortified their facilities. Several operators have been unable to reach their operations due to road closures and hazardous conditions, while numerous power outages have halted production and exposed plants to contaminants, such as mold.

This is the most recent climate disaster to hit the state marijuana industry, following a heat wave in September and wildfire season several years earlier.

Workers cannot access cultivation facilities due to washed-out roads, which may result in lost sales and production delays, including those for packaging and flower trimming. If the current conditions persist, many cannabis retail store shelves could soon be empty.

At least 15 people have died and tens of thousands have been evacuated as a result of the storms, which began on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2023, and more than 34 million people are currently under a flood watch.

Glass House Brands, a cannabis company based in Santa Barbara, California, shut down both of its cultivation facilities in Carpentaria earlier last week so that employees could return home to their families and avoid getting stuck on the wrong side of a closed road. Graham Farrar, the company’s president, noted that the recent spate of cloudy weather has resulted in the lowest light levels he can recall in years.

However, Farr was concerned about mold and botrytis contaminating cannabis crops because the business is an “indoor sun-grown facility” and only uses photoperiod lights as additional lighting.

Along with the destructive floods, numerous prime cannabis-growing counties, including Mendocino, Monterey and Santa Cruz, also experienced widespread power outages. According to Poweroutage.us, nearly 225,000 homes and businesses were without power on Tuesday of last week.

Aiden Rafii, CEO of Euphoric Life, was concerned that if the power outage continued, they would incur losses of close to $140,000. They had more than 2,800 pounds of frozen biomass stored in the company’s freezers, which would be ruined if it thawed. Euphoric Life’s products are not insured due to the federal marijuana prohibition. Fortunately, power was restored by Wednesday, saving the company and others from further losses.

Mendocino County cannabis department director Kristin Nevedal said growers who are close to burn scars, which can become mudslides after heavy rains, left by severe wildfires from a few years ago have received warnings. However, many of the growers in the Emerald Triangle (Humboldt, Trinity, and Mendocino Counties) are ultimately self-sufficient and able to survive without electricity.

The majority of rural homesteaders, according to Nevedal, “either have alternative energy sources or have learned how to use very little power.” As of Tuesday morning of last week, it appeared that Napa and the nearby Lake County, where several cannabis growers have operations, had been spared from significant damages.

The challenges California cannabis enterprises are facing are just a fraction of the issues that the industry has to deal with, such as the hoops companies such as India Globalization Capital Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) have to navigate just so they can conduct needed studies on this substance.

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

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